The dragon stretched his wings, his neck moving forward like a snake about to strike, bringing his head close to Bellerophon. "Over one thousand years since last we met, my friend. It is good to see you back in flesh. I could not have foreseen the appearance of the Mare in the Moon—after that, I feared you were lost forever."
The other ponies in the amphitheatre, those loyal to Firetail, seemed uneasy. Their weapons were still held at the ready, but many eyed the dragon nervously.
Firetail himself seemed unperturbed, making a motion as if wiping dust from his armor before he walked up to the beast. "Ah, Broken Tooth. As you can see, we have the situation well in hoof. Better than that, in fact, now that we have—"
"I can see that, Firetail. Now, step aside." Broken Tooth rumbled. "Lord Bellerophon and I have catching up to do."
The would-be leader grumbled, but bit his tongue and bowed.
"I have nothing to say to you." Bellerophon lowered his hoof, pulling the bracer away. "You will let these ponies go, and you will end this madness."
Broken Tooth chuckled, "Of course, of course. Whatever you think is best, Lord. Though, I have to wonder if you know who they really are. What lies have they been telling you in your time away?"
Bellerophon sneered. "Hmph. I know now where the lies started. It was not Tapio—"
Interrupting with a roar, the dragon shouted back. "Tapioca betrayed you! Turned her back on you! I know your pain, Bellerophon. So do the ponies outside this keep. They have been betrayed by those in Ostfriesen, cast down and hunted. Now, your faithful await. They need your guidance. They need justice."
Bellerophon hesitated. "I cannot deny that those ponies exposed to your vile influence for so long need guidance."
You know he's only saying what you want to hear... I looked at the great shadow that filled almost the entirety of my vision. After everything you’ve learned… you know he can't be trusted.
"What's this?" The Dragon turned his head, his eye focusing upon me. Not on my body, but on me. I shrunk back. "A little gnat still clings on? No wonder you feel so divided. You need only push away that pesky voice and claim your full strength."
Dusky's voice rose up. "Bellerophon, you can't..."
"I won't." Bellerophon shook his head. "I want nothing this lizard can offer me."
Broken Tooth sighed. "You speak as if you have a choice. If you won't submit willingly, then we shall simply continue with our alternative plan with one modification. You've already weakened that host enough that subduing it will be far easier than a fresh host, and possessing your bracer gives me an even better claim to solidify my rule."
"Our rule, you mean." Firetail stepped forward. "Once Ostfriesen is conquered, I shall be King."
I could hear Merri's voice call out from behind, though it sounded oddly weak. "Firetail, you're a moron. He just used you to get what he wanted out of Ostfriesen. Now that Belle's here, he doesn't need you."
“Yes, yes, you’ll have your position of power.” The Dragon waved a claw dismissively, but his neck craned towards the others as he glowered at Merri. "Soldiers. Execute those three. The existence of their bloodline offends me. I must deal with our guest of honor."
Firetail moved in front of the dragon, raising his hoof. "Don’t brush me aside! You said King before. I will be King of Ostfriesen. And these are my subjects. Do not think you can bypass my authority simply because we are on friendly terms!”
“Fine. Do as you will, but don’t let her interfere.” Broken Tooth began to stride off of the stage, letting the annoyance pass from his face as he gazed at me once again.
The dragon kept his eyes on me, raising a claw. With a sudden strike, he pierced through his scales, drawing out a thick strand of his own blood. His voice flowed into my head, like poisoned honey. Just let go, little pony. You've been clawing at the edge for so long, wouldn't it feel good just to let yourself slip into oblivion?
The emptiness where I floated began to close in around me, darkness and shadow swirling in to envelope me. There was no edge to grab onto, no light to move towards, all I could do was struggle to remain awake, remain in place. The other ponies faded from view, the soldiers, my friends, even Dusky faded into nothingness. I could feel the temptation that Broken Tooth whispered to me, to just stop fighting and let it wash me away.
Yes. You want to lose. Just let that sense of self fade into the darkness. Easier to let it happen than to fight and suffer. The result will be the same. Just let go. The words stuck to me, weighing me down.
I could sense more than see as Bellerophon readied himself. It was almost hard to remember that it was my body standing there, not his. Night Flurry. You are strong. Do not listen.
