//------------------------------//
// Episode 18: "Stygian's Second Chance" 
// Story: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Season 12 
// by twilightsparkle3562 
//------------------------------//

…

…

Sitting in her office at the School of Friendship, Sunset Shimmer was going about her business of running in Starlight's absence, thinking about how she had gotten to this point. Despite the strides she'd made in running the school already, there was still a lot to be done. As she looked over the list of teachers that was now in her command, she heard a knock on the door. "Come in," she called and the door opened to reveal Starlight Glimmer, struggling to walk with her back still healing. "Oh, hey Starlight. What's going on?"

"Just wanted to check in and see how things were going," The injured headmare replied as she forced herself to smile. "Anything you need to make the school better?"

"No, nothing," Sunset said as she suddenly went over the list of teachers that were employed. "Although…there's something I've been noticing that might need to be addressed sooner rather than later."

Starlight raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. "What do you mean?" She inquired, walking up to Sunset's desk. "Is there something that you don't think is right?"

"Not in the way you are thinking, Starlight," Sunset reassured, much to Starlight's relief as she was directed to look at the staff list. "Take a look at the list of teachers employed here. Do you see something off?"

Going through the list, Starlight took a look at each name that was employed as a teacher. "I've been meaning to do some more hiring, Sunset, honest," Starlight confessed as Sunset took the list away from her. "But ever since what went down with Tree Hugger's father, I've been afraid of hiring teachers that are unqualified."

Sunset immediately took deep notice of Starlight's distressed look. "Well, look at it this way," Sunset declared as she got up from behind her desk. "Twilight left you a great school to oversee, the students are all eager to learn and you're making a big impact."

"Yet I've been sidelined with a back injury, Sunset," Starlight replied as she felt a slight twinge in her back. "Thanks to Queen Chrysalis. Still, that doesn't mean I have no say in what happens here. Yes, we do need more teachers here, but it's just the matter of finding ponies and creatures that can connect with the students and the other teachers. Teachers that won't reflect badly on the school."

"I mean, take a look at both of us, Sunset," Starlight remarked to herself as she paced back and forth. "We both started off on the wrong hoof and look at where we are now."

"What are you saying, Starlight?" Sunset inquired as Starlight noticed a book on the bookshelf and went over to pick it up with her magic. "That book's been there for a while."

"I know, Twilight gave it to me before she passed the school to me," Starlight said and showed Sunset the book. "It's a book of memories."

"This is from when you were dealing with the Pony of Shadows, correct?" Sunset guessed as a particular memory caught her eye.

"You mean the pony that was the Pony of Shadows, Stygian." Starlight corrected.

Sunset felt confused as up until that moment, she had never heard of Stygian. "Who is…Stygian?"

Starlight's face fell flat at Sunset's bizarre question. She hadn't thought of Stygian for no reason at all, he was going to be a bigger help than either mare might have initially assumed.

…

…

"Starlight," Sunset nervously chuckled while taking the book from her and opening it. "I'm serious. I've never heard of this Stygian character because I've been in the other world. And I haven't seen a human counterpart for him, just as I don't know where my human counterpart went or what happened to her. I was just happy to blend in, so I didn't bother asking questions."

Looking into the book, Sunset flipped through the pages and briefly skimmed through the writings of this pony she had never heard of up until this moment. "Seems like a troubled sort of character," Sheremarked, closing the book and placing it back on her desk. "But at least he redeemed himself in the end."

"Thanks to Twilight and the rest of us," Starlight as she felt another twinge of pain. "Listen, I've got to head back for physical therapy, but just think about it for a while, okay? He could be a great asset. Besides, it may not have to be Stygian directly. There may be somepony or somecreature out there who's like him."

Bidding Starlight goodbye, Sunset went back behind her desk and sat down to think about what she needed to do.

…

On the train back to Canterlot, Sunset continued to think about her conversation with Starlight on hiring more teachers. But how was she going to find the right set of teachers?

Sunset kept thinking about this as she was walking by the Canterlot Library, when suddenly she saw a line of ponies holding what appeared to be books. "Um, excuse me?" She asked a pair of female ponies. "What's going on here?"

"Stygian just came out with another book and is doing an autograph session," A green coated unicorn mare answered. "We're getting ours autographed, right, Bon-Bon?"

"Yep!" A cream colored earth pony mare nodded.

Curious, Sunset decided to get in line and meet Stygian herself. She waited in line for a half hour, before she eventually came up to a desk where a small gray unicorn stallion was autographing copies of the book the two mares had been holding.

"You're doing wonders with your series, Mr. Stygian," Bon-Bon smiled. "Lyra and I love them!"

