The Lost Hero

by Ultimate Warrior of Zera


Natural Law

While the others gasped and gossiped about Clark’s declaration, King Sombra laughed, long and hard, then shouted down from his tower.

“A meaningless title. Look around you. This is not your kingdom. You trespass in MINE!!!

“To tell the truth, I have no idea if I still hold that title. My queen is dead and I have been exiled, so I may have been replaced, but that is irrelevant. No matter where I am, my responsibilities remain the same.”

Sombra chuckled.

“Oh really? Tell me, my little ponies. Are any of you truly willing to place your trust in this one to protect you, a murderer and adulterer with a bastard son?”

The crowd gasped and murmured among one another again. Luna broke out the Royal Canterlot voice.

“ENOUGH! CALM YOURSELVES! THIS IS MERELY A PLOY TO DIVIDE US! IT WILL NOT WORK!”

Clark sighed and spoke up. He had an understanding of Sombra’s powers and knew he had to quell the crowd’s doubt if they were to stand a chance against him.

“I’d rather not lie to any of you, so I admit what he said is true.”

The crowd was shocked again, but he wasn't finished.

“Sombra, can you see the past, or can you read my memories?”

“Any of your memories tainted with negative emotions are open to me!”

“Then you either deliberately or accidentally leave out context. Yes, I have killed many many times, but either in the heat of battle to save lives, or to rid the universe of villains who will never repent and are too dangerous to keep alive. There is one exception. When I killed the one who killed my second wife Mary, that was pure revenge, especially because I made the mistake of sparing his life the first time I defeated him. So with that I qualify as a murderer.”

He turned to Maud, as this next part was mostly for her, but kept Sombra in sight in case he tried anything.

“While I was married to Lois, I slept with Maxima and that gave me a son, Conner. That was the only time I ever cheated on my significant other. I didn't love his mother at the time, but I married her later after I got to know her. Sure, I’ve been tempted many times by others, but I never acted on those.”

He turned back to Sombra.

“And you know what? Who cares if Conner was born illegitimate!? My son is a hero, whom I am most proud!”

He turned back to the others.

“Do any of you condemn me for what I had done?”

After considering it, everypony shook their heads no and smiled at him. Fluttershy only hesitated for a few moments before accepting it, remembering how killing is necessary in nature.

“Good.”

They turned back to Sombra. This lull in the battle allowed them to rest and Clark to absorb more sunlight.

Sombra was annoyed. Thanks to Clark quickly regaining their trust, he was only able to power up a little bit. He decided to try another tactic.

“Bah! How dare you call yourself a king with your incompetence!? Your first wife, Lois, was snuffed out while you were away on some grand quest!”

While the others looked upon Clark with sympathy, Clark just frowned and did not rise to the bait. He knew what Sombra’s game was, and he wasn’t playing.

“Mary was killed in a battle you could not participate in! Then Maxima was killed while you were daydreaming! You could not protect them, and you cannot protect Maud Pie!”

Sombra strangely sounded sad for a moment as he said that, then he fired an enormous blast at Maud. It was clear that if it connected, it would destroy her in spite of the Aegis of Gaia’s protection. Clark, knowing with his weakness to magic he could not simply block it, prepared to fly them all out of the way, but Shining Armor had other ideas.

“He’s not alone in this!”

Without missing a beat, Shining Armor, Twilight Sparkle, and the other magic capable ponies combined their power to form a force field and block it. Shining Armor and Cadence then touched their horns and expanded the force field outward like they did against Doomsday and the Windigos. However, Sombra fired an even bigger blast that shattered it. The pair were able to withstand the backlash and prevent the explosion from hitting any of them.

“Ha ha ha! I told you, my encounter with Doomsday has made me more powerful than you could possibly imagine!”

Daring Do had noticed Sombra’s tone of voice when he had denounced Clark’s inability to protect his loved ones. She suspected there was more to this than meets the eye. She just hoped Sombra wasn't like Ahuizotl.

“Sombra! A few moments ago, what you said sounded a little personal! You’ve never met Clark before, and you said yourself that you owe him your freedom, so what gives!? Are you jealous of his relationships!?”