It was getting darker, quieter. I wanted to curl up and just sleep, and fighting against it hurt, but terror drove me on, fear of losing myself, and fear of losing everything I'd earned. Friends, family, love. All were worth fighting for.
Broken Tooth grinned. "Only a matter of time. This body is far too old, but I can still do what is needed. You’re going to accept this blessing, my old friend. Whether you want it or not."
The darkness crushed me, gripping tight until it snuffed the life from me. There would be nothing left, only oblivion, but instead of finishing the job there was a moment of release, as the shadows rippled.
"I’ll have my share of the bounty as well, thank you very much." Firetail's voice pierced through the haze.
Shock and anger grew clear through the darkness. Like a veil being pulled away, the shadows withdrew and I could see again. Though I knew I couldn’t really breathe in that state, I reflexively took a deep breath, just to get a grip on myself again.
The blood and hate that had filled my mind now filled Broken Tooth as he turned towards the source of the interruption. “Just what do you think you’re doing, Firetail?”
He grinned back, lifting his head up to face the dragon. A sickly purple aura surrounded him, and his eyes shone an unnatural green. “Showing you how much you need me. Though we both hold mastery over magic, I am the one who holds the court in my hoof. Without their support, you will never appear more than a crazed old dragon backing a mongrel of a warlord without so much as a claim to Bellerophon’s bloodline!”
Starshadow cried out in answer. “The ponies outside already think he’s Bellerophon. They’ve seen the bracer. They’ve heard him say the first name!”
Her words only served to further incite Firetail, and the aura surrounding him pulsed brighter as whatever magic the earth pony wielded intensified. “I don’t care what those worthless peasants think! And neither does the rest of Ostfriesen! It is only us nobles who can bring about Bellerophon’s restoration!”
They were words of inspiration, or a leader trying to rally those beneath him to follow his lead, however mad. The words died, however, in the deep laughter that filled the chamber. A low chuckle that grew until it drowned out all other noise, Broken Tooth’s laugh was filled with amusement, and tinted by what could only be the depths of insanity.
The laugh turned into a roar as the dragon turned on Firetail. “Pitiful pony! You have seen but a fraction of my power! What do I care if Bellerophon is recognized as legitimate by your council of clowns?”
Trying not to look cowed in the face of his ‘ally’, Firetail shook his head. “What?! Are you mad? You cannot rule without political power! You’ll be overthrown in a week!”
Broken Tooth’s laughter continued. He clenched his fist and pointed a bloody claw at Firetail. “No. You cannot rule without it. Whatever turmoil your precious little politicians cause will be inconsequential. No… it will feed into my conquest! When I stand upon the ashes of Tapioca’s nation, they shall know just how helpless they really were!”
“No! I will be King! I will not allow you to destroy what is mine!” His aura spiked, the blood magic flaring a sickly green within his eyes, and suddenly that same darkness that Broken Tooth had lashed out at me with was back. This time, however, it wasn’t as strong or focused.
It was a powerful spell, just as oppressive as the dragon’s magic had been, but somehow, it was easier to fight. It took me a moment to realize what was going on. Firetail wasn’t attacking me directly. He was attacking the dragon.
He is attacking us all. Undirected, without focus, but powerful nonetheless. Bellerophon grit his teeth. We have no means for attack as they do. We can only endure.
I was already so tired from that first round of fighting off the dragon. Now, it was Firetail and Broken Tooth both, and even if their attention was divided between one another and Bellerophon, it was still too much.
Firetail was apparently feeling the pressure too, his voice strained as he shout out to his guards. “What are you waiting for? Kill him!”
“Th-the Oracle?” One of them stammered in disbelief.
“Yes, you idiots!” He cried out, pushing more magic into his assault.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you!” A new voice called out. From the rear entrance to the Amphitheater, Amethyst Vein emerged. She marched in, surrounded by a group of armed ponies, with others spilling in from the sides.
Despite the newfound resolve he had attempted to pour into his spell, Firetail faltered again. “What?! Who gave you permission to be here?!”
“In case you didn’t notice, this is our country! Not yours!” Amethyst waved a hoof towards the stage, and her ponies advanced until they met the line of Firetail’s loyalists. “You and your thugs have already caused untold damage. I tolerated it because The Oracle deemed you worthy of trust! But now I see just how pathetic worms like you answer to such trust!”
With a sadistic grin, Broken Tooth made his move, clenching his fist to draw more blood, the force of his spell increasing.
