> The Manual of Heroes
>  by Kaliann25
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> First Principle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


First principle:
A hero should always follow his/her heart, no matter where it leads


Crystal Palace:

It was a pretty nice afternoon. The sun on the sky was sending its warmer rays to the Crystal Empire; just enough to combine them with the cold wind from the mountains.

Everypony was in an excellent mood, including certain eighteen-year-old Princess.

Flurry Heart was fully concentrated in sewing the last details her especial outfit: a purple jacket with purple pants; green undershirt, with emerald-green buttons. And the last touch, an artificial flower that spilled green-colored water to the face of anyone who approached to smell it.

Aside the outfit, the young Princess also had bottle of green mane-dye; and a complete make up kit, where she spared white face paint, red lipstick, and the black eye-shadow.

When Flurry finished stitching the flower to her jacket, she proudly looked at the outfit, and shrieked happily.

“It’s ready!” she said as she stumbled her fore-hooves excitedly. “This year, I’ll be the center of attention!”

Then, she noticed one of the buttons was missing. “Huh, I guess I started to celebrate too early.”

She took a new button, and a needle from her sewing kit, and started to put it on her shirt; when suddenly, somepony called at her door.

She gasped in surprise, accidentally pricking her hoof with the needle.

Flurry cursed, and went to open the door.

Of course, this task would be a lot easier if she used her magic, but as a proud cosplayer, she had to do everything by hoof. Using the easy route would be disrespectful for her fellow cosplayers.

(Unbelievably enough, this attitude was not uncommon among unicorn cosplayers.)

“Hey mom. What can I do for you?” asked Flurry, as she opened the door, annoyed.

“I know you don’t like being bothered when you’re on ‘the zone’,” apologized Cadence. “But our agreement was that you couldn’t start to work in your cosplay until you finished the task I gave you, remember?”

Flurry nodded. “Of course I remember. I just chose the perfect title for my crowning.”

Cadence smiled, relieved. “Okay, let’s hear it. Your official title as Princess of Equestria.”

Flurry smiled proudly, as she announced: “It didn’t took long for me to figure out what title I should carry. Something that suits my personality, and distinguishes me from all the others. I’ll be, the Princess Geek of all Comics!”

Cadence’s smile faded, as she frowned. “You better be joking.”

“I am not!” assured Flurry, with confidence, as she turned from her mother to admire her recently finished attire. “That title says everything about me. I am a Princess who loves comics, and proudly call myself a geek. That will encourage all the closet otakus, geeks, gamers and…”

Cadence cut her for good. “Stop it. Seriously, Flurry Heart, what would ponies say if you take a title an official title as ridiculous as that?”

“They’ll agree is less sappy than ‘Princess of Love’ or ‘Princess of Friendship’.” said Flurry, with insolence.

Cadence’s eye twitched.

“I told you, this is serious, Flurry Heart!”

“I am being serious!” said Flurry, as she crossed her forehooves over her chest. “If there’s something I take seriously, is being a geek. And comics. I live, and breathe only for comics!”

Mother and daughter were about to start arguing, when Shining Armor entered.

“Hey, what is going on here?” asked the stallion.

“Our daughter plans to take the title of ‘Princess Geek of all comics.’” explained Cadence angrily.

Shining made an exasperated groan. “Again, Flurry? When are you going to grow up? You just turned eighteen, for Faust sake!”

“What is wrong to embrace my true identity?” protested Flurry. “I am a geek, and, as a Princess, I can set the example to our little ponies. Ponies shouldn’t feel embarrassed of what they are. And if a Princess can publically accept her identity as a nerd who only reads…”

“Enough!” said Cadence. “Flurry, dear, I thought your father and I were clear. If you don’t take your crowning seriously, we wouldn’t let you go to this year’s Comuket!”

Flurry looked at her cosplay worriedly, and shook her head. “Why is so hard to understand this is what I take seriously?”

Shining glared at her. “You cannot live inside a comic, and you know it.” He sighed. “We will give you one more chance. But, if for dinner time you haven’t choose a proper title, forget about Comuket.”

“What?” asked Flurry.

“Did I make myself clear?” asked Shining.

Flurry glared at her father, but nodded. “Fine!”

“Then, you have four hours, more or less.” Said Cadence, looking to the clock at the wall. (A Batmare-themed clock). “Use them well.”

With that, the two of them left the room.

“This is so unfair!” cried Flurry, kicking a Mane-iac hugging-pillow. “It’s a new era, time for a new time of Royalty. Grandma Celestia is addicted to sweets, and nopony critiques her for that! What is wrong with being addicted to comics?”

She looked through her window, and sighed.

But then, she noticed something on the sky. It was a magic sign, of a giant yellow ‘A’ over a white circle.

“Oh, the Awesome Sign! This is a job for…”

She ran to her closet, where she took a couple of cufflinks that she put on her forehooves. Then, Flurry pressed the button on the cufflinks, and soon enough, a white suit emerged from the two ornaments.

The suit was bulky, to look like muscles. It had yellow boots, and a yellow ‘A’ on the flanks. Complete with a white helmet with yellow visor. For anypony else, Flurry Heart looked like a random earth pony.

“I, CAPTAIN AWESOME, AM COMING TO RESCUE!”

And, with that, the Princess-turned-superhero jumped through the window.

The ‘captain’, ran through the roofs of the Empire, looking for crime.

Then, she found it. It was a band of criminals in the middle of a brutal fight against the police. And the thugs had the advantage.

Without thinking twice, Captain Awesome jumped between the police, and the thugs.

“Oh, it looks like a delicate situation.” He turned to the police. “You did well by calling Captain Awesome!”

The leader of the thugs nodded. “So, we finally meet, Captain Awesome. Your reputation precedes you.”

The captain made a heroic pose. “Oh, so my heroic deeds are famous.”

“You and the ‘League of Heroes’ are nothing but a big nuisance. We found it cute, at first, but, at this point, we don’t find your clownish actions as cute as they were. Now we have no choice but putting you out of the way.”

Captain Awesome only flexed his muscles.

“Ahahahahaha! You would never defeat me, I am too awesome!”

The boss turned to his thugs. “Destroy him!”

The gang members took several knives, and ran to stab the hero. But their weapons only bounced on the super suit.

Laughing at that pathetic attempt to stop him, Captain Awesome used his awesome strength (equivalent to a hundred ponies) to threw them away, leaving the leader alone.

The leader pulled off a dynamite cartridge, and, in a suicidal attempt, he ran toward the Captain.

It was child’s play for Captain Awesome. Using his awesome agility, he intercepted the thug, and took the cartridge, only to push him away.

Then, the awesome captain embraced the cartridge ready to take the full impact of the explosion. But, instead of a big explosion, Captain Awesome ended up covered in some sticky substance.

“What kind of awesome trap is this?!”

The leader of the thugs face-hoofed. “Seriously? Are you going to continue with the jokes?”

“My awesomeness is no joke!” said the captain.

A sweat drop appeared on the boss’ temple. “I’ll just see who is under that helmet, okay?”

The thug approached menacingly to the Captain. But he wasn’t afraid.

Under that helmet, Princess Flurry was confident. Her cousin, who she considered the greatest genius in the world, have created the suit in order to make her not only as strong as a comic book character, but he also added a ton of gadgets to prevent the bad guys to figure out that the super powerful earth pony, was actually, a geeky little Princess.

But then, a kunai knife came out of nowhere, and forced the thug to jump away.

“What the hay?”

He looked up to a building, only to see a pony dressed in a black robe, decorated with red kanjis.

Some of his henchponies shot several magic beams to the black-robbed pony, as soon as the attacks reached him, he vanished into the shadows.

“Oh… great!”

Somepony tapped the boss’ shoulder. He turned, only to see the same pony from before, right behind him.

“Shadow clones, loser!” said the ninja superhero, as he knocked the thug with his bo-staff.

“Shadow Ninjutsu! What are you doing?” asked Captain Awesome.

“We have an issue here at the Empire.” said the other hero. “And, I’ve been watching you, ant it seemed that you could use some help.”

Captain Awesome looked at the unconscious thug, and shrugged. “I had it under control.”

“I know, I know, but I couldn’t resist.”

Captain Awesome sighed, as he freed himself from the sticky trap, using his awesome strength.

He was about to charge against the rest of the thugs, but when he noticed, they were already defeated by two newcomers. A pony dressed in a blue suit, with blue mask, decorated with white lightings all over. The other was pony with black bodysuit, a trench coat, and a detective hat.

They were called Watt, Master of Electricity. And Elementary, master of the elements… and master detective. Along with Shadow Ninjutsu, and leaded by Captain Awesome, the four of them formed the ‘League of Heroes’.

But, in reality, they were actually Flurry’s group of comic-loving friends. Light Spectra, son of Soarin and Rainbow Dash. Beat Box, daughter of Vinyl and Octavia. And Sparkler, the youngest daughter of Derpy, and Doctor Hooves.

For them, reality was what they wanted it to be. And, with the help of Bright Spark’s technological support, they could easily become real superheroes.

“So, why are you guys here?” asked Captain Awesome.

“You see, I interrogated a bunch of morons back at Cloudsdale, and they said that they storage everything they steal here at the Empire.”

“For real?”
“Yeah, they told me the same in Canterlot too!” added Watt.

“And, in Manehattan.” said Elementary. “So, we came here to say hi, and stop those criminals for good.”

“And, we can’t do it without our leader. Are you ready, Captain?”

“Captain Awesome is always ready!” said the hero, proudly.

But then, right before they could jump to action, the entire Crystal Empire trembled, and the temperature descended several degrees.

“Is the Empire under attack?” gasped Shadow Ninjutsu.

Then, they saw a blue shield appearing over the city.

“Eeeyup, that’s definitely my father’s shield.” sighed Captain Awesome. “That means, I should take care of this problem as myself.”

It was true. Flurry was linked to the Crystal Heart since her Crystaling. And, whenever Equestria was under attack, by any of the ancient threats, it was Flurry’s duty was to use the Crystal Heart’s power to defend the Kingdom.

“Aw, I really wanted to go!” complained the Captain.

“Maybe another time, besides, you have a lot to do, right? Like choosing your title as official Princess?”

That reminded Flurry she was still angry at her parents. “Hey, you know what? I’m going with you! Is not like I’m the only defender of Equestria!”

The other heroes made a step backwards.

“Flurry, please don’t!” they said at the unison.

“Come on, they’re on our side!” said Captain Awesome.

“Yes, but also, they are is scary as hell!” complained Light Spectra.

“Come on, they’re not that bad!” said the Captain, as he activated his transmitter. “And they can handle everything!”

Castle of Friendship, underground facility:

Between the Crystal Palace, the Castle of Friendship, and Canterlot Castle; most of the ponies agreed that the biggest was Canterlot’s. But that was because they ignored the existence of the massive structure underneath the Castle of Friendship.

Prince Bright Spark built it especially to be his personal laboratory and workshop. And, also, as his weapon storage.

He shared the facility with his best friend, Luminositè Belle, daughter of Rarity.

The two of them were equally gifted in the earth pony sciences, especially physics, and electro-mechanics.

But, Bright specialized in building big, and powerful weapons. Some of them capable to destroy an entire city in a matter of seconds, like the ‘egg-shaped nightmare’, as Celestia called it.

As for Lumi, she preferred to create small, useful gadgets. But mostly clothing, like her mother. Her outfits were not only pretty, but also highly advanced. Her most praised creation was a fabric that was practically indestructible, and provided absolute protection. It could resist extreme temperatures, cuts, direct impacts… and provided magic invulnerability to the user.
In fact, the Royal Guards stopped using armors, and started to order uniforms from Lumi. They also bought several weapons from Bright Spark, but only the less destructive ones.

The two friends were working on their respective projects, when Flurry’s face appeared on one of their multiple screens.

“Cousin Bright, cousin Bright! The Empire is under attack, but I’m not in conditions to use the Crystal Heart. Can you take care of the enemies for me?” 

Bright nodded. “Sure, Lumi and I will be there in five minutes.”

“Or less.” added Luminositè.

Flurry smiled happily. “Thanks cuz, I owe you a big one!” 

“Whenever you need.” Said Bright, as he cut off communication. He turned to his friend. “Are you ready?”

“Moi toujurs ready, mon ami.” said Lumi with a wide smile. A kind, happy smile. But her eyes sparkled with pure cruelty.

Crystal Empire: 

Shining and his soldiers were advancing toward the Penguin Army in front of them. Leaded by a gigantic penguin, armed with a magic scepter that freeze everything on his way.

“Surrender now, ponies!” laughed the giant penguin. “I, Prince Edgar, will freeze Equestria for eternity, and then claim it for my father, King Charlatan!”

Shining continued advancing, not bothering to cast his shield.

“Come on! Freeze us? Shall I remind you that us, ponies, were who defeated the Windigos?”

Penguin Prince Edgar laughed as he aimed his scepter directly to Shining. “Defeated? You merely scared them away. It was my father, King Charlatan, who exterminated them and stole their power! NOW FREEZE, PONY!!”

A magic gust came from the scepter, hitting Shining.

But the pony was not impressed. His new uniform, a purple jacket, and kepis, provided complete protection against the spell. “Nice try.”

Edgar menacingly closed his beak, and turned to his army.

“What are you waiting for, an invitation? DESTROY THEM!”

The penguins charged toward the ponies, as the ponies aimed a hoof to their opponents.

An electric current came from the hooves, stopping the penguins’ advance.

Prince Edgar changed his scepter for a large sword, and joined his army to the battle.

Shining pushed him away with his magic, combined with his suit’s mini-missiles, but that didn’t seem to bother the giant penguin too much.

“Come on! My father warned me to not to attack Equestria, but I can’t see why. All I see is that you are stronger than I thought, but I can’t see this ‘danger’ he was talking about.”

Shining frowned, as he changed the missiles for a small laser cannon. “Oh, believe me, you don’t want to know. Just thank your god you’re dealing with me and my daughter instead of my nephew and his little friend. They’re both geniuses, but…”

A voice came from behind Edgar.

“Aw! Do you really mean that, uncle Shining?”

“And I thought you didn’t like us, Captain Armor.” said another voice.

Edgar turned, as Shining Armor gulped. No, please! For Faust sake, not them!

Right behind them, there was a unicorn colt, about fifteen; with lavender fur. And a blue-cobalt mane, and tail, with a pink strip.

Aside him, there was a teenage unicorn filly (also about fifteen), with light blue fur, almost white. With a blond mane and tail.

They both were wearing black spandex suit, one with purple details; and the other one, with red scarf and red boots.

“Go away…” mumbled Shining, knowing what was coming.

“Never! Never until I make my father proud!” announced Edgar.

“You don’t understand, run while you still can.” warned Shining.

Too late, Bright Spark took a remote from his pocket, and pressed a button.

Immediately, several metallic structures appeared all over the battlefield. There were anthropomorphic figures about twelve feet tall, with two menacing claws aiming to the penguins. The army of penguins made a step backwards, so as the ponies.

Bright Spark pressed a second button.

The metallic giants changed their claws by plasma cannons, and shot.

Powerful explosions covered the battlefield, as the penguins were sent in all directions, screaming in fear.

A few of the invader army tried to throw their spears at the things, but they could only scratch the metallic surface.

Edgar gasped, and looked at Bright, who shrugged.

“What can I say? Your soldiers are made of flesh and blood that is weak. Mine are made of steel that is strong. You don’t need to be a genius to know how this is going to end. Right?”

“But don’t worry. They’ll survive. We never kill.” explained Luminositè calmly. “We prefer to honor our mères by reforming you.”

Prince Edgar screamed in anger, and charged against the teenagers.

Luminositè extended her right forehoof, and her scarf wrapped around it, as it was some kind of snake. Before Edgar could react, it wrapped around his feet, making him fall.

And, while he was still on the ground, he felt how his ankles got broken by the damn scarf. He screamed in pain, as he looked at both of his feet in unnatural angles.

Bright Spark, using his suit-enhanced agility, jumped right before Edgar, as he pulled out a metallic sphere from one of his pockets.

“Seriously, nothing irritates me more than my enemies screaming. I hope this helps you remember that while we teach you manners.”

Said that, he forced the penguin to swallow the sphere. It was small enough for Penguin Prince Edgar to swallow it with ease, but it was really uncomfortable to have something forced into his beak.

Finally Bright pulled out a remote from the same pocket he took the sphere, and pressed the button.

The bomb that Edgar was forced to swallow exploded, and the penguin threw up a stream of blood, as he bended in agony.

He looked at Bright, who took a crowbar from another pocket.

“Let’s see if you remember.”

Edgar’s eyes opened in fear.

Mercilessly, Bright hit him with the crowbar on the ribs. The sound of bones breaking echoed all over the battlefield, but Edgar did his best to not to scream.

Bright nodded approvingly, and moved away, letting Luminositè approach to their victim.

She took a little silver lighter from her pocket, and aimed it to Edgar. A powerful flame torrent came from the lighter, burning Edgar. But, again, he tried to stay quiet.

When the mare finished, he just looked at the duo, and begged. “Please, kill me.”

“We never kill, my friend.” said Bright. “As Lumi said, we only reform our enemies.”

“Unfortunately, the Elements of Harmony are not compatible with complete sociopaths, so we need to find our own way to reform villains.” explained Lumi.

Prince Edgar cried in fear. But, it seemed like it was over.

“Only one more thing.” Said Lumi, putting a collar around the penguin’s neck. “This is called ‘Control Collar’. If we catch you in Equestria again…”

She took a new remote from her pocket, and pressed the button.

A powerful electric current ran all over Edgar’s body. He closed his beak in a desperate attempt to hold back his screaming.

“If we find out you send anyone else to do your dirty job…”

The young mare pressed the button again, making another electric current go through Edgar’s body. He faded unconscious.

“Do you think we successfully reformed him?” asked Lumi, with a faint smile.

Bright looked at what was left of the once proud Prince, and nodded.

“It seems so. I don’t think he would ever try to invade Equestria again. Now, what I wonder is why did Flurry call us. She could easily deal with this one.”

“Who cares what that idiot does? Good thing she did it, though, it was starting to get difficult to control the ‘urges’.”

Bright nodded. She was right. “We’ll worry about that later. Now, I’ll go talk to my uncle. You go home, if you like.”

Luminositè nodded, and walked to her transportation; as Bright went looking for the soldiers.


……


The Crystal Guard was long gone. Once the lunatic duo appeared, they retired as soon as they could. They were far too scary.

Shining could just lower his gaze, feeling impotent, and angry. Mostly angry.

“Uncle Shining!” his nephew called.

“Haven’t you done enough for a day?” complained Shining. “What do you want?!”

“I only wanted to know if cousin Flurry was doing okay.”

“Of course. Why you ask?”

“Because she called me, saying that she wasn’t in conditions to use the Crystal Heart, and if I could take care of the villain. I mean, she didn’t even needed to use the Crystal Heart to defeat this one. The suit I made for her was more than enough.”

Shining’s jaw dropped. “She was the one who called you?”

Bright Spark nodded. “Yeah, why?”

Shining Armor’s scream of anger echoed all over the mountains, and the Crystal Empire.

“FLURRY HEAAAAAAART!!!

Later:

Flurry returned home late. As the League of Heroes suspected, it was a trap. They found a large group of criminals, waiting for them. Luckily they were prepared for them, and disarmed a large operation that ran for all over Equestria.

The young Princess was really satisfied, she had a really good day.

But, her good mood disappeared as soon as she noticed a bunch of boxes, ready to throw away on the garbage chariot. Her comics, her beloved collection she took years to get. And not only her comics, but her action figures, her fanarts, her fanfics… and NO! her collection of cosplays.

“No!!” she screamed, as she ran to recover her stuff.

Unfortunately, she was repelled by a known blue force-field.

“No…” she cried, knowing that she couldn’t break her father’s shields, not even in a million years. “Why?!”

“I don’t know.” said her father, approaching. “Perhaps, because you called the lunatic of you cousin, to avoid your responsibility as a Princess?

“To do what?” added Cadence. “Pretend you live inside a comic book?”

“Is not that bad!” said Flurry. “Captain Awesome have done great things for Equestria and…”

“You endangered us all!” said Cadence, frowning. “He is cruel, and evil. And you know it.”

“Bright Spark is not evil!” said Flurry. “He’s cruel, I know, but only to punish evil! That makes him good!”

“Maybe he’s not evil, but he is a time bomb.” sighed Shining, with patience. “Only Faust knows what would happen if he loses control.”

Flurry lowered her gaze. “Sorry, I know he is as crazy and all… but…”

“But nothing, this was the last straw. No more comics.”

“We didn’t want to do this, but you crossed the line. Tomorrow morning, the trash chariot will take all this away for good.”

Flurry paled. “NO, YOU CAN’T!”

“Yes we can, and we did!” said Shining. “No more comics. Now go to your room, and work in your official title.”

The young pony flew to her room, and shut the door.

“Don’t you think we were too harsh on her?” asked Cadence.

“She showed us her priorities by calling Bright.” said Shining. “She is eighteen! It’s time for her to grow up!”

In the meantime, Flurry was crying on her pillow.

How dared them? How could they took her comics, her beloved comics? This was so unfair. And, to make things worse, her bed felt so incomplete without her sheets of ‘Captain Equestria: Civil Conflict’.

“Are you okay?” asked somepony.

She looked at Bright with the edge of her eye. “Cuz, how did you get here?”

“Who cares? Are you okay?” asked Bright.

“Do I look like I’m okay?” asked Flurry. “They took my comics! What should I do now? And why? It’s because I want to be a hero, on my own way. What is wrong with that?”

Bright shrugged, and he pulled out a book from somewhere. “Of course not. As the Manual of Heroes says, a hero should always follow his/her heart, no matter where it leads.”

Flurry smiled. “Thank you for your support, cuz. I kind of feel better.”

“I’ll help you recover your stuff.” said Bright, shrugging.

“For real?”

“For real. I mean, I care about you. We are family, after all!”

The two of them bumped hooves.

“As always, I owe you a big one, cuz.”
> Second Principle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Second Principle:
As long is for the greater good, a hero is free to do as he/she pleases


Crystal Palace, ten minutes to four a.m.:

A shadow agilely moved around the towers of the castle, carefully watching if there was any guard near.

“Come on!” mumbled Flurry Heart.

Finally, one of the pegasus guards appeared. He seemed tired, but happy. The night shift was about to end, and he could go to sleep soon. 

He yawned. And, in the middle of his yawn, the young Princess jumped over his back, forcing him to land violently. About to touch the ground, Flurry Heart casted a silence spell, allowing the two of them to land without alerting the other guards. 
Once on the ground, Flurry firmly tied the unconscious pegasus, and sneaked into the deeps of the garden. 
She only had a few seconds before another of the patrolling pegasi noticed their partner was missing. And that was Flurry’s principal problem. Thanks to her multiple attempts to escape from her parent’s watching eye, Flurry unwillingly forced the Crystal Guard to become the best in terms of vigilance.  
Ironically, any enemy of Equestria who wanted to infiltrate into any Castle, could learn a thing or two from the youngest of alicorns. 

Soon, she heard the sound of a heavy cart pulled by four ponies. It was the sanitation services. 

“Damn, I’m running out of time!” complained Flurry, as she started flying at only ten inches from the ground. 

Her target, the boxes where her parents put all her beloved treasures for sanitation to take away forever. No! Flurry would never allow that. 

Finally, after avoiding a couple of earth and air patrols, Flurry reached her goal! The boxes! 

She only had a couple of minutes to react. And, she could only carry a couple of boxes with her magic. She had to choose which treasures to take. And which treasures she should sacrifice.
With a sigh, she approached, but she was pushed back by a blue force field. 

“NO! NOOO!” cried Flurry, as she began to punch her father’s shield.

But there was no point, not even with her alicorn magic she would ever break her father’s defenses. 

“I’m sorry, Flurry Heart.” said her father, appearing behind her. 

She turned. 

“We did this for your own good.” said Shining Armor. “I’m sorry.”

Flurry cried, she could only watch helplessly how, at the other side of the force field, her mother handed her treasures to the sanitation employees.  

Cadence briefly looked at her daughter, and made a small nod. 

“This is for your own good.” repeated Shining, as he walked away slowly. 

Flurry Heart stood there, crying. 

Some soldiers were about to approach to comfort their young highness, but they were dismissed by Cadence and Shining. Flurry had to learn her lesson.

Soon, Flurry Heart ran upstairs to her room, where she cried even louder, and louder.
Finally, when she was sure everypony have fell for the farce, she began to laugh hysterically. It worked! It actually worked! 
With a grin, Flurry Heart walked to her closet, and opened the door. Her cousin have just finished adding last touches to her new and improved vault to keep her comics, action figures, cosplays, and such.
It was perfectly hidden behind a fake wall; but even if her parents find out that they threw away empty boxes and she still had her beloved comics; they would never be able to open the vault. Bright’s security system was so powerful, that not even Luna and Celestia could open one of them. Not even combining their powers.

Bright Spark greeted her with a small nod, as he exited the closet.

“So, the only way to access to the vault, is by using this remote.” said Bright, handing the small control to Flurry Heart. “Also, if you low your guard and your folks find out, this is designed to work only for you. If anypony but you tries to operate it, the vault simply won’t open. Also, in case you are forced to open the vault, all you have to do is say ‘Security lock’ and your things would be safe.”

Flurry nodded. “Cool, but what would happen if I want to open the vault after using the security lock?”

“You’ll have to call me, of course.”

