//------------------------------//
// The UGER is born 
// Story: The Final Wars of Equestria 
// by Final fantasy forever 
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THE FINAL WARS OF EQUESTRIA



CHAPTER 2 THE UGER IS BORN




Twilight awoke inside a cold room. She lifted herself off the marble floor and wandered aimlessly trying to find a way out. The place would have looked beautiful if it wasn’t in shambles.  A large crystal chandelier lay broken on the floor, the stained glass windows around the rotunda were all shattered. She looked out the empty window frames and saw an entire destroyed city. She wondered how many ponies had lost their lives to whatever had happened? She saw what appeared to be statues of ponies but when she approached them she realized they weren’t made of stone but of ash -- these were bodies of ponies completely fried and turned to ash yet somehow they kept their form.  Twilight felt uneasy but that was later turned to fear when she heard a loud demonic screech. She began panting heavily and ran down the corridor in front of her. After about 5 minutes of running she stopped to catch her breath. She took the time to ask the question, “What happened here?” Her train of thought was cut off when she heard sobbing coming from somewhere in the building. “Hello, Hello, hello,” she cried as she rushed towards the source. She felt if anypony was alive she had to find them. After about 3 minutes she reached another rotunda and found a small colt crying over a dead body. The colt and the body were both wearing identical green robes. 
“WHY, WHY,” the colt cried, “sniff WHY DID THIS HAPPEN? HOW?” Twilight approached the colt. He noticed her and ran to embrace her. He latched onto her legs and she threw her hooves around him. He sobbed and cried into her mane and asked once more, “HOW, HOW COULD THE GODS DO THIS?” 
A familiar voice answered him. “The gods had nothing to do with this.” Twilight turned around to see Peryite right behind them. She began to back away but he pursued her. As he did he grabbed the white colt and moved him aside, whispering to him in a calm voice, “Move along little one. You have a long day ahead of you. Believe me, I know”.  As Twilight continued backing up leaving the colt to the mercy of Peryite she noticed that Peryite, the colt, and the dead body all wore the same robes -- identical to the last stitch. He eventually caught her and pushed her to the ground. Holding her down with his front right hoof he kneeled down to her level. He grabbed Twilight’s head and pulled it close.       
“DREAMSTRIDER. So you too have fallen victim to the Dreamstirde effect.  It’s the only way you could be here in the realm of unconsciousness. Imagine coming here every day, nyit, almost every time you sleep. Soon you will succumb to schizophrenia and madness. But it doesn’t have to end this way. It’s too late for me; you on the other hand…” He was cut off by the room beginning to deteriorate. “Look it’s all fading away. Your eyes are opening.” He pulled her head close and whispered in her ear, “I’ll see you soon in the waking world.”    




Twilight moaned and grunted in her sleep. She was still unconscious from her fight with Peryite. She slowly opened her eyes and sat up. She rubbed her head and realized that Spike was sitting next to her, asleep and holding her right hoof. “Spike, Spike,” Twilight nudged the baby Dragon until he awoke. 
“What? Huh, Twilight? Twilight!” he said in shock, “you’re awake!” 
“Yeah. Good morning Spike. Ow, my head,” Twilight replied. 
As they continued speaking the rest of Twilight's friends, as well as Shining Armor and Cadence, rushed into the room.  “Twilight, Twilight,” they all shouted with excitement and joy. 
Pinkie Pie wrapped her hooves around Twilight and burst into tears. “Oh Twilight, she cried, “we were beginning to think you wouldn't wake up.” 
“Girls, girls I'm fine,” Twilight reassured. What are you all so worried about? 
“You dear,” Rarity replied.  “Speaking of which, how are you?” 
“I'm fine,” Twilight replied. “Well aside from this headache, at least, and I had another one of those nightmares,” she continued. “Well two, really.  One was in some destroyed city. There was a little white colt and that Thing was there. He didn’t hurt me but it felt so real. The second time that Thing was in Canterlot during the celebration and he and those soldiers in green killed Princess Celestia and Luna; even Discord. I fought against him to try and save you girls. I failed but he didn't but he didn't kill me and he...”
She paused when she saw the faces of her friends. “Twilight,” Applejack spoke, struggling to find the words. She couldn't look Twilight in the eye. She stared at the floor with her hat shrouding her face. The color drained from Twilight’s face. 
“No … no dear Celestia, no.” Twilight began sobbing uncontrollably as she tried to come to the reality that her mentor, the pony whom she owed so much to, was dead along with Luna and Discord. “How,” she sobbed, “how does something like this happen?” 
“I don’t know, Sugar Cube,” Applejack managed, fighting back tears. 
“Where’s Peryite?” Twilight asked, wiping tears from her eyes. 
“Who,” her friends asked. 
“The pony that did this!” she wailed. 
“You mean that horrible beast?” Rarity questioned. 
“Yes,” Twilight replied. 
“How do you know his name, Twi’?” Rainbow dash questioned. 
“They referred to him as king Peryite in my dream so I assume that’s his name.”  
Shining armor interrupted the conversation between the two. “Twili’, to answer your question, we’ve been searching all around Equestria for him but we haven’t found even a trace.” 
“Then he’s getting away with what he did just like that?” Twilight asked. 
“No,” her brother replied, “we will find him he will be made to pay.” 
“What was he exactly, anyway?” Rainbow Dash asked. 
“I have no idea,” Twilight replied, “but...”   She paused and looked at Cadence. “Cadence, you look like you have something on your mind?” Twilight asked, quite concerned. 
“I have an idea of what that thing was,” she replied. 
This caught the attention of everyone in the room. “What?” they all shouted in unison.
“I can’t say for certain,” Cadence added, “but I’m fairly confident that thing was a lampire.” 
“A what?” Rainbow dash questioned. “You mean a vampire?” 
“If only,” Cadence replied.  “Lampires were crossbred beings of ponies, bats, and lamprey eels. They were beings of pestilence, poisons and parasitism. In ancient times they clashed with the Alicorns and the rest of civilization. When they attacked villages they would first spread disease, then they would infest crops with weevils, locusts and other grain and plant eating parasites. Then, once disease and hunger spread, they would attack, killing those who resisted and keeping the rest as cattle to feed their blood lust.” 
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on,” Rainbow dash interrupted. “If there are hordes of these demons living around Equestria why aren’t we doing something about them?” 
“Because we all thought they were extinct,” Cadence protested. “The Alicorns hunted them down and destroyed their main stronghold, Adal Matar, and destroyed the remaining cells. After that any remnants of them were hunted down either by royal guards, or at the time there was a group of mercenaries for ponies who were seeking revenge for whatever reason on those abominations of nature.” 
Twilight interrupted the two of them. “Cadence how do you know all this?” 
“I read it in the old Crystal Empire archives. They kept documents about the purges on those things. Two intriguing things I found in there were an ability they had to change their voices to any pitch, tone, region, of even gender that they please. And the other was entities they worshiped.” 
“What were they?” Twilight asked.  
“One was the god of order, balance, and purpose.”  
“Why would they worship the god of order?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“Because he is also the god of poisons, pestilence, and parasitism. An interesting thing I read about that god was that he was called the god of flesh.” 
“God of flesh,” Twilight remarked. 
“He was called that because by tradition the malefic gods would take a mortal pony and make him a sub-god. He could live indefinitely unless he was slain in battle. It’s kind of sad really for some poor soul to have their complete life taken away to be a demon. It does make sense that he would want Princess Celestia dead. She is, after all, the spirit of the sun, one of the main things lampires feared. It also makes sense why he would choose to attack in the night. What I question is why he killed Princess Luna.” 
“Why?” Twilight asked. 
“Because they worshiped her as well.” 
“What?” they all shouted. 
“They worshiped her as the Princess of the Night and considered her a guardian who gave them sanctuary. They even went as far as to call her the Night Mother. Perhaps he killed her because she got in the way.” 
“Or maybe he’s just a murderous heathen,” Rainbow dash protested. 
“I would have to say you’re wrong,” Cadence replied. “For whatever reason, he spared Twilight.” 
“He said it was because he thought I might help the union later if he spared me.”
“Well, I think he’s gonna be mighty disappointed,” Applejack added. “Right Twilight?”
There was silence.
“Uhh, Twilight?” 
Twilight was at loss for words until she blurted out, “I don’t know. I just don’t know. He killed Princess Celestia and Luna and Discord and while I tried avenge them and kill him for it…” She paused. You saw what he’s capable of. He could’ve killed me, and all of you so if he lets you live I’ll do what he wants.” 
“Twilight, calm down.  He can’t hurt you or any of us. Don’t worry,” Applejack assured her. 
“Of course he can. He killed Princess Celestia and Luna as well as Discord and 36 guards in Canterlot during the Royal holiday. Nopony is safe.” 
“Twilight,” Cadence interrupted, “we are taking extra precautions. He won’t be able to do that again. I promise you he won’t harm you.” 
Twilight calmed herself down before replying, “Very well, but what’s going to happen to Equestria with the princesses gone?” 
“That’s another thing I wanted to mention, Twilight,” Cadence continued. “With them gone and me ruling the crystal Empire you are the only Alicorn who can take the throne.”
Twilight’s eyes widened at this. “What? You want me to take the throne? You want me to rule Equestria!?!” 
“I know this is very sudden and I’m sorry, but the Equestrian citizens need some pony to lead and it has to be you.” 
Twilight was at a loss for words. “I…I…”
She was interrupted by Applejack. “Twilight, we knew you were going to have to lead Equestria so just know we’re here for you,” she reassured. 
“She’s right, dear,” Rarity added. “I even went to the trouble of tailoring you these robes.” She presented Twilight a red coronation robe. It was long and silky. It was trimmed with fur and had a yellow sash around it. Linking the two shoulders was a golden chain of circles and crosses with real gold and rubies as well as gold ribbons on each shoulder. The base of the robe was cottony white and puffed with black stripes segmenting each piece, and just above that were gold embroideries. There were golden strands with tassels at their ends. It even came with an amulet. Its back was embroidered with her cutie mark. 
“It’s beautiful Rarity,” Twilight said, “but don’t you think it’s a bit much?” 
“Nonsense, dear. You’re the leader of the nation now. You’re going to have to look serious when you give your speech.”
“Speech?” Twilight wailed out, quite concerned. 
“Yes, Twilight,” Cadence added.  The ponies of Equestria have been quite on edge about this whole situation and we need some pony to remind them that it’s all right. 
“How is this all right?” Twilight wailed. “The princesses are dead!” 
“Yes, but we must restore order, else there will be hell to pay.” 
“She’s right, Twili’,” Shining Armor chimed in. 
Twilight was at a loss for words. “Very well,” she finally submitted. “I suppose I should do this now.” 
“That would be wise,” Shining Armor added. “We need to restore order as soon as possible.” 
Twilight put on her new robes and with her friends as well as brother and sister-in-law walked to the same podium she was at not three nights ago. On her way there she thought three nights ago her life looked like it was doing pretty well. Now look at it.



Twilight stood at the podium with her friends beneath her on a lower level. She stared out into the vast crowd of ponies, cleared her throat, and began to speak. “Citizens of Equestria, I am humbled that you have accepted me to lead you in these dark times. I promise you I will not disappoint.” 
The masses talked amongst themselves before one colt questioned Twilight, “Your Highness, what was that thing that killed our princesses?” 
“We are not sure of the being’s identity.” 
Another one quickly added, “Have you found where he is?” 
“We are unsure of his location,” Twilight replied, “but we assure you everything is being done to bring him to justice! We have our allies being ever watchful and the Royal Army has been deployed to find him. We will not rest until this heathenish traitor is made to answer for his crimes and…”
She was cut off by a horrifyingly familiar voice. “Really now, is that so, dearest Twilight?  You’ve already called upon the Royal Army and allies in other nations just to find little old me? Well, I suppose you can call them all back now. You found me.”  
King Peryite slowly descended onto the balcony to the right of Twilight. “Salutations, Your Highness,” Peryite said slyly. “I see you’re looking quite healthy. Did you recover from our ‘little rumble’? I can see the sleep in your eyes. You just woke up, didn’t you? When I said you earned a rest I didn’t mean that long of one.” 
Twilight was paralyzed. She couldn’t move or speak. The mere presence of this pony chilled her to the bone. 
Shining Armor interrupted their conversation. “Guards, seize him at once.” Royal guards began storming the right balcony and attempted to detain Peryite and his elite guard. When they drew close Peryite channeled his magic to his hooves and released a shockwave and the 50 or so guards were sent flying. 
The few that remained got to their hooves and attempted once more until Peryite reached into his robes and pulled out an official badge of office. “Enough!” he shouted. 
“As a member of the Royal Lifeguard I out rank all of you and I order you to STAND DOWN.” 
“WHAT!!!” Every pony shouted in unison. 
“Check my badge of office then.” One of the guards hesitantly approached the lampire and took the badge from him. He examined it closely before stuttering, “I…I…It’s real. He’s a member of the inner circle of the Celestian Lifeguard.” 
“This is madness!” Shining armor shouted. 
“I find it as hard to believe as you Captain, but it’s true,” the guard replied. 
“Shining Armor hesitated before shouting, “SO WHAT? He murdered Princess Celestia and Luna. As far as I care this makes him even worse of a traitor. 
Peryite interrupted the conversation between them. “What they do you mean Captain? Princess Celestia and Luna are not dead.” 
At hearing this Twilight snapped back into reality from her trance of fear and shouted, “What do you mean not dead? I saw you, my friends saw you, my brother saw you, the whole kingdom of Canterlot saw you. You killed them all!” 
“Interesting, my dear,” Peryite said slyly. “Then answer me this: how have the sun and the moon been rising and setting for the past three days and nights, hmm?” 
Twilight was stunned. She knew the mere fact that the sun had risen was proof that her mentor was still alive. “B…b… But how I saw you kill them,” Twilight stuttered. 
“Correction: you saw me destroy their bodies. You also saw me store their souls in gatherer’s lanterns. Their bodies have been completely remade, flawlessly might I add, and their souls accepted the new host bodies. They are all alive and quite healthy and being treated as esteemed guests of honor in my Palace. So while we’re still on this note I have committed no murder and I have not betrayed any pony. You can have me arrested, I suppose. You could call for a court-martial but might I remind you, Shining Armor and Twilight, the only pony who could call for an immediate arrest and incarceration would be Princess Celestia and she appears to be absent,” he snickered. “For you it would take one day for the order to even be filed and four days of court, then five days minimum for a verdict to be reached. So for the rest of the day I’m free to do what I see fit, even leave Canterlot. So, checkmate, and I will say once more I order you to stand down. The Royal Guards backed off. 
“Excellent, Peryite said slyly. “No doubt many of you have wondered why I’m here. Well, my fellow ponies, I am here to liberate. I am here to spread the word and reveal to you the tyrant that has been hiding in plain sight and to dispel the illusion to the empire that has been ruling your lives.” 
The masses talked amongst themselves before Peryite calmed them down and spoke. “But before I begin I’d like to get into a position better to make a speech.” He then turned to Twilight. “I hope you don’t mind moving over so I may speak, Princess.” And with those words he spread his wings and took flight to the middle balcony. 
As he approached Twilight she began to creep back in fear until she began to fall over the railing. “Twilight!” her friends shouted. 
She was about to begin her descent to the ground when Peryite zipped at blinding speed and caught her around the waist and neck. He pulled her back up, staring right into the lavender mare’s eyes putting, his face inches from hers. He told her in a calm and sweet but still terrifying voice, “Twilight you really should be more careful. It would be a shame if this were to end in tears. Don’t be afraid of me. Let me help you and the rest of Equestria. While I’m at it, I think we can both benefit from each other. We may even call each other allies in the end. Or I might even make a bolder claim that we could call each other friend.” 
Twilight was frozen with fear. She felt like crying but she didn’t want to show weakness if this pony was trying for a political end. She held back tears and hid her fear and calmly spoke. “Thank you. Now would you kindly let go of me?” 
“You see, my dear, we can be civil, of course, and thank you for your kindness in return. I know this form scares you so maybe I should take one that you are more…” he paused and cleared his throat and began to speak with a very familiar Netherlands voice, “… comfortable with.” As he did his lamprey eels became paper thin and wrapped around him. He then threw off his robes and his guards passed him a worker’s uniform and a pair of deep blue contact lenses. With those final adjustments he became the spitting image of Lenin Fitzroy. And with that Twilight stepped down from the podium and let Peryite speak.



“Citizens of Canterlot, my name is Peryite, esteemed leader of the Union of Global Equestrian Republics, God of order balance and purpose as well as poisons pestilence and parasitism.” The whole crowd gasped, as well as Twilight and friends. “This alias however is called Lenin Fitzroy. Through it I have spread the word to all the proletariats suffering. But we are all slaves, my comrades, we must all fight to insure an equal and prosperous future. I have spread the good word to the poor but I realize I must share it with you too for we need every pony to contribute to our glorious revolution. And that is why I am here, my comrades, to show you what your true place in this society is and what your place will be in our glorious Global Union. There is no doubt in my heart that you have many questions and much hate for me but I assure you the UGER and I are here only for your benefit.
One of the Colts from the crowd spoke up. “Then why did you kill our Princess?!”
“Because Celestia betrayed all of you. She has been lying and ruling our lives in such a way that we have been oblivious to it for the past thousand years.” 
“What!?” the masses shouted. 
“For generations no pony has had true freedom you have all been victimized by Celestian tyranny. All the decisions you have made have been pre destined by this horrid leader of yours. She has manipulated your every decision.” 
The crowd talked amongst themselves before one pony shouted, “What proof do you have or do you just expect us to take your word for it?” 
Why comrade, the proof is there amongst all of you branded on each and every one of your flanks! Indeed even your Cutie marks are just sad reminders of the freedom you have never enjoyed. Don’t believe me? Then who gave you those cutie marks, hmm? Do you have any history of them before Celestia’s reign? Do you have any history prior to the overthrow of Discord? Sure, she may have dressed it up with pretty words, ‘Its your destiny, it’s the role you were meant to play.’ Rubbish, all of it. Citizens of Canterlot, your tyrant is gone you have never been so close to freedom. You need only to reach out and grab it and it will be yours and together we shall live on in a new and glorious nation.” 



At contemplating all this, the crowd was now in an uproar and putting it all on Twilight. “Well what do you have to say, princess? You lied to us,” they shouted in anger.   Answer us, we want our freedom they shouted.” 
Twilight was in a panic. “Citizens of Canterlot please calm down. Do not believe these lies.” 
Peryite chuckled and turned to Twilight who was now right in back of him. He placed his hoof under her chin and pulled her face close to his and spoke in his normal voice. “Well I bucked at the hornet’s nest Twilight. Let’s see if you’re princess enough to calm them down.” He them rubbed his nose against Twilights giving her an Eskimos kiss. At this, Twilight pushed him off and began blushing. Peryite chuckled and flew about 15 or so feet away and hovered in place with his hind legs crossed.  

Twilight began a counter speech. “Um citizens,…”  There was no response. Twilight cleared her throat and dispersed a large blast of magic. The loud boom stunned and silenced the masses. It shocked everyone but none were more shocked than her friends and Peryite (who was impressed by her initiative). 
“ENOUGH!” she wailed to the masses. They all stood at attention. “I know a lot of what he says may sound true and some of it might even be true but hear me out. It’s not as horrible as it might sound. Tell me, have your lives truly been miserable?” 
“No,” they responded. 
“Have you ever felt that you were slaves?” 
“No,” they replied. 
“Just 30 minutes ago would you have said that you proudly serve princess Celestia?”   
“Yes,” they said. 
“And at any point did you feel abused?” 
“No,” they said once more. 
“Then why?” Twilight asked.  “Why only now do you harbor such hate for the royal family? Is it because one pony who you have never met before today points his hoof at them and puts all his hate on them? You knew our history already and that of Cutie marks. Yes you may not get much choice in it but it is your place in society and can you truly say you are unhappy where you are right now? Because if so, then do what will make you happy because you have the right to a good life.”
The masses conversed once again until some pony asked, “What if I want to be a carpenter?” 
“Make a house and if the roof stops rain and the walls hold back wind then be my guest,” Twilight responded. 
“What if I want to be a doctor?” another asked. 
“If you can care for some pony or in more serious cases perform proper surgery then go saves lives.” 
One more spoke out, “What if I want to be a diplomat? 
“If you have a sharp tongue, practice honeyed words and watch what you say then go right ahead.” 
At this the crowd cheered and Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. Peryite was stupefied by what he just witnessed. He glided down to Twilight. “How…When…Where did you learn to make speeches like that?” 
“I learned from the best, ‘Lenin’. Thanks, by the way.” 
A look of fury found its way onto Peryite’s face. Twilight smiled and said, “Don’t be that way, Perry.  What happened to being civil to each other?” 
The look of fury was replaced by an appalled look. “Did you just call me Perry? You will regret this, Twilight, that I promise you!” 
“What are you going to do?” Twilight asked.  “Kill me? You can’t kill me here. They would know you and your union are just a bunch of murderers. Your revolution would be over before it even began.” 
“I might not be able to kill you, but know this: I will see everyone in your gods damn family burn. Then I’ll do the same to your wretched friends and all of their families. I’m gonna rip them apart limb by limb and brat by brat.” 
At hearing this Twilight’s sly behavior was replaced by a white-hot hate. She grabbed Peryite by the collar of his robes and aggressively shook him. She spoke quietly and soft but her expression was harsh. “DON’T YOU DARE TOUCH THEM DO YOU HEAR ME!!!” She began panting from her intense anger. “And don’t worry,” she added, “about what you said earlier. I am not afraid of you.” 
Peryite was frozen in place he wasn’t afraid of Twilight but was shocked at how aggressive she could be. He expected her to be so scared she would comply like a good little filly but she was as defiant as… well as he was. He ended his train of thought and focused at the situation at hand. There had to be a way to win this. If he failed here even if the Royal army fired the first shot in war the world would view the UGER as nothing more than rebels. Even if they won he could never achieve global unity and with it global regulated enterprise. If that were to happen the only way to make a larger point would be to kill Twilight (a card he was deathly afraid to play) and declare war and if he did that, even though Equestria would be leaderless when the revolution came (if it came) the world would rise in Equestria’s defense. It would all be for nothing. He wanted to do this without war but to do that he needed Twilight alive and willing to comply. He thought she would be scared into submission (but she seemed unfazed) or that she would want to protect her loved ones when threatened but that only seemed to make her angrier and more defiant. 
THINK, he told himself, there must be some way to show them that the crown cannot be trusted. He gazed around and focused on a group of ponies arguing with royal guards. Not all of them were satisfied with Twilight. A little less than 10% of the masses were quarreling, “a powder keg ready to be set off with a single spark.” 
Peryite smiled and said to Twilight, “I didn’t want to resort to this, but…”  He looked to one of his guards and said “It’s for the greater good.” The guard nodded and left. Peryite pushed Twilight away. They conversed a little more until Peryite saw Cadence and lost his train of thought. He remembered her from the celebration but he had a funny feeling about her. He knew he had met her somewhere else before. As he thought about it he began feeling nauseous and got a headache. It then escalated to where he began having schizophrenic hallucinations, seeing disturbing images of his old father figure and mother die in the Calamity from his childhood. Peryite shut his eyes and began repeating, “NYET NYET POZHALUYSTA ETO OSTANOVIT’!!!! He began panting heavily. Twilight asked him, “Are you alright,” more out of curiosity than concern. Peryite opened his eyes to meet hers and she instantly felt terrified. He had taken off his contacts. From even a short distance everything would have looked in place (for a lampire at least). She looked into his eyes and felt chills run down her spine. She saw nothing. His eyes were still red but they weren’t the blood red they usually were; they were a rusty red like newly dried blood. His pupils were also nowhere to be found and they looked, well, dead. He stared at Twilight with his expressionless, emotionless face; and cocked his head slightly to his right as if trying to comprehend Twilight. He approached her and began speaking in his native language to her. She couldn’t understand him but what she heard was this: 


“The zherebets v temno manipuliruyet on manipuliruyet vsem nam kak peshki na shakhmatony doske. My yego instrumenty.”