Sombra was taken aback, then became even angrier.

“No, fool! I am disgusted because he reminds me of myself as I once was! Wait a second. Ah, I see what you are trying to do. Your anxiety allows me to read you. You’re trying to understand me, to try to form a peaceful solution. Well just like with Ahuizotl, it won’t work! But I might as well tell you all my tale, just so that you all will know, why I am the superior King to this pretender!”

Pinkie Pie calmly sat down.

“Ooo, time for an Info Dump.”

While he was talking, Rainbow Dash tried to reach the box where the Crystal Heart was contained, but it sprouted spikes, stopping her advance. Although Dawnbreak was sharp enough to slice through the crystals, Flash noticed the spikes were turning in the direction of whoever was closest to them and decided not to risk coming near them. Sombra chuckled upon seeing that, then began his tale. He had a practical reason for doing this besides his ego. He knew that reminiscing about his past was very painful and would fill him with anger, powering himself up. He was also sure that by the time he was finished, everypony here would be feeling pretty negative as well and power him up even more.

“I was a foundling, and lived in the Crystal Empire’s orphanage. Back when I was a colt, I was a complete weakling. I was tiny, had mediocre magic, and was sick all the time. Nopony wanted to have anything to do with me except her, Radiant Hope, my only friend. She cared for me, and studied healing magic to cure my ailments. As we were growing up, we fell in love. That all came crashing down when under the inept rule of our leader, Princess Amore, Radiant Hope and several others were killed by Rough Saw, a vile serial killer! Amore made no move to find and apprehend him!”

Several of the ponies gasped, while the Crystal Ponies felt miserable. His words were bringing back their memories, and they remembered how much they had loved Radiant Hope, how guilty they were that they couldn't save her, and how guilty they were that they didn’t do anything about Rough Saw as they didn't see though his guise as a mild mannered citizen. Clark nodded grimly, as he could see where this was going.

“My eyes were opened that day. Strength rules everything. Without it, you cannot protect anypony, let alone yourself. I had been too weak to protect Radiant Hope, and Princess Amore had proven herself too weak and unworthy to lead us. So I toiled and studied, to become stronger. I discovered how to channel the power of darkness, and fuel myself with the negative emotions of myself and others. It worked! I became as strong as an Alicorn! I cannot be killed! Even if I lose, I will always come back! I soon tracked down and took my revenge on the murderer, then I killed that inattentive Amore and took over!”

Many ponies, especially the children, were crying now, just the way Sombra wanted it. After, talking so casually about murder and revenge was anathema to regular ponies. The Mane Six and their allies were keeping it together, but they were still upset. Clark didn’t like what he was hearing, but he had heard similar stories his whole life and could handle it. Despite the fact Sombra was getting stronger, some kind of instinct told him he had to let Sombra finish his story.

That was how I became King! As the strongest being in the Crystal Empire, nopony could ever do anything without MY approval! Nothing like Rough Saw can ever show itself again! Sure, I may have lost to Celestia and Luna 1000 years ago, and lost again those many moons ago, but my genius allowed me the means to return with new levels of power! All who are weaker are my subjects, and that is all they will be! I am the strongest, the ultimate survivor, the superior being, and I RULE ALL!!!

Sombra was now so worked up that his horn was sparking and the Windigos were working overtime. Everypony was intimidated and upset by that story, but at this moment, Clark figured out why he let Sombra finish instead of attacking him. This was a battle of opposing yet similar philosophies, and now it was time for his rebuttal. Through this, he could destroy Sombra’s hold on these ponies and destroy his power forever.

“While I am sorry you lost the one you loved, that is no excuse for your actions. Though I can see why I would remind you of yourself. Our stories have similar beginnings.”

Shocked, Twilight spoke for them all.

“You are like him?”

Everypony was curious to hear his answer, even Sombra.

“In a way. Me and my sister Mae were also foundlings. For the first 14 years of our lives, we were completely ordinary. We had a few friends, but also had to deal with bullies, criminals, and natural disasters. We did our best, but we lost many friends and neighbors. When we developed our abilities, we dedicated our lives to helping and protecting others.

