The news that both the Princesses were going to visit Ponyville had really uplifted the mood of the citizens. This was the first time since the award ceremony in honor of Starlight Glimmer, Trixie, Thorax and Discord that the Princesses would make an official visit to Ponyville. Everypony had been busy all week preparing a reception fit for royalty, decorating the houses with ribbons and banners and sprucing up the gardens with colorful flowers. Many ponies contributed by their personal talents, like Applejack, who was making pastries, or Rarity, who spent all her time in her boutique to design dresses for the occasion. Now the day had finally arrived and the town looked as festive and welcoming as never before.
Twilight was nervously going through her final round of checkups. Though everything was fine on each of the earlier rounds she did today, she did one more to be certain that today would go flawlessly. As usual there were a few logistical hiccups, but these were quickly resolved. The greatest issue was the looming threat of Chrysalis. After the battle with Grogar, Starlight Glimmer and the rest of Twilight's friends tried to talk to her and gave her another chance at forgiveness, like Twilight did with Tirek. She rejected the offer outright. With an explosion of hatred she cursed Grogar, the ponies, friendship, and what they had done to her hive. She then leapt at Starlight, but she managed to fend off the attack with the last of her magic. With a bitter, frustrated cry of defeat she took off and fled in the direction of the Everfree Forest. Nopony had any clue what she was up to; Twilight appointed E.U.P. agents to investigate the case and to protect Ponyville from behind the scenes.
The sound of the trumpet rang through the air: the Princesses were arriving. Ponies looked up and saw the golden coach in the distance, shimmering in the sky like a star in broad daylight. Two white pegasus stallions pulled it in a graceful arc from Canterlot to Ponyville. Everypony gathered at the welcoming spot to witness the coach touching the ground and to greet the Princesses. The brass band gave a splendid performance and Mayor Mare formally welcomed the royal visitors. Then followed a procession leading to the town hall, where Twilight and her friends were lauded for saving Equestria from its oldest foe and were awarded the Pink Heart of Courage, Equestria's most distinguished decoration. After the ceremony the Princesses made a tour through Ponyville while the town hall was being refurnished for tonight's dinner party.
It was during the dinner that Discord decided to show up. Discord, whom we haven't mentioned yet, was defeated by Grogar in his initial strike while the other three villains went after the Mane 6. In terms of magical prowess they were matched, but Grogar had come prepared to face Discord's chaos magic and he defeated him with little effort, leaving him as a statue until Twilight and her friends found him several days later and brought the indignant draconequus back to life. Having had enough of being turned to stone, he found this was an opportune moment to have an intellectual discussion (this sentiment could be recognized from his wearing a suit and glasses) with Princess Celestia regarding petrification in martial and criminal law, demonstrating his points with a small theater of stone figurines that he had set up on the dinner table. Twilight had left her seat trying to get Discord away from Celestia when she was addressed by the guest beside her, Princess Luna.
"Twilight Sparkle," Luna spoke behind the backs of the guests at the table, "in your letter you mentioned an unresolved issue that you wished to discuss in person. Would it please you to elaborate on this occasion?"
Twilight hesitated but realized this issue was more pressing. "Yes it would, Princess," she replied, "There is a friendship problem, possibly the toughest problem I've ever faced and I need your guidance." She peeked left and right to make sure nopony was listening in on them. "It concerns Tirek and Cozy Glow."
Luna looked conflicted and responded reservedly, "Let us withdraw from this dinner to go outside and speak in private." Luna got up from her seat and the two alicorns left the town hall without attracting attention.
The autumn sun had just set and the evening star was visible on the horizon. The serene night sky was perfectly clear and the weather was windless and refreshingly crisp. The glow from the bottles of fireflies gave warmth to the town that it didn't have in ordinary evenings. Twilight resumed the conversation as she and Luna into the silence. "I wanted to talk with you because I want to try to reform Cozy Glow and Tirek. They are in Ponyville right now and I want to talk with them to see if we have any chance of success."