Twilight was too scared to even try to comprehend what he was trying to say (even if she could focus or understand he talked so fast it probably wouldn’t matter). Suddenly Peryite held his front hooves on his head as if he a headache. He clenched his eyes shut once more. When he opened them they were deep blue. He looked at Twilight with great fear and concern. He spoke once more but this time she understood completely. He only spoke three words: “Please save them”. Once more he shut his eyes and when he opened them his eyes were flickering rapidly from deep red to rusty to blue. He then shut his eyes once more before opening them one last time to reveal his natural red eyes. He smiled at Twilight with his toothy fanged grin. (It would have made her feel uneasy but after what she just witnessed she was almost relieved to see he was back to normal.) 
“Well, it’s good to see you’re alright,” Twilight said somewhat sarcastically. 
“Trust me, Twilight, you won’t be thinking that for long,” he said slyly. As if on cue, screams of terror erupted from the masses below. Twilight looked down in shock Peryite did as well (but not in shock). 
A unicorn mare was holding a dead and bleeding out unicorn stallion. The mare was shouting to some of nearby royal guards. YOU BASTARDS YOU KILLED HIM. 
At hearing this, the crowd turned their attention and their happiness was turned to  hate. They began shouting at the guards as well. “You murderers, how could you? We’ll have your heads.” 
The Royal Guards were in a state of fear and panic. They were unimaginably outnumbered by the masses. “Citizens please, this was not our doing, please…”  
They were cut off by the citizens. “You liars! You murderers!” they shouted. 
At this point some of the populace began trying to take the spears from the guards and in the chaos and fright the guard leader gave the order to attack. The guards did so and killed five more citizens. They did so in self-defense and in fear but this action would forever change the fate of Equestria. At this appalling sight the masses trampled and beat the guards, taking their weapons and ruthlessly stabbing them until they were a bleeding mess. 
Twilight was terrified at what she was seeing she began to speak but was cut off by Peryite. “Citizens of Equestria, do you now see why the Union exists? To keep you safe from these murderous heathens. We fight for YOU but we must see that you are willing to fight for YOURSELVES. You would raise up arms to defend your home and your families.   WELL EQUESTRIA IS YOUR HOME, WE ARE YOUR FAMILY. WILL YOU NOT RAISE UP ARMS FOR US? JOIN THE UNION, JOIN THE FAMILY OF OUR GLORIOUS GLOBAL EQUESTRIAN REBUBLICS AND TOGEATHER WE WILL BUILD A BETTER EQUESTRIA, A BETTER WORLD, A BETTER FUTURE REJOICE MY COMRADES REJOICE, FOR OUR DAY OF LIBERATION HAS ARIVED AND WITH IT THE DAY OF RECKONING FOR THE EQUESTRIAN CROWN. LET NOTHING STAND IN YOUR WAY. FOR LIBERTY, FOR EQUALITY, FOR EQUESTRIA URA!!!!!” At hearing this, the masses began fighting a very one-sided battle with the guards who almost immediately retreated to the palace. Those who stayed were killed almost instantly. Once they were done the mob began to storm the palace. 
Shining Armor put up his barrier spell around the castle to keep out the populace. “Twilight, I’m not sure how long that will hold them,” he said. 
“I’ll think of something. Don’t worry for now. Get the guards to aid you.” Twilight spoke calmly but was really terrified. 
Peryite chuckled and said, “I hope you know that for me and my guards to get out of here I need to destroy that barrier.” 
Twilight looked at him with a look of intense hostility and yelled, “YOU DID THIS DIDN’T YOU! YOU FRAMED THOSE GUARDS.” 
Peryite scoffed and said, “Twilight I’m hurt you would accuse me of such a heinous thing. If that’s how you’re going to treat me I will take my leave. Alright boys lets raise the roof, or barrier,” he corrected himself. His horn began to glow in preparation for a spell. Twilight couldn’t think but her body acted as she leapt at Peryite tackling him to the ground and interrupting his spell. Peryite’s guards raised their rifles with bayonets and prepared to stab Twilight. 
“WAIT,” Peryite yelled. He spoke to Twilight in a sly tone. “Twilight dear you might be the one holding me down but I doubt this is as comfortable to you as it is to me.” 
Twilight began to blush but she was determined not to let him get to her. “Please,” she pleaded. “Please, you must know some way to stop them.”  She could hardly believe that she was begging him for help. 
“Maybe,” Peryite replied slyly, “but why should I help you?” 
“Because you’re not a monster. You spared my life before. Please,” she repeated.  
“Peryite sighed, “Very well. Can’t you just use the mass pacify spell?” 
“The what?” Twilight asked. 
“Really?” Peryite responded. “Celestia never taught you that?  It was one of the first illusion spells she taught me. I suppose I can thank her for my nasty if not mischievous little habit of mind manipulation. Here,” he said handing Twilight a phial of liquid. 
“What’s this?” Twilight asked. 
“A key,” Peryite replied. 
“A key? Twilight said. It looks more like a phial of limeade. How is this a key? 
“It’s a key damn it. Go to the palace library. There should be a podium attached to the wall with a book labeled ‘A Study of Magic and its Miracles and Tragedies’. Push down on the podium and it should open a panel in the wall. Follow the path until you reach a door with a water basin in front of it. Pour the liquid into the basin and it will open. Then go to the illusion spells and find the mass pacify spell. (I hope you can learn it quickly).” 
“Wait,” Twilight wailed. 
Peryite interrupted her. FOR THE SAKE OF THE GODS, Twilight, you’re right on top of me. I can hear you, and while we’re on that note would you kindly get off me?” 
Twilight did as she was asked. Peryite rose from the ground. “Thank you.  Now what did you want?” 
“Please,” Twilight repeated, “Show me where this is.” 
Peryite sighed. “Oh for Mother’s sake. Fine. Just be glad there’s reason for me to keep you alive, girl. Besides, it’s been quite some time since I toured the Royal palace. It might be like trying it for the first time again, though it won’t be the same without Mother Celestia.” 
Twilight paused. “What did you call her?” 
“NEVER YOU DAMN MIND WHAT I CALLED HER,” Peryite snapped. “Keep out of business that isn’t yours!!!” 
“Alright, alright,” Twilight said. Let’s go. 
“Let me go with you, Twili’,” Shining armor insisted. 
“No,” Twilight snapped. You need to stay here and make sure the barrier doesn’t fall.   
“We shall accompany you, Your Majesty,” Peryite’s guards added. 
“Nonsense,” he replied.  “I’ll be fine.” 
“But my liege…” 
“But nothing. I can handle myself, especially if my only threat is this fiery little lass.”
“Very well. Stay safe my liege.” The guards bowed to him and he and Twilight began their walk to the palace library.




They didn’t speak for about 5 minutes until Twilight broke the ice. “Why?” 
“Why?” Peryite asked. 
“Why did you do this?” 
“Because nopony else will,” Peryite answered. 
“Will what? Kill the innocent?” Twilight retaliated. 
“No,” he replied, “fight for Equestria.” 
“And this has no personal gain for you whatsoever?” 
Peryite stopped walking and sighed. “Twilight.” 
“Y…yes she answered?” 
“I don’t like what I am doing.” 
“You have a strange way of showing it.” 
“I must be passionate about it. It’s what gives courage and inspiration to my subjects. But believe you me, Twilight, I would love not to care.  I would love to spend my life in my palace eating (or drinking) pierogi and borscht, but as I’ve learned filly luck is the biggest svoloch in the multi verse -- at least to me.  I know for a fact she’s been kind to you.”   
“Really?” Twilight responded in a sarcastic tone.  “I wouldn’t consider myself very lucky being a princess in a time like this.” 
“Well, you are lucky,” Peryite snapped. “The only ponies you can blame for this are me for starting this revolution and yourself for not submitting to it. I gave you a chance and am still giving you one,” he continued.  “Just let me help you, please.” 
“And if you were in my position would you submit?” she questioned.  
Peryite paused. “You have no idea, no idea how long I have been waiting for some pony to come to me and tell me, ‘Don’t worry. It’s none of your concern.  Let me take your burdens from you.  Go live your life.’ I am giving you the chance I never had, Twilight,” he continued, “the chance to be free from responsibility. Being a leader and a god is a curse damn it.  So many abuse its power. The only ones happy with it are tyrants, but for those who care it’s a curse. IT’S A BUCKING CURSE.” 
Twilight was a bit nervous listening to all this.  “P…Peryite,” she stuttered.  
“I…I’m sorry,” he apologized, “but the point is I don’t hate you, Twilight.  I love you just as much as I love any other of my subjects.  I don’t want you to suffer but I can’t sacrifice the lives of thousands of my children for one rebellious daughter, so please don’t make me kill you.  I hate this situation just as much if not more than you.  
Twilight was unsure how to feel about Peryite.  He seemed like a heartless monster at first but now it sounded like he was out to save the world. (That couldn’t be true though, could it?)  She felt so conflicted and wasn’t sure what to say but she felt she had to keep this conversation going.  He might tell her something important by mistake.  She couldn’t find a good question so in a desperate attempt she blurted out, “WHAT WOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT ME?” 
“I beg your pardon?” 
“You spoke like you knew so much about me because filly luck smiled upon me.  What do you know about me other than I’m the element of magic and a princess?” 
Peryite smiled.  “Well, I know that when you were just starting to get important you believed friendship was a waste of time until its power saved Equestria from Nightmare Moon.”  He said “power” in a sarcastic tone.  “I also know that you have had your own conflicts with your friends proving that friendship is bittersweet.  It was your magic that gave life to your little pet spike when he was an egg, which even if you don’t realize it effectively makes you his mother, and you wanted to help him find his family. During your early filly hood you idolized your older brother who, might I add, is pathetic compared to you.  He was not your only companion, he was your BBBFF, wasn’t he?  
Twilight was stunned.  “H…h…how did you know all that?” 
“I know a lot of things. I reviewed you and your friends’ pasts.  For instance Rainbow Dash is a flight school dropout.  Fluttershy might be spineless but when it came to defending you from a dragon she had courage that would make any solider envious. Pinkie Pie’s deepest fear ever since her birthday was losing you all.  The robes Rarity made you bear a striking similarity to the robes of the king of my old homeland, my late Tsar of the Tazal bloodline.  Coincidental?  Probably not.  Constants and variables of transdimensional travel, I guess.” 
Twilight was completely lost. “What, old homeland, Tsar? Tazal bloodline? Constants and variables?” 
“QUIET,” Peryite snapped.  “I’m not through.  And finally Applejack…”  He paused.  “Well, that one is a bit personal and I know she hasn’t told you about it so I’ll keep it to myself, I guess I am done.” 
Twilight asked, “How do you know all of this?” 
“I reviewed your lives since birth.  I looked at all your adventures and learned from them – all except the Canterlot wedding and your times in the Crystal Empire.  I always got headaches when I watched those.” 
Twilight felt a little disturbed that she was spied on but she kept her cool and continued, “Well, since you know so much about me, what’s your story?  Tell me about yourself.” 
Peryite paused before replying, “Ask away.” 
“How old are you?”  (It seemed like a ridiculous question but if he was a god…) 
“That’s really a matter of debate -- something I have been trying to find out myself.”
“What do you mean?  How can you not know how old you are?” 
“Well it really depends what you believe. If you look at it as how many years of real time I’ve been alive I would be around 23 years of age. On the other hand when the malefic gods made me the god of order they put me through an advanced aging process called “the metamorphosis” during which I learned from all past gods of order.  When it was done only 5 months had passed but I was 5000 years older, so by that I am around 5023 years of age. However, some history of lampiric studies on foal lampires showed that after 300 years they didn’t grow or age a day, which made the theory that lampires stopped aging when they became lampires.  So by that theory I am only 8 years of age. So I repeat I don’t know.” 
Twilight was saddened, not just by the story but she could see in his eyes he looked lost.  It must have been tearing at him not to know just this simple fact.  She felt sorry for him but she also felt he deserved to suffer.  But he didn’t seem like the monster she had believed he was, not completely at least. “Where are you from?” Twilight asked.  “You mentioned an old homeland so where was that?” 
“Uralia.” 
“Uralia?” Twilight asked. 
“You probably never heard of it.”  Peryite added, “I doubt anypony in Equestria has…” He paused.  “Well that may not be completely true.  The reports of Equestria were fertile soil and primitive and peaceful natives. The key word is peaceful.  Other reports on other worlds were that there were nonviolent natives but Equestria was the only one with “peaceful ones” meaning that communication between the transdemensional pilgrims and another Equestrian civilization likely happened.  So on that note it is possible that Uralians and Equestrians made contact before me and…”  He paused.  “Well, never mind.” 
Twilight felt she was getting somewhere. “Tell me about your homeland.  What was Uralia like?” 
“It was beautiful.  It had its flaws, though.”
“Did you like it there?” 
“I don’t have the most pleasant memories of it.  I spent my early childhood 5 years old breaking my back off at the smelter.”   
“Why?” Twilight asked. 
“Because I needed to provide for my mother.  I never knew my Father. He was a sailor who found my mother attractive. They had 3 nights together before he sailed away.  Little did they know I was being made in my mother’s womb.  When I was born she sunk every last penny into keeping me alive, clothed, and fed, until the point where we couldn’t afford to feed ourselves.  I worked a dying, trade smelting bullets.  At the time these primitive weapons were becoming obsolete and ineffective. 
“Obsolete, ineffective?  They seemed pretty advanced and pretty effective,” Twilight remarked. 
“That’s because Equestria is the most primitive place I’ve ever seen. Back in Uralia a new more advanced set of weapons that were a combination of machine and magical items were on the reign.  These new weapons made bursts of magic capable of ripping straight through armor and then some.  They were in such high demand to turn the tide in the Thousand Year War.” 
“Thousand Year War?” Twilight asked.  “How could a war rage on for that long?”   
“Complete control, Twilight.  Uralia and Caelondia wanted complete undisputed control over the Motherland.  Uralia owned subterranean bases and cities as well as power over the plains and fields of the surface while Caelondia, the city in the sky, ruled the skies and mountains on the land.  We were pretty desperate to gain the upper hand.  They even started a somewhat disturbing program where they stole magic from Unicorns and then…”  He paused.  “Never mind.  It’s unthinkable and power mad.  It’s sad really.  I was there that day they were so close to ending…”  He paused.  “Well I suppose it did end that day anyway, along with everything else,” he continued with a glum tone. 
“Peryite,” Twilight said, rather concerned. 
He didn’t respond for 15 seconds.  “Well, WHAT CAN YOU DO HAHAHAH.”  He began speaking in a tone so happy it was senile.  “WHAT CAN YOU DO,” he repeated.  
“MILLIONS DIED, TEARS WERE CRIED. IT’S ALL WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE.”  He began laughing in a maniacal way but he then began to tone it down till he began sobbing.
“Peryite, a…are you ok?” 
“I…I’m fine I…it’s just hard to talk about,” he replied, wiping tears from his eyes.   “Anyway back on topic; one day after finishing my time I came home and saw that my mother had finished her time too.” 
Twilight didn’t need to ask what that meant.  “I…I’m sorry.” 
“Don’t be,” he replied.  “Anyway after about 3 days (that’s how long It took to bury her and find out I had no family left) I returned to the smelter to find I had received a pink slip for not showing up for work for 3 days.” 
“They left you with nothing when you just lost your only family?!” 
“They had bigger problems than the life of one purposeless orphan.  I was nopony, at least nopony worth keeping alive,” he added.  He talked in a normal tone but was holding back tears. 
“So what did you do?” Twilight asked.  
“I begged and starved and froze most of the time. When nopony would help me, give me food, I would take it or pick their pockets.  Usually I spent most of my time in the temples and shrines to the mother of life and Pyth the god of fire, not because I was a colt of worship but because it was warm and so long as I prayed or looked like I was, they wouldn’t kick me out. 
“That’s how you lived?” Twilight asked.  
“For a good years and a half,” Peryite answered. 
“What changed?” 
“One day when I was in the chapel they asked me to be the one to carry the ceremonial fire.  I did so with honor.  I knew it was a great privilege. The fire was sacramental wine ignited into a flame by fire from Pyth’s cauldron -- a forge and thermal energy source located in the core of our planet.  When I approached the holy basin I spilled the entire bowl on myself, but to my surprise I didn’t burn alive.  Instead the flames began to dance around me and the flaming liquid forced its way inside me.  After consuming it I realized I was completely on fire and it was spreading.  Wherever I went fire spread.  The townsfolk tried to put it out but it seemed that that only made it angrier. Eventually town guard and military were called in to deal with me.  When they tried to kill me the flames melted the bullets instantly and consumed the soldiers.  I burned half of a city district before I was stopped. 
“They brought you down?” Twilight asked. 
“No.  If they (as in the guards) tried I would have burned all of Uralia.  A stallion in robes appeared and walked through the fire to me.  It did not burn him; in fact, the flames danced around him as well.  He reached out to me and I reached back.  He pulled me close and whispered in my ear, “It’s ok.  I won’t let harm come to you.  Con’t be afraid.” After that the flames dissipated from both of us.  The Guards approached us claiming I was to be hanged for extreme arson.  But when they tried to take me the stallion kept his promise.  He explained to me and them that I had no control over what was happening; that when the ceremonial fire chose me it was a sign from Pyth that I was meant to be the next Cardinal of fire.  The guards let me go, no questions.  The stallion told me his name was Dimitri and he was the head priest of the church of Pyth.  He lifted me up and had me ride on his back to the temple.  When he announced who I was to the priests they were shocked to say the least.  As a test I had to bathe in the church fire.  At that point I wasn’t afraid of it.  After that they made it public to the world that Pyth’s Cardinal had come.  For the next 2 years I lived happily with the priests and was trained in the ways of fire, as you might have noticed during my fight with Discord.” 
“What happened then? Twilight asked. 
Peryite paused.  “I don’t want to talk about it.” 
“Come on,” Twilight persisted.  “I want to know.” 
Peryite turned to her and looked at her with infuriated eyes.  “NO you Don’t. Believe me, you don’t.”  He began to shake Twilight violently.  “Damn it you little filly, listen to me well child.  You don’t know suffering so don’t ask somepony else to tell you about theirs.” Peryite snapped back into reality and realized what he was doing.  “I…I’m sorry, Twilight.   “I’m so sorry.  It’s just hard to talk about.  Maybe some other day, maybe but…” 
“Tsk.” 
“Did you hear that?” Peryite asked. 
“Peryite, ifyou don’t want to talk about it that’s fine; you don’t need to pretend that…”
She was cut off by Peryite. “No, I heard something.  Wait here.”  He looked around the room, looking for the source of the noise.  He approached one of the 16 decorative suits of armor and began investigating it when his search was cut off by a loud boom from outside.  “Those citizens don’t give up easily, huh?”  
“We need to keep going,” Twilight persisted. 
“You’re right.  Come on, double time.”  They began running to the library. 
Inside the suit of armor a shrouded pony breathed a sigh of relief.  “Vot tak tak eto bylo slishkom blizko.” 
“That was too close,” the voice of the Mother said. 
“No kidding,” he replied.  “Well, they seem to be getting along he added.” 
“It can’t last,” she replied. 
“Why are you so pessimistic?” 
“What reason is there for me not to be?” the Mother answered.  
“Maybe they won’t go to war.  Ever think of that?” 
“They will; believe me they will.  By day’s end Peryite will draw first blood and annex Equestrian land.  You’ll see.” 
“So what am I doing here?” the Pegasus asked. 
“Observing them,” she answered.  
“Despite the dreamstride, things don’t seem so bad.  I still can’t believe you made me do that to her.” 
“For what it’s worth, it was my magic.  You were merely the vessel.  
“It’s not worth anything he replied. By the way,” he added, “how long is the dreamstride going to be in effect?  Was it just for that one time?” 
“No, it will happen every time she slips into unconsciousness.” 
“Is there anything we need to worry about in that category?” 
“No,” she replied, “nothing worth worrying about anyway.” 
“But there is something to worry about?” 
“If you want to worry about something then yes, there is something.” 
“WELL, what is it?” 
“There are side effects of the dreamstride.  In semi rare cases subjects have reported minor cognitive deterioration, hallucinations.  Instead of seeing the future some had reported living the future and reliving the past.  Some discovered that they meet with ponies from the present in the dreamstride. They discovered they could pioneer expeditions to the past or future so long as two or more ponies were viewing the same memory or probable future.” 
“How could that be possible?” the Pegasus asked. 
“The dreamstride effect is a way of viewing memories kept by the goddess of unconscious thought; viewing them through her archives and reliving them in her never ending library of machinations.  Since time and space and even transdimensions mean nothing to her, viewers can see memories from past or future as well as different timelines and even other dimensions.  Therefore it is impossible to tell what is real or not or what will happen.”  
“I’m not even going to pretend to comprehend what you just said, so back to the side effects.” 
“Others were diagnosed with schizophrenia and severe brain damage.  
“After all that you would still go through with this?” 
“She would survive, this I knew.  The doors showed that each path would lead to war and she was in all of them.” 
“You mean all that you saw.” 
“I knew she would survive, and we wouldn’t do anything that would endanger her life; although I do feel she has lived the future.” 
“How so?” 
“Do you remember what she had talked about, meeting Peryite in her dream?  That would have meant they communicated with one another.”  
“Despite the dreamstride they can still get along.  Just look at them.  They can still accept each other even though they should be enemies.” 
“Twilight can see Peryite isn’t a monster.” 
“How could you know that?” he asked. 
“I watched that little foal grow up.  Pyth might have called dibs on him as a Cardinal but I saw the true fire in him.  He wasn’t meant to be a priest; he was meant to be the savior and re-founder of Eden.” 
“What makes you think that?”  
“He is still fighting for the good of the populace -- at least what he and his kingdom think is good. He has been through so much: his childhood replaced by working for a supplier of war, losing his mother, living as an orphan, witnessing the complete destruction of his homeland and after all that he only worries about the future of this world and the preservation of life.  And to top it all off, despite all the dark magic, years of psychological torture and schizophrenia, he still retained his morals.  He stayed his blade from Twilight and while he slew Celestia and Luna he didn’t do it without regret or remorse. 
“I suppose you’re right.  Should I follow them?” he asked. 
“No, it’s too risky.  Just stay in the armor until the night.  It’s safer than trying to leave during broad daylight.” 
“Hey, quick question.  If the masses out there break in and see me do you think they’ll kill me?” 
“I suggest you pray Peryite and Twilight succeed so you don’t find out.” 
“How reassuring,” he replied.


Peryite and Twilight arrived in the castle library and found the podium they were looking for.  “Hold on,” Peryite halted Twilight.  He felt around the sides and found the small lever.  He applied force to it and the podium moved out of the way.  They darted down the corridor till they arrived at the basin Peryite had described.  He poured the liquid into the basin.  When it was full the wall in front of it opened. 
“Peryite?” 
“Yes?” 
“How did you know this place existed?” 
“I built it,” he answered.  “Sort of as a shrine to my old life.  Come.  We’re not here for a walk down memory lane, we’re here for the scroll.” 
“Right.”  They dug around the books and tomes until Twilight found a scroll with a spade symbol on it.  “Is this it?” 
“Yes.  Good.” 
“Alright; I suppose I should get reading.” 
“That won’t be necessary,” Peryite replied. 
“Then how am I supposed to learn it?” 
“Give me your hoof.”  She did so.  Peryite grasped her hoof tight and slit the base of her hoof. 
“Ahh!” Twilight screamed.  “What are you doing?” 
“This is necessary; trust me.”  He began marking Twilight’s body with symbols until she was completely covered in her own blood. “Repeat after me,” Peryite said. “I make this offering.”
“I make this offering.” 
“I hereby give this offering.” 
“I hereby give this offering.” 
“To the god of knowledge.” 
“To the god of knowledge.” 
“I make this sacrifice to him and to his name.” 
“I make this sacrifice to him and to his name.” 
“Let it be bound by paper, bound by blood, bound by soul.  Hear these words and grant me strength. 
“Let it be bound by paper, bound by blood, bound by soul.  Hear these words and grant me strength.”  
As the final words of the chant were spoken Twilight’s blood turned dark red and began to flow into her mouth.  She began struggling.  “Stop moving.  You mustn’t interrupt the ritual.” 
“B…But it hurts,” Twilight protested. 
“It’s almost over; just hold on.”  After about 2 minutes the ritual was completed.  “There, it’s done.  You did good, Twilight…”  There was no response.  “Twilight?”  He approached the lavender mare just as she collapsed.  “Twilight, Twilight!” he shouted.  Twilight was struggling to keep her eyes open, and then failed to do so. 