Flurry smiled. “Thanks cuz! I owe you two big ones!”

“No worries, it was fun. It’s always a pleasure working with you, Flurry Heart.”

Flurry Heart waved a hoof to her cousin, as he jumped through the window, where his aerial transport was waiting for him.
It was a small motorcycle, with no wheels, with hoof controls perfect for a pony to drive. It reached speeds up to six times the speed of sound; perfect to return to Ponyville in less than five minutes. 

Bright entered to his mother’s castle by the main entrance. He could enter through his lab that had a series of secret entrances all over Equestria. But, today his mother was busy with some research; and have locked herself inside her room. It was safe for him enter without being noticed.

Or that’s what he thought. Unfortunately, right when Bright Spark was crossing the door, Twilight was going downstairs for a glass of water.  

She stared at Bright for a few seconds, and, sighed. “Hi Bright.”

The colt rolled his eyes. “Hi mom.” 

“What time is it?” asked Twilight, too tire to argue.

“Four with six minutes.” answered Bright. “Why?” 

“Nothing, let’s have breakfast. Alright?” 

Bright half smiled and called:

“Z-Bots, go on!” 

The same steel giants that decimated Prince Edgar’s forces came to their creator’s call, and divided their chores. One of them started making coffee, two of them fried a couple of eggs, the others opened their chests exposing they dubbed as fridges, and pulled out the milk and the orange juice. 

And, in exactly ten minutes, both mother and son had a perfect breakfast right before them. As perfect as only a machine could make it. 

“Bon apetit!” said Bright. 

“Thank you.” said Twilight, smiling happily. Having this machines as servants was one of the advantages of having a mad scientist for son. 

One of the problems Twilight had on the past, was that she was too demanding in terms of cleaning her castle, and put the things in perfect order. The only one who ever reached the perfection Twilight wanted was Spike. But then, the two of them had that problem that ended up with Spike living with Cadence and Shining at the Crystal Empire. 
(And, yes, it was Spike’s influence that made Flurry addicted to comics. But let’s not get into details.)

Anyway, Bright’s machines solved the servitude problem. Being artificial beings, Twilight could demand all she needed from the ‘Z-Bots’, and they would never complain nor demand for a rise. 

So, after a calmed breakfast, Twilight finally asked. “So, tell me, are you coming from the Crytsal Empire?” 
Bright made a small nod. 

“How do you know?” 

“I felt a dark energy coming from there. But I thought your cousin would take care of that.”

“Me too. But Flurry called me, saying she couldn’t handle it, so Lumi and I took care of the problem. Too weak, I couldn’t even try my newest weapons.”

Twilight sighed sadly. “Bright, if you continue like this, I’ll have no choice but lock you in a psychiatric hospital.” 

Bright frowned. “You mean you’ll try to lock me up, and fail miserably.”

Twilight knew it was true. If the two of them had to fight, Bright was going to win. 

“Bright, you know what I mean. You are extremely violent and cruel!” 

“Only with those who deserve it.” argued Bright.

Twilight better changed the subject. “Anyway. How did you manage to get there without activating the detection spell Celestia and I put on the two of you?”

Bright then took what looked like a Swiss-army-knife. “With this! It can deceive any detection spell, penetrate magic shields with ease, and releases a smoke-screen in case you’re being chased.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Impressive!”

“The Royal Guards already ordered a bunch of these. The weapon business pays a lot.” 

“Did you made it, or Lumi?”

“Lumi. You know my thing is create big powerful machines. Not tiny gadgets. As useful as they end up being.” 

Twilight nodded silently. She still remembered the ‘Egg-Shaped-Nightmare’ that Bright created when he was only ten. That was the first and most frightening weapon of mass destruction Twilight have ever seen.

From that day, Bright Spark and Luminositè Belle were under strict surveillance. Not only because their creations were extremely dangerous, but because they were more than willing to try them at every single opportunity. But only in ‘bad guys’, so their actions could be perfectly justified. 
Soon enough, villains like Chrysalis, Tirek, Queen Porccina, Crunch the Stone Dog; and, more recently, Prince Edgar, learned to fear them. And stayed as far from Equestria as they could. 

“Forget it, I’m not in the mood to argue with you. Just, tell me, what was Flurry up to?” 

“I don’t know, her usual superhero goofiness. Something like that.”

“Guess that Cadence and Shining were really pissed off.” 

“I know, they tried to confiscate all her comic-related stuff. But I helped, so she keeps all her stuff, but her parents thinks she doesn’t. That’s why I took longer to come back.” 

Twilight only shook her head.

“Great! Your father and I will discuss your punishment when he comes back from Canterlot. Now go to your room.”
“Sure thing!”

Crystal Empire: 

Flurry was in the library, studying an old book about ancient rituals from the Empire. Specifically, the crowning of a new Princess. 

“I’m glad how you’re finally taking it seriously.” said Cadence, approaching. 

Flurry Heart glared at her, and Cadence smiled sadly.

“I know you’re still mad. But you’ll thank us one day.”

Flurry grinded her teeth, and she took the book to her room. 

Cadence did not push it. She knew her daughter needed some time to forgive her. 

And yes, Flurry was mad. But not as mas as Cadence thought, since she still had all her treasures. Now securer than ever.
Once Flurry was inside her room, she headed to her magic mirror. A magic tool that allowed her to communicate with her Ponyville friends. The bunch of geeks that were also the rest of the ‘League of Heroes’, the most generic team of Superheroes ever. 

“Hi guys!” called Flurry.

The faces of her friends appeared on the mirror. 

“Flurry! What’s up?” 

“Yeah, need something?” 

“As a matter of fact, I do. I’ve been studying the crowning ritual for a while, and I think I have chosen my title!”

“That’s great news Flurry!”

“So, are we going to celebrate or something?”

Flurry grinned evilly. “Not yet. You see, my parents tried to take my comics from me, and they need a lesson. At first I was willing to listen to me about choosing a better title, but now, I’m going to with the title I originally chose.”

The others’ jaws dropped. 

“Are you out of your mind?” repeated Sparkler.

“That’s impossible!” said Light Spectra. 

“It isn’t! I’ve been studying the ritual, and all you need to make it official is the blessing of somepony connected to the Crystal Heart, and a few witnesses. Well, I am connected to the heart, so all I need is my own blessing. And witnesses. You know where this is going.”

The others stared at her blankly.

“Are you out of your mind?” 

“A little!” said Flurry. “But we can get away with this with ease. All we need, is my cousin’s magic-proof technology. And he already agreed to help me.”

“You two are really crazy. But whatever, it seems interesting enough.” mumbled Sparkler. 

“Let’s just be careful!” said Beat Box.
> Third Principle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Third principle:
Always respect other heroes’ way to do things


Ponyville:

Twilight smiled at Rarity, as she helped her to do her the traditional gems-incrusted hairstyle. Thanks to certain experience so many years ago, Rarity had become an expert on the matter. 

“I can’t thank you enough, Rarity.” said Twilight, as she admired her image on the mirror.

“Whenever you want, darling.” Said Rarity. “After all, I cannot allow the lack of elegance in an official coronation. Oh, I’m so happy for little Flurry.”

“Me too!” said Twilight, dreamily. “I’m so proud of my niece. I hope she’s ready to accept the responsibilities of the Crown.” 

“Well, she haves her family to guide and support her.” smiled Rarity. “And, she’s really smart too. If it wasn’t for her obsession with comics, she would be the perfect ruler.” The fashionista sighed. “Sometimes I wonder if Spike moving to the Crystal Empire was actually a good idea.”

Twilight did her best to hold back a small tear. The whole thing about Spike’s custody still hunted her, but let’s not get into details. 

Anyway, the two friends better changed the subject, and focused in the outfits they would wear at Flurry’s Crowning. Once they were fully dressed, they went downstairs where Flash, Lumi and Bright were lazily with some cards. 
Flash was fully dressed with his jacket and undershirt, completed with a tie and a gemstone, but the two teenagers were still naked.

“Bright, Lumi, the only thing we asked you for this ceremony was to get dressed, and you haven’t done it!” complained Twilight. Then, she glared at her husband. “And Flash, why didn’t you say something? you’re supposed to be the adult here!” 

The pegasus shrugged. “I did, but Luminositè said she designed something new for the autumn season, and she wanted to try it tonight.”

Rarity looked at her daughter, with a smile. “What did you do this time, darling?” 

Luminositè pulled out a couple of beautiful silver bracelets with a single sapphire on it. Then, she simply pressed the sapphires together, and before anypony could even blink, she was wearing a large cobalt-blue night dress; covered in sapphires. 

By his way, Bright took a gold watch from his pocket, and pressed the cover. Immediately he was dressed in an elegant purple shirt, a black blazer and black tie, with a pink gemstone. He smiled.

“Good, I love the color!”

Lumi nodded, as she blushed a little. “I knew you would like it!”

Twilight raised an eyebrow. 

“Pretty impressive. Is the same technology of your battle suits, right?” 

“Yes, but that technology is obsolete already. At least for us.” Explained Lumisnoitè. “So, we’ll selling them to the public soon. Do you have any especial request for a dress or something?”

Twilight shook her head, as Rarity sighed, feeling somehow sad. When her daughter wasn’t acting as a psychopath, she was a very talented fashion designer. Maybe she wasn’t as creative as Rarity, but her especial fabric (practically indestructible, and dirt-proof) was very popular among designers. Maybe not as popular as it was among the military, but still pretty popular. As a result, Luminositè was almost as famous and demanded as her mother in the fashion industry. And, as proud of Rarity was, she couldn’t help but feel eclipsed by her own daughter. 

But back to the present, Bright pressed a button of his many remotes, calling his Z-Bots. 

The mechanical giants appeared before their creator, waiting for orders. 

“Salon mode. You know which stiles we like.” commanded Bright Spark.

The machines obeyed, and began to work in the two teenagers’ manes. In less than a minute, they were ready.

Twilight smiled. “In moments like this, I love that our children are so close.”

“Yes, but most of the time it worries me a lot.” mumbled Rarity.  

So, the two families went to the train station, where the rest of the Bearers of Harmony, and their respective families, were already waiting. 

Luckily, almost all their kids got along pretty well. Tasty Treat, daughter of Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich was friends with everypony. But especially with Light Spectra, son of Rainbow Dash and Soarin. By his way, Light Spectra was also really close with Gentle Fists, the son of Fluttershy and Bulk Biceps; who was also the best friend of Juicy Fruit, Applejack’s nephew. (Son of Big Mac and Sugar Belle). 

Also, there were Light Spectra’s (and Flurry’s) best friends. Beat Box, daughter of Vinyl and Octavia, and Sparkler, daughter of Derpy and Doctor Hooves. 
All of them got along just fine, with the obvious exception of Bright and Lumi. Not only they were younger than the rest of the gang, but the others felt intimidated by them. At this point, everypony in Equestria was aware of what they were capable of. 

Adults and young adults went inside the train, and sat on different wagons. 

“Hey Bright!” called Tasty Treat.

The young colt turned his attention to her from the chips he was munching on.

“What?” 

Tasty smiled, staring at the chips. “Are those the limited edition Cajun-seasoned chips?”

“Yes.” Answered Bright, apparently uninterested. 

“Can I have some?”

The colt smiled. “Of course not. I went through a lot of trouble to get the last existences from the factory.”

Tasty looked down, sad. “Okay.” 

“Hey, how did you get them then?” asked Gentle Fists.

“Easy. I abused of my Title.” Explained Bright. “I went to the factory, and asked the owner to sell me some. When she refused, I commanded her to do it under my authority as Equestrian Prince. Unbelievably enough, she refused again saying that the Princess of Friendship is not an actual Princess.”

“Then?” asked Juicy, almost afraid to ask.

“Then Bright showed her what it means to piss him off.” Explained Luminositè. “When he finished with her, she was willing not only to sell him the chips, but to give them for free. I think she’s still going to therapy.”

Everypony shivered.

“But you never harm ponies…” said Sparkler, weakly.

“Unless they mess with our mothers.” Said Bright. “Like Sury Polomare.”

“Yes. I made her clear that if she tried to steal something from mère again, I would make sure not only that she would never be able towalk through a fashion show ever again, but she would never be able to walk at all.” 

Nopony said more. Nopony dared. 

Thanks for their mental health, they arrived to the Empire soon. 

Shining Armor, and a few praised guards were already waiting for them. They were the official escort. 

“Shine! I’m so glad to see you!” smiled Twilight.

“I’m happy for seeing you too, Twiley.” Said the stallion. “I would love to talk, but right now we’re working under a really tight schedule.”

Twilight nodded. “I understand.”

Then, Shining turned to Light Spectra, Beat Box and Sparkler, and bowed before them.

“Ehem, youngsters, it would be a great honor if you lead the retinue. This way please.”

“What?” asked Light, titling his head. “But we’re just…”

“You’re my daughter’s best friends, and that’s makes you especially important on her especial day.” assured Shinning. 

The others blushed, as they followed their friend’s father. 

By their way, the group of Bearers of Harmony followed the three teenagers; and the others’ sons finished the line.

“You know? Is weird, most of the time I’m on the leading group.” said Rainbow Dash.

“Well, this is my niece’s day. Not ours. Its only logical that their friends have a priority for today.” 

“I know, I know, I just miss my youth.” sighed the cyan pegasus.

They arrived to the Castle, where they were received by Cadence.

“Please come on in! we’re barely on schedule. Nopony would forget this day!” said the pink alicorn happily. 

The entire group smiled, and got inside the Castle. 


…


Everypony in the Crystal Empire have reunited for the great event. Most of them were barely children when their Little Highness was born. But everypony have accepted her as a new regent. And, of course, there were also ponies from other parts of Equestria, ready to see the ascension of the newest Princess.  

They were happily talking among themselves, but they suddenly went silent when they saw their Highness Princess Cadence, followed by Princesses Celestia and Luna.

Then, their Little Highness made her appearance, and walked all the hallway to finally bow before her mother and the other Princesses.

Princess Luna smiled. “Raise, young Flurry Heart.” 

Flurry obeyed.  

Celestia smiled down to her, and nodded. “From the very moment of your Crystaling, you have proved to be tied to a Magical Mystery destiny; since your very existence is linked to one of our most praised relics. The Crystal Heart.”

Flurry smiled happily, and waited.

“Also, your own heart proved to be fair and beautiful, and you have earned the hearts and smiles of your people.” Continued Celestia, with majesty. “Tell me, young Flurry Heart, are you ready to accept the Crown and the responsibilities it means?”

Flurry bowed. “I am, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and mother. I, Flurry Heart, have already accepted the responsibility of protecting my people from evil for years now, but now, I’ll work twice as hard. I promise.”

Celestia and Luna nodded approvingly, even if they knew Flurry was talking about her ‘secret’ hobby. But, they didn’t judge her for that.

Then, Cadence made a step forward and called.

“Crystalizer, bright the Crystal Heart.”

Sun Burst appeared, carrying the relic, making all the witnesses to lower their heads, to show their respect for both the relic, and Flurry.

“Tell me, my daughter. Have you chose the Title you’ll be answering from now on?”

“I had, mother.” answered Flurry.

“Then, tell us, Flurry Heart, which Title did you choose?”

“Princess of Imagination, mother.”  

Cadence was relieved, and smiled to her daughter. Apparently, she decided to take things seriously.

“Flurry Heart, Princess of Imagination.” called Celestia. “Please, bow before the Crystal Heart.”

Flurry did as she told.

Then, Shining came in, carrying the Crown. Using his privileges as Prince, and father, he placed it on his daughter’s head. “With this Crown, and this Relic, we officially name you, Princess of Imagination.”

Suddenly, Flurry’s smiled changed, turning wicked.

Before anypony could ask, the Crystal Heart glowed, and pushed Flurry away with an invisible force.

“WHAT?”

“Why is it rejecting you?” asked Shining. “You’re supposed to share a bond from your birth!” 

Celestia examined the relic with her magic, and turned to Flurry, seeming awfully serious.

Luna tilted her head. “Tia?” 

Celestia glared at Flurry. “Flurry Heart, the Heart says you have chosen a Title already, and isn’t ‘Princess of Imagination’. Care to explain what’s going on?”

Flurry shrugged. “What can I say? Sorry, people of Equestria, for not offering you a real Coronation, but, I decided to take a step forward, and do the ceremony in private, with a few friends to serve as witnesses. You see, I had chosen a Title already, but my parents would never allow me to go along with it.”

Cadence couldn’t believe it. How was she able to do all this?

“So,” continued Flurry. “From now on, you should call me ‘Princess Geek of all Comics’.”

Twilight was standing there, watching her niece in awe; trying to find an explanation for what just happened.

But then, everything came clear when her son took a step forward and threw a suitcase before Flurry.

“Hey cuz, get the hell out of here before they kill you!”

The suitcase turned into some kind of flying motorcycle, where Flurry jumped; and escaped before anypony could react. 

“I OWE YOU A BIG ONE, BRIGHT!”

And she disappeared from sight. 

Luminositè just sighed. “And that’s why you asked me to make your tuxedo as strong as our combat suits…”

Precisely, soon enough, Bright was blasted with six magic beams from different sources: his mother, Sun Burst, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Cadence and Shining Armor. 

But of course, he was completely unharmed.

“Are you finished, or do you need to attack me more?” asked Bright.

Shining and Cadence shot again. 

“Now?” asked Bright.

Celestia simply aimed a hoof to a side door.

“You wait for us in the backstage. The rest of us will have to dismiss and apologize with this ponies.”

Bright didn’t say more, and do as she told him. Then Lumi looked at her mother, and joined him. She didn’t have anything to do with this, but she was pretty sure that they would blame her too.

And, after half of an hour, where the two friends killed time by playing cards again; the other Royals (and Rarity) finally showed up. 

Cadence simply walked toward him, and took him by the tie. “Okay, I’ll ask you once. WHAT WERE YOU THINKING BY HELPING HER?”

Bright looked around, calmly, when his mother urged him. “Answer your aunt, Bright Spark.”

“Nothing. She asked me for help, and I accepted. You all know I would build anything for you, but you’re just too afraid of my genius. The only one who doesn’t hesitate to ask me for help is Flurry, and, I don’t see why not helping her. After all, I was born with gears instead of a brain, so anything that allows me to kill some time by building something new, is welcome.”

Everypony groaned in exasperation.
They would scold Bright, but it was preferable for him to focus in helping his cousin instead of making his weapons of mass destructions.

“Where is she?” asked Shining.

“Out of your reach.” said Luminositè. 

“Lumi, please…” scolded Rarity.

“Inside our lab.” clarified the girl. 

Everypony groaned again. They knew they would never get her out. Not even in a million years. They were all powerful, but their powers were nothing compared with Bright’s and Lumi’s technology. 

“This is great. Now that she chose that Title, there’s no going back.” Complained Cadence. 

“Why she never take this seriously?” joined Shining.

Bright raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you realize this is her way to show you she takes this seriously? She may be an idiot, but she cares. By choosing that Title, she showing the world how much she cares of her people, by comparing her responsibilities with what she loves the most. She is and always will be a geek. You must accept her identity.” 

“I understand most of that, but she is an adult. She cannot spend her entire life reading comics!” said Celestia. “She have to move on.” 

“Even Spike moved on at some point.” reminded Shining Armor. 

“Spike had never quit to his comics.” whispered Luminositè to Bright. 

“The thing is,” said Bright, pulling out his Manual of Heroes. “A hero should respect other heroes’ way to do things. If this is what Flurry wants to be, you should support her and respect her decision. Especially being her parents.” 

Said that, he and Lumi left the room. 

Cadence grinded her teeth. “Great! This new generation make me feel old.”

“Agree.” sighed Shining. “The worse part, is that I don’t think Flurry knows what she’s doing.”

Celestia shook her head. “She doesn’t. But there’s no going back. I cannot believe I’m saying this, but I wish her and Bright Spark didn't get along this well!”
> Fourth Principle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Fourth principle:
The best way to keep the Kingdom safe, is show the villains who is in charge


Bright Spark and Luminositè got into their lab, where Flurry Heart was already waiting for them.

Even if her cousin told her to make herself home, she wouldn’t dare to touch anything unless they deactivate their machines in front of her.  Seriously, she was very aware that more than half of their gadgets were capable to blow up Mount Canter with ease. 

“Hey cuz!” greeted the young mare. “How is it going on the surface world? Am I the most wanted pony on the Crystal Empire, or my parents didn’t take it that bad?”

Bright shrugged. “Let’s put it this way: the only reason a SWAT team haven’t been mobilized, is because they know exactly where you are.”

“And, is well-known that this place is the most secure in the world.” finished Luminositè. 

Flurry didn’t ask more. Clearly, her parents, uncles and aunts, and ‘grannies’ wouldn’t be as pleased with her new Royal Title as her. But, at least, they still had enough common sense to stay away from Bright’s and Lumi’s lab.

Flurry Heart chuckled.

“Is something on your mind, dear?” asked Lumoniostè.

The young alicorn shrugged. “What can I say? I’m just amused by the irony. The most dangerous place in the world is also, the most secure.”

“I disagree.” said Bright Spark. “This place is not dangerous at all. All the equipment you see, have a security system that prevents that anypony but Lumi and I use it.”

“But, you can use the tunnels.” informed Lumi, as she waved to the underground railways. “So you can continue with your travail de justicier. Have fun.”

Flurry Heart clapped happily, and hugged the two teenage ponies.

“Thank you guys, thank you!” she giggled. “Is like your manual says, a hero should do everything on his/her power to do the right thing.” 

Lumi made a small smile. “La norme is a bit different, but whatever. However, darling, je te recommende to solve your issues with tes parents le plus vitè possible.” 

Flurry frowned. “What? Am I being a bother for you?”

“Non. But I think this is what’s considered an average empathic reaction.” explained Luminositè. “I’m not as skillful to fake those as your friend, so I can’t really tell.”

Flurry made a step backwards, and Bright simply changed the subject. “What matters is that you’ll feel as comfortable as in your home. We have all kinds of food, a warm bed, all kinds of books. And, if you want to buy something, just tell the Z-Bots. They’ll do it for you. Or, you can use the tunnels. Is up to you.” 

“Thanks!” said Flurry.

Then, Bright showed her Flurry the space he prepared for her. It had a bed, a night table, a night lamp, and, her treasures. Comics, action figures, daimakuras, superhero-themed sheets and pajamas. Oh, and her toothbrush. 

The two teenagers made a small nod, and went to work.

Lumi took a remote from one of the tables, and pressed a button.

One of the steel walls moved to right, revealing a hidden closet. The closet was full of samples of all kinds of fabrics, of all colors and patterns. Luminositè chose what it seemed like black velvet, and cut half of a yard. (With the help of an especial pair of scissors. The only thing in the world capable to cut her nano-machine-infused-fabric.) 

Flurry couldn’t help but smile. “Is hard to believe she’s not Rarity’s biological daughter.” She said to herself.

Then, she turned her attention to Bright Spark. Her cousin was busy giving some instructions to his ‘steel-giants’. 

The machines immediately went to work, accommodating and welding huge pieces of metal, around a structure that Flurry haven’t seen until then. 

Once again, Flurry giggled. “Aaand, I guess that if magic was his stuff, he would be just like aunt Twilight.” 

But then, Luminositè pressed another button on her remote, revealing a horrible vision. The stuff of nightmares. 

Since she was linked to the Crystal Heart from her Crystaling, Flurry was considered one of Equestria’s most powerful guardians. That’s why Cadence made sure that she learned a list with all the enemies of Equestria. That’s why Flurry recognized the poor creature who lied unconscious on a steel stretcher, firmly held by shackles on her four extremities; connected to several machines destined to keep her alive, and measure her biometrics.

Her name was Lady Catrina, a powerful cat sorceress who liked to kidnap people of all the species, and feed from their life-force to keep her youth, and her powers. The former teacher of Lord Tirek, and one of the most feared beings on the world. She managed to terrify changelings, griffins, minotaurs, centaurs, etc. In fact, even powerful foes like the Storm King or the Windigos thought twice before messing with her.

But now, she was reduced to the shadow of her former self. Her entire body was covered in bruises, burn marks, and even bold zones. 

“What the hay…?” mumbled Flurry Heart. But nor Bright neither Lumi paid any attention to her.

Luminositè approached to Catrina, and, put a small Tazer on her neck.

Catrina shrieked in pain, when the electric current ran through her body. She looked at Lumi with tears of fear coming from her eyes. 

“Bosoir mon chat. How did you sleep?” asked Lumi.

Catrina sobbed. “I had the most wonderful dream, a dream where I never tried to take over Equestria. A dream where I never met you and…”

Lumi nodded. “Yes, yes, je comprends. If that’s the case, I have great news for you. Your biometrics are extremely long. I’m sorry, but you won’t last for too long. Today you’re going home.”

Catrina shivered.

“I don’t believe you.”

“I don’t care if you believe me or not.” said Luminosité, indifferent. “But it’s true. One more experiment and that’s it.” 

“Why don’t you just kill me? I’M BEGGING YOU!” cried Catrina.

“No, no, no. There’s a line we won’t cross.” said Lumi. “We respect our mères too much.” 

The cat gulped, looking at the unicorn mare, as she questioned the choices of her life. 

She have heard the rumors about the two of them defeating Grogar. But she never believed on them. And now there she was, trapped as a guinea pig for their new weapons, after a one minute battle. A battle where the two of them limited to press a button each. After that, she saw a light, and everything went black.
When Catrina opened her eyes, it was the beggining of her agony. She spent the next four weeks being electrocuted, burned, attacked with sound waves that made her eyes and ears bleed, crushed by giant machines, etc.  
As far as Catrina knew, the last experiment would be the worst. 

