Chapter 87
Radiance
“Come on, Fluttershy,” Charcoal urged.
“This isn’t so bad,” Shift commented, looking around at all the trees. It was still dark out, and only the occasional star peeked through the thick Everfree canopy. Charcoal had led out his small party in the direction he believed the cockatrice had fled to. Fluttershy had been asked to accompany him in case the cockatrice did not wish to help, or worse, turned on them. In which case, she would use ‘the Stare’ to try and persuade it. Shift and Fink wished to come out of sheer curiosity- they had never investigated the Everfree for the sheer pleasure of it.
Acrylic and Torchwood dearly wanted to accompany their son, but Celestia pointed out that the whole group of thirty eight ponies, plus three dragons, a draconequus, and a gryphon could not journey out into the Everfree over one cockatrice. She reasoned that it would be more beneficial for the representatives, the rest of the Elements and all the Princesses to cordially welcome and thank the hippocampus king instead. Torchwood, who did not represent an Element, however, talked his way into accompanying the Everfree expedition. Meanwhile, Blaze, Spike and Garble got caught up and introduced their changeling pals. Discord remained with Radiance for moral support, while Topaz had more tests she wanted to run on the petrified mare in case the cockatrice effort failed. Fluttershy was reluctant to leave her new sandfish friends behind, but decided they would also be safer in the palace.
“It’s actually quite nice,” Fink agreed, stepping over a fern.
“Yeah... nice. If you think dark and scary is nice!” Torchwood had to carry the frightened Fluttershy.
“Aw, Aunt Flutters, there’s nothing to be scared of!”
“Since Essence returned to the Everfree, the creatures within have remained peaceful,” Torchwood reminded.
“But then the changelings came and upset the balance again!”
“What changelings? There are no more,” Shift joyously sang.
“I’m not taking any chances!” she gripped Torchwood’s neck tighter, almost unbalancing him.
“Hey, Fluttershy,” Charcoal slyly smiled. “You know, when all the animals ran off, there was a baby manticore with them. We might come across it again, too.” Fluttershy’s whole demeanor perked up.
“A baby manticore? Oh dear, a baby shouldn’t be out on its own!”
“Well, let’s go find it and you can reunite it with its mother.”
“Oh, baby manticore?” she cried, hopping off Torchwood and running ahead into the brush. “Where are you?”
“Nice work, champ,” Torchwood chuckled, rubbing the spot where she’d squeezed his neck. “I was beginning to run out of air.” Charcoal good-naturedly bumped into his father.
“No problem, Dad.”
“How much farther?” Shift wondered.
“As far as the cockatrice traveled,” Fink shot back.
“Wouldn’t it be faster if we flew?” Shift had been anxious to try out his new wings.
“The tree canopy is too thick. We wouldn’t be able to see anything,” Torch assessed.
“We can’t see anything down here, either,” Shift pouted.
“You’re a destral! Use your fire!”
“Oh, yeah!” Shift struggled with this new ability for a bit before Charcoal and Torchwood stepped in, each providing their own tongue of flame to light the way.
“Everypony! Over here!” Fluttershy called.
“You found the cockatrice?” the rest of the stallions hurried after her.
“No, the manticore,” she corrected, nuzzling the cub nestled in her arms.
“We’re supposed to be looking for the cockatrice,” Charcoal face-hoofed. As if on cue, a loud rustling in the bushes.
“Char?” I think we’ve found it,” Torchwood nodded to a pair of glowing eyes in the darkness.
“Uh... hey there, little guy. Remember me?” Charcoal gulped. The cockatrice warbled in response, though it didn’t sound very happy.
“Little fella, we were wondering if you’d come help our friend,” Shift tried to grin, though his terror was obvious. The cockatrice clucked in response.
“Don’t worry, it doesn’t have anything to do with Kindling,” Charcoal inserted, recalling how terrified the animals had been of the mere mention of the destral’s name.
“Kindling has already been dealt with. He is powerless, now,” Fink agreed. At this, the cockatrice finally hopped out of the bushes, still nervously eyeing the ponies, but refraining from using its petrification abilities. Knowing that the cockatrice could easily change its mind at any moment, the stallions all slowly backed away. Fluttershy, on the other hoof, smiled at the creature.