Twilight awoke, or so she thought.  She was in the middle of a large city she had never seen before.  There were ponies around staring at her with curiosity and fear.  They wore robes with sashes tied around their waists and had matching bracers.  Another strange thing Twilight noticed was they all had white manes, not like Peryite’s soldiers.  They had different colored eyes and looked more like citizens. Twilight tried speaking to them but they didn’t respond.  She looked around at the signs for a clue as to where she was but to no avail.  She was then approached by two ponies in armor.  By the look of the badges on their armor plating they were guards.  They spoke in Peryite’s language. “Kto vy, chto vy  I chto vy zdes’ delayete.”  
Twilight couldn’t understand what they were saying but they didn’t sound pleased.  She felt uneasy around them.  “Um, my name is Twilight Sparkle.  “Uh, where am I?”  She extended her hoof to the guards. At this the guards grabbed Twilight’s arm and pulled her to the ground. 
“Vy pozornoye chertenok. Vy nakhodites’ pod arestom.”  As they began to hold her down a small white foal came to them.  She recognized him from her dream earlier.    
“Zhdat’ ostanovki ona inostranets,” the foal said.  “Ona ne znayet, nashi obychai.” 
The officers began speaking.  “Chto ona.” 
“Ona tsirkovoy urodets.” 
“Akh, da.” The guards then left the two alone. 
The white foal began to speak to Twilight. “Whew, that was close Madame.  Remember, down here we shake with our left hoof.  The caels shake with their right.  I’m not sure who you are or what you are or what you’re doing here but greetings and welcome to our glorious Motherland. 
“Oh good, you speak Equestrian,” Twilight said. 
“Equestrian? You mean Caelondian, the language of those who dwell in the skies of our Motherland?” 
Twilight looked up and found that she couldn’t find the sky.  “Sky?  It doesn’t look like you have a sky.” 
“Not down here we don’t, silly.  You’re in Uralia, the underground sprawl of our subterranean terminals, the brightest gem in all the Motherland.” 
“UNDERGROUND CITY!!!!”  Twilight now began to notice the tunnel and cave-like formations around and above the city. 
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, calm down before the guards come back.  I know you’re used to more open space in Caelondia but…” he paused.  “Are you even a Caelondian?  As I remember everypony there is cinnamon or chestnut colored.” 
“No,” Twilight replied, “I’m from Equestria.” 
“Equestria?  Equestria?  Equestria,” the young colt repeated.  “Nope; never heard of it. But while you’re here I might as well show you around.  I’m not needed at temple today.”    
“Well, alright.  Maybe I can figure out how I wound up in Peryite’s home world.”  
“Before we begin, might I ask your name?” 
“My name is Twilight sparkle; and yours?” 
“Das Vunderkind,” he said sarcastically. 
“What?” Twilight replied. 
“It means the wonder child.  I have a real name but nopony calls me by it so just call me that.  It’s easier that way.  Might I ask a question?” 
“What?” Twilight asked. 
“What exactly are you?” 
“What do you mean?” she replied. 
“I mean, you have both wings and a horn.  Is there a name for what you are?” 
“I’m and Alicorn,” she answered.  “How could you not have heard of them?  Aren’t your Royals Alicorns?” 
“No, they’re just Unicorns,” he replied.  “Both wings, and a horn, that must be something incredible.  Enough talk, though.  You couldn’t have come to Uralia at a better time.  This is the 1000’Th anniversary of our independence from our fascist overlord Emperor Gestalius Shadowmere.  There’s a grand party at The Tsar’s palace.  I’ve never actually been there; I assume you haven’t ether.  Ever since I was touched by the gods every pony wants to be my friend but they just do it so they can know somepony important.  What’s the point?  Friendship is pointless anyway. 
Twilight stopped at this.  “What?  How can you say friendship is pointless?”  
“Because it never did anything for anypony.  Tell me one time friendship ever did something important.” 
“In Equestria friendship saved the land from evil 4 times.” 
“Truly?” the colt replied.  “Well, if your friendship can save my land then please; be my guest.”  
“I don’t think it would be that easy to stop a war.” 
“You’d be surprised. The Tazal spade and Cael star are two sides of the same coin. 1000 years ago we were part of the same great empire when the Tyrant came.  The two heros, Jessie Tazal and Locria Cael, turned the fear and sorrow of the land into anger and then into violence and revolted against the fascist Reich and with the help of our Mother, the giver of life, banished him from our empire.  When it all ended the two quarreled on who would run the empire.  Those who had rebelled began taking sides.  In the end they formed two separate kingdoms and waged war on each other for no better reason than total control.  This war could end with a little diplomacy and abandonment of senseless hate and forgetting of this mad power grab.  The Tsar even had the courtesy to invite the Caleondian Prime Minister to the celebration this year.  
“I’m sorry to hear the position you’re in,” Twilight said sympathetically.  M”aybe this war will end soon.” 
“Oh please,” the colt replied, “the only way this war will end is if one side is victorious, which hasn’t happened in 1000 years, so I don’t think it will happen in the next millennium, or when the entire motherland is destroyed, and with all that’s been going on I think that may happen rather soon.  Maybe it would be for the best.” 
Twilight froze, remembering the destruction from her last dream. “Never wish for such things, little one.” 
“Twilight, sometimes for redemption to occur ones slate must be wiped clean; and to start anew perhaps the same must be done for a race, and for a land.  But enough of this kind of talk.  This should be a day off celebration.  Come, the royal celebration starts in a couple of hours. Come, let me show you around until then.” 
“All right,” Twilight replied.  “Where should we visit first?”  
“The best part of a culture, in my opinion, is the food.  Hungry?” 
Twilight only now realized she hadn’t eaten anything since her fight with Peryite and felt starved.  “You bet!” she said enthusiastically.  I haven’t eaten anything in the past 3 days.  Let’s go.” 
The white colt nudged at Twilight’s legs.  “Pardon me, Madame Twilight, but my legs are rather short and quite tired from running around the city all day.  Would you mind if I rode on your back?” 
“Oh sure,” Twilight replied as she lifted the foal on her back. 


They traveled around to Uralia’s market and he showed Twilight some of his culture’s food.  “What do you call these things, again?” Twilight asked.  
“Pierogis.  They’re dumplings filled with potato; you can fill them with other things though: sauerkraut, cheese, fruit, for carnivores meat.  They can be an appetizer, a main dish or a dessert.” 
“Uh huh,” Twilight replied.  “And the soup?” 
“That’s called Borscht.  It’s basically beetroot soup.  I’m no culinary expert so don’t ask me how it’s made but I know some ponies use tomatoes as a first ingredient and the roots as a secondary one.” 
“Interesting.”  Twilight ate some more of the food they had been given.  The market gave it away to the colt.  They wouldn’t have taken money even if Twilight and the colt had any to spend.  She pretended to be relaxed but she really felt stressed.  It wasn’t that she felt uncomfortable here; she liked this place, but was it real?  She didn’t question that it once existed but if it was a dream last time then was this a dream?  There was no way she could dream up such high detail of a place she had never seen before. It all seemed so real as well.  She could feel the cold air of Uralia.  She could taste the food.  She could feel the heat from the geothermal heater next to her.  She could smell the market air.  It was all too real, but it couldn’t be real could it?  
What was getting to her the most was she knew this place, this beautiful place filled with so much life, would be turned into a desolate charred rock; and from what she remembered about this colt from her other dream, was he looked no older in the other dream than he looked today.  That calamity would happen soon and she couldn’t do a thing about it.  Her mind drifted and thought of how she met Peryite here.  Did he dream or relive these things all the time?  If so, how did he not end his own life out of misery?  If he had to watch the destruction of his homeland again and again and again over and over it would be mentally decapitating. 
“Um, Madame Twilight,” the colt said skittishly.  
Twilight ended her train of thought.  “Yes, what is it little one?” 
“Are you alright?  It looks as though something’s troubling you.” 
“Oh no I’m fine.  Honest, I’m all right.” Twilight looked down at the colt’s Cutie mark. It was a red lily flower. “What does that cutie mark stand for?” Twilight asked, in an attempt to change the subject.
“Oh this it’s a fire lily.  It’s a botanical mystery.  The flower only grows in ash.  It was first found in Pyth’s caldron.  It shows that even in destruction life can grow.  Some say if you grow it in crematorium ash then a small portion of the soul of the deceased blooms with it.” The colt looked at her.  “Alright then, let’s move on to…”
He was cut off by chimes of bells.  “Do you here that, Twilight?  The royal celebration is starting.  We should head to the Tsar’s palace.  Come, come.” 
“All right, calm down,” Twilight insisted as she lifted him onto her back and the two ran to the palace.  After about 10 minutes of running they reached the palace of the Tsar.  It was beautiful.  A lot was the color of brick tiles (but lighter).  There were designs of all sorts from semicircles to triangles to rectangles to door shaped figures.  Near the bottom left there were white pyramids and at the bottom right a rotunda that narrowed.  At its top was a small figure.  But the most amazing part left Twilight awestruck and breathless.  The towers were topped with swirled colorful figures.  The ones she saw were a blue one with thick white stripes, another more swirled one with green and gold, a checkered one with the same colors, a red and green tiled one, and one final one with red and white wavy horizontal stripes. 
“Amazing, isn’t it,” the colt said, closing Twilight’s jaw. 
“I…it’s beautiful,” Twilight said, unable to turn her gaze from the palace.  “Just the front view of this place would make any architect from Equestria wail with envy.” 
“Come; you should see the inside.  Onward, Twilight.”  They passed through the gates.  
When they approached the doors the guards stopped them.  “Halt, Cael.  You tread on royal restricted grounds.  What business do you have here?” 
Twilight was about to speak when she was interrupted,  “She’s with me,” the colt answered. 
“Oh,” the guards replied, cleaning their armor and positioning themselves more formally.  “It’s good to see you, Cardinal.  Please don’t let us keep you or your esteemed guest.” 
“Good,” he replied.  “Keep up the good work.”  The two entered the Palace.  After a few halls and corridors they reached the ballroom.  It was a long hall with thrones at the end. The carpet was red with gold crosses.  There were stained glass windows depicting various things; the one above the thrones depicted two ponies and what appeared to be a golden 6 winged Alicorn banishing a large black demonic stallion with 2 twin curved horns on his head into a vortex.  There was a large 20 -foot long crystal chandelier. There were mares and stallions dancing to an orchestra.  
Twilight was taking in the beauty of the scene when her train of thought was interrupted by the colt.  “Madame Twilight, my mentor instructed me to introduce myself to the Tsar when I got here.  I think you should come with me.  Would you kindly?” 
“Oh, of course.  Let’s go.” 
They approached the Tsar’s throne.  As they did he arose to great them.  He noticed Twilight first and greeted her.  “Might I ask what service I can do for you, Cael?” 
Twilight failed to respond.  She felt a bit intimidated by the stallion. He was a tall pure white stallion (much like every Uralian).  He had deep blue eyes that looked straight into her soul.  The characteristic that shocked her was he wore coronation robes identical to hers except his had a Uralian spade (just like his Cutie mark).  He noticed this as well and asked, “Might I ask who made those robes for you?  They are a replica of mine but custom made for your Cutie mark.  Whoever made them put in flawless effort.” 
He stopped when he noticed the young colt.  “Ah, Cardinal, it is good to see you.  I assume this is your guest.”  
“Indeed, your highness.  Her name is Twilight, and she isn’t a Cael; she’s an Equestrian.” 
“An Equestrian?” he repeated with a confused face. 
“Yeah; I’m not sure where that is either but she’s really nice and I wanted to teach her some of our culture and I couldn’t think of any better place on any better day than the royal palace on February Liberation Day (even though we’re in March).” 
“Very true, little one.  We welcome you, Madame Twilight, on this most joyous of days. I must ask, though, what are you and where is Equestria?” 
The colt answered, “She’s an Alicorn and Equestria is somewhere far away.” 
“Is what he speaks true?” the Tsar asked. 
“Yes, that’s about it.” 
“Tell me,” the Tsar continued, “how is Equestria governed?” 
“It’s governed well,” Twilight responded. 
“No, no how is it governed?  Is it governed by a monarchy like Uralia or with ministers like Caelondia?”  
“A monarchy,” Twilight replied.  “It’s governed by…” she paused, “well, was governed by Princess Celestia but she was assassinated and now I follow in her hoof prints.” 
“I’m sorry to hear that,” the Tsar replied.  Did you find the assailant? 
“Yes; his name is Peryite and he said he was from Uralia.” 
“What!” the Tsar gasped.  “I can assure you, Twilight, that nopony here is trying to start war with you or your country.  Let us be clear about that.” 
“That’s not what I was implying.  I assume Peryite and his Global Union were merely rogues but I fear he will still bring war to Equestria.” 
“I see.  Well, if he is a Uralian we apologize for all the trouble he has caused.” 
“Wait, hold on,” the colt said interrupting the two.  “If your princess is dead and as you said before Alicorns were princesses and you know follow in Princess Celestia’s hoof prints does that mean you’re the Princess of Equestria, leader of your nation?!” 
“Y…yes I suppose that is true,” Twilight replied. 
“Well, forgive me if you can your highness,” the colt apologized, bowing to her. 
“Please; that isn’t necessary.  You helped me and were kind before you realized I was royalty.  You’re not my subject, you’re my friend.” 
“Y…your friend?” the colt replied. 
“Yes.  We’re friends, right?” 
“Y…I…. sure, of course.  It’s just that I never really had a friend before.  I had a mother but she died.  I have a father figure, my mentor, but he’s much more than a friend to me. But if you want we can be friends.  I never had a friend before so, yeah,” he said with a perked up voice.  “Yeah, that sounds really nice.”  The small colt embraced Twilights legs and she embraced back.  
Their touching moment was cut short by the Tsar.  “Might I intrude,” he said in his calm voice, “Princess Twilight, but there is something I might request of you.”  
“What would that be?” Twilight asked with curiosity. 
“Well, I should probably ask once I have discussed it out but should it succeed I want you to be a part of it.” 
“What is it though?” 
“You will know if it will happen.  But I must first talk about it with…”  
He was interrupted by a cinnamon colored stallion.  “I believe you were about to say my name.” 
The Tsar turned his head to the stallion.  “Ah yes.  Greetings, Prime Minister Cael.” He stood and shook hooves with the cinnamon unicorn. He was about the same height as the Tsar. He wore yellow and brown robes with a leather tunic over them.  The sleeves were yellow with brown at the base of the hoof area and had two blue stripes near the beginning of the shoulder area.  The vest was a button up and had a small pocket holding a black book.  At the end of the vest the robes continued with a black and white striped design much like a zebra.  At last, at the end of that was one last section, a blue base with gold stripes.  His eyes were a deep brown and his fur was a lighter brown.  There was a small colt that stood with him. They looked practically identical and even wore the same clothing.  
“Might I ask a question?” 
“What?” the Tsar answered. 
“Remind me again why we’re fighting.” 
“For the honor of our ancestors.” 
“Ah, yes.” 
“Do you really need to be reminded?” the Tsar asked. 
“No; it just makes me so sad I have to laugh, and that perks me up.” 
“What, the war?” 
“No, the stupidity of it all.  But enough of this.  Let us enjoy this peace however brief it is.” 
“Indeed,” the Tsar replied in a troubled tone.  “Princess Twilight, young Cardinal, you must excuse me.  I must have a brief talk with the Prime Minister here.  Come now, sir Cael.” 
“Very well comrade Tazal.” 
The small tan colt began to speak.  “I assume you want this meeting private, father.”   
“Indeed, young Venn.  I know you aren’t really old enough to have revelry at these gatherings like the rest of these nobles (or to be more proper bourgeoisie) so just…” he paused, umm…”  He began gazing around the room looking for something for him to do. “Ah,” he said focusing on Twilight and the white colt, “Why don’t you go socialize with the young Cardinal and his friend?  Remember you aren’t a diplomatic envoy.  You don’t need to feel that anything is at stake.  Just be respectful and treat them like you would any other citizen.”  
“Of course, Father.” 
“Good.  Now run along; I must talk with the Tsar.”  And with that the Prime Minister left the 3 alone. 
The brown colt wasted no time introducing himself.  “Greetings my name is Venn Fitzwilliam Cael; and yours?” 
“Twilight Sparkle,” Twilight replied. 
“And yours?” he asked the white colt. 
“I’m not very interested in making friends,” he replied. 
“Oh.”  A look of disappointment found its way onto Venn’s face.  “That’s alright though; can we still talk?” 
“Little one, can’t you at least introduce yourself?  You never really did to me.”  
“Twilight, must I?” 
“You can’t live your life without friends.” 
“But he’s a Cael.  We will only get to see each other once a year, if that.” 
“What kind of excuse is that?  You could still send messages to one another as pals.”
“Well, ok, but…” 
He was interrupted by an unfamiliar voice.  “She’s right, my young disciple, you really should expand your social life.” 
“Mentor,” the white colt shouted ecstatically.  He ran to embrace the stallion. Twilight had never met him before but she instantly recognized him as the dead stallion who the colt was crying over in her first dream.  “Are you sure, Mentor?” 
“Even if you don’t make him your friend be respectful and at least be polite and kind to him.  After all, this is a day of unity and you always say that this war could end with simple diplomacy.  It would be hypocritical of you if you can’t even talk with a Cael.  
“Well I…” the colt finally stopped arguing.  “Very well, Venn Fitzwilliam Cael.”
“Please,” the brown colt replied, “just call me Venn.” 
“Alright, Venn, I doubt you want to dance so let’s go explore.” 
“Gee, don’t you think the guards will be upset at us for running around the palace like hoodlums?” 
“You’re the son of the Prime Minister of the Caelondia.  I’m a cardinal and the guards here have already kissed up to me.  If they’re displeased I’m sure they would put it nicely.”
“Can’t argue with that,” Venn said enthusiastically.  “Let’s go.”  The two ran off. 
Twilight tried to follow them but she stopped when she felt a hoof on her shoulder.  “Wait.  Before you go there is something I must ask of you.” 
“Oh,” Twilight said, somewhat startled.  “What?” 
“Well, before we begin I think we should introduce ourselves to each other.” 
“My name is Twilight Sparkle; and yours?” 
“I am Father Dimitri.  It is a pleasure to meet you. As for what I ask of you, I want you to watch him tonight.  Make sure he is safe.” 
“What do you mean, safe?” Twilight asked. 
“I mean make sure he survives the night.  I must return to the temple and make penitence in my final hours. This world values foals, not foal hood.  That poor colt has been through enough but he will go through so much more, much more than any pony should go through.”  
Twilight felt chills run up her spine as she remembered her first dream.  She blurted out, “That Calamity!  Nopony but him survives it!!!” 
Dimitri looked stunned.  “You know about that -- but how?” 
“I saw it in a dream.  He was crying over your dead body.  But it doesn’t end there I…I…”  Twilight couldn’t find the words so she just blurted out, “I’m dreaming now!!!!”
“W…What do you mean you’re dreaming now?  I…” he paused, “Dreamstride effect. You, you have been given the gift and curse of foresight.  You can view memories from the past, future and alternate reality.  
“W…what does this all mean?” 
“It means that we have already died.  This is just a memory that you are reliving as if you were there.  But it is all for the good in the end.” 
“No!” Twilight screamed, “there must be a way to stop this.” 
“It already happened.  You can’t change the past but the future, the future is malleable.  By your choices learn from our mistakes, young one, and keep your country safe.” 
“But wait,” Twilight protested.  “If you knew this would happen then why didn’t you tell any pony?” 
“And what would I tell them, hmm?  They would think that I am a crackpot and a loon. They would lock me away.  I learned of this from a vision.  In this vision Uralia, Caelondia, the whole Motherland was destroyed but from its ashes arose the Empire of Eden shining with streets paved in gold.  For this Utopia to return the Motherland must be destroyed.  It is sad, I know, but sometimes you have to bring back what was lost, or start anew, or both.    
“But, but, all those lives lost.  Who does this?” 
“I don’t know, Twilight.  I’m sorry.  But please, soon you will return to the waking world. I must know, in your timeline is there war?” 
“Yes…no… well, not yet at least.”  
“But war is about to erupt.” 
“Yes,” Twilight answered. 
“I see,” he sighed in grief.  “I was hoping for a better outcome.  Nonetheless you will need to face Peryite.  You must know that because of his Uralian origin he is far more advanced but he has yet to unlock all of our technological advancements.  You must fight a magitech war with him if you are to win.  In Equestria there is a pony named Casimir.  He owns a company of industries and enterprises.  Find him. He is no less evil than Peryite, nyit, much more evil than him, but he will help you never the less because of respect for you and more out of fear of the UGER.  Consider him an ally but don’t trust him.  Now go. Remember what I have said here.”  And with that he began to walk away. 
“Alright,” Twilight repeated to herself, “find some pony who owns a company and get him to make weapons.  How am I supposed to do that and…?”  She paused, realizing her instructions.  “Wait.  How do you know all this?” she shouted, but Dimitri was gone.


Dimitri walked through the streets of Uralia to the temple of the mother of life.  Thoughts rushed through his head, “It has finally arrived, praise be, the mother of life and understanding.” 
“The time has come, hasn’t it,” a voice echoed in his head. 
“Mother!!!  It has been so long since you have spoken to me.” 
“And soon you will join me in the afterlife.  Your days as listener are coming to an end.”
“I know, but who shall be the next listener?” 
“A young Uralian named William Cipher.  You know him well, no?” 
“Indeed.” 
“Good.  Take the piece of Eden to him and together we will show him his new role in life.” 
Dimitri entered the temple of the Mother.  He searched the building till he found the new listener in the shrine room.  “Uil'yam shifr,” he called out.  
“Da o svyatoy,” the stallion responded.
Dimirti approached William Cipher.  He was shrouded in blue and black robes.  He had a blue sash tied around his waist.  He had matching bracers on his arms as well as a mask covering the lower portion of his face and a hat with an emblem of a spade.  Dimirti pulled a golden sphere from his robes and held it out to William Cipher who hesitantly grabbed hold.  When he did a blinding light filled the room and he felt a jolt run through him.  
“Ah!” he screamed as he fell back.  “What was that?  What are you…?”  He paused.  “What’s going on?  Where are we, and how am I speaking Caelondian?” He looked around.  The room it looked exactly the same except there was a golden aurora around it and weird scripture he couldn’t decipher.  
A third pony answered him, “You are in the same place you were before.  If you question what you now see it is known as the nexus.  Here you will receive your new Destiny.”  William Cipher gazed, awestruck, at the being before him. She was a large golden pony with a golden angelic aurora around her.  She had 3 pairs of wings and a horn around 4.5 feet long.  She had some form of a golden crest, sort of the form of a back brace circling her abdominal area.  It had fractions missing down the bottom and top areas forming gaps.  Each side had 4 spikes segmented by perfectly equal spaces.  The two in the middle were short while the ones on the end were slightly longer and had emeralds at their bases.  The interior (just shy of a semicircle) had shards of just about every jewel you could imagine.  Around her head and neck was another golden crest that started as a neck plate and formed upward towards her head.  Just like the abdominal crest it had 4 spikes and the long ones had emeralds.  The final piece of the golden equipment was a mask on her face with an emerald on the forehead.  
William Cipher gazed at the mare for a while before realizing who she was.  At that he fell to his knees and bowed.  “MOTHER!!!!” 
“Indeed, young Cipher.  Are you prepared?” 
“Prepared for what, oh divine one?” 
“To accept your new role as listener of our Mother,” Dimitri answered. 
“L…Listener,” William stuttered.  “You want me to be, to be, you want...” 
Dimitri answered his stuttering, “Yes.  You are to be the next listener.” 
“B…but why me?” 
“You have been selected by our Mother.  It is not our duty to understand the will of our Mother, just to do her bidding.” 
“I…of course, my apologies.” 
“Good.  Then you are ready for the initiation.” 
“Initiation?” 
“Yes.  Before you can become listener you must take the oath and accept the rebirth as a vessel to our Mother and give your will to our Holy Matron and be reborn in the sweet waters of baptism.” 
William Cipher was overwhelmed by the whole situation. He took a few moments to take it all in, and once he comprehended it all his confusion was replaced with an intense hate.  “DO I REALLY HAVE A CHOICE IN THE MATTER?” he shouted. 
“I beg your pardon,” Dimitri replied? 
“If this is the Mothers will, then I have no choice, do I?” 
“Well, no, I suppose not,” Dimitri replied, “but...” 
“But nothing!” William shouted in retaliation.  “I don’t know about you but I love my life and I wouldn’t give it up for anything.” 
“If I didn’t pick you, you would have no life in a few hours,” the Mother replied. 
“What, w…what do you mean by that?” 
There was silence as Dimitri and the Mother gazed at each other.  “Should we tell him?” Dimitri asked.  
“He will find out soon enough.  Anyway, might as well get it over with now,” the Mother replied.  “Hold still for this as best you can.  The first time is always a bit frightening and since I am showing you something that would in general disturb most souls you really should prepare yourself.” 
William wasn’t sure what they were talking about but he felt he should take the Mother’s advice.  He readied himself as the golden mare approached him. She laid her horn on his head.  It began to glow as magic coursed through it into his very mind.  William witnessed the complete destruction of Uralia.  It was only about a minute but if felt like an eternity.  After the brief vision the Mother released William Cipher.  “Now do you see what the future of your current life holds?” 
“A…a…all those lives lost.  H…how does something like this happen?” 
“I can’t reveal that yet.” 
“WHAT’S THE POINT OF A LISTENER IF WERE ALL GONNA DIE?” 
“Because.  You can save them but for now you must let them die.” 
“W…what do you mean?  If they die and our home is destroyed what’s there to save?”
“We can bring it all back, but not here, not now.  But you are important, child, more important than you could ever realize.  You must go to a land called Equestria.  There you will, … well, play a very long waiting game for a few years short of a decade and a half. You will wait for our saviors to grow and mature and then you will influence their decisions so they may achieve their destinies.” 
“But how will all this save us?” 
“You will find out soon enough.  But now you must go to the royal palace.  There you will find the transdimensional portal device.  It was meant to find lands inhabitable for colonization.” 
“Very well.  I will accept the baptism and take the oath.” 
“Very well.  Let us begin.  Take my hoof, young Cipher.” 
William reached his right hoof out to meet Dimitri’s.  Dimitri began to speak.  “Do you swear to uphold the principles of our Mother and all that for which we stand?” 
“I do.” 
“And to never share these secrets nor divulge the true nature of your existence unless directly instructed by our Mother?” 
“I do.” 
“And to do so from now until death – whatever the cost?” 
“I do.” 
“Then we may now accept you. You have crossed the threshold.  The Mother of life and understanding has guided you to us and for that we are grateful.  But now the test of your true value begins, and it begins with a choice.” 
“What choice?” 
“You will be given a choice,” the Mother replied.  I will not force this on you but consider this. If you don’t, who will save the rest of the Motherland?” 
William sighed before entering the baptismal water.  “Now you are ready.”  The Mother pulled him out of the water after doing so began to disintegrate.  A stream of golden magic flowed into William Cipher.  
After about a minute the process was complete.  William coughed and gasped for air before rising to his hooves.  “Is that it?” he asked.  
“That is all,” Dimitri answered. 
“What now?” 
“You do as the Mother has instructed you.” 
“What was that again?” 
“To go to the transdimensional portal device,” the Mother replied.  William jumped back at hearing this. 
“Don’t worry,” Dimitri said.  “You get used to it after a while. 
“Very well.  I’ll be on my way.  Perhaps we may see each other again, someday in the next one.”  
“I’ll be waiting for that day,” Dimitri replied. And with that William left for the royal palace.



