//------------------------------// // Chapter 20 - Unanswered // Story: Tartarus Infernum // by Sunderbraze //------------------------------// ********** The sun hadn’t moved since Celestia and Luna had disappeared into the caverns. It remained frozen in the western horizon, isolated from its stewardess by the warping of space and time. The moon, too, remained frozen in mid-rise in the eastern sky. Two days of frozen sunset had caused widespread panic across Equestria—rumors of her supposed demise spread like wildfire, but they were confounded by reports from a detachment of City Guard that were assisting Celestia. The detachment had followed along while Haakon’s armies left Equestria’s borders, and upon their return, the air around Tartarus had fallen silent. There was no evidence that the Equestrian Elite had been defeated—Celestia and her allies seemed to have simply vanished without a trace. Firmly believing that Celestia was still alive, the governor of Fillydelphia had called for volunteers to patrol Tartarus’s airspace and investigate the region. Four chariots and several pegasi of the City Guard had been aerially patrolling the mountainside for six uneventful hours since, though their luck was about to change. “Captain, I’ve got movement!” a gruff unicorn stallion called out from the front seat of one of the chariots. “…Top of the citadel, two-o-clock!” An armored white hoof seized the pair of binoculars from the unicorn guard. “What in the hay is THAT?” Captain Steelwind asked, narrowing her eyes and gazing at the citadel. Something had materialized in a flash of orange magic, and had picked up a large mace from the floor. “I count four legs with an upright torso!” called out another guard, sizing up the figure of the centaur. “Not sure what it is, captain! Could it be from Tartarus?!” “…Can’t make that call from here, corporal,” Steelwind replied, removing the binoculars from her face. “Keep your eye on—what the? What’s he doing?” Steelwind and the other guard watched Haakon suddenly slam his mace into the floor of the citadel court, creating a huge hole. He dove into it moments later, disappearing into the darkness below. “…Did he just break two tons of rock with a mace?” one of the guards asked fearfully. “…C-captain, ma’am, what if that’s one of the… things… from Tartarus?!” “Cut the chatter!” Steelwind ordered fiercely. “Whatever it was, it just disappeared into Tartarus… That’s all we know. Until something comes out of Tartarus, we don’t take action! That’s Celestia’s orders!” “Y-yes ma’am!” replied the corporal, saluting her. They returned to their patrolling for a few minutes, but suddenly noticed a blinding flash of pale green light from the citadel. ********** “…NOW what?!” Steelwind yelled. A green column of light shot from the hole in the center of the citadel—it was brighter than the setting sun, and cast an eerie glow upon the surrounding mountainside and the Dream Valley below. “More movement, captain!” one of the pegasus guards barked. “Ya think?!” Steelwind replied sarcastically. “At the base of the light, ma’am!” he clarified, pointing his hoof towards the hole. “It looks like… uh…” “G-ghosts!” the corporal screamed, dropping his binoculars in panic and hiding in the back of the golden chariot. “Someone shut him up!” Steelwind barked, observing the moving figures carefully. They looked like translucent ponies, and they were swarming around a green ball of light. A horrible, demonic scream suddenly reached the patrolling guard detachment, and they all covered their ears in agony. As quickly as it had appeared, the ball of light suddenly streaked upwards into the sky, disappearing into it. The column of pale light faded away shortly after, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. “…Wh-what just happened?” a pegasus guard asked, cautiously removing his hooves from his ears and gazing towards the empty citadel. “The ground’s rumbling!” replied the unicorn guard in the chariot, being one of the few that had not lost his binoculars to the sudden screaming sound. The entire fortress of Tartarus was collapsing. The white stone crumbled and cascaded into itself as the caverns below caved in—thousands upon thousands of rocks and stones rolled into a landslide from the shifting of the mountainside. Dirt and rocks fwashed over Tartarus, effectively burying the entire fortress. “…More contacts on the ground, captain—three-o-clock!” a pegasus guard barked. “Can’t tell who it is!” “That’s outside of the fortress area!” Steelwind shouted. She looked apprehensively at the Guard around her—they didn’t look like they were prepared to fight anything. Regardless, she tossed her binoculars into the nearest chariot and gave the order. “Time to get down there, boys! MOVE OUT!” In the courtyard, somewhere between the fortress and the crater of Tartarus, something suddenly burst out of the ground. Covered in dirt, the white pegasus tried to spread his wings, but he crashed into the courtyard grass with a thud. Two more dirt-covered equines burst out of the ground as well, followed by an alicorn. ********** One by one, ponies, pegasi, unicorns, alicorns, a centaur, and a draconequus exploded from the ground, covered in dirt, sailing through the air for a several seconds before tumbling into the grass. “Puh!” Dash spat a mouthful of dirt. “…Was that really the only way out?!” “...Silence,” Terra hissed, shaking the dirt out of her red and white mane. “We are alive, are we not?” “Barely!” Starswirl chided jokingly, turning away from the others and emptying some dirt from his mask. “...I’ll have to check and see if I am!” “We made it!” Celestia cheered—excitement completely overwhelmed her royal composure. Her armor, formerly a pearly white, was covered in dirt from being forced through the ground, but she didn’t care—she lifted her head euphorically and cried out, “WE MADE IT!” “THREE CHEERS FOR TERRA, EVERYPONY!” Aeon shouted triumphantly, brushing dirt off of his face and indicating the brown alicorn. “HIP, HIP-!” “HOORAY!” a chorus of responses followed. Terra blushed, lowering her head and trying to avoid eye contact with the Elite. “How did we make it out of there?” Twilight asked happily. “I thought we were done for!” “Cadance transferred her remaining power to Terra,” Luna replied, smiling warmly. “She used it to force us through the earth!” She cut her cheerful explanation short to clear some dirt from her face. “Oh no, Dusky!” Fluttershy cried frantically, searching the crowd of dirt-caked equines surrounding her. “Did anypony get Dusky?!” “Uh… Over here, Flutters…” Dash said nervously, backing away from the pile of black dirt she had spat from her mouth moments ago. It was no ordinary dirt—it was vibrating. Dusky’s ashes coalesced into a shape in midair, and she regenerated with a flash of purple light, cawing cheerfully. Fluttershy galloped towards her in tearful relief. “Well, this didn’t turn out how I wanted it to,” Discord commented in annoyance. Holding his breath and exhaling, he ejected a stream of dirt from his nose and ears. “…Discord,” Celestia said warily, approaching him. "This wouldn't have happened if you hadn't trapped us..." “Oh, come now Celestia, I helped you beat the loudmouth for good,” Discord replied defensively, backing away from the seething alicorn. “Surely you’ll give me at least a day’s head start… Please?” “Wait,” Twilight said curiously, approaching Discord and Celestia and standing between them. “Discord, we were isolated for two whole days... How