The effect upon Firetail was instant, as his attention was now even further divided by Amethyst’s rebellion. “You poor, naive, idiot! Can’t you see? Your ‘Oracle’ is insane. I am your only hope for a future!”
Broken Tooth seized the moment. “Do not listen to him! It is as you say! He is a traitor who seeks now to assassinate me!”
Firetail dug in his hooves, mustering up all his strength, eyes flaring green in dark magic. He lashed out with a scream. “Grah! Screw it! Kill them all!”
“What?!” A guard called out, Amethyst’s soldiers approaching their line. “Sir, we’re out—”
“JUST DO IT!”
I braced myself against the onslaught, the magic rolling over me again. Firetail’s rage struck out against us like searing fire in the depths of shadow.
“For Lord Bellerophon! For Olymponis!” Amethyst’s voice roared, followed by a wave of shouts in echo.
The din of battle rose, then began to fade as the magical assault began anew. Broken Tooth and Firetail unleashed their magic, seeking to push one another out of the void. I simply held on to whatever I could, focusing on the real world and my real body, but it grew more and more difficult as the darkness swallowed everything up.
Insignificant fools! Give up! Disappear! DIE! Broken Tooth’s thoughts screamed through the miasma. I will not be denied my vengeance! I will show my sister how worthless ponies are!
Firetail shouted back into the void. I didn’t embrace this power for nothing! I will be King of Ostfriesen, and no pony, no dragon, no one is going to stop me!
I staggered at the sheer hate weighing down upon me. I can’t… I c-can’t keep up… I don’t have magic like them. It’s no use.
Bellerophon’s voice rose up. It’s not about magic. That is only the conduit. It’s about your mind. Your strength of self, and your will to live. He paused. And we have an advantage that they do not. There are two of us.
I snapped back into my body, Bellerophon returning to the darkness. I wobbled, knees threatening to buckle as I was unprepared to use them once again. Wh-what are you doing?
Bellerophon strained, but his voice held steady. You’ve pushed through more than enough on your own. I can bear the greater brunt while you recover.
Chaos was all around me. With the darkness lifted, I could see the battle between Amethyst Vein’s forces and Firetail’s. There was still a weight on me, the magic gnawing at my mind as I struggled to stay standing, but it was easier to fight it like this, back in my body, back as myself.
One guard charged past me with a lance, preparing to strike Broken Tooth, but with little more than a brush off, the dragon sent him flying away into a crumpled pile. I found myself in a rather precarious place, seemingly ignored, but otherwise vulnerable. There was no way I could fight like this, and even if I could devote all my attention to the fight around me, I was sure I was outclassed by everyone there. All I could do was hope that they’d all ignore me until, well, I didn’t know.
Honestly, in the midst of a volcano, so far from home, facing down an army, with a dragon overhead, it felt hopeless—no matter who won. Neither Firetail nor Broken Tooth was likely to let us live.
“This way! Firetail and his treachery end today!” I heard Amethyst Vein shout from behind. She had brought her soldiers, but I had no idea what she’d do if she won. Her loyalties didn’t lie with Firetail, certainly, but if she still believed Broken Tooth, then all that meant was trading one army for another.
Without looking away from Broken Tooth, Firetail grit his teeth and cried out to his guards. “Gah! P-protect me, you idiots!” A ring of archers formed around him, raising bows with magic and in mouths to fire down into the approaching force.
In my mind, I could feel Broken Tooth strain to press his assault on the Ostfriesen, taking the pressure off of Bellerophon and I for a moment. You’ve already lost, upstart. I’ve bred loyalty into these ponies for generations. They will fight, and die, for me. They will destroy your little army, and then they shall ‘rescue’ me. The dragon’s eye moved back to me. And then, Bellerophon, we shall finish our… negotiations.
Firetail screamed, half in frustration, half in defiance. “Kill them! Kill them all!”
There was sound nearby, closer fighting. I dared to turn my head, and caught sight of Dusky and Star fighting towards me. Dusky dueled with a stallion, but in only a moment it was clear she was outclassed. Her strike failed to do much, and her eyes darted over to meet mine.
The stallion noticed, and in a flash, he spun towards me, blade leveled to my throat. I began to back away, but a sudden assault slammed into my mind, freezing me in place. I flinched in pain as Broken Tooth’s voice filled my mind again. No escape for you either, worm. I need that body, if I’m to ensure Ostfriesen drowns in its own blood. Tapioca’s legacy will burn, and her heirs will pay for what she did to me!