I actually became a king twice. The first time was when I was captured and enslaved by a cruel tyrant. I managed to turn the tables and defeat him, then took over as ruler. After doing my best to reform that world, I passed my position to a worthy native and went home.”

Celestia smiled.

“How admirable.”

“Thanks. Now the second time I became a king was when I married Maxima, Queen of Almerac. I have held that position for over 1000 years, and I’ll admit one thing Sombra said is true: strength rules everything. Without it, you can’t accomplish anything and no one listens to you. I have had to defend my title many times, but you know the main difference between us? Based on everything you said, you started out with noble intentions, but after you had your revenge, you used your tragedy as an excuse to hoard power for its own sake, and all you care about now is keeping your position at the top. It can get quite lonely up there, and that’s why I do my best to make the others around me stronger than before they met me, and I’ll happily step down if one more worthy than me shows up.

You say the weak only deserve to be ruled? We all started out weak, and we all deserve a chance to rise above where we started, even if some need help to get there. We all have a place in the world, and if we all reach our full potential, the race as a whole becomes stronger. A ruler takes care of their people until there comes a time when the people can continue even after they are gone.”

Everypony was cheering, while Sombra grumbled and growled.

“Bah! Who are you to lecture me on how to do my job!? Radiant Hope was the only being I ever cared for, and all others can just go ahead and stew in their mediocrity for all I care! I’m tired of this debate! Let history decide which of us is correct! IT WILL BE ME!!!

He charged up a blast from his horn, but before he could fire, he was forced to back away and duck as Clark fired his heat vision, which destroyed part of the tower. However, the black crystal repaired itself in moments. Clark sighed while everypony prepared to fight again. He scanned the area with his X-Ray Vision and formed a plan.

“It’s too bad. If you weren't such a dick, we probably could have been friends, but you must be stopped. There is little I cannot lift, little I cannot break, and little I cannot burn. I’ll prove it right now, because this tower is a real eyesore.”

He turned to the others.

“I advise you all to get as far away from the tower as possible, and mind your heads. There’s going to be a lot of collateral damage, but I’ll trust you all to handle it.”

Cadence questioned him.

“What are you planning?”

“Like I said, getting rid of this eyesore.”

He lifted a manhole cover and dove in. Before anypony could question it, they were all shocked when a beam of heat vision burst out of the street. It traveled around the black crystal tower, cutting a large circle around it. Once the cut was complete, it started to sink for a few moments, before it began to rise. Sombra struggled to keep his balance as the tower rose into the air, revealing Clark under it, pressing it over his head with his arms. There was a thick layer of regular crystal and rock under the tower, protecting him from having to directly touch the black crystals. Everypony either gawked or cheered as with a mighty shout, Clark sped up and began to carry the tower straight up into the sky.

After a few seconds, they were forced to dodge as fragments from the tower or the uprooted street under it started raining down. Flash Sentry immediately flew into action, slicing the debris to tiny pieces with Dawnbreak, his special talent allowing him to target any piece that would have fallen on somepony. Rainbow Dash, Daring Do, and the Pegasus members of the Royal Guard joined him, either shattering the pieces with well placed punches or kicks or grabbing them and setting them down gently. The Unicorns and Alicorns started blasting the pieces away or catching them with force fields. The able bodied Earth Ponies leaped up and punched or kicked any that went past them.

With his special talent of navigation, Prince Blueblood pointed out areas where the rocks were not falling and instructed the civilians to stand there. Fluttershy helped keep them calm. As one final big rock approached, Spike finally woke up after his faint. His stomach no longer hurt, and when he saw what was happening, he instinctively fired a massive blast of dragon breath that vaporized it.

“Whoa. What did I miss? And what’s with this hole!?”

“Oh Spikey-Wikey, that was amazing!”

Rarity hugged him and he immediately lost his train of thought. She let go and Luna filled him in.

“King Clark has carried Sombra and his tower of crystal away.”

“Wait, King Clark!?”

“Indeed. It was a surprise to us as well, but based on everything he has said and done, he has proven himself worthy.”