come you didn’t turn all of Equestria into chaos-ville?” “Ugh,” Discord moaned, rolling his eyes. “As soon as you were taken care of, Darkstar showed up. I didn’t think it was possible for anypony to have less of a sense of humor than you, but he took the cake!” Discord reached over his shoulder and produced a plate with a slice of cake on it. Taking a bite out of the plate, he continued speaking. “I fought him for the first couple of days and tried to drop him into the dilation field, but of course he-“ Out of nowhere, a massive mace flew through the air and plowed into the back of Discord’s head. He collapsed to the ground, his cake splattering in the grass in front of him. Haakon materialized with a CRACK of orange magic, catching his mace and incinerating it. Celestia and Twilight took a defensive stance, but to their surprise, the Blood Prince kneeled before them. “Consider it an act of service in your favor, goddess,” Haakon explained. “He was not to be trusted...” “…Perhaps not,” Celestia replied, abandoning her defensive stance. "Stay there, until I figure out what to do with you... We seem to have company." She and the others turned their heads towards the north—several chariots were approaching, flanked by several pegasi. “Keep your spears on ‘em, boys,” Captain Steelwind commanded loudly, as they landed several yards away from the team. Several unicorn guards hopped out of the chariots, threateningly pointing their spears at the Elite. “We’ve got friendlies, ma’am,” one of the unicorns called out, recognizing dirt-covered Elite. The guards immediately lowered their spears and salute Celestia. “Captain Steelwind, I presume,” Celestia said warmly, bowing her head in response. "It is a relief to see you again. To what do I owe the pleasure?" "Likewise, your highness," Steelwind said respectfully. "Everypony feared the worst when the sun froze, your highness, so Governor Silver Lens ordered us to search for you before voting on the evac order." "...The sun froze?" Celestia asked, turning towards the sunset—it was in the exact same spot she had left it. "Ma'am?" Steelwind asked curiously, unsure. "The it's been there since we led the army out of Equestria." "The dilation field was strong enough to cut the Elements off from Darkstar," Starswirl explained to Celestia. "It must have also cut you off from the sun. We were stuck in it for two whole days, as Twilight mentioned." "...During those two days, Discord must have been defeated by Darkstar..." Celestia deduced. "That's right, princess," Twilight said. "When Discord tried to put him in the time field, he broke into it..." “Fear not,” Haakon declared triumphantly. "The demon shall not stir for some time." The Elite and the City Guard nervously watched him as he spoke, leaving an awkward silence afterwards. “Well, Haakon,” Celestia replied, approaching him slowly. She paused, brushing some dirt from her plated armor. “…It looks like you’ve had a change of heart… Care to explain?” “Yes, your highness,” Haakon replied, bowing his head graciously and standing up. Twilight and her friends gaped at him—there was no way that this was the same power-hungry Blood Prince they had fought. “With your permission, I will return to the Blood Legion and give them purpose,” he continued. “Without me, the Trask Hierophant will undoubtedly seize power and attempt something malicious…” “Something more malicious than attacking Equestria?” Celestia asked distrustfully, raising an eyebrow. “Hah,” Haakon laughed heartily. “I doubt they would be so foolish. But unless something is done, they will do what they have done all their lives—conquer enemies…” “…What would you do instead?” Haakon grinned, but it wasn’t a malicious one—it was one of determination. “Change their ways,” he declared, his voice matching his smile. “It shall not be easy, but our days of warfare are over.” “How do we know you will not fall back upon your old ways?” Celestia asked, narrowing her eyes. “Because they were not my ways in the first place,” Haakon told her. She looked at him curiously, so he continued. “I learned something important as you defeated me… The Trask Hierophant has been manipulating me for centuries, driving me to bloodlust and conquest.” “You were struck by a harmonic wave,” Celestia informed him. “It can break the strongest of curses.” “It seems to have broken their hold upon me,” Haakon continued quietly, looking down at his fist and clenching it. “…When I get my hands on those snakes, they will be made to regret it!” Celestia sighed. “Haakon, this is why the Elements also imprisoned you… You are simply too violent to be trusted. I’m afraid they may need to imprison you again.” Haakon paused, gazing towards the ground. “…Should you deem it so, goddess,” he replied, taking a deep breath. “…I will go willingly… Though now, for the first time ever, I fear for my Legion's fate…” “Hold on, yer highness,” Applejack interrupted—she walked up to Haakon and Celestia, shaking some dirt out of her mane. “Ah'll vouch for ‘em. He ain’t lyin’ to us.” “You can tell if he’s lying or not?” Rarity asked, her jaw dropping open. She stopped mourning the condition of her mane and darted over to Applejack. “C-could we trade Elements sometime...?” “Naw,” Applejack laughed. “Ah don’t need the Element to tell he’s bein’ truthful. Ah can hear it in his voice.” “Wise beyond your years, mortal,” Haakon said curiously, looking up at her. “What is your name?” “Ah’m Applejack,” she said, nodding her head politely and turning around to introduce her friends. “This here’s Rarity, Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash. We represent the Elements’a Harmony.” “The Elements of Harmony,” Haakon sighed. “A powerful artifact stacked against me, that my spies failed to mention… How is it that the Eastern Kingdoms are guarded by goddesses, and the fabled embodiments of all that is pure?” Rarity and Pinkie giggled at him. “You’re exaggeratin’!” Applejack chuckled. “Embodiments’a purity, hah! Yer soundin’ like a poet, mister. We're just tryin' to do the right thing, that’s all!” “She speaks the truth,” Luna added. “My sisters and I are no goddesses. We are but guardians, and leaders of this kingdom.” “And we’re just six good friends, lucky enough to have artifacts that are powered by friendship,” Twilight added. “You should try having a little friendship in your Legion, Haakon.” “Friendship,” Haakon breathed, staring at the setting sun. “…Perhaps I shall investigate its merits. After all, it single-handedly led to my downfall…” “And I know just how you shall go about it,” Celestia told him, grinning. “Come with me, Haakon.” She led the curious prince away from the group, and started conversing with him privately. “In the meantime, girls,” Luna said, approaching Twilight and her friends. “Perhaps we shall put the powers of friendship to use once more, and ensure Equestria’s safety?” She indicated the unconscious Discord, who was under spear-point by several nervous City Guard. “Aw yeah!” Dash cheered. “Lawn ornament time!” As Twilight and her friends surrounded Discord, powering their Elements up, Cadance walked over towards Ashton, who was hopelessly trying to excavate all of the dirt from his yellow plated armor. ********** “So,” Cadance said, grinning at him. “…What now?” “Erm, we won, right princess?” Ashton asked nervously, trying to dodge her question. “Ah’d say it’s time for a party, how ‘bout y-” “Did you say PARTY?!” Pinkie gushed, materializing between Ashton and Cadance with a