"I'm aware, Twilight Sparkle. The rumor that the villains were staying in Ponyville has already reached Canterlot—though I understand you weren't keeping it a secret."
"They helped us defeat Grogar, which deserves to be acknowledged. Besides, I don't think I could have hidden it without stirring up a controversy."
"I also understand you want to try to reform them. For a long time I've had the preconception that you would do this. You've already reformed Discord and Starlight Glimmer, as well as Stygian. You gave Cozy Glow another chance after the school raze incident. How could the Princess of Friendship choose to do otherwise?"
"You understand exactly how I feel. I want to save them, and I want to make Equestria a safer and better place, and I think we can only do that with friendship. But I also realize that we are dealing with very dangerous individuals and you have handled them differently from how I would do it. I don't want you to feel to feel guilty by my asking you this question, Princess, but if Cozy Glow hadn't escaped, how long would you have kept her in Tartarus?" Twilight's eyes had a penetrating but sympathetic look. "Please be honest."
"My sister and I agreed that we would send you to Tartarus to help Cozy Glow if she ever showed any signs of genuine guilt. In the beginning we visited her on a weekly basis, but she showed no signs of change. If we interrogated her she said she wanted her punishment to end, but also that she enjoyed her time with her ‘best friend’ Tirek. She would always play the character of the young filly, who is too innocent to understand the concept of evil, let alone the full extent of her crimes; a charade we have long seen through but which she never gave up. Don't forget what she is capable of; we would take no risk until she decided to drop the act. Several moons passed without progress and we started neglecting to visit her."
Twilight chose not to respond or ask any further about Cozy; Luna clearly had a difficult time answering. The concept that she had sentenced a filly to Tartarus of all places tormented her, not to mention the fact that it was because of her negligence that they didn't know the villains had escaped. Besides, Cozy wasn't the one she was most interested in at the moment.
"What about Tirek? Would you have let him stay there forever?"
"Most likely," Luna said more resolutely, "We have already told you the story. Tirek came to Equestria in search for power. We were only able to defeat him thanks to the Elements of Harmony that Starswirl had just discovered. And you know what happened when he finally broke out. Power is the only thing he is interested in. He is not like us ponies."
"But what about Scorpan? Have you forgotten about him? You told me that he became friends with the ponies, and that he in fact warned you about Tirek. If Scorpan can be nice, then I believe Tirek can too."
"So you believe you can become friends with them?" Luna sounded somewhat cynical.
"After Grogar was defeated I had the choice to see them as our enemies or our allies. If I had seen them as our enemies, they would have been sent back to Tartarus, and everything that took place would have meant nothing. In all likelihood, they would break out again in the future, more spiteful than ever, and now united in their hatred they would surely bring about the end of harmony. Actually, no—I didn't have that choice. I couldn't fight anymore. I could only offer the choice between being enemies or being friends, and Tirek himself made the decision not to fight us." Luna looked at Twilight. Her deep, dark, lonely eyes expressed a thin, superficial skepticism. "He cooperated because Cozy was in very bad condition. He probably wasn't really ready to become friends, and I don't think I can teach them about friendship, but they share a meaningful bond with each other—a positive bond, not one based off of hatred—and I'm convinced that they can discover the magic of friendship for themselves if we can guide them to the right path."
Twilight pointed at the Castle of Friendship, whose towers were visible above the roofs from where they stood. "Tirek is in the Castle and he agreed to stay in Ponyville until Cozy Glow leaves the hospital. I want you to talk with him about his brother. I am aware that he holds a grudge, but I hope we can show him a new perspective and perhaps change his mind. It will be our best chance at redeeming him, in any case."
"Very well," Luna answered after taking a minute to contemplate, "let us talk with Tirek. Neither I would rather send them back to Tartarus. I know how painful it is to be alone, and how the loneliness only strengthens one's hatred and one's lust for revenge. I shall put my trust in your plan, Twilight Sparkle. To-night we shall begin resolving these hostilities.