Venn and the young white colt played and ran through the corridors of the palace. They toured the rooms they were given access to.  The guards were understandably annoyed but let them be.  After about 20 minutes of this they became bored.  “Anything else on your mind, Venn?” asked the colt.  
“Not really but…” he paused.  “Quiet down for a sec.” He listened around a corner to the next hall and eavesdropped on the guard’s conversation. 
“Should we go down and find something?” 
“Our post is to guard the Tsar’s throne room.” 
“Yeah, but Caelondian food won’t be seen here for another year after this.  Why are we speaking Caelondian anyway?” 
“Because this is the only night we can.  We must make the most of these freedoms, however small.” 
“Perhaps you’re right.  Let’s go.” 
The colt watched as the two guards galloped away.  “Come on, Venn.” 
“Where are we going?” 
“That’s the throne room where the Tsar and you father are meeting.” 
“Wait, didn’t they want this to be private?” 
“Oh, they won’t mind.  We’re not going to burst in, just listen through the door.” 
“We should respect their wishes.” 
“They probably just didn’t want us to be bored.  Come on, aren’t you even a little bit curious about what they’re talking about?” 
“Well I…”  Venn was at a loss.  “Well, ok, but just for 5 minutes.”  He and the white colt approached the gilded and jewel studded door and pressed their ears to it. 
“Well, Comrade Tazal, that is certainly a very serious proclamation you have, indeed.”
“Then you know exactly why we must do all we can to see this through,” the Tsar replied. 
“I will not deny the righteousness of it, but how will your subjects react to it,” the Prime Minister asked? 
“Do you truly need to ask that?  Do you not remember that little uprising attempt to overthrow the royal family here in Uralia?” 
“Ah yes.  ‘Peace, land, and bread.’ ”   
“Might I ask how your Cael ponies would react?” 
“Overjoyed to the end.  So many of them have never even walked on the surface and you have no idea how gloomy Caelondia can be on a stormy day.” 
“Then why don’t we both make just make this happen?” 
“Might I ask what made you think of this Comrade Tazal?” 
“It was the other day when I was listening to the Uralian national anthem.  It ended as always with ‘as we strive forward in the future our ancestors fought so hard for’.  I heard that thousands of times but only then had I truly comprehended it and put the question to my mind.  What future were our ancestors making for us?  Did they overthrow Emperor Gestahl merely to throw our land in a foolish war?  Even if that was not their intent they should have stopped it before their lives came to an end, but instead they just passed their hate on to their children generation after generation.  Well I, sir Cael, say enough.  If this is what our ancestors wanted from us then I denounce the Tazal blood within me.  Will you join me Prime minister Cael?” 
The Prime minister looked down at the Tsars hoof before smiling to him.  “If this is indeed the planed future our ancestors had then I renounce the Cael blood in me as well.  Let it be known on this day there shall at last be peace amongst us and we shall live with one another as brothers.”  
“Then let us agree now, as of this day, all armed conflict is to cease and we will at last bring peace to our war torn land and our subjects will at last see the end of this.”  The two shook hooves and signed the treaty. 


Outside the throne room Venn and the white colt looked at each other wide eyed. The colt broke the silence. “D…did they just make peace between our nations?” 
“I…I think they did Venn stuttered.”  There was silence once more but it didn’t last as the two embraced each other.  Neither of them had ever seen the terrors of this war but they both knew how serious and glorious this was.  “Does this mean we can be real friends now,” Venn asked? 
“Yeah, (sniff), yeah it does.” 
“Well then, what’s your name?  You never introduced yourself.” 
“My name is Pyreite von esling.” 
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Pyreite.” 
Their moment of happiness was interrupted by Twilight.  “Oh, thank Celestia.  I’ve been looking for you two.  Not that I think it’ll make any difference,” Twilight said, rather glum. 
“Twilight,” the two shouted, embracing her legs. 
Twilight kneeled and wrapped her front legs around them in return.  “Well, you two look like you’re getting along well now,” Twilight remarked. 
“Oh, yes indeed,” Pyreite answered.  “Twilight, you would never guess what happened.”  (He didn’t wait for a guess.)  “The Tsar and Prime Minister have just agreed to make peace.  This war is coming to an end!!!!” 
“WHAT!!” Twilight shouted. 
“IT’S TRUE, ITS TRUE,” Venn shouted.  “This terrible war has come to a close.”  Venn and Pyreite embraced each other once more.  Twilight gazed down at the two.  
Pyreite broke the moment, “I simply must tell Father Dimitri.  He’ll be so pleased.” Twilight began tearing up.  This did not go unnoticed by the two colts. 
“Umm, Twilight, are you alright?” Venn asked.  
Twilight looked down at the concerned colt.  “Yes, yes I’m fine, and just stay here little one.  I’m sure you can tell Dimitri all about it tomorrow.  
“OK,” Pyreite replied. Twilight perked up slightly she didn’t feel any better but she could feel she was causing them grief. She wanted to tell them how it all didn’t matter but she couldn’t bear to break their hearts. Without saying another word she embraced the two once more and they embraced back. 
Their touching moment was cut short by the sounding of horns outside.  As if on cue the Tsar and Prime minister emerged from the throne room.  “Ah, you three, perfect timing,” the Tsar remarked. 
“Father,” Venn shouted, embracing his dad.  “Is it true father are you making peace?”
Prime Minister Cael looked down at his colt.  “And just how did you know about that?”
“I…well…”  Venn was at a loss for words. 
“Oh, that’s quite alright little one.  Come.  You are to join me, be at my side when we announce it to the Motherland.” 
“Really?  Oh, father,” he wailed.  Minister Cael lifted him up above him in playful manner before leaving Twilight and Pyreite alone with the Tsar. 
“Well, I’m sure you all heard that, and yes, it’s true, and what I needed you for Twilight.”
“Me?” Twilight asked.  “What for?” 
“Not for much, but you have only been in Uralia for an afternoon and a night and in that short time you have already befriended our young Cardinal of fire, and me.  Your sheer presence brings forth unity.  It would be a pleasure if you would be in our speech this night.  You would have your own place in the balcony.  Come on, what do you say?”
Twilight stared at the Tsar. “I…I’d be honored she managed to say.” 
“Excellent.  Now then, you must excuse me.  I must gather my family and get them ready,” and with that he left Twilight and Pyreite alone. 
“Well, come on Twilight.  We should get ready as well.” 
“I didn’t know the Tsar had a family.” 
“Yes, a colt and a filly, Casimir Adrian Tazal and Primm Alison Tazal.” 
“Huh,” Twilight responded.  “Think we should meet them?” 
“Ehh, probably not,” Pyreite responded. 
“Why not?” 
“Well, for starters Casimir’s, well… it’s just that, umm.”  He was at a loss for words. “Look, I’ll be honest with you.  I never liked that guy.  I was always just plain out uncomfortable around him.” 
“Why?” 
“I just get bad vibes from him.  H…have you ever just looked at a pony and just knew deep in your heart that there was something seriously wrong with him?” 
Twilight thought about Peryite and how disturbed he seemed.  “Yeah I know the feeling.” 
“When I talked to him he did respond but it just seemed like he just didn’t feel comfortable talking with another pony.  Not just me in particular; he acted the same way with the Tsar, his own father.  Maybe he just doesn’t like others.  When I looked in his eyes they were dark as marbles and he stared down at me with such intent, like he wanted to mangle me just because he found my presence infuriating.” 
“Wow, that’s pretty dark,” Twilight replied.  “What about his sister -- older or younger?”   
“Primm is his baby sister.  He’s a good 15 years older than her.  Primm and I are about the same age so you can guess that that intimidating factor didn’t help how I felt about Casimir.  Back to the main subject though, it’s not that Primm is unpleasant or doesn’t like ponies.  She’s really sweet and very polite if you can get her to talk to you.  She’s really shy.  I still think she hasn’t gotten used to talking to the guards here.  Every rose has its thorns and her brother is no exception.  Speaking of, he is the only pony who she is comfortable talking to; don’t ask me why.  From what I’ve seen he mostly just brushes her off but then again he is somewhat protective of her.  I don’t really understand them, especially why she keeps trying to help him fit in society.  Perhaps she just can’t give up on him.  No matter how hopeless he seems she still feels there’s something to save in him.  I’m not sure whether to think that’s extremely admirable or extremely foolish.  I don’t think I can ever understand how such powerful emotions could ever exist in a world like ours but I guess that’s the beauty in our hearts.”  
Twilight was taking all of this in and imagining how a small colt could be so serious. Twilight snapped back to her train of thought and asked, “Does the Tsar not have a wife?”
“He did,” the colt answered.  “Tsarina Anastasia.  She... well, died.  You see, Primm was a mistake.  They were only trying for a crown prince.  They got Casimir; years later she got pregnant again, at least 8 years after Uralian medical officials announced that she could no longer hold a foal.  Just a week later Primm was born fully-grown, at least for a foal.  Miraculously she survived.  The doctors called it a gift from the Mother.  But it had a price.  Tsarina Anastasia died giving birth.  It was like her body just… stopped.  This was morally crippling to Primm’s already poor self-esteem.” 
“That seems awful,” Twilight replied.  “Still though, do you want to meet them?” 
“I don’t know about Casimir but Primm could get some good out of meeting you.”  
“Do you think we can just meet the royal family?” Twilight asked. 
“Maybe,” Pyreite replied.  “The Tsar had made several appointments with Casimir and Primm to visit the temple.  He figured that some religion would help them and ‘cure them of their conditions.’  I told the poor stallion the truth, that some ponies can’t be saved.  He probably would have left it at that but Primm showed minor improvements in her self-esteem.  Because of that he scheduled several more meetings between me and Primm.  He figured a holy cardinal must be the answer.  Honestly I think she just needed to come out of her shell.  Regardless, I enjoy her company, and she did improve.  Come on Twilight.  You said friendship was powerful.  Well, I think it might just save her; please.
“Alright,” Twilight replied.  “Let’s go,” and with that they were on their way.




The two passed through hall after hall and corridor after corridor till they reached the chambers of the Royal family.  They arrived in time to catch a scene.  The Tsar was speaking to somepony through a set of doors while a white colt (near stallion-hood) stood in an upright humanoid position with his back against the wall and his front legs crossed, literally beaming with indifference.  Like all Uralians, he was pure white with blue eyes.  He wore a silver plated armor set with a long white cloak that clipped to his shoulder blades.  Near his waist was more of the silky white cloth.  He wore a stuffed color and had his long free hair slightly brushed to the right side of his face.  “Father, this is a waste of time, and might I ask once more WHY are you forcing me to speak Caelondian this night?”  
The Tsar ceased his conversation with the door and turned to him with a somewhat angry and strict tone.  He spoke quietly but it was obvious he was angry.  “Before I even answer that let me ask you this: Are you truly saying that your sister is pointless?  Casimir, is that what you’re telling me?” 
“No,” he retaliated using just as much anger.  I’m saying that it’s pointless to help someone who refuses to accept help.  
“She’s your sister, for Mothers sake; act like you care, boy.” 
“I do care but I only care about what I can do, not what I cannot.” 
“Casimir, please, why is it so hard for you to show remorse?”  
“Why should I be remorseful?  Enough of this old man, I’m leaving.  It’s bad enough you have me speak this disgusting language.” 
“YOU are speaking Caelondian as a symbol of RESPECT DAMNIT!!!  We are on the verge of peace here.”  
“And of course the noble Tsar speaks for everyone with his heretical ideas of peace.  Did you ever think there are still those who feel we should fight for our ancestors?  That there are still ponies with faith you old disloyal fool!!!” 
The Tsar looked Casimir in the eye for a few seconds before saying, “YOU are the reason I feel that I must make peace.  Because if I die it sure as hell won’t fall to you!  In fact, in my deathbed I will make sure you never take the throne for the sake of peace.” 
“We will see you dirty svoloch.”  And with that he stormed off.  As he did he moved in the direction of Twilight and Pyreite.  “By the way, we have guests father.  Maybe they can tolerate you.”  As he passed them Twilight and he exchange glances and Twilight felt deep in her heart there was something seriously wrong with him.  
When he was gone the Tsar approached Twilight and Pyreite.  “I’m deeply sorry you all had to see that.”  
“It’s fine,” Twilight reassured.  
“I think it was fun seeing him put in his place,” Pyreite added.  
“He is my son so I cannot feel good about when we argue.  I treat him with respect; I just wish he would do the same with me.”  The Tsar sighed in grief. 
“Don’t let him get to you, my Tsar,” Pyreite reassured.  “I’m sure he will come around in due time.” 
“I hope you’re right, little one, but in the meantime could you by chance help me with Primm?” 
“What troubles her this night?” 
“She has never truly been out in front of a large crowd but on this night I will need her and Casimir to make an appearance before I tell the world about our newfound peace.”
“Let me guess -- she isn’t that found of the idea.” 
“She knows of the importance but that didn’t give her much courage.  I was hoping that since you and she are friends you might encourage her to come around.” 
“I’ll do my best, my liege, but I will not push her into this.” 
“I would never ask that of you, little one.” 
With that Pyreite knocked on the door.  “GO AWAY I SAID.” 
“Primm, it’s me Cardinal Pyreite.  May I come in?”  There was silence.  A noise of mechanisms was heard and then the door creaked open. 
“Come on in,” she said. 
“Come on, Twilight,” Pyreite urged.  The two entered Primm’s bedchambers.  The whole suite was three rooms all together.  The entrance room, like all the rooms, had a set of cream white wallpaper and 2 banners bearing the Uralian sigil, the Tazal spade.  There was a desk with 3 chairs and a globe at its side.  In back of it was a mural of the royal family.  The second room had several display cases with various gems and circlets.  In its right corner was a fireplace with a Uralian flag 3 feet above it.  The final room (the actual bedroom) had windows with silky white curtains, a display case that contained a ball gown, a cream-colored king sized bed with a wooden frame and a replica model of the royal palace at the bedside and a final second fireplace next to it.  
“Hello, Pyreite,” a voice said. 
“Ah, Primm, it’s good to see you.” 
“Indeed.  Who is this though,” she asked, pointing to Twilight. 
“Oh this is Twilight.  Primm Twilight, Twilight Primm.  He introduced Twilight to the white filly.  She was rather young, around Pyreite’s size and age.  She wore a white cloaked set of robes with an emblem, the Tazal spade, on its back (also her cutie mark) as well as white royal shoes that extended more like boots.  Her long white mane draped across her horn and over her right eye. 
“I…it’s a pleasure to meet you, Madame Twilight,” Primm said timidly. 
“Come now, Primm, what did I tell you about greeting ponies?  Say hello with confidence.” 
“Oh right I’m sorry I…” 
She was cut off by Pyreite.  “There’s no need for apologies, Primm.  Now tell me what troubles you child?”  
“I think you know.  Father wants me to make a public appearance at the royal gala; even make a small speech.”  
“Primm, giving a speech is just like talking.  We talk all the time, and besides, I think that will fall on Casimir.” 
“That’s another thing.  He’s getting, well, worse.  He seems healthy but this just isn’t natural.  He lashes out at just about every pony now, even father.” 
“Perhaps he just needs some time to mature,” Pyreite reassured. 
“He was never like this when he was a colt,” Primm whined.  
“You never knew him when he was a colt, little one.” 
“First of all we’re the same age,” Primm protested, “second, father told me he was very sweet in his colt hood but that all changed when mother died.  This is my fault, isn’t it.”
“Primm, you can’t blame yourself for that.  It wasn’t in your control.” 
“Primm began crying into Pyreite’s mane.  He shot a glance at Twilight in hopes that she would know what to do (no such luck).  He stared down at the crying filly thinking of a way to calm her down when his eyes focused on the harp guitar he had given her after one of her “appointments”.   He levitated the gold and silver instrument over to him with his magic and gazed at it.  The long strings were thoroughly secured at the small red holder at its base.  The golden tuning pegs that tightened or loosened them were shining bright with new polish.  And the ivory top was as smooth as marble.  
“Come now, Primm, no more tears.  After all, you know how the song goes.” 
She continued to sob. 
“Come on now, you seemed so happy when you played the lullaby.  Come on, I’ll play the harp if you sing it.  Just the one verse, just the first one.”  Without waiting for an answer he began playing the instrument. The small instrument began sounding off with the most angelic sound Twilight had ever heard.  It didn’t take long for Primm to chime in.

There are loved ones in the glory 
Whose dear forms you often miss. 
When you close your worldly story 
You will join them in their bliss. 
When the circle is unbroken by and by… by and by. 
There’s a better home awaiting in the sky, in the sky. 

Pyreite was about to stop playing but Primm kept singing so he kept playing. 

In the joyous days of foal hood,
Oft they told of wondrous love. 
Pointed to the glorious Mother 
Now they dwell with her above. 
When the circle is unbroken by and by… by and by. 
There’s a better home awaiting in the sky, in the sky. 

You remember songs of heaven, 
Which you sang with childish voice. 
Do you love the hymns they taught you 
Or are songs of the world your choice. 
When the circle is unbroken by and by, by and by. 
There’s a better home awaiting in the sky, in the sky. 

You can picture happy gatherings
Round the fireside long ago. 
And you think of tearful partings
When they left you here below. 
When the circle is unbroken by and by, by and by. 
There’s a better home awaiting in the sky, in the sky. 

One by one their…seeds were emptied 
And one by one… they went away. 
Now the family is parted…
It will be complete one day. 
When the circle is unbroken… by and by… by and by. 
There’s a better home awaiting in the sky, in… the sky. 



“Feel better now?” Pyreite asked. 
“Yeah, (sniff) yeah; I think I’ll be OK,” Primm answered. 
“Good.  Now come, you should get prepared.  I look forward to seeing how you look in that ball gown,” he snickered. 
Primm pushed him back and shot him a stern but humored look. 
“What?  It was a joke, a joke he repeated,” (or was it).  
“Well then, I should get dressed hope you don’t mind I ask for privacy.  I’m confident you can find the door.” 
“I can take a hint.  See you at the celebration.”  And with that Pyreite left Primm and Twilight alone. 
“Forgive me for not being so welcoming at first.” 
“It’s fine,” Twilight replied. 
“We really should get better acquainted Madame Twilight.  Perhaps later, after the celebration.” 
“I look forward to it. See you then.”  And with that Twilight left to join Pyreite.


Pyreite was waiting patiently for Twilight.  “Ah good.  Come Madame Twilight, we should make our way to the ball room.  That’s where we would go to get in position for the Tsar’s proclamation.” 
“Alright, let’s get going.”  The two walked to the ball room.  It was about a 5 minute stroll.  “That was a beautiful song you played back there.” 
“What, that lullaby?  That was just a little song to cheer up foals that missed their deceased family.  You should see all the things a harp guitar can do.  
“Who made that song anyway?” 
“It was because of the 1000 years’ war.  It was made by some mothers who got tired of when they’re foals asked, “Where’s daddy, momma?” and the only response was silence.  
So instead of saying that their fathers were cut down by a hailstorm of bullets they sang that to say that they were with the Mother.  Honestly I think that’s a lie.  There is no honor or innocents in war, just the guilty and the dead.  Many of our soldiers have gone too far down the path of hell to rest in peace… now that this war is finally going to come to an end perhaps those that are still alive can enjoy their lives with their families.” 
“I’m sorry about all that’s happened,” Twilight said.  
“Don’t be, it’s not your fault or blame.  Come Twilight, you’re here in the dawning of an era of peace in the Motherland.  Let us enjoy the festivities of this night and in the morn you and I maybe ever Father Dimitri will take a trip to the surface… and on that day I’ll finally know what real sunshine feels like.  Can you imagine it, Twilight, I’ve never even seen the surface.  It will be an adventure for the both of us.  We might even get to see Caelondia; it must have so much in store for us and…” he paused, noticing Twilight’s expression.  “Are you alright Twilight?  You looked troubled.” 
“I’m fine.  Come on, let’s find something to bide our time, little one.”  Twilight couldn’t bear to tell this poor colt what was going to happen.  The two talked with each other and some of the bourgeoisie (at least those Twilight could communicate with).  
After about 15 minutes their revelry was interrupted by Casimir.  “I was told to collect you two; father wanted to see you in final preparations for his speech.” 
“Come on, Twilight, let’s go,” Pyreite urged. 
“Alright.”  As the two walked with the prince Twilight couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable around him.  She looked at his face and for a brief moment his agitated expression turned to something more sinister.  He even broke into a smile but it was wicked.  Twilight didn’t like this pony one bit.  After a short minute walk that felt like hours they reached the Tsar and Primm.  Casimir wasted no time leaving the company of Pyreite and Twilight and took his place at his father’s right side.  
“Ah, good to see you.  The main part of the festivities will soon begin.  Are you both ready?” 
“Yes,” Twilight answered. 
“As am I,” Pyreite replied. 
“Good.  Now we just need…” 
“Me I assume.” 
“Ah, good, Prime minister Cael and young master Venn.  Alright then,” the Tsar said facing his family, “You two get to your balcony.” 
“I’m not too sure about this father I…” 
“There’s nothing to worry about my dear and you’ll be with your big brother.  He’ll be by your side.  Right, Casimir,” he said sternly. 
“Yes of course,” he replied, somewhat agitated. 
“Good; then let’s be off.” 
“One more thing,” the Prime minister added.  “Since the balconies will all be filled my son Venn has requested to be at my side during the speech.  Are there any objections?”
“None at all,” the Tsar replied. 
“Then let’s get going.” 
“Wait,” Venn protested.  “Before I go I just wanted to say thank you Pyreite, and to you Twilight for being my first real friends.” 
“It was nothing, Venn,” Pyreite replied, “we are all friends here and this peace will prove it.”  
The two embraced each other. 
“Ugh you all sound like chapters from a self-help booklet,” Casimir whined, interrupting their touching moment. 
“Casimir,” the Tsar replied, rather strict.  
“Bite me; this is painful to even be around.  Come on Primm, let’s go,” Casimir urged, taking his baby sisters hoof. 
“NO,” Primm wailed.  “I have thanks to give Pyreite as well.” 
“OH FOR BUCKS SAKE I’VE HAD JUST ABOUT ENOUGH OF THIS.”  And with that he stormed off. 
The Tsar watched him walk away in disgust. He turned his gaze to the Prime minister and Venn.  “I apologize you had to see that.” 
“It’s alright, I’m sure things will get better with him, Comrade Tazal.”  
“I hope you’re right but as of now I can only hope he doesn’t go too far.”  
While the two talked Primm conversed with Pyreite.  “I just wanted to tell you how grateful I am for all the counseling you’ve given me over the past 6 months.” 
“It was nothing, Primm.” 
“No it wasn’t nothing; you gave me confidence I’ve never had, not to mention my harp guitar and… and you were my first real friend as well.” 
“Wow,” Pyreite replied, “I…I never knew I had reached out to ponies’ lives like this, or that I had any friends.” 
“Were all your friends,” Twilight, Venn, and Primm said in unison.  The four embraced each other.  
“Well look at this,” the Tsar commented, “Unity and friendship truly reign this night.”   
“Indeed,” the Prime minister added.  “I hope you don’t mind we bread up your warm embrace.”  The four ended their touching moment and began going separate ways.  
The Tsar, Prime minister and Venn left, leaving only Primm, Pyreite and Twilight.  “Well I suppose we should be going,” Pyreite said.  “I’ll see you after the Celebration, Primm.” 
“I’ll see you then.  I suppose I should go join Casimir, but before then…”  With those last words she gave Pyreite a light peck on the cheek.  
Pyreite began to blush.  “P…Primm he stuttered.”  He stared right into the filly’s deep blue eyes.  He gazed on end for about 25 seconds at her in her ball gown.  It was snowy white with latté cream color embroideries.  It was quite a large gown as well with blue ribbons around her forearm areas and chest.  He continued his gaze with an awestruck expression.  
“Primm smiled and said, “I’ll see you after the ball,” and with that she left to join Casimir.  Pyreite remained there, standing, trying to comprehend what had just happened. 
“I think she likes you,” Twilight said.  
Pyreite snapped away from his train of thought and blushed a little more.  “Oh will you just go…ahhh.” 
“It’s alright,” Twilight assured.  
“This could be nothing more than a schoolpony crush,” Pyreite replied.  “Princesses don’t fall in love with ponies like me.  Trust me, it would end in tears.” 
“Give it time,” Twilight insisted.  “I think that…” she paused once more.  No matter how much she tried she couldn’t get past the knowledge that all of it didn’t matter; that in the end everyone here was going to die.  It tore at her heart knowing that this beautiful world would blacken and char.  
“Twilight, what is wrong with you?” Pyreite wailed.  “You’ve nearly broken into tears about 8 times today.  What’s on your mind?” 
“IT’S NOTHING DON’T ASK ABOUT IT,” Twilight snapped.  She looked down at Pyreite with a frustrated look with tear-filled eyes, but her expression changed when she saw the colt.  “I…I’m sorry I just…I’m so sorry,” Twilight pleaded. 
“It’s OK if you don’t want to talk about it, Madame Twilight.  Look let’s just put this behind us and…”  He was cut off by the beginning of a song by the royal orchestra. 