CRACK of azure magic. “Pinkie!” her five friends called out simultaneously. Pinkie giggled and zoomed back in position around Discord, powering up her Element once again. “Yea-no,” Cadance laughed sarcastically, turning back to Ashton. “What are you going to do? …And stop acting clueless, you’re terrible at it!” Ashton sighed in defeat. “…Ah… Ah dunno, princess… Mah home’s in Appleoosa, ‘an she lives’n Ponyville… Ah’m not sure it’ll… y’know… work out…” “If love can transcend death, I’m sure it can handle an eight-hour train ride,” Cadance told him, walking away and heading towards Terra. “I’ll leave you with that, bud…” Ashton gulped, turning to gaze at the glowing Applejack. With a blinding flash of rainbow-colored light, she and the other Elements turned Discord to stone once again. Cadance whispered something into Terra’s ear. “What?” she asked, jerking her head away and staring at her daughter. “…For what purpose?” “You’ll see,” Cadance replied, leading Terra away from the group. “Thus closes another chapter of Equestria’s history,” Starswirl mused, floating next to Aeon and watching Luna lift the statue of Discord. She deposited it into the back of one of Steelwind’s chariots. “I imagine you’ve seen many of them close,” Aeon smiled. “I’ve always dreamed of living forever… It’s an academic’s nightmare that someday your studies must come to an end.” “Oh, that nightmare never goes away,” Starswirl scoffed, turning around and watching Spitfire and Soarin’ tackle Dash with a group hug. “Immortality comes with great sacrifice. And I assure you, when you’re fifty nine hundred and forty years of age, those wings of yours will be ancient history…” Aeon blinked nervously, becoming conscious of the wings fluttering behind his back. “…W-well, perhaps I’ll have to think about that dream a little,” he laughed. “You do that,” Starswirl laughed with him. “And let me know what you decide, because I wouldn’t mind having an assistant to travel with me.” The professor continued laughing until Starswirl’s words clicked in the back of his mind. “…Y-you’re serious?” Aeon asked, his jaw dropping open. “As serious as I am always!” Starswirl laughed. “Think about it!” Aeon gulped, nodding at Starswirl as he floated away. Among the dirt-covered ponies, none had noticed Tre’zan—the dirt-covered colt had been sitting silently off to the side. Dirt covered his glowing white scars, and he kept his eyes sealed shut. “I’m very sorry about Discord,” Starswirl told him telepathically, hovering by his side. “How are you faring?” “My only friend in the world lied to me and used me,” Tre’zan replied sadly. “How would you feel?” “He did use you... But Discord never lied to you.” “What do you mean?” “He deceived you... Deception is a grey area that can encompass anything—even the truth itself can deceive someone, if presented in a clever manner…” “…He only told me what I needed to hear…” “Exactly. You are very smart, Tre’zan. Too smart to waste your time with that crazy creature! Don’t worry, I will help you discover your origins. In the meantime, you’d ought to come to Canterlot with us. You’ll be safe there.” “Safe…” Tre’zan sighed audibly. “…I’m a ticking time-bomb. Literally. The longer I go without putting myself in stasis, the more damage I could cause to time and space…” “Discord doesn’t know nearly as much about time as I do. There are other options.” “…I wouldn’t believe it myself, but you somehow knew I could rewind the time-field…” Starswirl nodded at him, hearing someone approach from behind. “...Wizard?” Ironmane asked, looking down at Tre’zan. The crossbow bolt he had shot him with was no longer in his shoulder—a glowing white scar was there now. “…Is he no longer a threat?” “Not at all,” Starswirl replied cheerfully. “He forgives you for shooting him, by the way, if you’ll forgive him for the misunderstanding.” “You got it, kid,” Ironmane said to Tre’zan, nodding his head. “He’s blind and deaf,” Starswirl explained, watching Ironmane raised an eyebrow at the motionless colt. “Not to worry, I’ll pass it along for you. He’s my responsibility now.” “I’ll take your word for it,” Ironmane said, nodding respectfully. “Just wanted to make sure.” “There, that’s it!” Cadance said to Terra—something small burst out of the ground in front of them, and the young princess telekinetically seized it with a cyan aura. “...Strange of you, daughter,” Terra said, looking at the brown hat with an odd expression. "Very strange..." “Don’t worry, it’ll make sense,” Cadance replied, shaking the dirt out of the hat. “Just watch this!” She cantered away, heading towards the other Elite, who were heartily chatting amongst themselves, passing the time while Celestia continued speaking to Haakon. Terra observed curiously as her daughter snuck up behind Ashton, planting the hat onto the back of his head. He looked back at her worriedly, but she shoved him towards Applejack, who was happily conversing with her friends about what they’d do when they got back to Ponyville. “Oh, you,” Applejack blushed, turning around and seeing the hat on his head. “Third time’s a charm, ain’t it?” “Ah guess so,” Ashton laughed nervously, trying to ignore the stifled giggles of Rarity, Twilight, and Pinkie. He placed the hat on her head, backing up and thinking about something else to talk about. “Sure bet everypony back home’ll be glad to know we’re safe-hnng!” Ashton’s eyes widened in shock—Applejack cut him off in mid-sentence by leaning forwards and kissing him. Ashton’s lips trembled as they met hers, but a wave of emotion surged through him. Feeling his tension melt away, he closed his eyes and softly kissed her back, curling his left forearm around her neck. Rarity and Pinkie were about to explode, but Twilight covered their mouths with a thin aura of magic, preventing them from squealing. Feeling as though she were about to explode herself, she used her magic to hold her own mouth shut as well. Feeling his hoof bump her hat out of place, Ashton nervously opened his eyes and tried to fix it, but Applejack giggled at him and batted the hat off of her head, ending their kiss and pulling him into a tight hug, causing their heavy armor to clank against each other. “Cadance is pretty powerful, isn’t she?” Ragehoof asked, standing to Terra’s right. “Powerful indeed,” Terra replied, watching Pinkie suddenly produce her party cannon and fire it at Applejack and Ashton. They blinked confetti out of their eyes, laughing in confusion. “But I do not think she needed her power here... Perhaps all love requires is a prod in the right direction.” “Or a push,” Ragehoof scoffed—Terra nodded in agreement. They stood in silence for a few moments. “Tell me, what is your real name?” Terra asked silently, keeping her eyes locked on the others. “…And what has embittered you so greatly?” Ragehoof sighed, looking away from Fluttershy and Dusky and staring at the ground. “…My name was once Ivory Breeze,” he admitted quietly. “...Don’t make fun of it…” “I wouldn’t dare,” Terra replied, watching Dash, Spitfire, and Soarin’ swoop around Fluttershy and pull her into a group hug. “…Though I will ask, why did you abandon it?” “It wasn’t entirely intentional,” Ragehoof explained. “When I was little, I lost my family to three angry dragons… My mother was a jewelcrafter, and she had a special talent for finding gems... It runs in the family. "She had unknowingly taken an entire harvest of gems from their lair. There were thousands of them... We thought we were going to be rich..." Ragehoof's