//------------------------------// // Day 46: All Break Loose // Story: Changeling Trust // by Nightmare Rift //------------------------------// Styx’s POV: “I would be careful where your next spell is aimed, Starswirl,” says a deep voice next to me. I open my eyes to see a tall and dark figure, Sombra. I sigh in relief as I look back towards Starswirl and see a red shield in front of both Sombra and I. I am guessing Sombra saw it before I did and had enough time to do something about it. Something else catches my eye above us. I flap open my wings and ascend towards the top of the spherical shield. I reach a glowing blue ball suspended in midair pointed back towards Starswirl. Sombra caught the bolt, put up a shield, and then aimed it back towards Starswirl in case he attacked again. I start laughing maniacally as I drop back down next to Sombra. I recover soon enough to catch Twilight and Starlight both staring in shock, and confusion. “What in the hay just happened?” Applejack asks, voicing what I imagine to be every other pony’s question. Sombra brings the shield down, along with making the bolt disappear. I go to speak, but Starswirl says something first, aimed at Twilight. “Why did you bring us back?” “I thought if we had you back Equestria would be better protected.” “You can’t bring only the Pillars back!” Out from the center of Ponhenge pours a giant shadowy figure, the Pony of Shadows. “Your attempt to imprison me has failed Starswirl! Allow me to assist you!” Sending out shadow tendrils the Pony of Shadows breaks the stones of Ponhenge, no longer allowing a banishing spell to be used. Starswirl begins to try to summon up his magic, but succeeds only in making a tiny spark. The Pony of Shadows cackles, sending a beam of dark magic towards Starswirl. Twilight counteracts with her own magic. Starlight joins her as Twilight’s magic starts to lose ground. Together they overpower the Pony of Shadows, but he vanishes last second, melting into the clouds. “Well, with that on hold, it seems as though we now must deal with the other problem at hoof,” Starswirl says, turning to glare at Sombra and I. I hiss in return and pull up my own shield around us. The rest of the Pillars line up next to Starswirl. As if in response the shield becomes purple with a green outline, a mixture of mine and Sombra’s magic, infused with a hint of dark magic. Starswirl’s eyes widen in panic, as I say, “Why so surprised Starswirl? Recognize me now? Recognize Sombra now? How about this!?” I let loose a bolt of Changeling magic into the ground, changing the scene to exactly where I was when Sombra fought Starswirl. I hear Twilight gasp, partly in horror, partly in awe, and maybe partly in interest. I ignore her and focus on Starswirl. “You know this Changeling, Starswirl?” Mage Meadowbrook asks. “Yes,” his voice failing, “I just never thought that that same Changeling would be alive today. Let alone King Sombra.” “But he isn’t King Sombra anymore,” pipes up Twilight. “You have a lot to learn about royalty and kingdom affairs, Twilight. As the Crystal Empire is still standing today, Sombra is still the King of it. Therefore, if he wanted, he could seize control from Princess Cadence and Shining Armor. Although my terms with me bringing him back stated that he would not do that. But that doesn’t mean he is not allowed there, and it also means that he technically should still be addressed as King.” I say, watching Twilight’s mouth hang open in amazement while also looking flabbergasted all the while. I get great joy watching somepony know something Twilight doesn’t, it makes me feel all gooey inside. Twilight looks at me like we need to discuss the abilities of my Changeling magic in detail later. I nod my head in agreement and continue on, “So, Starswirl, what’s the plan? Or should we go back to Twilight’s castle and discuss it in more detail after some refreshments have been given?” “I will not go anywhere with the likes of you, evil creature. Let alone with the evil ruler of the Crystal Empire. A villain all the same, even though your friends think you’re reformed, you never truly are.” I flinch at that comment, and see Starlight do the same. After all she did enslave an entire village to give up their cutie marks. Then to get revenge on Twilight, she almost destroyed all of Equestria by using one of Starswirl’s spells. So, I guess I should say that Starswirl’s comment was hurtful to more than just me. I look at Twilight but see her only looking down. Betrayed, I send a bolt flying towards Starswirl then teleport Sombra and I back to my house. As it is getting dark anyway, I figure now is the time to leave. Starlight’s POV: As Styx disappears, her bolt comes flying towards Starswirl. Twilight deflects it away, and makes it fizzle out. It takes her a little while as Styx’s magic is powerful. “Starlight, why didn’t you help me?” “I figured you deserved to deal with it on your own since you didn’t even bother to defend Styx against Starswirl.” “How could you say that?” “Because, you don’t realize how hurtful that comment was. How did it go, oh yeah, ‘a villain all the same, even though your friends think you’re reformed, you never truly are.’ Now tell me Twilight why do you think that hurt Styx? What about me!?” “I’m sorry, I know I should’ve defended her, but what does this have to do with you?” “Twilight! I enslaved an entire village, and almost destroyed Equestria as we know it! That’s what it has to do with me. Do you know how much it hurts to hear anything coming from anypony else about my past as a villain? Saying I am not truly reformed?” “I’m sorry Starlight. I really am.” She turns around to face Starswirl, “Styx, the Changeling, and my friend Starlight are both reformed villains. They no longer have any interest in making any ponies lives’ miserable.” “You say that until they turn against you, go back on their promises, and start craving more and more power,” Starswirl says, glaring at me all the while. I have heard enough and teleport myself back to Twilight's castle to my bedroom. I flop down on my bed and begin to sob. I can only imagine that Styx is doing something quite similar right now. At least she probably has Sombra to comfort her, I don’t have anybody right now. If only Sunburst would come back before the others. He would help console me, I think. I like Sunburst, but I don’t think he sees me in the same way. I drift off to sleep, my energy drained from crying.