“So, little friend, will you come back to the castle with us?” It clucked twice. She turned back to the stallions. “He’s in.”
“Are you sure this will work?” Discord nervously twiddled his thumbs.
“The cockatrice says that any cockatrice can reverse petrification,” Fluttershy assured.
“Well, if you say so, Fluttershy, I’ll believe you.” It was obvious that the draconequus was still nervous, though. He fidgeted while Topaz and Charcoal conversed, coaching the cockatrice and attending to the final preparations. Next, he used his claws to slick back his mane and comb out his beard. “How do I look?” Fluttershy smiled.
“Just like you.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“Absolutely.”
“Thank you, Fluttershy.” He still squirmed anxiously on his haunches in anticipation.
“Would you like to hold my hoof?” she offered. He gratefully looked down at her.
“Yes.”
“Okay, Smoky says we’re ready,” Charcoal bounded back to the waiting audience. All the collected Everfree creatures (excepting the cockatrice) huddled close to Fluttershy in anticipation. Shift, Fink, and Torchwood watched from a safe distance, and Topaz remained on the sidelines. Charcoal joined her to witness the reversal. With the cockatrice positioned directly before Radiance, they were ready to begin.
Discord squeezed Fluttershy’s hoof, heart pounding. It had been so long since he had last seen his love. This just had to work! He needed to see her as she used to be. He needed to feel her touch, to hear her sweet, sweet voice. If he didn’t get her back...
The cockatrice began the reversal. Dull gray stone gave way to a blindingly white, pristine coat. Her mane was even brighter, proving to be a purely luminous mass of white energy, tinged with gold on the outside. Her cutie mark was a little more bearable to look at, but still consisted of blazing oranges and sunny yellows. It was no wonder where she got her name from. Even once she appeared to be fully restored, it took a few more seconds for her to regain movement. Then, all she could do was collapse into Discord’s open arms. Smoky Topaz rushed forward with a blanket between her teeth.
“Keep this over her eyes,” she directed, draping it across the mare’s head. “Radiance has been blind for centuries. Overwhelming her with too much light or sound all at once may come as a shock.” Discord just nodded, and ducked under it with her.
“Better not show her to a mirror, then,” Shift quietly jibed, pointing to her illuminated mane. Both he and Fink got a chuckle out of that.
“Radiance?” Discord stroked the alicorn’s cheek. It took a moment for her golden-orange eyes to flutter open, and even then she barely made out the form in front of her.
“Discord?” she quietly wheezed. “Is that you?”
“Yes! Yes! It’s me,” he cradled her.
“Shh! Too much noise!” Smoky scolded.
“Who is that? Where am I? What happened?” She struggled to sit up and brush the blanket away.
“Shh, be still,” Discord commanded, propping her up more comfortably in his arms. “You’re safe, and surrounded by friends. Radiance, do you remember anything of what happened to you?” Radiance fell silent as she sifted through her memories.
“I was in the woods, heading home to meet you- you had said that you wanted to speak that evening. I ran across a strange destral on the way; he wanted me to go with him. He struck me as suspicious, so I refused and fearing that the revolutionaries had sent him, left to warn Tia and Luna. I remember a rustling in the trees, and running, but nothing else.”
“So you don’t remember what happened from there to now?” Discord heaved a sigh of relief. He knew from experience how agonizing an eternity in stone was, but being aware of what went on around you was even worse. At least she had been spared the pain. “Thank Celestia,” he buried his head in her mane. Again, Radiance tried to get up.
“Tia! Luna! Are they alright? Where are they?”
“They’re fine. They’re in a meeting,” he chuckled.
“A meeting? With whom? They aren’t supposed to have any outside contact until I am notified!” She finally managed to kick off the sheet, and blinked against the harsh light. Discord stretched his bat wing over her like a parasol. She attempted to register the strange faces around her, place her surroundings or make sense of anything that had transpired.
“Easy, now,” Topaz commanded.
“Who are you?” Radiance pressed close to Discord, the one constant she recognized.
“My name is Smoky Topaz,” the crystal pony bowed in greeting. “And this is Prince Charcoal Stormwood.”
“Hi,” Charcoal offered a goofy grin and tried to mimic Smoky’s bow. He still wasn’t used to being addressed as a prince.
