Suddenly, the girls heard a small sound.
A small, familiar sound.
A sharp yap.
The Bearers turned to see a familiar fox bounding down the road, one with three additional tails.
Before any of them could name the fox, they heard the voice in their heads.
Wait!
"Ferrix? Are you okay?"
The fox sat in front of Twilight and shook his head. I bring word from the changelings, who bring word from Celestia and their own Hive Mind.
Suddenly he had the attention of the mares.
They did come up with one plan right after she sent you that letter. One singular plan. One you will have to implement Twilight, but they're being...vague about it. Probably not on purpose.
The mares groaned. "What did they come up with, Ferrix?"
You will have to focus, and make him understand. That's literally all they're telling me.
The mares sighed. "Any good news?"
Why yes. Since Abel was super-paranoid and coded all his wards to work with him and him alone, Cain doesn't have access to his house. Or his vault. Or his stockpiles. Or the Hive Mind. Which, all in all, is a good thing, since The Quill is stored there somewhere in his basement. Plus, I talked to one of his contacts regarding evil spirits. Would any of you happen to have brought back a crystal from the Empire?
The mares exchanged a look before focusing on Rarity, who merely chuckled. "Well I may have borrowed one or two..."
Backups, even better. You can't just force the spirit out with the Elements. It'll hop bodies. If you can get it out of Abel, he'll be able to seal it up in a crystal. Though it really depends on the condition you leave him in...
The girls nodded and turned back to be on their way to the Castle of the Two Sisters.
-----
You wretched, vile constructs! Bow to my whim!
Cain glared at the Elements, clearly trying to stare them to death.
It wasn't working.
The changeling king raised a hoof and made to smash one of them, but the moment his hoof touched the Element, he felt a flash of memory and howled in pain.
"Howdy there, partner! Ain't never seen you 'round these parts. You new in town?"
"Yeah...I'm sort of a drifter. I get hired for one season, then have to move on."
"That right there sounds like a tough life. What's so special about a blank book cutie mark, anyhow?"
"Oh, it's actually a ledger. I'm an accountant. I'm real good with numbers."
"That so? Mah brother Big Mac's been itching to do somthin' like that 'round the farm. Says it'd help a lot more. Think you could teach 'im?"
"I think I could, miss...Oh, I beg your pardon, I'm Balanced Books."
"Well pleased to meetcha Books! Mah name's Applejack, but none of that fancy 'miss' stuff, y'hear?"
"Oh, issat so, AJ?"
"Darn tootin', Numbers!"
-----
Applejack felt a pang, suddenly. As though someone had struck some sort of funny bone deep inside. "Twilight, did any of your books mention any sort of side effects to the ponies what bear an element if somethin' were to happen to the element in question?"
Twilight hummed. "Well, they are strange artifacts that nopony really understands. And since we exemplify them, and they're almost a part of us...then I'd have to say that you might very well feel something if your element were being manipulated. Why?"
"Nuthin' much. Just felt...nostalgic."
-----
No! I am in control! ME!
Cain moved to destroy a different one, and again, a flash of memory.
"Miss, I was hoping to talk to you about something."
"Y-Yes?"
"Well, recently I have found myself to be caring for...quite a carnivore as a pet. And while I really would prefer not to ask..."
"Oh...my. Well, I can tell you or your pet where and what they shouldn't be eating. Would you prefer to let it hunt, or..."
"I think I really would prefer to let him hunt, yes."
"C-Can you bring him by? I'd rather he not hurt any of my friends, and he should know that..."
"Miss Fluttershy, you have got to be the most caring pony I have ever met."
"Oh, if you say so..."
"I'm serious. You don't like the idea of anything getting hurt, pony or not. If it's an animal, it's a friend to you, and you hate seeing your friends hurt."
"Well...you're right. Thank you, mister Books."
"Please. Call me Balanced, or Books. No mister, makes me feel old."
"Oh...okay, Books."
-----
Fluttershy paused for a moment, feeling warmth fill her. It felt like she'd just managed to patch up a particularly ornery animal, and said animal had smiled at her. "Oh...my."
"What, Flutters?"