"Well, I do my best to tell stories to those who listen," Stygian replied as he signed the copies. "Let's get together at some point when I'm not too busy, ladies."

Nodding, Sunset watched Lyra and Bon-Bon leave as she stood before Stygian, who looked at her with a confused expression on his face. "Um, may I help you?" Ge asked. "I've never seen you before and you don't have a copy of my book for me to sign. If you like, I'm doing another autograph session tomorrow."

"Thanks for the offer," Sunset politely answered. "But a friend of mine was talking to me about you and well…"

"Whom are you referring to, I wonder?" Stygian inquired. "I have many friends."

Sunset cleared her throat. "A pony named…Starlight Glimmer."

Rising to his feet, Stygian got up from behind the table and directed Sunset to the back of the library. Once they were alone, Stygian looked around to see if there was nopony else around and when he got the all clear, he looked Sunset right in the face.

"Um, what's going on here?" Sunset asked in a confused tone. "I mean, I know Starlight Glimmer personally."

"If you are a friend of hers," Stygian whispered. "Does she currently have any job openings at the School of Friendship?"

"Well," Sunset chuckled nervously. "Hasn't anypony told you? Starlight hurt her back and has been out of commission for a while."

A look of shock befell Stygian's face when he heard the news.

Sunset then pondered. "Um…if you don't mind my asking, why are you…?"

"-Because what I'm doing isn't enough!" Stygian interrupted in a hushed voice, placing his forelegs on Sunset's shoulders. "It isn't enough! Writing stories of my past, meeting ponies and creatures who are interested in my stories. It's not enough to satisfy me anymore."

Releasing his grip on Sunset, Stygian stepped back and took a deep breath.

"Yes, I can see that," Sunset said as Stygian looked away. "But what is it you're looking for then, Stygian? What do you think is missing from your life?"

"I…I want to face a different kind of audience," Stygian confessed, looking towards the center of the library. "The audience I love, they aren't enough. All they want is to meet me because of my status. Before I became a popular author hardly anypony cared about me or the stories I wanted to tell."

"But Lyra and Bon-Bon…" Sunset questioned.

"They are friends of mine!" Stygian confessed. "Some of the only ones I have in fact. They understand my needs and desires. And they're not as busy as my friends from long ago. Starlight Glimmer is looking for teachers and I want to answer the call," Stygian confessed, looking back at Sunset. "Please, don't deny me this opportunity! I beg of you!"

"Well, as of right now," Sunset declared. "I'm running the school in her absence on an interim basis, at least until her back heals to the point where she can return. She does hold some say over appointments but she basically gave me permission to recruit whoever I felt was qualified."

Shocked, Stygian backed away in disbelief at what he heard. Then he turned away and without saying a word, slowly walked out of the library, leaving Sunset confused at what had just transpired.

…

The next morning, Sunset arrived at the school and throughout the day all she could do was think about Stygian. Looking out the window of her office, she was both confused and sorry for him. "Stygian seems to be a pony that wants to reach out to a different audience," Sunset thought to herself. "But why wouldn't he talk to me? I'm like him, a pony that once trotted down the wrong path. And just like I was saved and made friends with those I once hated."

Going back to the bookshelf, Sunset pulled Stygian's books off of the shelf and placed them all on her desk intending to look through them all and learn more about the pony who was so hesitant to talk to her.

"Um, Sunset?" She heard a familiar voice call out, a voice belonging to Sunburst. "Some of the teachers were wondering…"

"Wondering what?" Sunset asked, her eyes focused on the book.

"When we would start looking at possible candidates for more teachers," Sunburst answered, only to discover his interim boss reading Stygian's books. "Um, aren't those all Stygian's books?"

"Yes," Sunset answered. "I ran into him last night."

"Last night? Where?" Sunburst questioned as his eyes widened with shock and surprise?!

"At the Canterlot Library," Sunset said, taking her attention off of the book and looking right at Sunburst. "He seems to be a really popular author who writes interesting stories."

"It does him plenty of good given his background," Sunburst replied as he walked up to Sunset's desk. "Matter of fact, I think he would make a good teacher for the school if the students are interested."

"Yeah, I think he would be but…" Sunset stammered. "He…he wouldn't talk to me. For some reason he'll talk only to Starlight. Why doesn't he trust me? I told him I know Starlight."

"Look Sunset, I'm just as confused as you are," Sunburst commented while pacing back and forth. "Keep in mind, Stygian was stuck in limbo for a long time. And he was almost sent back there alongside his dark self. Just because the wounds have started to heal doesn't mean they don't still sting. Some wounds cut too deep to be fully healed."

