Everyone stared in horror at the image of the Midnight Kingdom peninsula with the bow glowing over it.
“What?! That can’t be right!” shouted Starlight.
“Why the hay would the map call Flurry in the place where Tirek is? Who even has a friendship problem there?” Stormy asked.
“Stormy, don’t you get it? The friendship problem is Tirek!” Flurry said, nervously.
“But you can’t just go there, Flurry. It’s too dangerous,” Pound said, worriedly.
“I agree, Flurry,” Sunburst added. “If Tirek wants us all to leave him alone, it might be best.”
“I know, but don’t you understand?” Flurry continued. “Tirek and Scorpan just need to make up. Maybe I can go talk to them. I just don’t know how I’m going to do it. What I can say to them…”
The holographic bow then transformed into a small orb and floated away out of the room.
“What? Now where’s it going?” Flurry asked as she followed after it.
The orb led them all down to the cellar of the palace. They walked down the steps until they saw the orb floating in front of a nearby crystal wall. It shone brightly for a few seconds and then phased through the wall and disappeared.
“Oh great, we’ve lost it,” Stormy said.
“I think it’s trying to show us something in there,” Flurry said, putting her hoof on the wall. “But what could it have to do with the Midnight Kingdom?”
“Well, you did just get done asking how you were going to get Tirek and Scorpan to listen,” Pumpkin reminded her. “Maybe there’s something in there that will help out with that? Maybe like a really nice treat or pie or something to give to Tirek?”
“Pump, come on. This is no time for jokes,” Pound scolded his sister.
“What? It worked on the buffalos.”
“There has to be a reason why it’s showing us this wall,” Flurry continued. “I just wish I knew what it was.”
“I wish I could sense where that thing is. Well, only one way to find out!” Discord said as he donned a boxy-looking outfit with a square helmet and a pickaxe that appeared to be made of pixels.
He began swinging the pickaxe at the wall as it came apart in chunks of crystals.
“Too bad Spike isn’t here,” Annie joked as she watched the crystals fall to the ground.
“Well by the time we find that thing, I hope we aren’t too late,” Starlight said.
“GUYS!” Trixie called as she rushed down to meet everyone.
“Trixie?” Starlight and Sunburst responded.
“I’m guessing you already know about Tirek?”
“Well, it's funny you mention that. We’re getting a signal from the map to go solve a friendship problem in the Midnight Kingdom,” Starlight told her.
“You are? Well, I wouldn’t worry about that right now. The mayor just got an update from Twilight: she’s sending in some of the teachers with the Elements.”
“Already? I thought the teachers were on vacation?” Sunburst said.
“So did I, but I guess Sandbar and Ocellus haven’t started theirs yet.”
“So does this mean Flurry doesn’t have to worry about the friendship problem then?” Chip asked.
“No Chip, I have to go. The map is calling me,” Flurry told him.
“Are you sure, Flurry?” Pound said, landing next to her. “I’m sure the Elements have got this.”
“We saw what happened with Cozy Glow. The Elements didn’t work on purpose because they knew I could stop her with the Safeguard Bracelet. The Tree of Harmony connects both the map and the Elements, so if the map is calling me, the Elements must know I can help again. Trixie, we have to stop Twilight and the others.”
“Sorry Flurry,” Trixie sighed. “They’ve already left. Twilight just teleported them there.”
“They’ll be fine. They've got the Elements with them,” Discord called as he wiped the sweat off of his brow. “Twilight knows a secret entrance into the catacombs that Scorpan showed her. Right now, I suggest we all pitch in and find this thing.”
Discord snapped his fingers and made little shovels appear in front of everyone.
“Let’s spread out and see what we uncover. And be careful not to hit it with the shovels!”
“Come on, let’s give it a try!” Pound said as everyone else joined in and started chipping away at the wall.
