The Archmage’s Last Bow
Chapter 10 - News, Welcome and Unwelcome

As shadow rose from the surface of the ice and began to coalesce into equine form once again, King Sombra approached the threshold of the great time stasis spell that separated the Empty White City from the rest of the world around it.

A wry smile crossed his muzzle as he beheld the invisible line, the only evidence of its existence being the swirling snow and wind of the storm that had blown in the previous evening seeming to abruptly stop at some invisible threshold and immediately cease. On one side of this invisible line, the gale howled, the snow blew, the world raged.

On the other side, there was nothing but the stillness of eternity, the last remains of an ancient empire lost.

Sombra always felt a strange sorrow every time he beheld the alien spires and shapes that were Elysium. It was such an odd feeling, to weep for an empire he knew not. What was it about this place that always saddened him? Was it the knowledge that no matter how great he made himself, a single day and night of misfortune could lay him low? Was it the wisdom that had once been held here, now forever lost? Perhaps it was quite simply that this city was now little more than a barren monument to what had once been the greatest civilization in all of history, and now they were gone?

Sombra stepped across the threshold and felt all sound and feeling vanish instantaneously as he crossed into holy ground.

Outside, the storm howled and raged. Far away, the centerpiece of his grand design lay in a hospital bed, the result of an ill-conceived attempt to wring more time from his life than he had. His beloved and his apprentice no doubt were going to lay into him for doing something so foolhardy.

On the nearby mountain, the last surviving members of this lost empire, who neither knew nor cared about their heritage, made preparations to vacate and leave the ruling to their inferior apprentices. Nova Shine and Twilight Sparkle’s anger at them looked as though it would be a boon for him. The longer they remained distrustful, the less likely they would be able to work effectively to disrupt his own designs.

Even further away, beyond his knowledge, his former master returned to lands that Sombra himself had let the Windigos loose on, no doubt seeking the location of another Gem of Being. Sombra had to wonder just what Star Swirl’s plan was regarding these gems. Surely if it were simply to keep them out of his own hooves, then Star Swirl would simply leave them be, as Nova Shine had said. What was his ultimate goal and what role did Nova Shine have to play in it?

His own apprentice seemed to be laying low in the Everfree Forest for the time being, seemingly disobeying him yet again, despite his explicit orders to keep Nova Shine on track. Perhaps it was time to… encourage her to be more proactive.

As Sombra strode into the familiar streets of Scala ad Caelum. Buildings of impossible architecture loomed overhead, stretching into the sky as though determined to grab hold and drag it to earth. This was truly the place where the tellurian and the empyrean met.

Sombra stared up at the tallest of these spires, by far the grandest in its architecture. Flanking its doors were two great statues of alicorn rulers, a serene queen and a powerful king. Having learned how to read High Alicornian long ago, he could read the plaques beneath each statue.

High Alicornian was such a strange language, he thought. Advanced, yet primitive. Many words were defined entirely by their context. The word I, for example, could mean either “the” or “one”, but its meaning of singling out a particular object was unmistakable. Adjectives came after what they described yet titles and articles came first. A mess of contradictory rules, but it was still a functioning language that inspired and contributed to much that came after.

Yet the meaning of a contextual word like “dey” in this case was unmistakable. Peak. Highest. Magnus and Verita had been the highest of the Alicorns of old, as had prior “dey”s such as Severus or Stella, or later “dey”s like Dominus or Imperius. Yet it was clear which ones were held in the highest regard by these alicorns, which were the “dey” of “dey”s, as it were. Such great care had been taken in preserving their history that even small blemishes to these ponies were captured, most prominently the many scars on Magnus’ body, no doubt the results of his conquests.

In addition to statues of their rulers, reliefs and murals hewn directly into the Great Spire, carved from the stone it was built out of, a symphony of orichalcum metallurgy and arcanostone masonry, each individual work depicting a moment of the vast tapestry of the Alicorn Empire’s rich history.

The first pony, a lowly unicorn mare, gaining her wings and ascending, setting the stage for what was to come. A group of four alicorns locking hooves, symbolic of the Empire’s formation. An alicorn taking dominion through conquest over those beneath them. Unicorns, earth ponies, pegasi, shape-changers, centaurs, griffins, zebras…

And then a mural of those lesser creatures rising up and fighting back, only for the alicorns to strike them down.

Sombra stared at the palatial monument, reflecting and reminiscing. It had been here, after all. He shut his eyes as the memories of those days began to flicker through his mind, the familiar pain of Luxius brought back with them.

Being roused from his bed in the Crystal Empire by his own guards, out to protect him from something that was happening in the dead of night. Watching the guards be attacked and then murdered by assassins. Fighting back using his tutelage from Star Swirl, but it coming to nothing. Being taken captive by them. Dragged into the throne room. Watching his father’s death.

Being thrown from the city, a crown-prince in exile. Wandering for days in the snowy wastes, accepting charity from his once-subjects, but still on the run. Hearing whispers of a sleeping power beyond the yaks to the north. Making the treacherous voyage past the Frozen Maw. Braving the Land of Three Suns and wandering in the frozen hell in search of a last, desperate way to exact retribution. Seeing an alien city rise up from the horizon.

Stepping hoof into this holy place and suffering the vengeful gazes of millions of spirits, always watching but never seen. Scouring this place from the depths to the very peak of this tower. Finding that the whispers of the power he sought were more than mere hearsay, yet were unattainable at that present. But then, finding…

Sombra pushed his way forward into the Great Spire, the doors swinging open as though they weighed nothing. The grand entryway of this spire was arrayed before him. Magnificent sculptures of other important figures stood wherever it was convenient. Works of art hung from the walls. Banners and tapestries draped from the ceiling. Many doors led to different places. Sombra paid no attention to any of it, instead ascending the spire, passing many important rooms, heedless of their contents.

Finally, he arrived at an intricately charged door, a relief of Queen Verita carved into it, her eyes expressionless, her face slack, and yet a scroll being written. The words above the doorway read PRAE PROPHI. ‘Hall Prophecies’.

When he entered, he was greeted with a truly wondrous sight. Shelf after shelf after shelf, each one lined with several scrolls encased in metal containers to protect them from the wear and tear of the outside world, each one labeled with a plaque that listed a reference number in their alien script, and in the center of the room was a stone plinth, on which sat a massive book, a compendium of each prophecy, in order of reference number, with the events they were said to have detailed.

Every one of the prophecies in this book told of events long since fulfilled, but there was one more prophecy that wasn’t recorded. One last prophecy sat at the end of the room, sitting on a velvet pillow on an arcanostone pedestal. One last scroll sat in this place of reverence.

Sombra approached the prophecy yet again and stared down at the words listed on its pages.

VAI SU LA, I UL DEY ALICORNA
VAI SU LA, I COURNO CALAMNA
VAI SU LA, I CU WE AINA
VAI SU LA, I CU DEYRA ESTNA
VERITA VAI ESA SU LA

SEA I TWAI DEY KULNA.

He did not need to translate this page. The words seemed to read in his mind as if he were a native speaker of this language, and he stared down at the troubling words, questioning the possibilities as he recited the words in his head in Equish once again.

“I speak to you, the final emperor of the alicorns.
I speak to you, the bringer of our doom.
I speak to you, the one who would wear Life.
I speak to you, the one who would rule over all.
I, Verita, speak directly to you.

Beware the god-shattering star.”

Based on this prediction’s place of exalt, Sombra knew that he was far from the first pony to have read those words, and just as far from the first pony to ever ponder their meaning. Yet even as he stared at the scroll, his mind once again racing at the possibilities, casting itself among his many plans and contingencies that all led up to Harmonic Convergence, he knew that one thing was certain. His plans hinged on one thing, lest it be his undoing.

