There is no rage nor fury, like a dragon scorned. ~ Various
Twilight gazed up as a wave of blue energy past through her and her friends. Her somber mood instantly turned happy as she could see and feel her magic course through her once again. She had no idea why magic had returned but with it back she could teleport her friends and Spike back to school to confront Cozy Glow. When a uplifted heart she gazed at her friends before gathering her mana and teleporting them back to the school.
A flash later and they were teleported to the school courtyard. Twilight was a bit surprised when she saw that she managed to luck out and teleport them right to Cozy Glow. Cozy Glow was surrounded by several students and for just a infinitesimal moment Twilight could also see fury on Cozy Glow's face before it was replaced by surprise and then fake relief. "I mean... Yay! All my friends are safe!"
"You can drop the act, Cozy Glow!" Applejack angrily confronted Cozy, pointing an accusatory hoof at the young pegasus. "Your pen pal Tirek told us all about how he helped you suck up all that magic!"
"But I still don't understand why." Twilight questioned.
"Why?!" Cozy Glow growled, her eyes bulging out. "Because friendship is power! You might be the Princess of Friendship, but as headmare of this school, I can collect even more friends than you!"
"You're the one who doesn't get it, Cozy. " Twilight countered, sadden that she had failed to teach Cozy the real meaning and purpose of friendship. "Friendship is powerful, but power isn't why you make friends. I'm sorry I couldn't teach you that."
"Well, you taught us." Twilight looked over to see that Gallus along with, Silverstream, Smolder, Yona, Sandbar, and Ocellus approaching her.
"You can't let one bad apple make you think you failed." Silverstream added.
"And we never could've stopped her if we hadn't learned what you taught us about friendship." Sandbar pointed out.
Twilight smiled proudly as she was surround by them, their words uplifting. At least some good came out of this mess. Now if she could get Cozy Glow to see the error of her ways...
"Honesty? Loyalty? Generosity? Blah-blah-blah!" Cozy Glow sneered. "I can make more friends without using any of them! And if I can't do it here, I'll..."
Cozy Glow paused as she jumped-flew over Twilight and her friends. But she was unable to escape nor finish her rant. Without warning a sword fell from the sky piercing into her back all the way to hilt and pinning her flat to the ground. Twilight gasped in shock then screamed in horror.
What Cozy Glow did was evil but to for her to be killed like that?! She needed to be punished but there was no need to punish her evil with more evil... Whoever had done this had to be evil. The sword even looked evil, decorated in the way it was. At least she really hoped that the teeth and jaw bones weren't real.
"Hold on Cozy Glow."
Fluttershy's cry pulled Twilight's gaze from the sword. Cozy was inexplicably still alive. She was about to tell Rainbow Dash to fly to the hospital to get help when Šizra slammed down between Fluttershy and Cozy, his wings slowly spreading out..
"Do not... touch her."
Fluttershy screamed as she scrambled back to cower behind AJ who stepped forward to help shield her. The first aid kit Fluttershy had forgotten on the ground.
"Šizra what have you done?!" Twilight shouted, putting two and two together and figuring out it was him that had stabbed Cozy. "She is just a child!"
"Don't... care." Šizra panted as he slid his wings back into his cloak.
Twilight was about to give another angry retort but her jaw nearly dropped at how disheveled Šizra looked. Sweat had matted his mane down, partially covering his bloodstained eyes. Bits of forth dripped down from his snout as he breathed hard. He was displaying all the classic symptoms of extreme overexertion. For a moment she became worried. Didn't he know that remaining wrapped up like that was only making it worse for himself?
Wait, why am I worried about him!?
"Did.. you think... I was going to stand idle... while another pony idiotic quest for power... threatens to destroy the whole world?" Šizra questioned, his breathing beginning to stabilize as he spoke.
"No, but to..."
"Where is the yellow and pink pegasus?" Šizra interrupted, gazing around, terrifying those who came under his sight.
"You leave Fluttershy alone!" Rainbow threatened, though it was clear that she was fighting back her own fear.
"Tell me," Šizra challenged, "where is Ilcktulsivitātes Hzathtola, the one you know as 'Discord?'"
"Same goes for Discord!"
"This featherbrain," Šizra sneered, unmoved by the insulted and angry looks upon all the pegasi in the crowd, "decided to be indiscriminate and suck up all magic. All magic not just the type of magic that allows unicorn to cast spells, pegasi to walk on clouds, or earth ponies to grow crops easily... Pony life without magic would be harder but would be possible..."