Twilight, Spike, Sandbar, and Ocellus walked cautiously on a path in the mountains just behind the castle town in the Midnight Kingdom. They were heading towards a cave that was a secret entrance into the palace Twilight had been shown. Sandbar and Ocellus were wearing their Element necklaces. Spike looked nervous but stuck close to Twilight in case he needed to defend her. He was more worried for his old friend than he was for his own safety after what happened in the throne room earlier that day.
“So Discord can’t even stop him?” Sandbar asked.
“Tirek took all the guards’ magic and I’m guessing he stole Scorpan’s right after we left. He’ll find the Absorption Stone and take the magic out of that next I fear.”
“So Tirek can take magic from non-living beings then?” Ocellus asked.
“His ability to steal magic is limited. He can absorb residual energy from a living creature, but objects like the Staff of Sacanas and the Absorption Stone are meant to have energy transferred to and from them so it’s actually quite easy for Tirek to do the same with them.”
“I sure wish the others were here,” Sandbar said, nervously. “I feel like this would be a lot easier with all six of us.”
“Remember, Sandbar: where two or more are gathered in the name of Harmony, so shall Harmony be with them,” Twilight reminded. “The Elements worked for Celestia and Luna don’t forget.”
“She’s right, Sandbar,” Ocellus told her friend. “This will work out fine…that is unless the Elements choose not to work again.”
“Well if they didn’t wanna work against Cozy because there was another way to stop her, what other way could there be to stop Tirek?” Spike asked.
“I’m not sure,” Twilight responded. “Celestia told me that Tirek might have been the most powerful creature on record when he absorbed all my magic, at least in the past few thousand years. There won’t be anyone else who can stop him so I’d like to think the Elements will work this time.”
They finally got to a spot with some trees and rocks that Twilight directed them to. The cave was barely visible but Twilight lit up her horn to show them the way.
“Here it is. We’ll have to be as quiet as possible. I would teleport us to the other side of this tunnel, but I haven’t actually been there and have no image in my head of what it looks like.”
“Yeah, every time we visit, we use the front entrance,” Spike added.
“Keep your necklace on in case anything happens, Ocellus,” Sandbar warned his changeling friend.
“Right. I’ll be ready,” she replied.
Meanwhile in the castle town, every single citizen of the Midnight Kingdom had already heard about what happened with Tirek. Although none of them were in favor of his kingship, they had no choice but to comply. Several town criers had walked around with scrolls, anxiously telling the citizens the news of Tirek’s new assumption of the throne. They were warned to not attempt an uprising or they would have their energy drained and be forced to work in the mines for life. Tirek had demanded everyone gather for his speech in the center of town while he would stand atop the balcony just outside of the main entrance.
As the weary guards stood on both sides of the balcony, Tirek walked down the steps slowly, now wearing an enlarged and redecorated version of Scorpan’s crown. He was now in his fourth form with his bracelets having broken off of his wrists and sporting white hair on top of his head. His size was formidable and towered over everyone else. No one would ever dare stand up to this tyrant. Tirek was now the most powerful creature in the entire land and possibly even the world. He strode to the edge of the balcony and began to speak.
“CITIZENS OF THE MIDNIGHT KINGDOM!” Tirek hollered as everyone stood still in fear.
“Many of you may be too young to remember, but I am in fact the oldest son of your former King Vorak. I am Lord Tirek, formerly a prince, but I now stand before you as KING Tirek, and I will forevermore be addressed as such!”
The guards shuddered under the weight of Tirek’s booming voice. The other centaurs, gargoyles, and storm beasts in the crowd below looked up in terror at their new leader.
“I know you are not prepared for this transition of power, but make no mistake, my kingship is what King Vorak originally intended. Unfortunately my father was overcome with weakness and treachery when he allowed me to be imprisoned in Tartarus for over a thousand years and gave the throne to my brother. To make matters worse, your new King Scorpan betrayed me to the king of the ponies. You have bowed down to Scorpan since then, and while I see this country fairs better since my youth, I can and will make it grander. This transition will see it through, and if you dissent to my authority, be warned that any attempts to overthrow me will be met with dire consequences! UNDERSTOOD?!”