“Please don’t…” cried Catrina.

Lumi ignored her, as she took the piece of black velvet, and applied some current with the Tazer. The fabric turned rigid, getting ten times harder than steel, but only at a fraction of the weight. Lumi felt the weight on her hooves, and then she activated her Power-Suit.

“Okay, I’m going to try the durability of this new material. If it works, I’ll sell it to the construction industry. Aren’t you excited to be such an important part of Equestrian history?” asked Luminositè, with apparent interest on science, but Catrina could see the sadistic smile on her lips.

“Please don’t…” begged Catrina, again. “Kill me already!” 

“I won’t.” said Lumi. “However, I seriously doubt you would be ever able to walk again. Not after this.”

Catrina closed her eyes, when Lumi started to hit her legs over and over with the piece of fabric.

Much to Flurry’s horror, Catrina’s shrieks resounded all over the lab.

The young Princess looked at her cousin, who interrupted his work, and turned to Luminositè. 

“Stop it!” he commanded angrily.

Luminositè tilted her head. “Why?”

“Lumi, you know I can’t stand shrieking. Can you please shut her up?”

Luminositè gasped, ashamed. “Oh, excuse moi.”

And she pressed another button on the remote, making a glass wall to appear, isolating the noises from her side. 

Bright smiled, pleased. “Much better. What’s up cuz? You seem upset.”

“Come on! This doesn’t bother you?” protested Flurry Heart. 

“Yes it does, that’s why I ask her to shut up.” explained Bright Spark. 

“Bright, please, you know what I mean. She was torturing someone!” said Flurry.

“Yes, but she was a bad guy. Why should I care about her?”

“What are you?” asked Flurry Heart. “She’s clearly suffering!” 

Bright sighed. “Flurry, I don’t care. Period. You see, my friend and I need bad guys to release the ‘need’ without harming innocents. We cannot fight this part of ourselves, so we keep it under control only with those who deserve it.” 

Flurry shivered, as Bright continued with his explanation. 

“Equestria is safe from both the two of us, and them. And, the baddies get reformed. Everybody wins.”

Flurry looked at her cousin straight to the eyes. “But I thought you were medicated.”

“This helps more than medicine. Also, our meds somehow interferes with our genius, so we don’t take them if we can avoid it.”

“Bright, please, don’t you have any empathy?”

“My theory is that our intelligence takes so much space in our brains that there’s no space left for that superficial emotions that the normal ponies have.”

Flurry looked at her cousin, and lowered her gaze. She really loved him and knew she could always count on him. But sometimes she forget what he really was. 

The two of them continued working in their projects, ignoring Flurry, until Lumi was done with Catrina.

“How was it?” asked Bright.

“It worked, of course. With the punishment she was receiving, a normal steel would break in seconds. This resisted for five whole minutes.” 

Bright Spark nodded. “Okay, so, are you ready to release her?”

“I’m going to miss having someone to play with, but I suppose it is time.” 

Then, a couple of Bright’s robots took what was left of Catrina, and took her out of the lab.

Flurry just stared them, and shivered. She wished that her parents forgive her soon, these two were really scary. 

Location, unknown:

The lost mountains were considered the last refugees of the outcasts. A deserted icy land, where no life form dared to make its residence.

For most of the people, it was empty and dead. But, if you look for long enough, you would be able to find a small pub, hidden between the rocks. 

A pub where the most dangerous and powerful villains in the world get together just to drink and to talk about their recent conquers, small victories, and even defeats. From Queen Porccina of the Pig People, and her daughter Crystal; Crunch the Stone Dog, lord of the Diamond Dogs; Ahuizotl, Tirek, just to name a few.

And, attending all this horrible beings, was a no less horrible being. Squirk, a squid monster who used its multiple tentacles to serve the beverages. Oh, and was also the tyrant of an underwater Empire.

Suddenly, Lady Catrina entered to the pub.

Everyone muted in fear, except for for Tirek, who happily waved at his teacher. 

“Lady Catrina, Lady Catrina! Here, there’s an empty seat just aside me!” 

Catrina sat aside his student, who gasped when he saw the silver collar on hi teacher’s neck. 

“Oh no…” he turned to Squirk. “Hey, Squirk! Bring something to Lady Catrina, I pay!”

The giant squid turned to the cat sorceress. “What can I do for you, Lady Catrina?”

The cat sorceress sobbed weakly, and asked for the pub’s signature drink. An Equestria Neveragain.

Designed on the Twilight Sparkle era, the villains drank it to forget being defeated by something as stupid and sappy like the Magic of Friendship. However, now they drank it to forget the horrors they suffered at the hooves of Prince Bright Spark, and Warrior Belle. 

It was a pint of vodka, a pint of gin, a pint of moonshine, a small jar of medicinal alcohol, and a shot of whisky; deluded in a liter of beer. A brain cell killer for sure. 

Squirk brought the drink to Catrina, and she emptied the cup in two seconds.

“ANOTHER ONE!” she demanded.

Squirk obeyed, and Catrina emptied the cup just as fast as the first one. 

“Ehem, Lady Catrina?” asked Tirek.

She smashed the table with her fist. “I was lucky I still had a couple of prisoners to take life force from! Can you imagine how difficult could be get all the way here in a freaking wheelchair?!” 

She finished her third drink, and continued. “At least I made history by proving their weapons. THEY WORK PERFECTLY!”

And she began to laugh hysterically, a laugh that slowly turned into a cry.

The whole pub looked at her in pity, knowing what an encounter with the two ponies could do to a villain. During the last five years they have learned that absolute madness was as dangerous as pure evil.  

“The day they defeated Grogar, I knew they would become real monsters whey they grow up.” finally said Tirek. 

“What are they doing, claiming to be heroes?” asked Crunch the Stone Dog. “They can conquer Equestria and who knows how many other Kingdoms!” 

Queen Porccina squealed. “I’ve heard they don’t do it simply because they have no interest on it. Who understands lunatics?”

“Psychiatrists!” 

Chrysalis sighed. “Those two are as scary as Grogar.”

“Well, they did defeated him, right?” 

They started arguing, when suddenly they felt a very familiar energy. 

Grogar. GROGAR! They all tried to escape, but, in the end, instead of the Overgoat, they found a note.

“What does it say?” asked Crunch.

No one dared to touch anything from Grogar. But, in the end, Catrina decided to open it. She had nothing to fear after her experience with Bright and Lumi. 

“What does it say?” asked Porccina.

“He is demanding our presence, all of us, on the Island of Tambelon in exactly two months. He have a very especial announcement, and the ones who doesn’t show up, will be sorry for the rest of their lives. That won’t be long.”

They all gulped in fear, but Catrina seemed uninterested. “Hey, I’m going to throw a huge-ass party at my place, in two months. Who’s in?”

No one said anything, immediately. 

Between them, there was an ongoing debate of who scared them the most. Grogar, or the lunatic duo. And they were divided half and half. Also, originally Catrina was on Grogar’s side, but she changed her mind after being released. 

“What does he want?” asked King Bumble from Bees.

“I don’t want to know!” said Crunch. “Lady Catrina, I’ll go to your party! I’ll bring my famous Crunchy Guacamole!” 

“The one with stones on it? Bring a bag of ice!”

So they left it that way. However, they still wandered what Grogar wanted. Something was about to change, and they were afraid. Really afraid.
> Fifth Principle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Fifth Principle:
No matter the personal circumstances, a hero would always do its work


It was a beautiful and peaceful day in Cloudsale. And certain pegasus cuddled inside his bed, enjoying a good holiday from Canterlot’s school for gifted chefs.

All he wanted was to sleep late on his very first day of holiday. But, his parents had another plans for him. Unfortunately.

“LIGHT! Light Spectra!” shouted Rainbow Dash, as she stormed into her son’s room.

She shook the young colt, with a smirk. “Wake up, son, it’s time for the family training. You’ve been skipping it all the time you were at cooking school, but now that you’re here…”

And suddenly, Light’s head popped out, revealing that Rainbow Dash was shaking a dummy. A very realistic one.

Rainbow frowned. “Ha-ha. Where are you hiding, Light?” 

“What’s going on here?” asked Soarin, entering behind his wife. “What’s with the dummy?”

“Light thinks he’s clever.” said Rainbow, annoyed. “Where did he hide?”

Soarin shrugged. “Come on! If he wants to sleep late, leave him. He’ll stay just for a few weeks, we cannot waste our time together arguing, Rainbow. Let’s go train just you and me, alright?” 

Rainbow had no choice but accept it, and she left the room.

When he heard the door closing, Light Spectra removed the fake bottom from his closet, and went back to bed. 

“Unbelievable! The things I have to do for some peace at this house!” 

Later on, the family was walking around the streets of Cloudsdale, to see Rainbow’s parents. 

But, first, they had to make a stop at a store. The only store in Cloudsdale that sold Japonese products.

“Seriously, why do we have to go through all Cloudsdale to get here?” complained Soarin. “Your grandparents live at the other side of the city, for Fasut sake!”

Light Spectra simply stroke his flank with his wing, precisely where his Cutie Mark was. A katana cutting through a sushi roll. 

“Grandma and grandpa are dying to see my ‘sushi-show’ and also, try my sushi.” explained Light Spectra. 

“Alright, alright” sighed Soarin.

“Look at the bright side!” smiled Rainbow Dash. “My folks will be so busy focusing on Light Spectra’s sushi show that they won’t be bothering us.”

“Why do you think I agreed to this?” asked Soarin. “Let’s go for the sushi ingredients.”  

They were about to arrive to the store, when they saw a group of cops chasing a group of ponies, wearing black ski-masks, carrying huge bags of bits. 

Soarin and Rainbow Dash turned to their son, but he was no longer there.

Instead, there was a note: I forgot the grocery list at home. I won’t take long.

“What is he talking about? I have the list!” said Soarin, showing Rainbow the piece of paper.
“He’s obviously going after the thieves.” sighed Rainbow. “We both know he’s a superhero. Why did he always does this act?”

“To keep it more like a comic.” shrugged Soarin. “So what now? Shall we go with your folks first?”

“What? No! I won’t put a single hoof there without Light Spectra. He keeps all their attention from me.”

“So, what now?” asked Soarin again.

“You go for the stuff on the list.” said Rainbow with a smirk. “And I’ll take the pictures for mom and dad’s album about Shadow Ninjutsu. Alright?”

“Be careful. Light can’t protect you if you get into trouble.” warned Soarin.

“Who do you think you’re talking to?” asked Dash. “I’ll be fine! Danger is my second name!” 

“I know, and Light’s is ‘Deadly’.” sighed Soarin. “Alright then. Still, take care.

And, Rainbow flew after the police chase.

She looked everywhere, but she knew that Shadow Ninjutsu was a master in disappearing. Where was him?

But Rainbow Dash easily spotted her son. 

Among the criminals, there was one who wasn’t with the group at first. But, because of the desperate of their predicament, they haven’t noticed yet.  

Suddenly, the extra thief pulled a ninjato, a short sword, and cut the other’s bags.
The precious booty dropped all over the street, forcing the thieves to stop.

“Hey, that was low!” protested a thief.

The newcomer grinned. “Iie, that wasn’t low. Sore wa ninjutsu, desu!” 

And he agilely sent a roundhouse kick to the leader, who fell unconscious. 
The others tried to counterattack, but Shadow Ninjutsu was faster, and threw them several shuriken stars. “Did your moms never taught you that stealing is wrong?”

“Go to Tartarus!” said the thief, sending several punches to the hero of all Cloudsdale.

But Shadow N pulled out a bo-staff, and sent him down with a single punch on the back of his neck. 

The thief lied on the ground, groaning in pain, as Shadow N posed.

“There aren’t any reporters nearby, stupid!” complained the thief.

“Oh, you never know when you cross paths with a fan.” said Shadow Ninjutsu, with a shrug. Knowing that his mother wasn’t too far, taking pictures for his grandparents.

Of course, Rainbow heard him, and smiled.

In the meantime, the police have reached the group of fallen criminals, and victorious hero. 

“Doomo, doomo!” greeted Shadow N, bowing to the police. “Sore wa ore no pleasure. Dorobo-tachi will suffer the consequences for stain the good name of my city with crime.”

A police officer simply cuffed him. “Shadow Ninjutus. You know it’s a crime to be a vigilante. Come with me without…”

Soon enough, the police noticed he have cuffed a pole, and the hero was nowhere to be found. 

He sighed. “I hate that ninja.”

Back on the store of Asian products, Sorin was waiting patiently, when his son appeared.

“Sorry for making you wait that. In the end, I couldn’t find the grocery list anywhere!”

His mother landed right behind him. “Do you realize we know who you are, right?”

“Of course, but it feels more like a comic this way!”

Soarin rolled his eyes. “Told you!”

“Anyway, if you dislike my acting, I can use simpler, funnier excuses.” offered Light Spectra. 

“Like what?” asked Rainbow.

He aimed a hoof to a nearby tree. “Look, a monkey!”

The older pegasi turned, and, when they turned back, there was no trace of Light Spectra.

“Okay, that was a good one!” said Soarin.

“Yeah, that’s what I call originality!” admitted Rainbow Dash.

In the meantime, the ninja have landed on the roof of a store, where he spotted Captain Awesome.

“Captain! What brings you to Cloudsdale?” asked Shadow Ninjutsu.

“Nothing, I wanted to see if you needed my awesome help, but it seems like you have everything under control. Awesome!!”

“A ninja asks for help, only if its needed.” said Shadow Ninjutsu. “But they were nothing but thieves. What about your territory?”

Captain Awesome sighed. “If I’m awesomely honest with you, I’m a scared. I mean, I know I have a responsibility with the Crystal Empire. It needs my awesome protection. But, after what happened, I have to think twice before going.”

Shadow Ninjutsu understood. “Oh, right, I talked to Watt, and he said he had troubles in Canterlot. The Princesses know we had something to do with the ‘Coronation Fiasco’ and questioned him for hours.”

“What about you?” asked Captain Awesome.

“It’s a matter of time, they tried. Demo, watashi used the excuse I had to take the next densha to Cloudsdale to see my folks. I wonder how long it took them to realize there is no densha to Cloudsdale, but kurumas, pulled by pegasi.” 

Awesome shook his head. “Why do you always have to mix Japonese when you speak?”

“I don’t know, why you keep adding the word ‘awesome’ to everything?”

“Touché.”

They both laughed.

“So, what are you going to do?” asked Shadow Ninjutsu.

Captain Awesome took off his helmet. “I think, I’ll have to be brave, and follow the Manual of Heroes. It was written by a psychopath and a sociopath, but they’re right. A hero should always do his work.”

“Good to know. Anyway, see you, Captain! I have to go with my grandparents!”

“Take care!”

Flurry watched him leave, and took a deep breath.

“I hope they understand I do things my own way. Not theirs.”

Crystal Empire:

Princess Cadence, and Prince Shining Armor were in front of an orphanage, where they delivered a donative, in the name of the good citizens of the Crystal Empire.

“It’s an honor, to assure the future of our little ponies.” said the Princess. “And, with this donative of twenty five thousand bits, I hope you’re able to make the much-needed repairs in this establishment.”

All the kids, along with the personnel of the orphanage, and the public (nobles from the Crystal Empire), cheered. 

Shining Armor was about to give the director the huge bag of bits, when a tremor shook the whole place.
A small statue of Spike was about to fell over the orphans, but Shining Armor protected them with his force-field.

Suddenly, somepony cried:

“The money is gone!”

They could see a bunch of unicorns running on the distance. 

“Oh, no, you won’t get away with this. GUARDS!”

But the guards quickly dropped their weapons, and ran, joining the criminals, revealing they were part of the gang. But, before they left, they grabbed an orphan, and put a knife on her neck.

“Give us a reason!” 

Not Cadence, nor Shining dared to move.

“Hey, do you actually think you’ll get away with this?” asked a voice behind the pony.

Before he could do something, somepony pulled the hostage away from the gang member, and punched him to the Prince, and Princess.

“Hostages are a good trick, but useless against somepony as awesome as I am!”

The rest of the gang ran faster, knowing that as stupid as he was, the superhero was a real problem.

Suddenly, they fell when a current of electricity ran through their bodies.

“Thank you, Watt!!”

Captain Awesome trotted to the thieves, taking the bag of money.

“You-can’t-do-this…” mumbled the thieves.

“I’m pretty awesome all by myself, but, with my friends, I’m actually invincible!”

Said that, the captain returned the money to Cadence and Shining. But they weren’t happy to see him.

“What are you doing here?” asked Cadence.

“Yes, give us a reason to not to throw you inside a dungeon.”

Captain Awesome looked at them, calmly. “First of all, I am a hero. And I have a responsibility with the people of the Crystal Empire. Both as my real self, and as the hero I want to become. And, second, I have the technological support of the greatest geniuses in the world.”

Cadence and Shining groaned. 

“Great, this is just great.” sighed Shining. 

“You have to wake up, you are no hero, Flurry Heart.” said Cadence. “Pretend you are in a comic, is no heroism.”

“No, it is you who have to wake up!” said Awesome. “I am my own kind of hero, and I’ll do things my way. Not yours, mine! And it is time for you to accept it.”

Then, he walked away.

“I would get angry, but I have to admit she’s faithful to her beliefs.” said Cadence. 

“She’s not the problem. You know who the problem is. Flurry is just one of many things, but, the two of them are continuously doing stuff like this, proving us, to the Crown, that they can do whatever they want whenever they want.” 

Cadence nodded. “I know what you mean. As long as Flurry have their support, she can do whatever they want too.”
> Sixth Principle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Sixth Principle: 
A hero does not accept challenges from villains. It is the hero who defies the villains


In the beautiful city of Canterlot, a cheerful young mare woke up really early (as usual), and, after a quick shower, she ran to her workplace. ‘Quicky’s deliveries’, a courier service, very popular in big cities like Canterlot, or Manehattan, and Trottingham.

The mare’s name was Sparkler, she was Derpy’s youngest daughter, and one of Princess Flurry’s closest friends.

Normally, she went to the university in the morning, and worked at the afternoon shift. But, since she was on vacation, Dinky used her time to work full time, and save some money. But she didn’t complain, she loved her job.
It helped her to pay for her studies, and gave her the chance to practice her favorite sport as she earned money: parkour. 

Oh, and also, it was perfect for Dinky to spot criminals to fight as Watt, the electric superhero. 

With her great agility, and electric powers, she could deal with any crime in less than a minute. For example, an on-going robbery to the liquor store she just passed by.

By entering to a dark alley, she changed from her uniform, to her superhero suit, and get into the liquor store surrounded by a blue lightning. 

Inside the liquor store, a thug was threatening the owner, holding a knife with his magic; as two partners were empting the safe. 

The robber turned to the hero, who charged a powerful lightning bolt on his hoof. 

“Oh!” exclaimed the hero of Canterlot. “Watt do we have here? A bunch of morons, disturbing the peace of my city. Not under my watch!!”

And disappeared into a blue lightning bolt, surrounding the thugs in a blue flash. When Watt finished, the three thugs were lying on the floor, as he stood victorious, generating electricity from his body.

Then, he took a closer look to the thugs, and raised an eyebrow. He recognized as the friends he had on the Royal Guard. “Watt’s going on in here? Watt are you doing, betraying the trust the citizens of Canterlot put in you? Watt…”

“Enough with your stupid pun!” complained the squad leader (the pony threatening the owner). “Princess Celestia want to talk to you, and this was the only thing we could think off!”

Watt tilted his head. “You all know my identity. Why didn’t you send me a letter or something? Or wait for me at my apartment. I mean, is being polite really too much to ask you, guys?”

The fake owner, actually a high commander of the Royal Guard, sighed.

“I know, and I’m sorry, Mister Watt. Or do you prefer Miss Sparkler?” 

“I don’t care.” said Watt. 

“Okay then.” nodded the captain. “Where was I? Oh, right! We didn’t though you would actually show up, if we call you.”

Watt shrugged. “I don’t see why not. As far as I concern, we get along just fine, right?”

The Royal Guard agreed. In fact, they looked at Sparkler as she was some kind of little sister. Always trying to help, in her own goofy way.

Still, the captain seemed, uneasy with the situation. “The thing is, you’re in a delicate situation, Watt.”

“Why?” asked the hero.

One of the fake robbers glared at her, as he rubbed his head. “Why? What you mean with ‘why’? Princess Celestia is really angry with all of you!”

“Oh, now I get it!” said Watt, as it hit him. “She’s still angry about Flurry’s coronation!”

“Yeah. She knows the three of you were involved in the ritual, allowing her to take that stupid title.”

Watt sighed.

“Guys, I know pissing off the Crown wasn’t the most intelligent thing to do, but she’s our friend, and we would do anything for her!” Then, he took off his helmet. “But, if you want us to arrest us, I shall warn you that Flurry named the entire League of Heroes as her knights. Before the Crystal Heart itself, so we are under its protection!”

The disguised soldiers exchanged worried looks, when Celestia got into the room, glaring at Sparkler. 

“I know that. Flurry Heart really messed up things. That’s why we want to contact her, but she is ignoring my calls. And Luna’s, and her parents. Especially her parents.”   

“As long as she haves her cousin’s protection, she won’t talk if she doesn’t want to. Even if we ask her.” explained Sparkler. 

“No, I know. But, at least, she’ll listen to you. Believe me, what I need to talk with her haves nothing to do with her behavior. That’s her parents’ business. No, this is about her new responsibilities as Princess. But I need to discuss this in person.”

“I’m going to need more details if you want me to tell Flurry. You know how stubborn she is.”

Celestia groaned exasperated. “Fine! As an official Princess, now Flurry Heart have a territory to rule. But, since she’s hiding, I can’t properly assign it to her.” 

Sparkler nodded, this seemed important. “I’ll try to talk to her, and convince the others to do it as well. But I make no promises.”

Celestia nodded. “I know, thank you, Sparkler Hooves. Remember, I won’t scold her, nor punish her. That’s up to her parents.”  

The Princess then left the building.

“Again, I don’t see why she needed to set up all this if she wanted me to deliver a message.” shrugged Sparkler. 

“We’ll consider that for the next time.” assured the commander.

“Hey, Sparkler, do you have any deliveries today?” asked the other fake robber, staring at the package she carried.

“Yes, I have to deliver a package to a pony called Dark Hood. Why?”

“That’s what I know it said. Careful, friend, he’s a dangerous mobster. We’ve been chasing him for months. I don’t think he’s stupid enough to send something illegal through a famous courier service, but still, careful.”

“Thank you for the advice.” said Sparkler, putting on the helmet again. “I should go as Watt then. See you later!”

And, since she was late, Sparkler used the power of her super suit to get on time.

The small mansion was easy to find, but Watt hesitated before changing into his/her normal self. 

Remembering the warning from his soldier friend, he jumped the fence, and ran to the rooftop, to spy through the skylight. 

It was a wise decision.

Inside the mansion, the pony he supposed to deliver the package, was surrounded by a bunch of his thugs, and his son. Why so many ponies, only to receive a package?

Dark Hood, a forty eight year old pony, with a long hooded cape. His son, was a twenty five year old pony, also wearing a hooded cape.

“Okay son, your birthday present will arrive soon.”

The young pony grinned evilly. “I know, father. Thank you.”

“You can have anyone you want. Why a simple courier?” 

The son shrugged, as he grinned. “First of all, she’s hot. All the exercise she does by delivering packages had given her a cute rear. And she moves so gracefully, and smoothly… oh, father. The only thing I can think of is to possess her.”

From his observation point, Watt shivered in disgust. “Okay, a dangerous pony, and an idiot. For real?”

He ran to the main door, with his super speed, and knocked.

“Come on in!” called Dark Hood’s son. 

Watt destroyed the door with a lightning bolt, and entered in the mansion.

“Watt’s up?!” he said.

“WHAT?” yelled father and son in the unison.

“That’s my name!” answered the hero, generating electricity from his body. “Attempt to foalnap a cute little courier? Watt’s wrong with you?”

Before any of the ponies could react, Watt sent them several lightning bolts. The thugs, and the two bosses ended up in the floor, unable to move.

“See you guys!” said Watt, before disappearing into a bolt.

“How did he know?” mumbled Dark Hood, weakly.

Back at Quickie’s deliveries headquarters, Sparkler entered happily.

“Hi boss! I’m done!” 

“That fast?” asked the counter pony. “Well, sometimes I forget who I am talking to. Good job, Miss Hooves.”

“Thank you!” cheered Sparkler. “Anything else you need me to deliver?”

“Yes, a veggie shipment to the National Association of Cauliflower Lovers, then, a few kilowatts, and watts to Canterlot Stadium, for this afternoon’s rock concert. And, finally, you need to go to the zoo to rent a few penguins to put in the empty seats of the Opera Theater for the noon’s performance.” 

Sparkler wrote that down.

“Is that it? I’ll be back in an hour. No, an hour and fifteen minutes.”

And she ran upstairs to get her shipment.

“That child haves lots of enthusiasm. And something that haven’t been diagnosed yet.” 

Ponyville, Castle of Friendship:

Twilight returned home, after a tiring afternoon of Royal errands. Then, drinking tea with her brother and Cadence as they tried to ask her for help, to convince Bright to stop protecting Flurry.
Anyway, she finally managed to finish all her to-do list, and it was time to relax at home. 