"Maybe he's having trouble talking to certain ponies or creatures," Sunset guessed. "I mean, even I have trouble talking to various ponies myself sometimes. There has to be something in his books that explains his behavior. It can't just be because of me, can it?"

Confused himself, Sunburst left Sunset alone in her office as Sunset tried to focus more and more on trying to break through to Stygian.

…

Gathering all her teachers in the teachers lounge later, Sunset held up a book and displayed what she'd read in her aura for all of them to see. "Tell me what you see here." She instructed to them.

"Um, it's one of Stygian's books?" Luna questioned.

"It is," Sunset replied. "And in this particular book he talks about how he still deals with being looked down upon for his past."

"Not everypony is going to be perfect," Octavia Melody replied while sitting next to Dr. Whooves. "I always tell my students that."

"Well tell me something, Octavia," Sunset spoke up, directing her attention to the musician. "Do your students ever feel comfortable coming to you for anything?"

Being put on the spot, Octavia felt herself feeling slightly uncomfortable. "Well, I…I mean…" The musician pony stammered. "I try to be accommodating."

"Students are comfortable coming to us," Celestia interjected, catching Sunset's attention. "Luna and I are always more than willing to hear whatever their problems are."

"Do they tell you everything going on in their minds?" Sunset asked her former mentor. "Or do they only talk about certain parts?"

"Well, uh…" Celestia began to stammer. "It's complicated…"

"But we've heard worse," Luna finished, giving Sunset more and more of an understanding of Stygian's situation. "There was this one student that…" But a clearing from her older sister's throat followed by a glance caused Luna to not finish her sentence. "Right, not appropriate." Luna whispered and clammed up.

"I see," Sunset replied before clearing her throat. "Anyways, I believe that Stygian would make a great teacher here at the School of Friendship. He's got a passion for going out beyond what he normally does, and is willing to share his stories with others. But I think he doesn't get the fact that he has to let go of his past and be open minded with others."

"Perhaps he can spend the day as a visitor?" Trixie suggested. "Kind of like what Starlight did when she was hiring a vice headmare…" Suddenly, Trixie was interrupted by the clearing of another throat, this time from Sunburst. "Er, vice headstallion." She corrected while looking nervously at Sunburst.

"The fact is that we need to build up the teaching ratio here at the school," Sunset firmly answered. "In my time at Canterlot High, I've seen Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna maintain a balanced staff between students and teachers. Why can't we do the same thing here?"

"I agree with what Headmare Sunset is saying," Dr. Whooves declared, rising to his hooves. "I for one would love to see the ratio of students to teachers be balanced greatly. All of us in this room aren't enough now, scientifically speaking," An awkward glance befell on the scientist pony who cleared his throat and sat back down. "It's true, you know. We're all great but we need more staff on the roster."

"I actually have an idea," Luna suggested, catching the attention of all the teachers by raising her left foreleg. "Why not bring Stygian here to the school as a guest speaker and see how he does with the students? If he gains a favorable reception, then we can bring him on full time as a teacher."

"If he can accept being open to all." Sunset cautioned, who thought about Luna's suggestion for a brief moment." Nodding in agreement, the teachers began to make plans for Stygian's impending visit to the School of Friendship.

A short time later, at his home in Canterlot, Stygian was awakened by the sounds of knocking at his door and going down to answer it, he saw a gray coated pegasus mare handing him a letter with a gold seal on it. "Letter for Mr…um, Mr…." She tried to say.

"Stygian," Stygian declared with a flat look on his face, taking the letter from the mail mare. "Good day." Shutting the door in the mail mare's face, Stygian opened the letter and read it silently. After a few moments, he placed the letter down and sighed deeply. "Sunset Shimmer wants me…to face the student body?" He asked himself, sitting down in his armchair and looking up at the ceiling in deep thought.

For the rest of the day, Stygian could only think about what was in front of him. Sunset Shimmer and the rest of the teaching staff at the School of Friendship wanted him to face the School of Friendship's student body. But he had to remember that some of the students possibly had bought his books and he probably was really going to end up signing them in an autograph session.

"What does she see in me that Starlight Glimmer doesn't?" He asked himself while thinking of his reply to the invitation. "For that matter, what are the students going to believe hearing from somepony that let darkness consume him?"

The next morning, Sunset arrived at the School of Friendship and found Sunburst standing outside the door of the headmare's office. "This just arrived in the school mail," He informed her, passing a letter to her. "It's from Stygian. Says he'll do an appearance."

"Okay," Sunset nodded to Sunburst while placing the letter on her desk. "Let's just hope the students will like him enough to the point he decides to become a teacher."