Nova’s eyes fluttered open, and he lay in the hospital bed in pain, squinting as the sunlight streamed inside from a nearby window.

It hurt to move his eyes. It hurt to crane his head to look around the hospital room. It hurt to breathe. Needles were poked into him at different places, keeping some fluid running through his system. The patient monitor beeped away as it showed his faint heartbeat, sitting far below sixty beats per minute. Each breath felt like fire in his lungs for the brief moment he held it in. And yet as he drew in long, rasping breaths, all he could do was continue to lay there in misery, forced to endure the hell he was currently locked in.

Nova’s eyes flicked over to the hospital door to see none other than Trixie sitting next to it on a stool, bereft of cape and hat, mane disheveled, and looking pleased despite it all.

She got to her hooves and trotted towards him as he watched, her haughty demeanor seemingly left at the door. As she approached, she reached over and lightly touched his arm.

Trixie’s expression darkened, and she turned her gaze out the window, looking like she very much didn’t want to speak the words she was going to. She even bit her lip nervously, looking more conflicted than Nova had ever seen.

“Eight… what?” he asked, feeling the bottom drop out of his stomach. How long was he stuck in this state? Eight days? Eight weeks? Eight months?

Nova stared at her, processing what she said, before his horn flickered and a pillow was launched from behind his head, only getting about as far as the foot of the bed, but Trixie started chortling all the same.

“Yeah, well,” Trixie’s mirth vanished as she gave him a scowl, “you deserve it for scaring us like that. What the hell were you thinking, you utter blockhead!?”

She picked up the pillow with her own magic and bopped him over the head with it, something that caused him to groan out in discomfort, before she eased him forward and settled it back behind him. Nova endured the pain, but Trixie didn’t seem to care and continued.

“Twilight says you overdid it on Elixirs of Energy and had an energy crash, whatever that means. Doctor Horse says you’re gonna be fine, but don’t scare us like that again!” she snapped, snatching the pillow from behind him again and punctuating each word with a pillow bop. Nova was in no position to resist, simply sitting there, enduring the small bursts of pain as Trixie punished him.

The door opened and in stepped Doctor Horse himself, carrying a clipboard with relevant pages on it in his magic. He eyed Trixie disapprovingly as she continued to whack him over the head with his stolen pillow, but didn’t make any moves to interrupt.

“You gave us quite a fright last night,” he said, choosing instead to pull up a chair and go over his notes. “It’s a good thing Princess Twilight found you, and it’s a good thing we weren’t doing anything urgent when Spike found us, or else you’d have been forced to sit there even longer. That’ll do, Miss Lulamoon,” he added, catching the pillow before she could give him one last thump. “Our patient needs his rest now.”

Trixie once again settled the pillow behind Nova’s head, before giving him one last compassionate (painful) pat on the shoulder before she made her exit.

“Eight hours,” Doctor Horse nodded. “We sedated you as soon as we found you, and it took your body that long to muster enough energy to actually metabolize it. Now…”

He threw the clipboard onto his table, slamming it onto the hard surface with a crack that made Nova jump, and gave him one of the most furious glares Nova had ever seen from a medical professional.

“And you thought that by abusing Elixirs of Energy you would get that time?” Doctor Horse demanded. “Do you even have any idea how Elixirs of Energy function?”

“So you don’t,” Doctor Horse scowled. “I am definitely getting a complaint for my bedside manner for this conversation, but someone has to get it through your head that you can’t cheat the delicate balance that is your body’s energy intake and outtake. So let me ask you a question, Nova Shine. You’re a smart young mage, you should know the answer to this. What’s the First Law of Thermodynamics?”

He just wanted this to end, he was suffering enough already. Doctor Horse, however, decided his punishment must be more severe.

“Exactly. Energy cannot be created nor destroyed in a closed system, but it can change form. Thus, in a closed system, energy is constant. You can’t just magically create energy out of nothing, it has to come from somewhere,” he smacked the table with his hoof. “Drinking a potion is not just going to spontaneously give you more energy just because energy is in its name. Do you know what an Elixir of Energy does?”

Nova shook his head, a tiny, pathetic motion, but it was all he could really muster.

“It doesn’t just give you energy,” he punctuated with a slap of his hoof against the table. “It rebalances your body’s energy stores, and it’s meant for only moderate fatigue. Twilight Sparkle tells me you came dashing all the way here from Neighton several years ago, and it took you several Elixirs over several hours plus sleep just to get you back on your hooves. And you thought an Elixir a day would be enough to cover up you trying to skive off from sleep for several days running?”

“So all this time, you’ve been running yourself more and more ragged, drinking Elixirs to try and mask the symptoms, forcing yourself through the day, until finally, the Elixir ran out of energy in crucial places to pull from, and it just left you frozen there for somepony else to find.”

Nova grunted, wishing he could just sink into the bed. It wasn’t particularly comfortable, but given his exhausted state, even a block of granite would feel like the fluffiest down mattress.

“Look,” the doc removed his glasses, his voice lowering significantly. “I understand that you are trying to eke out more time. I have been made aware of your… condition. But if it weren’t for your healing factor, you would have already been dead, Nova Shine.”

“You cannot cheat the balance of energy in your body. There is no system to game. Our bodies require rest and energy to function, and they will have it or they will break down. There is no other alternative. Do you want to maximize the amount of time you have left?”

“Then eat well, sleep well, and rest well. And don’t even think about going near an Elixir of Energy unless you fully plan to use them for their intended purpose.”

Nova closed his eyes and sighed. He had a limited time to accomplish so many things he wanted to do, but the way things were going, he was going to have to let many of them go.

Alas, my friend, but no, it would not work. The flow of time would still apply to you.

That… is unfortunately true, he thought bitterly. Yes, time would still stop everyone else, it would still flow as normal for him, making it ultimately a waste.

He hadn’t the time to put everything he wanted together. He was simply going to have to do what he could.

He opened his eyes, just in time for Doctor Horse to place an open letter on his lap.

“This letter arrived from Canterlot earlier today. It would seem despite your condition, the House of Nobles has called a session in a few days’ time.”

He quickly skimmed the letter’s contents to find that, indeed, it was a notice of a called session of congress. Addressed to Night Master and Archmage Nova Shine, he was to present himself yadda yadda to the House of Nobles at the end of next week.

“Now, you have visitors, so I’ll take my leave. You will likely be released by the end of day, but until then, take it easy,” Doctor Horse ordered, trotting out and giving him one last glare.

Nova let out a long, painful breath, letting his eyes drift shut for the moment. Despite having been sedated for a few hours, it felt like he hadn’t slept at all. His hooves felt like they were encased in a cinder block, and it felt as if his neck were trying to turn a lead ball on its own every time he tried to readjust.

And despite his torment, he knew this was going to be his reality for the next several hours while his “gift” from Harmonia slowly worked him back into a better shape.

In reality, it could have only been a few seconds, but to Nova, it felt like hours had passed before the door was gently pushed open and Twilight, Spike, and Gleam stepped in. Twilight had visible bags under her eyes and stray hairs in her mane were sticking up everywhere. Spike also looked exhausted, riding on Twilight’s back, constantly rubbing his eyes and trying to keep them open, and he was also carrying a letter. Gleam looked far less worse for the wear, but she still looked as if she hadn’t gotten much sleep the previous night either.

Despite the occasion and despite just how much it hurt to do so, he couldn’t help but smile as his apprentice walked in wearing her green cloak. That did wonders for her bearing, as the tension she had been carrying as she and Twilight entered the room was significantly eased, and she gave him a small sad smile back.