The stallion approaching me was suddenly blasted away, a magic ball of fire smashing into his chest. The momentum threw him onto the stage, where he collided with Broken Tooth’s foreleg. Broken Tooth looked down at the sudden collision and almost looked like he sighed.
In a simple motion, he raised his leg, and brought it back down upon the stunned pony. The pony called out for help from Firetail, from his allies, his foes, anyone, but the sound of cracking bones signaled it was already too late for him. You see, Bellerophon? All of this could have been avoided. Now, I have no choice but to end this little annoyance.
You only show your true face, monster. Bellerophon growled in response. Tapioca bested you, didn’t she? The stories that she defeated a black dragon. It was you.
Goaded, Broken Tooth roared, silencing all else in the room. “Insects!” He began to move, walking forward to crush any pony in his path, no matter to whom they owed allegiance. Each word was punctuated by another grim footstep, the crack and splatter of another victim beneath his claws. “Stop interfering! Stop! Interfering!”
Bellerophon continued, and part of me could see the reason, no matter how sickening. When Broken Tooth raged, he lost part of his concentration, the weight on my mind lessened. Tapioca bested you, and you were forced to give her your blessing, is that it? Was all of this just your way to have revenge against her?
Amethyst Vein cried out in confusion as the Dragon continued to wade into the melee. “Oracle! Wait, we’re on your—”
I did not give my blessing! I was NOT BESTED! I thought I heard Dusky shout, but the noise continued to be drowned out by Broken Tooth. He brought a claw up, aiming for Amethyst Vein. Ponies are best when they know their place. And those who step out of line are best brought to heel! My sister never understood that! She gave Tapioca her blessing, after that filth dared lay a hoof on me! After she dared mar my beautiful face!
He slammed his claw down, but rather than making Amethyst another victim to his rampage, withdrew his hand with a scream of pain. The pain and darkness in my head all but vanished in that instant, and I risked a look away.
Standing in Amethyst’s place was Old Ed, the door guard. Upon his hoof sat a golden hoofblade, the gleaming sword now slicked in the dragon’s blood. Amethyst lay to the side, having been pushed out of the way.
Now, Broken Tooth spun, pulling away his claw to examine the damage, but Old Ed didn’t relent, lunging past me to drive the blade into the dragon’s side. Where spears and arrows had failed to penetrate the beast’s hide, the hoofblade dug in, piercing the blade into Broken Tooth’s hindquarters.
Broken Tooth roared, an ear-shattering noise that shook the room, dropping everyone to the ground to cover their ears.The darkness swirling in my mind shattered, whatever spell Broken Tooth had been weaving, his concentration was entirely broken, and it seemed Firetail’s efforts had ceased as well. It was strange to feel such blessed peace in the midst of the chaos, but I stood within the eye of the hurricane now, behind Old Ed.
“You dare…” The dragon’s eyes were wide, his side bleeding thick red, radiating heat I swore I could feel. “You dare to attack your superior?!”
Old Ed was poised, ready to make another blow. “The moment you laid claw on my comrades was the moment you lost that claim, beast!”
“Ingrates! All of you! It is only by my grace that you have survived as long as you have!” Broken Tooth turned back, death in his eyes. He began to raise his claw to smash down on Old Ed, but suddenly cringed in pain and pawed at his wound. “Gah! What is this?”
“The power of Lord Bellerophon’s blade, ‘Oracle’,” Old Ed brandished the blade upon his hoof. “Seems he found you wanting.”
More false claims attributed to my name? Bellerophon sounded distant, weak, but managed to communicate his disdain. I have only ever had a single blade.
Broken Tooth seemed to know this fact as well. “Impossible! The blue one wears his blade!”
I nodded to Old Ed, calling out, surprised at how weak my own voice sounded “It’s true. I have it and Bellerophon says he only has one bracer.”
Old Ed brought the blade forward in front of him. “Then why was it amongst his armor? Give it up. This charade is over.”
“Hah, so you were the one who broke into the vault. Do you know what the penalty is for stealing a king’s treasure? Death!” The Dragon aimed his head back towards Amethyst Vein and Old Ed and opened his mouth. A blazing purple flame erupted from his throat.