“YES, KING TIREK!” everyone murmured in unison.
As Tirek continued his speech, Twilight and the others had finally made it through the secret tunnel. In the catacombs of the palace, a door shaped like a large stone slab began to move as it was covered in a magic aura. Twilight moved the stone aside and Spike, Sandbar and Ocellus stepped out of the tunnel behind her.
“Alright, here we are,” she said quietly as they crept through the catacombs.
“Is this a dungeon?” Ocellus asked.
“I’m not sure, but we may be close to the dungeon. We have to rescue Scorpan first and then you two can take on Tirek.”
“I’m afraid it’s too late for that,” said an elderly voice nearby.
They all looked to the side to see a dungeon cell down at the end of a corridor where a torch was lit. They carefully walked towards the source of the voice and saw a shadowy figure inside the dungeon.
“I tried to take revenge on that foolish centaur myself, but he was already too powerful and threw me in here,” the shadow said, miserably.
“Tried to take revenge on him?” Spike asked.
“Wait, who are you?” Twilight asked.
“Who do you think taught Tirek that spell to begin with?” said the shadow as he walked into the light.
“You…you’re…Sendak the Elder?!” Ocellus said.
“That is what they used to call me,” Sendak said.
“What are you doing here? You were turned to stone and left in the forest for centuries!” Twilight said.
“Ah, so that’s where they put me. Well whoever turned me into stone in the first place must have had this all planned out rather well. When I was released from stone, I was elsewhere in Equestria and the year is now 1989 AH. Interesting.”
“Where is Tirek, Sendak?” Twilight asked, firmly.
“Why should I bother telling you? You’ll only meet the same fate of all those other guards.”
Sendak pointed behind them and they all turned to see hands reaching out of bars with weak voices calling for help.
“Twilight? Twilight Sparkle, is that you?” called one voice.
“SCORPAN?!” Twilight called back as she rushed to find him.
Spike began melting the dungeon locks with his fire breath to release the guards who had been imprisoned.
“Twilight! I told you to leave!” Scorpan called to Twilight as she reached his cell.
“And I told you I wouldn’t give up on the Midnight Kingdom, Scorpan,” she said, proudly.
“Don’t worry, Scorpan,” Spike told the gargoyle king as he put his arms around Sandbar and Ocellus. “We’ve got the Elements of Harmony with us this time!”
“We’re going to stop Tirek,” Twilight said as she used her magic to break the lock and set Scorpan free.
“Your highness!” said the captain of the guard, rushing over to see his king. “We need to get you out of here immediately!”
“No, Captain,” Scorpan replied. “I need to stay with Princess Twilight. Go find everyone you can and start the evacuation once we have Tirek distracted. And keep it quiet.”
“Forgive me, sire, but I don’t feel right leaving you.”
“I am the king. I need to stay here and defend my people. If the Elements of Harmony don’t work, I am going to stop Tirek myself. I have a way to do it. Go now!”
“Yes, sire.”
The guards all began to file out of the room and went up a stairwell leading to the first level of the palace. Scorpan was still weak from having his magic drained so Spike wrapped his arm around him and helped him to walk.
“Thank you, Spike,” he said, gratefully. “Thank you all for coming for me. Now before you confront Tirek, I need you to take me somewhere.”
“Where are we going?” Twilight asked.
“The stone. I need to get to the stone.”
“The Absorption Stone?” Spike asked.
“Yes. Tirek hasn’t gotten to it yet. Only I know where it is. I must get there quickly.”
Everyone left the dungeon with Scorpan. All the cells had been emptied except for Sendak’s who was still far back at the end of the corridor, left to his imprisonment.
“Oh don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine right here,” he said under his breath as he glanced back at the secret entrance Twilight emerged from.