"That being said," Šizra leaned down towards Cozy Glow, his eyes narrowing, "for others like Ilcktulsivitātes Hzathtola, a being made of pure mana... no magic means... do I need to spell it out?"
Fluttershy gasped then started to cry, muttering no over and over.
"It's okay sugarcube," AJ gently rubbed Fluttershy's back, trying to console her. "Discord is fine. He had his magic taken from him before when Tirek escaped and lived, remember?"
Šizra raised an eyebrow at that but before he could say anything a regiment of royal guard flew in and surrounded him and Cozy Glow. A moment later Chancellor Neighsay and Princesses Celestia and Luna arrived. A look of surprise passed the princesses' eyes upon seeing Šizra but turned to revulsion upon seeing Cozy Glow's body lying on the ground behind with a sword in her back.
"Šizra what have you done!?" Celestia demanded.
"Princess... please.. help me..."
Princess Celestia looked like she was about to move to assist when Šizra held up a paw.
"Do you know why I stopped the yellow and pink pegasus Fluttershy from touching you?" Šizra softly spoke slowly lying down in front of Cozy. Twilight rubbed her eyes as she watched, having the hardest time believing what she was witnessing Šizra acting paradoxically gentle with the very pony he had skewered. "The sword SoulSunder has a nasty curse if anyone but me touch you now they too would also fall victim to the curse..."
"Please..." Cozy Glow begged, tears streaming down her face. A single line of blood dripping down the corner of her mouth.
"There is nothing anyone can do for you. I suppose... except, maybe, end your misery by removing the sword." Twilight swallowed some bile as Šizra continued in the same soft gentle voice. "It would accelerate the curse from slowly to instantaneously burning your entire being... body... soul... and spirit."
"You used a sword that burns a creature's entire being!?" Celestia shouted angrily, the tips of her mane turning red and yellow. Twilight gulped a bit, she had never seen her this angry before. "This time you have gone too far Šizra!"
"Too far... TOO FAR!?" Šizra started to laugh darkly, at first softly but then it rose to full blow manic. "How many must die before you act? Or will you only act when one of your little ponies is in danger?"
"Šizra, I don't..." Celestia tried to counter.
"I've had to live through horrors you saccharin loving creatures can't even imagine in your worse Luna forsaken nightmares! Every time I walk out of my home I bare witness to the maelstrom that not only killed every last alicorn besides myself, but nearly torn asunder the very world itself and may still! All of it caused by the same line of thinking and the exact type of magic your precious little pony used." Šizra growled. Twilight trembled as she watched Šizra get to his hooves/paws. It was clear to her that this wasn't like before when Šizra thought Spike was a victim of foalnapping. Then his anger was almost animalistic, like he lost himself in his emotional instinct, now everything single movement and every word screamed cold, calculated fury. "AND YOU DARE TO CALL WHAT I DID AS 'TOO FAR!?!'"
With a roar Šizra pulled SoulSunder from Cozy Glow who much to everyone's horror immediately collapsed into a pile of ash. Before anyone could react further he had jumped past the guard that had encircled him and rushed Celestia.
"Give me one good reason that I shouldn't end you and your pathetic race right here, right now!" Šizra spat, holding the sword to her neck.
Šihzra! A shout vibrated loudly across the courtyard.
Twilight looked around, trying to find the source of the voice but couldn't see anyone other then students and royal guard. She doubted any of them challenged him, not after what he did to Cozy Glow. She just hoped that whomever it was had the power to do something otherwise...
Suddenly she saw some movement just out of her sight but before she could see who or what was causing it Ocellus gasped before whispering in awe. "T-The Tree of Harmony?"
"The Tree of Harmony?" Twilight questioned as she watched the crowd of students and royal guards part to allow a sparkling, glowing red dragoness to pass. From the fact that it was semi-transparent lead her to believe that it was some sort of mana construct. Ocellus was not the only one to seem recognize the construct as the rest of her group of friends, sometimes affectionately known as the young six after her own friends, reacted as if they knew the dragon.