Maybe, she could do something fun with Bright Spark. Like an experiment.

After all, he was really pissed when she asked Discord to foalsit him. Most of the times, it was Flash who stayed with their son, but this time he was working on Canterlot. 

“Bright, I’m home!” said Twilight, calling her son. “Bright? Discord! Where are you?”

There was no answer, so Twilight supposed they were in the lab.

She approached to the elevator, and went to her son’s workshop. 

In the lab, Flurry was reading a comic, when she turned to her aunt. Flurry screamed, and was about to run, when Twilight stopped her.

“Take it easy, Flurry. There’s no way I can get you out, even if I wanted to. How you’ve been?”

A little more calmed, the young alicorn smiled. “You know, fine. Cousin Bright is a great host, but really scary from time to time.”

Twilight sighed, she didn’t want to know what she saw.

“Well, he’s a mad scientist after all. Speaking of him, where’s him?”

Flurry aimed her hoof to a nearby door. “Working in something.”

“Thank you. Have you seen Discord?” 

“Nope. I just returned from my patrolling at the Crystal Empire. I didn’t know he was here, I’m sorry!” 

Twilight nodded, and went to the door Flurry aimed.

“Bright!” she called.

The young colt turned from his microscope, and smiled at her. “Hi mom! That was quick.”

“Bright, I’ve been out for eight hours.” said Twilight.

Bright blinked in surprise, but, in the end, he smiled. “Oh, right. Sorry, I kinda, get lost in my work.”


“As usual.” smiled Twilight. “And, what are you looking at?”

“I have no idea. I haven’t seen anything like this. Here, take a look.”

Bright moved from his chair, allowing Twilight to see through the microscope. 

“Whoa! Bright, this is something completely unknown for the pony kind! Where did you get it?”

Bright aimed a hoof to a bunch of gravel that was on a tray. 

“Okay… I have more questions now but, more important, do you know where Discord is?”

Bright pressed a button from a remote. 

One of the lab’s flat screen showed several scenes, where Discord tried to break Bright’s concentration by pulling prank after prank. Finally, Bright lost his temper, and pulled a small gadget that looked like a silver sphere. The sphere shot a light, and Discord ended up turning into stone.
Then, at Bright’s command, a bunch of his robots took the Discord statue, and took it to the lab. Unfortunately, it didn’t fit in the elevator, and they had to break him, turning the statue into the gravel Bright had under the microscope.

Twilight glared at her son. “RESTORE HIM!”

Bright nodded, and pulled the silver sphere again.

It was one of Twilight’s least favorite of her son’s inventions: the ‘Artificial Harmony Generator’. A powerful machine that despite its small size, it could imitate the power of the Elements of Harmony perfectly. It was less scary, and less destructive than most of his weapons, but its mere existence was unnerving. No pony could believe that the purest, and most powerful defense in Equestria, could be replicated by a heartless machine. 
Celestia and Luna fainted when they saw it at the first time. 

“Restore him.” said Twilight again.

Bright nodded, as he aimed the sphere to the gravel. “To be fair, he started.”

“I know, just restore him. Please!”  

The sphere shot a purple light, and the God of Chaos came back to life.

“You!” he jelled at Bright.

Bright looked at him, indifferently. “Yes?”

The God of Chaos grinded his teeth. “DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH DID IT HURT WHEN YOU BROKE ME INTO SMALL PIECES?”

Bright raised an eyebrow. “You can feel what happens to you, being trapped in stone? Interesting… I shall tell Lumi about this fact…”

Discord paled in terror, and turned to twilight. “Twilight, dear, I quit. THIS IS THE LAST TIME I WATCH YOUR KID, I DON’T WANT THIS MONSTER AROUND ME, NEVER AGAIN!”

And he ran upstairs, since he couldn’t use magic inside the lab, and teleported away.

Twilight looked at Bright. “Don’t dare you to tell Lumi about his weakness! You know how sadistic and cruel she is.”

Bright Spark was about to ask why, but he preferred to remain silent when he saw Twilight’s expression. 

In the end, she sighed calmed, and smiled to Bright.

“Let’s go, it’s dinner time. Call your cousin too.”


“Alright!”

They went upstairs, where the Z-Bots were cooking, and setting the table, as the perfect servants they were. 
They started to eat, when Bright’s magic sensor went crazy. Flurry and Twilight stood, trembling in fear. Their ability to feel magic warned them about the incoming danger.

“Grogar…” mumbled the two alicorns.

Bright only smiled, with his eyes sparkling in anticipation.

His greatest rival, the only one who pushed him to use his most powerful weapons.

During those five years, Bright have been preparing for the second round. He barely won the first one, but this time, he was more prepared. 

“Perfect!” smiled Bright.

“Bright, wait!” said Twiilght. “Be careful, please.”

“I will. Don’t worry.”

At his command, the robots switched to bodyguard mode, preparing for battle.

But, then, a letter materialized in front of them.

“What?” mumbled Flurry Heart.

Bright looked at his machines. “Open it!”

The Z-Bots took the letter on their steel claws, and opened it, taking a picture, and presenting the picture to their creator.

He nodded. “I see.”

“What does it say?” asked Twilight, worried.

“The goat is formally challenging Lumi and me for a rematch. This time, in the island of Tambelon. He wants to make an important announcement to the world, and he wants us to be his guests of honor.”

Twilight gulped. “And, what are you planning to do?”

He shrugged. “I think we should summon the whole Crown.”

“Including Princess Geek of all Comics.” finished Flurry.
> Seventh Principle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Seventh principle:
A hero doesn’t get surprised by a villain. It is the hero who takes the villain by surprise


The Kingdom of Equestria was usually peaceful, and calmed. More than it was when the Bearers of Harmony were still young. That’s why it was only on very especial occasions that the presence of the four (now five) Princesses of Equestria were needed. Plus, the highest ranks of the three Royal Guards.
Fear and tension were almost tangible. But, at least, everypony was doing their best to stay firm at the crisis.

Also, there were a few lesser problems, like the fact that newly crowned Princess Flurry Heart and her parents stayed in opposite sides of the room, and refused to talk to each other.
And the fact that Flurry named her friends, the League of Heroes, as her personal knights didn’t help to her case.

“There’s only their awesome captain missing!” said Flurry, posing as a hero from her favorite comic books. “But, hey, I can assure you, Captain Awesome is really, really close.”

Princess Celestia glared at her, making the youngest Princess to gulp.

“I’m going to say this once, and just once!” said Celestia. “This is not the time for your stupidity. Now, behave if you don’t want to spend a night on the dungeons!” 

Nopony said more, and they passed to the only point on the agenda: the return of Grogar.

Princess Luna turned to one of the few military present on the room. “Commander Sentry, please let in Prince Bright Spark, and Miss Luminositè Belle.”

Flash hurried to open the door to his son, who smiled to him, and, after a quick hug between them, he joined his friend Lumi to appear before the Royal council.

“Prince Bright Spark, Miss Luminositè Belle, please show us your letters.” asked Princess Celestia,

The two teenagers pulled out, not the letters, but the photos they took from the letters, and presented them to the main Princess.

“Tambelon.” Mumbled the white alicorn. “That place sounds familiar.”

“It is an island, lost in the sea.” explained Flurry Heart. “Most of the historians agree that once it was a beautiful, and full of life. But one day, the ‘calamity’ came, and all the life was extinguished in a heartbeat. Now, Tambelon is only a lifeless rock on the middle of the sea.”

They all turned to look at Flurry, in confusion.

“What? Mom made me study all the potential foes of Equestria!” explained Flurry.

“Anyway!” said Bright. “Let me guess: the calamity was, actually, our old pal the goat”

Luna glared at him and frowned. He only shrugged, with an unconcerned smile. 

“Do you realize he swore revenge against you two, stupid?” asked Luna angrily. “The rest of us are nothing but insects to him. But he hates you two with all his heart.”


“Precisely, but because we are the only ones who have defeated him.” Said Luminositè, taking a notepad. “Besides, all this time, Bright and I have been preparing for the retour of monsieur chèvre. The only inconvenient we had, was that any other than Grogar would be vaporized at a single shot.”

Everypony shivered at the idea. 

“Bright, this is serious. Do you realize what you’re doing?” asked Twilight, confronting her son.

“I know it sounds dangerous, but we have proven we have our arsenal under control.” Explained Lumi. “And, to avoid any problems, all our weapons are programmed to answer only to our DNA”. 

“Also, we won’t let him touch you, or dad, or godmother. Any of you!” said Bright Spark, really serious. “Last time we were lucky since we caught him by surprise. But now, he knows that our weapons work without magic, and he will be prepared for us.”

“And, this time, we’re also prepared. Back then, we were lucky. This time, we have been training for this day.” explained Luminositè. “Monsieur Chèvre won’t be able to stop us from ‘reforming’ him for good.”

“How are you planning to do that?” asked Celestia, concerned. 

“For starters, we’ll start with our final weapon. The very same tool that stopped him the last time.” finished Bright Spark. 

Celestia looked at Bright Spark, with fear in her eyes.
Grogar was a fearsome and very powerful. No one could ever stop him… until Bright and Lumi  came with their machines. However, Grogar proved to be extremely powerful, by resisting much more than the others. All the other villains would have perished before the monstrous arsenal the two ponies had. But Grogar survived all their weaponry, until Bright and Lumi had no choice but use their final resource: the egg-shaped nightmare.

At this point, no one was completely sure what the scariest thing was. The fact that Grogar have survived the attack. The fact that Bright built it at the tender age of ten. Or the weapon itself: the nuke. 

“Are you telling me that you didn’t dismantled that things as we commanded you?!” asked Celestia.

Bright nodded. “I’m sorry, godmother. I did it, of course. But, when I received Grogar’s letter, I had no choice but rearm them.” 

Cadence nodded. “Sorry auntie, but this time, I’m with Bright Spark. The egg-shaped nightmare is, well, a nightmare. But it was what saved us the last time.” 

Luna agreed, siding with Cadence and the two teenagers. “I also agree. Considering who are we dealing with, I’m actually relieved that we have those things.” She turned to Bright Spark. “Tell me, do you think you can shoot those things to Tambelon?”

The colt grinned. “I only need the coordinates.” 

It seemed like the perfect solution, but this time, Flurry Heart had to object. 

“None of you guys read comics?” 

They all glared at her, but she explained herself better. “What I mean, is, what if this letter is a trap to make them waste their most powerful weapons? I may be mistaken, but, what if I’m right?”

Silence.

“That… actually makes sense.” said Shining Armor.

“Of course it makes sense!” said Flurry. “Comics have a smarter writing than you think.”

“Remember our time as villains?” asked Luminositè. 

“You would be surprised of how much we learned about the villainous nature by reading comics.” added Bright.  

“Then, what should we do?” asked Twilight.

“Don’t worry, je have the solution.” Said Lumi, happily. “Remember the first encounter between the League of Morons with Monsieur Z and Le Puppè?” 

“League of Morons?!” protested Shadow Ninjutsu and Flurry in the unison. 

“Prove us otherwise.” said Shining and Cadence coldly.

Ignoring them, Watt looked at the two geniuses, smiling. “I remember. That’s brilliant!”

The two friends exchanged a look, and smiled.

“So, do we have green light to do as we please?” asked Bright to his mother.

Twilight nodded, reluctantly. “Alright.”

Bright smiled, but Twilight put a hoof on his shoulder, as Flash Sentry faced him. “On one condition.”

It was strange to see Flash as serious as he was now, but Bright nodded. “Of course.”

“Do not lose control. Last time you were about to kill him.”

Bright hugged his parents, an uncommon gesture coming from him.

“Of course, mom, dad. I promise I’ll do my best to control myself… and my inner demons.”

“Do not let the madness win.” said Twilight. 

“Same here, Luminositè. Promise me you’ll control this side of yours the best you can.” said Rarity to her daughter.

“I will, mère. I promise I won’t surrender to the madness. But please, be at my side. If you’re with me, I can be sure the madness won’t take control.”

“What?” asked Rarity, scared. But, she shook her head. And nodded. “Of course. Everything for you, Luminositè.”

“Don’t worry. You won’t have to leave Ponyville.” said Bright. “Listen, this is what we’re going to do…!”

At his sign, one of his Z-Bots turned into a flat screen. 

Island of Tambelon, a week and a half later: 

Villains of all races and shapes were waiting. They were summoned by the most powerful being in the world, and of course, they hurried to assist.

No one could disobey Grogar. Most of them suspected it was a trap to exterminate them, but, even if that was the case, still there was no escape from Grogar. If they obey, they would have a quick death. If they dared to defy him, he would kill them slowly and horribly. 

But still, half of the villains were missing. Lady Catrina, Tirek’s teacher, was offering the mother of all parties on her own island. Unbelievably enough, the messages continued coming, saying how crazy the party was. And it was getting wilder by seconds.
Even Tirek got lucky, and disappeared with his old teacher on her bedroom. 

In the meantime, in Tambelon, everyone was afraid, waiting for the lord of all villains; even if, on their own, they were a collection of fearful monsters of all sizes and shapes. Squirk the squid, Queen Porccina, King Charlatan (his son Edgar was having fun at Catrina’s), Chrysalis, Sombra, just to name a few. 
They were all waiting for the announcement of the most evil being of all times, and asking what kind of punishment would await for those who disobeyed him. 

At some point, someone noticed that in front of Grogar’s gate, there were two thrones entirely made out of obsidian, with two names engraved on them. Mister Z. Le Puppè.

“It’s been a while since I hear those names.” Mumbled Sombra.

Chrysalis agreed. “I know. I miss the times when they were just playing with us.”

Suddenly, everyone muttered at the sight of a large hoof, followed by another one. And, then the rest of the Evil Overgoat. 

He frowned at the sight of the few ones who came to his call. 
But what truly irritated him, was to see that his guests of honor weren’t present. 

Screaming in anger, he grabbed Squirk with his hoof, and looked straight to his eyes.
Squirk cried in fear, releasing a stream of ink at Grogar’s hooves.

Grogar glared at Squrik, making the squid to cry in fear. “Give me a reason to not to make you an example here and now.”

“I’ll clean it away! I swear!”

And he began to lick his own ink from the hooves of the Overgoat. Grogar spitted to his face, and kicked him away.

Squirk groaned in pain, but smiled widely at Grogar. “Thank you, sir! May I have another one?”


Grogar frowned. “Where’s your dignity? Come on, stand before me, face me like the intelligent being you are. Not this garbage who begs for more punishment!”

Seeing that the stupid squid was not going to answer him, he grabbed Porccina by the neck. “You! Tell me where is everybody? I was very clear when I commanded you to come.”

She squealed in fear, pissing Grogar. “Do you want me to give you a reason to squeal? A REAL REASON?!” 

Gulping, the Queen of Pigs began to talk quickly. “Please! Do not blame us! Half of us decided that you’re not as frightening as they are, so, Catrina pulled a party. But we came! We’ll always follow you, my lord!”

Grogar grinded his teeth. “Who are ‘they’?”

“The only ones who have defeated you…” said Porcchina, weakly. 

“Speaking of, where are they?” asked the Overgoat. “I GAVE THEM AN ORDER!”

Porccina trembled, afraid to answer. 

“What’s on your mind?” asked Grogar. “Answer me.”

She lowered her gaze. “My Lord, since they defeated you, they don’t see you as a threat.”

Finally, Grogar released Porccina. “Those two, I can overlook. But the rest of you, is completely unacceptable!”

He charged his power, ready to make an example of all the villains of this island, and then, massacre the ones at Catrina’s island. But, out of nowhere, a voice called him.

“Grow up! People don’t like you, accept it. Change, or continue like this and become a loner, who cares.”

All the villains froze in terror, and slowly turned to the voice. As they suspected, it came from Bright Spark, who was walking side by side with Luminositè.
They were wearing their power suits, ready for battle. Behind them, a small squadron of machines were ready to open fire at their sign.

Grogar grinned. “It is you. Finally. You have to have guts to show up late.”

“Monsieur Chèvre, we have very busy agendas.” explained Luminositè. “We don’t have the time to attend every single one who challenges us. You should be grateful that we came. Now, let’s finish this.”


“Yes, we have things to do!” complained Bright Spark.

The others just looked at Bright and Lumi in awe. How could they be this disrespectful to Grogar? Okay, they have defeated him, but that was only one battle. They couldn’t be really this overconfident, right?

But Grogar laughed happily. This was hilarious! 
He truly hated those two, but he was pleased that the two of them decided to appear. 

As for Bright and Lumi, they were checking the small screens on their visors, analyzing Grogar in all aspects. Since his biometrics, to his power-levels. He was the perfect guinea pig for their most powerful inventions. If they were facing Grogar, they could use all their power without being concerned to kill him. Unlike the other villains, Grogar wasn’t fragile nor delicate. 

“Something is wrong.” said Bright to Lumi. 

“I know. Monsieur Chèvre, why are you using an illusion spell over yourself? Are you hiding something from us?”

Grogar grinded his teeth. “You realized.”

“Yeah, and we’re only a button away to blow your cover. So, why are you doing it?” asked Bright.

“It’s a surprise.” said Grogar.

Bright and Lumi nodded. “Okay then.”

The other villains exchanged confused looks. “Wait, just like that?”

“Yeah.” said Bright Spark. “Is not like we have to worry about anything. I mean, take a look around. The entire island is surrounded by our machines. Land, sky, and sea. We clearly have the advantage over here.”

“Not to mention, Monsieur Chèvre cannot predict our moves, and we have multiple surprises in storage. Let him have his, doesn’t it affect us.”  

Grogar’s eye twitched. “You two are really pissing me off. What do you win from that?”

“Finish this quicker, and go home early.” 

They both sat on their thrones, waiting for Grogar to do his move. 
All this overconfidence was irritating to say the least. But Grogar was happy.

“Five years. I’ve been waiting for five long years for this moment. Don’t think I’m not ready for you this time.”

Luminositè made a gesture with her hoof, calling her dollies, who served her tea. Bright made a gesture to his Z-Bots. One of them approached, and opened its chest revealing the refrigerator inside. Bright picked up a smoothie, and began drinking it.

“The thing is, what do you think we’ve been doing this five years, Grogar?” asked Bright. “If you thought the weapons we had when we were ten were powerful, you’ll be absolutely speechless to what we have now.”

“I’m sorry to tell you this, but you’re going to lose. Again.” said Luminositè.

Grogar grinned, and the two thrones glowed in a red aura, forcing the two youngsters to stay sit, as Grogar’s eyes turned completely bright red.

The two of them tried to free themselves, without really trying, but they saw it was impossible. At, least for the moment.

Grogar stared at them with his bright red eyes. The Silver Cowbell glowed, separating from him, and dividing in two. A new attack? No, there was something else.

“Sorry for disappointing you, couple of lunatics.” said the Overgoat, with a voice that wasn’t his. “But the fight you two yearn for won’t happen. The truth is, my Champion is in no condition to fight you two.” He took a look to the other villains. “Oh, such a shame. There are not as many witnesses as I wanted, but, you two are the ones who I care about.” 
 
Two of the machines in the air aimed their weapons to Grogar, as the two teenagers looked at him apparently uninterested. 

“Seriously? A stupid speech?” asked Lumi. “We weren’t lying when we said we have things to do.” 

“Yeah, start fighting now, or we will.” said Bright. “We came a long way to get here, and this trip is not going to a waste.”

“Don’t you listen? There’s not going to be a fight. I invited you, to make you an offer you can’t refuse. An offer I won’t let you refuse.”

The two rolled their eyes, and sighed deeply. They were clearly disappointed. 

“Come on! We spent five years developing our arsenals. At least a tiny fight?” asked Bright.

The ‘witnesses’ have never questioned if these two were crazy, but this attitude surpassed all expectation. But, also, what did Grogar meant with an offer? Something was wrong here.

In the end, Luminositè had the solution. “Okay, fine. Talk, and then we fight. Seriously, this is very anticlimactic.” 

The possessed Grogar began. “Before Creation, there needs to be Destruction. During eons, my purpose in life was to assure the balance in the world, protecting it, and tehm destroying it so a new world can be born. I’ve seen the lifespans of countless worlds, from their birth, to their death. Thousands of millions of beings starting and ending their lives over and over. But, this isn’t as simple as it looks. Each new world have their own set of rules, and in order to destroy it, you have to adapt to those rules. That’s why I always act through Champions, to act both as protectors, as destroyers of worlds. And êI always choose the evilest being in the world to act as the Destroyer.”  

Bright finally got it. “You are not Grogar, but the one who gave him his power.”

“Precisely.” said the ram, still possessed by the Silver Cowbell. “I chose Grogar because there was no one who is more evil than him. I found him when he was young, and offered him the eternal life, promising that he would find a worthy opponent, eventually. I never thought it was possible, I thought his frustration would grow to the point he would destroy the world without blinking. And, right when he was about to reach his breaking point… you two defeated him. YOU TWO DEFEATED THE ONE WHO SHOULDN’T SUPPOSED TO BE DEFEATED!”   

“I see.” Sighed Bright, as he nodded. “Rejected!”

“What?” 

Bright shrugged. “I like the world, I live in it.”

“Wi, excuse moi. But Bright and I will be mauvaise tête but we like the world the way it is.”

Grogar’s eyes glowed. “I told you, I’m not letting you refuse this offer.”

The now divided Silver Cowbell attached itself to Bright and Lumi. The power suits tried to resist, but the raw power of the Cowbell was too much for them to handle.

“Say hi to the new Destroyers of worlds!” shouted Grogar.

But the villains couldn’t say anything, they were too confused, and scared. Mostly confused. 

Then, something went horribly wrong. The two teenagers began to generate sparks, and black smoke. And, much to everyone surprise, they both exploded in a million pieces, revealing that they were machines. Simple machines.

“WHAT?” shouted Grogar.

Several drones appeared over the island of Tambelon, forming an holographic screen, showing the Map Room, on Twilight Sparkle’s Castle; where five Princesses of Equestria, Flash Sentry, Shining Armor, the League of Heroes, the Bearers of Harmony, and of course, Bright and Lumi, were watching, eating different types of snacks, and just lying around.

“What?” asked Bright, looking down at the island. “Surprised? Tell me, moron, did you actually believed that we would show up in Tambelon, falling right into your trap?”

“We’re both geniuses, and prepared a trap on our own.”

Grogar screamed in anger. “DO YOU THINK THIS IS SOME KIND OF GAME?”

“Pal, we’re not becoming the destroyers of worlds.” explained Bright Spark. 

“Also, we made a promise to our mères.” said Luminositè. “We would never take a life. And, we’ll have to, if you turn us into the destroyers of worlds.” she took a sip of the tea she was drinking. “Besides, I don’t see why not keep using Monsieur Chèvre. But, if you really tired of him, why don’t you choose any of the bunch of nigauds you have around?”

No one dared to answer. Only Grogar, who laughed maniacally. “Is not that simple. These idiots are seeking for power, fortune, everything. They have no idea of what is pure evil. Once they fulfil their desires, they’ll forget about destroying the world. You wrote the Code of the Villains years ago, right? You two know that being evil is its own reward. You are not blinded by your desires, you have no other ambition but seeing how far you can go.” 

“Then stay with Grogar and leave us alone.” said Bright. “One day, he may defeat us.”

“NO, he won’t. Remember my surprise? TAKE A LOOK OF WHAT HAVE YOU DONE! SEE… THE HORROR YOU UNLEASHED OVER HIM!”

The illusion wore off, and what everyone saw, was not pretty.
Grogar was thin, really thin. He was nothing but skin and bones. And even his bones looked like they have lost some mass. His fur have lost its life, just as his eyes. He even had several bald zones over his boy, revealing that his skin was full of dark spots, and protuberances. Around the face, his skin seemed like it was hanging. 
He could barely stay on his hooves, and had a hard time breathing. 

“Look at what you’ve done!” said Grogar, this time with his real voice. “This is what you did. You say you would never kill, well, guess what! I am dying.” 

He coughed, spitting some blood.

“LOOK AT WHAT YOU’VE DONE!” 





In Equestria, everypony looked at the horrible vision, in awe.

“Bright, what happened?” asked Twilight.

The kid shook his head. “Remember when I used the nuke on him, for the first time? That you shouldn’t release the dome until we tell you to?”

Celestia nodded. “Yes, because the inside was extremely toxic.” She opened her eyes, shivering. “Oh… WHAT?”

Lumi frowned. “Yes. But, he survived to the explosion. We never thought he would be affected by the radioactive poisoning.” 

Luna couldn’t believe this. “So those are the side-effects of the egg-shaped nightmare?”

“A nightmare indeed…” mumbled Shining Armor.

Flash looked at his son, with concern. “Bright, is there something you can do?”

He nodded. “Yes. Put him out of his misery.”

Nopony said anything. This was too horrible.

“There’s no other way?” cried Fluttershy, softly.

“The other choice is a slow and horrible death.” explained Lumi. 






In Tambelon, Grogar heard what his enemies said, and closed his eyes, resigned to his fate. “A slow and horrible death, huh? Yes, during this five years… I’ve been dying, in the worse possible way. 

He vomited. Just waters since he wasn’t able to eat anymore. He was pretty much done. 

“Do it!” he begged.





Bright Spark took out a computer, and wrote a series of security commands.

“I’m sorry.”

He pressed the button, sending a total of six nuclear weapons to Tambelon. He looked at the other ponies, clearly affected for what he have just done.

“Now what?”
> Eighth Principle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Eighth Principle: 
Unlike villains, a hero always accepts the responsibility for his/her actions


There was no doubt that Grogar was a monster. The incarnation of evil itself. He had always been. 