“You are in the Everfree Palace,” she informed.
“The Everfree? But I was in the Frozen North. How did I get here?”
“You said that you remember speaking to a destral? Tell me, did he have an orange coat and red eyes?”
“And the cutie mark of a yellow flame engulfing two red gems that looked like eyes,” Radiance nodded. “You know him?”
“His name is Kindling Pyre. I believe he was there to abduct you that night, though for what purpose I am unsure. The rustling you remember was most likely his cockatrice- you were entrapped in stone for many years, Radiance.”
“A cockatrice attacked me?” she gasped. “How long was I petrified?”
“Over a thousand years, love.”
“A thousand years?! Then Tia and Luna... how is it that they are still alive? How are you still alive?”
“I was also imprisoned in stone, by Celestia and Luna with the Elements of Harmony. I... went through a bit of a dark phase after you disappeared. But then I found new friends, like Fluttershy here.” The pegasus nodded politely as she was addressed, and did her best to hide her jealousy by stroking the cockatrice.
“Elements of Harmony? I don’t understand,” she helplessly shook her head.
“It might be easier just for me to share my memories with you,” Discord offered. “But when you’re feeling stronger. That sort of magic can be a bit... disturbing.”
“No, I’m ready now,” she insisted. “I must learn what’s going on.” Discord looked to Topaz.
“Is it safe?” She shrugged.
“If she is feeling up to it, I don’t see how it could cause any harm.”
“Alright, then.” He held her head in his hands, and gently touched his forehead to hers. Her pupils constricted as loads of information was suddenly uploaded to her mind all at once. Discord did do her the courtesy, however, of filtering out the dark days of his imprisonment and finding the most relevant information.
“I... see...” she stumbled back, right into Charcoal, who caught her. She gazed upon him in a new light. “You are the son of the Seventh Element of Forgiveness.” It was more a statement than a question.
“Yep. And on the other side of the family, I’ve got the best fire dancer in Equestria.” Radiance sought out his father’s form.
“Which would be Torchwood,” she nodded to the thestral.
“It’s a pleasure, my lady,” he bowed as Topaz had, assuming it was custom from the time period they remembered.
“Fluttershy, you are the Element of Kindness.”
“That’s me.” Fluttershy’s heart skipped a beat when Radiance’s gaze flicked from her to Discord and back again. From Discord’s memories, Radiance had managed to deduct that the pegasus mare had feelings for her draconequus, even if Discord himself could not see it. Her expression remained impassive as she moved on to the others in the room.
“Fink and Shift? You were once changelings.”
“No more,” Fink agreed with a dip of his head.
“And you were once Chrysalis, queen of the changelings.”
“It was not one of my prouder moments,” Topaz regretfully admitted.
“And Princess Essence returned to power in the Everfree from imprisonment in one of Kindling’s orb devices; the same technology the two of you used to kidnap the Elements and Princesses.” Topaz’s ears flattened in shame.
“Yes.”
“I do not mean to offend- I merely want to understand what has transpired. That means that Celestia and Luna are safe now?”
“They’re greeting King Trident,” Charcoal put in.
“The hippocampus king, who has also recently returned to Equestria.”
“Right.” Radiance nodded.
“Then Celestia and Luna have both grown up.” She weakly smiled. “My only regret is that I did not get to be there to watch them blossom into the Princesses they are today.”
“Radiance?” Trident obviously had not kept this meeting as long as the first negotiations, for the whole party now returned to the throne room. Since Celestia and Luna were in the lead, they were the first to lay eyes on their old foal sitter. The glowing alicorn pivoted to face them, and her breath caught in her throat. Celestia and Luna had always been like sisters to her, now here they were.
“Tia? Luna?” She stumbled forward to meet them, her ragged walk soon increasing to a trot and then to a gallop. The princesses were also getting emotional as they met her halfway. “You grew up without me,” Radiance sadly giggled. “How could you?”
“We searched so long for you,” Celestia sniffed.
“We thought you were lost forever,” Luna embraced her tightly.
“I never meant to leave you. Believe me, I would have come back if I could, but I only just realized that I had been missing.”
“It is good to see you again, Radiance.”