Gestahl’s dark wings, they did darken the sky. 
His raw fury’s fire and his horns sharpened scythes. 
We ran and we cowered and we fought and we died 
We burned and we bleed as we issued our cries. 
We need saviors to free us from Gestahl’s rage 
Heroes on the field of this new war to wage. 
If Gestahl should win we are gone from this world 
Lost in the shadows of the darkness unfurled. 
But then came the 2 on that terrible day 
Steadfast as winter they entered the fray. 
And all heard the music of Gestahl’s doom 
The sweet sound of Mother’s banishment of gloom. 
And so the 2 freed us from Gestahl’s rage 
Gave the gift of free choice ushered in our new age 
And if Gestahl’s eternal then eternity’s done 
For the pain is now over and the shadows… are gone.

“Please gather in the courtyard for the Tsar’s speech.”
“Twilight, we need to get going.  The Tsar is about to begin his speech.” 
“OK,” she replied, and the two made their way to the balcony.



After about 3 minutes the two found their places at their balcony.  Pyreite gazed to his right where Primm and Casimir were.  He looked down to where the Tsar, Venn, and the Prime minister were.  He struggled to really see anything through the railing.  He nuzzled at Twilight.  “Madame Twilight, would you mind if I climb on your back for a better view?”   
“Oh sure,” Twilight replied as she lifted him on her back.  
“Brothers, sisters my fellow Uralians, you have gathered here this night in celebration of our independence from the tyranny of Emperor Gestalius Shadowmere and the founding of Uralia.  
“URA,” the crowd cheered. 
“But I will ask a question to you all.  Were we truly freed that day?”  The crowd was silent.  The masses looked at one another for an answer.  “Yes, it is true we were freed from our shackles and yokes on that day, but we were not freed from our hate and war.   For that day marked the beginning of out war with the Caels.  A war so horrible that today marks its 1000-year anniversary; maybe a few days short but no less awful.  That is why I have invited the Prime minister here, for on this day I say it is time we put an end to that which is this godless war.  On this day, my comrades, let there be peace.  The was silence at first, but that silence was broken by mass cheering.  The Tsar and Prime minister breathed a sigh of relief at seeing no objections.  “Well then now that that’s out of the way may the celebration begin, but before that the anthem of our ancestors to commemorate this day.” 

(the Tsar) 					Equines of Eden we shall unite.
(the prime minister) 				Rise up and ready for the fight.
(both of them) 				Soon or late the day will be.
(the 2 of them and Primm and Casimir) 	When we are free from tyranny.
At this point all of the crowd who could sing chimed in

(the royal and Cael family and crowd) 	Soon or late the day will be. 
When we are free from tyranny.
(the royal and cael family and crowd) 	Though our lives be lives full of misery. 
Our limbs be tired and worn. 
Our dreams will not be broken 
And our hearts will not be torn. 
(the royal and cael family and crowd)	OUR DREAMS WILL NOT BE BROKEN 
AND OUR HEARTS WILL NOT BE TORN.

At this the crowd began cheering with joy and triumph, but that was soon to turn to screams of terror.  Horrifyingly familiar events began to unfold before Twilight’s eyes as 8 pillars surrounded the Tsar and Prime minister.  One of the pillars sprouted right under Venn, taking him up off his hooves.  He hit the floor and lay there, motionless.  “Venn,” the Prime minister shouted. 
“Don’t worry, Prime minister Cael,” a voice sounded.  “I assure you he’s fine and I’ll make sure that he’s very well taken care of, the same as you and the royal family and both your disgusting races of heathenish traitors.”  A large shadowy figure formed behind the Tsar and Prime minister.  After about 16 seconds it formed a tall stallion.  The shadows continued to dance around him but Twilight could make out a few distinguishing details.   Most important was his horns.  He had two twin horns that curved outward and then inward, like devil or demon horns.  He had large long angelic wings but on him they looked like that of the angel of death.  His eyes were blood red like Peryite’s.  His teeth were razor sharp and when he laughed it looked as though he had multiple rows.  His cutie mark was two twin olive branches forming an arch or crest.  Inside the arch or crest was a horseshoe and a unicorn horn crossing it; at the top off it all was an eclipsed sun.  
“Oh, you two are just so pathetic.  Your whole race is pathetic really.  I’ve allowed this mockery to continue for 1000 years and I simply just won’t have it anymore.  Perhaps in a few thousand years I might forgive all of you, after years of long, hard, and might I add pointless slave labor.  My mistake was I gave you all a choice, a choice to simply do what you’re told like good little colts and fillies.  I won’t make that mistake again.  First I’ll take your will, put an end to rebellion.  Then I’ll take your freedom, put an end to choice.  And then I’ll take your minds, put an end to your lives and personalities.  After that you’ll have a place in my empire.”  
He turned his gaze to the Prime Minister and Tsar.  “As for you two, though, I hope you spent enough time with your families because when I kill you you’re going to spend eternity alone.  I’m aware that many of you don’t have even the faintest idea as to what I am saying.  Well, actions speak louder than words, so…”  With that ominous statement two more pillars sprouted from the ground, impaling the Tsar and Prime Minister.  The crowd gasped at the sight of their Tsar dying before their very eyes.  The shadowy figure made its way over to the Tsar’s side and whispered in his ear.  “This is a mercy.  You won’t be around to see everything you’ve worked so hard for be destroyed before your eyes -- a mercy that wasn’t given to me.  
The Tsar didn’t respond.  His lungs were filled with so much blood he couldn’t even speak, as thick red liquid began seeping out of the corners of his mouth. 
“Guards, guards get over here,” Casimir shouted.  “Where the buck are you?”  That question was answered as the legion of guards took their place at the side of the shadowy figure. They looked genuinely dead; their normally pure white fur was now charcoal black, their manes were red, and their blue eyes were now white without pupils.  They smiled with the same wicked smile as the shadowy being.  Even their cutie marks changed to that of the shadow stallion. 
“Ah, the first new recruits I’ve had in several hundred years.  Show the Tsar your new allegiance.”  With that command the guards pulled out their rifles and began firing on the crowd.  One by one they dropped dead at the hailstorm of bullets.  The masses began fleeing in a panicked fashion with all of them trying to get out of the two doors.  It was chaos.  Those who could fly were already long gone. 
“Alright enough play time.  For the closing act...”  With that statement intense magic began to form in between his two horns.  He then released the ball of magic up above where it formed a portal.  A few seconds later an ominous object exited the portal.  It slowly descended onto Uralia.  When it hit the ground the entire city shook.  The ground began to fracture and fissure.  Entire buildings collapsed in the blink of an eye and enormous building-scale versions of those pillars began to sprout up from the earth.  As the Tsar and Prime minister watched the destruction they both gave their last breath.  They were dead and their bodies began to turn to ash.  Twilight was paralyzed as she watched helpless as thousands died by the minute.  As she watched the shadowy figure she began to feel waves of nausea.  She began hearing static and an obscene noise like some poor pony was trying to scream for help in his final moments as he choked on his own blood.  Images flickered in her head of dead ponies she had never seen before.  The next image was two soldiers killing two civilians.  At first she thought that they were Uralian but as she looked closer they were Equestrian.  The final image was a poster of princess Celestia looking rather stern.  Under her image was a single word, OBEY. 
The images then began to flicker at a rapid, epileptic seizure inducing speed.  The more she looked at this the more the shadowy figure began to look like princess Celestia.  She knew it wasn’t but at this point she was just shy of being convinced.  
She watched in horror before her train of terror came to an end by a desperate plea from Pyreite.  “Twilight, Twilight, please!  We need to move.”  Without hesitation Twilight grabbed the colt by the neck in her mouth threw him on her back and galloped away.  The two ran through room after room trying to escape the palace like everypony else.  Pyreite held tight on Twilight’s neck as she galloped out the exit into the streets of Uralia. 


Back in the courtyard the shadowy stallion and his new soldiers watched as the citizens died.  “My liege,” one of them spoke, “we should get going before the real destruction begins.” 
“Indeed.  I assume this will suffice for my entertainment for the day.”  They were about to depart when Venn moaned and shuffled in his unconsciousness.  This caught the stallion’s attention and he looked down at the colt.  
“I’ll kill him, my lord,” one of the guards said as he loaded his rifle, until a large hoof blocked him. 
“NO.  I have a better idea.”  He grabbed Venn by the neck and threw him on his back. “Perhaps this one can be taught loyalty yet.”  With that the group began to turn to pure shadow and flowed into the portal above.


Back inside the palace William Cipher galloped through the royal ballroom.  “OK, where now?” 
“Make your way to the Tsar’s throne room.  From there you will find a secret passage behind the Tsarina’s throne.” 
“Alright,” he replied, “got it.” 
“Well, why don’t you move?” the Mother asked. 
“I…I…I just can’t leave everypony here.” 
“They will all be brought back one day, I promise.  You need to get out of here though.”   
“Why not save them now?” 
“You think that we can save all of them?” 
“No, but some is better than none!!” 
“What does a few lives matter?” 
“A FEW LIVES CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.  IF YOU DON’T CARE THEN SCREW YOU.  YOU’RE NO MORE BENEVOLENT THAN I.  NYET, LESS THAN I.” 
“Watch your tone,” the Mother replied. 
“WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?  NOTHING, JUST LIKE THIS?”   William’s eyes focused on Primm and Casimir.  
She was tending to him who was cradled on the floor wrapping his front legs around his torso, where two deep puncture wounds pierced his back and abdomen.  “Please get up, brother, please!” Primm pleaded.  Casimir couldn’t even find the breath to speak.  She tried to stop the bleeding with her robes but it did no good.  
William Cipher galloped to the two and used what little healing magic he knew to keep Casimir stable.  “Hey kid,” he said franticly to Primm, “yeah you speak Caelondian cause I can’t turn it off right now.” 
“Yeah I understand.” 
“Good.  We’re heading to the Tsar’s throne room.”  
“What’s there?” 
“A way out.”  He lifted Casimir on his back and grabbed Primm’s hoof.  “Try to keep up, kid.”  The three ran, climbed, and jumped their way to the throne room.  Most of the palace was beginning to fissure and collapse but there was enough left to reach their destination.     
“Alright,” William thought to himself, “where’s the passage?”  
“I don’t know for certain,” the Mother replied.  
“What do you mean?  Aren’t you suppose to see all?” 
“Yes, but with the deaths of so many of my subjects my power fades.” 
“Just great.  Hey kid, do you know where a secret passage is?” 
“No I…I don’t know, I just...” 
“KID, think.  If we don’t get out of here were all gonna die.” 
Primm began sobbing uncontrollably.  “Oh gods,” William said, “look kid please, it’s OK, just calm down.  Crying won’t help.  Please kid, I don’t want to die here, I need your help I…” 
He was cut off by Casimir.  “The passage to the magitech laboratories is in mother’s throne -- on the top of it one of the decorative jade balls is unscrewable.”  William rushed over to the throne and sure enough the jade came off to reveal a small switch.  He pushed it; when he did the wall behind the throne moved to reveal an old elevator.  The three boarded the elevator.  
“You wouldn’t happen to know which floor is the portal device? 
“Floor B8,” Casimir replied. 
William hit floor B8 and the elevator roared to life. 
“Brother, where are we going?” Primm asked.  
“The Magitech research facility,” Casimir answered. 
“How do you know about this place?” 
“I pioneered the Magitech Knights program.” 
“You?!” William Cipher shouted.  “You are the one responsible for that sadistic mad science experiment?” 
“First of all,” Casimir protested, “it’s a science procedure, not an experiment.  Second,  what’s a few mangled Unicorns compared to saving the lives of thousands of our soldiers?  
“You save life by taking it -- not just the donors but also the Cael soldiers.  You kill Cael unicorns and rip out their magic, then splice it into others.”  
“And the product is all-powerful battle ready Magictech Knights,” Casimir replied.  
“But these things have deadly consequences.  It destroys the minds of its subjects.   They just want more and more magic!!!” 
“Then we give them more magic.  It’s part of the Magitech arms race.” 
“THERE’S AN ARMS RACE ALRIGHT,” William wailed, “but it’s not about who can build the better weapons, it’s about who can become less of a pony and more of a monster!!!”  
“It would be pointless to try and show you progression, PRIEST.  Your religion blinds you from the scientific revolution.” 
“YOUR MADNESS BLINDS YOU,” William retaliated. 
Primm had just about all she could handle with this argument and began to sob.  This did not go unnoticed by William and Casimir. 
“We’ll continue this in Equestria.” 
“Where?” Casimir asked. 
“A sanctuary.  A new land, a new frontier. 
“Are the conditions desirable?” Casimir asked. 
“They should be,” William replied.  “The Mother is sending us there.” 
“The MOTHER sent you here!!!” 
“Yes.  I’m the new listener.”  Their conversation ceased when the elevator slowed to a halt. 
“We’re here,” Casimir proclaimed. 
“Alright, I’ve never used this thing so I hope you can figure out how to use it.” 
“It seems simple; we just charge it up and set coordinates.” 
William approached the device. It was a large dome like structure with an enormous blue sphere core receptacle and a thick lead safe box to protect from the negative side effects of the teleport.  He checked the terminals and turned to Primm.  “Kid, go to the large computer over there and set in these coordinates: 4,8,15,16,23,42; got it?” 
“Yes,” she replied as she finished setting the last of the coordinates. 
“Good.  Get in the box.”  The three found separate seats.  William sighed, “Alright here it goes.”  With that he pressed the launch button.  The machine roared to life. It threw off sparks and made a rather odd high pitched noise as the lead box began to fade from reality.



Twilight and Pyreite ran aimlessly through the streets of Uralia.  “Keep moving Twilight,” Pyreite pleaded.  
“Where are we going?” 
“I don’t know -- where does one go in situations like this?” 
“I…I don’t know,” Twilight wailed, quite stressed.  Her stress was replaced by panic as another fissure opened right under her.  She and Pyreite began their decent to the void.     
“Twilight, fly please!!!” 
“I can’t fly properly.” 
“I would appreciate it if you would at least try!!!”  Twilight spread her wings and to her astonishment she could fly rather accurately.  She flew out of the fissure and back onto the ground.  She and Pyreite breathed heavily but in relief.  
“Twilight maybe we should go onto the rooftops; it might be a bit safer there.  If you can fly if the building collapses, that is.” 
“Yeah, Twilight huffed, “I think so.”  The two flew up to the building next to them.  It was about 45 stories high.  When they reached the top Twilight was introduced to a horrendous sight.  The city of Uralia was fissured and burning.  There were 5 large pillars spread across the city, each of them at least 100 stories high.  They began emitting vibrations causing further destruction.  After they were done they emitted auroras.  As they did the cave structure began to collapse and the city began to rise up.  This continued until the entire cave was gone and the sky of the Motherland was above them.  It was dark and cloudy with a thunderstorm brewing.  The air smelled ripe with ash and burnt flesh.  The landscape was charred and burnt (no chance anything survived).  As the city began to float off into the sky, defying all gravity, Twilight caught a glimpse of another city in the sky.  It was burning and had similar pillars in it as well.  “Caelondia,” Twilight said under her breath. 
“H…HOW…How could the gods do this?” Pyreite wailed.  Twilight embraced the colt and he did in return.  
Their moment was cut short when Twilight heard a familiar voice calling her name. “Twilight, Twilight, wake up Twilight.”  The world around her began to deteriorate and fade away until nothing remained.










“Twilight…Twilight you need to wake up, Twilight,” Peryite pleaded.  
Twilight moaned as she lifted herself into an upright position.  She rubbed her head in pain.  “W…where am I?” 
“Back in the world of the living.  You gave me a real scare there.  I thought you boarded the train to the great hereafter.” 
“H…how long was I out?” 
“About 8 minutes,” Peryite answered. 
“No I…it had to be more than that; it just had to.” 
“Whoa, whoa, easy Twilight.  You have a case of the Dreamstride effect, meaning you without a doubt dreamed just now.  Remember though, whatever you saw just now isn’t real.  OK, that’s horse shit what I just said, those were past events, memories of some unknown pony.  Well, not an unknown pony’ you were in my memory with me earlier so this was likely my memory as well.  With that in mind it was probably horrible and nightmarish but it’s over now you can relax.  Well, not really; the populace is still trying to break in here so we should probably get going.  I hope you learned that spell because if not then you’re bucked.  By the way if it doesn’t work you could always come back to the UGER.  I promise you’ll be treated like an honored guest,” he snickered.  
Twilight frowned.  “No thanks, I think I’d rather take my chances with the masses.  At least they’d let me die with dignity.” 
“Ouch, that was harsh.  I wouldn’t kill you.  You would no longer pose any threat to the revolution.  Granted your only usefulness would be gone but still.” 
Their conversation was cut short by another loud boom.  “We need to get moving now,” Twilight persisted.  The two ran back to the balcony.  On their way there Twilight thought about telling Peryite what she had seen but after remembering how he reacted to the question she realized it was best not to, and she honestly couldn’t blame him.  The two reached the balcony and were greeted, Twilight by her friends and Peryite by his troops.  
“Twilight, are you alright?” her friends asked.  
“I’m fine girls.”  
“I can’t believe you left with that thing alone,” Rarity added. 
“He’s not as bad as I thought and…” 
She was interrupted by Peryite.  “Excuse me, but you should use the spell now Twilight.  Now’s the chance to show me the ‘power of friendship’,” he said sarcastically.  “It will be easier with the elements.” 
Twilight’s friends gathered and used the elements.  As the magic connected them all together Twilight released a wave of magic around all of Canterlot.  As the wave of magic moved through the masses they slowly but surely ceased their siege of the royal palace.   The crowd talked amongst themselves.  A good number of them still looked quite angry.   Twilight was worried that the spell wasn’t going to last until Peryite began speaking to them.  
“My fellow citizens, cease this at once.  Violence is not the answer…yet.”  You have seen the true face of the Crown here today.  Never forget what has happened here.   Always keep in mind how fragile life is and its value to you and those around you.  The taking of life is only justified by its preservation and should only be used as a last resort.   When and if the time comes for you to lay down your life think hard about the cause you fight for and the futures you are making and the lives you are affecting when you pick up that rifle.  Always remember my children that we are all family and when you kill a pony you are killing a brother or sister.  WE are the UGER.  WE are the populace.  WE are Equestrians.  And WE stand together against the darkness and war, but if war is inevitable then let us fight for our family, for our future, for our lives and our salvation.” 
The crowd cheered at this and began to disperse.  “SO what now?” Twilight asked.  “Are we done here?” 
“Are you going to charge them for any of this?” 
“No,” Twilight replied. 
“Then yes, we are done.”  Peryite began to walk away when he was stopped by Twilight. 
“Why?” she asked. 
“Why?” Peryite questioned. 
“Why did you help us.  I know you started all this.” 
Peryite turned to one of his guards and gestured moving his left hoof across his neck like a slit throat. The guard nodded and configured a small device on the base of his left hoof and nodded to Peryite.  “You’ll find out soon enough, my dear, and I wanted to keep peace while doing what is necessary.  
“You talk about the preservation of life but did you ever think twice when you killed princess Celestia for your mad machinations?  
“Eight years Twilight.  For 8 long years I searched and pleaded to the pantheon above for another way and I FOUND NOTHING!!!  I tried but sometimes we don’t get to choose our paths.  In my case it’s forced upon me by my will to help the ponies of the world as a servant and slave to the populace.  I will ask this of you, Twilight, do you care for the preservation of life?” 
“Yes,” she answered. 
“Then comply with the Union and together we will forge a better future.” 
Twilight paused before answering.  “You amaze me.  First you try to stir up unrest, then you preach about how freedom should be fought for, then you say that the preservation of life should be thought of before all.” 
“Well, I can answer for all of that.  First of all those ponies back in Appaloosa were suffering to the point where death was a mercy.  They need to fight for their futures.   Second, about freedom, we do preach freedom in a sense.  Full bellies, warm clothing, the freedom from want and desire is the greatest freedom of all.  A freedom that even these bourgeoisies have never enjoyed.  We preach a new ideology of United Global Regulated Enterprise where we are all equal and share our wealth, world and wages equally amongst one another.  This would, of course, be forced as law amongst the populace.  The wealthy would hate us at first.  It would be reasonable hate for we would take their riches and jewelry, petty things they have grown attached to.  But in time when they see all the good their small sacrifice has done they will surely thank me.
“I don’t think you know these ponies as well as you think.  
“And you do?  As I recall you were never one for fancy things Twilight, you liked it simple.  Come now girl you can’t tell me what I speak doesn’t interest you in the slightest.”
“I suppose not, but even if you are true to what you say, in time your regime can and will become corrupt; mark my words.”  
“Those words ring true to any regime Twilight, at least the possibility for corruption.  I will ask again Twilight, the world needs ponies like us to shape it.”  He extended his hoof to Twilight.  She gazed down at it before replying. 
“Three or so days ago I might have said yes but you killed princess Celestia and before you even call her a tyrant that wouldn’t give up her power and say that she didn’t care for her ponies I will just say you’re insane.  I should know; I was her student after all.  Did you even know her?” 
A disappointed look found its way onto Peryite’s face.  “I knew her better than you could ever dream, Twilight.  That’s why it took 8 years of searching for me to come to the reality that mo…” he paused, “that Celestia was a tyrant.  Now that you’ve made it clear you are not going to comply we’re done here.” 
Twilight watched as Peryite began to prep his teleportation spell.  “WAIT!” Twilight shouted.  
Peryite turned his head to her.  “Change your mind so quickly child?” 
“No, what makes you think princess Celestia is a tyrant other than all the things you blamed on her to spread unrest?”  
“I don’t want to talk about it,” he replied. 
Twilight’s eyes widened at how he reacted.  “Peryite, I know what happened in Uralia.”   
Peryite looked at her, awestruck.  “H…how could you…the dreamstride.” 
“Whoa, what are you all talking about,” Rainbow Dash asked? 
“Stay out of it,” Peryite shouted. 
“Don’t tell me what to do,” Rainbow retaliated. 
“Stay out of it Rainbow,” Twilight yelled. 
“W…what? Twilight are you siding with this guy I…?” 
She was cut off by both Twilight and Peryite.  “What did we both just say?” they both wailed!!!  At this Rainbow backed off.  
“So then you know what happened and why I didn’t want to talk about it,” Peryite said.  
“I saw each and every gruesome death and all the destruction,” Twilight answered.   
“And so you should know why I had to stop Celestia.” 
“What!?” Twilight wailed.  “How was Princess Celestia responsible for this and…”  She felt her stomach churn as she remembered the visions in the memory if the memories were his then.  “Peryite, that thing was not Princess Celestia.  Those visions or hallucinations weren’t real.  Please, you’re making a mistake.” 
“I AM MAKING NO MIKSTAKE TWILIGHT.  The difference between you and me is that when faced with the truth I welcome it no matter how painful.  You chase it away.   Enough of this child.  I’m not her for a painful walk down memory lane.  With that Peryite brought out a piece of paper to his horn and teleported away.  
“SO, what happens now” Pinkie Pie asked.  
“We wait,” Twilight said, and hope that that pony’s claim was a bluff.  
“What?” Rainbow protested, “we aren’t going to chase after him? 
“We don’t even know where he is and I think we won’t be waiting long.” 