Born in the distant mountains of Ram, he was separated from his family when the sorcerers of his land noticed his natural talent for magic. Grogar’s amount of magic power was below average. But what made him to stand out among his pairs, was his sensibility. 

For some reason, Grogar learned how to feel the fluctuation of magic through those around him, giving him the chance to guess his opponents’ moves before they did them. That, plus his creativity and quick thinking, made Grogar a distinguished magic fighter. 

And he called the attention of the most powerful mages in the world. He defeated them all, becoming one of the most lethal magic warriors in the world, not only the land of Ram. 

At the tender age of twelve, Grogar was considered invincible. Even a young Lady Catrina, who already had over a thousand deaths in her victims counting, was defeated with ease. She cried for mercy after only fifteen minutes.
During the early years, Grogar felt happy, and proud. But, with each easy victory, he slowly grew more and more frustrated, and angry. Mostly angry. He didn’t know why, all he knew was that he didn’t enjoy his battles anymore. 

Even those who called themselves gods, or demigods, ran in fear. And one day, he lost it. 
A young and confident Tirek was stupid enough to defy him. Grogar was excited, thinking this could be the creature who defeated him. He even allowed Tirek to steal part of his power before start fighting for real. But, even with the extra advantage, Triek ended up all beaten, and crying in fear after two minutes. 
Furious, Grogar almost kicked him to death. 

But Tirek got lucky. After the disappointing encounter, the next idiot who defied Grogar, was killed horribly. His screams of agony were heard all over an entire continent. Grogar was no longer amused for his battles, all he wanted was to punish those who were weaker than him, only for existing. Grogar grew bitter, starting to despite every single form of life on earth.

One day, however, everything changed. The Silver Cowbell appeared before him, and made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. The Cowbell, or, the Destroyer of Worlds, promised Grogar he would find, eventually, a worthy opponent, in exchange to become his messenger of death.
When he accepted, the Destroyer of Worlds granted Grogar with an insane amount of power, and the eternal life. He became the almighty Overgoat everyone feared. Now, Grogar was truly invincible.

When he realized his mistake, Grogar destroyed all life in half of the world, and disappeared in the island of Tambelon for generations. 

But the Silver Cowbell knew it was only a matter of time, when Grogar finally get sick of waiting, and destroy the world once and for all. 

And then, the right time came. When Bright Spark and Luminositè walked into scene, and ruined everything. 

It all started when Grogar heard the rumors about the two so-called villains, who defeated Tirek, and crushed his confidence. The Overgoat, persuaded by the Cowbell, went to face them.
For the Silver Cowbell, this was the beginning of the end. Grogar would defeat Mister Z and Dolly in a matter of seconds, and his rage would make him destroy the entire world. Including the Cowbell’s other face, the Tree of Harmony, protector of the world.

As the Tree of Harmony, the Protector/Destroyer of Worlds have already talked with Bright and Lumi, recognizing their privileged minds, and the madness inside them. But he never thought they had any chance against Grogar. But, surprise, their non-magic weapons ended up being key to give Grogar his first defeat in history.
Well, this wasn’t too bad. Grogar would return seeking for revenge, more powerful and angry than ever before, and the two young geniuses would die, with the rest of the world.
But then, they revealed their ultimate weapon: the nuke.

At first, Grogar recovered the joy in his life. Finally, he have found opponents worthy of his power. Hell, yeah! And, also, they were merely children. Their potential was limitless. If they were able to defeat him at the age of ten, he could only imagine how their next battle would be.
But instead of the glorious fight he dreamed about, he went sick. First, the vomits, the loss of hair, the bone pain, and the increasing weakness. Then, the metallic taste on his mouth, the constant spiting of blood. And the protuberances that grew around his body. 

Whatever the two of them did to him, was killing him slowly, and horribly.

And, here he was, five years of living hell, Grogar faced the ultimate humiliation. To allow the inferior villains, along with his two true rivals, to see him in this state. Dying out of radioactive poisoning.  





In the meantime, in Equestria, nopony knew what to say or what to do.

“Know what?” asked Bright, looking at those around him. Unlike his usual self, he seemed insecure, and scared. Mostly, scared. 

“Bright Spark, are you okay?” asked Twilight, approaching.

The young colt jumped from of his chair, and began to walk in circles, clearly affected for this. “It can’t be, it can’t be! You can’t die, you can’t die like this! YOU SURVIVED THE EXPLOSSION!! Why are you even affected by this?”

“Bright…” said Flash, hugging his son.

Bright pushed his father away, as he resumed his walking, this time a bit faster. “Dude, why didn’t you say something? I could figure something out! I could save your life!”

“Bright!” called him Twilight, holding him with her magic.

He turned to her, looking at his mother with concern. Panic. Something Twilight would never expect from her son. 
Tears began to run through his eyes.
“Mom… I broke my promise! How should I suppose to face you now? I BROKE MY PROMISE!” He shook his head violently. “I swore to all of you that I would never take a life! But that’s why I just did. I TOOK A LIFE!” 

He turned to the agonizing Grogar. “WHY DIDN’T YOU SAY SOMETHING EARLIER? I COULD HELP YOU! I WOULD SAVED YOUR LIFE!!”

Celestia looked at him with concern. “Bright, calm down. It’s okay, it was all an accident. And, not even I would saved his life if I were in your place. I can’t believe what I’m saying, but, yeah. This death is not something to be regretted.”

“We both swore to you we would never kill.” said Luminoitè. “Besides, he was the perfect test subject. Immune to almost everything. His skin was, at least, three times, more powerful than our suits. Suits that are alicorn-proof! Also, his power was equivalent to two of our batteries. Batteries that can power-up Equestria, Mount Aris, Zebrica and the Changeling Hive at the same time! He was the perfect opponent, someone we could fight without containing ourselves. This supposed to be an epic fight, but instead… is nothing but an execution.” 

Rarity hugged her daughter. “Lumi, back then, you saved our lives! Don’t feel bad for doing what you did! It was him, or us.”

Lumi looked at her mother, tilting her head. “I don’t understand, mère.”

“What I mean, is, none of us blames you for this. I still remember that fight, every single detail. And I remember he pushed you two to your limit. Lumi, Bright, you saved our lives. We will not blame you for this, it was only necessary.”

Lumi cleared her tears, and cuddled with her. Rarity embraced Lumi, in an attempt to calm her down.

“But, do not let your madness win.” said Rarity softly.

In the meantime, Twilight nuzzled with Bright. “You know, Bright Spark? I’m kind of glad to see you like this.”

“But I broke my promise. I swore to you I would never kill, and I…”

Twilight hugged him with her wings. “Bright, don’t you realize? This demonstrates me you do have feelings. Even if there’s only a little, you have empathy. There’s hope. You would never be a complete sociopath, my greatest fear.” 

Bright raised an eyebrow. “Wow. You do know how to comfort me, mom.”

“Bright, you know what I mean. Also, between the two of us, I’m relieved that Grogar is dying. He was really scary.”

“For real?” asked Bright, suspicious.

“For real.” said Twilight. 

“Also, I’m glad you decided to fight from here.” said Luna. “Now, the Silver Cowbell can do nothing to force you to take Grogar’s place. In my I never imagined you would ever defeat him for good.

“Yeah, we though that, eventually, he would win.” sSaid Celestia. “This changes everything.”

“Yes, we lost the best enemy we ever had.” sighed Bright Spark.

“We broke a promise to our mères.” added Luminositè. 

Luna nodded. “Yes, but also, you refused to take Grogar’s place. And, if everything that Grogar told us was true, there’s no destined Destroyer of Worlds. Not anymore. You have delayed the destruction of our world for, at least, a few millennia.” 

They stayed in silence, until Bright Spark looked at the monitor.

“I guess we should warn the others the nukes are on their way.”





In Tambelon, none of the villains dared to move, or to make a sound.
They simply couldn’t believe it. How this pathetic and agonizing creature could could be Grogar? And all thanks to this two teenage ponies?

“They actually defeated them.”

“I thought it was only a rumor. That they defeated him the first time.

“I was there. I saw the weapon that did this to him.

“This was unexpected.” 

Finally, Bright and Lumi turned to the monitors.

“Hey guys, I don’t want to spoil your fun, but, I just threw a bunch of nukes to the island. They would be there in no time.”

That made all the villains to pale in fear.

“Yeah, if I were you, I would run. Fast.” said Lumi. 

Grogar, possessed by the Silver Cowbell, looked at the two teenage ponies.

“No! COME HERE, AND ACCEPT YOUR FATES!”

Lumi looked at the Overgoat with a small smile. “Oh, excuse moi, but we don’t have any intention to become the destroyers of worlds. So, we hope that this weapon blows you up too, cloche.”


“Do you actually think you can destroy me? I’m a GOD! A GOD!”

“Yes!” the two kids said in the unison. “We know we will destroy you.

“No, seriously, get out. The nukes will be there in precisely five minutes.” said Bright. 

Lady Catrina’s Island:
 

The Cat Sorceress was happy, in her role of hostess of the mother of all parties (of evil). It was a shame that half of the villains were at Tambelon, because they would have a lot of fun with her. 
Suddenly, she felt a bunch of teleportation spells, of people appearing of her island.

“Hey, what’s going on?” asked Catrina, opening the door.

Chrysalis, leading the villains who were at Tambelon, smiled weakly. “Hi there, Catrina. Do you think it is late to join your party? I brought some Changeling Mead. Made out of pure love. Delicious!”

Squirk presented Catrina some bottles, from his bar. “Hi, I brought drinks. Let’s get this party started!”

Sombra brought some ‘crystals’ that were actually pills. Don’t ask. 

“Okay, what happened with Grogar?” asked Catrina.

“Isn’t that obvious?” asked King Charlatan, presenting her a tray of fresh sushi. “HE IS DEAD!”

“WHAT?”

“Madness is more powerful than pure evil. The lunatic duo destroyed Grogar.”

Catrina smiled. “For real? They killed the monster?”

“Yes he is!”

The sound of multiple cheers was heard three islands around Catrina’s. The monster was dead. The world was now a happier place. 





Back in Equestria, Bright and Lumi calmed down a bit. Only a bit, because they were still really affected for what happened. They killed someone, but no one seemed to care.

Then, a flash of light invaded the castle, and a mountain of presents materialized in front of there.

Bright and Lumi were not in the mood to see what was going on, so Flurry approached, and read the card.

“Huh…”

“What is it?”

“It is a tribute, for the two heroes that killed Grogar.” informed the littlest alicorn. 

Bright frowned. “Great, and I guess this is only the beginning.”

“It could be.” agreed Twilight. “But, our lives can go back to normal. At least for now.”
> Ninth Principle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Ninth Principle: 
A hero does heroic duties for the honor of being a hero. Not for the reward


Both Bright Spark and Luminositè were too quiet, and altered since the incident with Grogar. The fact that they were forced to brake their promise have clearly affected them both. That’s why Rarity and Twilight decided to take them out, to have a good dose of family time, and somehow calm them down.

Rarity have decided to take Luminositè to collect gems, like the old times. She hoped that a good dose of family time would help her. She haven’t said a word since Bright and she sent the nukes to the island of Tambelon. 
Luckily, the perspective of having an especial day with ‘mère’ made her smile. 

“So, Luminositè, what are you looking for today? Topazes? Rubies? Maybe emeralds?” asked Rarity, trying to make her speak. “As for me, I’m looking for diamonds. The problem is, I need so many that I may up order them to a jewelry.”

“Oh, I’m also looking for diamants.” said Lumi, elegantly. “Their level of resistance is vital for mon noveau project. I also ordered a buch from a jewelry, but the quality was inferior. Not nearly enough for my needs.”

Rarity raised an eyebrow. “You ordered from a jewelry?” Luminositè nodded. “Kid, how much is your allowance?” 

“Oh, mère, that’s from what I earned for my new line of clothing. The suit and dress Bright and I used at the moron’s crowning. I revolutionized the industry. Again.”

Rarity took a deep breath. “Yes, and you’re barely fifteen.” 

The fashionista didn’t like the idea of being eclipsed by her daughter, but, she was also proud. Lumi’s success came more from the technological advances she added to her clothing, than the designs. As a matter of fact, the biggest firms on the industry paid Lumi millions to develop new technologies to add to their lines of clothing.

Suddenly, Luminositè’s ears moved, as she detected something.
At her sign, her mechanical dollies created a circle around their creator, and her mother. Lumi’s scarf also moved menacingly, ready to face whoever came.

Then, they came. Diamond Dogs, leaded by no other than Crunch, the Stone Dog, their Alpha.

“What do you want, Crunch?” asked Luminositè, preparing the mask that contained her power-suit. 

The Alpha raised a gigantic paw, in order to bring peace to the youngster’s spirit. 
Then, he bowed before her, followed by the rest of the Diamond Dogs.

At his sign, the Diamond Dogs pushed two dozens of carts full of iron, and charcoal.

Lumi sighed, this was just what she needed. More reminders that she broke her promise. Rarity guessed her daughter’s mood, and hurried to embrace her, to avoid any explosion from her part.
Then, Crunch cleared his throat, and raised. Not his subjects.

“Ehem, this is all the iron and charcoal we could find in one night. This is what Prince Spark needs to make steel, right? Anyway, this is only a small part of the tribute our people wants to pay him, as the hero who killed Grogar. But, what about you, Warrior Belle? What can we offer you for the service you made for all the races?” 

Lumi’s eye twitched, warning of an incoming anger attack.

Crunch gasped, and moved backwards, followed by his subjects. The Diamond Dogs feared Rarity, but Lumi, she was the stuff of nightmares. 
Rarity also shivered, it was only a matter of time for her to face one of her daughter’s psychotic episodes.

Noticing her mother’s fear, Lumi took a deep breath, and took a deep breath. “We want diamonds. Mère and I need a big amount for our creations.”

Crunch sighed relieved, and bowed again. Then, at his sign, they presented each two big carts full of diamonds.
The Stone Dog smiled to mother and daughter, nervously.

“Ehem, we were prepared for any demand. I’m glad we had lots of these in storage. Please accept this tribute!”

Lumi didn’t say a word, she examined the diamonds, and nodded, pleased. “Good.”

“We selected the bests just for you.”

Lumi trembled, it was obvious she was fighting to contain her anger. 

“Good, now, OUT OF MY SIGHT!”

Crunch understood the message, and ran as fast as he could, followed by his subjects.

Rarity looked at Lumi with concern. Most of the time, she was so calmed, and elegant. Seeing her lose her cool like that was a bad sign.

“Mère.”

“Yes, Luminositè?”

“Shall we eat something?”

“Oh, of course, darling! I made reservations at the best restaurant of all Ponyville.”

“If you don’t mind, I want to go to another city. I need to be as far from here as possible.”

Rarity accepted in silence. She could only hope that her daughter’s bad mood vent away soon. 





Bright woke up as always.
His alarm clock marked six thirty of the morning, and the mechanism under his bed literally launched him against his window. Normally, the force of his thrown would brake the window, but, it was protected by curtains, made by Luminositè. Those things could resist 10,000 PSI of force. 

The catapult woke him up instantly, so, the son of Twilight Sparkle was ready.
He walked downstairs, to the dining room, where his parents were having breakfast already.

“Morning Bright!” greeted Twilight.

He made a small nod, and sat on the table.
At his sign, his robots brought him a complete breakfast. Bright began to eat in silence, much to his parents’ concern. 

Somepony called at the door. 

“The door is open!” said Twilight.

A bunch of Lumi’s dollies entered to the castle, carrying the metal shipment that Crunch sent him.

“What is this?” asked Flash Sentry.

Bright sighed, and took the card with his magic. “This is just perfect!”

“What is it?” asked Twilight.

“A tribute, from the Diamond Dogs. They congratulate me for killing Grogar.” frowned Bright. “Why they can’t leave me alone?”

Flash raised an eyebrow. “Ehem, why don’t you send them back their tribute?”

Bright rolled his eyes. “I tried, yesterday, with the tribute the Storm King sent me.”

“The Storm King?” asked Twilight, shivering at the memory of the monster she faced in her youth.  

The Storm King, revived by his grandson, tried to attack Equestria once again. But, instead of Twilight and her friends, he faced Bright and Lumi. He ended up being Lumi’s plaything, as Bright forced him to watch as he reduced his hometown to ashes, with a single bomb. A sound-based devise, not a nuke. 
Still, he never tried to invade Equestria ever again. 

“Yes, the Storm King.” said Bright, angrily. “Eeyup, just a little bit before my bedtime, he sent me an enormous chest full of gold and diamonds. I sent it back, and five minutes later, he sent another one twice as big. Followed by a note that said that he would send more if I asked him to. He even offered me a part of the lands he just conquered.”

Twilight didn’t say anything, but she was worried. Bright was not okay, and, in him, that meant that he could let his madness to take control any minute. The problem was, that he couldn’t forgive himself for breaking the promise he made. That he would never take a life, no matter who it was. And that included Grogar, of course.
Thinking fast, Twilight looked at the window. 

“It’s a beautiful day. What if we three have a picnic?” 

Bright raised an eyebrow, bot nodded. “Okay, as far as possible from everything, and everyone, would be ideal.”

“I think I know a certain spot in the mountains, in between the Crystal Empire and Yak-Yakistan.” 

Bright nodded. “My transport would take us there in no time.”  

Canterlot Castle:

Princess Celestia was receiving the emissary from Yak-Yakistan. Prince Redford, son of King Rutherford from the Yaks. He appeared, carrying a cart with grain, and precious fabrics from his people. 

“Prince Redford, I’m glad to see you, but why are you giving us all this things?”

He stumped. “Yak apologizes with you, Princess! But Yak did not brought this gifts for you, but Prince Spark and Warrior Belle! Yaks are happy that the goat is dead!”

Celestia frowned. “So, you know.”

“News go fast!” stumbled Redford again. “Yaks heard the news from Windigos. The monster is dead because of the two of them. Yaks and all races are in debt with Prince Spark and Warrior Belle!”

Celestia was about to say something, when a servant came, announcing the new emissaries who have come. “Ehem, your Majesties, we have messengers from Zebrica and the Changeling Hive waiting for present their gratitude with Prince Spark, and Warrior Belle.”

Celestia rolled her eyes, and she dismissed Prince Redford.

“Hey!” greeted Luna, walking into the Throne Room. “How is it going?”

“Well, this is the third emissary I have talked to today. A lot of people from all over the world had come to thank Bright and Lumi. Including a few enemies of ponies.” 

Princess Luna raised an eyebrow. “They seem to forget how afraid they are of the two of them.”

Celestia agreed. “Yes, but it’s only because Grogar left a scar on the collective memory that the time won’t be able to erase.”

The two of them stayed in silence.

“I’m worried.” said Celestia, finally. 

“Why?” asked her sister.

“My godson.” Explained the elder Princess. “Don’t get me wrong, I love him with all my heart, but I don’t know how he will react to this. We both know he is a time bomb, and without Grogar, there’s nothing left for him to canalize his genius.” 

“You mean madness.”

“Those are the same, at least for Bright Spark.” 

Bright’s and Lumi’s lab:

Luminositè entered to her lab, only to find her friend dismantling a bunch of weapons of mass destruction.

Flurry, who was reading her comics at a corner, only shrugged.

“He has been like this for hours now.”

Ignoring the youngest Princess, Lumi sat aside her best friend.

“Did you have a though day too?” asked the girl.

“Yes.” said Bright, as he held the power module from a powerful blaster. “I made all this for Grogar, and I was ready to try it on the battlefield, because no one else would survive to this. But, now what? I have to recycle all this. My beautiful creations, reduced to nothing but scrap metal.”

Lumi nodded. “Yes, I had lots of ideas to try on Monseur Chèvre. But now, I am empty.” She sighed. “And, it looks like everyone around us want to remind us our mistake. Mère have planned the most beautiful day for the two of us, but we got interruption after interruption, of people congratulating us. For breaking our promise!”

Bright grinded his teeth. “You too? Dang it, I want to blow up something.”

“And I, to foalnap a bad guy, and experiment on him. It’s a shame we have guests.”

Flurry shivered, but, luckily, the two of them calmed down relatively quickly.
All because the both of them realized of something.

“Have you noticed?” asked Luminositè, checking on something on one of the multiple screens.

Bright nodded, as he grinned. “Look at the location. Tambleon.”

The both of them exchanged a look, and began to examine the data.

“Unbelievable.”

“It could be a malfunction.” said Lumi. “The sensors may melted down with the explosion. There were six nukes, after alls.” 

“Maybe, but I hope is not.” Added Bright Spark. “This could be an interesting turn of events.”

“Anyway.”

“Yes, let’s see how this ends.”
> Tenth Principle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Tenth Principle: 
Powers doesn’t make the hero; will makes the hero


It was a beautiful morning in Mane-Hattan. But, being the city that never sleeps, unlike the rest of Equestria, the dawn didn’t mean that the day was starting for everypony. For half of the population, it was ending, and they were on their way home.

But, it was starting for certain unicorn mare. Beautiful, with electric-blue mane, lavender-colored eyes, and soft gray fur. Her Cutie Mark was a CD, with a Bit symbol on the middle.
Her name was Beat Box, daughter of Octavia Melody and Vinyl Scratch. 

The sunrays slowly awoke her. She took a good look of the unfamiliar surroundings, and smiled as the memories from last night started coming back. She began to look for her partner, and found him right about sneak out of the room. 

“Hey, dude!” called Beat Box, as she yawned without caring. “What are you trying to do, to run away?”

The other pony blushed furiously, being caught in the act, but managed to stay calmed. “What? No, of course not! I just wanted to surprise you by bringing you breakfast to bed. I swear!”

“Yeah, right!” said Beat Box, rolling her eyes. “Don’t mind me, moron. We made it very clear last night: this was a one-night-thing only.” She grabbed a bit from her wallet, and showed it to the pony. “But, before you go, at least let’s play heads of tails to see who pays the room’s fee.” 

The stallion couldn’t help but smile, and lower his head apologetically. 

“Oh, don’t worry about it. I’ll do it. Consider it my way to say I’m sorry for trying to sneak away. Is just that, I’ve always had bad luck with chicks. Most of my one-night-stands end up asking for something more permanent. That wouldn’t be so bad, if it wasn’t that I’m a heir of an important firm and…”

“Shut up, I never asked for the story of your life.” said beat Box, as she headed to the door. “Thanks for paying for the room, I guess. Good sex, let’s do this again someday. Now, if you excuse me, I have to go to work. See ya’, or not. I don’t really care.”

The stallion stared at the door, smiling. He liked this mare, and hoped he see her again at the club.

Beat Box exited the motel, and went to her office. Not before stopping for a cup of coffee, and a cinnamon roll. Then, she went to Orange Records, one of the titans of the music industry.
Beat Box sighed happily, she loved her job.

She put on the playful smirk that characterized her, and sat in her cubicle. Small but comfortable. The two square meters of her work-space were decorated just the way Beat Box liked it, with comic book pages, fan-arts, and even a few vinyl figures on her desk.
After stretching on her chair, Beat Box began to work.
Beat Box’s job consisted in getting contracts to make the complete suites for theater adaptations of comic books that were at the top of their popularity. Fans from all over Equestria loved to buy their albums, with the complete suites, plus opening and ending themes. 

“Miss Beat Box!” somepony called.

Beat turned, only to face the owners of the company. Music Profit and Landed Money, husband and wife. 
They both greeted her with a polite nod, as Beat Box gave them her best smile.

“What’s up, boss, other boss. What can I do for you?”

“We heard that yesterday, you managed that the author of Dragon Cube Y sign with us for the suite for the next story arc. And, also, you managed to seal the deal with the brains behind ‘Attack on Ponytan.”

“Hay yeah!” assured Beat Box. “And, the fans can barely wait since we did such a good job with Pony Art Online. Thanks Faust you listened to me when I told you that you had to hire Yuki Kajiura. She is a true artist for manga adaptations’ music.”

“Yes, as you said the day we hired you, comics are a great market we needed to exploit.” said Landed Money with an indifferent tone. “That’s why we wanted to discuss your future in this industry, Miss Box. 

“Cool.” Said Beat Box. “Shall I go to the conference room or something?”

“In fact, Miss Beat Box, we wanted you to have dinner with us. Tonight.” explained Music Profit. 

Beat Box raised an eyebrow. “Uuuuh! That would not be possible. You see, I have dinner with my grandparents tonight.”

“They’ll understand!” said Music Profit. “This is for your career, after all.” 

“You don’t know them!” said Beat Box. “They are really short-tempered. They won’t like me dumping them because of a meeting.”

“Maybe we don’t, but you must think what’s best for your future.” said Landed Money- 

“Fiiiine!” sighed Beat box. “Then, at LeGrand’s Coussine sounds good?”

“That’s what we were going to suggest you, Miss Beat Box.”

They left Beat Box, who continued with what was she doing: organize the new soundtrack for the revival of Power Ponies, ‘Fresh 54’ they called her.
Anyway, she continued working, when her cubicle neighbor payed her a visit.

“Hey, the bosses are watching you carefully. Who would say that comics and soundtracks would be this profitable.” 

“Hey, ask any geek, and they all tell you that there’s nothing better than reading your favorite comic with the right music. The drama, the action, everything is perfect.” She said, showing the other pony her figurines. “The best feeling ever, my friend.”