lips trembled for a moment, but he swallowed and continued. "They tracked her back to our ranch and burned it while looking for them... I was the only survivor.” Terra remained silent, distantly focusing on Dusky as she tried to join in the pegasi group hug. “I came across a traveling blacksmith—Anvil Spark—he taught me how to swordfight,” Ragehoof continued. “I never even told him my name… I was always so angry, he nicknamed me Ragehoof… “The dragons never found my mother’s stash of gems. It was over eight million bits’ worth… I used some of the money to build a diamond-tipped sword, and I killed the dragons in their sleep…” “I have felt your pain,” Terra admitted, allowing him to pause for a moment. She placed a hoof under his chin, lifting his head. “I, too, have lost many that I have loved…” “I’ve heard the story,” Ragehoof replied, to Terra’s surprise. “Well, overheard… from the wizard.” "Tactless old fool," Terra muttered, spending a few moments silently watching the four pegasi force Professor Aeon into the group hug. “...Watching Darkstar meet his end did not ease my torment.” “…It didn’t?” “No. Watching Cadance succeed did, though. She is all I have left…” “I have nopony left,” Ragehoof said quietly. “Anvil Spark was the only thing I’d come close to calling my friend, and now… Well, for all I know I was talking to a bug half of the time...” He scowled at the ground. “There are seventeen others in this Elite that would be proud to call themselves your friend,” Terra told him. Ragehoof stared at her for a second, lost in thought. “You should consider that.” “…Even you?” “After seeing what friendship can accomplish?” Terra asked, looking over at him carefully. “Yes… Though, it seems some of us are more… excited by the concept than others…” “Wha-?” Ragehoof asked, realizing that Terra was looking at someone behind him. He jerked his head around, coming face-to-face with a pair of blue eyes and an extremely wide smile. Pinkie stared at him eagerly. “…Oh,” Ragehoof muttered quietly. “Pinkie Pie.” “Yessss?” Pinkie sang. “Thank you,” Ragehoof said, the corners of his mouth curling into a smile. Pinkie exploded with excitement—literally. She was so thrilled that her Element accidentally produced a shockwave of azure magic, traveling through everyone around her and warming their hearts. Ragehoof’s smile widened slightly, and he started laughing at Pinkie—she had fallen on her back from exploding. “…Only once a week?” Haakon asked Celestia curiously. “Surely I will learn faster than that!” “You’ll be surprised,” Celestia replied warmly. “Don’t try to rush it—once a week is only a guideline. Just tell me when you’ve learned something, and I’ll be happy to hear it!” “Hm, very well,” Haakon replied silently. He paused for a moment, fixing his flickering eyes on the ground. “…I have parting words, if you would hear them.” “Of course,” Celestia said. “…When I spoke of your origins, I was neither deceiving you nor stalling for time… You and your two sisters are goddesses of the old world, lost to legend during the Great Shattering... It seems you do not remember who you are. I know the legends by heart, if you would hear them…” “…I appreciate your intention, but it isn’t through ancient tales that my sisters and I find purpose,” Celestia explained to him. “It is what we do with ourselves here and now that drive us forward.” “Understandable,” Haakon replied, bowing his head momentarily. “…Well…” “I think we should be on our way soon,” Celestia told him. “I dare say you have much work ahead of you! Converting three-thousand carnivores into vegetarians will be no easy feat!” “Right you are!” Haakon laughed loudly. “They have survived for months at a time consuming nothing but conjured food from the Trask Hierophant; they can learn to cope.” “Really?” Celestia replied curiously. “...Discord said that you would eat your own soldiers…” “Pah,” Haakon spat in disgust. “That ritual has been outlawed for many thousands of years. The impish demon wished only to turn you further against me…” “I can believe that,” Celestia sighed. “This is goodbye, then?” “Goodbye it is!” Haakon said loudly, concluding his discussion with Celestia and waving at the rest of the Elite. “Farewell, Equestrians! Perhaps we shall meet again!” The prince was met with a chorus of farewells as he disappeared with a CRACK of orange magic. “What’d you tell him to do, princess?” Twilight asked Celestia. Several others crowded around, curiously anticipating her response. “I gave him some homework,” Celestia replied mischievously. “An assignment that you, too, are currently working on!” “You’re making him report his findings on friendship?!” Rarity asked in surprise. “Indeed,” Celestia smiled. “After he learns to write in Equish, of course.” “This is Haakon we’re talking about, right?” Rarity asked warily. “The same Blood Prince that was bumbling about being some sort of god earlier?” "He has abandoned his title as well," Celestia explained. "By my suggestion, he is now Prince Haakon the Redeemed, of the Crimson Legion." “Friendship can really change people, can’t it?” Twilight said to Rarity. She turned to Celestia, getting an idea. “Come to think of it, princess, I think I have something to report!” “I would be honored to hear it, Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia replied warmly. “I’ve learned that showing friendship to your enemies is just as important as showing it to your friends,” she explained, smiling at the spot where Haakon stood moments ago. “I’ve learned that you can draw great strength from sacrificing for your friends,” Rarity added triumphantly, thinking of her beautiful crystalline skin. “…And sometimes, you can even look dazzling in the process!” She swooned. “Ah’ve learned that ya can’t always be the strong one for yer friends,” Applejack said, patting her right shoulder guard, where she had once been struck and poisoned by Lagos. “Sometimes ya gotta trust ‘em to be strong without ya!” “Hey, I learned something too!” Dash chimed in from above. “Teamwork with friends always beats teamwork with strangers… So, just make friends with everypony you team up with! Problem solved!” “Oh, Oh! Is it my turn?!” Pinkie gushed, popping up between Twilight and Rarity. “I learned that you should always be prepared for sparkler emergencies!” “The princess was asking what you learned about friendship, Pinkie Pie,” Rarity reminded her, giggling along with Twilight and Dash. “Wait, what?” Pinkie asked, blinking twice. “Ohhh! I learned that some ponies can become really good friends without even realizing it! And that still counts as friendship, even if they never figure it out!” Pinkie’s eyes darted from Ragehoof to Ironmane, and she giggled again. The two stallions looked at each other blankly for a few moments and shrugged. “What ‘bout you, Fluttershy?” Applejack asked her. “Did you learn somethin’ too?” “Yes I did,” Fluttershy replied with silent excitement, nuzzling Dusky. “You should never assume ahead of time that you can’t be friends, whatever the reason may be... You could be missing out on something amazing!” “You girls have made me proud,” Celestia beamed; she turned towards the rest of the Elite and addressed them as a whole. “Soon, friends, we shall return to Canterlot and part ways. Starswirl, when you are ready, please let us know.” “Shouldn’t be much longer, folks!” Starswirl added cheerfully. “Hang tight! Just gotta make sure I’m strong enough to do it without passing out!” The team dispersed once again, and