Now that Sombra was out of the area and everypony was happy, the Windigos flew up to follow Sombra, taking their weather with them. The flying ponies all landed. Everypony was exhausted, so Trixie and the Alicorns started healing them. Celestia found the spiked box sealing the Crystal Heart and quickly melted through it with a stream of solar flames, then retrieved the artifact.

Rainbow Dash looked up.

“Whoa. I can barely even see them. I’m gonna help him.”

Before she could take off, Celestia stopped her.

“I can see them. They’ve already reached heights a regular pony could never survive due to a thin atmosphere. We must stay here, wait, and be ready.”

“Ah, no fair!”

Maud put a hoof on her shoulder.

“He believed in us to take care of things here. I believe in him.”

They all looked up, waiting for the outcome.

High in the sky, Clark pushed himself harder. Since Sombra was immortal, his plan was to carry him and his tower into space. He was glad that the uprooted street section stopped breaking, as he knew directly touching the black crystal was a bad idea, as it was able to cut him.

Sombra finally regained his balance and was able to stand up and look over the side. With the Windigos surrounding them, he could barely see anything due to their blizzard, but he understood what was happening.

“So, you mean to humiliate me with your brute strength!? You have sealed your fate!”

He fired a beam of magic directly into the tower, and laughed as it began to grow.

Clark grunted as he felt his load multiply by the second. The tower was expanding like cancer. Soon, it no longer resembled a tower and looked more like an ever growing, chaotic ball of black crystals. To make matters worse, between the Windigos’ blizzard and the large mass blocking out the sun, he was no longer being recharged.

The mass grew to the size of Mount Everest and its growth wasn't slowing down. Clark started slowing down, straining. Sombra shouted down at him, and Clark could hear him perfectly.

“What will you do now!? This is the literal weight of your folly!”

Clark tried not to show fear as he heard the black crystal burrow through the street section separating them. He prepared to shift his position in case Sombra was trying to impale him, but a slab of the black crystal emerged in front of him. He was unable to look away before it flashed in his face.

He abruptly found himself back in that desert at night in his human form. He looked around and saw Doomsday, also in humanoid form, punch Maud Pie and reduce her to a fine red mist. Although it deeply hurt to see that, he steeled himself and faced the monster.

Sombra’s little trick as given me an unexpected opportunity. By sending me into my mindscape, it’s allowed me to meet Doomsday face to face. Let’s see if I can turn this to my advantage. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

“Nice try, but we’re in the sky and she’s on the ground, so what just happened is impossible. Doomsday, it’s time we had a talk.”

Doomsday turned to face him.

YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT THAT!!! RIGHT NOW, YOU ARE LOSING!!! YOU HAVE NO CHOICE!!! LET ME HAVE OUR BODY, AND I WILL LIFT THIS MOUNTAIN OF CRYSTAL AND CRUSH THIS FOOL, SOMBRA!!!

“You’re the fool. In all the centuries you’ve been a part of me, whenever you’ve taken control, you’ve never been able to access my ability to fly. If you take over right now, we’ll be squashed like a bug!”

SO!? WE’LL JUST COME BACK TO LIFE!!!

“Yeah, after several years! I have a better idea, something we should have done years ago.”

NAME IT!!!

“Become one with me.”

Doomsday was momentarily taken aback.

WHAT!?

“You may be a copy of the original Doomsday, but you are also a part of me. We have been crippling each other for so long, always fighting each other for dominance or keeping each other buried down here. It doesn’t accomplish anything besides grief and exhaustion. It is time bury the hatchet and unlock our true power!”

Doomsday suddenly threw a punch at him, but he effortlessly caught it and shoved him back.

“Surprised? This is a mental world. Emotions and willpower run this place, and you are limited by your fear and doubt. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that you are ironically afraid to die. After all the times you have been killed, you fear nonexistence, which is what you believe will happen if we merge. Well, I don’t fear that because that’s not going to happen! We won’t disappear, we will finally be whole! Think of it this way, if you agree to do this, you’ll finally be free. You’ll be able to experience the outside world. You won’t be hated and feared anymore. You’ve been consumed by negative emotions for so long. What have they brought you besides pain? The least you could do is try something new. ”

Doomsday thought it over, then sighed and extended his right hand.