“The same to your highnesses,” she knelt before them with tear-filled eyes. The royal sisters both returned the gesture.
“Aww,” Pinkie and Cheese blew into a hankie offered by the other.
“You may feel stiff or even a bit numb for the next few days- that is normal. It will take a while for the effects of the petrification to completely wear off,” Topaz interrupted.
“Thank you, Smoky Topaz,” Radiance nodded to the destral. “For everything.”
“That is Smoky Topaz? Formerly known as Chrysalis?!” Trident barged into the throne room. “WHY IS SHE NOT IMPOUNDED? SOMEPONY SIEZE HER!”
“No, wait!” Charcoal leapt out in front before his soldiers could act.
“Chrysalis does not exist any longer,” Essence spoke. “Smoky Topaz is my Chief of Research, and now Prince Stormwood’s mentor. She betrayed Kindling, and helped lead to his defeat. She is harmless.”
“Harmless?! She is the very foe my soldiers have fought to defeat! So long as she goes free, the hippocampi of Neighlantis shall have no dealings with you!” Trident furiously marched out. Current slithered forth.
“Forgive him, your majesty. He’ll come around.”
“And Equestria shall be open to him when he does,” Essence nodded understandingly.
“So, what will you do, now?” Acrylic asked her friend.
“Return to Tall Tale Beach, I suppose,” Current shrugged. “I have forged a new friendship with the land ponies. One in particular, by the name of Water Mark.”
“Water Mark?! You guys are getting along?” Acrylic’s jaw dropped.
“He has decided to leave the past in the past, and so have I.”
“Then congratulations to you both,” Acrylic offered a hug.
Charcoal’s ears perked up as a familiar sound met his ears. *Vworp! Vworp!*
“Hello! Delivery!” Time Turner waved from the TARDIS as a bunch of little fillies and colts darted out.
“Mama! Mama!” Lilac leapt into her mother’s arms.
“Lilac!”
“Chance! Ocean Mist!” Torchwood dashed to greet their niece and nephew.
“Petti!” Rarity outstretched her arms for their daughter.
“Thunder! There’s my little whirlwind!” Soarin’ braced for impact as the speedy filly zoomed up.
“Candy! Ya had us worried, sugarcube!”
“Brilliant! Happy endings for everyone! Well, except for that Kindling fellow. Oh well. Toodles! See you at the coronation!” Without another word, Time Turner slipped back off into his TARDIS.
“Wait!” Nopony but perhaps Ditzy had gotten the chance to even speak to him since the Elements and Princesses had been freed. Yet, they all watched in confusion and wonder as the TARDIS dematerialized, vanishing off to who-knows-where.
“Don’t ask,” Charcoal helplessly shrugged.
“Hey, what is going to happen to Kindling?” River Rush asked.
“Currently, Shining Armor and Flash Sentry are guarding him in the tower. He has been given a dose of his own anti-magic serum, and Shining Armor customized a new shield to contain him. They are trying to pry information from him.”
“When they finish, I have a snug little place for him in Tartarus,” Luna growled.
“Please, let me reason with him, first. He was once my student. Kindling may respond to me,” Essence requested.
“By ‘respond’, do you mean ‘attempt to assassinate’? Because I’m pretty sure that’s what would happen,” Rainbow ever-so-helpfully put in.
“I was blind once, and that one mistake has haunted me ever since- so much so that I have been too terrified to reenter that tower for a thousand years. Now I need to face my fears and my past. I am in no danger, but this is something I must do.”
“Your highness, I strongly advise against it,” Trender Hoof warned.
“I must concur with Trendy,” Rarity shivered. “There is no reasoning with a pony as mad as he.”
“I recognize your concern and I will take every precaution,” Essence assured, voice full of conviction. There would be no talking her out of it.
“Well, come on, you two. Let’s go find your mother,” Acrylic took Ocean Mist by the hoof and started leading her sister’s children out.
“And I’m going to go find my folks,” Pound declared.
“I’ll go with you,” Charcoal offered. “Unless you need me here?” he looked to his new mentor for permission. Topaz shook her head.
“No, go on. I promised to reverse Kindling’s damage and I might as well start here.” She then proceeded to begin clearing some of the mess left in the throne room.