Twilight curiously followed Starswirl. He floated away and sat down across from Tre’zan, several yards away from the others. “How are we holding up?” Starswirl asked curiously, materializing a pillow for Twilight to sit on. She took a deep breath and sat down, pausing to think for a moment. “I really don’t understand…” Twilight said slowly. “Cadance is kind, loving, and an amazing healer to boot… But how was she completely immune to Darkstar’s attacks? I’m not complaining, of course… But still, Darkstar was sapping the power from all of us! How did she stand up to it?!” “Oh, I have theories,” Starswirl chuckled distantly. “But, remember how I said that some things simply defy magic and science alike? This may just be another one of them…” “What kind of theories, though?” Twilight asked. “There’s got to be some kind of explanation for it…” “Heh, well,” Starswirl paused, stroking his beard. “…It may have something to do with Darkstar repeatedly attacking Terra while Cadance was yet unborn. An overexposure to necromantic energy while she was developing may have caused her to form a natural immunity to it…” “…Really?” “It’s a theory,” Starswirl laughed heartily. “One of plenty! I do have one that makes more sense to me, but it may disappoint you with its simplicity.” “Simplicity?” Twilight raised an eyebrow at him. “What do you mean?” “Love trancends death,” Starswirl sighed. “It may just be as simple as that… No, it can’t bring ponies back to life, just like water cannot douse that which has already burned to ash… But it can extinguish the fire.” His eyes subtly traveled over to Terra. “…And cool the stinging burns left behind…” Twilight gazed at Cadance for a moment, watching her embrace Shining Armor affectionately. “I guess… It does make sense,” Twilight nodded. “…I can live with that.” “Speaking of living with things... You bore witness to something horrible, something that none of the others will ever remember. How are you dealing with that?” “Still a little bit shocked, I guess,” Twilight replied, watching her brother converse with Captain Steelwind. “I mean, I know it technically never happened… But…” “If you ever need to talk to somepony who understands,” Starswirl said sincerely. “I’m leaving you my card.” “…Card?” Twilight asked, watching the wizard materialize a small scrap of paper. It had the casting details of a simple-looking spell on it. “It’s a beacon spell that broadcasts your coordinates on a frequency that I’ll be able to hear,” Starswirl explained, stroking his beard. “I have many travels ahead of me. With this, you’ll be able to reach me from virtually anywhere! All I need is your coordinates to initiate telepathic contact.” “Wow, thanks...” Twilight said, wrapping the note up and tucking it in her tunic. "...What kind of travels, though?" “There is much unfinished business,” Starswirl continued quietly. “Equestria is safe for now, but many unanswered questions remain…” “…Like who blew up the gates in the first place,” Twilight pondered. “That is among them, indeed,” Starswirl said, nodding. “The origins of Tre’zan, among other things…” “Did you learn anything else?” Twilight asked, looking over at the scarred colt. “Do you know where he came from?” “Discord found him in the ruins of an island city, thousands of miles from here,” Starswirl explained. “He was alone, and he has absolutely no memory of who he was or why he was there... I will soon investigate, once I’ve learned a safe way to keep him from damaging time and space.” “What about his eyes?” Twilight asked, gazing at the blindfold. “And his ears? Why can’t he see or hear?” “He can speak, so he must have been able to at some point… Unfortunately, his memories are completely blank before Discord found him. There’s literally nothing there…” “That’s sad…” “Indeed it is,” Starswirl said, hovering off of the ground and speaking up. “Well, looks like I’m back in the game everypony! One train to Canterlot, leaving soon! All aboard!” “Captain,” Armor said to Steelwind, saluting her as the Elite began to assemble around the wizard. “Captain,” Steelwind replied, returning the salute. “Sergeant.” “Captain,” Ironmane barked, standing at attention and saluting her. “Good seein’ ya, boys, stay frosty,” Steelwind said, forcefully patting Ironmane on the back before taking flight. “Fly safely, captain!” Celestia called out, waving at her. Steelwind paused in midair, saluted the princess diligently, and soared into the northern sky beside her chariots. “What’cha got there, sarge?” Armor asked curiously, watching Ironmane reach into his plated armor’s saddlebag and produce a small note: Sergeant Ironmane, Should you find yourself in Fillydelphia during off-hours for the daytime City Guard, report to my residence at 556 Red Mane Row, Fillydelphia. We should discuss tactics. Gear is optional. -Captain Steelwind Ironmane’s eyes widened as he read the note a second time. “…Erm, just a requisition order from the captain, sir,” he stuttered, placing the note back into his saddlebags. “Requisition order, right,” Armor grinned, elbowing him. “Have fun fulfilling it, sergeant.” “Uh… yessir,” Ironmane replied, saluting the captain. “…Uh, sir, just out of curiosity, is there an opening for downtime this week?” Armor laughed at him. “I’ve recalibrated the spell for nineteen and a half of us,” Starswirl told Celestia, as she assembled the Equestrian Elite around him. "Just had to re-pen the q-field propagations!" He materialized a small glyph, holding it up to her. “Nineteen and a… half?” Twilight asked curiously. Dusky cawed from her left, waving a wing at her. “Oh!” “Tre’zan will be my responsibility,” Starswirl continued, addressing the team as a whole. “He’s played a vital role in the defeat of Darkstar, so he is to be trusted.” “You’ll hear no complaints from us,” Celestia replied. “Is Everypony ready to return? Spitfire?” “Uh, princess, we’re not gonna end up unconscious in the middle of the sky again, are we?” Spitfire asked nervously, lowering the hoof she had raised to get Celestia’s attention. “Not at all!” Starswirl said confidently, his eyes darting across the scroll in front of him. His magical blue aura began to extend and cover the rest of the Elite. “Off we go! Tally-ho!” “…Can I just fight Nagamina again instead?” Dash gulped, landing at the edge of the aura. Fluttershy giggled and patted her on the back reassuringly before pulling her in. With a powerful CRACK that echoed for miles, the nineteen ponies and the phoenix dematerialized. The ruins of the Tartarus fortress lay barren and devoid of life in their absence. Very few of the fallen citadel’s white stones remained visible above the landslide that had rolled over it. All that remained of Tartarus was a sundered wall, divided in the center by a massive, debris-ridden crater. ********** “…Man, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a story that crazy!” Donut Joe exclaimed. “Ah know, right?!” Ashton laughed heartily, placing his cup of coffee on the bar in front of him and laughing along with Joe. “Ah’d never believe it mahself if Ah hadn’t lived through it!” Celestia had brought the sun back to its correct place in the sky, and the early afternoon sunlight was now pouring into Donut Joe’s coffee and donut shop in Canterlot. Ashton had been excitedly recounting his experience with the Equestrian Elite; soothing music flowed through the shop as the two stallions laughed. “Alright, now, ya gotta tell me,” Joe said, leaning in towards Ashton and talking quietly. “You and