The construct look remarkably similar to Dragon Lord Ember except for the aforementioned deep red scales, slightly wider snout, and a small black horn jutting up from the tip of said snout. But why would the Tree of Harmony, as Ocellus claimed it was, make itself known using that form? Given the tree previous semi sentient actions it wasn't too surprising... but, then again, why a dragon!? And why now? Twilight wondered. It would make sense if Šizra really created the Tree of Harmony but then that left the question as to why would it be angry with him... unless she merely just thought the voice she heard was angry. It wouldn't be the first time she misheard someone's emotions.
As the construct walked past Ocellus and her friends it smiled and nodded to each, affectionately running a paw over Smolder's head. But as it turned to to face Šizra the smile fell to a deep frown.
"Say your piece but do not torment me with the visions of the dead." Šizra softly spoke while keeping 'SoulSunder' to Celestia's neck.
Let's not let your anger get you lost
Twilight's jaw dropped in utter disbelief. This wasn't a time for a song! Šizra had a soul destroying blade to Celestia's neck! Worse still it was clear that it was having a negative effect on Šizra who she could see had became even more tense.
And the need to be right comes with way too high a cost
Know that love can build a bridge of light
That's what turns the wrongs so right
That's when you know it's worth the fight...
Šizra suddenly lowered SoulSunder from Celestia's neck who, along with several others, breathed a sigh of relief before he sang a few words himself.
'Cause only love can build us a bridge of light
You disappoint me, Šihzra. The dragon construct finally spoke, breaking the silence that had fallen after the heartsong ended. Šizra immediately shrunk down from the stern rebuke. To Twilight it was a strange sight to see the violent sociopath shake in fear like he was a young foal in trouble with his parent. Have you so easily forgotten what you have been taught?
"No, I..."
Šihzra! No excuses! The dragon apparition roared, causing Šizra to whimper. Those responsible have long been gone from this world do not continually attribute your pain and loss to the children who know nothing and had no part in their ancestor's sins!
Šizra whimpered some more but said nothing as the construct rubbed its forehead.
Šihzra, you are half tzircktstelescktüis, trained in the Staizāt tho CktüisSirts. You have a duty and you nearly broke it tonight! Threatening Princess Celestia of Equestria with SoulSunder just because you are mad at her being appalled at your use of it? Had it occurred to you that you could have carried out the same justice against Cozy Glow with just Leafcutter? And do I have to explain to you, of all creatures, about what is wrong with genocide!?!
The construct paused as if it was expecting Šizra to answer but he just stared down at the ground, silent.
Well? Do you have anything to say?
Šizra sniffed before whispering. "Did you abandon him as an egg to test me?"
What kind of a question is that? The dragon projection questioned, a look of hurt on her face. Do you really see us as that cruel? That we would knowingly hide a tzircktstelescktüis egg that escaped the genocide to test you with it?!
"No... I just..." Šizra shook his head, tears dripping down his muzzle.
Twilight eyes narrowed as she saw the tears glittering in the moonlight. Given her past experiences with his volatile behavior she was not sure whether the tears were genuine or not, and a quick glance around told her she was not the only one struggling with this as some were staring at him angrily while other were tearing up themselves. Either way, getting Šizra to stand down was a enough for the moment. What to do about Šizra could wait until after the danger had passed and she was not yet ready to say it had passed.
I know. I know...The dragon sighed. But you can't be like the alicorns of old, be better. Be a Dragon! A CktüisSirts! Don't let your emotions override your better judgement like it has recently as I will not be able to stop you from dishonor again.
"Please... don't go..." Šizra half sobbed, for the first time looking up to the construct. "I... I don't want to lose you again..."
Šihzra... The dragon cupped Šizra's muzzle for a moment before stepping away, the projection starting to fade away. My son... Var jūs atthest zots uz Jo Salss.
Šizra reached out with a paw just as the projection disappeared. A deafening silence fell over the courtyard for a moment before it was broken by Šizra who raised his head and roared. It was so loud and powerful that it to Twilight it made Luna's Royal Canterlot Voice seem like Fluttershy whispering. The roar continued for a long time before finally sputtering out. Šizra then convulsed, sobbing once or twice, before slowly getting to his hooves. Several students and even a few royal guard scrambled to get out of his way as he made his way out of the school courtyard, the tip of SoulSunder, still gripped in his foreleg, scraping against the ground.
As bad as Cozy was, she was a child. Destroying her (not even "just" killing her) was crossing too many lines.
Whatever his past experiences and personal traumas, Šizra seem little more than a overpowered lunatic bullying his way around those without any hope of stopping him.
