Zeratul looked around as Twilight was pacing the map room, thinking about his recent theory. She looked at him, sitting still, eyes open, meditating.
"The more I think about whatever you said, the more I realize it is the only possibility" she started "But how can somepony survive without any magic? Anyways, I am glad that Scootaloo is safe and sound, even though we have to break her the news."
"Indeed we do, friend Twilight" said Zeratul, standing up "I wish I am a suitable teacher. I wish I do not make the same mistakes again."
"Mistakes?!" asked Twilight.
"The Void, as I said before, is unpredictable by nature. I myself do not know how it has accepted little Scootaloo" he answered "As for the mistakes, an old friend of mine died because of my teachings. I regret it till this day. But his death was not in vain as he died a proud and honorable death." He looked at the ceiling, remembering Tassadar and whatever he did to try and reunite the Protoss against the common enemy. Twilight looked at the ceiling herself, wondering what was on Zeratul's mind. What he has seen in his long lifetime must be painful for him. She looked at him, flew to his level and grabbed his shoulder.
"No matter what you've seen Zeratul, I'll do all I can to cheer you up." She smiled at him. Zeratul turned towards her. He saw her sincerity, her kindness. Despite what he has done, she was there for him. He sensed neither malice nor hatred: Only care and friendship. Zeratul never felt that way before.
"Am I... getting soft?" he asked himself. His train of thought was interrupted by a yell.
"TWILIGHT! TROUBLE!" in barged Sweetie Belle screaming "Scootaloo awoke just now but... we need your help, Twilight." the latter nodded as she looked at Zeratul, who nodded as well.
"Explain to us on our way, Sweetie Belle. Zeratul?" she noticed he wasn't in here.
"I'll follow you while invisible, friend Twilight. If the townspeople saw you and I running around, there will be panic. Lead the way, little one." As soon as Zeratul finished, the three were on their way to the hospital.
Scootaloo looked upon her reflection on the mirror: Green eyes and a new cutie mark were flashing before her very existence. The phenomenon was a novelty to her. In all their studies about cutie marks, never has she or her friends seen a pony getting a change in their cutie mark. She shook her head in disbelief, still remembering the reason why she was in the hospital in the first place. Applebloom tried to cheer her up.
"C'mon, Scoot, at least y'all are alive and well." She was indeed, but the mystery of her changes remain unanswered unless she confronts the creature who made flying for her possible. Twilight entered the room with Sweetie Belle. After exchanging greetings, she examined the filly very closely then backed off.
"Y-you were right, Sweetie Belle. I thought you were jesting but you were indeed right. In all my life as a scholar, this is the first discovery of a pony who got his cutie mark changed permanently. It is the discovery of the century! But what is that cutie mark?! Why did that N-shape take over your wing and bolt?" she looked at her new green eyes "And what are those green eyes? So many questions. So much research to be done."
"That symbol..." a voice spoke inside the room, ending Twilight's fit of excitement. Zeratul revealed himself to the public. Scootaloo glared at him intensely, awaiting for his explanation.
"You mean you have seen that symbol before?" Twilight asked.
"It is the symbol of the Nerazim, the Dark Templar" he simply answered "Despite the different color, there is no mistake about it."
"What is happening to me?" Scootaloo asked dryly. Zeratul saw her intense look locking onto him. He sighed. He had to explain to her.
"Young one, I am sorry again for putting you through all this danger. What happened to you is that when I sent a spark of Void energy in order for your flight capabilities to improve, a mishap happened within your body causing Void and Magic to conflict. Your Magic reserves were low, almost non-existent according to Twilight over here" Twilight nodded at the fact "Therefore, the Void energy has overtaken your body and almost consumed you from within. I was able to guide you on how to contain it causing the changes you see right now." Scootaloo, as confused as she was, kind off understood her predicament.
"So... In short, I am like you now?" Scootaloo beamed "That's actually neat!" Zeratul didn't expect that kind of answer.
"You... approve?" He asked, scratching his head uncharacteristically.
"I mean... I am alive, aren't I? Thanks for saving me." She tried to fly and hug him but was incapable of doing so. "I... can't fly?"