Applejack, huh?” He elbowed the champ over the counter. “Not bad! I’ve met’er a couple times myself… Twilight Sparkle’s friend. Quite the looker, if ya don’t mind me sayin’…” “Heh, well,” Ashton chuckled lightly, pausing to take a bite out of a donut that rested on the table between them. “She sure is pretty, but that ain’t really why Ah like’er…” “Ahh, that’s what they all say!” Joe laughed. “C’mon, it’s the legs, isn’t it? Or is it the chest…" He shuddered for a moment. "She’s really well-toned, ya know!” “That’s the thing partner, they all say it, but jus’ how often is it true?” Ashton replied curiously. He still smiled, but he had grown distant. “Ain’t loved nothin’ more than the truth, all mah life… An’ here Ah’ve gone an’ met the Element’a honesty herself! Feels like a kindred spirit, y'know…?” “Fair enough, fair enough,” Joe admitted awkwardly. “I know what ya mean, uh, I was just, y’know… testin’ ya. Yeah! You passed, buddy!” “Hah, Ah hear ya,” Ashton laughed, pausing to take a sip of coffee. Joe turned around to clean a few glasses and mugs for a minute, calling over his shoulder as he worked. “…So wait, what was it you were sayin’ earlier? Somethin’ about a celebration tonight?” “Sure thing! Princess Celestia said she’s throwin’ it in honor’a… oh shoot, the dance!” Ashton hollered, sputtering a mouthful of coffee and hurriedly lowering his cup. “Ah’ve gotta get mah vest from the cleaners! And find a new dress-hat! Shoot, shoot!” “Take a right, three shops down!” Joe called out to him, as he scrambled out of the shop. “Don’t get lost again, bud! Take it easy!” Turning back to clean the counter, he chuckled to himself, "Heh, and good luck..." “…You are sure you would not attend the celebration?” Luna asked Starswirl curiously. The two of them were in Luna’s chambers at the top of Midnight Tower. They were accompanied by Tre’zan, who was lying comfortably on her bed, drinking from a juice box. He no longer wore a blindfold—Luna had given him a thick pair of sunglasses, which the young colt much preferred. “Have you seen me dance?” Starswirl laughed. “My muscles can hardly lift themselves anymore. Not all of us age as well as you do, Luna dear.” Starswirl was using Luna’s desk to write a lengthy letter. The quill in his magical grasp flew rapidly across the paper, drawing each letter with a brilliantly elegant font. “It isn’t the dancing I concern myself with,” Luna replied dismissively, rolling her eyes. “After all we have been through, it is but a welcome pause… A well-deserved rest. A celebration.” “Yes, a pause would be welcome,” Starswirl chuckled, using a spell to erase several lines of ink and hurriedly rewrite a sentence. “But the wicked do not rest, so neither shall I!” “It’s one evening, Swirly,” Luna sighed. “If this mysterious foe which you seek can wait three thousand years between attacks, what is a single day?” “…Hey, can I have another one?” Tre’zan suddenly spoke up, not realizing he was interrupting their conversation. “These things are really good!” “Sure!” Starswirl replied heartily, communicating telepathically and speaking simultaneously. He lifted another juice box from a barrel next to Luna's nightstand and placed it by to Tre’zan’s forearm, nudging him with it. “Thanks!” Tre’zan said excitedly, his voice cracking. “…You’re in a hurry,” Luna realized. “…But it isn’t our foe that drives your haste…” Starswirl stopped writing for a moment, gazing through Luna’s window at the afternoon sunlight. He pensively lifted the quill from his paper, held it in front of his masked face, and stared at it for a moment. ********** “You know, using arcane magic, I could collide the particles within this quill, and create an explosion of massive proportions…” Starswirl mused. “…I could start a chain reaction with the potential to annihilate Canterlot…” “…Your point being?” Luna asked, sitting next to him. She knew he would never do something like that. “So much power in my hooves; I could make myself immortal… yet I couldn’t salvage my appearance,” Starswirl sighed. “No matter what I do, I look more like a skeleton with skin than a normal unicorn…” “…And?” “It’s so easy for you,” Starswirl huffed, lowering the quill and returning to his letter. “At least fifty-one hundred years of age, and looking not a day over thirty…” Luna didn’t respond. She continued to stare at him, waiting for him to actually speak his mind. “And it bothers me!” Starswirl admitted in annoyance. “Forgive me for not making it obvious that I’m uncomfortable in my own skin!” “It is sufficiently obvious,” Luna replied. “That you are only so uncomfortable while around me.” Starswirl accidentally drove the quill too far into his paper, causing the tip to break and the paper to rip. He took a deep breath in frustration, gazing silently through the window again for several minutes. “…How long have you known?” Starswirl asked quietly, not looking at her. “For as long as we’ve known each other,” Luna admitted. “I’ve chosen to ignore it, of course, as you have…" "Though much has happened in the past forty-five hundred years, I have never before been so close to death," she continued quietly. "...It has given me a renewed perspective...” “I’m sorry,” Starswirl told her, using magic to resharpen his quill and dip it back into the ink. “...For?” Starswirl ignored her, hurriedly scratching the final bit to his letter and signing his name at the bottom. With a quick burst of blue fire, he sent the letter away. “For compelling your feelings,” the wizard finished quietly, turning around and standing up. “I must go. I’ll return soon to pick up Tre’zan.” “Swirly, wait,” Luna replied, walking towards him. “…Please?” “Give my best to the team…” Starswirl told her, looking away. Luna reached out to embrace him, but he dematerialized with a swift CRACK. The princess quietly placed her hooves back on the ground, trying to ignore the tears that were starting to force their way out of her eyes. ********** At eight o’ clock that evening, the Elite Homecoming celebration had begun. Swarms upon swarms of Equestria’s royalty, government officials, and high-class citizens were among the attendance, all of them wishing to personally congratulate the Equestrian Elite. By Celestia’s lead, fifteen of the Elite walked through the crowded castle courtyard towards the Royal Ballroom. Starswirl and Terra were not among them. The team was bombarded by a strobe of camera flashes, grateful supporters, and well-wishers along the way. “Is this how it always is, being in the Wonderbolts?” Rainbow Dash whispered to Spitfire, proudly waving to the crowds of ponies. “This is awesome!” “Heh, it gets old after a while, ace,” Spitfire whispered back. “Ain’t that right, chief?” Soarin’ didn’t hear her—he was too busy waving at the cheering fans around them. The crowds were held at bay by a detachment of Royal Guardsmen, two of which led the Elite into the Royal Ballroom’s entrance hall. The hall was nowhere near as populated as the courtyard, but nonetheless, the numerous party guests were quick to begin lavishing praise onto them. Amidst the many well-known celebrators of the Elite, Twilight Sparkle noticed a familiar pair of unicorns swimming through the crowd, trying to get her attention. “Mom!” she called out, squeezing through several ponies and waving a hoof into the air. “Dad!” Her mother and father embraced her affectionately; they were joined by Shining Armor as soon as he reached them. “How’d it go, son?!” their blue-pelted father asked excitedly. “Didja