As they all made their way up the stairs, Scorpan stopped them before one door and made them turn. They entered an underground vault with pillars containing weapons and artifacts. Some of the weapons were on the ground, broken or appeared to be drained of their energy. Tirek had most likely already found this vault and stole all the energy from them.
On the walls were ancient glyphs showing some of the history of the Midnight Kingdom. Twilight noticed one mural that depicted Tirek’s first defeat in Equestria. Pictured here were younger versions of Celestia and Luna using the Elements to stop Tirek by using their power to break his horns and drain his magic. Scorpan was behind Tirek, lifting a large glowing stone in his hands that was taking the magic while Starswirl the Bearded watched behind him. This was undoubtedly the Absorption Stone.
“Over there, Spike,” Scorpan said, pointing to a nearby portrait of King Vorak and Queen Haydon.
“Is this where the stone is?” Ocellus asked.
“This is it.”
Scorpan walked forward slowly and placed his hand on the bottom of the frame of the portrait and spoke to it.
“Father, Mother, please help me. Allow your love to guide me.”
The frame glowed around the edges and started to move to the side to show a doorway with a room inside.
“Are the spirits of the king and queen in that portrait or something?” Sandbar asked.
“Far from it,” Scorpan replied. “What I just said was simply the passcode. Something Tirek could never bring himself to say if he knew it.”
Spike helped Scorpan into the room where there was a small pillar coming out of the ground and holding the stone on top. The Absorption Stone looked like a glowing translucent rock with various colors shining through. It was making a humming sound similar to the sound a unicorn’s horn would make when they used magic.
“This is the Absorption Stone,” Scorpan told his friends. “Tirek hasn’t touched it yet which means I can still use it in case the Elements fail.”
“How are you going to use it, Scorpan?” Twilight asked him.
“After what my brother did in Equestria the first time, I took it upon myself to learn the absorption spell. It took years to master, but it worked. I have vowed to never steal magic from an innocent being though, and I only use it in case something happens to the Staff of Sacanas, which is what I usually use to capture magic. You see, the stone cannot cast a spell to absorb magic by itself; you must use either the staff or your own magic to do so and then transfer it to the stone. The stone serves as a massive storage device. The staff’s gem is derived from the same mystical element this stone comes from, so they work in tandem rather effectively, but I must use my own powers this time.”
“How much magic is being stored in it right now?” Sandbar asked.
“Very much. My father and his father before him used it to take magic from criminals and weapons of war over the years. This stone is loaded with energy and I think it might just be enough to take on my brother. I do not want to do this, but I have no other choice.”
“Scorpan, I think we can get the Elements to work on Tirek,” Twilight said, placing her hoof on Scorpan’s arm.
“I hope you are right, Twilight, but I do not want to see my brother turned to stone or sent to Tartarus again. I feel like it’s up to me now.”
“We’ll go out first and use the Elements, your highness,” Ocellus told him.
“Yeah, Ocellus and I got this,” Sandbar added as he put his arm around Ocellus.
“Thank you. I would be happy for your help. Go now. Quickly.”
They all turned to leave the vault as Scorpan reached down to lift the stone. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. This was not how he wished to confront his brother, but he was already out of options. He turned and walked out slowly with the stone in his hands.
“Tirek, please don’t make me do this,” he said.
Come on little ponies you have to trust the map. Flurry has a purpose to play here
The Map has never been wrong. If it says Flurry has to be there, even if Twilight and a rescue squad are already in the Midnight Kingdom, then it must be so. Cute Minecraft reference with Discord, too. I can just imagine him standing stock-still with only his pickaxe arm moving. XD
Tirek's already asserting his authority, and he's even betrayed Sendak, who was responsible for even allowing him to remember how to absorb magic again in the first place. We shouldn't be surprised that he shows so little gratitude to those who aid him, after how he betrayed Discord.
So the Absorption Stone can absorb and retain magic until it's called upon. In a way, it's kind of like Grogar's Bewitching Bell. Cleverly hidden, too, with that password. Scorpan knows Tirek well enough to know he'd never harbor such thoughts about his own parents.