"Oh, it's not much. At least, I don't think so..."
-----
There MUST be a weakness in these artifacts! There MUST! There ALWAYS IS!
Cain made to strike the balloon necklace, and again, he got a flash of Abel's emotion-filled memory.
"HIYA!"
"GAH!"
"So hey are you new in town you must be because I know everypony in Ponyville and I don't know you so you must be new in town! And I'm friends with everypony in Ponyville as well, which means I wanna be your friend! So hi there, super duper new best friend! My name's Pikamena Diane Pie, but you can call me Pinkie! What's yours?"
"...Okay, if I understood that correctly, you're Pinkie, you want to be my friend, and you know everypony."
"Yeah-huh!"
"...And that smile never stops, does it?"
"Nopeerooni!"
"Neither does your energy, I'd wager. How much coffee have you had?"
"None, the Cakes said something about the end of the world if I have any. But hey! What's your name?"
"...Why do you need to know, Pinkie?"
"Well I can't very well throw you a super duper 'Welcome to Ponyville' party if I don't know your name, silly."
"...That is an excellent point. But I'm new, Pinkie. I need a place to live before you can throw me a party."
"*GAAAAAAAAAASP* YOU'RE RIGHT! We'd better get you to the Mayor's right away!"
"...Balanced Books."
"Huh?"
"My name. Balanced Books. Since you're being so helpful."
"Well thanks, Bookie! And don't worry, I'd do the same for anypony!"
-----
Pinkie giggled suddenly, causing her friends to look at her strangely. "Oh, that's an old one. Girls, we're gonna be just fine!"
Twitchy tail, itchy back, ear flop? Last time that happened was with Nightmare Moon!
-----
How...can they...resist? How can...HE resist?!
Cain slumped a little, barely having the energy to stand properly. He moved a hoof to rest atop the necklace of Generosity, but a flash interrupted his next thought process.
"Coooooomiiiiiiing~!"
"Take your time, no rush!"
"Oh, hello there! Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where everything is chic, unique, and magnifique!"
"Yes, hi, I read on the help wanted sign at the town hall that you were looking for someone to do your financial records?"
"Oh yes, you're responding to my advertisement! Well I do admit that my talent lies in the art of fashion, and I am a stickler for details, but I wouldn't know where to begin with this."
"Wow. No kidding. You seem to have saved everything. At least it's all dated. It'll make sorting it out easier..."
"Darling, what are you looking at? Oh, this? It's a work in progress. What do you-"
"Are you. Out. Of your. Bucking. Mind?!"
"Such language!"
"MONOCHROME? What is this, the dark ages of photography? Add some color, add some spice! And this pattern, gag me! And all these frills! The buttons! The lace! Good gods, it's like everything decent about fashion died and gave rise to this thing!"
"...You...know fashion?"
"Not hardly, m'dear, but I am in possession of a functioning brainstem. And I have a quote that fits this situation. 'I may not know art, but I know what I like.' And this...thing? No stallion would look at it twice! I'm afraid if they looked at it once when it was done, they might try to tear their eyes out!"
"Yes well...I am being commissioned to make it like that..."
"Then clearly your client has no sense of taste!"
"...You know what? You're right. I'll redo it."
"Really? I didn't mean to cause you that much of a fuss..."
"No no, you opened my eyes, dear. Besides which, you've just given me some inspiration for a dress that would suit my client perfectly! Oh! I just realized I didn't get your name."
"Balanced Books, m'lady."
'"Rarity."
"Charmed."
-----
Rarity gasped suddenly, causing her friends to pause. "Oh my. It feels like somepony just tugged on my heartstrings."
The girls exchanged a look. "We should hurry. Cain must be trying to do something to the elements."
-----
I can...sense them...coming closer...must keep...trying...
Cain was nearly flat on the ground, the Elements scattered around him. His hoof moved from Generosity to Loyalty, and another flash of memory seared his brain.
"LOOK OUT!"
"GAH!"
"Owwwwww..."
"Yeah, no kidding."
"Oh, heh, sorry 'bout that. Hey, are you new here?"
"Yeah, why'd you ask?"
