//------------------------------// // Chapter twenty: Second Intermission and first gathering of the vessels. // Story: Season 10: Dawn of a new generation of Harmony // by xombiekilla //------------------------------// Loneliness... A feeling that a particular monarch should be familiar with after a thousand years of being condemned to roam the charred wastelands of what used to be a fair and prosperous world. One thousand years is a very long time to reflect upon one's existence. The pangs of regret, guilt, and sadness that one can feel for so long can make one cold to just about Everything, ironic for a ruler that's hotter than the sun. There, she lies on the scarred terrain of lava and magma in pools surrounding her body as if on an isle of dry land. Cinders and ashes polluted the air and carried through the breeze; being clutched into the lonely tyrant's hooves was the crown that was once her sister's. "Why? Why have I made this horrible mistake? One that had cost me Everything." Tears rolled down her cheeks as she could do nothing more than weep, to weep for the loss of what once was and can never be again. "Is that how you wish to remain?" A pillar of darkness rose from the hardened earth as a robed equine approached her. "Who're you? How is this possible? Identify yourself, now!" Came the angered reply from the blazing tyrant. "What if I told you I could give your old life back? How would that make you feel, Daybreaker?" "If this is but a cruel jest, then you shall deeply regret this. This I promise you." Then the hooded pony unveiled her hood to show that it was Luna, but younger. She had a lighter complexion, a lighter-blue mane, and yellow eyes where there should have been turquoise. "A jest? You wound me, dear sister. I'm here to offer you a second chance." "This must be a cruel ruse to my eyes. You cannot be real, Luna. No life remains here." Young Luna then reached out to physically hug her. Daybreaker wasn't prepared for that. The fact that this wasn't a joke was reality. She wasn't going crazy from her loneliness for so long; someone else was there with her. "Does this feel fake to you, sister?" This was the moment she had waited for a near eternity, the warm embrace of another creature. Daybreaker's eyes widened in shock; her expression was one of sudden realization as she could no longer hold back her tears as she cried; for the first time in centuries, these were tears of joy, not sadness. "Would you be willing to join us in his master plan to restore order and balance to everything, to make you and I stronger than anything you've ever believed to be possible?" "Y-Yes. I will. If this means I can have my life back, the one life I once cherished but then took for granted." "Very well then, sister. Follow me to the Thirteenth Spire; you'll then meet your new colleagues." Daybreaker rose from the scarred earth and walked with Young Luna to the dark pillar as they disappeared from this dismayed timeline. "Very soon, we shall expect our next friend into our fold, everyone." The hooded figure Yami had said to his gathered colleagues, "Not everyone is here right now as those that aren't are now accomplishing their due tasks, but for those of you that are, I humbly welcome you all." Yami was focusing his magic on what appeared to be an empty husk with a cloth covering it. "A new vessel will join us along with the one that Luna shall bring." Life was brought into the husk's eyes as she rose; her vision had returned to her senses as the cloth covering her had fallen off as she looked up to see Yami. "You there. Why have I been brought back? What do you want with me?" She then saw at least five others and the one standing over her body. "Simple, you still have a grand role in future events." Yami then smirked as he welcomed her. "Mean Twilight; I welcome you back to the world of the living." "And if I were to accept these changes of events, how would any of this benefit me in any capacity? As it stands, I have zero incentive to trust you." Mean Twilight was trying to study up on this guy with the minimal data she had on him. Regardless of the circumstance, she would have a plan, no matter what. "Perhaps you're not ready to know yet; perhaps I'm not ready to tell you. Or let's suppose that you need to find out for yourself," Yami retorted coyly. "But what if I told you that by discovering your purpose and why I have revived you, you would become that of a god, much like myself?" "That is… fascinating, indeed. So then, what would happen if you cannot produce what you're promising me?" Mean Twilight's eyes crossed as she furrowed her brow and was unsure of this man's claims. Yami only laughed in response. "What's so funny?" "I think you worry too much. Everything will become clear to you when the time is right, as will all of us." "So this is everyone, huh? I overheard enough while I was in recreation stasis before waking up. So what about the rest of the other vessels? Have you gathered them all yet? And what of that last position? You said that you've already found a suitable subordinate, yes?" "I have indeed. This new pony is named Hero. The Element of Courage has displayed much promise from defeating the monster with which Tempest was testing them." Yami returned to Mean Twilight, saying, "Everything is going according to plan. Soon, we'll have our new world order: a brilliant, dark utopia."  "I hope you're right about that, for your sake." Then Mean Twilight had gained enough strength to stand up as she saw everyone else looking at her. "So long as nobody gets in my way, we'll get along just fine." "I'll take that response as a form of agreement then." The dark pillar that Young Luna had used to retrieve Daybreaker returned as she and Daybreaker walked out from the dark void. "We hath returned, fair Yami, with excellent tidings for thee. Daybreaker, the one you have been searching for." "Wonderful. And you must be the esteemed Daybreaker, Mistress of the Inferno. So you have decided to join me then?" "I have. Under my current circumstances, I've considered the possibility of having a new life for myself, a second chance to take what's mine back." "Understandable. If I recall, your fury was of such great magnitude that you decimated the home you once knew. Everything you've ever hated- and loved- is gone." "Yes. How did you know this?" Daybreaker was raising her eyebrow in suspicion at Yami. "My dear majesty, there is much that I know that will surprise you. Let's say I've got a penchant for knowledge, and I like to do thorough research when something truly interests me. It's just the way I am." "So then, you can bring this back to me, right? You can make it to where I can have my old life back?" "I can. And even more than that, Your Highness, I can make you of god-like status, even beyond what you thought was possible for yourself." "Is that so? If I am that much stronger, I can use that power to protect my new home once it's back into my acquisition. My gratitude goes to you then, and you're?" "My name is Lord Yami, The Harbinger of Darkness." The other five currently there still had their faces concealed from view from within their hoods. Once their meeting was finished, everyone dispersed from the Thirteenth Spire to further along with Yami's master plan. "You and I have a lot of work to catch up on, Grubber. After that embarrassing defeat, we shall be successful next time." "Uhh. Your Highness." "Well, quit your gawking, and let's try to formulate a plan here. I need ideas!" Chrysalis was looking at Grubber for what he might be thinking about. "What about working with that Tirek guy again?" Grubber said as he pitched his idea to Chrysalis. "What did you say!? Work with that oversized red buffoon? That was meant to be a joke, right?" "Um.. no." Grubber tensed his shoulders and cringed at her imminent fury towards him... but that never came. "Grubber. His help might be beneficial to get some bearings into Tartarus. Last I checked, that's where he said he was headed towards." "Really? Oh, I mean, yeah. That sounds good to me." "You're not just saying that because you're trying to butter me up, are you?" "No. Of course not. I completely agree with your plan. So then, what am I supposed to do first?" "Patience, my dear. We first need to gather our resources. Our Tainted need hearts, and I need some love from somepony. It's been far too long since I've had a decent meal." Grubber's eyes had widened as he waved his hands in front of himself defensively. "What!? Don't look at me." "I'm not after your love, you numbskull. It's probably not even great anyways." "Phew. Well, now I wish I still had that hippogriff soldier with me. Where shall I go then?" "We'll both go. I want to be around to snatch my meal quickly." "Understood, Your Highness. What about that little heart thing? The Crystal Heart?" "Oh? Infinite amounts of love energy? My goodness, why have I never considered this before? That sounds marvelous. I'll have my strength back far beyond anything that stupid bell could ever give me, and The Tainted shall have their hearts. Once in a while, you have your moments, Grubber; I can admit that." "Yup. Bright moments are my forte. So I'll assume you got a disguise ready to get at that crystal heart?" "I do have somepony in mind. Once I can weasel myself there, I'll have my meal while you distract everyone with the Tainted. I'll have a buffet of love better than any meal I've ever eaten." "Oh, you can count on me to keep them busy while you eat. What will you do then?" "I'll get my vengeance on that love princess as well. A part of me is still bitter about that ruined wedding." "Well, going to The Crystal Empire before Tartarus makes more sense. Get your strength; then you'd build a new hive, I'd imagine?" "Yes. I'll probably even usurp Tartarus and then leach away Everything that fools Tirek has, too. Why not? I can't afford any competition anyways." "Wait. Isn't Tirek supposed to be big, red, and mighty?" "Not if he's too weak to pull magic from somepony or creature. That's what he needs to get stronger. Without that, he'll be all too easy to destroy." "Well, alright then, your highness." "Alright then, you big sticky and yucky thing. Your job is straightforward: destroy those fools and take their hearts. I'll be waiting in the safety of the shadows while you do your work, big guy." The Tainted monster just growled to show its agreement with Cozy. "That's right. I'll offer you support.. from a distance." "I'll have plans of my very own, Mister Yami. He thinks he knows me too well; we shall see about that soon enough." Cozy Glow then looked towards the field with all the heroes cheering in victory, "Quick! Hide, you cannot be seen yet." The Tainted beast did just that as he melted into the shadows to conceal himself. "Alright then, Twilight Sparkle, I hope you're ready for our reunion." Cozy then made her way towards them to confront them.