"May I ask you one more thing, Princess Luna?" Twilight hesitated to add, "I remember you told me that when and Tirek and Scorpan came to Equestria, Scorpan became friends with Starswirl the Bearded. Is there any more that you could tell me about?"
Luna collected her thoughts and began reminiscing, "When Tirek and Scorpan came to Equestria, we had only just been installed as princesses. We were still young and inexperienced, and Starswirl the Bearded was our tutor and guardian. When he heard the rumor of a gargoyle from a far-away land visiting Equestria, he became immensely curious and set out to meet him right away. Scorpan was a very friendly creature; Starswirl found him in a flower field, surrounded by a small crowd of equally curious townsfolk that his presence had attracted. The two quickly became friends, and the next days they spent exchanging knowledge and wisdom. Almost everything we know about the centaur race comes from Starswirl's writings. Starswirl also showed him his spells and inventions, as well as the Tree of Harmony that he had just recently planted. But it didn't last long; Tirek, as you know, had begun his conquest and alarmed by the damage the centaur was doing to our ponies and our lands, Scorpan approached us and bade us to stop him. Led by Starswirl, we went into the Everfree Forest and sought the power of the Tree of Harmony. With Scorpan's assistance, Starswirl cast a spell that made the Tree bear fruit: the Elements of Harmony. My sister and I used these to defeat Tirek and banish him to Tartarus. As for Scorpan, we never saw or heard from him again. Starswirl said to us he had returned to his homeland. We didn't even say good-bye."
"So, you don't know anything about why he went back to the land of centaurs so suddenly?"
"I'm afraid I don't. Perhaps he felt ashamed, or he felt compelled to inform his race about his brother's actions."
"That could be. I still find it very strange." Twilight thought deeply, struggling to make sense of it. After a few moments she let it go; their conversation had gone on long enough, it was time to pay a visit to Tirek.
Twilight opened the gates to the Castle of Friendship. The bright moonlight reflected off the crystal structures, illuminating the interior with a pale blue glow. The two ponies stepped inside. Their hooves produced a rhythmic echo as they walked through the empty hall. Twilight expected Tirek to be in the library; it is a spacious and comfortable room, capable of housing a giant creature the likes of Tirek, and indeed it's where he stayed all of last week. He didn't bother to read; he picked up a book once or twice but quickly put it back. His principal means of recreation was the dumbbell that Twilight had procured him. The past week wasn't exciting for him, but after having spent such a long time in Tartarus he could suffer to stay put a few more days. Twilight knocked on the door politely, waited a second and entered the room, with Luna following her.
The mood of the library strongly contrasted that of the rest of the Castle; the cold crystal walls were fully decorated with books and tapestries and the fireplace gave them a warm reddish hue. An eerie masculine voice sounded from the other end of the room, "Twilight Sparkle, what a surprise to see you return so soon. Are you enjoying your little victory party?" Tirek got up, casting a colossal shadow on the wall. He noticed Princess Luna standing beside her. "And who do we have here? Princess Luna, what an honor to be visited by the likes of you."
"Greetings, Lord Tirek," Luna responded soberly.
"Princess Luna is here because we would like to ask you some questions, if that's okay," Twilight added.
"You are still standing by your word that you let me free?"
"I certainly am, and that's actually the first thing that we’re curious of: what are you planning to do when we let you go?"
"Hmmm, I don't know…" Tirek said indifferently, examining his nails. "All this time I've been fond of the bountiful lands of Equestria, but I suppose those aren't mine for the taking any more."
Luna ignored the provocation. "We understand that you hail from the distant land of centaurs. Our correspondences have been rare, and it has been ages since we've heard any word from them."
"What of it? I don't care about my homeland. My people were a weak and pathetic bunch. If I were to return there it would be to claim the throne."
"Was there nobody you loved?" Twilight asked, "Did you not have a family? What about your brother?"
"Ha-ha!", Tirek snorted, "What a joke! My brother is the individual I loathe the most in the whole world!"
"But did you never like him? You and Scorpan came to Equestria together."