I AM TIRED OF BEING TRAPPED IN HERE… VERY WELL!!! LET US TRY THIS!!!

Clark smiled and shook his hand.

JUST IN CASE I DO DISAPPEAR, MY ONLY REGRETS ARE THAT REIGN, GENOCIDE, AND DEVASTATION DIED. THEY WERE SO BEAUTIFUL.

Clark was surprised, but understood and chuckled.

“Yes they were.”

The two spoke as one.

“I am you, AND YOU ARE ME!!!

Their bodies dissolved into mist and flowed together. Clark was overwhelmed by all of Doomsday’s memories, and screamed as he saw his horrible life and all of his deaths over the eons. But his will was strong, and he held on to his own memories while objectively looking over Doomsday’s. Before, Doomsday had only disdainfully looked over Clark’s memories, but now he embraced them. His temper and anguish was balanced by Clark’s happy memories with his friends and family. Even if Clark had only lived a fraction of his own life, about 1045 years of mostly happy memories was worth eons of bad ones.

THANK YOU.

Only a few seconds had passed in the real world. Clark shed several tears after processing everything he had experienced, but smiled and composed himself.

“I am complete.”

His strength now enhanced by Doomsday’s, he was finally able to stop straining, and lifted the mass all the way into space. Surprised, the Windigos stopped following them. Sombra’s immortality stopped him from being affected by the vacuum, but he floated away from the mass, utterly shocked. Clark unleashed a Solar Pulse and channeled it into his right hoof, then gave the no longer expanding mass a mighty punch. At first, nothing seemed to happen, then the entire thing shattered. Clark quickly spun in place, destroying all the fragments with his heat vision before they could fall to Equestria, but Sombra simply returned to his shadow form and flew back down. After recharging in the sun for a few moments, Clark flew down as well.

Clark landed back in the Crystal Empire first. As everypony was amazed, he looked around and saw something in the rubble, Flash Sentry’s original sword.

“Flash! Trade ya.”

“Whoa, thanks!”

Flash tossed the sheathed Dawnbreak to Clark, while at the same time, Clark tossed his sword hilt first. They both expertly caught them.

“Thank you so much for letting me borrow Dawnbreak. It is an amazing blade.”

“Don’t celebrate just yet, you guys. Sombra is coming back soon.”

They all looked up and got ready. Sombra’s shadow form eventually landed on the ground and returned to his pony form. He was absolutely furious. With his return came the Windigos again.

“Damn you! It doesn’t matter how physically strong you are, you can never defeat me!”

“Actually, you are defeated. Look around, none of these guys are scared of you anymore. Also, watch this. Guys, please don’t freak out.”

He grunted as his mane turned white and his fur turned grey. His body grew fangs and spikes, though relatively short so they wouldn’t damage his jacket. He grew taller and wider, though not enough to rip his jacket. Everypony momentarily felt fear as Doomsday stood before them, but calmed down when they realized he was calm and not attacking them.

“Hah, you fool! Now, you will feed… WHAT!? I don’t sense any negative emotions from you!”

The being spoke. He was still very loud and deep, but much calmer than Doomsday usually was.

Correct. Clark and I decided to make peace and join forces. From now on, let this form be known not as Doomsday, but Doomslayer. It will no longer signal the end of the world, but the end of evil.

With a grunt, he reverted to Clark’s pony form.

“Please Sombra, stand down peacefully. If I could help someone like Doomsday find peace, I could do the same for you. A power like yours can still do a lot of good in the world. For example, a good friend of mine, Lydda Jath, is just as powerful as I am, but she’s the polar opposite of me. She’s only powerful in the dark. Normally, such an ability would designate her as a bad guy, but she chooses to fight for good. Look at me."

He stomped the crystal ground and made a small crater, with cracks spreading out.

"Almost all my talents have to do with destroying things, but I chose to be a hero. You can do so, and prove yourself a true king, respected by all.”

NEVER!!! I already told you, I don’t care about anypony! And I still have what I already took from Doomsday and you all, plus I have my own hate! I hate you all, and with that, my power is self sustaining! It will never run out! Victory will be mine!”

