S2 Ch 27: Tirek (Finale)
Twilight slowly trotted down the stairs, taking her time. Each step stretched out sore muscles, but she didn’t mind too much. It felt good to be moving again. To feel like she was okay. Or, at least, better. The spear and the infection had done a nasty bit of work on her, she was just thankful she COULD still move.
She made it to the bottom of the steps and her eyes fell on Tirek. Then, slowly, they moved to the right where Queen Chrysalis was sleeping on her bed, bound in thick, metal chains and a collar. To her surprise, she didn’t see Iron Will. She wondered if he wasn’t considered a big enough threat for these cells? She gulped and looked back to the centaur. “So… errr… Hello, Tirek. How have you been?”
“Good, for the most part. I do wish you had moved that wind bag somewhere else, however. She will not cease her endless prattling when she is awake.”
“I’m sorry,” Twilight said sheepishly. “I’m sure--”
“That you’ll ask her HER life story as well? Perhaps you can supply her with your famous lists of ‘tropes’? I’m sure she has oh so many methods of corruption she would enjoy to try on you,” Tirek said with a roll of his eyes. “But do be careful. She really won’t cease her prattling.”
Twilight nodded, eyeing him for a few more moments. Finally she sighed. “Tirek...”
“Yes?”
“… Nightmare Moon made me that offer you’d been hinting at.”
“Oh?” he asked. “I hint at a lot of things. You’ll need to be more specific.”
“… She offered to make me an alicorn.”
The centaur snickered, his eyes moving towards her side. “Oh? I see. And when does the ceremony begin? Shall I be required to bring a gift?” he mocked. “I’m afraid I don’t have much to offer you. Perhaps one of my trained spiders?”
“… I turned her down.”
“… Pardon me?”
“I turned her down. I just… I couldn’t. There were so many reasons, but… I just...”
“What?”
“I’m scared she won’t take no for an answer. And so. I...” She sat down and lowered her head. “I just...”
Tirek cocked his head to the side, eyeing her for the longest time. Finally, he sighed. “I… see. Perhaps I was wrong about you, after all. It seems not all ponies welcome power. Some are just fools,” he said with a shake of his head.
Twilight snorted. “Yeah, sometimes I feel that way.”
“So, why did you come here?”
“… I don’t know, honestly. I just… felt bad, I guess. I know you’ve been trapped here and… I almost died. And… I just… sometimes wonder if its worth it.”
“The moon has begun its voyage across the sky, no?” Tirek asked, reaching out to grip the book he had been given by her. “I take it that you had no small part in that.”
“… I mean… you’ve heard of that?”
“Quite. It has been the talk of the castle. Since my arrival here, I have seen quite a few things I… did not expect.”
Twilight blinked a few times, her eyes moving to the book he now held. “So… did you read it?”
“Yes, I did. It is… fair enough, I suppose. A bit more flowery than I expected,” he said flatly, before holding it out to her. She nodded, taking it back. “But I have no objections.”
She nodded, smiling and holding the book. “Thank you.”
He snorted for a moment, before he eyed her. Finally, he spoke up. “Do all of you ponies fear being strong so much?”
“Oh, gosh no,” she said with a laugh, shaking her head. “There are a ton of ponies who would have jumped at the idea of being an alicorn. If things were different? I might have, as well. But… well...”
“But?”
“I’ve seen what power can do to a pony. I’ve seen what its done to Luna. And then what happens? I would like to believe I would only use such great power for good. That I would be able to resist the temptation to pursue my own, selfish goals. But I don’t. What good is it to have power, if I use it to hurt others?”
“With great power you can rule,” he said with a laugh. “You could stop Nightmare Moon, you could--”
“Why would I want to rule?”
He blinked. “Why… would you not?”
“Look at Nightmare Moon. Just… look at her. Why would I want to rule like that? What benefit is there to ruling?”
Tirek frowned. “You can do as you please, without fear of any repercussions.”