The rest of the day continued normally for Beat Box. 
To continue arrange contracts, scheduling appointments with creators, writers and musical talent, and, actors. Nothing to do with music itself.
Despite being the daughter of two of the greatest musicians of the last decades, she had no real musical talent.

Finally, at six o’clock, Beat Box exited Orange Records’ building and walked to the restaurant of the griffin Gustave LeGrand. She gave the name ‘Profit’ at the counter, and the kind hostess guided here where her two bosses were waiting for her.

“Beat, is so good to see you.” greeted Landed Money.

“Please have a sit, it’s been a while since we talked calmly for the last time.” said Music Profit.

Beat Box sat, as she relaxed. “Hey, grandpa, grandma. How is it going?”

“Just fine, thank you, darling.” Smiled Landed Money. “Just glad that you could join us.” He turned to the waiter. “Please, good sir, can you bring us your best wine, and three cups?”

The waiter made a polite bow, and went to get what they asked him.  

“Yeah, I’m glad I could make it too.” said Beat Box, calmly. “You should know my bosses. Can you believe they wanted me to cancel my appointment with you, to have dinner with them, to discuss my future in the industry?”

The three of them laughed. 

“Okay, enough joking for today.” said Music Profit. “How’s your mother, Beat Box?” 

“Which one?” asked Beat Box.

Landed Money frowned. “Octavia, obviously. Our daughter.”

Beat Box shrugged. “What do you want me to tell you? She’s still the head of the Royal Ponyville Orchestra, and headmistress of the Princess Luna’s academy of music and arts. And, she still doesn’t want anything to do with you.”

The two older ponies nodded, sad. But, truth be told, they caused their daughter to hate them.
When Octavia was barely eleven years old, they kicked out of her home because she decided to become a musician, instead of taking the reins of the family business. Later, Octavia made an effort to make things up, and invited them to her wedding. But, they rejected, saying that they would never accept her to marry another mare. Especially a commoner, like this so-called ‘Miss Scratch’, instead of somepony of the gender and status they would accept.

Octavia understood, and decided to forget about her parents from that day on. In fact, the two business ponies never knew they had a granddaughter until recent years. 

Later on, Music Profit had a cardiac arrest. It almost killed him, but, they realized how alone they really were. They sent a letter to Octavia telling her the news, and asking her to come to visit. But she answered by a simple not that read: SO WHAT?

Several years later, they heard news about anew employee who started to make deals between their sponsored artists, theater producers, and comic writers. She managed to start a new branch on the business, the soundtracks.
Unbelievably enough, her unique work line gave them a lot of profit. They decided to meet this employee, and paid her a visit at her cubicle. 
First thing they noticed, was a framed picture of Beat Box’s mothers, Vinyl Scratch; and their daughter, Octavia. 

Octavia would never forgive them, but meeting their granddaughter was the perfect chance to make things right this time.

“Then, darling, we just met a young stallion, from a family of bankers. He would be in charge of the family business one day, and we were wondering if you…”

“Let’s not getting started!” sighed Beat Box. “It was bad enough when mamma Vy and mamma Tavi tried to introduce me to the daughter of their best friends.”

“Seriously?” asked Landed Money.

“Awkward as hell for Tootsie Flute and me.” Said Beat Box. “At least, now we’re sure we don’t swing to that way. Whatever.”

The rest of the dinner went normal, and even fun.
Beat Box and her grandparents got along just fine, and really appreciated their efforts on her to make amends with the past. But, she couldn’t tell her mom that she have met her grandparents, and, that she worked for them.
She knew that the first thing their moms do, was to get on the first train to Mane-Hattan, and drag her back to Ponyville. 

Later that night, Beat Box was back on her apartment. And, right in her mailbox, it was a letter from the commissioner of Mane-Hattan.

“I guess I’m going to have a rough night. Well, this is my duty!”

She got inside the apartment, where she changed to her superhero suit. Two minutes later, the superhero known as Elementary, transformed into air, and flew to action. Right to a pent-house, where the commissioner was waiting for him already.

“Elementary, about time you show up.”

“Hi there, commy! What can I do for you tonight?” 

“Oh, right. The owner of this pent-house, is the son of a respected family. Yesterday he spent the night with a lady…”

“Is that information necessary for the case?” asked Elementary, a bit uncomfortable.

“He doesn’t stop bragging about it, what can I tell you? Anyway, he spent the night in a motel, and, when he returned home, noticed that the box had been opened, and the jewels he inherited from his mother have disappeared. We’ve been here the whole day trying to figure out this mystery, but we haven’t figure out anything.”

“And that’s why they called me, always the same story.” said Elementary. “Is the victim in here?” 

The commissioner called the owner of the pent-house, who ended up being the same pony Beat Box spent the night with.

“Is a pleasure to meet the famous detective superhero. The name is Wing Song.” 

“Alright, Mister Song, my friend the commissioner says that you keep your mother’s jewels in a safe. My only question is, isn’t the daughter who usually inherits the jewels, instead of the son?” 

“I’m an only child, and mom and I always got along well. She gave me her jewels. She made me promise that I’ll give them to my especial somepony, when I find one. I don’t care about the jewels, it’s my promise that bothers me! Look!”

He gave Elementary the note the thief left behind. 


IF YOU WANT TO GET YOUR RING BACK, YOU BETTER GIVE ME WHAT I WANT. SEE YOU IN CENTRAL PARK AT MIDNIGHT. IN 3 DAYS.


Elementary put a hoof on his chin. “Curious, curious indeed. My only question is, why a ring?”

“Is because that’s my mother’s wedding ring. The most important thing I have in that box.”

Elementary nodded. “So, whoever did this, knew that the ring you had was especially important to you. What kind of safe do you have?”

“Stainless steel, magnetic seal with electronic lock and biometric recognition…”

“I get it, the one designed by the wacko Princess Sparkle haves for son.” Interrupted Elementary. “This doesn’t have any sense.”

“What do you mean?” 

“We’re talking about super advanced technology, superior even to the Princesses’ magic. Completely invincible.”

The commissioner gasped. “You’re right! If somepony is capable to do anything against Spark’s technology, Equestria is doomed!” 

“Maybe not!” said Elementary, taking a magnifying glass, examining the box. “First of all, if the culprit knew that it was the ring what matters to you, why did they take all the jewels? Okay, the impact may be bigger if they take all of your mother’s jewels, but, have anyone tried to examine this box closely?”

The commissioner and Wing Song exchanged a look, and the pony approached. 

“Hey, this is not my safe!”

“Yes, only the same brand as yours.” Said Elementary. “I knew it was impossible for anypony to open any of Spark’s safes. Also, that explains the three day time limit. This things only open when you put your eye on the lock, so, they are organizing an ambush, to force you to open the safe. Elementary, my dear Wing Song, this is a trap. A stupid trap, but still a trap.” 

The commissioner made a small nod, in approval. As for Wing Song, he simply hugged Elementary.

“You are the best detective in the world!”

“Yes, yes I am!” said Elementary proudly. “But, tell me, do you have an idea of who knew this ring meant this much to you?”

“Well, there are only a few people I’ve told that I suppose to give it to my future wife. But, hey! I know! It was a girl I met in a bar a few days ago. I got drunker than usual, and told her more that I was intended to. She must have organized all this to steal my safe, and blackmail me into marrying her!”

“I get it, this is karma for being an idiotic playboy who drinks too much!” interrupted Elementary. “Where she lives, and how she looks?”

“She lives at the building next door, at the top floor. The whole pent-house is hers. She is pink, with blonde mane. And she dyed a violet strip. She is good-looking, but that’s it. Her attitude is just repellant.”

Elementary sighed at this pony’s idiocy, and he turned himself into air. 

He flew to the other pent-house, where he found that all the curtains were closed. Strange, it was a rather nice night. But he noticed there was a light behind. 

It was time, Elementary transformed himself into rock, and got in the apartment by literally crashing through the window. 
Inside the apartment, Elementary found a group of mercenaries he have faced before, along with the mare in question. Everypony around the safe.

“It’s Elementary!” shouted the mercenaries.

“Guys, long time no see you!” greeted the detective superhero. “So, what do you prefer? Fire? Ice? Water? Or be beaten by a rock? Oh, or maybe I can try a new trick I’ve ben working on!”

Turning himself into water, Elementary began to control every single water source in the apartment, using the shower, sink, and toilet to throw the thugs out of the apartment. 

Only the mare remained, trembling in fear.

“How?!”

“Elementary, my dear rejected. Your little game of making anypony think that there is somepony who is able to open one of Spark’s safes played against you.” 

“But I did it for love! Wing Song is everything I always dreamed of! And I am what he dreams of, without knowing.”

Elementary sighed. “Wing Song may be an idiot, but he is honest about what’s he’s looking for. One-nighters. Anyway, I’ll give this back to Wing Song, and, what will happen with you is up to him. I’m only here to make sure justice is served! And, to solve mysteries.” 

Elementary then took the box, and went back to the apartment next door, where Wing Song and the commissioner were waiting for him. Being water, it was easy for him to drag the safe with little to no effort.

“You are great, mister Elementary! How did you do this?” 

“Elementary, my dear Wing Song. A series of elementary reasoning lead me to the truth. Also, the elementary information you provided me helped. And, of course, a hero is a hero not because of his powers, but his will to do the right thing, and our natural talents.”
> Eleventh Principle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Eleventh Principle:
A hero always makes the right choice


Three days have passed since the Grogar incident, and, everypony felt uneasy at Twilight’s castle. The reason was no other than Bright Spark. All this time he barely spoke to anypony, and only when it was absolutely necessary. The only reason why he didn’t locked himself in his lab, was because Flash and Twilight asked him to not to. And, this time he listened to his parents. 

Twilight also offered her niece a small room in the castle. After the incident, she didn’t want to sleep at the lab. Where the weapons that reduced Grogar to that state were created. 

Flurry woke up early in the morning, and took a good look of Ponyville from the window. She smiled sadly, she missed her home, and, for the first time in years, she was afraid from her cousin. Five years ago, she witnessed the power of Bright’s nukes. But now, she fully understood the true horror her cousin was capable of. 

“It ends today.” she said, before walking downstairs.

She met her aunt and uncle at the breakfast table, as they were eating peacefully. 

“Good morning Flurry.” greeted Twilight. “Did you sleep well?” 

“Yes, thank you.” smiled the young Princess, taking a seat.

“You have a letter.” informed her Flash, passing an envelope to Flurry. 

“Oh, thanks…” said Flurry, yawning.

She opened the envelope with her magic, and raised an eyebrow. “For real?” asked Flurry in disbelief.

“What is it?” asked Twilight.

Flurry shrugged. “Princess Celestia wants a meeting to discuss the details about the territory I’m going to reign over. Well, I guess I can’t postpone it for much longer, but I’m afraid.”

“For what?” asked Twilight. “Flurry Heart, you’ve been training for this your whole life!”

“I know, I know, but my parents are still mad at me, remember?” sighed the young alicorn. 

“Maybe because you just showed them that you don’t take this as serious as it is.” Scolded Twilight. “And, chose a ridiculous title that you can’t change.”

“I take this seriously!” protested Flurry.

“And, why did you take that stupid title?” asked Twilight. “Princess Geek of all Comics, what were you thinking, Flurry Heart?”

“For starters, I never wanted this. I wish I could be like Cousin Bright, he always does what he wants without anypony questioning him. Second, yes, I know this is my responsibility, and I accept it. That’s why I decided to combine it with what I love the most. Comics. By choosing the title, I am demonstrating I’m willing to love my kingdom as much as I love comics.” 

Both Twilight and Flash face-hoofed. 
Flurry pouted. 

“See? The only one doesn’t think I’m stupid is Cousin Bright, he doesn’t judge me. Even when I bother him to build me stuff.” 

Twilight rubbed her forehead patiently. “You know what? I give up, I have enough problems already with my own child, and this is something you should discuss with your parents, not me.”

“Still, at least try to explain them how much you really care, and what the comic stuff really mean to you.” smiled Flash. “As long as you can show them that you really care, I’m sure everything is going to be fine between you.”

Flurry smiled brightly. “Thanks uncle! Bright is right, you always know what to say.”

“Whenever you want.” said Flash, with a happy nod.  

It was when the elevator that lead to Bright’s lab opened its doors, allowing the young inventor to came out. 

“Bright, did you stay awake the whole night?” asked Twilight, in disbelief.

Bright Spark joined them at the table, with a happy smile. “Well, yes. Two of my machines seem to be off-line, but the GPS systems indicates me that it is somehow moving. And, I haven’t figured what’s going on. But, hey, these small mysteries make my life worth living.”

“I’m glad you’re in a better mood.” said Twilight, relieved, as she offered her son a glass of milk and two pieces of toast. “Here, have some breakfast and go straight to bed.”

“Sure.” said Bright. He raised a hoof, and, one of his robots approached. It aimed one of its claws to the milk, and covered it with a purple light. Then it turned to Bright, and printed a small piece of paper. Bright examined it, and frowned. “Fifty milligrams of Clorpromazine. Mom, I appreciate the gesture, but, I already took my dose of anti-psychotics. Thank you very much.” 

Twilight sighed. “Sorry Bright, but you’ve been so silent and taciturn these days that I panicked. I’m afraid you lose control after what happened with Grogar.”

“Don’t worry, I’m fine.” said Bright. “This issue with my machines helped me to move to another thing. I really need to know what’s going on with those things.” 

The robot gave Bright a new glass of milk, this time without drugs.

Flurry raised an eyebrow. “Huh… hey Bright, doesn’t it bother you?”

“What?” asked Bright, tilting his head.

“Not being able to trust your own family.” said Flurry, glaring at Twilight, who looked away.

Bright shrugged. “I don’t really care. I’m a sociopath, remember? I have a limited amount of feelings.”

Twilight and Flash frowned at this, but didn’t say a word.  
Flurry just shivered, and decided that was it. She had to speak with her parents right away. 

After they finished breakfast, and Bright went to his room, Flurry hurried to the Cutie Map room. Bright Spark and Luminositè have installed a video-conference system to communicate the three castles immediately. 

“Grandma Celestia.” said Flurry, as the image of the Princess of the Sun appeared on the screen. “I’m ready to accept the responsibility of my own Kingdom.” 

Princess Celestia nodded, happy. “I’m glad Flurry. Do you want to discuss this in person, or, from here?”
 

“In person.”

“Alright, I’ll make the arrangements for the meeting right away. See you soon.”

“In the meantime, I need to speak with my parents. See you later, Grandma Celestia.”

Then, Flurry Heart cut communications with Canterlot, and called the Crystal Empire.

“Twilight?” asked Cadence, appearing on the screen. “Oh, it is you.”

“Mom, call dad. We need to talk.” 

Canterlot Castle, later that night:

The conference room was secured with the most powerful privacy spells the five Princesses could cast. It was only used to discuss highly confidential affairs, like the inauguration of a new principality, under the rule of the youngest of the Princesses. 

The five Princesses, plus Prince Consort Shining Armor were reunited, to make the final arrangements so Flurry could take control of her new territory.

“Okay, dear Flurry, from now on, a portion of Equestrian territory will be at your charge. As a new ruler, you must take care of everything: taxes, your citizens’ needs, and, your Royal Guard.”

“For starters, we’ll give you a part of the Royal Treasure, but, you have to be really careful with your budget.”

“We believe in you.” said Twilight, using her magic to give her niece a bunch of quills, and parchments. “You have until noon.”

“What?” asked Flurry. “Why so little time?”

“We would give you more. But you were hiding at your cousin’s lab for far too long.” informed her Luna. 

Flurry Heart groaned. This would be a long day.

But, as Twilight have said early in the morning, Flurry have been trained by her mother and father in how to rule a kingdom practically all her life. And, to make a budget wasn’t too hard.
The problem was the decisions she had to make. The main problem was the security issue. More than half of the budget had to be destined to the army. The soldiers’ salary, training, maintenance of the military equipment and facilities, etc. But, that left her with lack of funds to support health and education programs. She didn’t know what to do.

At least she still had the guidance and support of her parents, aunt Twilight, and Princesses Celestia and Luna. 

“Welcome to politics, dear.” said Cadence.  

“I can lend you a couple of elite troops to train your new soldiers if you want.” offered Shining Armor. “But, even if you don’t have to pay them, you still have to look for their living arrangements.” 

Celestia nodded. “Also, I understand that you named your friends of the ‘League of Heroes’ as your personal knights. Well, I don’t think elite soldiers would like to obey a bunch of young adults in costumes, so that’s something you have to consider.”

Flurry groaned in exasperation. 

“You know? Living soldiers are a problem. Not only they’re weak, but also, you have to attend their needs. Oh, and, if they die, you have to look after their families’ support. Not to mention, they dislike being under the command of younger ponies. I can make you a Royal Guard, a hundred times stronger than a normal one. And, they’ll obey every command you and your friends give them.”

They all turned to see Bright Spark, who was sitting in there, drinking a smoothie. 

Princes Luna glared at him. “No, no, no, no. You are not supposed to be here, Prince Spark. Also, how did you even enter here on the first place?”

Bright raised an eyebrow. “What you mean with ‘how’? Everypony knows that my technology is more powerful than your magic…”

“Bright, get out now!” commanded Princess Celestia. She was not in the mood to deal with him for now. 

“It’s fine, Grandma Luna, Grandma Celestia. I called him.” said Flurry. “I knew I would need his help.”

“Flurry, please! Everyone but him!” complained Shining Armor. “We have talked about this, you can’t depend on your cousin for everything!” 

“But his idea is just what I need!” said Flurry. “A mechanical guard is not a bad idea. How much do you want for making me a Royal Guard completely made out of robots?”

“A hundred thousand bits for my work, plus cabling. I won’t charge you for the steel, since I have lots of it thanks to the Diamond Dogs.”

“What about electricity?” asked Flurry. “How much would it cost me?”

“I can adapt them to function with Solar Power if you want.” explained Bright Spark. 

“Okay, you have a deal, cuz!” smiled Flurry Heart. “Also, the train system could use an upgrade too. The coal, the engineers’ salaries, all the maintenance… do you think you can do something about it?” 

“Sure, no problem at all.” Said Bright, walking out of the room.

Everypony left glared at Flurry.

“What? He is the smartest being in the world!”

“But he is dangerous!” said Celestia.

“Yes, but think about it!” protested Flurry Heart. “Bright would do anything for us. Don’t you see the best way to prevent him to make this insane weapons, is to keep him busy?” 

An awkward silence later, Twilight nodded.

“Is just me, or this actually makes sense?” 

Storm Kingdom:

The recently restored Storm King was looking at the window, and he unconsciously touched the collar on his neck. One more time the memories of that day came back to him, making the tyrant shiver.

When he was restored by his daughter and grandson, the first thing the Storm King wanted to do was to seek revenge against Tempest Shadow, and Princess Twilight.
Unfortunately, right at the Equestrian borders, his army was intercepted by five steel thirteen-feet-tall monsters. Lead by two ponies, the son of Princess Twilight, and, the daughter of the Bearer of Generosity.
At first, he thought that they were like their mothers. That they would try the power of ‘friendship’ to talk him to reason. But instead, his army was defeated in the matter of seconds, and he was captured. For the next two weeks, the Storm King learned the true meaning of fear. Used as a guinea pig by the son of Princess Twilight. The brat tested weapon after weapon on him. And, the girl, she was worse. He used him as a plaything, to release his psychopathic needs to inflict insane amounts of pain. 
Then, they released him. Saying that he was reformed. And they were right. After that, he would never put a foot in Equestria ever again. 

And, as a reminder of what they were capable of, they put the collar in him. The thing would give him an electric shock every time he do something that the two monsters disapproved. At least, the Storm King was cautious enough to never push his luck. 

“Hey, grandpa, are you okay?” asked his grandson, Tornado.

“Yes, I’m sorry.” said the Storm King. “Is just that since the Grogar incident, I can’t stop thinking in those two.”

“I never thought they were much of a big deal, until they defeated the goat.” commented Tornado.

The Storm King frowned, he had to pay a lot to Prince Spark to release his grandson, unharmed. 

“Do you want something, or what?”

“Oh, sorry. Prince Spark and Lady Belle just arrived. They want to see you.”

The Storm King paled in terror. “What are you waiting for? LET THEM IN IMMEDIATELLY! LET’S GO, TORNADO!!”

The young centaur seemed confused, and stayed where he was. But his grandfather hurried to the nearest servant, and asked him for a pot of tea, and pastries. He had to give his best impression to the two ponies. 

Suddenly, the doors opened, letting pass the two ponies, wearing their full equipment.

“Oh, I’m terribly sorry for my hospitality. My good-for-nothing grandson just tell me you two arrived. What can I do for Your Excellences?”

Bright Spark aimed a hoof toward the Storm King. 
A small canon appeared on the hoof, and shot a red energy beam that send the Storm King to the other room, through the wall. Two of the Storm King’s soldiers charged against the visitors, but Luminositè’s scarf broke their necks.

Tornado charged an electric beam between his horns. “I’LL DESTROY YOU!”

Bright turned at him, and, fast as a lightning, he punched Tornado on the gut, and smashed him against the ground. The Storm King gasped when he heard his grandson’s bones breaking because of the impact. But, far from finish, Bright forced an explosive, as small as a marvel, into his mouth. 
Lumi pressed a small button on her suit, detonating it.

Tornado vomited a stream of blood, and teeth. 

Bright then threw Torando to Lumi, who caught the centaur, and broke his two horns. Tornado screamed in pain. 

“Torndado…” said the Storm King, weakly. 

Slowly, he stood, and, summoning his scepter, he charged the Power of the Storm on it. “YOU!”

They both turned, unimpressed.

“You know what makes those two so terrifying?” asked the Storm King. “You cannot feel any kind of magic power coming from them. It is a new kind of power anyone bot them really understand. But, I can feel a monstrous amount of magic power coming from the two of you.” 

Then, the Storm King shot. The two of them avoided the attack, and jumped toward him. Luminositè immobilized the Storm King with her scarf, as Bright Spark forced another explosive into his mouth.

“Are you Grogar, by any chance?” asked the Storm King.

“No, I am the one who gave him his Power.” said the fake Bright Spark. 

“What’s the idea? Anyone who have fought the monsters would notice you are not them.” 

“I don’t care.” said the fake Luminositè. “This is only a part of my plan to replace my destined Destroyer of Worlds. Grogar was not supposed to be defeated, but now, I have to find a new Messenger of Death, someone who destroys the world so a new one can begin. And where can I find a better candidate that the ones who defeated Grogar?” 

The Storm King laughed. “It will never work. Spark and Belle will stop you.” 

Finally, the fake Luminositè detonated the bomb. And, this time, the entire upper half of the Storm King exploded in a million pieces. 

“Grandpa!” cried Tornado.

The fake Bright Spark aimed his hoof cannon to the younger centaur, and shot. A perfect circle with a radio of three inches appeared on the left side of Tornado’s chest, and fell. 

The two fake ponies nodded, and walked away.

“This was a complete success.”
> Twelfth Principle:
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Twelfth Principle:
A hero should never let his/her name to be defamed


Storm Kingdom:

A small fleet of twelve zeppelins were fleeing above the frontiers of that dark Kingdom. The one in the center, was considerably bigger than the remaining eleven that were obviously protecting it. 
The passenger of the big zeppelin was no other than Ghostly Gust, daughter of the Storm King. A powerful sorceress who dedicated all life to research, developing all kind of new spells to make his father’s armada even stronger. But, during the last years, she had been working on the way to bring her father back. 

And, of course she was successful. Along with her son Tornado, she brought the Storm King back to life, and, together, they were ready to take over Equestria… 
But then, the Storm Family was stopped by Prince Spark and Lady Belle. Forced to witness how, by simply pressing a button, the two of them reduced their entire capital into ashes. Of course the two ponies made sure the city was empty first, but the Storm Family didn’t know that at first. And they thought their citizens were exterminated.
Not to mention the indescribable horrors they suffered at the hooves of Luminositè. 

Now they lived in fear of the ponies, like all the other villains. Well, not all ponies. Two ponies. But, besides that, everything was going fine for the Storm Family.

“My Lady, we’re about to land.” said the First Officer.

“Perfect.” said Ghostly Gust. “I cannot wait to show Tornado and my father what I’ve just perfected.” 

The fleet entered in landing formation, and started to descend. 
It was when Ghostly Gust shivered. She had a bad feeling. 

“Something is wrong.” she mumbled. 

They landed, and, the first thing they noticed was that neither her father nor son came to receive her. Also, servants or soldiers were nowhere to be seen. This seemed bad.

Ghostly Gust turned to one of her soldiers. “What are you waiting for? GO SEE WHAT’S GOING ON!!”

Six of the soldiers rushed inside the castle. 
Ghostly Gust stood there, watching the door, when her head bodyguard came back, pale.

“My Lady, please, do not enter. You don’t have to see this.” 

Ghostly Gust pushed her bodyguard away, when rushed to the throne room. 
And, just as the guards feared, she fell on her knees, and began to cry in desperation. At one side, the remaining half of his father. At the other side, his son’s head over a pile that used to be his body. 

“I’m sorry My Lady, there’s nothing we can do about this.”

Gust screamed in pain, crying. 
Her soldiers exchanged a worried look.

“There’s more, right?” asked Gust.

The head bodyguard gulped, and slowly handed her a scroll. “Yes, we found this over your son’s body. It only needs your signature. 


DECLARATION OF TOTAL SURRENDER AND VASSALAGE TO THE KINGDOM OF EQUESTRIA


Gust took it, and began to cry desperately.  