Twilight strode forward as Spike climbed off her back, took Dr. Horse’s chair, slid it over to his bedside, and the moment she plopped herself down into it, she buried her face in Nova’s chest and started to violently shudder. She wasn’t crying this time, but Nova still couldn’t help the extreme shame and guilt as he watched his star teeter on the edge in front of him.

Her head snapped up, her mane started to smoke, and Nova felt an intense heat start to radiate from her. Gleam and Spike both winced. Gleam undoubtedly from the heat, Spike from him saying possibly the worst thing he could have.

“Hey?” Twilight thundered, eyes shifting to red. “Hey!? Is that all you have to say after scaring me to death, Nova!? HEY!?”

She stared at him in furious disbelief. Gleam giggled at her master’s brazen antics despite his situation. Spike didn’t look particularly reassured by his confidence.

Eventually, Twilight’s scowl gave way to a tiny smile, and the transformation was completed. The blast of heat actually decreased, despite its usual side effects. Lilac fur became white, a straight-laced mane and tail burst into flames, and in no time at all, Flamelight Sparkle leaned against his bed, her eyes glinting with amusement.

“You scare us all half-to-death, and all you can think about is how nice I look when I’m ready to incinerate you where you lie?”

“It’s not all I think about,” he shrugged, the herculean effort to do so leaving him panting. “Course… not much else to do… but sit here and think.”

The smile slid off her face. The fire flickered out, red eyes shifted back to purple, and color returned to white fur once more. Twilight leaned up and brushed some of his sweat-matted mane off of his forehead.

“Don’t scare me like that again, you understand?” she poked him in the shoulder as Trixie had done. “You’re lucky Luna knew you weren’t sleeping. It could have been hours before we found you.”

“It was,” he said, shutting his eyes and wrenching his thoughts away from the memories. Frozen still, devoid of energy, eyes drying out yet unable to close them, wanting to scream but having not the strength…

“Then it could have been more,” she pressed, leaning down and resting her chin on his breast. “Why? Why do you do this to yourself?”

“You try being terrified of dying, living on a time crunch, and having a million things you want to get done before you’re gone,” Nova snapped, the whisper taking much of the sting out of things. “And now we have to go up to Canterlot…” he added, gesturing at the House of Nobles’ summons.

“Yeah, I got something from her this morning for that same weekend,” Twilight snarled. “Spike?”

Spike put the letter on Nova’s bed for Twilight to pull over. Nova gave him a tired smile.

Spike crossed his arms and glared at him. “I’d be doing a lot better if you hadn’t done this.”

Twilight let him and Spike have their moment before she slid the letter in front of his eyes. Nova stared down at it, frowning. It was a Royal Summons, not unlike the Level Zero Imperative that had started this whole mess that they’d gotten weeks ago. Conveniently enough, it coincided with the latest session of the House, and the stated purpose of this summons was that Twilight was needed to preside over a session of Day Court. Included in addition to this letter was a small hoofwritten note from Princess Celestia herself.

“Well, that was nice,” he observed, sliding the letter back. “She knows we’re still pissed.”

“I’m sure Luna got that message last night,” Twilight scowled. “Still,” the scowl softened, “if it weren’t for her…”

“Still not ready to talk to them yet,” Nova countered flatly. “It’s not like they’ve actually saved my life and undone their damage.”

“Speaking of, how has she been reacting to all of this?” he asked, raising his voice as much as he could.

“What do you mean you don’t know?” Nova asked. “Has she stopped talking to you?”

“No…” Gleam shook her head. “Just… I dunno, she seems like she regrets all of this.”

“Regrets all of what?” Nova asked. “Giving me her gift? Or giving me her gift?”

Twilight threw him an askance look for that. She hadn’t been this harsh on him when he’d slagged himself before. He guessed the current circumstances had done a number on her opinion of that.

Gleam glanced sideways, her eyes sliding out of focus for a moment, before they sharpened once more.

“Brilliant,” Nova sighed. “Not like we can stop her, can we? Bring her out, I guess.”

Nova hadn’t even had time to see the transformation, if it could even be called one. Bright Gleam looked no different than she had before, except that the irises of her eyes had gone stark white, and she carried herself taller, more dignified. Gleam before wasn’t a slouch by any stretch, but it was as if there wasn’t merely confidence, but assurance to her stance now. Her shoulders were squared, and she was staring directly at Nova with an unreadable expression.

It was such an odd experience, hearing a gentle, musical voice come from his apprentice, when the voice so obviously was not the one he expected, like a trumpet producing a violin’s dulcet notes. Both sweet and musical, but where one was full of energy and life, this was gentler, more delicate.

“Princess, Drakeling,” Harmonia added, giving both of them a polite bow as well. “I am Harmonia, Spike, the Spirit of Harmony.” She held up a hoof, and with a glimmer of pure white light, a great amethyst materialized, coalescing out of thin air. There was no magic from Gleam, but rather the very world itself. It was such a bizarre feeling, to sense the earth’s magic acting as though on its own.

“Whoooooa.” Spike was staring at the gem, wide-eyed and unmistakably salivating. Harmonia smiled, lowering the gem before him, and he began munching away.

“He hasn’t had lunch yet,” Twilight groaned. “This is going to ruin his appetite.”

“Gems are part of a healthy growing dragon’s diet,” Harmonia said, watching Spike gobble up the stone. “Like the foods you eat, gems contain different nutrients that are beneficial to growing dragons. Amethysts in particular help their physical strength develop. He has, unfortunately, been neglecting these, as Rarity prefers to keep amethysts for herself, and she is not aware of this.”

“Huh,” Twilight tapped her chin as she watched Spike continue to gorge himself. “None of the books I’ve read mention this."

“It is not something most ponies know. Though perhaps, with Equestria’s new alliance with Ember and the dragons, it is information that may yet be shared.”

“Nice of you to not take over my body this time,” Nova grumbled. “Just take over my apprentice’s body instead. Big difference.”

“I apologize,” Harmonia bowed to him. “Time was of the essence that night. In this case, however, your student has allowed me to speak through her mouth. If at any point she wishes for control back, she shall have it.”

The energy was returning to him faster than he thought it would. His sentences were no longer halting, but he was still having trouble putting force into his words.

Harmonia stared at him for a long moment. Twilight looked torn, as though she wanted to back him up, but also as though she wanted to tell him off for his attitude. Or maybe she simply didn’t want him antagonizing this being who could annihilate them both with nary a flick of her hoof.

“Yeah, no shit,” Nova spat. “Just turn me into a time bomb without telling me and leave me to learn for myself. No way that could go wrong, am I right?”

“I miscalculated,” Harmonia admitted, looking away. There was no blush, no frown, no emotion to her admission. It was a statement of fact, nothing more. “I did not believe that my gift would proceed as it has. I did not know that your training to become the archmage would accelerate it so.”

“Aren’t you… um…” Spike searched for the right word. “If you’re the Consciousness of Magic, or whatever Nova told us about, then how come you didn’t know?”

“To think of me as the Consciousness of the Element of Magic is accurate, yet not the full picture. The Elements, after all, are an extension of the aspects of Harmony itself, as am I. I am not Harmony, Harmony is not I. Harmony is not omnipotent or omniscient, so neither am I. Even to say Harmony is omnipresent is inaccurate. Harmony exists in many places, and thus, there am I.”

“So you’re just Harmony’s ambassador?” Twilight asked, her fascination overriding her earlier emotions.