Clark sighed.

“Figured you’d say that. At least I tried.”

Celestia and Luna suddenly blasted Sombra and knocked him down. Cadence called to the others.

“He’s vulnerable! Everypony, ready the Crystal Heart!”

Clark interrupted her.

“Hold on. If we blow him to bits, he’ll just come back the moment someone else negative passes by his remains. I’ve thought of a more permanent solution.”

Reluctantly, they stood down. Clark readied Dawnbreak, holding the sheathed blade at his hip with his tail. Having observed how Flash had wielded it, he now knew how to hold it with his hooves instead of his mouth. Sombra got up and laughed.

“Throwing away your only chance to stop me just so you can play the hero again? That sword is useless. I CANNOT DIE!!!

“True, but that doesn’t mean you’re unstoppable. I’ve defeated many immortals over the years, and one thing it has taught me is to be adaptable.”

One second he was facing Sombra, the next he was walking past him, sheathing his blade. Sombra screamed as there was a large gash along his left side, but he grunted and remained standing. The injury healed before their eyes.

“No matter what you try, all you will do is increase my anger, and with it, my power!”

“That’s what I was counting on!”

At super speed, Clark flew up until he was behind one of the Windigos. Before it could react, he deeply inhaled, then unleashed his super breath.

The stream of air passed through the spirit, turning into icy wind. It scored a direct hit on Sombra, and he started getting covered with ice. He struggled and tried to blast his way free, but it was pointless.

NO!!! HOW DARE YOU TURN MY OWN WEAPON AGAINST ME!!! I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE!!! NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES, I WILL BE-

He was cut off as he was completely covered in ice, his face in a permanent expression of pure rage.

As everypony stared in amazement, Clark faced the Windigos, who looked confused.

“I heard you creatures can understand what we say. You may have made a deal with Sombra, but he’s clearly in no condition to follow through with it. Even if I take on my other form now, you won’t get anything out of it. So I propose a new deal. In exchange for never bothering us again, you take this guy as your sole fuel source. Like he said, his anger and hate is self sustaining. Do you agree?”

The Windigos seemed to debate among themselves, though none present could hear any speech. Finally, they all nodded as one.

Luna stepped forward.

“I am aware of the distant region you normally inhabit. I shall transport Sombra and you all back there.”

They all nodded again. Luna powered up and she, the frozen Sombra, and all the Windigos all disappeared. Everypony sighed in relief. Luna returned a few seconds later and addressed them all.

“It is over. King Sombra is gone!”

Everypony cheered, but Clark addressed the royals.

“We must remain vigilant just in case he somehow finds a way to escape, or if some other evil comes.”

Shining Armor smiled.

“We will be careful, King Clark.”

“Just Clark will do.”

“Is there something wrong. You look sad.”

“All I really did was fix my own mistake. If I had made peace with Doomsday long ago instead of just suppressing him, none of this would have happened. Sombra would have never returned and Doomsday would have never attacked this place. Heck, we never would have been captured by Queen Chrysalis.”

Celestia quickly put a stop to his train of thought.

“It does not do to dwell on what could have been. The best we can all do is learn and move forward.”

He perked up.

“Thank you, Princess.”

Several of their friends approached and Maud hugged him. As the fighting was over, she had reluctantly removed the Aegis of Gaia even though she enjoyed being covered with diamond.

“I am glad you are okay, Clark.”

“So am I.”

He looked around and saw the huge hole in the street, all the rubble, and all the ice and snow.

“I suppose all there is to do is to clean up and repair this place. Afterwards, do you want to go on a date with me?”

The bystanders all squeed.

“I would like that. So, are you going to try to find a way home?”

“That can wait. For now, I am home.”

He put his hoof behind her head.

“Maud, I love you. This is my world. You are my world.”

He pulled her face closer, and they kissed.

Everypony present cheered and stomped their hooves, but after several seconds, a hearty laugh and a loud voice rang out.

“Congratulations! Glad to see you are finally enjoying life again!”

Shocked, the couple broke the kiss and looked around. Clark recognized that voice.