"Do not mention the name of that traitor!" Tirek's sarcasm turned into fierce agitation, "He's a vile traitor indeed, Scorpan. The two of us came to Equestria to seize its magic—that's the simple truth—and then we would rule the lands together. But he betrayed me, and thanks to him I have spent a thousand years in Tartarus. Has he ever come back to you to ask you to free me, or at least to pay a visit?" He gauged Luna's face. "I suppose not. He's not worthy of being called my brother." He focused his attention on Luna. "But this is all familiar to you, isn't it, Princess Luna? After I was sent to Tartarus you fought your own sister, and she banished you to the moon. You should understand the contempt that I feel. Siblings are true tyrants, aren't they?"
"On a different occasion such an insult towards my sister would have prompted me to cast you among the stars, Lord Tirek, a centaur would do fine in my night skies," Luna had also raised her voice, "but I will do no such thing, because, indeed, I understand your situation perfectly. Jealousy turned me against my sister, and with no other recourse she banished me to the moon. For a thousand years I was trapped there as a spirit without material form. I stared at Equestria across the untraversable emptiness of space. My own tormented spirit was my only company, and I bided my time nourishing my hatred and plotting my revenge. I constructed the idea of a nocturnal kingdom, a dystopia predicated on the vices I discovered in the darkest corners of my heart." Tirek couldn't suppress a large grin upon hearing this confession.
"Only by exacting this reign I could heal the wound that Celestia had brought unto me. Or so I believed. At last I returned to Equestria. I took my revenge, making Celestia disappear like I let the sun disappear. My absolute rule was nearly confirmed, but I was defeated by Twilight Sparkle!" Luna's eyes were burning with fire. "She ended it before it even began, and she brought back Celestia, too. All the hatred had dissipated from my soul and I was totally powerless before the one pony that had caused my demise, and whose demise I myself had premeditated for centuries. There was nothing left in me and I was ready to die: such was the only sensible recourse. But though I had long forgotten the notion, my sister really was a good pony. She forgave me for all that I had done. Upon receiving her loving gesture, I could only cry. I felt born anew, and only because who I thought was my worst enemy gave me another chance. I later understood how much Celestia had suffered for what she had done unto me. She had to make the decision between our subjects and me, and she knew that my error was also her own. I think Scorpan must have felt the same."
"It's a whole other story if the ones you sacrifice your brother for aren't even related to you, wouldn't you say!"
"Don't think that I'm saying that our ponies are more important to him than you, Tirek. Scorpan must have seen the value that all creatures—and our ponies in particular—possess. I don't know why he never returned to Equestria, but I have no doubt he loved you. He's not here to tell you, so if you want to know the truth, I implore you, as somepony who understands you like nopony else, to go the land of the centaurs."
"I might never know the truth," Tirek said after a contemplative pause, "he's long dead. I know about Tartarus: it's an eternal realm where time stands still. Creatures of the centaur race are long-living, but not immortal. He, my father, and everyone I knew died ages ago." Luna wanted to express condolences but Tirek continued, "Either Scorpan loved me, or he did not. Or I will never find out. You have sparked my curiosity, I would like to see what he made of his life in my absence. But don't think I see any merit in your told experience, Princess. His actions shall determine my fate, pray they were virtuous.
Luna didn't have any more to add. Her story had definitely left an impression, but she didn't quite get Tirek to embark on the conditions she wished for. If Scorpan wasn't as good-natured as Celestia, Tirek would quickly return to his old ways, and she would be at a loss to redeem him. Twilight, however, seemed hopeful. "Whatever you will find in your homeland, I'm sure it will change you for the better. You aren't a bad guy, Tirek, I've seen it for myself. As you know, Chrysalis has fled, and our troops are combing Equestria to find her. We don't know what condition she's in, but it can't be any good."