do your old stallion proud?” “You have no idea,” Armor replied triumphantly. “Twilie and I kicked major flank out there!” Despite the many attendees of the Homecoming, only Twilight and Armor had family among them. The rest of the Elite nervously shook hooves with admirer after admirer, barely hearing each of their names before being interrupted by another. The only one of the fifteen Elite that seemed genuinely excited to be meeting so many ponies was Pinkie Pie—every time she was approached by a fan, she would be the first to emphatically introduce herself. “I do say!” an enthusiastic, upper-class voice gushed. “Miss Rarity was among the princess and her champions?!” Recognizing the stallion’s voice, Rarity’s tired eyes widened, and she looked around to see a well-dressed blue-maned unicorn, with a fashionable pink mare by his side. Fancypants and his wife, Fleur de Lis, were casually waving a hoof at her through the crowds. Returning the wave excitedly and pushing towards them, Rarity was suddenly much more thrilled to be awake. Shortly after their grand entrance, Celestia led the Elite through the entrance hall and up a spiraling double staircase, into the ballroom itself, which had rows of tables along the sides, and a large open space in front of the central stage, upon which a band was playing brass fanfare in their honor. The droves of admirers followed excitedly as the Elite were seated at the front tables, which had been reserved for them. The rest of the tables were occupied quickly, and the remaining guests crowded in the back of the room. Celestia took the band’s place upon the stage after their piece had been played, thanking the guests for their appearance and proceeding to tell a synopsis of the Elite’s battles in Fillydelphia, the Dream Valley, and eventually Tartarus. Seeing an opportunity to escape while the crowd’s attention was fixed upon the princess, Ragehoof silently exited the ballroom and entered the royal garden outside, which appeared to be empty. “Celebrations aren’t your thing, are they?” a familiar voice called out from a table in the garden. Terra was sitting there, resting her head on her forearms and gazing towards the ballroom. She looked different, and was barely recognizable. Her mane and tail no longer flowed and sparkled—both of them seemed to be shorter, though they were still conditioned and puffy. Her mane was tied lazily behind her head, with its excess hair tucked into the hood of a black sweater she had borrowed from Luna. The sweater covered her wings, and most of her cutie mark; sitting down, she looked indistinguishable from a regular unicorn. “Most of them probably don't even want to be there,” Ragehoof said, cantering over to her. He was accurate; with a few exceptions, most of the Elite were eager to finally get some sleep. “If you ever wondered why I choose not to rule with my sisters,” Terra scoffed, turning to look at him as he approached. “Events such as these are among the many reasons…” “Nah, never did,” Ragehoof replied, sitting across from her at the table. “'Cause you did exactly what I would’ve done. I can’t stand all this attention, makes my skin crawl.” Terra laughed quietly, turning back towards the ballroom. A garden trellis was between their table and the ballroom’s tall windows, so their presence remained unnoticed by the celebration’s guests. “…What’re you gonna do now?” Ragehoof asked, after several minutes of silence. Terra watched the crowds disperse after Celestia’s speech had finished—her eyes locked on Cadance among them. “My daughter has grown accustomed to life without me,” Terra replied. Cadance had just embraced Twilight and Armor’s parents, and was now happily conversing with them. “I know she would try to include me in it, but she has done well without me…” “I knew you weren’t planning on staying,” Ragehoof chuckled, grinning. “I mean, where are you going to go?” “…I… I don’t know,” Terra sighed. “I never usually have a destination, I just...travel…” “Come with me, then.” Terra looked at him blankly, mildly surprised by his suggestion. “I’m going back to Gryphus to find Anvil Spark, and see if he’ll cough up more info about the Brotherhood. Or should I say, the bugger-hood…” “Their spies,” Terra said, narrowing her eyes and looking around. “Do you think they watch us, even now?” “Probably,” Ragehoof replied cautiously, looking over his shoulder. “But we’re not gonna find out much by being paranoid. I’ve been a potential for many years, and I’ve hardly seen any sign of these spies… They’re good.” “…Perhaps we shall travel together,” Terra said curiously. “I often prefer to remain alone, but…” “So do I,” Ragehoof hurriedly agreed. “Don’t get me wrong, I just…” They stared at each other for a short time, unsure of what to say. “Perhaps we’re picky in choosing companions,” Terra finished for him. “When shall we depart? Tomorrow?” “As soon as you’re ready,” Ragehoof replied, grinning once again. Following Celestia’s speech, the party had mostly become a slow ballroom dance. Most of the Elite tiredly sat at the tables surrounding the dance floor, but some of them had decided to partake in the dancing; most notably, Cadance and Armor were setting the pace for the other slow-dancers. Though it took some subtle prodding from Cadance, Ashton had invited Applejack to dance, and they were slowly swaying to the music, their chins resting on each other’s shoulders. Following a daring offer that had surprised everyone, Aeon was dancing with Celestia. “…She’s like, half a foot taller than him!” Dash giggled quietly, watching from her table with Spitfire and Soarin’. “Heh, yeah,” Soarin’ laughed. “But he’s got some guts! There’s no way I could ask one of the princesses to dance with me, y'know…?” “Or any mare, for that matter,” Spitfire giggled at him. Soarin’ stopped gazing across the room at Luna, and turned to glare at Spitfire in annoyance; his cheeks were starting to turn red. “…Oh yeah?” Soarin’ asked, feeling a burst of confidence. “...Watch this!” Spitfire stopped giggling and raised her eyebrows at him. He got up from their table and boldly approached Fluttershy, who was quietly sitting by herself at a table, taking a bite of cake. “…What?!” Dash sputtered, spitting out a mouthful of punch. “…There’s no way she’ll…” She watched Soarin’ extend a hoof towards her shy friend and offer to dance. Though she did so nervously, Fluttershy took Soarin’s hoof, and he helped her up, walking her towards the dance floor hoof-in-hoof. Quickly turning towards Spitfire and Dash, he stuck his tongue out defiantly before jerking his head back around and starting to talk to Fluttershy. “…Let’s get in there, ace,” Spitfire said, her cheeks turning red. “We aren’t gonna let'em show us up, are we?” “…No way!” Dash declared, hopping up from the table; Spitfire took her forearm and led her to the dance floor. As the party began to die down, Ironmane was the first to depart. Bidding a short farewell to each of the Elite, he hurried back to his apartment complex, filling out a time-off request for the soonest available opportunity. Concluding his dance with Celestia, Aeon bid a much fonder farewell to each of them, especially his fellow airborne team. Having remained silent throughout the entire event, Luna departed next, quietly exiting the ballroom and teleporting away. When the time had come for Fancypants to bid farewell, Rarity returned to Twilight’s table, grinning ear-to-ear. “He wanted to hear all about the armor I had helped design,” Rarity