"Do you think he will?" Sunburst asked.

"I think so," Sunset answered in a confident tone. "He wants to be a teacher. I can see it in his eyes, Sunburst. But, he needs to let go of his ill will and feelings about the past. I've been there, and so has he. The wounds can't even begin to heal until he lets them do so. If he keeps re-opening them without realizing it he'll never truly get better."

…

So it was that a few days later, Stygian arrived at the School of Friendship and found himself standing backstage at the outdoor auditorium while Sunset Shimmer addressed the student body. "And so at this time," She announced to the students. "Please give a big Twilight Sparkle's School of Friendship welcome to the famed author, Stygian!"

As the students cheered, Stygian stepped onto the stage and took a deep breath as he prepared himself for what was about to happen. "Thank you, Headmare Sunset!" He said with his voice magically amplified while looking to Sunset Shimmer before looking back to the audience of students. "And thanks to all of you for allowing me to visit your school! Now, to start with, who here has read any of my books?"

Several students in the crowd raised their hooves, wings or claws. "So, only some of you have read my books?" He remarked in what sounded like disbelief. "Well, they are great stories considering that they are all written by a great pony, a pony who is probably like some of you in the audience. Let me tell you something, who has had a fellow pony or creature turn their backs on them?"

Like before, several students raised their hooves, wings or claws.

"I can tell you one thing," Stygian explained, sighing deeply and closing his eyes. "It can be hurtful, because I've been there. I know what it is like to have somepony or somecreature turn their backs on you. I still struggle with those feelings every day, feelings that made me turn into the Pony of Shadows."

From behind the stage, Sunset watched the reactions of the students along with Starlight.

"They seem to be keen on him," Starlight whispered to her interim successor. "I think this is good for him."

"But you must remember," Stygian continued to the crowd of ponies, unaware of what was going on behind the stage. "That with each pony or creature that turns their backs on you, there is another pony or creature that is willing to put their trust in you. Why? Because there is always somepony or somecreature willing to hear what you have to say. If you struggle like me with trust issues, please stand up."

Almost as if on cue, several students rose to their feet, much to Stygian's delight.

"For those of you who are standing, please stay standing up," Stygian directed, pacing back and forth. "Because if you are struggling with hurt feelings of negative trust or something similar, you are not alone. It's something we all need to work on, every single one of us whether it's me on this stage or you in the audience."

With those words, the sounds of cheering came from the audience much to the delight of Sunset and Starlight.

"By Celestia, I think he's got it!" Sunset whispered.

"Yep, I think he's got the respect of the students down," Starlight agreed. "But will he agree is the big question."

…

Once the assembly had come to an end, Stygian was back in Sunset's office and he had come to an important decision regarding his future.

"The students loved you, Stygian," Sunset remarked as she walked into her office and sat down. "I trust you enjoyed your time here?"

"Yes, Sunset Shimmer," Stygian sighed. "I feel as if…you may be right about what you were offering me. I feel as if I can reach out to young minds just like you feel I should."

"So does this mean that…?" Sunset asked.

"-If you wish for me to be a teacher here," Stygian answered in a confident voice while nodding his head. "I would be more than happy to accept your offer after today."

Delighted, Sunset extended her hoof out to Stygian and Stygian extended his hoof out to Sunset. "Welcome to the School of Friendship, Stygian!" Sunset declared. "You'll fit in just fine!"

Later that day, before returning to Canterlot, Sunset went next door to the castle to reflect on what had just happened.

"So he accepted?" Starlight asked, laying down in her room with a heating pad on her lower back and receiving a confirming nod. "Great! He's going to make a great teacher, Sunset."

"Indeed I think he will, Starlight," Sunset answered. "He's got a lot to offer the students and he seems to be more than willing to open up about being able to have a friendly ear."

"Part of me thinks that Stygian doesn't want anyone to go through the same system as he once did. Now that we are at war with Grogar, more trust in each other than ever before is going to be needed," Starlight sighed, looking over at Sunset. "Because trust is just one of the many tools that we will need to help win this war."

Silently nodding, Sunset agreed with Starlight.

"Keep up the good work, Sunset," Starlight sighed as she got herself comfortable again. "We still need more teachers here in addition to Stygian. The more teachers we have, the more better educated our students will be. You have a keen eye for this, I can tell."

With those words, Sunset left Starlight alone and returned to Canterlot hoping that Stygian certainly wouldn't be the last teacher needed to help the School of Friendship grow even more.

But for now, Stygian was about to take the next step into his redemption and it would not be a moment too soon with the threat of war looming over Equestria.

…

…