A Unicorn stepped out of the crowd. He was roughly the same size as Clark, with peach colored fur, a pepper mane, black with a touch of grey, and a huge mustache of the same color. He wore a red open vest, and his Cutie Mark was a human right hand giving a thumbs up sign.

Clark’s eyes widened. The newcomer may have been in the form of a pony, but there was no mistaking his features and vest.

“Vartox?”

“Yes, it is me. Everypony, please remain calm, but it is time for a change.”

Everypony gasped as his body glowed and changed shape. He now looked like a Caucasian human, about 6’2’’, wearing brown boots, black trousers, and nothing on his upper body but his red open vest, a Legion Ring on his right middle finger, and his wedding ring. He wore his broadsword, Magnum Opus, on his waist. He was well muscled, and his face and pepper hair and mustache made him the spitting image of Sean Connery in his late 40’s, but with a full head of hair. Clark knew that with Vartox’s perfect control over his body, he could take on any appearance and appear as young or as old as he wanted, but this was his natural and preferred look.

Twilight’s eyes widened in recognition, as well as her friends and fellow princesses whom she had shown pictures of her adventures through the mirror, making them all familiar with the human form. Daring Do, Trixie, Maud, Blueblood, Flash, and others were surprised, but kept their cool. Several citizens reacted with fear, but he gave a genuinely friendly smile and it worked.

Vartox cracked his knuckles and his neck. Then he pointed at Clark, and Clark was abruptly returned to his original form, a tanned man, about 6’3’’, with black hair and a bit of stubble. He was again wearing black boots, black jeans, and a black t shirt with a silver House of El symbol. His jacket and cape completed the look, along with his saddlebags, which turned into a backpack, and his wedding ring. As the others looked at him in awe, he took a few seconds to readjust to this body.

Vartox tossed him his Legion Ring.

“Here, you dropped this during the transition to this world.”

Clark put it back on his right middle finger. He tried to think of what to say, but just walked up and gave Vartox a quick hug.

“I missed you, big brother.”

Pinkie was suddenly standing right next to them and stretching her neck like rubber to look over their heads.

“Big brother? You're taller than him.”

Vartox chuckled and patted Pinkie on the head.

“I’m older. I’ve been fighting the forces of evil since before Clark was even born. Now Clark, after observing everything you have accomplished here, I just have to say I am so proud of you.”

“Wait a second.”

Irate, Clark caught Vartox off guard and punched him in the face, knocking him down. As all those around him gasped, he jumped on Vartox and put him in a headlock.

“You dick! You were here the whole time!? You could have helped!”

Vartox grabbed Clark’s wrist and easily pulled his arm away, then shoved him back and stood up.

“I did! I was watching everything, and I subtly intervened with my telekinesis whenever any one of you were in life threatening danger. Why do you think there were no casualties when Doomsday attacked, or when you did that crazy stunt with the tower?”

“Why did you do things this way?”

“My special talent is that I am the Ace. I excel at everything. But I never would have learned how to properly apply it if it weren't for you. Your special talent is that you are the Paragon. Everywhere you go, you improve the lives of others. I owe you everything I have and am, including my wife and daughter, but you wouldn't have rediscovered yourself if I had done all the work for you. To prevent complacency, I only intervene when it’s something others can’t handle or if lives are truly in danger.”

Pinkie nodded.

“Oh, because you are a walking Deus Ex Machina?”

Some were confused by Pinkie’s fourth wall breaking, but Vartox smiled.

“Precisely. Now, I must apologize to all of you, but this whole situation is kinda my fault. Back when Maxima died and Clark was on the verge of losing himself to Doomsday, I chose this world to dump him in. I have seen many worlds and calculated that this would have the highest chance to help him heal and rediscover his calling. I then observed, hidden from even Clark’s senses, and it has exceeded my expectations. I never saw you joining forces with Doomsday, or should I say Doomslayer, coming. Still, I’ve caused you all a lot of grief, and for that I am sorry.”

He kneeled and bowed his head.

Twilight shuddered. Applejack turned to her in concern.

“What’s wrong, Twi?”