“Really?” she asked, flatly. “Do you think Nightmare Moon doesn’t fear the repercussions? If she didn’t, she wouldn’t have me as an adviser. She’s powerful. Incredibly powerful. And there’s nothing we can do about it. And so, so many ponies HATE her. She has all the power she could ever want, and yet… look at her. Half the time she’s furious. Somepony says the wrong word. All she feels is repercussions for the things she does and it makes her live on the knife’s edge. Eventually she snaps and then… then she does terrible things. And then she gets a fallout from that and and she tries again and its just an endless cycle...”
He snorted. “Yes, because she cares. It’s useless.”
“And what would you do?” Twilight asked.
“If I was to rule, why I would do whatever I desired.”
“And what was it you could do as a ruler, that you couldn’t do before you attacked ponies?” she asked.
“Excuse me?”
“What was it you couldn’t do? What was it you needed to absorb magic for? Was there a great spell?”
“… No...”
“Then what? What purpose was there to having all that ‘power’?”
Tirek frowned. “Then nothing could stand in my way.”
“What was in your way? WHAT was controlling you? What did you NEED that power for? To overthrow your father? Then what?” she asked, glaring at him. “Were you going to protect others? Take over kingdoms? Why? Or is that it? Did you want to rule, solely for the fact that you could say ‘I rule these areas’? To have power for nothing more than the sake of saying ‘I have power’? Why?”
Tirek’s mouth fell open. Finally, his gaze shifted. To her surprise, he was looking away from her, towards her book. “… Yes. And as much as I am… loathe to admit it. Perhaps… I was wrong.”
Twilight’s eyes widened. “What? Really?”
“Yes. I have watched… and you are right. There is power in your ruler. There is power in your kingdom. And yet, Nightmare Moon is not happy. She rules all before her and… and she is miserable. She places rules on herself, forces others to kneel before her. But it doesn’t bring her what she desires, does it?”
The earth pony stared at him, her eyes wide. “No, it doesn’t. I… you… understand?”
“I am not blind,” he said flatly. “I admit, I desire power. To destroy and rule. But… I… can acknowledge that there is little I can gain from it. I was a prince in my homeland… and… were it not for my ambition… perhaps I would have enjoyed my life there, eventually. Instead, I longed to rule. To overthrow my father. To have a kingdom of my own, glorious and powerful. But...” His gaze shifted towards a small box, a few scant crumbs of chocolate inside. “I’ve seen different things, here. Things you cannot see when you are powerful. When you rule. When you force everything to bend to your will… regardless of the consequences.”
Twilight stared, a hoof moving to her mouth. “Oh, Tirek...” she whispered.
The centaur was quiet for a long, long time, staring at the box. Finally, he closed his eyes. “And though it pains me to say… Though you are obnoxious, annoying and, frankly, the most mentally damaged creature I have ever met, I… was… quite saddened to hear you had gotten hurt. And… I am… quite pleased that you are better.”
The earth pony snickered, before sighing. “I… believe you.”
“Oh? Are you sure? I could be trying to manipulate you and twist you again. Perhaps this is just another means for me to gain your trust and turn you to my side.”
“Maybe. But… you know what? Sometimes you just have to trust your friends,” she said, smiling up at him. “Besides… you’ve been locked away for a long time. Far too long. And I… I really do wish I could free you...” she mumbled.
Tirek sighed and closed his eyes. “… And I wish I could free you,” he mumbled. He then slowly reached up to his neck, taking a small, golden triangle amulet off it. He stared at it for the longest time, before turning to her and offering it. “Here.”
“What? What’s this?” she asked, reaching a hoof and taking the golden amulet. “It’s… beautiful.”
“… It’s a gift.”
“A gift?”
“Yes. It was something that held no value to me, once… but...” He sighed and closed his eyes. “It used to belong to someone who… I think he would have liked you. And I think I’m beginning to understand why.”
Twilight couldn’t help but smile, slowly sliding the amulet up and around her neck. “Thank you. I’ll treasure it, always.”
“Just don’t let your ruler see it,” he said flatly.
“… Fair. She might try to destroy it. Thank you, Tirek.”