"'Cause usually ponies know to run when I scream that."
"Yeah, owch, good point. Okay, so what were you up to?"
"Oh, I was trying out a new trick to impress the Wonderbolts."
"M'kay, and what went wrong?"
"I tried to pull up to fast, ended up pulling a wing muscle."
"Yeah, that sounds painful. Hmm. Starting from higher up might help..."
"Nah, this trick is all about pulling up at the last second."
"Then I suggest you learn to swim and practice over a lake to at least somewhat cushion your landings."
"Hey! Are you saying I crash?"
"I don't know where I could have gotten that impression from. Let me ask this crater in the road."
"One time!"
"One for one in my book is still a 100% crash rating."
"Oh that is it. We're racing."
"Might I have the honor of your name first?"
"Rainbow Dash, and don't you forget it, bub!"
"Balanced Books."
"I didn't ask!"
"Yeah, well, you'll need to know it for when I beat you. That way you can at least curse it!"
"Oooooh! Here to Sweet Apple Acres. First one there wins. Threetwoonego!"
-----
Dash felt a rush flow through her, as though she'd just finished a particularly difficult trick.
"C'mon girls, the castle's just ahead!"
-----
Destroy...the binding...agent...they all...fall...apart...
Cain lay down, looking directly at the element of Magic, before reaching a hoof out and lightly tapping it. He didn't even have the energy to scream anymore as the memory played.
"Hello? Are you the town accountant?"
"Just a moment!"
"Because the mayor said-"
"I'm reorganizing the financials for an entire town in a effort to afford the Summer Sun Celebration, along with the typical party that gets thrown with it by a certain mare."
"My word...this is advanced spellwork..."
"Yeah, took me a while to pin down all the parts of it. Layering the spells one after another really helps. It's a nearly sentient, autocorrecting system now."
"...You will teach me how you did this later."
"Sorry. Unique. Related directly to my mark."
"Oh, where are my manners. I'm Twilight Sparkle, and my special talent IS magic."
"Oh, you're right, apologies. I'm Balanced Books, I'm the local accountant, the mayor hired me for the duration."
"She said you might want this."
"......"
"Are you...okay?"
"I'm...fine. But now I have to reorganize. Especially since the crown is paying for everything."
"I don't understand. Isn't that a good thing?"
"But my system! My lovely system! It's ruined now!"
"Well...I could use a spell like that for my studies, help me find books easier."
"...Y'know, Twilight, I think we're gonna get on just fine."
-----
The mares arrived at the castle of the sisters to see Cain lying on the floor, taking deep breaths, the Elements around him, none the worse for their time with the transformed changeling. "Aw, c'mon. We bust our flanks getting here, and he's already beaten?"
Twilight restrained her friends again, shaking her head. "Don't get near him. We don't know what he's capable of. But I think I understand the clue now."
Tuning out her friends, Twilight focused again.
The Hive Mind came very quick this time.
-You found him?-
Yes, and now I need to know. How can I make him understand?
There was a pause. A seemingly lengthy pause. And then a spellframe appeared in her mind.
-This is how you do it. Hold this image in mind. Think of what you wish for him to understand. Then, say Compos, and he will be forced to understand whatever it is you desired.-
Twilight cut the connection and looked at the fallen king before her.
Strangely, he was still talking.
"They don't care about a monster...and even if they did, you'd outlive them...you will be alone again and again...You're nothing more than a pet to the royal sisters...you have no spine..."
Twilight knew then what she would have to do.
She charged up her horn, thought of the meaning she wanted, held the spellframe and meaning in mind, and let Cain have it.
"Compos!"
Please, Abel, understand our pain...and come back to us.
-----
"Hey Numbers, you look kinda down. What's eatin' ya?"
"It's nothing, AJ..."
"Horseapples. Somethin' has you in a bind, and you're gonna tell me what."
"I have a small group of friends in town who've been pressuring me to make a decision to do something I really don't want to."
"What, git a marefriend?"
"AJ!"
"I'm just pullin' yer leg. But what is so bad about this here thing they want you to do?"
"They want me to cast a particular spell. And if it works, it'll change...well, everything. And I don't want to."