“Well, Radiance, I’d say we have a lot to catch up on, except I’ve just shared you the last few decades of my life with you,” Discord grinned.
“That is alright, Discord” she shook her head. “I believe it would be best if I rested, anyway. A thousand years in stone has taken its toll on me.”
“Of course,” he nodded understandingly.
“Radiance,” Celestia stepped up. “You took care of Luna and I in our youth. If you would allow us to return the favor, a room will be waiting for you in the Canterlot Palace.”
“That would be lovely. Thank you, Princess.”
“I’ll take you,” Discord offered. Before she could protest, both the draconequus and alicorn vanished.
“Topaz? Would you like to show our new residents to their rooms?”
“Of course, your highness. This way.”
“We’ll see you later, Charcoal!” Winter called back as Hawk and River started leaving without him.
“We should leave too, Glitter. I’d like to see if our wagon is still where we left it.”
“Bye, Prince Charcoal,” Glitter grinned, waving back to the colt and following Trixie out.
“But-!” He could only watch his childhood crush leave as Topaz dragged him in the opposite direction. Essence waited for them all to file out before heading for the tower.
“Your highness!” Flash met Essence in the stairwell. “We’ve managed to deduct that Kindling kidnapped Radiance in hopes of encouraging Discord to wreak havoc on Equestria. He was going to use the diversion as a cover for his own army to advance, but his own troops turned on him before he got the chance.”
“That’s one more mystery solved,” she nodded. “Thank you, Flash Sentry. Now I require time alone with Kindling.”
“Your highness?!”
“You have your orders, soldier.” Flash though it best not to argue with Essence.
“Shining Armor and I will wait outside, then.” He retreated back upstairs to fetch the unicorn. Essence followed more slowly, and heard arguing from the other side of the door. Eventually, both stallions reluctantly reemerged.
“I’ll keep the shield up. Nothing can get in or out of it- but be careful, Princess, and don’t be too long. I don’t think the magic suppressant will remain in effect for much longer.”
“Thank you, Shining Armor. Dismissed.” The stallions moved aside for the princess to enter.
The magic of the shield illuminated the otherwise dark room. While the barrier was translucent, such a thick magical buffer was needed to contain him that it was hard to see inside. Still Essence made out the blurry, warped form of Kindling within. She didn’t need a clear view of his face to know he was glowering at her.
“Kindling Pyre,” she addressed. Surprisingly, her voice didn’t waver at all. “What has become of you? Once, you were a diligent student and a loyal member of my court. What changed? What drove you to this?”
“I found the truth,” Kindling rasped. “I finally realized what true power I wielded. Fire dancing and magic are power enough, but then I saw all that my research had accomplished, what potential it had! Destrals are the superior race, Essence. But through my research, I intended to elevate the rest of pony kind- to craft them in our image. I could give them new powers beyond belief! Chrysalis had come close in creating the changelings, with the ability to take on any form and hence that creature’s abilities. But they were just mindless drones, and amounted to nothing without their queen.
“I was going to improve them, Essence. They should be thanking me. Why do they fear the change? Why imprison me?”
“The ponies do not want your power, Kindling. They want to be individuals, not the war machines you tried to turn them into. They want peace.”
“There is no peace without war! I could have led them into the war to end al wars. Under my rule, I would better them, unite them so that no one was greater than another.”
“So long as none were as great as you,” Essence coldly finished.
“You could never wield power as great as I! Even uniting your own people is a task beyond your reach!” Essence scowled.
“Give up this fruitless dream of yours, Kindling. Such a world will never exist so long as the Elements remain. It is unnatural, unbalanced.”
“I will DESTROY the Elements, and then YOU!” He bashed against the barrier, doing little else than bruising himself.
“I had hoped things would not have to end this way, Kindling. But if you will not return to the castle or to me, then you shall spend the rest of your days in Tartarus.” She left the room with Kindling still screaming insults at her. Shining Armor and Flash were still waiting outside the door, as promised.
“I do not think we will get any more information from him. Find Princess Luna, one of you, and tell her to open the portal whenever she is ready. She will know what it means.”
“Yes, your highness,” Flash saluted and dutifully rushed off. Essence cast one pitiful glance back at her former student. Some souls just couldn’t be salvaged.