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And that's how we know Tirek can change because the map knows it's time now to get him to! I figured someone would notice the Minecraft reference quickly. XD We all know Discord would totally do that, and that will no be the only reference he does either. :3
Ever since Scorpan "betrayed" him, that was sort of this thing, though he didn't do the same to Chrysalis and Cozy Glow and I explain why in "They Can't Stay Encased in Stone Forever" quite well. Tirek is going to have to come to terms with the fact that Scorpan's betrayal of his brother was for a good reason and Tirek was in the wrong this entire time.
It's an interesting artifact I had to create for this story. I figured if Scorpan had the Staff of Sacanas before, such technology could exist in their kingdom elsewhere.
I can understand everyone's reluctance to have Flurry go to Midnight Kingdom, since not only is Tirek dangerous but the whole kingdom is effectively going to become a war zone if anything goes wrong. However, they need to understand that these friendship missions aren't optional. If Flurry doesn't go something even worse could happen.
Lucky for Twilight, Spike, Sandbar, and Ocellus they have already made contact with Scorpan, so hopefully they can all think of a plan to at least hold Tirek off before Flurry can arrive.
Well… she's not wrong. Plus Tirek does apparently like pie, considering he stole one back when he and the others sabotaged the Summer Sun Celebration.
Even speaking as someone who isn't normally the biggest fan of Minecraft, I have to say that was clever.
Did I already ask how many stories are going to be in this series?
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Probably, but in case you haven't, the answer is: A LOT.
Well at least the young 6 will help out
Let's just hope the elements work because this is not the good time to be too finicky about this kind of situation I mean they can just use the rainbow power just to neutralize his powers just like last time back in season 4 finale
Karma is a jerk huh ( yeah I don't want to swear usually I let the video say it for me but I can't find it so here it is )
Okay so it looks like things are going okay so far so flurry Hearts still wondering why the map is telling her to go to the midnight Kingdom going to the fact that that's where Tirek is but apparently the Cutie Mark is showing another location but it disappeared in the wall I wonder what the tree of Harmony wants to show them but Trixie got the information that Twilight and Spike are heading back and alongside with the other two elements of harmonies holder Ocellus and sandbar which I don't think this is not going to be enough we need the others and speaking of them they did return back to the midnight Kingdom and they tried to figure out a plan to stop Tirek but they found the dungeon and to every surprise they found Sendak in the dungeon and have no magic well that's kind of what he deserve for teaching him to still Magic but they found Scorpan and it looks like he knows what item can help them to stop his brother and it's the absorb Stone and hopefully this was how stop Tirek but he really don't want to hurt his brother or see him being in jail again but if it comes to this he won't have a choice and whatever the tree of Harmony is trying to show flurry Hearts it better hurry up well I guess we'll find out next time
What's gonna happennnnnn?!!
Oh, I hope Flurry and the others find something quickly!
Bit late to read this, but the hype is really building. I hope Flurry can find a way to resolve the conflict, but I can tell it won't be easy. Sitting in Tartarus for 1,000 years because of a traitor must've left an imprint on Tirek.
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That's right. The map knows when there's an issue and it must be dealt with!
They aren't exactly prepared for what will happen when they go up against Tirek, but Discord is right when he says they will be fine. Recall that the Elements didn't work on Cozy last time, but they did protect the Teachers against one of her beams.
Lol, I forgot about that! XD
Yeah, I figured Discord would be the one to do it. Wait till you see his pop-culture reference in the next chapter! :3
Well... props to Flurry for her willingness to carry out this very dangerous mission, but I confess I can't help but worry for her all the same. She may be thinking that Tirek and Scorpan need to make up, but that's bound to be quite the difficult task, to put it very mildly. It's good she at least has her friends to help, but considering they can't go on the mission with her (although I do wonder what exactly would happen if creatures other than the assigned ones went on a friendship mission).