9390270
Honestly i agree. This guy even if somehow the ponies forgive which i find that to be hard to believe the readers wont forget that he killed a child when there was no need. I hope we dont get something that makes this all okay or make it where everyone understand him because that would cheapen what has just happen. I mean this is suppose to be the person to train Spike? No i cant see them or Spike for that matter wanting anything to do with him after this. Celestia already looks weak from him constantly underminding her in front of everyone. She cant have someone who killed a child..... In front of a whole school of children around. These were the children of their allies and now they will be scared this thing could show up and kill them without any punishment. Hell sooooo many kids will be pulled from this school for this. I could even see some of the young six pulled out as well
Half of the alicorn and the half dragon this is interesting, 9390270 I understand that he lived a time in climate or even war to act thus losing family and friends, that he believes that evil growing if nobody do anything can put everything to lose in the case of Cozy Glow leaves free or only a soft punishment that can make in the future to harm others and puts esquestria at risk, that takes the way by which to have created the tree of the harmony and the elements.
9390328
What about a middle term between "getting away with a slap on the wrist" and "permanent destruction of both body and soul"?
Also, I concur with with DragonPony that Šizra is in no mental condition of tutoring a child.
9390321
I went to read what it was she is a crazy psychopath and she is stuck in Tartarus. In the animation that still remains with the same personality was not changed so I was wrong, I think she has the potential to be the villain next season.
vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/3/35/Cozy_grins_evilly_from_behind_bars_S8E26.png/revision/latest?cb=20181017214915
9390347 9390321
Yes, I know, his purpose is to have created the tree of harmony and the elements that friendship is important and strong at the time, but it is not really appropriate yet to tell Spike he has yet to solve his past. Will not teach Spike at school, but unfortunately will have consequences of the occurrence even more will there be a discursion / debate on one side agree with the decision of Šizra and another condemn the decision. I like Šizra is a difficult character to control a good chaotic
9390270
And this dives into something I had cut from this chapter. Question: using irl parallels where do you think Cozy Glow would go after death after what she did? Hint if she is a mass murderer?
9390321
9390328
9390347
9390351
9390463
"without any hope of stopping him." Really? I pretty sure he was just stopped. And if i didn't make it clear with the less then subtle hint hint wink wink in the chapter that was the spirit of the Tree of Harmony!
I'm sorry what made you think that Sizra was not going to get comeuppance?
WARNING WARNING incoming snark:
That he an alicorn OC? that he is *mock* "clearly a self insert"? One of the protagonist? If I wanted to I could cheapen it like the show writers with starlight and every equestria girl villain minus the sirens or every bad self-insert fic on Fimfiction (I see you displaced fics) (by the way, fixing it after the fact in show or in comics is extremely bad writing) but I'm not going to so relax. Give me time... Take a step back ye who just read Snape killed Dumbledore for the first time and somehow doesn't know the rest of the story.(and no that is not a Hint its just an example to put this into perspective)
~End of snarkiness~
I'm aware of Sizra's 'evilness' I can't speed things up too quickly just to 'fix' your problems with him without messing with the pacing or destroying his character.
Oh yes I forgot putting her into a cage into tartarus next to the guy who is the mastermind behind it all who managed to not only escape once but to enact revenge while still imprisoned was such a great idea. Using the return of Sombra of all things to test Twilight "you alone must be the one" I don't need sizra to undermine Celestia idiotic choices. Also constantly? I count one time... how is that constantly?
hmm lets see I think i did point out that SoulSunder was the wrong move, right?
Had it occurred to you that you could have carried out the same justice against Cozy Glow with just Leafcutter?
This might come as a shocker but I agree.
replace Equestria with world and you're pretty much spot on. The one thing I would add though in punishing Cozy Glow harshly is it becomes a deterrent for other villains in trying to do something similar (and yes I'm aware of the IRl parallels with the death penalty not being a deterrent mainly because we don't apply it often enough, quickly enough, and in the public square... and before I get the rant no we should not do what i just said... our justice system is waaaay too broken for me to even remotely start endorsing applying it often, quickly, or in the public square)
Okay I think that covers everything I need to respond to... Thanks for all the comments (yes, even the negative ones)
oops missed this one: 9390463
Do I really need to spell this out again don't believe everything Discord says!