I was too close, I knew it, but before I could make a move, unsure if I could even manage to make myself move, something collided into my side, pushing me away and down. As we came to a stop, I glanced up to see a familiar dark coat and blue mane atop me. Dusky! She kept her head down, then lifted it up towards to the dragon.
The purple flames had been stopped, Star and Merri both stood over us, magically shielding us from the dragon’s breath. It faded, revealing no sign of Amethyst Vein or Old Ed now.
I turned to look up at Dusky, about to make sure she was alright, when everything collapsed in on me at once. The purple flames had never reached us, but it burned all the same. The darkness ate away at my sight, just as bad as it had been when I‘d floated outside of my body.
“Dusky, I… I’m o—ugh!” Whereas before, It’d felt oppressive and terrible, now it was all just direct pain assaulting me. “My mind… i-it’s… burning!”
I half heard, half felt Broken Tooth’s words as he screamed them aloud and into my mind. “Grah! If… If this is to be the end. Then you are all coming with me!”
In my mind, I could hear Bellerophon screaming. I almost didn’t realize that I was screaming along with him. Every instinct in my body wanted me to run, to get away. All I could hear was Broken Tooth crying out. Die. Die. ALL OF YOU DIE.
Still, through all of the pain and all of the darkness, there was warmth. I could feel it close, and I knew Dusky, Merri, and Star were there, doing whatever they could. I pushed through the pain, trying to raise a hoof, to open my eyes, to do anything. They were there for me. Together.
There was a final, terrifying gasp from Firetail and Broken Tooth, as the magic all collapsed in on itself. I could sense more than see them burn away, the flames licking at Bellerophon as well, but he held on. So did I, I suppose, though I don’t know how. If it was the fact that we were two against one, or that I knew my friends had my back, I can’t say. Somehow, I slowly opened my eyes.
Dusky stared back at me, concern written on her face. I couldn’t stand to see her so worried, forcing a smile onto my face, I managed to speak. “Ugh… D-Dusky I’m back… like I promised.”
Her frown remained a second longer, but before I could react, she’d pulled me into a tight hug. I was just too tired to even raise up my hooves to hug back, but it was enough. I was alive. Somehow.
Once she let go, Dusky gave me a once over, making sure I was relatively uninjured. Once she was satisfied that I’d be alright, she made the rounds, giving Merri and Star hugs of their own, while I looked about the Forge.
Broken Tooth was gone, his body burned away along his mind, destroyed by his own dark magic during those dying throes. Firetail lay motionless on the stage, though I knew he too was dead. The rest of the stage was littered with corpses, some burnt, some crushed, some simply killed in the combat. I felt my stomach turn and I looked away, out into the crowd.
Above in the amphitheater, Amethyst Vein’s militia stood tired and bloody, but victorious, for whatever measure of comfort they could take from these events. What little number of Firetail’s guards remained had surrendered, and were being stripped of their weapons even now.
They were gathering around some point off the stage, and soon enough Dusky approached me, Merri and Star behind her. I nodded as she gestured towards the gathering, and slowly rose up, heading over.
Limping over, I watched the ponies part ways for us in an odd mixture of suspicion and respect. No one here was in any shape to fight any further—the toll had already been too high.
Within the gathering, Amethyst Vein lay against one of the stone benches, wounded but not badly enough to slow her. Her attention was focused upon Old Ed, who lay next to her, burnt and still smoldering from Broken Tooth’s attacks, breathing heavily as he watched us approach.
Amethyst Vein didn’t acknowledge us yet, instead pressing her head carefully against Old Ed as she sighed. “You idiot! Why?”
“It’s… my job. I’m the retainer… of a proud and noble… bloodline.” Old Ed coughed out a response, pressing his head back against her.
She lifted her head from his side and poked his chest with a hoof. “That’s not fair! You… you’re family to me! You can’t just go doing stuff like that.”
“If the alternative… was to let you be crushed by… that beast, then… you’ll just have to deal with it.” Old Ed raised up his own hoof and willed the strength to push Amethyst's away.
Amethyst Vein frowned, shaking her head in confusion. “Beast… Why was the Oracle acting like that?”
“He was insane. He only meant… to use you. I’m sorry, Amethyst.” Old Ed watched her apologetically, slumping against the bench.
Amethyst Vein pursed her lips. “I don’t understand.”