Oasis, in the middle of the Saddle Arabian Desert:

A young mare was resting on a palm tree as she looked at the horizon. No, she wasn’t lost. She was just calculating her next move. Then, she turned. 
She heard somepony approaching, so, she turned.

“Hi fellow traveler! Are you lost, or something?” she asked politely. 

But she muttered in horror when she recognized Prince Spark. “You?”

Bright raised a hoof, and sent an electric current to the stranger. She cried in pain, turning into Chrysalis. She stood slowly, glaring at the pony.

“Hey, I haven’t done anything!”

Bright grabbed her by the horn, began to smash Chrysalis’ head against the palm tree, until it cut in half. 

“Who are you, really?” asked Chrysalis.

“Is none of your business.” said a cold and mechanical voice that resembled Bright’s but it wasn’t. “All what matters is to send a message.”

The impostor then dropped two metallic spheres near Chrysalis. She created a force field, ready for the explosion. But instead, the two spheres released a high-frequency sound that hurt her. It hurt to the point that her ears and eyes began to bleed. But her screams were silenced by the powerful sound waves that the Fake Bright’s weapon generated. 
Finally, the impostor aimed his laser to Chrysalis, and cut her horn as the sound waves stopped. 

Dizzy, and in pain, Chrysalis looked at her attacker, and watched at him as her conscious faded away.

The impostor tilted his head. “Maybe I overdid. Well, she’s almost as weak as the equestrian Princesses. Whatever.”

He switched his laser to a couple of Taser guns, and released an electric current through her body, at full power. Chrysalis woke up for the last time, but immediately, her heart stopped, not giving her time to scream.

Changeling Hive, two hours later:

Thorax was in a very good mood, humming happily, as everybody in the hive cooperated to the Mutual Love Production. Suddenly, he felt a change of mood in the surroundings. All around him he sensed a mix of fear, sadness, suspicious, and more fear. 

“Leader Thorax!” called someone.

“Tell me, what’s going on?” demanded Thorax.

The changeling made a sign to his siblings. Slowly, they brought Chrysalis’ lifeless body before Thorax.

“Mother?!” gasped Thorax, as he fell on his knees, horrified.

She was an evil dictator, and she ruled over the Changelings with an iron hoof for a very long time. But, she was also the mother of the entire hive. And, all she did was what she considered the best for her children to grow strong and powerful. 
Her bad decisions, and obsession with ponies ended up being her doom, but, in the end, she was still a beloved mother. 

“No!” yelled Thorax. “WHAT HAPPENED?”

“She had this on her mouth.” explained the one who brought her, hoofing a scroll to Thorax.


DECLARATION OF TOTAL SURRENDER AND VASSALAGE TO THE KINGDOM OF EQUESTRIA


“What? But why?” asked Thorax. “This makes absolutely no sense! Why would they do this?”

None of the changelings asked who he was referring to. 

“No, I refuse to believe this.” finally said Thorax. “Are you sure it was them?”

“Sorry, Thorax. We examined her body, and, the only thing that can make that kind of wounds are their weapons. Look at this cut on her horn, is perfectly clean and sharp. No knife can do this, only their lasers. Also, she looks like she was hit by a lightning. Or…”

“…an electricity-based weapon.” finished Thorax. “But, no! Nor Celestia or Twilight would want this. Why on earth those two decided to kill out of sudden? They always claim that that’s the line they would never cross. Then, why?”

General Pharynx walked in, looked as scared as Thorax. But he remained firmer. “Oh, come on! Don’t you see, idiot? They finally lost their minds. Accidentally killing Grogar was the last step on their descent into madness.” 

They all exchanged a look. 
Pharynx’s theory was horrendous… and way too plausible. 
Most of the ponies, and practically all species, preferred to maintain discance from Bright and Luminositè. Especially changelings, who were especially sensitive to emotions… and they could feel their internal struggle against the madness. 

“Shall we fight?” suggested someone.

“If you want to be fried to death, go ahead. But alone, do not drag us with you.” declared Pharynx.

“But, if we sign, there’s no guarantee that would stop them!” said the same changeling than before. 

“I know.” said Thorax, signing. “But, if this is our only chance of survival, I’ll take it.”

Diamond Dogs Territory:

Crunch, the Rockdog, Lord of the Diamond Dogs, was resting at his undergournd home, eating big chunks of limestone and quartz. His subjects surrounded him, each one munching on a different kind of gemstone, when a hole appeared, letting a gust of air, and the cold light of the moon to come inside their tunnel. 
The Diamond Dogs prepared to fight, when a small, agile figure appeared.

Crunch stood, and bowed deeply. “Miss Belle! You’re here! What can we do for you?”

Luminositè, extended her hoof, and her scarf wrapped as a snake around Crunch. It raised him, and smashed the dog against the floor. Then, it took his stone bed, and broke it over his head over and over, until it turned into dust. 

“Wait, what we did to offend you, Miss Belle?” Begged Crunch.

She took a small brick, wrapped in craft paper, from her pocket, and walked to Crunch.

The Stone Dog gasped, recognizing the package, gulping. “That’s C4! No, no, wait… WAIT!”

She wrapped her scarf around Crunch’s neck and began to choke him, forcing to open his mouth. And forced the brick into his mouth. 

Crunch chuckled. “Spark is the one who likes big explosives. Belle is an artist. She’s subtle, she’s…

“I don’t care if you know. I came only to deliver a message.”

And she detonated the C4. 

Crunch exploded in a thousand pieces. But he wasn’t finished. As long as his heart, the Stone Heart was in one piece, he was alive. And all his pieces could easily reassemble anytime. 
The fake Luminositè took the Stone Heart, and aimed her plasma cannon to it. She melted the magic gem out of existence, finishing Crunch’s life with it. 

“Who is the second in command?” asked the fake pony.

A very young Diamond Dog raised a paw, and Luminositè gave him the scroll.


DECLARATION OF TOTAL SURRENDER AND VASSALAGE TO THE KINGDOM OF EQUESTRIA


The Diamond Dogs howled the whole night to honor their fallen leader. 

Bright’s and Luminositè’s lab:

The two best friends were working each in their own project. 
Luminositè was working in her new line of smart boots, that could change its color, design, and heel high with to adapt to any occasion. Also, they automatically repelled dust and humidity.
And Bright was working on his cousin’s request. A new army for the soon-to-be-founded Geek Kingdom of all Comics. Most of the hard work was made by his robots. They assembled the pieces, and welded together. Bright worked on the programming, to make sure no glitch affected his machines. 
They were in a really good mood, when they heard Twilight’s voice coming from the transmitter.

“Bright, Lumi, come to the Map Room. Now.” She didn’t sound pleased.

The two of them exchanged a confused look.

“What’s wrong with your mom?” asked Lumi.

Bright shrugged.  “Let’s find out.”

They went into the elevator, and appeared upstairs, only to see the five Princesses, along with Rarity. She was crying, and it seemed like she was doing it from a while. Also, a bunch of soldiers, and a ponies dressed in white were waiting for them.
Bright frowned, this didn’t seem well.

“Okay, what the hay?” asked Bright. 

“That’s what I want to know, Bright Spark!” shouted Twilight.

“What on Equestria are you talking about?” asked Bright. 

Celestia levitated them the three scrolls. 

“Why, Lumi, WHY?” shouted Rarity. “We agreed you’ll talk to me if you feel your ‘needs’ again. WHY? IT WAS BAD ENOUGH KNOWING THAT YOU TORTURED PEOPLE WITH THE EXCUSE TO PROTECT EQUESTRIA!!”

“What?!” asked Luminositè. “Mère… I swear I have no idea of what you’re talking about!”

“What just happened? Did they signed these after Grogar died, or what?” asked Bright Spark.

Celestia glared at them. “No, they signed after you killed the Storm King, his grandson, Chrysalis, and Crunch!”

“What? But we never kill!” protested Luminositè.

“Yes, there haves to be a mistake!” said Bright Spark. 

“I don’t want to hear you!” said Twilight. “We allowed you to get to this point! That’s why, we need to take you into custody. Don’t worry, we won’t send you to jail, but to a psychiatric hospital. What we should do a long time ago, when we learned about your true nature.”

The ponies in white and the royal guards moved forward, surrounding the two teenagers.

Bright sighed, and raised a hoof. “Sorry, but I will not spend a minute of my precious time in a padded cell. But, if you insist, please talk to my bodyguards.” 

At his sign, a dozen of his robots emerged, aiming their claws to both guards and ponies in white. They gulped, and moved backwards, scared of what the four-meters-tall machines. 

“Mère! I didn’t do anything! I swear!” cried Lumi.

“Luminositè, I want to believe you, but the evidence is…”·

“That’s fear talking!” said Bright.

“Fear? Yes, fear!” agreed Twilight, in tears. “Bright, you’ve been acting weird since the incident with Grogar. And, even if that was an accident, is no secret that you two have always been mentally unstable. Please, let these ponies take you in. If you’re telling the truth, then, you’ll be released and we’ll pretend none of this happened. But, please…”

Bright Spark sighed. “Like I said, I have no intention to spend any minute of my time in a padded cell. You can try to force me in, of course, but, you are made of flesh and blood that is weak. My machines are made of steel that is strong. I don’t think I have to tell you how is this going to end.”

Celestia walked, as she charged an attack on her horn. 

“If that’s what you want…”

Bright aimed his hoof to his godmother, and activated an especial cannon he designed, especially to fight his family. He shot, not an electric current, not a plasma or an energy beam, but a powerful steel cable. She tried to fight against the powerful hold, but, Bright’s machinery redirected her magic to the battery, that synthetized the magic and turned into electricity, the machine’s energy source.
Then, he shot Twilight. 

Lumi activated her cannon too, trapping Cadence and Luna, who have remained silent during the whole exchange between the teenagers, and their mothers. 

Only Flurry Heart remained free. 

“Fine, refuse all help!” said Celestia. “But, if you do, please accept the consequences.”

“Which consequences?” asked Bright.

“Exile.” said Luna, coldly. 

Bright nodded, so as Lumi.

“Fine. Dollies!” shouted Lumi.

The tiny robots brought them two suitcases.

“So, Lumi, where are you going to stay?” asked Bright Spark.

Luminositè Belle shrugged. “I think with Aunt Sweetie. She always listens to me, and she’ll believe me. She won’t mind I stay with her.”

Bright nodded. “As, for me, I’ll go to my grandparents’ place. They’ll be happy to have me for a few days.”

Luna struggled against the steel cables that held her. “Do you two know what exile mean?”

“Yes, it means we are not citizens of Equestria anymore.” said Lumi, coldly.

Twilight glared at her son. “Yes. It also means, you two should leave equestrian territory as soon as possible.”

Bright shrugged. “Is that so? Because, those are equestrian laws. But, as we are not citizens of Equestria anymore, we don’t have to follow your laws, not even listen to you.”

“Well, you can try to kick us out.” said Lumi. “But, let’s face it. You’ll fail miserably.”

They both turned their back to the Princesses, and walked out of the castle. The guards and the ponies in white didn’t dare to move. 

“Bright!” called Twilight.

Bright Spark glared at his mother. “The cable will release you in exactly five hours.”

“We’ll find who really did this, but, in the meantime, you better have our désolés ready when we find out.”

And they left.

“What are they going to do now?” asked Cadence.

Twilight sighed. “What they always do. What they want.”
> Thirteenth Principle:
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Thirteenth Principle:
A hero does not accept any consequences from something he/she didn’t do


Twilight sighed, in deep sadness, as she walked to the school of Ponyville. She let escape a small tear, as for the thousandth time, since she discovered Bright’s true capabilities, she asked herself why he insisted in keep going to school. The kid had a college degree, for Faust’s sake!
But, Twilight’s memories went back to the first encounter between her son and Grogar. Before that she thought her son was just like her. A young, enthusiastic unicorn who would dedicate his life to magic, and who would make tons of friends. But, Grogar forced Bright to expose his true nature. Now, Twilight always questioned herself what she did wrong raising him. 

Twilight shook her head. Obviously, her biggest mistake was not to stop him when she noticed his inventions were becoming more dangerous every time. She didn’t even say anything when he began capturing villains to use them as guinea pigs to try his new weapons. 

She arrived to the school.

“Princess Twilight?” asked Cheerilee, now principal of the school.

“Cheerilee, there’s an urgent matter related with Bright Spark and Luminositè Belle.” 

“What happened? Did they finally were accepted by the Manehattan Tech?” asked the teacher.

Twilight shook her head, frowning. “No, Cheerilee. This isn’t something good. They did it, they finally did it.”

“What?” asked the school principal.

“They crossed the line and were exiled by unanimous decision of all five Princesses of Equestria.” explained Twilight. 

“What? But this doesn’t have any sense!” said Cheerilee. “You have to be kidding me. They are a bit weird, but they would never…” but she couldn’t continue talking when she saw the tortured expression on Twilight’s face. “Princess, I’m terribly sorry.”

Cheerilee hugged the alicorn to comfort her. 
The gesture was more meaningful since they didn’t get along well after the incident with Spike. 
Twilight smiled, grateful, and followed the earth pony to sign the respective documents to make Bright’s and Lumi’s expulsion official.

Then, they headed to the eight grade classroom to notify the teacher of Bright and Lumi. 
But, when they opened the door, they noticed all the young colts doing an exam, including Bright Spark and Luminositè.

“Hey! What are you doing here?” asked Twilight.

The boy was about to answer, but the teacher spoke first. “Princess Twilight, can’t you wait until the exam is over?”

“What? No!” said Twilight. “Bright and Lumi are supposed to be exil…”

Before she could stop talking, she found herself trapped and silenced by the same steel cables from the last day. Twilight looked at her son, who still had his cannon aimed to her direction. And, an incriminating trail of smoke was still coming from the weapon. 

“Five hours.” said the colt, indifferent.

Cheerliee looked at the lavender alicorn, struggling against the cables. And then, a couple of Lumi’s dollies carrying the expulsion documents, and, burn them right in front of the teacher and the Princess.

The message was clear.





A bit later, at an elegant cafeteria in Canterlot, Sweetie Belle and her niece were having a good time over a cup of tea, and a piece of pie. 

“So, how was your day?” asked Sweetie Belle to her niece.

“Normal.” Said Lumi. “We had a small incident with Bright’s mom, but, then, it was all normal. We did an exam, and that. Nothing worthy of mentioning.”

Sweetie Belle sighed. “Lumi, dear, I don’t want to get into your business, but, shouldn’t you try to figure out what’s really going on?”

“Of course, but, we still have to go to school. Routine is important.” Said Lumi. “And, you also wanted to have tea with me, didn’t you? But, after we finish, Bright and I will try to find our answers.” 

Sweetie Belle made a small nod, relieved.
Just like Rarity, she could never really understand Luminositè. But, she preferred to ignore the psychological issues, and just love her for who she was. In fact, it was Sweetie who helped Lumi to find her Cutie Mark. 

“Well, I won’t entertain you for much longer.” Said Sweetie. “Go see your friend, and clear your name.” She raised a hoof. “Check, please!” 

The waiter came, carrying a black tray with a small piece of paper. Sweetie grabbed the check with her magic, and examined it. After a small nod, she took her pouch and opened it. 
But then, Lumi stopped her, and pulled a shiny golden credit card from her purse.  

“No, no, please Aunt Sweetie, Je will pay for this. You’ve done more than enough by accepting me in you maison.” said the teenage pony.

Right at that moment, Princesses Celestia and Luna get into the cafeteria to have a nice cup of tea to relax after a stressful da, and they stared at the two unicorns. The younger pony felt their gazes, but didn’t’ mind. The waiter put the card in a POS and nodded.

“That’s it, we’re leaving!” said Sweetie.

The two of them passed the Princesses, who just stared at them, leaving. 

“Luna…” warned Celestia.

But the Princess of the Night was already flying to the First Bank of Canterlot.

“The bank accounts of the exiled Luminositè Belle, and Bright Spark should be cancelled. Why are they still active?” Luna shouted to the manager.

The pony frowned. “Princess, with all respect, it is no secret that not even you can handle those two. Why should we do what you can’t? Also, Miss Belle was really clear: do not dare to cancel their accounts or we will regret it. And, I do not plan to regret anything.”

Luna groaned, and flew back to her sister.

“So, how was it?”

“What you think? Those two will still do what they want, they’re shoving in our faces that there’s nothing we can do to exile them for good.”

Celestia nodded. “Yes, but that’s all they do. There’s no violent reaction from them or whatsoever. I don’t know, I’m starting to have my doubts if they really did it. They are obviously upset, but that’s it. I don’t know, maybe there’s something we’re missing.”

Luna didn’t say anything, but she disagreed. 
If Celestia was right it meant that there was somepony else who had access to Bright’s and Lumi’s arsenal. But that was impossible. They were far too smart and too powerful to let that happen. 

“No Tia, I still think it was a psychotic breakdown, and it’s only a matter of time before they break again.”

Changeling Hive:

Thorax was still depressed, and afraid after what happened with his mother. 
Would that be enough for them? Or would they come back to kill more of them? Was the madness even stoppable? 
Suddenly, he felt a change in all his surroundings. An indescribable sensation of fear descended all over his changelings. 

Pharynx ran to the Throne Room. “He’s here! Prince Spark!”

Thorax stood, ready to lose his life for the hive. “Listen, Pharynx, I need you to lead everyone out! I’ll buy you as much time as I can, but I need you to run and…”

“Easy.” said a cold voice, getting into the Throne Room. “I didn’t come here to fight.”

Thorax glared at the intruder, as he bowed. And so dis Pharynx. “Prince Spark, what can your humble servants do for you?” They asked in unison. 

Bright rolled his eyes, but remained calm. “First of all, I did not kill your mother. Second, I’m not interested in your hive being a vassal estate to Equestria. No, I am here only to prove my innocence.” 

“What do you mean?” asked Pharynx.

Bright put on a couple of especial glasses. “Show me the body. It’ll give me the answers that I need. That we need.” 

Thorax sniffed the air. “And, as always, I cannot feel anything from you. I can’t tell if you’re lying.” 

“As always, sociopaths can give us a hard time.” complained Pharynx.

Bright sighed. “Listen to me, me coming to ask your permission was just a formality, you know I can do whatever I want and there’s nothing you can do to stop me. But, I know that wouldn’t help my case. So, I came to you to show you the truth of my intentions. Whoever killed your mother is still there, free. If you want a piece of justice, you should let me see the body. I need all the clues I can get.”  

Pharynx looked at Thorax. “You’re the Leader of the Hive, Thorax.”

The Changeling Leader nodded. “Follow me.”

Bright followed Thorax to a series of hexagonal-shaped cells, covered in some kind of semi-transparent transparent wax. Bright aimed his hoof to the wax wall, and shot, melting it out of his way, giving him full access to what was left of Chrysalis. 
He scanned the body with some kid of gadget that send the data directly to his glasses. He frowned, this didn’t seem well. A couple of metallic claws appeared from his saddlebag, and turned the body all over.

“Are you done playing with our mom?!” shouted Pharynx, red of indignation.

“Yes.” said Bright, using a gadget to restore the melted wax. “These are indeed my weapons, but it makes no sense. They are stronger than the ones for sale, but considerably weaker than my personal tools. I also detect high levels of ionic radiation, but that doesn’t mean anything for me. At least for now.” 

Thorax was confused, but not Pharynx. He was just angry. 

“Oh, and what does this mean for you, Spark? Cut up the act already! You really came all the way here to laugh at our pain, didn’t you?!”

Bright rolled his eyes. “Shut up, okay?” Then, he shook his head. “No, I can’t really blame you for mistrusting my intentions. I know my backup doesn’t really help my case. But, if it helps, I’ll leave you alone now. There’s no need to submit to Equestria. That’s all I need to say.”

Bright turned his back on the two brothers, when his comm-link activated. 

“Luminositè?”

“Bright? I’ve found the evidence we need. I don’t know who is really behind this, but I have a solid lead.”

Bright smiled, relieved. “Good to know.” He turned to Thorax and Pharynx. “Sorry I wasted your time, but, apparently my friend found who is behind this. I’ll let you know when capture him. Or her. Have a nice day and, I’m truly sorry about your mother.”

Storm Kingdom:

Ghostly Gust was on her castle’s chapel, crying in silence the deaths of her father and son, as her soldiers watched her in respectful silence. 
Suddenly, they heard small hoofsteps approaching. They turned, only to see a certain unicorn mare. Light blue fur, almost white, with a blond mane.

Queen Gust turned too, struggling between her fear and hate, when the mare put a crown of flowers over the two coffins.

“I’m sorry for your loss, Ghostly Gust.” assured Lumi, softly. “Maybe we were enemies, but I did respected you in any way possible. And I never wanted this to happen.”

Ghostly Gust screamed in anger, and threw a powerful punch to Lumi. The mare’s red scarf stopped the punch. But Lumi did not answer the attack.

“I know you are upset. But this isn’t our doing. I came all the way here to present my respects to the King and Prince, but also, to find out who really did this.”

Gust grinded her teeth. “I don’t believe you. I SAW THE FRAGMETNS OF THOSE WEAPONS ONLY YOU CAN USE!”

Lumi raised an eyebrow. “Do you still have them?”

“Yes, why?” 

“Let me examine them and, maybe, it would lead us to who is really behind us. Think about it, do you want to get your revenge on the monster who did this? If Bright and I were really behind it, there’s no way you can do anything. But, you may have the chance to actually do something.”

Ghostly Gust looked to Lumi’s eyes. “So, you’ll find who did this and turn him or her to me? What’s in this for you?”

“To clear my name.”

“Fine.”

At her Queen’s sign, the soldiers brought the little pony a tray with the splinters from the explosive that they found in both of the bodies. Lumi carefully examined them confirming those were their bombs. But, an old model. Not that old, only a few months, but, they had way more advanced weapons in storage now. This didn’t have any sense.
But then, she noticed two things. First, the metal was unusually rusted. 
She scanned it, realizing the high levels of ionic radiaton.
But, the definite clue was a serial number she noticed. 

“And?” asked Ghostly Gust.

Lumi made Ghostly Gust a sign to wait, as she double-checked the serial number on her database. Finally, she had her answer. 

“Unbelievable…” mumbled Lumi-

“Have you find something?”

“A lead.” Said Lumi, turning on her comm-link. “Bright? I’ve found the evidence we need. I don’t know who is really behind this, but I have a solid lead.”
> Fourteenth Principle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Fourteenth Principle:
Heroes help each other, it doesn’t matter if their methods differ


Ponies from all over of that small region at the east of Equestria have assisted to the ceremony. The solemn act where they would be separated from the Main Principality, to become a new one. The Geek Kingdom of all Comics.
Truth be told, no one was looking forward to be a part of a Principality with such ridiculous name, but, still they had to assist.

As for Flurry, she didn’t let that to bother her. She knew that she would be a good Ruler, and that was all that mattered. 

But, the new Ruler had something that deeply impressed her people. For her new Residence, Princesses Celestia and Luna had lend her a small mansion they used for vacation. But, in least than a week, Flurry managed to turn it into a beautiful Castle twice as big as her parents’ and aunt Twilight’s.  
That spoke really well about Flurry’s magic abilities, and everypony was deeply impressed. 

Of course it was no magic. It was Bright’s construction team, but the other ponies didn’t have to know it. 

The Ceremony was taking place at the Big Salon of Flurry’s new Castle. Princesses Luna, Celestia, Cadence and Twilight were ready with the Crown. That was going to be placed at Flurry’s head by her father, Prince Consort Shining Armor.
The crowd have gathered around a red carpet, ready to receive their new ruler.

Finally, the main crystal doors opened, letting pass her new Highness Flurry Heart, followed closely by her selected Royal Guard, the League of Heroes. Shadow Ninjutsu, Elementary, and Watt. Only Captain Awesome was missing, but, according to Flurry, he was really close. 
Closing the cortege, there were a couple of strange soldiers. Their bodies were covered by a full-body armor, but, they look too slim to be wearing something. Also, their faces were a flat silver plate. 

Celestia frowned at the sight of the soldiers, but didn’t say anything about it. Instead, she focused on the Ceremony. This supposed to happen a long ago, but, with Flurry hiding at her cousin’s lab, she had to consider a victory to even be able to perform this. 

“Princess Geek of all Comics, Flurry Heart. Today, I, the main Monarch of Equestria, officially give you a piece of land for you to protect and take care of, so as the little ponies who live here. Tell me, Flurry Heart, are you ready to accept this responsibility?”

Flurry bowed before Celestia. “Yes, Princess Celestia. I, Flurry Heart, accept this responsibility over my land, and my little ponies. I assure you, as long as I’m here to take care of them, my ponies would never suffer from any need.”

Celestia smiled, pleased. 

“Then, if there aren’t any objections, I name you a Princess. Princess Geek of all Comics.”

Luna, Cadence and Twilight bowed to Flurry. And, Shining approached to put a crown on his daughter’s head, and bowed as well. He held back a tear of joy, and winked an eye to her.
Flurry blushed, and smiled to her father. 

Finally, Celestia bowed too, followed by the whole crowd.

Flurry Heart extended her wings, and released a bunch of sparks all over the place. It was done, she was officially a Princess. 

Soon enough, the ceremony turned into a party. But it wasn’t too long. After a few hours, Flurry retired to have a private celebration with her closest friends, and family.

Cadence smiled, proud of her daughter. “Oh, look at my dear Flurry, a whole Princess now. And I also like what you did with the place.” she said, admiring the castle. “How could you do so much in so little time?”