"Then don't. Simple as that."
"Yeah, but their arguments about me casting it have only gotten more persuasive over time. I've been putting it off for months now, and I'm even starting to agree with some of their reasons."
"...You're scared about the changes, ain't ya?"
"Heh. Am I that easy to read?"
"Listen, sugarcube. Everything changes. That's jus' part o' life. What makes us the ponies we are is how we deal with it."
"Honest advice from our resident applebucker. Thanks, AJ."
"Aw, ya know me. I calls 'em as I sees 'em."
-----
"Oh, hello there Books. I didn't expect to meet you here."
"I never expected to meet you anywhere outside of your cottage! Guessing this is something like a weekly supply run for you, then?"
"...yes..."
"Aw, I'm sorry, Flutters. I didn't mean to tease. Guess I'll be going..."
"No, you can stay...if that's alright that is."
"Well then I'll accompany you on your journey, then. It only seems fair."
"If you want to..."
"..."
"...Is...is something troubling you, Books?"
"...Yeah...just a bit..."
"Do...do you want to talk about it?"
"...I...can try...Flutters, what do you know about bees?"
"Oh, they're very hard working insects. Bees make delicious honey."
"And about how much freedom would you say the queen has?"
"Oh...she has to stay in the hive, to keep the bees supplied with more bees."
"I figured..."
"But if you think about it...she has so many friends in her hive. She knows every bee, and has so many children."
"...Heh. Guess you're right. Thanks, Flutters."
-----
"Bookie!"
"Well hey there Pinks. How're you?"
"I'm fine, but you're not!"
"Really? How can you tell?"
"Normally you have at least a small smile on your face, even as you look around! Something must have really got you down today, Bookie."
"Yeah...I have a few friends who want me to try an experimental communication spell, one that'd let us talk to each other in our heads."
"Ooooh, like psychic ponies! Try it on me, on me!"
"Sorry Pinks, but there are some requirements to have it cast on you, and you don't meet them."
"Awww."
"The problem is that if I cast it, then everything...will change for me. Forever."
"Well...they're your friends, right?"
"Yeeees..."
"And if you cast this spell, and it works, then they'll be happy, right?
"Probably..."
"Then as a friend, you should do it! Friends like to make their friends happy, no matter the things that stand in their way!"
"...Thanks for the advice, Pinks."
-----
"Darling, something seems to have you disturbed."
"Yeah, I'm getting that a lot lately. I'm also trying to hide it, but I'm clearly failing."
"Well you're doing fine, but your spellwork today is less than enthusiastic. Your emotions are effecting your control something fierce. Do tell."
"Well, remember that thing I saw you making?"
"I thought we agreed to never speak of it again, darling."
"Yeah, well, I'm being pressured into making a similar decision. One I don't want to."
"Oh dear. Well, can't you change it? Put it off?"
"I've been trying to. It involves casting a particular spell. Changing it too much could result in unintended consequences. And the few bits I do have control over...aren't enough. It'll still end up forcing something on me that I don't want."
"You mean like I keep forcing you to take my gifts and stop attempting to repay me for them?"
"Touche."
"I do try. Now what do you have control over in this spell you don't want to cast?"
"Mostly tone and inflection. I have to cast it just so, but when I do, the things I set into it will seep into the spell, altering it slightly, but never enough."
"Darling, you're wrong! Tone and inflection are highly important!"
"Really?"
"Let me show you! *ahem* Darling, how wonderful to see you! Do come in."
"Okay, as compared to?"
"*Ahem* Darling, how wonderful to see you. Do come in."
"Ack! Rarity! Unfair!"
"How is that unfair, darling?"
"You had my hopes up!"
-----
"Okay grumpy, spill."
"Wha- Dash?"
"You've been moping around, looking at the ground, and not even Pinkie's been capable of cheering you up. It really irks me that you can't even lift your head to admire my handiwork, so spill it already. What's got you all worked up?"
"How did you-?"
"Duh, head weather pony? I can't help but notice when I'm in the air all the time."