“Not… quite,” Harmony shook her head. “I am, and yet, I am more than that. You may consider me a… partner, you might say. I speak for Harmony, for Harmony cannot speak for itself. I can act on Harmony’s behalf, and in return, Harmony sustains me. Once was I a pony of flesh and blood, such as you. Once ages ago did I walk the earth, feel the warmth of the sun, breathe the air of a crisp morning, as you do. In body, I may no longer be what you would consider a pony,” she said, looking directly at Nova as she said this, “but in mind and soul, I am still equine. Thus, I am still fallible and prone to error.”

“So I’m dying because you did an oopsie,” Nova grumbled, glaring up at the ceiling. “Brilliant.”

“No such gift has been bestowed on your apprentice, Nova Shine. I have taken great care to ensure that she remains unaffected, aside from my protection. As for yourself, there are ways that you may survive,” Harmonia said, seemingly unperturbed.

"Like taking back the gift," Nova cut her off. "Which you have the power to do, but you haven't done."

"I would, were it possible," Harmonia replied evenly. "If your soul did not hold fast to the gift, I could cleanse you of it. Yet were I to attempt to take it from you, it would torture you in ways you've never felt before."

"Try it anyway," Nova growled. "I'll happily accept a little pain now to save my life in the long run, even if it does mean my mana reserves aren't as deep."

"This gift is not merely your mana reserves, Nova Shine," Harmonia shook her head. "Your very understanding of magic has been enhanced by this. Your comprehension, magical intelligence, all of that has been enhanced. You were by no means an amateur spellcaster before, but to remove my gift would leave you poorly equipped for the role of Archmage, or to locate the three Gems of Being."

Harmonia stopped, observing him for a long moment. Then Gleam's horn glowed white. "As you wish," she replied, with a small note of resignation.

It felt as if something deep within himself had been grabbed, something so far beneath the surface that he had never known it was there at all. Something tied to the very core of his self. It was as though something had grabbed hold of his very being and was trying to pull it apart. At first, it was merely uncomfortable, but then the discomfort grew, until he felt the pain he had been expecting. The pain started small, feeling as though he were being twisted. But then it intensified. The pain grew, and he began to tense and cry out. He could hear Imperius screaming too, begging him to stop whatever was happening.

Harmonia bowed her head, the spell ceasing. At once, the pain left, and Nova was left whimpering as the pain within slowly dissipated.

"Your soul clings to my gift, refusing to allow it to be taken," she said softly. "Had I attempted to pull it free any harder, it would have torn your soul apart, Nova Shine. Souls may be mended with time, but in that time, you would be left as nothing more than a shell, a husk of a pony, unable to protect those who depend on you. I am afraid that removing my gift is out of the question."

Nova lay there, gasping for air, trying desperately to think of anything other than the excruciating pain he had just felt. Back in the recesses of his mind, he could feel Imperius' pain as well. Stupid, he thought. You're not the only one in your own headspace.

Do not chastise yourself, Imperius countered, his mental voice weaker than he had ever heard it. Despite the moment, Nova couldn't help but kick himself for his stupidity, forgetting that Imperius was even there. You were working to preserve your own life. I understand. Just... please be more careful next time?

Harmonia observed him as he slowly came down from his pain. "There is only one truly assured way of saving your life, Nova Shine," she continued solemnly. "And yet, you flee from even the consideration of it."

“Of course I do,” he snapped, shaking off the lingering pain to glare at Harmonia. “I don’t want to be an alicorn. If I become an alicorn, I get no choice in the matter and get made a prince, and I don’t want that. I don’t want the burden of being a ruler, I don’t want to live in a castle on a schedule for the rest of my life. All I ever wanted to do was live my own life, on my own terms, and now I have to choose between doing that and dying in a few months, or imprisoning myself in that gilded cage.”

His gaze shifted automatically to Twilight, who had looked away the moment he had launched into his tirade about being a prince. He knew, deep at the back of his mind, he was probably wrong. But… was he really? Twilight had been allowed freedom because Celestia and Luna had been the ones doing all the ruling. But they were retiring now, and handing the reins of Equestria to her.

For the first time in years, Nova finally stopped and considered his relationship with Twilight, and what her position truly meant for him if he stayed with her.

If he married Twilight, he may not be the ruler shackled to the throne, but he was still signing up for the very life he didn’t want as a prince. They would live at Canterlot Castle and operate on Twilight’s schedule. He would be a means through which ponies would try to advance their agendas with her or strike at her.

He loved her. He loved music, he loved magic, he loved hoofball, he loved many things, but none of those even compared to the depths of his love and affection for Twilight. He would shout it from the highest peaks, he wouldn’t deny it even if tortured. He would fight to the ends of the earth and back to make her happy.

And yet, if he went down this path, by her side, it led directly into the very future he was running away from.

“How cruel is fate,” he whispered, only loud enough for her to hear, “to let me fall so in love with you that I would happily follow you into the very prison I’m terrified of.”

“And that is the miscalculation to which I refer,” Harmonia stated, making him feel thoroughly worse about it. “I believed that your love for Twilight Sparkle would allay your fears about such a role. Yet I was wrong, and you all suffer for my error.”

“Do not misunderstand. I am not saying you have done wrong.” Nova let himself relax so she could explain. “You are complex creatures, with desires and fears that interact in unpredictable ways. I simply believed that your love for Twilight Sparkle, strong as it was, would be enough to quell your fears about such a change, and yet, even as your love for Twilight Sparkle deepened, your fears also increased, and more and more, my gift grew.”

All this time, he had thought of the Spirit of Harmony as some benevolent yet ever-watchful being with a plan for things. Akin, perhaps, to the deities worshiped by the alpacas. To learn that Harmonia was simply another one of them– a pony, warts and all, who had somehow found herself chosen by Harmony itself to serve as its voice and agent– was existentially terrifying the more he thought about it.

There is no grand plan, he realized, clenching his teeth. Harmony is a reactive force, not a proactive one. Harmonia’s… she’s just as much of a screw-up as I am.

He let out a tiny snort. Twilight and Spike glanced his way for a moment. Somewhere, deep in the recesses of his mind, he could have sworn he heard Imperius laughing.

Harmonia let the question hang in the air for a moment, choosing instead to continue staring directly at Nova. He was starting to get a little uncomfortable with it.

“I suppose that depends entirely on Nova Shine,” she finally said. “His life is his own, as are his choices. So it all comes down to him.”

“You can become so much more than what you already are, Nova Shine. But the only one who can make you walk that path is you. Twilight Sparkle cannot. Celestia and Luna cannot. I cannot. Even with the consequences of my gift, you are the only one responsible for your future.”

Gleam’s horn glowed white, and Nova felt the smothering fatigue, which had been gradually lessening for the last several minutes, vanish significantly. It was not gone, but he could feel strength return to his limbs and it was as though he had simply had a restless night.

“As a final message, allow me to promise you directly that I shall watch over your apprentice, Nova Shine. Whatever fears you have for her safety, know that I shall not allow harm to befall her.”

At least this he could trust. She had protected Gleam once already, and sent Envy running away with her tail between her legs. Thus, he gave Harmonia a curt nod. With that, Harmonia bowed her head once more.

This time, Nova didn’t miss the transformation. There was no light, no sound, nor even some change in the magic in the world. The posture that Harmonia had carried herself with simply left with her, and Bright Gleam found herself in control of her body once more. Her eyes changed back to green when she blinked, and rather than carry herself tall and proud, she hunched over ever so slightly as she always did. Then she stumbled, as it seemed she hadn’t quite been prepared to take over again.