“Now go. I, like my… unwanted guest, need my rest. Welcome back to the castle, young pony.”
She nodded and turned, trotting up the steps. He watched her go and then, slowly, began to grin once she was out of sight. “Oh ponies… you really are so easily manipulated, aren’t you?” he asked, before laying down on his cot. “As if one ever needs more than power...”
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Really, is anyone surprised? My first instinct when he stated talking was, "well if it were anyone other than Tirek... I might believe this."
If one wishes to be a truly masterful manipulator, then you must be willing to occasionally speak the full and complete truth. Bizarre as it sounds, some of the best manipulators are the trustworthy ones.
Quite a problem to have, no?
Tirek, oh you!
Honestly? I think Tirek outplayed himself getting those thoughts even if he thinks they're only for manipulating Twilight. Even in canon MLP he gave Chrysalis back her power, even there, surrounded by villains, he understood for a moment what friendship is and how it helps.
So yeah, even if he succeeds in whatever scheme he's concocting, he's already 'poisoned' by Twilight's ideals. She chips NMM's shell bit by bit, she outsmarted Chrysalis. Tirek thinks he'll be an exeption? Yeah, as if.
But... I think he'll carry that plan if only to be free from NMM's chains. That's one thing I'll give to him, he's powerless prisoner, and that's not a good thing.
9703508
I agree. I was kind of disappointed when he turned back at the end (although honestly it did feel more like him), but I think you're right - she's chipping away at him, and she has reason to believe that he, at least in some small part, is starting to believe what he just said. I think he's going to have some time to consider the fact that she really DID turn down that power, and that his life philosophy that ANYONE would take power if they had the chance was just proved wrong. But I'm kind of glad he didn't turn just at this moment; it didn't feel quite right yet.
Fabulous epilogue and season!!! I'm so excited to see how things will continue! And I LOVE the idea of you exploring more of this alt universe in the future, although I certainly understand you wanting to wait until you're done with the main storyline. Have fun with your writing and I can't wait to see the next season of Twilight Glow! :D
Ending with a cliffhanger as well as the fact, Tierk will betray Twilight in season 3 was genius. Season 2 was an amazing experience & was worth the read! Can't wait for season 3!
9703532
Exactly! He started walking down the path of friendship, but he's only at the very beginning.
It always struck me as a little boring that the pursuit of power is always towards some goal, so it’s a little bit refreshing to see an antagonist for whom the pursuit of power is the goal. I think this is partly because that kind of mindset is alien to most people. “You don’t plan to do anything with that power? Then what’s even the point of having it?”
Tirek didn’t really get the billing or story he deserved. He’s not a villain, really, in the way that Nightmare Moon or Discord or Chrysalis or Sombra or the Storm King are; they all pursued power as a means to achieve something else. Tirek pursues power because “why not?”
Tirek is the Joker.
Well be waiting... these couple of mounts will be darker waiting for your ‘glow’
Hmm, what's Tirek's game here? The amulet is just that, right? Or is this all just to eventually get Twilight to free him, drain her, and then go into hiding while he builds his strength?
In with the people saying Tirek is like Spike in later Buffy, sticking with evil more because it’s what he’s built his identity on rather than actually really enjoying it anymore.
9703679
It’s Scorpan’s necklace that he gave to Discord.
Interestingly, here he admits that it didn’t used to mean anything to him and uses that to set up his new deception. Before he pretended it meant something.
In my mind I'm drawing parallels between Tirek and Aku (from Samurai Jack).
Aku ruled the world with unlimited power, and all he used it for was to ruin the land and terrorize the survivors — and it was quite clear that was his goal. That was his idea of fun, and there's nothing to indicate that he ever had a second thought about it.
9703487
Perhaps Twilight, because she actually tells Nightmare Moon the truth, could very well be considered the best manipulator.
She has slowly wrapped Nightmare Moon around her hoof, and she didn't need alicorn powers to do this. She also got Sunset to abandon her selfishness and help her defeat the Nightmare, again by harshly telling her off.