Peryite and his troops arrived at the UGER and were greeted by Ivan.  “My liege, how was the mission?” 
“Successful,” Peryite answered.  
“Was it recorded?” 
“Yes.” 
“Good.  Professor Nicola is here to transmit it.”  The guard handed Nicola the small chip.  
“Thank you,” Nicola said, “and as a side note my king, Princess Celestia has regained consciousness.  We moved her out of the sol unit and had her control the sun with natural magic.  
“I would like to see her,” Peryite replied. 
“With all due respect my liege, are you sure that’s wise?” 
“I think it’s time we had a reunion.  Prep the siphon and keep her in that portable containment. 
“Yes sir,” and with that Nicola left, soon followed by Peryite and Ivan.  

Peryite sat alone in his throne room but that was soon ended with the arrival of Princess Celestia.  She was contained in a large green sphere forged of magic.  Two guards rolled her in and took their leave.  She stared at Peryite with a confused and terrified face.  Peryite came to the conclusion she wasn’t going to start a conversation so he did.  “How do you like the palace?  I hope it’s to your liking because you won’t be seeing much more for your long life.” 
Celestia came to the reality of her situation.  “Pyreite why, why would you do this, how could…” 
She was cut off by Peryite.  SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTH CELESTIA.  I am NOT your little Pyreite anymore; my name is Peryite, god of order and purpose and esteemed leader of the Union of Global Equestrian Republics, harbinger of the new and glorious world.  
“WHY though?” Celestia persisted, “why would you do any of this?” 
“Believe me Celestia I would much rather have a simple life but somepony has to do it so I guess that somepony is me.” 
“DO WHAT?” 
“Save the world.” 
“From what?  All you did was kill me and my sister and even Discord.” 
“From you,” he answered, “the others just got in the way…well Luna would have become an obstacle.” 
“Peryite the darkness inside of you has finally taken over, hasn’t it.” 
“No, not at all really.  I think I’ve bested the dark magic; the schizophrenia and visions still are a bother though.  But no, I’ve never had such a firm grip of my senses.  I know perfectly well what I’m doing and soon the world will at last have unity.  We shall all prosper without the likes of you.  For what it’s worth I do miss and value the childhood you gave me Celestia, and I do thank you for that.  I hope you know even with your wickedness and your false love it is hard for me to do this to you.  I suppose no matter how much I deny it you are still my mother Celestia.”  Peryite turned his gaze from Celestia and breathed a sigh of grief.  “It hurts, it hurts so much.”  He turned his gaze back to Celestia and stared her down with concerned and troubled eyes.  He chuckled to himself, 
“Look at me -- I still look to you for comfort even if those days are long gone.”  
Celestia was silent.  Finally she said, “Peryite you don’t have to do this.   Please…please don’t.” 
“I’ve already set it in motion and now your little apprentice will show her true worth.  She has defied me but when I strike fear into the hearts of Equestrian loyalists everywhere we will test how she reacts.  If she still clings to your regime then I will have her pelt.  If she joins me then we will rule Equestria together.  
“Peryite,” Celestia wailed.  “You don’t want to harm her.”  
“I know.  She has such potential.” 
“No, you don’t understand.  She’s family.” 
“I know, we all are.” 
“No, no not like that, I literally mean she’s related to…”  
She was cut off by Peryite.  “Enough talk.  We’re done here guards, escort her back to sol tower.” Two guards came and rolled the sphere out. 
“Peryite, please just listen to me!  Twilight’s your…”  She was cut off by the slamming of the doors.  
Peryite sat alone and thought to himself, “I’m sorry sister, wherever you are.  You must be ashamed of me.  If I could only find you I would make things right between us.  Perhaps when this war is over I could find you and when I explained my situation you might understand me, maybe even forgive me.  I betrayed your trust like many, but even though she did deceive me mother Celestia never lied to me and I promise to uphold that custom and present the truth to you.  I felt it was better for the both of us if I just disappeared but I was horribly wrong.  If life would just give me the chance to right my wrongs I would at last be at peace with myself and there would be something good waiting for me at the end of all this.  After all, this revolution is for my citizens, not me.  Once this is over I will find you, I promise.  In my mental state I can’t even remember what you look like.  All I see is static and those horrible headaches.  Your sweet little eyes, your little smile is all I remember but once I find you I won’t need to remember.  But until then stay safe wherever you are.”  Peryite sat alone contemplating his thoughts and emotions.  After coming to the conclusion that it wasn’t going to go away on its own he made a pilgrimage to the wine cellar to murder his mood with a drink.  



Three hours passed as Twilight and friends bided their time in the throne room receiving reports, making sure the citizens were all settled down and accounting for the casualties.  “Twilight, Twilight!!!” shining armor wailed as he rushed into the room. 
“Brother, what is it?” 
“That scum Peryite, that’s what.” 
“What,” Twilight yelled,  “what happened?” 
“I don’t know how but somehow he recorded all of the speech and had his followers spread it around the world.  Every major city in the world watched how the he triumphed over you at this.  They are also pinning the murder of the citizens on the Equestrian army and plenty are amazed how Peryite calmed the masses.  Nations have already begun recognizing them as their own nation some are even siding with them.  There’s turmoil in Equestria as well.  The royal army has been sent to calm them down but in places like Appaloosa the vagrants have taken over the town and are now being reinforced by Peryite’s cronies.” 
“WHAT?!” Twilight and friends wailed. 
“Yes, it’s true I’m afraid,” Cadence added, rather concerned.  “The world now recognizes the UGER as a nation on its own.  A lot of the north eastern half of the world also has had thoughts of this idea of regulated enterprise.  Some have even lent troops to that heathen Peryite and…” 
She was cut off by a royal guard.  “Forgive me for intruding your highnesses but I have urgent news.” 
“Can’t it wait?” Shining armor complained. 
“Well I don’t have news myself but a guard from the crystal empire came here and he’s in near critical condition but he insisted on giving you this news now.” 
“Well bring him in Cadence replied.” 
Flash Sentry entered the room in quite an awful condition, being supported by two royal guards.  “Flash, what happened to you?” Cadence asked, quite concerned. 
“Never mind me Princess I… AH,” he wailed clutching, his hoof to his still bleeding ribcage.  “Your highness, I bear grave news” the crystal empire has fallen.” 
“WHAT!?” they all wailed. 
“Yes (huff) I’m afraid it’s true.  I didn’t know who they were at first but it was the UGER. They descended upon us with Pegasi warriors dropping explosives on the guard barracks.  They then moved their infantry in and killed any guard who opposed them. They cut us down like pigs.  
“What about the civilians?” 
“They spared them, from what I saw.  We tried using the Crystal Heart to repel them but they dropped some kind of beacon.  It nullified all our magic including the Crystal Heart.  Those of us that survived began our last stand at the palace.” 
“How did you escape?” Shining Armor questioned.  
“Sergeant Stone told me to go to Canterlot and get reinforcements.  I knew reinforcements wouldn’t make it in time and even if they did it wouldn’t matter.  I think he just wanted me to get out alive.  So I ran like a coward.  When I was about five miles from the empire I could see a green banner being flown above the palace and I knew deep in my heart every one of them was dead.  I made my way to Canterlot but was shot by some of those Unionists soldiers.  I managed to get away and find the railway tracks here and a pushcart.  I think I exhausted every last bit of strength I had (huff) highness.  Never before have I seen such slaughter… pitiless…pitiless slaughter.” 
“Get some rest, soldier, you’ve earned it.”  Flash began to slump over and fall unconscious.  
“Oh great; Celestia we need to get him medical attention ASAP, the guards said, and with that they carried Flash to the infirmary.  
“Dear gods, is this really happening,” Twilight cried. 
“Twilight, what did you say?” Spike asked. 
“Oh its nothing, just something that rubbed off.  Anyway, Shining Armor, send a few scouts to the empire.  We need to know how bad the situation is. 
“Right. I’ll get some guards.”  And with that he left for the barracks.  
Three hours passed before the guards came with a report.  “Well, what’s the news?” Shining armor asked.  
“Not good.  They have that place secured tighter than I ever thought possible.  We sent in some spies but they were later seen strung up on the walls pumped with holes, shot to death.” 
“I hope it was quick,” Shining armor replied. 
“This is awful,” Spike cried. 
“It’s OK, we just need to…” Twilight was at a loss for words and her train of thought was being disturbed by a high pitched noise. 
“Hey does anypony else hear that?” Rainbow asked. 
“Yeah, I do,” Applejack replied. 
“You mean I’m not the only one?” Twilight chimed in.  She thought to herself, “The last time she heard that kind of noise was in her dream of Uralia right before…”  She ended her train of thought.  “GIRLS hit the deck!” 
They all leapt to the floor as a large object crashed through the stained glass window of them defeating Discord.  The cone object began to open at its end and emit a vapor of some kind.  The gas began to swirl and form until it formed an effigy of Peryite.  “Ah girls, it’s been what, 7 or so hours since we last saw each other?  A lot has happened since then.  I see you gave permission for some uninvited guests to enter my new home; that was very rude by the way.” 
“Why you…” Rainbow Dash said angrily, charging at the vaporous Peryite. 
“Unh, unh, unh, Rainbow Dash, I wouldn’t do that if I were you.  Cyanogen Chloride is a very deadly blood toxin, usually found only in a lab, so I’m confident you are unaware of the danger,” he snickered.  “Unlike the poison joke you all played in back in the Everfree.  I assure this poison is very much not a joke.”  
All of them looked stunned except Twilight.  “H…how did you know that?” Rainbow stuttered.” 
“He knows all about our lives, girls, be careful.  Even though he’s not really here I have no doubt he’s still dangerous.  
“Indeed.  With that in mind avoid direct inhalation of the gas.”  Effects of it include nausea, dizziness, loss of consciousness, paralysis, and of course death.  I don’t see what the problem is though; I can take a bath in this stuff, put it on cereal, rub it right into my eyes -- honestly it’s not deadly at all… to me.  You on the other hand would find its deadliness…a lot less funny.” 
“Enough of this,” Twilight interrupted, “what do you want?” 
“To try and keep the peace.  I offer you one last chance to surrender to the global revolution.  You nor your friends or forces will be harmed, I assure you.” 
“Your forces attacked without warning.  How can we trust you?” 
“When you refused the surrender the first time you might as well have declared war on us.  And I sent three messages to the Crystal Empire and not one was returned so I had assumed that the Prince and Princess were against us.” 
“I’m the Princess!!!” Cadence shouted. 
“Oh, my apologies,” Peryite begged, “but let this be a lesson that a leader’s first and foremost priority is his or her citizens, not personal matters.” 
“ENOUGH, Shining armor shouted, “we have nothing to discuss.” 
“I don’t give a shit what you have to say.  I will hear it from Twilight and no other.” 
“King Peryite,” Twilight said, rather bold. 
“Yes,” he responded in a sly tone. 
“I will not sit by and let ponies of Equestrian soil suffer your mad machinations.” 
“Think carefully about this Twilight, you don’t want to go to war with me.” 
“War has already begun,” she responded. 
Peryite was silent for about 20 seconds before he broke the trend.  “You disappoint me child but you made this next part easier.  Dosvidanya, and may the Mother of life and understanding have mercy on your souls.”  With that a small antenna-like beacon arose from the object and began glowing and beeping. 
Twilight’s eyes widened.  “Girls, run.”  As they fled the room the object exploded almost instantly filling the room with toxic gas.  The 9 of them covered their mouths as they evacuated. 
“Is every one alright?” Twilight asked? 
“Yeah,” Applejack answered,  “I think so.”  
“Wait, where’s Fluttershy?” Spike wailed. 
They looked around and couldn’t find her but heard a cry for help back inside the throne room.  Rainbow rushed back in and found Fluttershy collapsed 10 feet from the door.  “Hold on Flutters,” she reassured, lifting the Pegasus on her back.  Eight seconds later they emerged from the room.  Rainbow laid Fluttershy down.  “Flutters, are you alright?” 
Fluttershy coughed and gasped.  “Girls I…I can’t feel my body I…”  There was no further response. 
“Hang on, Fluttershy, we’re going to get help,” Applejack pleaded. 
“Twilight she’s gonna be alright, right?” Spike asked, quite concerned.  Twilight was silent and Spike could see tears flowing down her cheeks.  She fell onto her hind hooves and shrouded her face with her front hooves.  The 8 of them carried Fluttershy down to the infirmary they waited 30 minutes before the nurse came to give them a report. 
“How is she, doc?” Applejack asked in a concerned voice.  
The nurse looked at them with troubled eyes.  “Her condition is stable but…” 
“S…she’s not gonna die, right?” Spike pleaded. 
“No, she will live but…” she sighed in grief, “we aren’t sure we got the flow of oxygen back quick enough.  Her brain was deprived of vital oxygen due to the Cyanogen.  It will take some time to assess the full extent of the damage.  If we restored oxygen flow quick enough she will have a sore throat and need prescription eye drops for the next 3 months.   If not then well…” she struggled to find the words, “then your friend is a vegetable.” 
There was silence as the 8 of them stared with blank expressions trying to come to terms with the news.  “W…w…when,” Twilight choked holding back tears, “when will we know?” 
“Tomorrow morning.  Get some rest; it’s almost nightfall.  I won’t speak on your friend’s behalf but I think she would want you to be at peace no matter what the outcome.” 
Pinkie pie began crying a waterfall of tears as Applejack and Rainbow Dash came to her side to comfort her.  Rainbow started crying as well.  Fighting back sobs she wailed out, “That scumbag is going pay for this.  If I ever get my hooves on him I’ll…”  She was cut off by her failing to control her crying. 
“Come on girls,” Twilight managed to say, “let’s go.” 
“Twilight I think I want to stay with Fluttershy,” Spike requested.  “Is that alright doc?”     
“Sure, just mind the patient.”  The rest of them went to their rooms in the Palace. Twilight looked out at the moon and thought to herself how was Princess Luna doing and what was Peryite planning next.  Her thought changed and all she could think about was that all this could have been avoided if she had just bowed to Peryite and complied.  Full of doubt, Twilight found her way to bed and thought, “I wonder what I’ll dream tonight.” 





William Cipher snuck through the palace grounds.  “Alright, what now? he asked the Mother. 
“I got to thinking perhaps your complaint had a grain of truth to it.” 
“Which one?” he said sarcastically. 
“The one about the dreamstride.  I think it’s time we remove it from her.” 
“Well I’m glad we can agree on something.”  William made his way to Twilight’s room, sneaking past the guards.  “Alright now, how do I get it out of her?” 
“Just channel my magic to your hoof and I’ll do the work.”  He gladly did as he was told. As the golden magic illuminated his hoof he hovered it over her forehead.  “Good.  We should go.” 
“Wait,” William protested, “what about her friend?” 
“What about her?” 
“Shouldn’t we help her too?” 
“Why?” 
“Why?” he replied.  
“Why is it that you feel you have to save everyone?” 
“Because no pony else will!” 
“It’s those thoughts that inspire Peryite, you know.” 
“Then there’s good in his heart as well.” 
“There’s no talking you out of this, is there.  You’ve been like this since Uralia and the royal family.  
“I saved them, didn’t I?” 
“Yes, and you whisked them away into unknown land.  They were separated from you after the teleport.” 
“Enough.  Every minute we spend arguing is a minute of that poor Pegasus’s scarce time down the drain.” 
“Very well then, to the infirmary.” 
William traveled down to the medical wing of the palace and into the stasis ward.  He gazed down at the yellow Pegasus on life support.  “If we get detected because of this remember it was your idea,” the Mother complained. 
“Just prep the magic.”  With that his front hooves began to glow he stood on his hind legs and hovered his front hooves over the unconscious mare.  After about 25 seconds the healing was complete.  William was about to leave out the windowsill when he heard a light moan.  Spike had just woken up due to the disturbance of the use of magic.  The baby dragon had gone unnoticed to William due to the dark but now he focused his full attention on him, as did Spike in return.  Spike stared straight into William’s blue eyes.  He opened his mouth to speak but as soon as he did William charged him slamming him to the ground and shoving his left hoof in his mouth.  Spike muffled until William kneeled and put his right hoof to his mouth requesting Spike’s silence.  Spike nodded in response and William nodded back.  He raised his hoof to the dragon’s forehead and illuminated his hoof.  He telepathically communicated to him 4 words, “We’ll keep in touch.”  He went to the windowsill and struggled to lift it.  The baby dragon climbed up to the sill and unlatched it for him.  William nodded in thanks and flew away.  Spike stared as the Pegasus flew away, trying to comprehend what just happened.  He turned his gaze to Fluttershy.      
“Whatever he did helped,” he thought.  He observed that the color had returned to her face and she seemed to be sleeping more soundly now.  He thought about telling Twilight and the others but then thought that that pony probably wanted to stay hidden.  After all, he did help Fluttershy, so keeping him a secret was the least Spike could do.  He lay back down on the small couch and returned to his slumber. 




As the first lights of morn crept their way into the sky Twilight awoke feeling in a joyous mood.  That feeling lasted but a second when she remembered the events of yesterday and her stomach began to churn.  She wasted no time making her way down to the infirmary to check on her friend.  As she entered her eyes widened.  Fluttershy was awake and looking completely healthy; she and Spike were talking to the doctor:  “How do you feel this morning?” 
“I still feel a little under the weather but past that I feel great.” 
“I’m glad to hear it.  It seems as though all decay from the cyanogen has been fixed.”   
“Fluttershy,” Twilight shouted in joy. 
“Twilight,” she squealed in joy as the two embraced each other.  
The noise did not go unnoticed by the rest of her friends who had come down with the same idea.  “Fluttershy,” they wailed in joy as they group hugged. 
“It’s a relief to see you’re alright, Fluttershy,” Applejack exclaimed. 
“Yeah Flutters, you really mad a quick recovery.” 
At this point Cadence and Shining Armor had come in and were relieved as well at the sight.  They joined the embrace.  
It didn’t last long as Spike coughed up a message.  “Spike how did we receive a message?” Twilight asked.  “Only Princess Celestia is able to send message through you.” 
“I don’t know,” he replied. 
“Well what’s it say?” she asked. 
“It says, ‘To Princess Twilight,’ (ahem), ‘Dear Royal Highness and friends my name is (none of your concern).  By the time you read this I will be gone retrieving a gift to send you in my next message.  As of now though I must play my part in this endeavor, as must you.  I have seen what will come if the Union wins and won’t have one bit of it.  I wish I could do more for you but I have restrictions on my services to you and direct intervention is strictly prohibited.  To win this war you will need Magitechnology.  Luckily the one pony left who knows how to construct this lethal weaponry is in Equestria.  Seek out this symbol.’ ”  Spike showed the 8 of them the picture of a shining star.  “ ‘I will do what I can for you all.  I take your side in this horrible war knowing that no matter who wins it will end in tears.  We will keep in touch, Highness.  Until then though, heed these words.  Prepare for unforeseen consequences.’ ”  
“Well, what do you think of it girls?” Twilight asked.  
“I don’t trust whoever this is,” Rainbow said.  
“He or she might be suspicious but we can’t turn down allies at times like this,” Twilight protested. 
“Yeah but we don’t even know what the symbol is and…”  
Rainbow was cut off by Cadence.  “I know all too well what that symbol stands for.”   
“Wait, Cadence you know what this is?” Twilight asked. 
“Yes.  That is the symbol for Starlight Enterprises.  They’re an industrial organization with a very dark past and I don’t like them one bit.  It doesn’t surprise me that they would be able to mass produce weapons.” 
“What did they do?” 
“Well it all depends on whether or not you believe the rumors about the past company. Anyway though, their base of operations is in Manehattan. If you insist on going there don’t expect the administrator to roll out the red carpet.  He hates royals, especially Princess Celestia and me.  You’ve never meet him so he might just tolerate you enough to see you in person. 
“He seems like a jerk,” Rainbow dash remarked. 
“Depending on who you ask he’s a murderer too.  But I won’t go on rumor alone; at least that’s what I keep telling myself.” 
“Cadence, are you OK?” Shining Armor asked, concerned. 
“I will be.  I just need to forget.” 
“Forget about what?” 
“What did I just say?  I need to forget -- now leave it at that.”  Shining Armor ceased at that but was still curious.  
“We should depart for Manehattan immediately,” Twilight insisted.  No one had any arguments, at least none they brought up.  The nine of them packed for the trip.  When they were done they gathered at the train station where an armored train was waiting for them.  Is the armored train necessary?” Twilight asked her brother. 
“Those union soldiers have been seen gathering around the area of the pass and train route.  Our scouts say that military units have been pouring out the Crystal Empire and now pose a threat to the eastern half of Equestria, Baltimare, Fillydelphia, and Manehattan.  If Peryite captures just one of those cities he can build up a naval force.  
“So if we head to Manehattan then we’re putting ourselves in a corner of no retreat,” Twilight remarked, rather pessimistic. 
“I’m afraid so but if there is somepony there who can help us win this war then we don’t really have a choice.  If Peryite gets a hold of him then we truly are doomed.”  
“We should depart now then.”  The nine of them gathered in the train and with that it sped off to Manehattan.