“Reminds me of those times Discord would mess with us to give us his versions of friendship lessons.”

“Oh, right. At least this fella is sorry bout it.”

Daring Do addressed Vartox.

“Thank you.”

“For what, miss?”

“If you hadn’t sent Clark to us, we wouldn’t have made it in time to stop Ahuizotl, and we wouldn’t have stumbled onto the Changelings and given them a major setback. And I wouldn’t have met this guy.”

She nuzzled Prince Blueblood.

“The point is, what you did had a lot of positive results, and for that I am grateful.”

Trixie was next.

“By sending him to us, you have made us ageless.”

Next was Maud.

“And I finally met one I like.”

Vartox smiled again.

“I see.”

Celestia gave her two bits.

“This is a land of new beginnings, and we are willing to forgive those who mean it when they are sorry.”

Rainbow Dash nervously approached and changed the subject.

“So, Clark said you and another guy named Barry are even faster than him.”

“Yes. Since Barry is dead, rest his soul, and his current heirs have not yet mastered speed, I am The Fastest Man Alive.”

Clark chuckled.

“Aren’t you forgetting?”

“What do you mean?”

“Besides Barry, there were a lot of guys faster than you. Jay, Wally, Bart, Jesse, Eliza, Eobard, Hunter, Clariss, Inertia, Savitar…”

Vartox charged up and put Clark in a headlock, then gave him a noogie.

“Alright, that’s enough! Besides, they’re all dead, so that title belongs to me!”

“Ariella and Karen are also faster than you.”

“Yeah, but they’re women! There’s some leeway!”

The two paused before bursting into laughter. Everypony smiled as they realized the true brotherly bond between them. Rainbow got back to her topic.

“Could you please give me some tips on how to be faster?”

“I don’t know. Our methods of speed are different. The best I could tell you is always be able to exceed your own limits. I imagine Clark could help train you, as he doesn’t seem keen on leaving anytime soon.”

“You’re right. I don’t want to leave yet, but what about Almerac?”

“Don’t worry. We told the people that you went into voluntary exile to mourn Maxima. Conner, Ariella, and many of your students are taking care of things in your absence.”

“Ah, okay. That works.”

Clark was trying to figure out how to ask Maud if she would like to come with him when he finally decided to go home, but his train of thought was stopped when the Cutie Mark Crusaders approached.

“Pardon ya’ll, but we just remembered.”

Sweetie Belle continued Apple Bloom’s line.

“Clark just earned his Cutie Mark.”

Scootaloo continued.

“Which means…”

They spoke as one.

“It’s time for a Cuteceañera!”

That set Pinkie Pie off, and she started bouncing all over the place.

“Oh goodie! It might take a few hours, but I’ll make this a party for the ages!”

Clark had gotten used to Pinkie by now, and smiled.

“Cuteceañera? Oh, I get it. A party sounds good, after we’ve fixed this place up.”

Vartox extended his hand.

“Allow me.”

He merely grunted, and everypony was shocked as the hole slowly filled itself in until there was no trace of it left, leaving seamless crystal in its place. The buildings repaired themselves, and the ice and snow evaporated.

“Now what am I missing? Oh, I know!”

He opened a portal, and out floated Trixie’s wagon. Trixie was beside herself as she ran to it.

“Oh thank you, so much! I thought it would be lost in the jungle forever!”

“No problem. Just be sure to give us all a good show at this celebration later today. Clark, I’ll turn you back into a pony now. I’ll come back later with our friends and family so we can join the party.”

He pointed at Clark, and he became a pony again. The Legion Ring, which always adjusted itself to fit its wearer, was now around his right wrist. He was able to take the transformation with grace, unlike when he first woke up in this world. Vartox opened a portal and waved goodbye before stepping through and it closed.

Twilight walked up to Clark.

“How was he able to do all that?”

“He can do pretty much anything he sets his mind to, but he specializes in telekinesis and transmuting matter.”

“Oh, I see.”

She was mystified, as she didn’t even sense any magic from Vartox’s feats.

Pinkie suddenly stretched her arms and grabbed Clark and Maud, pulling them close.

“Why don’t you two go on your date? I have a party to plan!”