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// Epilogue: Voices in Darkness 
// Story: Darkened Shores 
// by Silver Flare 
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	“They bought it. They all completely fell for it! Paugh, no matter how much time I spend up there, I am constantly amazed by how anile and witless those ponies are.”

“I told you they would. And you, my dear, played your part perfectly.”

“Luna will hunt you, you know. She wont believe for one moment that you were defeated by a bunch of impotent fools.”

“Now now, Chryssie-poo, Luna has her hooves full. And besides, she can't hunt what she cant see. . .”

“Still, she wont believe that you just. . . disappeared into thin air.”

“Now that, my dear, will be the one thing she does believe. Besides, what do you care, hmmmmm? Are you honestly worried about widdle-old me? Have you actually discovered the magic of friendship?”

“Hmph. All of my plans are coming together perfectly. The Element of Deception is in my possession, Celestia has been removed, the citizens of Canterlot actually seem to trust me, and with the smallest nudge we can plunge Equestria into war the likes of which it hasn't seen in centuries. Mmmmm. . . Imagine the chaos. . . Imagine the despair. . .”

“I already have.”

“Then why didn't you imagine the Elements of Harmony surviving your silly chess moves? You do realize those fickle ponies still have a weapon they can use against you, right?”

“Ugh, don't remind me. That useless waste Teryn had so much power at his disposal! That he couldn't destroy so much as a single wretched Element of Harmony just. . . what a vast disappointment he was. Oh well, I'll simply have to lie low for awhile longer.”

“Mmmhehehahah! I guess you don't know everything after all, do you?”

“Well, Mother's teeth have finally been removed from this world, that should buy me another eon or two of playtime. But. . . oh, you should see what else I have planned. Yes, you can keep your tiny wars and petty conquests. In time you will see the true culmination of my designs!”

“And my children will remain unharmed. . . right Discord? That was our bargain!”

“Unharmed. . . Sure! Absolutely! Undoubtedly and indubitably! After all. . . You can trust me.”