“Yeah, ‘m fine,” Gleam mumbled, rubbing at the back of her head as she found her balance. After getting somewhat accustomed to Harmonia, it was jarring to go back to the voice he was so used to hearing under normal circumstances. “Just… disorienting.”

Despite the regained strength, Nova relaxed into the bed again, letting out a long breath and staring up at the ceiling.

“The simple truth, Nova Shine, is that you are not good enough. I’m what you SHOULD be, if you were actually capable.”

He lay there for some time, just letting things replay in his mind, the implication from Harmonia being quite clear that he was capable, and that he simply needed to take that step. The journey to self-improvement was always a never-ending journey, but journeys wouldn’t take themselves, would they? And the journey of a thousand miles always began with a single step.

His horn glinted blue. Twilight yelped, Gleam squeaked, and Spike sputtered as they were all hoisted into the air and yanked onto his bed, where he pulled them into a thankful hug. Twilight softened almost immediately. Spike squirmed and tried to extricate himself to no avail. Gleam, however, froze and began to babble away like she always did. Nova chuckled to himself, twinging her horn before she could talk herself into another Twilight Sparkle Apocalyptic Scenario, which had her relaxing into the hug too.

As Bright Gleam exited the hospital, making her way back to her house to get some proper sleep, she thought about everything that had happened in the hospital. How despite everything that happened at the Empire, Master Nova Shine and Princess Twilight still seemed to be so very in love with each other. How even after the energy crash, despite his sourness, Master Nova Shine still appeared to be just as determined as ever. How Harmonia had assured her master that she'd been given no such gift like he had, which had relieved her more than she had ever expected. Maybe she was also afraid to die.

But more than that, she thought back to the moment Harmonia had reached deep into her master's soul and tried to prise the gift free. Sensing souls had been such an odd experience. Harmonia had reached in and grabbed something so intimate and personal to Master Nova Shine that not even Princess Twilight had ever felt it, she was sure. And then there was the great wellspring that Harmonia had grabbed. It had felt so alien, so vast and incomprehensible, so magical, and Master Nova Shine had access to it! No wonder he was so powerful.

But there was something else there. Or rather, there had been someone else there. It hadn't been Master Nova Shine's soul alone that Harmonia had tried to prise the gift from. There was another soul affixed to his own.

An old friend, Harmonia replied. There is a great game being played for the Gems of Being, Bright Gleam. Two beings, each playing around each other, yet completely unaware of each other's existence. They contest the Gems of Being for different aims, but with Harmonic Convergence approaching, all of their strategies have led to this moment in time. The pieces are arranging themselves for the endgame, the decisive developments that will determine the outcome of the game, and the fate of everyone in the world.

Oh no, Bright Gleam. The Great Game is far, far older than they. This game has been played since shortly after the Fall of the Alicorn Empire, when the Gems of Being were separated from the Crown of Life. Everyone involved is a piece on the board. Sombra, Star Swirl, Celestia, Luna, even Nova Shine, as much as he despises it. And yet...

Harmonia fell silent. Gleam realized she had simply been standing in the middle of Ponyville Square and was attracting strange looks from passers-by, and she quickly scampered forward, eager to return to her house.

Knowledge comes at a terrible price, Bright Gleam, Harmonia answered, a strong cautious tone in her voice. Everything I tell you I do so only because it cannot change things. But there are some pieces of knowledge that, if disclosed too early, would threaten everything that I have been fighting to preserve, and the future that Princess Twilight Sparkle represents.

I am, as much as I can, she replied grimly. Harmony is a reactive force, but I must take steps to preserve it. Nova Shne may be as distrustful toward me as he desires, but he knows that ultimately, we are allies.

Simply, I believe that his relationship with Nova Shine will be the decisive factor in this game. Nova Shine is the centerpiece of everyone's plans. Star Swirl and Sombra both have hinged everything on him for their ends. I, too, have placed my hopes in him and Twilight Sparkle. And I believe that it is their relationship, and Nova Shine's relationship with the one who is linked with him, that shall decide the outcome of the Great Game.

Gleam was silent, continuing her solitary trot through the streets. Captain Cinnabar was maintaining a respectful distance from her some meters away, giving her space to be alone with her thoughts. Gleam envied her sometimes. She'd come to envy just about everyone who wasn't part of this. Why had it all fallen to her? She had just wanted to be Master Nova Shine's apprentice, not be the chosen vessel for the Spirit of Harmony, involved in some cosmic chess match.

Is this another gamble? Gleam asked, remembering what she had said about bestowing her gift on her master, and how it hadn't played out the way she'd expected.

I know Twilight Sparkle, and I know Nova Shine. And if I do say so myself, I don't believe that bestowing my gift on him was an error at all. Quite the contrary, Bright Gleam, I have no doubt at all that Nova Shine will come through in time. My miscalculation was simply that I believed his relationship with Twilight Sparkle would set him down this path by now. I was wrong, but there are always multiple roads to one destination.

Yeah, well, Gleam grimaced, you know he hates being manipulated like a game piece. How do you know he won't do what you don't want purely out of spite?

He acts as he wishes, and he has always been able to do so. I do not manipulate him via words or actions. But I believe that his love for Twilight Sparkle and hers for him in return will ultimately lead him down this path. Nova Shine is many things, Bright Gleam, but he has always yearned to be greater than he is. I do not have to manipulate him like a game piece to gamble on him finally reaching the heights he is capable of. With Twilight Sparkle there, I do not believe it is a gamble at all.

We shall all have our parts to play, Bright Gleam, Harmonia said. You as well. And I believe, just as strongly, that you are destined to do great things, too.

Gleam let herself smile at that. Even despite everything that had happened over the last several hours, Harmonia's reassurance soothed her like nothing else. Not even those herbal teas that Miss Rarity had, or those fragrances at the Ponyville Spa... weren't they also tea-scented? Then there were those shampoos that made your scalp tingle because they had some tea tree extract or something in them. Was tea really that soothing to everyone?

Although, that might have been asking just too much. Her house came into view, the fatigue from the last few hours kicked in, and as she raced into her bedroom and leaped onto the bed, focus was the last thing she wanted to do as the welcome embrace of sleep beckoned, and she let herself slide into its soothing oblivion.

Knightmare Frigoris stomped on a button attached to a rock sling that Time Turner had made by request. The machine whirred for a moment, before there was a *chunk* and a decently-sized stone was blasted upward from a chute.

Aegis’ wings blasted powerfully by reflex, taking him a full twelve meters up in one go before he angled them to readjust and take him closer toward his target, speeding away and flying toward an empty field of grass. As he started to close the distance, tiny little sparks of light started to coalesce around his left hoof. A second flap turned his upward momentum into lateral motion, on a precise intercept course with the stone as it began to reach the peak of its arc.

The little sparks of light were turning into sparks of lightning, and his hoof began to glow with blue-white electricity as the energy grew and demanded release.

Finally, one last flap of his wings redoubled his momentum and took him directly at the stone, whereupon he slammed the lightning-channeling hoof into it. There was an explosion, and the stone was blown into a cloud of dust and pebbles. The momentum of Aegis’ last flap took him several more meters through it, but some more deft angling of his wings turned him back around and he began to glide back down toward his takeoff spot, where Knightmare Frigoris was nodding approvingly.

“Three flaps, four-point-six-seven seconds. You’re improving,” he said as Aegis landed with nary a stumble.

“You shoulda seen the first time I tried this drill,” Aegis brushed some wayward strands of his black mane from his face, having fallen from being compressed under his helmet. “I missed more rocks than I could hit.”

“That is what the drill is for, is it not?” the Knightmare asked, as Aegis yawned, the familiar drain of energy after such a punch making its presence (or lack thereof) felt. “Even the Roaman Legionaries would practice basic stabs and slashes with their gladius a thousand times per day so that their actions would be driven by reflex and instinct, rather than thought.”