Tirek knew what Chrysalis was like before she was summoned to the lair; Grogar had shown the group through his crystal ball right before they went out to execute their plan to conquer Equestria. It showed a scene of Chrysalis in the murky Everfree woods, talking to herself and to the trees around her, her speech afflicted with a deranged giggle, her slowly losing her sanity in solitude. Grogar meant it to take her ego down a peg, and while it left her in shame, it also sparked her desire for revenge—revenge on Grogar and on the ponies she was planning to crush. And with what Grogar had done to the Changelings before, Chrysalis's sense of self must have been left totally shattered.
"She may well have gone insane, and if that is the case then she will never listen to us. But maybe she will listen to you. So when you come back from your journey, I ask you to help us find her, and save her from herself."
"…if I come back," Tirek corrected, "but suppose I do, I think I will need somepony's help."
"We will be there with you if you want."
"No, I need Cozy Glow." It fell silent. "I want Cozy Glow to accompany me. You will trust me on my word that I take her with me on my journey; I’ve held up my end of the bargain during our battle, when I returned to you your friends for all the magic in Equestria.”
"I already have other plans for Cozy Glow. I can't let her go, I can't trust her like I can trust you."
"Why not? You said you saw us working together, are you suggesting her actions and her sacrifice were ingenuine? Or maybe you don't really trust me after all?"
"No, I—" Their friendship was real, Twilight had no question of it, and she could trust Tirek, but what was stopping Cozy from going her own way?
"She's a notorious criminal, and unlike Chrysalis she cannot shapeshift, so even if she fled she cannot go far. And if that does not quell your concerns, see to it that she won't flee."
Luna looked at Twilight in silent awe. The stakes had grown far, far too high for her. Setting free both villains, just after they have tried to lay ruin to Equestria? And on what conditions? "Twilight Sparkle," she said to her, "I cannot approve of this agreement any more."
Twilight took a minute to think. Finally she let out a sigh and spoke, "Okay Tirek, I will allow Cozy Glow to accompany you. Luna," she turned to the moon princess, "I know this is unprecedented, but what you agreed to was already unprecedented. Have you forgotten why we are here? Imprisonment in Tartarus, banishment to the moon, withering away in the wilderness, it makes no difference, we are going to put an end to it, and if that requires us to take a risk, that's alright. Whatever happens next, the power of friendship will prevail."
Luna thought once more about her torments on the moon. She could settle them here and now. She surrendered. "It is wasted effort to waver your determination, but we will discuss all of this with my sister."
"I'd be happy to," Twilight smiled, "Celestia will trust me on this." She returned to Tirek. "Cozy's health is making good progress, she will probably be released in a couple of days. I permit both of you to leave for the land of centaurs together. You were right, Ponyville may tolerate her presence, in a hospital bed and under my watch, but the rest of Equestria won't. If she escapes, we will know it on short notice, so try to keep her with you."
"I will try to keep the brat under control."
"Tirek," Luna said, her voice now quavering, "thank you for this conversation. I feel a lot better after talking with you. I feel like I've finally paid up for the favour that my sister had done me all those years ago."
Luna turned around and left the library, crying.
After their visit to Tirek, Twilight and Luna returned to the town hall, but the party was already nearing its end. Twilight spent time with her best friends, and just half an hour later it was time for the ending ceremony. A procession of lights accompanied Princess Celestia and Princess Luna back to their coach: unicorns lit their horns, earth ponies carried firefly lanterns in their mouths and pegasi fluttered through the sky with will-o'-the-wisps between their hooves. Arriving at the coach, the Princesses waved farewell to their Ponyville subjects, and got in. The coach took off, heading back to Canterlot, leaving behind a fantastic trail of sparkles in the night sky. It wasn't long before everypony had returned to their homes; the long and eventful day had left them dead tired.
Twilight lay in her bed. She couldn't catch sleep, her mind was still fixated on today's events. She was convinced that Tirek was going to go to the land of centaurs. Nopony was sure of what Scorpan's motivations were, but she had hope. A creature so close to Starswirl, how could he have faltered? She was more worried about Cozy Glow, who likely had no inkling of sympathy. The number of potential threats she posed was almost infinite. If she wanted to truly impress into her an idea, she would have to think like Cozy herself.