gushed, sitting next to Twilight. “The princess stored all of it in the Elements’ vault, and of course, I couldn’t speak of the brotherhood, but… Twilight? Are you okay?” “Hm?” Twilight asked tiredly, lifting her head from her forearm. “Oh, sorry, I’m kinda out of it…” “You look more than just tired, dear,” Rarity observed. “What’s wrong?” “...Nothing,” Twilight admitted honestly, gazing at her brother. “I was just thinking about… Well, it’s not important. Just… A bad dream I had.” “Speaking of dreams, perhaps you should get some beauty sleep, dear,” Rarity suggested, standing up and taking Twilight by the hoof. “Come, the princess has granted us the castle suites again! I intend to make sure you actually use yours tonight…” “All right,” Twilight sighed, laughing in exhaustion and standing up. “Well, this was fun, but, um,” Fluttershy said to Soarin’, noticing her friends beginning to depart. “I’m really tired…” “No problem, kiddo,” Soarin’ laughed, patting her on the shoulder before backing away. “Take it easy!” “Thanks!” Fluttershy replied, waving at him and galloping to join her friends. Seeing this, Dash tiredly bid farewell to Spitfire, and joined them as well. The four of them exited the ballroom, and Spitfire triumphantly walked over to Soarin’. “Looks like I win, chief,” Spitfire giggled. “I kept my date longer.” “Pff,” Soarin’ scoffed. “I started before you. We tied.” “Ha!" Spitfire laughed, watching his cheeks turn red once again. "Whatever helps you sleep at night!” Their argument was interrupted by Shining Armor and Cadance bidding everyone farewell; the Wonderbolts waved at the couple as they walked out of the hall. “…Hey, boss,” Soarin’ said, turning back to her. “…Wanna dance?” Spitfire snickered at first, but she realized he was being serious. “…Meh, why not?” she shrugged. “…Looks like I was right, huh?” Armor laughed, looking over his shoulder at Applejack and Ashton, who were still slow-dancing blissfully. “For once,” Cadance sighed, looking back at them as well. She waved at Ashton, who happily returned the gesture over Applejack’s shoulder. The young princess and her husband descended the stairwell and exited the hall. “Y’know, this ain’t so bad,” Applejack said quietly. “Ain’t it?” Ashton replied, rubbing his cheek against hers for a moment. “Ah’ll miss ya, that’s fer sure…” “Ah’ll miss ya too,” Applejack smiled, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. “It’s a long ride from Ponyville to Appleoosa…” “Forty winks and yer there before ya know it,” Ashton chuckled. “Ah’ll do mah best to visit when Ah can…” “Shoot me a letter when ya can’t,” Applejack sighed. “Ah’ll look forward to hearin’ from ya if Ah can't see ya…” “Sure thing, partner… Sure thing…” They danced for a little while longer before becoming nearly too tired to stand. Collecting their hats from a nearby table, the pair noticed Pinkie Pie lying on a table opposite from theirs, having completely passed out after meeting so many ponies. “She’s stayin’ in mah room,” Applejack laughed, donning her hat and approaching Pinkie. “Guess Ah’d better take’er back with me…” “Lemme get’er for ya,” Ashton chuckled, “Ah’ll walk y’all home.” He put on his new white hat and his saddlebags, and lifted the unconscious Pinkie onto his back; she didn’t stir. Carrying Pinkie all the way through the courtyard and up the spiraling stairs of the castle suites, Ashton dropped her off before bidding Applejack a fond farewell. Spitfire and Soarin’ departed the ballroom last, leaving Celestia by herself. The princess looked around at the remaining guests—they were few in number, and none of them were talking to her. Rising silently, she stepped out of the hall and teleported away, rematerializing next to her bed in her chambers. Starting to remove her necklace and hoof adornments, Celestia sighed and collapsed into her mattress, only partially undressed. She closed her eyes and started drifting away, her mind freer from worry than it had been for thousands of years. Though one thing in the back of her mind still bothered her, it did not keep her from falling into a blissful sleep. ********** With a sudden CRACK of blue magic, Starswirl the Bearded materialized in a dark place. He was in a forest, surrounded by trees that reached hundreds of feet into the air. Strange-looking green cocoons hung from their canopies, and a series of high-pitched squeaking sounds and fluttering wings responded to his arrival. “Well, well,” Starswirl mused, fixing his glowing yellow eyes upon the multiple pairs of cyan eyes that glared at him from the darkness. “I believe the expression is… Take me to your leader?” Several dark silhouettes hovered out of the forest, and one of them motioned curtly for him to follow. The wizard chuckled and hovered after his guide, curiously observing his surroundings. He was far from the southern border of Equestria, in an entirely different land. The dark figure led Starswirl through the forest for several minutes, and an increasing number of cyan eyes began to watch him as he floated along. They eventually reached a clearing in the trees, though a thick canopy of darkness remained overhead, stretching between the surrounding treetops. “WHO DARES awake me from my slumber?” a strange mare’s voice asked angrily. “Oh…What is this? Did a little unicorn stray too far from home?” “Oh no, your highness, I’m here on business,” Starswirl replied cheerfully; a pair of slit green eyes appeared through the darkness, in the general direction of the strange voice. “How’s the swarm doing?” “Cut the small talk!” Chrysalis said angrily, stepping forwards—Starswirl’s faint aura partially illuminated the dark body of the changeling queen. “Equestrians are not welcome here!” “I’m sorry to hear that,” Starswirl chuckled, unmoved by her intimidating advance. “You’ll be delighted to know I haven’t held Equestrian citizenship since I was declared legally dead fifty-eight hundred years ago!” “…Who are you?” the queen asked suspiciously, narrowing her eyes threateningly. “And why have you come?” “Starswirl the Bearded, at your service, your highness,” the wizard introduced himself politely, bowing his head. “And I’ve come to inquire as to why you deemed it necessary to invade Equestria recently.” “Not this again,” Chrysalis muttered, rolling her glowing eyes. “Celestia’s given me no end of trouble since our failed invasion. Now she sends a messenger to personally confront me? The nerve…” “I’m not here on her business, your highness, rest assured,” Starswirl told her. “Call it curiosity on my part, if you will… Seriously, though, who or what informed you of Equestria’s vulnerability?” “...That is none of your concern!” “A convenient intelligence leak, perhaps? A spy? Were you just exploring, and happened upon the most bountiful harvest of sentient love on the planet?” “SILENCE! …You test my patience!” “Or maybe,” Starswirl continued, realizing she was hiding something. “…You were tipped off?” “An anonymous source,” Chrysalis admitted, annoyed by his persistence. “That is all I know.” “Just how anonymous was he?” Starswirl pressed. “What’d he look like?” “I didn’t see him!” “So it was a he, then... Big equine with wings, huh? Any other features?” “I couldn’t see his face…” Chrysalis hissed. “He struck me from behind like a coward before speaking to me!” “Thank you, your highness,” Starswirl said, bowing politely. “That is all I needed to know…” With a swift CRACK, the wizard disappeared from the secluded forward camp of the changelings.