At least Flurry's friends can still help with advice, although Pumpkin's seems to come from a belief that the way to friendship is through a creature's stomach. XD Though honestly, there may be more wisdom in Pumpkin's suggestions than it seems at first, and not just because it worked on the bison (I know they're called buffalo in-universe, but to me buffalo in common language tend to be the Cape buffalo and the water buffalo, so I refer to the show's buffalo as bison at least in reviews). Anyway, back on track... after over a thousand years in Tartarus without food or water, Tirek was likely famished when he first got out, and what little he could eat on any of his brief exits likely wasn't as delicious as any form of pastry. Maybe a few treats would get him to calm down enough to feel the magic of friendship. (And I say this in a fully well-meaning way, as I myself am someone who can be a glutton and get grumpy if he's hungry).
Jokes aside, good on Twilight and the others for not leaving the Midnight Kingdom to its very bad fate, and good on Scorpan also for not just lying down and leaving Tirek to do whatever he wants. Granted, he doesn't seem to have much in the way of plans, but that can change fast, especially if he really is on some sort of a 'countdown to madness' (though granted, this is purely a fear of mine).
Interesting that only two Elements of Harmony are needed, but given that Twilight manage to use their magic with only the crown when she went to the human world, it makes sense. Sadly, it seems likely they won't work on Tirek this time either... but at least they'll hopefully do enough to shield Ocellus and Sandbar and any who are with them from any harm.
And Sendak is in the Midnight Kingdom too... that's worrisome, especially given some of the pictures I've seen in your deviantart gallery. Whatever's coming from his presence, it likely won't be good. Even if, now that I think of it, his presence may be the catalyst for an ultimately good outcome...
I may be completely wrong, though.
But whether I am or not, I very much liked this chapter, and am looking forward to the next!
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On what you said on friendship missions not being optional... that actually just lead me to wonder: what would exactly happen if someone the map picked for a friendship mission tried to refuse and made it explicit? Would the map somehow continue to harangue them until they complied? Or would it actually respect the creature's choice and try to pick the next best candidate? Granted, by the nature of the creatures chosen the map seems to pick out those who will want to carry out their missions, but still... this made me wonder.
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I hadn't thought about such an idea of someone being called by the map but refusing to answer. That might make a good story one day!
In my heacanon, being in Tartarus for a long time doesn't kill you from age or starvation because there's a magic force that keeps you alive so you survive the torment of being there. It might not have caused Tirek to starve to death but the psychological effect of being there so long has driven him insane obviously. And yeah, he would likely want to devour a delicious pie after all that.
Sendak's part in this story is sadly just a cameo, but his large form I made concept art of will have a role to play later on down the road.
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Well, if you do decide to write it, I'll be looking forward to reading it. :)
And I get you. I also pretty much headcanon that Tartarus has something to it that just prevents a lot of biological functions, so to speak, most notably aging and needing to eat and drink. That said, yes, I can still see why it would be maddening for Tirek to be there for so long. Granted, one can say that he both had to do the prison time and there was no other place safe enough to keep him (at least, that's why I think he was kept there in the first place), but still... definitely not pleasant.
Still looking forward to whatever happens next, as well as to the eventual appearance of Sendak's large form, whenever that will be.
It was never stated that gargoyles or centaurs we're immortal or how long there lifespan. This is my own personal head Cannon that they're not. And Tirek is only still alive because prolonged periods of time and Tartarus stops you from dying. And in a way makes you immortal. ( A few hours or days wouldn't cause this) but months and years would cozy spent several months there. Both Tirek and cozy are immortal because of their time in Tartarus. Tireks accepted it and cozy glow is still in denial.
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Scorpan was supposed to be in the 2017 movie so they were obviously ok with his species having a long lifespan.
Did you mean to say “where two OR more are gathered in the name of harmony?”
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Thanks. Not sure how I make these mistakes sometimes. ^^;