9391154
I don't blame you for killing cozy glow. What you did was potentially kill a lot of entities pegasi who are living on clouds couldn't stop themselves from falling fast enough for example. What she did was quite frankly illegal in a magical world in my opinion. Most people who pull that no matter their age or tried as an adult for those types of crimes. In her opinion all friendship was was a way to get more power. In the end she was a power-hungry megalomaniac that needed to be put down. So really I don't blame you for giving her such a brutal and painful end. In my opinion what are all I did was merciful in the end cuz those cozy glow would have went to hell and then burning for all eternity for what she did.
9395246 You might want to clean up your comment a bit.
Rammyjammy, I hope you don't mind the comments in blocks.
Ch3
Sizra knelt down in front of Spike and lowered his hood and Twilight nearly fell off her throne in shock. Sizra is a pony!? Twilight internally yelled as she stared slack jawed at the dark blue stallion.
Wow! Good surprise. (Even better that it ended up being not quite correct)
Celestia and Luna appeared in a duel flash of teleportation.
Dual, not duel here.
Celestia shuttered before she hesitantly started to speak,
shuddered.
couldn't bare to see...
bear
Twilight stumbled back shallowing the scream
swallowing
Ch4
"'Young one' is an appropriate honorific that an elder uses to address a whelp such as yourself."
In general Sizra is still not impressing me, but I liked this cultural tidbit. Like Spike was being presumptuous to ask an elder to use his name, and he has been gently and calmly corrected.
"You hate being a dragon."
so correct him, Sizra. "You don't even know what being a dragon means, young foolish one."
And for those thinking Sizra's a bit OP
yep. still thinking that.
Ch 5
She had now idea why he kept doing that.
No idea
Ch 6
Fluttershy gasped then started to cry muttering no over and over.
you need a comma after 'cry'. (OMC what have i become? feel free to tell me to buck off and leave your spelling and punctuation alone.)
This wasn't a time for a song!
where's Pinkie, LOL. I was watching a Japanese horror movie a while back and there was a musical number in the middle. So trippy.
BTW, I have only seen through season 7 and don't know who Cozy is, but, as Sizra would say, "don't care." But that also means i don't have any idea if killing her was warranted or not.
11431589
Rammyjammy, I hope you don't mind the comments in blocks. Not a problem, especially as you are playing ketchup. Also Rammyjammy
JOSH DARN THOSE HOMOPHONES!!! will get those fixed write after eye finish righting this comment
"'Young one' is an appropriate honorific that an elder uses to address a whelp such as yourself."
In general Sizra is still not impressing me, but I liked this cultural tidbit. Like Spike was being presumptuous to ask an elder to use his name, and he has been gently and calmly corrected. Ooo thanks for bringing this up. Remember my last comment? I need to modify the upcoming chapter I'm writing a bit... (You would not believe how many times I had to pull back on Sizra's... jerkiness)
"You hate being a dragon."
so correct him, Sizra. "You don't even know what being a dragon means, young foolish one." And after his gentle correction earlier too? Yeah minor spoiler It's going to bite them in the rear later
And for those thinking Sizra's a bit OP
yep. still thinking that. Yeah its only going to seem to get worse for a bit longer... Spoilers should fix/start to fix that (actually the 'fixing' has already started by the most recent chapter you have commented on [ch 6]) I await to see if you agree or not... (or figure out how I am 'fixing' it)
This wasn't a time for a song!
where's Pinkie, LOL.
Yeah giggle at the spooky Sizra would have only made him more pissed... but the tree's song did jar Sizra out of his bloodlust. Though I do throw in a Pinkie-isc "this is not the time" line in a scene during CH10 so there is that to look forward to.
(OMC what have i become? feel free to tell me to buck off and leave your spelling and punctuation alone.) Nah I don't mind in the least. I self edit and I know I miss stuff even after reading each chapter SSSSLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOWLLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYY several times. If you see something don't hesitate to let me know I will go back and make the corrections.
BTW, I have only seen through season 7 and don't know who Cozy is, but, as Sizra would say, "don't care." But that also means i don't have any idea if killing her was warranted or not. In canon? ... NOOOOOOOOO. In this story? Spoilers (Got to love that AU tag) Also outside of completionist/fanfiction like this one you ain't missing much... season 8 and 9 are not good... For this fic the only episodes of relevance that you have not seen are the season 8 opening (School Daze) and finale (School Raze) along with season 8's Molt Down, What Lies Beneath, and Father Knows Beast... and really only Molt Down and Father Knows Best are truly important... I am not incorporating anything from Season 9.