“A thousand times seems a bit much,” Aegis chuckled. “Sure feels like I’ve done it a thousand times, though. I wonder…” he glanced in the direction of Ponyville a short distance away, though more accurately he looked up toward the floating cloudhouse where the resident Wonderbolt resided, “do you think Rainbow Dash could perform any better?”

Knightmare Frigoris pursed his lips as he considered it, bobbing his head from side to side. “Possibly. I think it would take fewer flaps and much less time, but I highly doubt she would be able to pulverize the rock.”

“Oh, she definitely would,” Aegis sniffed. “Have you ever had to be on observation duty for a… what did she call it? Sonic Rainbomb?”

“No, not that,” Aegis shook his head. “She would hit the ground at Rainboom speed, and it would level the close vicinity.”

Frigoris hummed to himself thoughtfully. “I think I would quite like to see that, actually. Perhaps she would be able to perform it once, but her specialty is speed and agility, not power.”

“True enough, I suppose.” He wiped his brow. Strength was returning to his limbs again. “One more?”

Aegis took up his spot at the starting dot, did a quick stretch and shake to make sure any remaining fatigue was worked out of his limbs, and assumed his prepared stance. Knees bent, wings loose but not spread, armor well-balanced to ensure that there was no needless weight drag, and plenty of room for him to see and his wings and hooves to move. The more flexibility the armor offered, the more vulnerable he could be, but the more agile he could also be as well.

One flap of his wings to get him in the air. Angle wings to readjust and direct his momentum more laterally toward the target. Analyze path, plot intercept course,begin gathering energy. Second flap, redirect all momentum into horizontal movement, take him closer to target to prepare for attack. Second flap insufficient, angle underneath for uppercut, recalculate intercept. Third flap to bring him well within range, energy in hoof well past sufficient levels, edge ahead of stone.

Aegis shot skyward once again, thrusting his hoof through the stone as he flew upward through it. Fragments of rock were blasted in all directions, and his momentum carried him close to a hundred meters in the air, but now that his target was destroyed, he could easily glide back down to the starting dot.

“Rock was shot at more of an angle away,” Aegis countered. “And I’m tired.”

“Just so,” Frigoris made a tiny dip of his head. “Nevertheless, it was good practice. You will not always be called upon to defend Equestria in top shape.”

“Don’t I know it,” Aegis grumbled. “Feels like we’ve had a crisis once a year for the last decade. They’re getting old.”

“Hmm…” Frigoris pawed at the ground and glanced upward thoughtfully. “How many have we actually had? There was Mother’s return, Discord’s escape, the Changeling Invasion at the wedding…”

“Have you been to any weddings lately, Aegis?” Aegis couldn’t help the wry smile as he recalled his friend ribbing him for overconfidence back when he was still a corporal.

“Now that you mention it, I’m pretty sure we’re at the point where they’re doubling up,” Frigoris grimaced. “I suppose Princess Celestia and Mother are happy they’re retiring. They won’t be on call to deal with them anymore.”

“Pass them off to Princess Twilight and her friends, you mean,” Aegis corrected, elbowing him. “So really, nothing’s changed except now the ruler will actually do something about it.”

He was met with silence for that one. Aegis trotted over to the stone lobber and began to pack it up, but as he finished folding the different parts into a more easily carryable contraption, he glanced over at Frigoris, who was staring up at the silhouette of Canterlot Castle with a distant look.

“If I may ask…” Frigoris began softly, “what is to become of the Knightmares once Mother and Celestia have stepped down?”

Aegis blinked. He was only a lieutenant, and he had been at his rank for several months now. Only Shining Armor had a more meteoric rise, and he’d been younger than Aegis when he made Captain. High in the hierarchy Aegis may have been, he wouldn’t know, but why didn’t the Knightmare Brigade’s own captain not be in the loop?

“Why is that?” he asked, narrowing his eyes suspiciously at Frigoris. What am I not being told?

“You are to be promoted to Captain of the Guard,” Frigoris replied, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. “I would have thought you’d know what your plans were for the Knightmares when you were in office.”

“Seems Nova’s not the only one secrets are being kept from,” Aegis sighed, running a hoof over his face. He was too tired for any other of the myriad different possible reactions he wanted to let out. “Am I the last pony to find out I’m being promoted?”

“I don’t know who else knows,” Frigoris shrugged. “I was only informed by Mother before I was assigned to keep an eye on Archmage Nova Shine. I would imagine the princesses knew. If Archmage Nova Shine knew, he probably would have told you.”

“Why me?” Aegis fell on his haunches and threw his hooves up in the air. “Why bucking me? I didn’t ask for this!”

“I thought you would be happy to hear the news,” Frigoris said, looking down at him interestedly. “Are you saying you don’t want to be promoted?”

“No, I’m saying I’ve been promoted about as quickly as Captain Armor did when he got made Captain of the Guard, and I’m nowhere near as decorated or deserving as him! I’ve just had quiet service for the last several months.”

“Quiet, aside from the once-a-year crisis, that is,” Frigoris corrected, offering a hoof. “I’m told it was your conduct during those crises that led to you being fast-tracked. That, and your established relationship with the new Archmage and Crown Princess. Mother and Princess Celestia believe that having someone they can trust and with a proven track record in that position will smooth things over during the transition.”

Aegis sat on the ground sourly for several moments, before begrudgingly taking Frigoris’ hoof and allowing himself to be helped up.

“I just… I just don’t know how to feel about all of this,” he admitted, shaking his head. “My mate’s spiraling because he’s on borrowed time, his wife’s gonna be our new ruler, I’m getting fast-tracked to the big job, and… and…”

Aegis started plodding his way back into town. If nothing else, he had some news to share with his mare. Maybe he could process it all later. For now, he was sure she was going to glomp him, and probably launch fireworks, or maybe steal something out of Sugarcube Corner for him. Hell, maybe they’d celebrate in other ways…

Arcane Anomaly Outpost 16 was by far the single worst assignment Stalwart Shield had ever been assigned to in his three years of service as an Equestrian Counter-Arcane Operative. As he stared out over the barren wastes of the furthest northern reaches of the Crystal Empire, as flat and icy and snowy and boring as ever, all he could think about was how nice it would be once this outpost was closed up and they could finally go home where it was warm, and dry, and not subject to bone-chilling wind.

“‘Sign up for the Anti-Mages!’, they said!” he complained aloud, trying to make his voice heard over the blustery winds that howled around their small little outpost. It was very make-shift, some hastily-constructed chain-link fencing stuck up around a bunch of tents, all scattered around a small hole in the side of a mountain they’d discovered and gotten strange magical readings out of when they’d started this initiative.

They were practically in Yakyakistan borders with how far up they’d come. Stalwart had to wonder if that was intentional. Hide a cache of magical things so far north that it could cause an international incident if Sunbutt or Moonbutt or Lovebutt or Starbutt or the new Archmage ever decided to send any military ponies up there to investigate.

Note to self, he needs a nickname too, Stalwart thought sourly. Rule 1 of being part of the guard, always come up with an easy nickname for the higher-ups to complain about bad postings.

Anyway, then the Lord Archmage’s apprentice discovers one missed secret lab from the Sombra years, and suddenly the Crystal Princess has everyone out scouring the furthest reaches of this wasteland, and now he and his squad are out here, freezing their flanks off, keeping an eye over literally nothing at all, while down inside the little hole, two out of three of his squadmates were considerably warmer being sheltered from the wind and ice, along with the excavators working on their strange little discovery.