Inside the Crystal Empire the crystal ponies were being gathered for a speech at the palace.  The place was rather gloomy.  The once happy faces were now glum to the core after bearing witness to the slaughter of the Global Union.  There were still signs of the battle, bullet holes in walls, Gatling gun tracks, uncleaned bloodstains on the walls, and of course the bodies of the guards were strung up along the walls of the palace with the words “traitors die” written in their blood.  Many of the citizens took to remembering the oppressive times under King Sombra and questioned what they had done to deserve this fate.  The Union soldiers had confiscated all their food and funds and jewels and even clothes leaving them with nothing.  They had rationed them food but only enough to get by.  They had given them all a tattered leather tunic to wear and an ID number to be addressed by.  Everypony was hungry, everypony dressed the same, everypony was equal, everypony was miserable.  
King Peryite bided his time inside the palace prepping for his speech.  His plans were unfolding and he had spread his glorious regime where all were equal, but he was not satisfied.  When he pictured it everypony was equally happy and prosperous, not equally miserable and poor.  “Were my dreams and visions just that, dreams?” he thought, “never possible, and any attempt would only bring ruin and pain?  Was it all a mistake?  Should  I have listened to Twilight?  This world might be better off without Celestia but was this worth going to war over?  Was this revolution doomed to bring only tears to those who were happy?”  
His train of thought was interrupted by one of his top generals.  “Sir, I believe the populace are all accounted for.” 
“Is that so, Trotsky?”  He turned to his loyal soldier.  He was a tall tan stallion (one of the only 5 who joined his cause that weren’t his followers or disciples).  He wore a green officer’s uniform with a red sash around his waist as well as across his chest.  There were 4 pairs of 2 gold cufflinks linked with embroideries across in the chest area as well as a patch of his badge of office on the shoulder blade of his left front leg.  
“Sir, I must note their living conditions are less than desirable.” 
“I know.  Tell me, Trotsky, why do you fight for me?” 
“I’d follow you to the underworld and back if you asked me.” 
Peryite sighed, “Somepony already did that with me, but that’s beside the point.  Why do you fight -- if not for me then for what?” 
“I fight for the betterment of our race and the belief that all are equal.” 
“We are not of the same race,” Peryite protested. 
“You are as much an Equestrian as I.” 
“Thank you,” Peryite replied. 
“Not to mention that when my family suffered you brought aid to us.  I offered you my services on my own.”  
“Indeed.  Do you feel what we’re doing is right?” 
“Yes sir, it will be in the end, but I cannot ignore the suffering of our citizens in the present.” 
“Indeed,” Peryite repeated.  “How ironic, because I’m beginning to lose faith in myself,” he chuckled to himself.  “Perhaps a compromise is needed.  It is by nature for ponies to compete against one another.  Perhaps in the end we must only make sure that nopony has too much and nopony has too little.” 
“Indeed my liege, we must be open to the idea that even our ideology will have its kinks, and we must work them out until we create the perfect government rule.  But now I must remind you once more, your speech.” 
“Very well then.”  King Peryite made his way to the crystal hearts chambers (which had become the main generator to power the turret defenses along the perimeter of the Empire) and to the balcony outside.  
“Greetings, citizens of the Crystal Empire!  You have been chosen to be the first civil center to be annexed into the glorious Poniet state.  I thought so much of the Crystal Empire myself that I have elected to establish my base of operations here, as well as a home away from home in the palace so thoughtfully provided by your former Prince and Princess.  I am aware that many of you are concerned for you futures and families.  I am also aware that until recently you were under the tyrannical rule of King Sombra.  I want to make sure that this is clear and I can’t stress this enough.  We are not here to put shackles around your hooves and deprive you of you dignity, freedom, and your rights as living beings.  We are here for the betterment of everypony and the enrichment of lives.  We have taken your money and most articles of clothing but there is reason to this.  In these times of war we must all contribute.  Once this war is over your lives will be better than ever thought possible.  Please do know you and your families will be provided for; food and warmth will never be a problem.  As for money or work, we don’t have many jobs at the moment.  Those of you who have experience in the fields of engineering and other maintenance should report to General Trotsky for employment.  He will handle jobs and concerns.  We will be conducting background checks on all of you qualified to work and when something comes up you will be required to work at least 3 days of the week.  These three days will end with your pay.  You may choose whether or not to work for the remainder of the week.  If you do you will receive your wages at day’s end as normal.  You may use this money however you see fit.  You may buy clothes or other things to improve your living conditions.  Vital provisions such as food will only be available for purchase once ration distribution is complete and an overabundance is reached.  We apologize for the inconvenience but we may reach this sooner with your cooperation.  If there are no further questions or concerns currently there are mining machines under construction but until they are made any stallion or aged colt who does not need to watch after family or has any other responsibilities is to report to the magic crystal mines in order to bring power sources up from the earth.  This service, unlike most, will be paid by how much crystal ore you dig up.”  
As the crystal stallions were handed a pickaxe one threw his to the ground in defiance. This caught the attention of Peryite and the guards.  “I will not bow to you or the scum you call soldiers.  You attack without warning, you annex us into your Union by force.  My brother died trying to defend his life from you heathens and now you expect us to work or you will deprive us what we need to survive?  Well I say no, I will not bow to you.”  The guards grabbed him by his front hooves and dragged him to the front of the castle where they prepared him to be executed. 
“NO,” Peryite shouted, “this isn’t necessary.  What are we, savages?”  He glided down to the three guards and crystal pony.  “What was that you said,” he asked the stallion.  “You wouldn’t bow?”  Not waiting for an answer he continued, “THEN DON’T, see what I care.  Just know that when you are starving, freezing and dying, just know we gave you a chance to survive; and I want you to tell the rest of your family.”  He handed him the pickaxe and whispered to him, “When you finish your shift I will give your brothers ashes to you.  We will even host a service.”  The stallion took a firm hold of the pickaxe and looked deep into Peryite’s eyes before walking off to join the miners.  “You see, citizens, violence is not always the answerer and while that might seem hypocritical on our part we tried to solve this peacefully; but the heathens of Canterlot spat in our face at the offer.  They made it clear war was the only way for our global liberation and…”  
He was cut off as General Trotsky whispered in his ear, “We have reports you should see.” 
“We will talk more later, but for now return to your families.”  With that the masses left as did Peryite.  “Alright, what was so important that it couldn’t wait till later?”
“Our scouts have reported an armored train convoy headed our way.  We had our suspicions confirmed when our spies in Canterlot sent confirmation that Princess Twilight and friends were on board.  Should we engage them?” 
“They would be mad to come this far east.  They should know that puts them in a corner.  Do we know where they’re headed?” 
“Yes sir, to Manehattan.” 
“Good.  Then prepare an invasion force.  It’s time we make that city ours.” 
“With all due respect sir, Canterlot is weak without them.  Shouldn’t we attack there?”  
“Nonsense, they have plenty of mages, the only troops that pose a threat to us.   Professor Nicola is mere hours away from completing his anti-magic missile.  The first one was powerful enough to neutralize all the Unicorns and the Crystal Heart.  Once it’s complete we will storm Canterlot.  As of now though, there is something of vital importance in Manehattan and I want it.  Besides, I think we should build up a navy.” 
“Yes sir.  I’ll get the troops.” 
“Trotsky,” Peryite called. 
“Yes, my liege.” 
“When I’m not here you will be in charge.” 
“Me, my lord?  But why?”  
“Because I have faith the citizens will look up to you and that your will treat them with respect.” 
“I will sir.”  With that Trotsky left for the soldier’s barracks.                




The train was exponentially fast; it felt like it was at least 3 times the normal speed.   
“This is rather fast don’t you think, brother?” Twilight exclaimed.  
“It was meant to evacuate the royal court and family in a case of emergency.  We should be arriving in Manehattan in 10 minutes or so.” 
“Cadence,” Twilight called. 
“Yes, what is it?  What’s the story behind Starlight Enterprises?” 
“Well, I suppose Starlight Enterprises didn’t do anything bad but the company before it is a different story.  They originally started out as a science facility called Light Speed research facility.  They were never upfront about their research and built the facility far from civilization in the Everfree forest.  You can still see what’s left of it; they left it there to rot when they were shut down.” 
“What happened?” 
“Well at first they seemed OK.  They researched magic and other things of that nature. Around the time ponies began going missing and were never found dead or alive.  One day an anonymous employee sent a message saying that they were responsible and were conducting sadistic experiments.  We reacted immediately and sent guards there to investigate.  We didn’t find any proof to link them to the disappearances but we did find animal testing that was sadistic and illegal.  We also found several test subject reports that the cause of death was experimentation.  Most of these ponies didn’t have family, or none that missed them or noticed they were gone, and it was known that Light Speed would pay ponies to conduct tests on them.  The subjects were aware of the danger and that death was a possible outcome and we had nothing to disprove this claim so they got off in the end.  
“How were they able to come back after that?” 
“Their administrator had a silver tongue and convinced Princess Celestia to refund them at least a fraction of the value of the machines and tools that were confiscated.  In total that came out to several million bits.” 
“If that was just a fraction how did they get all this started in the first place, especially under everypony’s nose?” 
“Nobody knows, but after they were funded they wasted no time going back into business.  In mere weeks they had built another company, Starlight Enterprises.  We were concerned about their rapid return but it looked as though they had turned over a new leaf and I suppose they have I just…   No matter what, I still blame them.”
“Are they truly that bad?” Twilight asked.  
“I suppose not.  They have proven that they can do productive and good things.  They industrialized Equestria in mere months.  They built better steel railroads and the first transcontinental railroad.  They also made steam powered boats and zeppelins.  They then briefly overstepped their bounds and began creating weapons.  When the citizens of Equestria responded negatively they immediately ceased maybe we should have taken those weapons.” 
“Cadence, we couldn’t have known about this but I must ask: you sound like you had personal loss by this corporation.” 
“Around the time of Light Speed research I lost somepony close to me…  We never found his body but I blame it on them nonetheless.  I know it’s hypocritical of me to base my judgment on rumors alone but…  I just miss him so much I need something to take my stress out on and they were most convenient.  
“We have arrived at Manehattan,” the conductor boomed.  Get your business done and then we need to get back to Canterlot.”  

“Well girls, we’re here.”  The 9 of them wasted no time sightseeing as they headed straight for downtown.  They found the Starlight Enterprises headquarters standing proud in the corporation district of the town.  As they entered the facility they gazed awestruck at the sights before them.  The place looked like something out of a sci-fi comic.  Robotic drones hovered around keeping things in check.  Several approached the mares and dragon and cleaned their hooves.  Two robotic ponies approached them next.  They were white metallic with red lit eyes and void of any emotion.  
“Guests and customers are to report to the right; those needing to speak to Administrator Casimir should go to the left.”  They then said in unison a slogan: “Starlight Enterprises, we shine bright and light the way in a world of darkness.”  The 9 of them followed the path to the left to a waiting room.  The robotic pony instructed them to talk to the mare at the desk to schedule an appointment.  
They approached the mare.  She was cream colored with a light blue mane and eyes.  “Greetings, my name is Coco Pommel.  May I have the reason for your visit?” 
“We’re here to see the administrator.  It’s urgent business,” Twilight answered. 
“Alright, let me have your name and take a number and when I call it it’s your turn.” 
“We need to see him now,” Cadence persisted. 
Coco, now realizing they were royals, paged the Administrator.  “Administrator Casimir, there are Alicorns here to see you.  He says to be put on speaker; hold on please.”  She clicked the speaker button and said, You’re on speaker now Administrator.” 
“Thank you Coco, and now GO THE BUCK AWAY,” he yelled.  “Or at least that’s what I would say if I thought you would, but no.  No amount of cyanide or arsenic can get rid of you pests and you just keep coming back to make me rue the day of my birth.  Well come on up, just don’t expect the red carpet.” 
The 9 of them looked shocked after hearing the rant.  “I’m sorry,” Coco apologized, “he can be a bit short tempered at times and hates royals.  I mean he REALLY hates royals,” she continued, “he hates them so much he does it with a passion.” 
“We can see,” Twilight replied. 
“Indeed.  Let me show you to his office.”  She led them to an elevator and used her key to access the restricted floors and selected the Administrator’s office.  As the elevator ascended the ten of them were presented a view of Manehattan.  At this height the city of lights looked so beautiful.  The elevator slowed to halt as it reached its destination.
“Welcome,” a voice greeted them, “or at least that’s what I would say if you were, but that won’t stop you, will it?”  The administrator approached them.  
“Hello, Casimir,” Cadence greeted sarcastically. 
“Let’s skip the conversation; you know being around you fills my blood with bile and gives me heart failure so tell me what you want so I can yell at you tell you no and give you the cold boot.” 
“WATCH YOUR TONGUE WITH MY WIFE,” Shining armor snapped. 
“Oh and what are you going to do about it?  Good old Celestia kicked the bucket and you two lost your kingdom. You’re not just nothing in my eyes, YOU ARE NOTHING. While we’re on that note let me guess -- you need help besting Peryite’s technological superiority.  I suppose that I could, but it would be so fun to watch you burn on a pike.   Maybe I should evacuate and leave all my knowledge to Peryite and just sit back and watch the fireworks.”  
“Why, you little… Let me at him!” Rainbow wailed as her friends restrained her. 
“Please sir, think about this,” Coco begged. 
“Coco dear, go get me some coffee and make in snappy.”  She slowly left the room to the lounge to fill his request leaving the 9 of them to deal with Casimir.  As Casimir watched her leave he turned to Twilight, who just stared in response.  This both intrigued and infuriated Casimir.  “Is there something you want to say?” he snapped at the lavender mare.  Twilight was silent.  “Who are you?” Casimir questioned.  “You’re an Alicorn but I’m positive we haven’t met.”  Twilight remained silent.  “For bucks sake, you could at least speak when spoken to.  I know I’m not one who should be asking for respect but still I…”
He was cut off by Twilight.  “I know you.” 
“I beg your pardon!!!” 
“I’ve met you before Casimir Tazal.” 
Casimir looked stunned. Twilight looked deep at him and knew even though he looked older and he was wearing blue robes he was that disrespectful colt from her dreamstride journeys.  “H…how…how would y…you know that?” he stuttered.  
“I believe it was called dreamstride or something along those lines.” 
Casimir sighed in grief.  “How wonderful, knowing my memories were invaded by a nosy Alicorn.” 
“I don’t think they were yours but you were in them.  How did you escape the Calamity?” 
“A priest,” Casimir answered.  
“What about your sister?”  Casimir cringed at this.  “I…I’m sorry,” Twilight apologized.   
“She got out,” Casimir reassured, “but let’s just say we had a bit of a fallout.  She had enough of me I guess, and I can’t really blame her.”  He sighed once more, gazing out onto Manehattan.  He reached for his pager and called Coco.  “Coco dear, better make that an Irish coffee.  I need the alcohol.”  He sighed yet again and looked to Twilight but this time there was no hate in his eyes, only regret.  “I’ll be honest with you Twilight, I wasn’t looking forward to a painful walk down memory lane today, or ever for that matter.”   He turned his gaze to Cadence.  “Forgive me for my rather brash introduction to you.  I’m sorry, for what it’s worth.”  Cadence looked rather shocked at the apology.  “What was it that you wanted, weapons manufacturing?  I’ll get right to it.” 
“Such compliance!  Where did this change of heart come from,” Applejack asked? 
“I really don’t know.  Perhaps it’s because your friend knows my pain.  I never cared for my family and I suppose I never realized, no matter how bitter I was, they were the only thing keeping me from all this grief.  Look just… just leave me be.  I promise you will have your magitech weapons.  Please just… go.” 
The 9 of them were about to leave when Coco rushed in.  “Sir…sir,” she huffed almost out of breath. 
“For the sake of the gods girl, what’s wrong with you?” 
“Sir, the city’s under siege!!!” 
“What?” all 10 of them shouted in unison.  Casimir looked out and sure enough, Union troops were marching through the city slaughtering those who opposed them.  
“We need to hurry,” Casimir insisted. 
“To where?” Twilight wailed.  “They have us completely surrounded.  We have no hope of escape.” 
“No, there is one way we can get out.  Follow me.”  He pushed a small orange button on his desk and a false back panel of the wall moved.  “Quickly now,” he insisted, “move.   You too Coco, you’re coming with us.” 
The cream colored mare didn’t object to this. 
“What about the weapons?” Twilight asked. 
“I have their plans here.”  He showed her a small rectangular object. 
“What?  Is this some kind of joke?  How is that supposed to help us?” 
“We just need to get the plans on a mainframe and it will practically do the work itself.”
“What’s a mainframe?” Rainbow asked. 
Casimir looked at her with a stupefied look.  “You really do avoid progress like the plague, don’t you.  It is literally impossible for me to respect any of you.  For Mother’s sake then if we can’t…”  He was interrupted by a large flaming object being launched into his office.  “We’ll worry about it later; let’s go.  Come quickly now, move it.”  They traveled down a steel corridor to an old style elevator. 
“What’s this?” Applejack asked. 
“A way out.”  Once they were all in the elevator Casimir hit the button labeled “emergencies only”.  The elevator roared to life and moved down. This continued until they could hear the battle above them, and so on until silence.  
“How far down are we Twilight asked?”  
“By now about 115 or so feet below the surface.  120, 125,135, he continued on.” 
“How far down are we going?” Cadence asked. 
“We should be stopping right about…”  Before he could complete his sentence the elevator came to halt.  “Now, let’s get going,” Casimir once again urged.  They left the confines of the elevator and entered the metallic room.  The 9 of them gazed awestruck at the large device before their eyes. 
“Casimir, what is this thing?” Twilight asked. 
“A teleportation machine.” 
“Is this how you got out of Uralia?” 
“Yes… well sort of.  This was the receiver.  The sender is still in Uralia… well what’s left of Uralia.  It travels through space and any space-time continuum, yet I don’t think it’s capable of traveling backwards or forwards in time.  It would be foolish to leave this technology to the Union so I’ve put in reserve power to teleport the device as well.” 
“We’re going to use this to travel to Canterlot?” 
“Yes, unless you want to leave this world for lost and try for something better.”  They all shot him an agitated look.  “Didn’t think so.  Well step inside.  I’m almost certain there aren’t enough seats so those of you willing stand.  If all else fails work out a compromise.” While the 9 of them seated themselves (the ones who could, anyway) Casimir set coordinates for Canterlot.  He entered the machine, pulled the lever, and with that the box faded from reality.





The metallic box slowly began to form in the Canterlot palace garden.  When it was completely solid the doors opened.  “Are we here?” Fluttershy timidly asked.  
“Yes.  We’re safe for now.”  The ten of them stepped out of the box and took in a deep breath of air.  “Before we get settled just know without a mainframe I can’t make you weapons at all.  Well is there any of those fancy whatcha callits around here?” Applejack asked.  
“No,” Casimir answered, the only one was in Starlight Enterprises and…”  He paused as an idea hit him.  “Well, there is one more. 
“Where?” the 9 of them demanded.  
“In my old facility, Light Speed research.  If I were to return there and restore power it could be reborn as a war factory.”  Cadence looked at him sternly.  “It’s the only way, your majesty,” he said and smirked. 
“Very well, let me send some guards with you to insure your safety.” 
Casimir cringed at this.  “I’ll be OK.” 
“I insist,” Cadence replied. 
Casimir clenched his teeth thinking of a way to avoid this and then an idea hit him. “Very well your highness, I shall depart immediately.”  Five or so minutes later the machine recharged and Casimir and two royal guards’ teleported to the Everfree forest. The machine reappeared in the thick dense forest and Casimir and the guards exited. 
“Is this the place?” the guards asked, looking at the heap of garbage before them.  It was a concrete building with ivy growing around and inside of it.  The place was in general disrepair as nature had begun taking the facility for its own. 
“Yes, we’re here.  Come now, I’m itching with anticipation.”  The three of them entered the decaying structure.  It was little more than two stories high and floor one was a lobby, the second was storage.  
“What kind of game is this?  This is no science facility there isn’t even a lab in here.” 
“Oh, this is just the cover up, gentle colts, the real thing…”  He pulled back a false bookshelf and revealed yet another elevator.  The three gathered in the elevator and Casimir made the destination the administrator’s chambers.  The elevator whined as it came to life.  It was working very hard to die like the rest of the facility.  It began to descend but stopped midway leaving the three stranded in the air. 
“How long are we going to be stuck here?” one of the guards complained. 
“Not long,” Casimir answered.  With that ominous statement a cable wire snapped followed by three more adding to the omniscience.  Not 5 seconds later 6 more snapped and the elevator plummeted down below.  
The guards began panicking.  “What the hell do we do!!!”  
“Die,” Casimir answered. 
“I don’t like that answer!!!” 
“Well, if we can hold up this elevator with our magic or at least slow it’s descent we might survive.”  Without another word the guards and Casimir used their levitation magic.  At first it appeared to do nothing but slowly the elevator came to a halt. 
“Alright!” Casimir exclaimed, taking a sigh of relief.  “Let’s lightly ease off and let it travel down just one more floor; that’s our destination.”  The elevator slowly descended once more.  When the pass way was clear the guards pried open the doors and the three jumped out.  They let go of the elevator and allowed it to reach its final destination. 
“Ah, my old office,” Casimir said.  The guards looked around the vegetated and flooded room.  In its center was a large amalgamation of machinery; various monitors and computers surrounded the large heap of metal that was vaguely sinister.  At the heart of it all was a metallic exoskeleton of a pony with dead empty eyes. 
“Ah, my old mainframe…such memories.”  Casimir turned to the guards who returned his gaze with somewhat disturbed faces.  “Come now, the main breaker room is just down this flight of stairs.”  They followed him down the stairs to a large cylindrical room filled with breakers.  They began pulling all of them until the power was restored.  “Let there be light,” Casimir quoted.  “Alright, now we need to activate the main generator.  We should have access to it from here.”  He configured a few buttons and called an express tram.  The three boarded the tram and after about a five-minute ride viewing rubble, they reached the generator room.  They gazed up at the large 25-story heap of metal.  “Go and pull the lever there and that will restore power.”  The guards moved through 2 feet of water to get to the lever.  As they pulled it the heart of the facility roared to life.  Casimir smiled at this but then jumped back as a wire that had gone unnoticed by him jumped to life and sparked at him.  He looked down at it agitatedly but then smiled.  He grabbed the wire with his magic and threw it into the water.  Jolts of electricity surged through the guards as Casimir watched and smiled.  “Sorry about that boys, but believe me many died down here and that was the one of the most merciful ways I know of.  If you had lived I would have used you for experiments but you were useful; you earned a quick death.”  Casimir nearly squealed in joy.  At long last he was on the edge of recreating science.  He wasted no time boarding the tram and setting coordinates for the cryo chambers.  As the tram neared its destination Casimir thought to himself, “That fool Celestia never did have the courage to look down here.  She was deterred by those little contaminated area signs.”   The tram came to halt and Casimir disembarked.  He moved through the rubble until he came to the staff cryo chamber.  The place was still powered by its own generator.  He configured several computers at the center and placed a wake up call.  The cylindrical pods slowly opened as Casimir checked them to see who was still alive.  “Hello… hello-hello he called to the scientists.  Is uh… is there any activity up there?  Is anyone still alive?  Great,” he thought, “well BUCK; why is life such a bitch when I’m so close to…” 
He was cut off as a hoof was placed on his shoulder.  He fell to the ground in fear.  “Ugh,” the newly conscious pony moaned.  “H…how…what…what the hell happened?”
“You were in cryo suspension,” Casimir answered, getting to his hooves.  “Now most ponies experience minor cognitive deterioration after a few months in cryo sleep.  You have been in for quite a lot longer so you might have a minor case of serious brain damage.” 
“WHAT?!” the pony yelled. 
“Don’t be alarmed; although now that I know you are, try and hold on to that feeling because that shows you have reacted properly to being informed you have brain damage. Are there other issues you can address?” 
“I can’t see.” 
“Well, that could be a problem…” Casimir thought to himself for a moment.  “Da, but of course.  Alright, I’m going to illuminate my horn.  See if you can follow the light.”  Casimir moved his head in different directions and the pony synched it in his point of view.  “OK,” Casimir said, pepped up.  “The good news is that your vision still works, the bad news is that it’s terrible.  This is a side effect of being in stasis.  Your eyes have fogged up like cataracts.  The difference is that this is temporary and will go away in 3 hours, two days tops.”  As the two conversed some of the other hundred or so staff members came to Casimir.  80% of them were in healthy shape and had no negative side effects from suspension.  They greeted their old administrator with joy -- all except one.  He was a mid sized bluish gray pony with green eyes in a lab coat.  Casimir noticed him and turned his gaze over to him.  “Ah, Dr. Zelinsky, good to see you,” he said sarcastically. 
“Administrator Casimir, I’m surprised to see you.  I’ve been busy sleeping ever since you stuffed me in here.”
“I’m aware,” Casimir replied, “those were 8 long years.” 
“Eight years!!!” most of the staff wailed. 
“I know it was a long time but I could never get near enough to save you all,” he lied.  
“But now there is a war going on topside and in their desperate hour the royals have called on me to make them weapons.  And I will but, I will also reconstruct the glory of Light Speed research.  Are you with me, my gentlecolts?  Let’s make science.” 
The staff cheered and began bringing the facility back online.  As they did they started a musical number.



Staff members: 	Making science, making science is so fine.
We’re awake now and won’t the surface be surprised.
Motorized sentries:  We’re awake again.
Staff members:	Making science making science.
Zelinsky, fearful:	MAKING SCIENCE 
Casimir:		I’ll build a sentry with a gun.
The sentry:		I’ll shoot at you and make you run.
Zelinsky:		OH PLEASE NO!  IT HAS BEGUN. 
Casimir:		It’s time for testing.
Staff members:	Making science making science.
Bots and lasers, blades and razors, all ready for subjects to test.
Staff members:	We’re awake again. 
Motorized sentries: 	Sleep mode off now here we go.
Casimir: 		With all my tests we’re
Staff members:	MAKING SCIENCE NOW!!!


Casimir: 		I can’t believe those fools trusted me, 
And now I got…back my facility.
Won’t they just love how much I enrich them?
See how I use war and unrest into an excuse for me to test.
Motorized sentries:  Sleep mode off now here we go 
With all our guns we’re making science now.
P.A. system: 		MAKING SCIENCE MAKING SCIENCE 
Motorized sentries:	Our day is here.    
And we can’t wait.
So lock your load and take your aim 
Everyone together:	Cause when the subjects start to die we’ll all sing out 
IT’S SCIENCE 

As the rest of the staff went to fix the facility Casimir stayed behind and looked into one final cryogenic pod.  He checked the vital signs to make sure she was still alive.  “Ah Primm,” he said.  “I honestly am sorry I had to do this.  When I stuffed you in there I told you it was only a temporary solution, and it is.  Now that I’m back I’ll start thinking of a solution -- a permanent one.  I don’t know where on my agenda it will be, probably somewhere between fix the facility and restock the coffee supply, but I assure you I will get to it.”  With that he left to take command at his mainframe.     