"Fine. Riddle me this, head weather pony. If you were assigned to make a wicked storm at Sweet Apple Acres while AJ needed to buck a whole lot of apples one day, what would you do?"
"I...I...I'd warn her! Yeah! I'd tell her about the change in schedule ahead of time so that she could buck the apples sooner or later, and she wouldn't be working in the storm!"
"Good answer."
"What's that got to do with this?"
"I'm in a double-bind, Dash. I'm being torn between doing something because of what I am, and holding true to who I am."
"Ooooh, like that question. And you can't do both? Be true to who you are while doing whatever it is you should be doing?"
"I'm also afraid."
"Pfft, fear is for wimps. Look at me, never afraid of anything!"
"Reaaaaally."
"...You wouldn't."
"Miss Claustra-"
"ALRIGHT ALREADY! Okay yeah, I have a little bit of fear. But I deal with it. I deal with it by being me and never letting it get me down!"
"...Thanks, Dash. I think I might be able to answer that question on my own eventually."
"You better, and no more moping!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
-----
"And if you add this spell thread here, then the system starts comparing similar values."
"This is just GENIUS! HOW did we never THINK of this BEFORE?!"
"Easy there, Sparkle!"
"Eheheh. Sorry. But you have to admit, it is an impressive spell you came up with, Books."
"Yeah..."
"...Okay, something is bothering you."
"Oh?"
"Yes, you haven't completed the spell, and you're just staring at that paper. What is it?"
"...How important would you say tone and inflection are in spell-weaving?"
"Oh, it can mean everything! In fact, the spell to start a small campfire, an illusionary fire spell, and a spell that sends out jets of fire are quite similar, save for a few bits here and there! So tone and inflection can mean the difference between-"
"Between the spell I'm being asked to cast, and the spell that I want to cast."
"...That's what's getting to you? Someponies are trying to make you cast a spell you don't want to?"
"Well. It was. But now I have a plan. Thanks, Sparkle. We'll finish this later."
-----
"You have decided then?"
"You will cast the spell?"
"You will unite us?"
"You will be our Prince?"
"...Yes. But it will not be as the Hives of old. It will not be a hive of merely Unity. I will change the ideals. We will live under different ones."
"...Your terms are acceptable."
"Begin the chanting."
.....
"And I do decree thusly, that this Hive Mind shall be formed under the concepts of Harmony. Of Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Loyalty. Of the very Magic that is Friendship itself. This I declare!"
"We so agree."
-----
I made a promise.
*ba-dum*
I brought them together.
*Ba-dum*
We've been through thick and thin.
*Ba-Dum*
I believed in Friendship and Harmony then.
*BA-DUM*
I still do.
*BA-DUM* *BA-DUM*
I made a bloody promise...
.....
AND I INTEND TO KEEP IT!
With a roar, Cain's body surged upwards.
But the color had changed again.
No longer was the chitin grey. It had brightened back to white.
No longer were the mane, tail, or wings black. They had turned back to red.
The eyes, once similar to Sombra's, returned to their normal selves. The green had faded from the sclera, and no longer did they trail purple smoke.
But they were focused on something. Something that was...congealing, for lack of a better term, in front of him.
It resembled a pool of ink, rippling in the air, hovering in front of the returned king.
With a ripping sound, Rarity's saddlebags flew over to the changeling, and a six-sided crystal hovered between the darkness and the changeling.
"CAIN! FOR YOUR CRIMES AGAINST EQUESTRIA, AGAINST THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE, AND AGAINST MYSELF, I DECREE THAT YOUR PUNISHMENT IS TO BE SEALED WITHIN THIS CRYSTAL UNTIL THE END OF TIME!"
The crystal was thrust into the darkness, and the two...merged. Within a few moments, the crystal had absorbed all the blackness.
And then those familiar eyes opened, just within it.
With a roar, the changeling king conjured up six golden circles, each one bearing one of the girls' marks on them. They shrunk down to the size of the crystal, tightened, and flashed, binding the spirit within the crystal.
The crystal fell to the floor, and the changeling turned to the mares.
"Thank you..."
And then, exhausted from his ordeal, Abel hit the ground, dead asleep.