In just a few long hours, he’d be in there and it’d probably be Eifer Detail’s turn to freeze his flank off.

All for some big black blocks, he thought miserably. Why hadn’t they just carted them back to the Crystal City yet? Why did they have to be investigated all the way out here? The Empire had been outfitted with specific isolation rooms designed to seal off any potential breakouts of magic, for this exact purpose. So why make them stay?

“How much time we got left?” asked his squadmate standing on the opposite side of the camp, her bright purple robe barely visible through the storm. He could see their bright orange tents better than he could see her.

“Nah, it’s been three hours ten!” he called back with a chortle. “We just passed halfway through!”

If Frigid Glare had been in sight of him, he’d probably be on the end of one of said frigid glares right about now, but she had no one to blame but herself. They’d all enchanted their robes with cold-shielding enchantments and added warming enchantments on top of it. It wasn’t a perfect solution to the problem, but at least it kept most of the cold away. They were still freezing, but at least they could stay out here and do their jobs. She, however, had insisted that she was a cold-weather pony, and thus she could take it, and so she had just given her robe the cold shielding to keep things non-lethal and to keep it from being siphoned off by their tools.

“When I get back to the Empire, I’m gonna jump in a steaming hot bath and never get out!” he called out. “What about you!?”

Stalwart laughed again, then pulled up his robe and began inspecting his armaments again. It could never hurt to make sure he had a full stock of all of his items and weapons in a dark, stormy, snowy environment like this. You never knew what could be working.

Thanks to the new initiative and their proximity to a hidden lab, they’d been some of the first to finally receive inmanipulon tools from Canterlot. Stalwart was the team shield, which meant he’d been given actual plates of armor to wear, while his squadmates received weapons or implements meant for offense, investigation, or neutralization.

Frigid was their spotter. She received basic tools for offense and defense, but her specialty was in paying close attention to spells being cast or finding signs of magical threats for them to neutralize. Then you had Eifer Detail, their investigator, whose job it was to identify magical threats and exactly how they would work, and thus the best ways to neutralize their threat or avoid them. Finally, there was Shadow Strike, their neutralizer, who would handle the actual taking down of a given threat.

Pretty simple systemized lineup. Frigid spots and calls out, Eifer identifies, Shad would handle actually dispelling the magical energy, and Stalwart was on standby, ready to jump in and take the hit with his anti-magic armor.

A gust of wind kicked up snow in the distance, and seemed to be coming right for them. Stalwart braced himself behind his robe just before the blast of cold air hit them, the tiny flakes of frost melting far before they reached the enchanted fabric. That stopped the worst of the freezing assault, but he still felt the chill of the wind as it seemed to pierce his skin and chill him to the bone.

“F-f-f-fuuuuuuck!” he shivered. “Another gust like that, and I’m starting a fucking fire!” he called over to Frij, no doubt suffering the absolute worst of the blast.

She didn’t answer, and Stalwart was left to chortle to himself. Bet she was regretting putting heating enchantments on her robe now.

The gust finally subsided, and the extremely interesting features of this frozen, barren wasteland were once again made clear for his eyes to see. Really take in every last, minute detail of these flats…

“Fuck me, when are they gonna finish analyzing whatever it is they’ve found in there?” he whined. “I just want to go home!”

The only sound that met him was more wind howling off in the distance. Stalwart frowned. He figured Frij as much as anyone would love to talk their shift away, the better to pass the time so they could get inside where it was warmer. Was the gust really getting to her that badly?

Again, she didn’t answer. Stalwart’s frown deepened and he started to step his way toward her side of the camp. No doubt she was huddled up on the ground in a fetal position or something, trying desperately to–

Stalwart cried out, falling backward. Frigid Glare wasn’t where she was supposed to be. Instead, there was a jagged outcropping of grey, almost black rock that was twisted into something vaguely resembling a pony shape.

“What the hell…?” he asked, scrambling to his feet and rolling up his robe sleeves to bare his inmanipulon armor. Once he felt sufficiently prepared, he stepped closer to inspect this strange statue.

It was just so eerie, and it stood in stark contrast to everything else around it! The featureless white landscape, interrupted by their camouflaged tents, and then this black… thingy. When did it get here?

Silence greeted him, and Stalwart felt a strange prickle at the back of his neck. Something was wrong, something was very wrong.

He started to examine the rock in much closer detail and felt the bottom of his stomach drop out.

It looked as though a pony– or at least an equine shape– had been desiccated, and then the remains had somehow hardened into dull stone. The being was drawn back into a panicked defensive position, as though they had been caught completely unawares and had been forced to throw their hooves up in front of them to defend themselves.

His heart was thundering in his chest. The wind was howling but he couldn’t feel it anymore. He was acutely aware that his breaths were coming shallow and quick, and worst of all, he could feel sweat start to bead on his brow, which he knew was not good for his chances of survival out here.

At once, it crumbled, falling away to dust, which was picked up and scattered by the winds.

Don’t panic, don’t panic, don’t panic! he repeated in his head, looking every which way. She had to be around here somewhere. She had to!

With a snarl, he turned tail and dashed into the cavern. The others needed to know. Eifer and Shadow needed to be made aware of what was happening, and the two archaeologists. He wound his way through the twisting, rocky cave, jumping every time he saw a black shape from the shadows, but relaxing when he saw that shadow was all it was.

Four of the same rocky shapes were there, in this large chamber with six black monolithic stone structures arranged around it.

Stalwart’s head turned every which way, afraid that whatever was doing this was going to come for him next. He was the only one left, after all.

Something bound itself to his hooves, and Stalwart yelped, trying to pull himself free. Yet when he looked down, all he could see was a tendril of shadow wrapped around him, as though it were solid.

“G-get off!” he barked, pulling in vain to pull himself free, heart hammering in his ears. “Let me go!”

Something else wrapped around one of his back hooves, and he fell to the ground. Two more shadowy tendrils bound themselves to his remaining hooves. Stalwart pulled, and thrashed in this creature’s grasp, trying to yank himself free, but it was all for naught.

He was flipped onto his back and forced to watch as a great cloud of shadow with burning red eyes emerged from the ground, staring directly at him.

He froze, suddenly completely unable to even cry out in terror at the sight of it. This was it. He was alone. This creature was going to devour him, just as it had his partners. And he wouldn’t even be able to warn others that it was out here!

The creature suddenly shot a fifth tendril right at him, and before he could even react, it pierced his head, just beneath the horn. Strange, it didn’t hurt. It was as if it hadn’t actually stabbed him at–

Stalwart was in the Crystal Empire, returning home from his deployment with the archaeologists. His squadmates were there with him, and they complained about the entire ordeal, but their work was done. In just a few short weeks it would be back to Canterlot for reassignment. A shame, he thought. He had really enjoyed working with Frij and the others. Maybe this wouldn’t be the last they saw of each other.

“Wha–” he groaned. His hooves were feeling like lead, and he began to feel more and more exhausted, as though he had been doing his weekly weight training.

Wedding bells rang, their sound echoing all throughout Canterlot as Stalwart and his stallion stepped out of the chapel, hoof in hoof. It had been forever and a half since the last time he’d seen Granite Split, and when they’d been younger, Granite had terrified Stalwart, but his experience in the guard had made him bold. Now here they were, happily married and ready to begin a new life.

Stalwart’s eyes were fluttering shut. “N-no…” he croaked, barely more than a whisper. He couldn’t feel his lower half anymore. “M-must… must stay…”

A grown pegasus colt embraced both of them as he stepped down from the stage at Canterlot Academy, diploma in hoof and grinning from ear to ear. Granite thumped Gusty on the back affectionately while Stalwart shook him back and forth. Age had started to catch up with him these days, now that he was nearing his fifties, but that wouldn’t stop him from hugging his son like a younger stallion. Oh, their little Gusty was about to head off to college!