Back in Canterlot Twilight and friends waited anxiously.  There was nothing they could do at the moment.  Any attempt to combat Union soldiers would end in tears.  They had no choice but to wait for Casimir to send them aid.  “Are we really supposed to do nothing while that maniac Peryite pillages eastern Equestria?” Rainbow wailed.  
“Yes,” Twilight answered.  “I know it’s hard but we would get slaughtered.  We have to play this smart.” 
“So we’re going to hide in Canterlot and put our money on a mad scientist while a demon destroys our homeland?” 
“YES,” Twilight wailed.  The two argued for a while longer before they were interrupted by Spike receiving a message.  
“Guys, it’s from our mystery ally or whoever.”  This grabbed any strands of attention that weren’t already on him. 
“Well, what does it say?” Twilight persisted.  
Spike opened the letter.  “Ahem.  ‘Dear royal highnesses and friends, I hope you got out of Manehattan alright.  Consider Casimir an ally but don’t trust him.  I have buried a gift for you in the Canterlot gardens by what was the statue of Discord, as well as instructions on how to use it.  Be careful, be safe, and be ever vigilant.’  That’s it,” Spike said. 
“Let’s go girls,” Twilight insisted. 
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, you’re just going to go get something from this pony we haven’t even seen before? Rainbow wailed.  What if it’s a trap?  
“He hasn’t betrayed our trust yet,” Twilight replied, “plus again, we can’t turn down allies at times like these.” 
“Don’t you think whoever this is, is even the tiniest bit suspicious?” 
“Yes, but I trust him.”  Without another word Twilight rushed to the gardens. 
“Wait up, Twi,” Rainbow Dash wailed as the others began to chase after their friends.  The nine reached the gardens.  Twilight went to the pedestal that once held Discord’s statue.  She began to dig and sure enough there was a small box buried there.  She opened it and inside was a white glass phial filled with a purple liquid.  On it was a note.  It read, “STOP!!!!  The current form of this potion is unstable.  However it reacts to Alicorn magic.  This potion allows the consumer to view past events.  To Twilight, I’m more than aware you have been under the dreamstride effect and have had enough of the past.  This will not be like the dreamstride; you will only view past events, not relive them.  This potion bottle will refill itself after each lunar cycle.  Keep it on you at all times and the keys to the past are in your hooves.  The past is the foundation of the present as the present is to the future.  Learn what has shaped your timeline so you may make a better future.  The past you are about to see is not a happy one; it is one with much sorrow and misery, but you must learn it to better understand your threat.  Soon though, this war will spread around the globe and you will need a union of your own to combat Peryite’s.  I watch you from afar and do what I can to see you prevail, or at least survive.  Farewell, and may fortune favor the foolish.”  
Twilight took at the phial and used her magic on it.  The purple liquid slowly turned milk white.  Twilight took a deep breath, “Well bottoms up.”  She slowly drank some of the liquid and immediately felt nauseated.  
“Twilight, are you OK?” her friends asked.  She gave no response as she fell over unconscious.  
Twilight picked herself up off the ground.  “Ugh, that sure wasn’t easy on my stomach.” She looked around; she was in the same place as she was before.  “It didn’t even work.” She then noticed her friends were gone.  “They wouldn’t just leave me here.”  
As she contemplated this two royal guards came her way.  “Ah good, do you have any news?” they asked.  They paid her no heed and continued down their patrol. 
“Hey,” Twilight shouted, “you could at least respond.”  There was still no response. She walked in front of them and to her surprise they walked straight through her.  She looked at herself and noticed she was translucent.  “This must be Canterlot in the past.  But what’s to know here?”  As she thought to herself a golden light began to hop around her in a playful manner.  It hovered off, leaving a golden trail for her to follow.  Without much thought she followed the trail.  After about five minutes the trail ended in a dark corridor.  Twilight wasn’t sure what was so significant about this place until she saw what was in front of her.  Two guards lay on the ground surrounded by a puddle of blood.  
One of them began to rise.  “Der’mo, my head; I feel like I have a hangover.”  Twilight recognized the voice of the guard as Peryite’s.  He turned and noticed the body next to him.  “No…no!  Dear gods, no,” He wailed.  He held the guard in an upright position and noticed his spear was missing.  He looked to his right where it lay coated in blood.  He grabbed the spear and gazed at it in horror.  He began to break into tears contemplating what he had done.  
The scene began to change.  Peryite was standing in front of Princess Celestia.  “Do you care to share what happened this night, Peryite?”  
Peryite was silent.  Finally he said, “I…I don’t really know, I…I just know it was me that… that was responsible.” 
“I see,” Celestia said glumly.  “He survived.  I can make the claim that you mistook him as an intruder and leave it at that.” 
Peryite’s eyes widened at this.  “NO,” he wailed.  “NO!  JUST NO.  Celestia, you know that wasn’t it; I lost control.” 
“Please, Peryite, we can’t be sure that’s what happened.  I…”  
She was cut off by Peryite.  “YES IT IS.  Celestia the dark magic is influencing me.  I lost control of my entire being.  We both knew it would happen eventually.  I’m a danger to everypony here.  This time nopony died but what about next time?  I could kill you or… or her.  No, I will take no such chance.  You both mean too much to me.  For both your sakes I need to go.” 
Princess Celestia looked like she was about to break into tears.  “W…where will you go?” 
“I have my old palace in the underworld, plus I won’t be alone.  I can gather the remnants of my followers and when I get better I’ll come back.” 
“B…be safe Peryite, please,” Princess Celestia begged. 
“I’ll see you soon and maybe when I return I might meet my aunt.” 
“Celestia smiled at him.  “Perhaps, young one.” 
“I’m 1000 years older than you,” Peryite retorted, “well sort of.”  Twilight was trying to comprehend what she was seeing but was interrupted by the world around her as it began to fade. 




Twilight awoke to her friends back in the garden.  “Twilight,” they wailed.  
“It’s good to see you’re alright, Sugar Cube,” Applejack said.  Twilight didn’t respond but reached for the phial.  
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Rainbow yelled, “are you crazy?  That stuff knocked you out cold for a good eight minutes!  Who knows what more will do?” 
“It showed me Peryite’s past.  I want to know his story.  There’s more to this.  He and Princess Celestia have a past together and I think it was a happy one.” 
“WHAT?” they wailed. 
“I know it sounds crazy but I think I’ve seen his childhood and why he thinks Princess Celestia is evil.  But I want to know how he became… well, him.  That kind of change doesn’t happen overnight.”  Without waiting for a response Twilight swallowed a second dose of the potion. 
Twilight found herself in a very unfamiliar place.  She looked around a black jade rotunda.  She could smell sulfur and hear the sounds of battle.  Her head turned when she heard a shriek.  She was scared but thought if nothing could touch her she was safe.  She began galloping towards it.  When she reached its source she found Peryite battling with some demon.  It was an enormous black spider that looked like it was coated in some kind of armor.  It was covered in red markings of some unknown origin and its twin mandibles dripped with some kind of corrosive venom.  “You fought well Arachnia, but your time is near an end.  I would tell you that you fought bravely but that would be a lie.  You hid behind the walls of your palace and let your demons die for you, and even now, faced with the pony who will undo you, surely you must know that you only survived this long because of your form in here.  
The demon hissed and then spoke.  “Yet you used your troops Peryite, how can you judge me, traitor.  
“I fought with my troops and I never wanted to be a god.  You forced it on me.” 
“You would have died if not for us.  After your escape you collapsed.  Whether it be those ponies or a timber wolf or some other beast you would have died,” the spider protested. 
“Maybe I would have preferred that,” Peryite retorted, “and now your regime and empire are coming to an end, just like you.”  The spider shrieked and charged Peryite, only to be stopped by a ray of light from above.  Arachnia squirmed and shrieked as Princess Celestia hovered down wearing golden Alicorn battle armor.  
“Now Celestia!” Peryite called out.  On command, Princess Celestia brought out the elements of harmony in their original jewel form.  They began to glow and release wave after wave of magic.  Arachnia shrieked and squirmed as she slowly began to turn to stone.  After 10 or so seconds the spider was no more.  
“Well, that does my excitement for the day,” Peryite laughed. 
“Don’t get comfortable just yet; there’s more work to do,” Celestia replied.  “Besides this coup was your idea.  By the way how did you manage this?” 
“I convinced the malefic gods that they should form their own kingdoms and rebel.  I just appealed to their pride and greed.  Funny isn’t it, even gods can be suckered into going to war.  Imagine, little old me, a warmonger,” Peryite laughed once more. 
Celestia smiled to him.  “So what do we do with the ones on our side?”  
“Dimento and the rest will form kingdoms in their pocket dimensions and keep influence on Equestria to a minimum.” 
“Thank you Peryite.”  
‘I should be thanking you.  After all, you’re helping me with this.” 
“Yes,” Celestia replied, “but this isn’t just for you.” 
“Well no,” Peryite responded, “revenge is a part of it though.  A big part.  To wage war for one’s self is foolish, to wage war for the dead is honorable but pointless, to wage war for those who are still alive -- well now that’s a different story.” 
“Indeed,” Celestia replied.  “These false elements of yours sure do work well.” 
“They aren’t as powerful as the originals but they get the job done.” 
“Indeed,” Celestia repeated.  “Peryite?” 
“Yes?” 
“I need to ask you something.” 
“The answer is no.  I know what you are going to ask -- you want to know whether or not these elements can save your sister Luna.  I’m sorry but it’s just not in their power.  They’re really unstable as well, I think we have about till the end of the day before they explode.” 
“I see,” Celestia said glumly. 
“For what it’s worth, I know where you might find an element of magic.” 
“WHERE?” Celestia cried. 
“We’ll talk about it later.  I think you know her though.” 
“What makes you think that whoever it is can wield the elements?”
Peryite was given pause.  “A hunch.  She has that spark; she reminds me of myself at her age.” 
The two were interrupted by Peryite’s troops.  “My liege, we are ready to begin the final assault.”  
“Good we’ll join you.” 
“Thank you, and might I add it’s an honor to fight with you, highness.” 
There was silence.  “Celestia, I think he’s talking to you,” Peryite said. 
“Oh,” Celestia replied, “thank you.” 
“The thanks are mine,” the pony replied.  “We’ll take our leave then.”  
“Those troops of yours really can handle their own, can’t they.”  
“Indeed,” Peryite replied. 
“And that technology is quite advanced.” 
“There is far more advanced weaponry.  I would show you how to make the ones I have, but Equestria doesn’t really need arms, does it?” 
“No,” Celestia replied, “and I hope it never does.” 
“Enough talk.  Come now, Celestia, join me in the final push.”  The two took each other’s hoof and flew off.  
The scene changed.  Peryite was standing by Celestia pulling up a flag of the Equestrian crown above a palace.  Ponies and demons below cheered at this.  “What happens now?” Celestia asked. 
“I don’t know.  This was my home but now it’s in ruins.  I think I’ll leave it to them.  If I come back I’m sure they’ll welcome me.” 
“But what about now?” Celestia asked, concerned. 
“I don’t know.  I don’t have a place in society and can’t get one.  I’ll likely spend my days drinking blood or something.”  
“Peryite, I can’t leave you like this.  I want you to come with me.”
“I…I couldn’t.  Back in Canterlot how would I…” 
He was interrupted by Celestia.  “You can look pretty normal I want to give you the position of my personal lifeguard.”  Peryite looked at her with awestruck eyes before embracing her and she returned the gesture.  As Twilight watched their touching moment the world around her began to disappear. 




Twilight awoke once more.  “Twilight, you need to stop drinking this stuff, really!” Applejack insisted.  “What did you find?” 
“Peryite and Princess Celestia were in a war together.” 
“A WAR!?” the nine of them shouted. 
“Well, less a war and more an uprising but they fought alongside one another.  I need to know more,” Twilight insisted. 
“NO,” her friends shouted pulling the phial away from her. 
“Give it back!” she shouted. 
“No, you’re crazy Twilight.  You’re gonna drink this and not wake up.  STOP,” Cadence shouted.  She approached Twilight.  “Twilight are you sure you need to use this?” 
“Yes; just a couple more times please.” 
“Alright.”  The orange mare hesitantly handed Twilight the potion.  Twilight took yet another dose of the liquid. 





Twilight awoke in a steel corridor.  The place creped her out but she could see the room was meant to be welcoming in a way.  There were benches and couches with magazines and newspapers as well as a coffee and water dispenser.  Twilight heard footsteps coming her way.  She watched as a pony and one of those Motorized ponies that she saw in Starlight Enterprises approached her, and she began to follow them.  The only thing significant she saw about the pair was that the pony was in a lab coat and the robot had blue eyes.  “Zelinsky you seem troubled,” the robot said. 
“Indeed I am, Finley.” 
“Is it the experiments?” 
“Yes.  We’ve been doing worse and worse and more evil things here.  When I donned this lab coat it was to do good for this world not… not this.” 
“I know how you feel… which is ironic considering I’m a machine.  I shouldn’t have emotions.  I was assigned to watch the test subjects.  I guess watching them suffer all this time gave me sorrow.  
“Finley,” Zelinsky said, rather glum.  “You have more emotion than most of the staff here.” 
“Thank you doctor but I believe you’re needed in the chamber as of now.”
“I believe you’re right,” Zelinsky sighed in grief as the two parted ways.  Twilight decided to follow Zelinsky.  After 2 minutes of walking Twilight followed him into the observation room of the test chamber.  She looked down onto the lab.  It looked ordinary.   It had dissection tools and an emergency sink and eye wash station and shower.  It had testing beakers and tubes as well as a periodic table of elements.  What scared Twilight was what was at the center.  There was a surgical table aligned with a power saw and a robotic assembly arm.  Strapped to the table was the young colt from Twilight’s dream.   Two scientist were prepping him for some inhumane experiment while a third one conversed with a black stallion in a business suit.  
“OK let me get this straight,” he said.  “You’re insane.” 
“What do you mean?” the stallion asked. 
“There is no way that this experiment is going to work.  Subjects rarely survive these kinds of mental conditionings.  We’ve never tried this on foals.  And as for the demonic implants, there’s a reason he’s called subject 8 -- 7 others died before him and I think he’ll be number 8.  How in Equestria you think this will work is beyond me.  Don’t get me wrong, we’ll still do it.  You were instrumental to getting our Facility up and running.  You gave us our equipment and funds and asked only for a single future favor.” 
“Then do what I said,” the stallion replied. 
“Alright, let me just make a check list of the things.  First you want a brain condition known as dreamstride effect to display these specific images.”  He showed the stallion the images.  The stallion nodded.  “OK next you want a slow decay of old memories, especially ponies close to him.”  The stallion nodded again.  “OK and finally you want a direct infusion of this dark magic rock or crystal or whatever.”  He nodded once more.   “Alright then, your favor is filled.” 
“Good,” the stallion replied as he began to leave. 
“Wait you’re not staying?  The procedure will only take 8 minutes.  Well that’s if he survives; in reality he should be dead in 1.5 minutes.” 
“No, I’m going,” the stallion replied.  “You will hold onto him.” 
“Until when?” the scientist wailed. 
“Until he leaves and finds his way to me.”  With that the stallion left. 
“Freak,” the scientist muttered.  “Alright,” he shouted, “Let’s get this over with.  The anesthesia has been administered, the crystal is ready, all we need is power.  Zelinsky you get to do the honors -- pull the lever.” 
There was silence.  “Ahem, Zelinsky that means you.”  The silence continued.  “As in right now, doctor.” 
“I’M NOT DOING THIS!!!” Zelinsky shouted.  “For heaven’s sake look at this, this isn’t science; its murder.” 
“Zelinsky, please calm down,” one of the scientist in the observation room pleaded.  
“No, shut up,” he retorted.  “We are responsible for the death of 7 unicorn foals.  They had families damn it, what about them, huh, what about all the other lives we’ve taken; do you think that was science?  I won’t do it.  I can’t stop you but I will not do this anymore.”
“Fine I don’t care, just somepony pull the lever.”  
The pony next to Zelinsky looked at him with pain in his eyes.  “I’m sorry Zelinsky.” 
“I’m not the one you need to say it to.”  With that the young scientist pulled the lever and started the procedure.  Jolts of electricity were heard surging.  The machines roared to life.  The small cap with wires on the colt’s head were filled with electricity.  The anesthesia clearly wore off, as the colt began to scream and cry at this.  Twilight and Zelinsky watched in horror, as they were powerless to stop any of this.  
“Vital signs are still there,” one of scientists said. 
“Alright stage two begin, pry his eyes open.”  Two scientists forced open the colt’s eyes as a third one lowered a monitor to him displaying 3 images.  Twilight could only see a portion of the images but she knew just from the small bits of information they were the images she hallucinated.  The colt tried to look away but, being restrained, was powerless to do so.  “Alright stage 3, final procedure.  He lived a lot longer than any of the others.” The robotic arm held a small crystal similar to the pillars from Uralia.  The saw then made an incision around his rib cage.  The arm then pressed the crystal down into the heart of the colt.  He screamed and screamed as Twilight was subjected to the most painful sound she had ever heard.  This continued on for about 20 seconds until an alarm began sounding and the technology began to spark and explode.  “SHE’S GONNA BLOW!” the scientist shouted.  The staff took cover as the main table went up in flames and bolts of magic.  
When the smoke cleared they returned to check the damage.  “Well, that’s what I thought would happen.  Well at least the death, the explosions, not so much and…”  
He was cut off by another scientist.  “Sir, there are vital signs.” 
“What?  But that’s impossible.  No one could survive that especially not a…”  He was cut off as a lamprey eel barb pierced his throat.  The small colt emerged from the smoke smiling like a sociopath.  Twilight took one look at those red eyes and knew deep in her heart this was Peryite.  She had her suspicions before but now any doubt was put to rest. The foal Peryite then ripped out the lungs of the scientist and wasted no time mangling the others.  The walls were stained with blood as he tore off limb after limb until only a mess of tissue, bones, and organs remained. 
After witnessing all this Twilight felt she was going to lose her lunch but the scene began to change and as terrified as she was she was curious so she focused her attention.  Peryite was strapped to a table but not for surgery; this time it was just to restrain him.  “Subject 8, you try my patience,” one of the scientists said agitatedly.  “If you keep this up we will have no choice but to euthanize you and…”  
He was cut off by Peryite.  “GOOD!  DO IT!  JUST DO IT YOU SON OF A BITCH!  Don’t you get it -- I don’t want to be alive.  You turned me into this freak.  Even if I get to the surface there’s nothing waiting for me there.  So I repeat, if you don’t give me my wish I swear the first thing I’m gonna do is kill again.” 
The scientist looked at him for about 20 seconds.  “I see,” he replied.  “Well then, since we can’t force your cooperation perhaps that little princess friend of yours will.” 
Peryite’s eyes widened at this.  “You wouldn’t dare,” he said, quite worried.  “You bastards would never get away with it.  You’d be hanged.” 
“I think not,” the scientist replied.  We spirited you away with ease and we know how much Celestia doted over you.  Perhaps we’ll go for a royal kidnapping this time.” There was no response from Peryite.  “Perhaps actions speak louder than words.”  He turned to two ponies shrouded up to their faces.  “You two fetch me the girl.” 
“NO,” Peryite wailed.  “Please don’t hurt her,” he begged. 
“Wouldn’t dream of it… so long as you obey.” 
“Fine… fine,” Peryite sobbed and submitted.  “I’ll do what you say.” 
“Good boy.  You see we can be civil to one another.” 
“You’re insane,” Peryite sobbed. 
“Yeah, so what’s your point?” the scientist replied indifferently.  “Zelinsky take him back to his room.” 
“Yes sir.”  With that he wheeled the table away.  Twilight followed the two.  When they were about 3 minutes away Zelinsky began whispering to Peryite.  “I’m gonna get you out kid.”
“Peryite sniffed, “What?” 
“I’m gonna get you to the surface,” he repeated. 
“What’s the point?  I have nothing to look forward to up there.” 
“Yes you do, your family,” he reminded. 
“But…but I’m…” 
He was cut off by Zelinsky.  They won’t care if you’re a demon.  Cesides I need you to tell your story to bring this place down.” 
“But I don’t even know where I am,” Peryite whined. 
“You can fend for yourself; don’t worry.” 
“But even if I do escape they’ll just take…” 
He was cut off by Zelinsky.  “No they won’t.  I’m going to write a death threat to Canterlot.  They’ll have the best security on her at all times.  The best assassin in Equestria won’t be able to lay a hoof on her.  I’m also sending a tip off to the authorities about what’s going on here.  We’ll be under investigation.  If all goes well then you’ll get a front row seat for when the boss pony’s head rolls off the chopping block.”  This moved Twilight but the feeling didn’t last as the world around her faded once more.



Twilight awoke with streams of tears rolling down her face.  “Twilight, are you OK?” Cadence asked.  “You were crying in your sleep.” 
“I…it was awful,” Twilight stuttered.  Her friends comforted her before she took the phial once more.  
“Twilight, we won’t stop you but are you sure about this?” Applejack asked. 
“Yes.” 
“Well then, best of luck Sugar Cube.”  With that Twilight took the last dose of the potion.



Twilight awoke inside Canterlot Palace and was quite relieved to be somewhere she knew nothing terrible would happen.  She followed the golden light that appeared to a balcony.  When she reached its end she found Peryite practicing magic by levitating water out of a glass, making various shapes.  He eventually lost control and the water landed right on his face.  He gave a somewhat agitated but cute look and sighed.  “Well at least you didn’t get wet,” He said to a rather large tome he was holding.  
“Hard at work I see,” a voice called to him.  Princess Celestia walked onto the balcony smiling.  
“Ah mo;” He paused, “Mentor Celestia.”  He proceeded to nudge the Alicorn’s legs as she bent down to embrace the young colt. 
“You should go out and play.  It’s a beautiful day and all you’ve done is study that same book for the last 3 weeks.”  
“I’ve already finished it,” he replied, “it’s just that well…” he was given pause. 
“I learned so much from it, it just seems a shame to leave it on a shelf to collect dust.  I want to give it to somepony who will use it and keep it in good condition.  Do you think it’s silly to feel that way for an inanimate object?” 
“Not at all,” Celestia replied.  He smiled.  “I love you mo…” he paused, “sorry.  I know I’m not really yours.  I’m not even officially your adopted foal.  The court sees me as your student yet you’ve done so much for me.  
“It’s alright,” Celestia assured.  “You have no family left.  It’s perfectly natural for you to imprint on the pony who gives you care.”  
Peryite smiled and embrace her. “I love you mother Celestia.”  Twilight watched in awe at the two.  Princess Celestia took flight.  As Peryite watched he grabbed the book and left.  Twilight decided to follow him to see where he went.  He walked on for about 5 minutes before bumping into a small filly.  
The filly looked up at the white colt.  “I’m sorry,” she apologized, “I wasn’t looking I…”           
She was cut of by Peryite.  “It’s quite alright,” he assured, lending her a hoof.  He gazed at her for a few moments before speaking.  “Here, I think you should have this.”  He handed her the tome. 
“What’s this,” she asked? 
“A book of spells.  I think you can put it to good use.” 
“Really?” she squealed.  “Thanks mister, uh...” 
“My name is Pyreite von Esling, and yours?” 
“My name is Twilight sparkle.” 
“That’s a lovely name.  I’ll have to remember it.” 
“Oh,” Twilight snapped, “I need to get back with my class.  Bye.” 
“Dosvidanya,” Pyreite called back.  
The filly Twilight stopped 10 seconds later with a confused look on her face.  “Dosvidanya,” she repeated.  She didn’t contemplate it for long before continuing her tour of the palace.  Twilight was breathless.  She remembered this day was the day her class took a field trip to the palace but she had never once thought she had meet Peryite in his foalhood.  The world around her began to fade yet again. 



Twilight awoke wide-eyed.  “Twilight, you OK?  What did you see?” 
“I met him,” she replied. 
“Who?” Rainbow asked. 
“Peryite.  I meet him when he was a colt.” 
“WHAT?” the 8 of them shouted.  
“I never realized it.  He was normal back then and… well, very polite.”  Twilight rose to her hooves and picked up the now empty phial.  “Come on girls, there’s nothing more we can do but wait for Casimir.”  With that the nine of them made their way back to the palace.