9703755
Twilight, the Princess of "The Reasons you Suck" speeches.
I've been dealing with the same thing myself, through not quite on the scale you have all things considered.
Really have been enjoying this story, and I'm looking forward to what you do with third season.
9703912
The thing is, she doesn't even have to be a princess, and she can already put others in their place with little more then words.
If she did actually get wings and a horn, well, she could actually be much scarier then Nightmare Moon, even without making direct threats.
Went back and re-read alot of chapters just to get back into the feel of the story
I can't get over how you managed to make earth twi more badass than when she had magic XD
9703575
Joker has an end goal, actually.
And Tirek, as we can see, doesn't, and can't admit to himself that he wants power 'just because' and it won't actually allow him anything he can't do himself.
I, for one, AM looking forward to more of the TG verse.
I DO hope you write it eventually.
Finally caught up to the latest chapter, A brilliant read If I do say so myself!! One little wish If I might would enjoy seeing more interaction between twilight's mother and father, love the sort of attachment that brings
There, finally caught up.
Been a good read so far; I've enjoyed it.
Amazing season! Thanks for writing. I really look forward to the next arc.
This has been an excellent read so far. I'm glad I found this story. Looking forward to the next season.
9725269
But what FLAVOR of chaos? Chaos can come in many forms after all!
9703487
Ugh, it's the worst problem! It's so hard to work on my original works and other works when my mind is going 'Oh gosh, what if I wrote a story about X in Y universe? Or what if I...' Like, seriously. The sheer amount of ideas and thoughts that come to mind can be extreme. I need to finish a story before I write a dozen offshoots.
9703538
Not gonna have to wait long~ Also, yeah. I'm hopeful I'll be able to keep going even past the final season of TG.
9704220
More badass? Whatever do you mean? She's just merely an earth pony and a writer. Nothing at all super bad ass about that. :P
9704085
Probably. She's got books full of speeches.
9703755
Yes. Sunset was DEFINITELY helping Twilight. Yup. Totally. Not using her or anything... >.> <.<
9703679
No comment~
9703600
Looks like the glow will return a bit sooner than initially planned.
9703565
Not gonna have to wait long~
9703575
True. Unfortunately, the 'Want power to gain more power!' goal is one that is seen a lot more in reality than I wish it ever was.
9723028
Me too, will be out soon, actually.
9721627
Can't wait myself.
9713261
Been a pleasure to write.
9706047
Honestly, they're adorable. If I ever run a side story focusing on Shining and Cadence, they'd be pivotal in it.
9705452
Me too. I love writing it. Given the ability, I'd probably spend the next year or two just writing stories in this verse.
9725751
Really? How soon?
9725755
Tomorrow. :P
9725797
Poor Moony, she tries and she tries, but nothing ever really goes her way, then she slips up and loses whatever goodwill she fought tooth and nail for, with the approval of her subjects that she so desperately craves just a little out of reach. She makes me think of her like a Max Payne sort of character, and how she's just one heart-crushing defeat away from locking herself in her room to drink and smoke the night away.
Finally caught up, and I'm loving this!!!! Excellent story, I think I love earth pony Twilight better than either unicorn or Alicorn versions of her. Can hardly wait for season three! Keep up the good work. ^.^
9704220
Didn't Discord make the same comment? :)
Jeweled Pen, you are truly an inspiration to the very art of writing. I've been told horror story after horror story of people burning out in the craft, yet here you are bringing enthusiasm the likes of which I've never seen!
I am going to cherish telling stories as much as you do. It's my new life purpose now.
You are my inspiration.
A greta ending to another great season. Holy crap, your writings are nothing but homeruns after homeruns. Simply amazing. You're just so talented and experiences as a writer. Your mere words moved emotions. Not even finished with the story, but holy crap I'm already enjoying this so much. This stuff should've been in novels, seriously.
Oh, Tirek... You just haven't lived it yet. "It will be different because I'm me", most likely in your thoughts, is it not? Well, news flash, you're not different. You just refuse to see that absolute power is not all it's cracked up to be.