He lay in a hospice bed, feeling worn out. The long years had truly taken their toll on Stalwart. His hair was gone, his coat had gone almost white, and wrinkles lined his face. His loving husband stood above him, having aged gracefully in the fifty-six years since their wedding, with a morose smile on his face. Gusty was there with his wife and kids, even Frigid Glare, Shadow Strike, and Eifer Detail were at his bedside with him.

“I don’t know why you’re all so sad,” he said softly, each syllable a labor.

“We just… it’s just hard to say goodbye,” Granite said, before hastily brushing his eyes so that Stalwart wouldn’t see him cry. “I love you, you know that, Stal?”

He shifted, feeling a sense of overwhelming peace wash over him. Sleep beckoned. And yet… he almost felt as if he were waking up from slumber...

“Granite…?” he whispered, eyes drifting shut forever. “I dreamed… that I was old...”

Shadow reformed into flesh and armor. Sombra stared down at the stallion as the last of his skin hardened into rock, and the last of his life force was drawn from him into another crystal, joining the five others. This one’s passing had been easier, more merciful. The other five were taken slowly out of necessity, but Sombra had at least allowed this one to “live” a future he would never truly experience.

Was it mercy, or pragmatism? He supposed that was the philosophical question for every act of kindness he ever performed. His grand designs required cruelty, demanded rage and anger, and the use of Dark Magic hinged on his ability to tap into them.

Even as the fragile stone of his victims started to crumble into dust, he looked up, and his horn blazed with dark energy, the moment of introspection snuffed out.

The six monoliths around the room cracked as one, ear-splitting sounds of stone being pulled apart ringing around the cave, and one by one, they disintegrated, dropping six bodies contained within onto the stone floor.

Six corpses. Decayed skin, withered hair, splintered bones, atrophied muscle. His other six faithful servants, resting until he needed them once more. Perhaps this would be enough to coax his seventh into acting faithfully once again.

The six crystals with the gathered life essences inside of them were let go, each guided toward one of the bodies. The moment each crystal touched its recipient, the light glowing within each crystal was pulled in, and the crystal shattered.

One by one, each corpse began to move again as life sprouted within their bodies once more. As one of them got to their hooves, skin began to repair itself. Hair began to grow once more. Muscle and bone were knit back together. In only a few seconds, a shapely young mare, roughly the age of his current problem, pale green of coat, deep green of mane, and emerald green of eye, stood before him, looking no younger than she had the day she had entered his service. His Envy and his Lust both served their purpose, capturing the attention of stallions, though they were exploited in different ways.

Despite her beauty, there was only one blemish on her body, and that was the shattered horn, the product of his own designs involving her.

“My dear Esmeralda,” Sombra bowed his head politely. “It’s quite a joy to see you once again.”

Another approached him, a burly red pony who looked to be in his physical prime, bald but with a short and braided bloody red tail, with muscles the likes of which few could boast. His horn, too, was shattered, and he, too, knelt.

A bright silver mare, with white eyes and a mane and tail that shone despite the little light in the room. A stallion, dusky orange, but with a brown tint to his coat, a short cropped mane and a neat tail. Another mare, deep blue, with white glimmers in her hair. Each horn shattered, each pony kneeling before him.

The sixth pony, however, did not kneel, instead standing tall and proud, and invisible to any normal pony. If none of the other five knew where to look, they wouldn’t even notice he was there at all, but the faintest outline of his shape could be seen, sounds of his breathing were quiet but present, and his energy signature wouldn’t be hidden even if his flesh was.

“Auric,” King Sombra smiled at his Pride, who grinned back, something nearly impossible to see to anyone but him. “Did you enjoy your long and quiet sleep?”

“It was beginning to feel rather dull,” Auric replied, his voice a carrying whisper even audible against the winds outside. “To what do we owe the pleasure, my King? I assume you have not awakened us to exchange pleasantries?”

“Correct,” Sombra bowed his head. “I know I swore that next time you’d awake, ‘twould be when there was no work left to do. But sadly things have changed and forced my hoof.”

Sombra frowned, knowing full well that the damnable spirit most likely knew that this conversation was happening. What countermeasures would she take if he did nothing?

“Harmonia seeks to interfere with me,” he said, clenching his teeth at the last statement. “She’s taken up a vessel to control. A child, not yet of age to be a mare.”

“You wish us… to kill her?” Esmeralda asked softly, looking up at him with wide eyes.

“Mm,” the king shook his head, turning away. “Eliminate the spirit, only her.”

He could practically feel the relief from Esmeralda with this. His Lust and his Envy both had an understandable yet unfortunate fondness for foals. Yet unlike his Envy, his Lust would do what must be done. She couldn’t help it, after all.

“But if there is no other way to this…” he added, his teeth clenching harder as he weighed the words.

Such distasteful words. He was many things, but he was not wasteful. Death was the end of a creature’s usefulness. Life, however, was just so full of possibilities. But more importantly, to assassinate a filly so connected to the centerpiece of his grand design would irrevocably shift his plans, forcing him to rethink everything. Yet at the same time, that filly represented the greatest threat to his undoing.

His designs had been so careful, so calculated, and this one wild card, a being that existed outside of context and represented too much of an unknown, had chosen now of all times to intervene.

He was guilty of many crimes. Slavery. Tyranny. Torture. He manipulated ponies. He lied. He sent his seven servants to commit unspeakable acts in the past, and now he was demanding they do it again in the present.

It was vile, and nothing he ever did was for the sake of it. It all had a purpose. And he had come too far and sacrificed too much to let one unfortunate filly and his own morals stand in his way. He had compromised those a thousand times already, and the needs of the many always outweigh the needs of the few.

There was unease in the room, and he turned back just in time to see Esmeralda’s head snap downward, having been raised to give him what he assumed was an apprehensive look only instants before.

“I promise it abhors me just as much,” he said, gently touching her shoulder. “I would not ask were it not paramount. But listen well: Harmonia’s your mark. The filly’s death is only if need be.”

That did little to reassure her or the other four members of the room. Even they had reservations about this. Auric, however…

Invisible though he was, Sombra recognized the savagery, the wanton cruelty he carried.

Auric was his Pride, and he was by far the most dangerous member of these six. His Envy, however, was his most capable agent. In a one-on-one fight, he knew full well that his Envy would prove herself superior. Yet all six of them together were more than capable of subduing her. Thus, no doubt their presence would be enough to serve as an implicit threat to continue acting.

If you do not force Nova Shine’s hoof, then they will kill the filly you seek to save.

“And motivate my Envy while you’re there,” he added, turning toward the exit of the cave, ready to continue laying the preparations. There was still much work to do. “She’s grown a bit rebellious as of late.”

“Yes, my King,” he heard Auric whisper behind him. “I shall pass along your reminder.”

“Very well.” Sombra inclined his head. “You have your orders, servants mine. Begone.”

One by one, they stepped past him, out into the frozen wastes. None of them were even remotely affected by the cold, wind, or snow, and they stepped right out as if it weren’t even there. He, however, stayed back at the cave, surveying the campsite set up by the unfortunate members of this camp.

This would attract Celestia’s attention, no doubt. But unfortunately, the Spirit required addressing. Urgent times required urgent measures.

All would go according to plan, and in time, the God-Shattering Star would be his.

The Archmage's Last Bow

by Rytex

News, Welcome and Unwelcome