“The whole… hunting accident. It was a setup. He… couldn’t control your parents any longer… There were tracks… something else, other than wyverns… But the search party… all working for him. I couldn’t prove it. So, I am… sorry, Amethyst. For failing then. For failing to get you out until now.”
She shook her head. “No, you’ve done more than I could ever ask.”
“Good.” Old Ed lifted his hoof, displaying the bracer. He turned it, letting it slide off and fall to the floor. “The fight is… finally over.”
We moved in closer, finally intruding upon the moment. Merri bowed her head to the pair. “Hey, give it a rest. You keep straining yourself and the damage might stick. Right, Sis’?”
Star nodded. “It is fortunate, as I do not think anypony here is in any condition to administer a healing spell.”
“Fortunate?” Dusky looked around, letting her gaze linger on the workshop and stage. “More like miraculous, considering what happened to the others.”
I sighed, and suddenly, found myself drifting once again outside my body. Wh-what? What are you doing?
I require answers.
Bellerophon strode up, lifting the second bracer in one hoof. “The Dragonbane. Where did you get it? It shouldn’t be here.”
Old Ed eyed him carefully, but did not hesitate in his answer. “From the royal vault… same chest as your armor.”
He paced, examining the bracer. “Impossible… We forged these to cut through scales, to protect the wielder from dragonfire. Eight were made. Two for Tapioca, six for the founding clans. It’s not something they would have given away.”
Dusky watched Bellerophon carefully, her brow furrowed slightly. “What about Firetail?”
“No way.” Merri shook her head. “Firetail’s line is small potatoes compared to those of the founders.”
Starshadow nodded. “As such, it is also unlikely that Firetail’s followers would have included any from those houses.”
“And why store it in the vault? Why store it with m—” He stopped, his hooves shaking. “Tapioca.”
“What?” Dusky’s voice betrayed a hint of curiosity.
“She left it… Tapioca must have left it when I… when I passed on.” Bellerophon’s voice broke as he spoke. He turned suddenly, setting the bracer before Amethyst Vein. “You now need to start being the regent these ponies need, not the one manufactured by Broken Tooth. Ostfriesen is not the enemy of Olymponis.”
“Wh-what? Wait!” Amethyst stood as quickly as she could. “Lord Bellerophon? What about you? Surely, you would be better suited to the task!”
Bellerophon turned, looking down at the carnage of the workshop and moving towards the stage. “I think not. My dealings with Broken Tooth are what led to this. These are your ponies to lead, Amethyst Vein.”
She rushed after me, an odd key of desperation in her voice. “No! We need you! Please!”
Dusky called from behind. “He really can’t. You have to understand, the strain is already too much for Night. If this continues, it may just consume him. I can’t allow that!”
Starshadow nodded, turning to her sister. “Did you find anything?”
Merri lowered her head. “I’m sorry. I tried to bargain with Firetail. I said I’d bring him the bracer if he only told me how to reverse the spell. But all he did was tie me up. And not even in the fun way.”
“It doesn’t matter.” He turned his head back and bowed slightly. “I will not lead you, Amethyst Vein. I can only advise you as best I can. After everything that’s happened, everything that I’ve seen, I can make no other choice. I’m staying.”
Wh-What? You can’t. A-after all of this, you… you can’t mean to…
Bellerophon sighed. I don’t. I’m leaving.
Dusky moved forward. “What? What about Night?! What are you planning?”
Bellerophon strode up the stage, and looked down at the bodies, until he reached one in particular. “When we fought, what Broken Tooth wanted to do to me, he opened a connection between he and I. But so did Firetail. That magic is fading, but it’s still there.”
Dusky followed, preparing to further argue.“Wha—”
Bellerophon bent down, shirking the bracer from my hoof. Purple fire still flickered across Firetail’s corpse, the remnants of his ill-fated dabbling with magic. Bellerophon reached a hoof down into the flame, and let it wash over him.
I fell back, both back in the sense of my body, and backwards into my body. The fire washed over me and I flailed a hoof, landing on my haunches, but just as soon as it started it was over.
In front me me, Firetail twitched, the purple flames moving out of me and into him, shrinking until at last they’d been extinguished. The earth pony rose up, slowly at first, but gaining strength. He looked up at me, bowing his head once more as he slipped the bracer onto his hoof. “I am home.”