"Oh! That's because you aren't used to your newfound energy yet" He answered quickly "That's why I am here, young one. I will teach you how to use and understand the Void. Will you please accept me?" He requested. Scootaloo's smile widened. She almost forgot all about her predicament and her changes. She nodded frantically as she couldn't wait to be able to fly again.
"I warn you though, little Scootaloo, my training shall be harsh. The Void is a very unstable force." Scootaloo smirked.
"Then I shall show it who's boss." she laughed, going outside with Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. As she trotted through the door, she remembered something.
"What about Rainbow Dash?" she asked, earning the displeased looks of Twilight and Zeratul. "Something is wrong with Dash, right?"
"Stupid alien" a cloud was gone "with his stupid energy" another was gone "and his stupid face" yet another was gone "with his stupid technology" Rainbow wasn't a happy mare right now as cloud after cloud dissipated into the sky. She was causing a tantrum so loud everypony could hear her. "If only he hasn't come, I would have done something for the little squirt, but nooooo, he has to ruin everything."
"So that's what's this is all about? Jealousy?" a voice spoke from below, it was Applejack. "Gosh darn it Rainbow! I thought you were better than this?"
"So what? You guys accepted him quite easily!" screamed Rainbow, confronting the orange mare face to face.
"He maybe made a mistake, but he corrected it, yet you insulted him with no rhyme or reason. And when ah try to find you, I find out that you're doing this because he did something you weren't able to do all these years?" reasoned Applejack "Heck, if it was me, ah would be happy for the little one, not cause whatever you're causing right now."
"What about the squirt? How is she going to be able to cope with whatever that... alien caused to her?" asked Rainbow, only to see Scootaloo approaching her. "Squirt, you're okay and-" she was interrupted by the sight of her eyes and cutie mark "what in Celestia's name happened to you."
"Is that how you treat someone who just got discharged out of the hospital, Rainbow?" retorted Scootaloo "And yes, I know. It is a side effect of whatever happened to me two days ago."
"And you're okay with it?" asked Rainbow.
"Duh! Of course I am. In fact, I've never felt any better, despite having to be accustomed for it." said Scootaloo.
"Accustomed how?"
"I will train her, spectrum one." answered Zeratul as he uncloaked himself. Rainbow looked at him, enraged.
"Y'know, Rainbow, before you unleash your fury upon him, lemme say that he's right about training her." said Applejack "Ah mean, do you know anypony here who understands whatever energy he controls?!" Rainbow calmed down. She sighed in defeat then looked at Zeratul.
"You better teach her well or else..." threatened Rainbow as she flew away with teary eyes. Zeratul sighed in relief.
"She cares about you a lot, little one. No wonder she was so... aggressive towards me." he said. "I guess we should get going."
"Wait, you're going to start training me now?!" asked Scootaloo, baffled.
"The sooner, the better, isn't it? Also we won't do anything straining to start with: Just a little meditation exercise." Scootaloo groaned "Now now, meditation allows you to connect within your inner Void. I do not want to hear complaints." he finished explaining as he went to a nearby tree and started meditating. Scootaloo sighed and followed suit. They spent the rest of the day on that position with no apparent results. Zeratul had to carry his student back to the castle, where Twilight was waiting.
"She got tired from simple meditation" he said "She has a long way to go but I can see her dormant potential awakening soon." Twilight looked at the poor filly and smiled.
"Baby steps, Scootaloo... Baby steps." she commented as the door of the castle closed.
In a disclosed area, a pink mare was panting hard. She cursed the Heavens, Hells and whatever was between them for she hasn't found a solution to her predicament. With a slithery voice, she vowed:
"I will make you eat something, Zeratul. I promise on the name of the Element of Laughter that is Pinkie Pie." as she went back to work. Her planning area, where she imprisoned herself for three whole days, was seen trashed all around. Multitude of papers were crumbled, many blueprints were torn apart and a river of sweat was running outside of Sugarcube Corner. Insanity itself was coming towards our Protoss and her name was Pinkamena Diane Pie.