Flurry shrugged. “Bright, of course. The new army he made me are also builders, and my servants.”

“So, you didn’t hire the company we suggested?” asked Shining.

“Hey, I don’t have to pay the machines.” explained Flurry Heart.  

Twilight interrupted them. “So, here he is.” The last thing she heard from her son was that he asked for permission to skip school for a few days. 

“Yes, here he is.” Assured Flurry. “Unlike others I know, I support my family.”

Luna frowned. “Very nice. You haven’t been an official Princess for long, and you already made a war crime by sheltering a wanted pony.”

“I believe in my cousin. If he says he didn’t do it, he didn’t do it.” said Flurry Heart. “Also, I’m returning the favor he did to me.”

“There’s a difference.” scolded Shining Armor. “He was hiding you from being grounded, bad, but not so much. You on the other hoof, are committing a war crime by hiding him.” 

Flurry frowned. “Okay, fine, if you want to declare war on my small country because of this, go on. I have Bright’s full support, so you know I am going to win, right? Or do you think my mechanical army is the only weapon he built for me?”

The others gulped, and preferred to change the subject.

“Who wants sushi?!” offered Shadow Ninjutsu. 

“Me!!” shouted Watt enthusiastically.

“Me too.” agreed Elementary. “Food is the fuel that keeps functioning the perfect work of machinery that is the body.”

“Me three. I love seeing you making sushi, and eating it too.” smiled Flurry.

Shadow Ninjutsu then created six shadow clones. The first one took a recipient with prepared rice. The second one a package of Nori Seaweed. The third one a bunch of cucumbers that he began to cut with his katana. The fourth one a brick of cream cheese, the fifth one started to cut carrots with kunais, and covered them with wasabi before they landed. The sixth clone rolled the ingredients together, and, finally, the original Shadow Ninjutsu skillfully cut them in symmetric portions, and served them with soy and ponzu sauce.

“Impressive…” said Shining Armor.

“Please, help yourselves.” offered the ninja-themed hero.

They sat and began to eat, and chat happily. 

Flurry then stretched her forehooves happily. “You know what goes great with sushi?”

“Sake?” asked Watt. “But, didn’t we agree that we will wait until your parents leave?”

Cadence frowned at this, but Flurry shook her head, and called one of her mechanical servants/soldiers. The machine brought a few bags of chips, pretzels, dips, and even a few gummy bears. 
Then, she pulled out a deck of cards.

“Who’s up for a Po-Ny-Oh! Tournament? I brought all the supplies.” smiled the young Princess. 

“Now we’re talking!” said Watt, preparing his own deck. 

Elementary and Shadow Ninjutsu pulled out their own decks as well. They were up for a long match.

And, watching the Princess and her friends getting ready for a game, the adults quietly decided to leave them alone. At least Flurry seemed to be doing fine.
Seeing they were leaving, the new mechanical guard approached, and made appear shining arrows on their metal-plate heads, showing them the way out. 

“Well, at least we know that Flurry would be doing fine.” sighed Twilight, a bit depressed. 

“Why are you so sure?” asked Princess Luna. 

“First of all, her formation is excellent. Second, my son is giving her technical assistance. And her failures would be covered by Bright’s machinery.”

Celestia nodded, agreeing. “True, but, considering the circumstances, isn’t too much of a relief.”

They left, as the new Princess and her Royal Guard continued with their game.

“I summon the Dark Unicorn in attack mode!”

“Not so fast, I have the Red-Eyed Black Centaur in attack mode too.”

“Ha-ha! You thought you had get rid of my Cyber Commander. But, I have the Monster Reborn Card.” 

They were young adults now, but a geek would always be a geek.

“Thank you so much for accepting be my Royal Guard, guys!” smiled Flurry. “I know all of you have your own lives, your jobs. Your lives.”

“You know we will always be here for you.” said Sparkler. “Besides, thanks to the high-speed vehicles in the tunnels your cousin made, we can be in our homes and back in a minute. Maybe two.”

After a quick laugh, they continued playing. Almost all night.
But, they went to sleep at the especial rooms Flurry have prepared for them.

At the next day, after a relaxing breakfast, they went to the new headquarters of the Royal Guard. It was a big room, accommodated with conditioned air, several flat screens that showed them each corner of the new Kingdom. It consisted in three cities: Stalliongrado, Maredrid and Trottenaghe. And, if she demonstrated to do a good job, the other Princesses would let her rule over more territory. 

One particular screen, in Stalliongrado, showed a group of thugs trying to extortionate a couple of merchants.

“I go first!” announced Light Spectra. 

“Why you?”

“Because I defeated all of you with the Feathered Dragon of Ra!” 

And, because the results in Po-Ny-Oh! were undebatable, they let him put on his Shadow Ninjutsu costume, and went into a especial underground train, created by Bright Spark. He jumped over a cart, and appeared at Trottenaghe’s penitentiary.  
One of the first changes made under Flurry’s rule, was that the whole army and police force in the three cities were replaced by Bright’s mechanical soldiers.

“Attention please!” said Shadow Ninjutsu to the machines. “We have a situation in progress! I need three units!”

Three robots made a space forward, and, after scanning which hero was commanding them, they all generated a samurai armor and a katana.

“Okay, I must say that the Princess’ son knows what he’s doing. Let’s go!” 

The warrior charged at full speed, followed closely by his three partners. 
Shadow Ninjutsu looked back at his partners, and smiled behind his mask. As much as he knew, they were programmed to adapt to each hero’s fighting style.

“Oh, what the hay! Let’s prove it!”

He disappeared, ninja-style, and they followed. 

The thugs were still advancing toward the merchants, who did their best to not angry their attackers.

“So, this is your final answer? We really don’t want any trouble, just give us the money and we’ll make sure you’re all protected. Don’t you want your families to pay the consequences, right?”

Suddenly, the three soldiers appeared, surrounding the thugs.

“Attention, you are under arrest. Drop your weapons and turn in without resistance.” said one, with its cold, mechanical voice. 

The leader turned. “What is this, a performing group?”

“Negative, we are the Royal Guard.”

“Then, you should know that our people have a deal with the Royal Guard, and, if you don’t want any trouble with a superior, I highly recommend you to…”

The one in the center of the formation, took a step forward, and before the thug could do something, he was knocked down, and hit him with his katana. It was a dull blade, but it produced an electric current that finished the thug of.

The others pulled out a bunch of knives, and aimed to the robots. But they were disarmed by a bunch of shurikens, thrown by no other than Shadow Ninjutsu. 

“What?”

The biggest thug was hit by a bo-staff, and he stumbled, astonished. But he didn’t surrender, and counterattacked the hero. Unfortunately for him, a machine made a step forward, and the thug was subdued by an electric shock from the katana. 

“See? You are outmatched!” said the ninja hero.

The remaining thugs dropped their weapons, and kneeled down, surrendering to the machines.

“Fine, arrest us. We’ll be back on the streets in no time! We have a deal with the higher ranks!”

“Haven’t you heard?” asked Shadow Ninjutsu. “Under the new rule of Princess Flurry Heart, the entire Royal Guard is now ruled by machines. You cannot bribe a machine, dumbass!” 

“Machines?” 

“Eeyup, courtesy of Prince Spark.”

And, with that, Shadow Ninjutsu knocked him down with his bo-staff.

“Huh, it was easier than I thought. You guys are awesome!” smiled Shadow N to his robotic assistants.

Then, he returned to the Castle Headquarters.

“Hey guys, anything else for us to work with?” asked Light Spectra, taking his mask off. 

“Yes, but Elementary is on the case!” answered Flurry. 

They looked at the screen that showed a bank in Stalliongrado. 
Light couldn’t help but chuckle by seeing at the forms the mechanical guard have taken. Each one of them had a bowler hat, a fake mustache and a monocle.  

“Then, tell me comrrrrrrrade new captain of the Guarrrrrrd.” said the banker, with a heavily marked accent. “Who knocked me down, tied ourrrrr securrrrrity guarrrrds and stole the content of my vault?”

The detective superhero made a dramatic pose, by taking off his hat, and aimed a hoof to the banker. “Elementary, my dear banker. You did it!”

“What?! But comarrrrade! This is absurrrrrd, I am an honest bankerrrrr…”

“Oh, don’t play innocent my dear corrupt banker. I’ve been checking on the figures, during the last six years, you’ve making a fortune of ten million bits in embezzlements. But, after six years, you were about to be find out, so you organized this robbery with the local gangs so you can blame them for the lack of funds in the bank.

The banker gulped, and decided to run away, such as a couple of cashiers who were overhearing.

But, the robotic guards reacted fast, and soon enough, the three criminals were under stasis rays. Very much like the old-fashioned stasis spells, but these ones worked on electricity.

“You’ll regrrrrrret this, comrrrade!” said the corrupt banker. “I’ll buy something at the sherrrrrriff office!” 

“You can try. New administration, buddy.”

Flurry chuckled. “It’s funny, is not even eleven and the mafias have already tried to bribe the robotic guards, who arrested them on the spot. I love technology.”

“By the way, where’s you cousin and his friend? We must thank them for this new army.” said Light Spectra. 

“They left right after they finished the last touches to my new equipment.” sighed Flurry. “They said they didn’t want to miss more than a week of school.”

“Don’t they have college degrees already?” asked Light Spectra.

“Huh, whatever makes them happy.” 

They laughed.

Lady Catrina’s Island:

The powerful Cat Sorceress was sitting on her throne, as her student and friend, Tirek, keep her company. They seemed calm, but they both knew it was a façade.
Rumors were coming from all over the world. It seemed like, after accidentally killing Grogar, the two lunatics have finally lost their minds. And now they were chasing down and exterminating all the enemies of Equestria.

Now, it was only a matter of time for the two ponies come to get them.

The main door opened, snapping Tirek and Catrina out of their daydream. A servant rushed in, bowing desperatedly. “Lady Catrina, Spark’s and Belle’s ships are approaching.”

The Cat Sorceress stood suddenly, paling. “No, no, please no…”

“Lady Catrina… I’ll be at your side!” said Tirek.

Catrina sighed. “Hey, Tirek.”

“Yes, Lady Catrina?” asked Tirek.

The Cat wrapped her arms around Tirek’s neck, and kissed him deeply. Tirek gasped in surprise, and she forced her tongue into his mouth. 
That took Tirek off-guard, but he gladly accepted it. He had a crush on his teacher since his late teens, and always dreamed how would feel like to share a bed with her. Well, now he knew. After their fateful reencounter at Squirk’s bar, they had been sleeping together, enjoying each other’s bodies. And it was everything that Tirek ever dreamed, and more. Catrina was very skilled in the erotic arts, and was more than happy to teach her old student some new tricks. 

But then, Tirek noticed something was wrong. A wave of dark magic came from Catrina’s lips, and ran all over Tirek’s body. 

“Lady Catrina?” asked Tirek. 

The Cat Sorceress seemed sad, , but it was just for half of a second. Immediately after, her expression turned into a twisted smirk. 

“I have a plan to save myself, but I need someone to buy time for me. As much as possible. I’m terribly sorry, ‘my faithful student’, but this is goodbye for us.”

“But… I wanna be with you!” cried Tirek. “Please, I don’t want to face them alone!”

Catrina laughed at Tirek’s desperate cries. 

“Sorry, but all the times I let you enjoy my body, do you think it was because you’re good looking? Or that I cared about you? No, it was because I knew I would need you. Stay here, buy me time. That’s an order!”

The weight of Catrina’s magic command forced Tirek to kneel, and wait. 

“You betrayed me!”

“Of course I did. We’re villains, remember?” 

She headed to a side door, and turned to Tirek to blow him a final kiss before disappearing.

Tirek grinded his teeth, trying to fight Catrina’s magic. But she took him off-guard, and, she had always been stronger than him. What Tirek could do was nothing but a poor imitation of Catrina’s power.
But her power also paled compared with the power of Lumi’s and Bright’s machines. 

The main door opened, and the two most feared ponies in the world came inside the Throne Room.

“Tirek!” greeted Bright. 

“I heard you had a Tartarus of a time banging your teacher. Is that true?” asked Luminositè. “Seulement par curiosité.” 

Tirek cleared his tears, and charged his power on his horns. He was doomed, for sure. But, he won’t give up without a fight. 
With a roar, he shot a powerful beam to Bright and Lumi, who received it like nothing.

“Are you done yet?” asked Bright. 

Tirek grinded his teeth, and tried to smash the two ponies under his gigantic fists. They both stopped his attack with a single hoof.

“Please, listen Tirek.” said Bright. “We didn’t come to fight.”

“DIE!!” roared Tirek, charging his magic power on his two fists, and tried to punch them, and release an attack at the same tie.

The two of them received the attack, and, again, nothing happened. Their suits protected them from everything.

“Pal!” said Bright, threatening the centaur with a Tazer Gun. “We came in peace, really. But you are giving us no choice but zapping you if you continue like this.” 

“You’re going to kill me anyway! But I won’t go without a fight!” said Tirek. 

Patiently, Luminositè put a hoof on her forehead. “No, we’re not going to kill you. We haven’t killed anyone, on purpose, and we are not going to start now.”

Tirek stopped attacking, but he still watched carefully all of the ponies’ moves. “And what happened with the Storm King? Chrysalis? The moron of Crunch? YOU HAVE KILLED THEM ALL!”  

“No, someone else, something else, is doing it.” said Bright. “Whatever that is, is trying to blame us, so our families turn against us. We can stop it, we know how to detect it and prevent it to take another life.”

“But, in order to do so,” said Luminositè, “we need to install a new piece of equipment in your lands. With it, we’ll be able to save you from this impersonator.”

“You want us to trust you?!” asked Tirek.

“No, we want you to know we’re going to install something in your lands. We don’t need your permission, since we can do whatever we want, but, we have the courtesy to tell you first. That’s it.”

Tirek sighed.

“Okay, you know what? I believe you. If you wanted to kill me, you’ve done it as soon as you entered here.”

“At least you understand that much.” said Luminositè, rolling her eyes.

“Yes I do.” said the centaur. “However, you may have some trouble explaining the situation to Lady Catrina. She just escaped, saying she have a plan to save herself from you. I don’t know what she did or where she is, since she cursed me to buy her as much time as I could.”

“Well, you can explain this to her when she’s back.” suggested Bright. 

“You do it.” said Tirek.

“Fine, we’ll locate her for you, and explain the situation to her.” agreed Luminositè. She didn’t really cared. “Just tell us where she went.”

Tirek pointed a finger to the side door where Catrina escaped.

Bright and Lumi headed there, with their tracking devices ready, with Tirek following them closely. Finally they opened the door. 

And, as soon as they opened the door, Tirek fell on his knees, looking at the horrifying sight in front of him.

Catrina’s lifeless body was hanging from a beam, with a thick rope firmly wrapped around her neck. Right below her body, there was the chair where she climbed to hang herself.  

Tirek cried desperately. 
Maybe she stabbed him on the back, but she was still his teacher, and he appreciated Catrina. She took Tirek under her wing after his father kicked him out of his home. She taught him everything he knew, including the art of devouring life-force from others. 
And these last months they spent together would never erase from his memory. 

“Lady Catrina…” sobbed Tirek.

But then, Bright interrupted him. The damn brat sounded like he was commenting the weather.

“For the record, this time we had nothing to do with it.”
> Fifteenth Principle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Fifteenth Principle:
A hero should not let his/her pride to prevent him/her to do the right thing


“Okay, what are we looking at?” asked Watt, staring at the new flat screen that bright and Lumi have been installing for the last ten minutes. 

Unlike the other equipment they’ve been working on, this thing only showed random numbers and graphics. Of course the two scientists have offered to explain what the figures mean, and where they came from. But, the young heroes said that it wouldn’t be necessary as long as they know the basics. As long as they didn’t hear an alarm, they wouldn’t have to care about the thing.

“I don’t get it,” said Shadow Ninjutsu. “If this thing warns us about the danger, we just tell you? Why can’t we fight?” 

“You’ll do more than just tell us. You’ll help to evacuate the ponies around the area this thing shows up.” explained Bright Spark. 

“But, still, we’re heroes!” protested Shadow Ninjutsu, still not convinced.

“A hero’s duty is with people first.” scolded him Flurry Heart. 

“Yes, first for people, then, for glory.” added Elementary. 

“Besides, this thing is after Lumi and me.” said Bright. “And it won’t hesitate to hurt you to get us.” 

The League of Heroes didn’t say anything. Instead, they looked at the screen.

“Okay, as far as I understand, this thing is connected to the ‘drones’ you freed around Equestria. Right?” asked Flurry.

“Yes, and, if something triggers the Geiger Counters, we will be ready.” said Lumi, with a small nod. 

“The Changeling Hive, the Diamond Dogs territory, Storm Kingdom, Catrina’s Island, Mount Aris, the Dragon Lands, Griffonstone, Yak Mountains, and practically the entire world is under our watch.” said Bright, calmly, but Flurry could notice a hint of anger. “Next time this thing shows up, wherever it does, we’ll be there to stop it.”

Flurry Heart nodded. “I get it, you’re ready to fight this. But, shouldn’t aunt Twilight, my parents, and, Grannies Celestia and Luna have one of these too?”

Luminositè made an elegant shrug. “Ils devraient, but, we are still expeting our désolés.”

“Dudes, this isn’t cool!” scolded Watt.

Bright rolled his eyes. “For them, we are the ones behind the murders. No matter what, they won’t listen. So, as long as they don’t apologize, we don’t care what happen to them.”

Flurry preferred not to say anything. Like her problem with her parents, this was between them and their families. 
And, in case something happens, she and her League of Heroes had a complete brand-new system of underground trains that would help them to get anywhere in Equestria in no time. Also, at the time of truth, they knew Bright and Lumi wouldn’t let that anything happened to their families.

Bright and Luminositè went back to their grandparents’ and aunt’s house respectively. They both had a long day convincing both enemies and allies that they weren’t actually behind the murders, and only wanted to stop the impostor. Some of them believed in the two ponies, some of them didn’t, but they accepted them releasing the drones on their lands. Out of fear, of course, but they all ended up accepting.
Still, they were still a bit worried that someone would try something stupid, like what Tirek’s teacher did. They had enough trouble with this thing killing villains already, they didn’t need that the villains themselves helping it. 

Now they could only wait.

For the next few days, nothing strange happened. Bright and Lumi continued attending school like nothing happened. But, they were a bit upset because of the lack of progress. Their drones were watching for twenty-four/seven, but still nothing. 
Obviously, the murderer knew they were watching. That only made the situation even more frustrating. 

So, Bright and Lumi started working in worthless projects to distract them from the subject. 

And, of course they continued pissing off the Crown.

“Please, come on in!” greeted Twilight. She had promised a group of students that she would give them a tour around her castle to help them with their history report. “And, please, feel free to ask me every question you want, and…”

She froze when she recognized Bright among the group. “What are YOU doing here?”

He shrugged. “Helping them. They asked me to tell them about the defense system I installed in the Castle. Which weapons, and where they are. Also, a brief explanation of what they do.” 

Twilight glared at him. “You are not welcome here anymore.”

“And I’ll leave, as soon as I finish with them. After all, I made a promise, and I want to keep my word. 

The others looked uncomfortably at mother and son.
Noticing their stares, Twilight aimed a hoof to the kitchen door, and gave Bright a significant look.
And, as calm as he was, he nodded, and followed her inside.

“Okay Bright, what do you really want?” 

“Like I said, help them with homework.” Said Bright, uninterested. “But also, I had the small hope that at this point, you would had think things better, and realized I haven’t kill anyone. Neither Luminositè. Why can’t you trust us?! SMOOTHIE!”

One of the kitchen robots activated at its creator’s command, and began to prepare the requested drink. It opened the fridge, and took the fruit, yogurt, and ice. Then, it put it all inside its body, and, thirty seconds later, the machine opened its chest again, and Bright Spark took the smoothie with his magic.
Twilight sighed a bit nostalgic. Since Bright left, none of his machines have moved. They still obeyed Flash, but, after the incident with Bright, he argued with Twilight and left to Canterlot and stayed at the barracks. 

Finally, the lavender alicorn started crying. “Bright, I want to trust you, okay? But all this time, what you’ve been doing? Being incredibly cruel, and evil!”

“I am cruel, but only to punish evil!” answered Bright. “That makes me good! Mom, it’s only logical!”

“And there you are!” sobbed Twilight. “You almost have no feelings. And you’ve been getting worse with the pass of time. Just look at what happened with Grogar. First you were all worried, neurotic. A normal reaction, after realizing what you’ve done. But, when something else caught your attention, you got back to this cold, logical self of yours. Bright, this isn’t normal. And, yes, I thought that repressing your feelings finally made you lose control. Try to understand me, is not easy to be the mother of a crazy pony. Especially when is as gifted as you!” 

Bright punched the wall, angrily. “You are afraid of me.”

She took a deep breath, and fell on a chair, tired. “Bright, I’ve been afraid of you since you were ten, when you revealed your true personality to the world!”

Bright took a deep breath, trying to control himself. “Sorry for saving your lives back then!” 

Twilight shook her head, as tears ran from her eyes. “Bright, you don’t understand! You saved us, yes, but, how? By creating a weapon of mass destruction. And you didn’t seemed sorry or troubled by using it. Instead, you were fascinated by its power. How could you just stay there, watching? Why don’t you feel sorry for what you do to villains?”

“Why should I? If the roles were reversed, they wouldn’t be so kind, right?”

“Probably not! But you must show them that you are better than them!” cried Twilight.

“I show them I am better. I beat them up without any effort.”

Twilight sighed. “This is why I’ve always been afraid of you, Bright. You have no feelings. Or, you do have some, but, you barely use them. Instead, you drive yourself by this cold logic, and I’ve always wondered what will happen when this logic of yours drive you to conquer the world. Or destroy it.”

“That’s not how logic works…” said Bright, scratching his head. “It makes you do logical things, not stupid things.”

“It doesn’t matter! Your especial talent is to build your own power, and, because of it, you’ve become more powerful than anyone in the world. Sorry if I’ve hurt you, Bright, but, how do you expect me to feel about you?”

Bright took a deep breath, and took a sip of his smoothie as he tried to find the right words. “What about ‘proud’, mom? I am one of the two smartest beings in the world. I’ve always pursued knowledge, just like you. I followed your steps, and then, I made my own path. Your path brought you to princesshood, mine, to the weapon and technological industry.” 

“Precisely my point, Bright. Why weapons? And, why do you have to make them this destructive? And why do you have to test them on captured villains? What you do is not testing, is torture!!”

Bright grinded his teeth.  

“It’s never been about power. I use logic because, like you said, I barely have feelings. I do not understand ponies, because I have no empathy. But I understand cause and effect, and I understand rules based on them. I know I’m somehow incomplete, and, because of that I would never understand the world as I should. That’s why I use science, and logic. They allow me to understand what is around me, only, from a different perspective.” 

“But, if is not about power, why do you continue building insane weaponry?” 

“I’ve made other things. Like trains, devices that allow earth ponies and pegasi to levitate objects as unicorns. What else? Oh, jetpacks to allow other races to fly through the sky, and especial boots to allow them to walk in clouds. What else? Oh, right, I’ve automatized bureaucracy in almost every government office. Pocket devices that allow normal ponies to move the sun and the moon at will, but my Godmother doesn’t allow me to sell those to the public… the thing is, I’ve done other things rather than just weapons. But no, all you care about is the weapons I’ve made.”

Twilight sighed. “Fine, you’ve done a lot for Equestria, I give you that. But, again, what about your weapons? Why do you keep building them, each time more powerful? AND WHAT ABOUT THE VILLAINS YOU CAPTURE TO USE THEM AS GUINEA PIGS?!”

“I capture them only when they attack us first!” shouted Bright. “WHAT DO YOU EXPECT ME TO DO? TO TRY MY NEW INVENTIONS IN OTHER PONIES?”

He was trembling. And tears were running from his eyes. Real tears. “Don’t you know how hard is for me to keep control? I have something deep inside me, a compulsion, a thirst of knowledge. I need to create, I need to improve my creations, or… I don’t know what would happen. The madness exists deep inside me, and insists that I test my weapons over and over, until I am a hundred percent sure they work as I imagined at first.”

Bright trembled. “I need living subjects to test my things fully. But I cannot use ponies, because they are too weak, and they’ll die at the very first test. Then, there’s the fact that I love my family, and I do my best to make all of you proud. I cannot hurt a pony, because I know how much that would disappoint you.” 

“Bright Spark…” gasped Twilight.

The teenage colt shook his head. “Villains, on the other hoof, deserve what I do to them. They would do the same if they had the chance. But, I don’t target them because of that, I cannot care less. I do it because I need to keep the madness under control, and, since they are stronger than ponies, I can do whatever I want with them without worrying if they’re going to survive or not.”

He cried. “Every day is a struggle between me, and my inner madness. Every day I do my best to keep it under control… to stay at your side, to make you happy, and proud. But, you demonstrated my efforts mean nothing to you since you decided to believe I actually murdered someone.” He sighed. “What’s the point to keep struggling then? I feel betrayed, I… sad, angry. FRUSTRATED!” He sighed, regaining composure. “It would be a lot easier if I just surrender myself to my madness. That way I could just stop feeling like this. I would stop feeling. Period.”

Twilight cried. “Please don’t, Bright! I never tried to understand you, I was too afraid of what I could find. That was my greater mistake. I’m sorry Bright Spark, please don’t surrender… please…”

“I won’t.” assured Bright. “Because I love my family, and, my logic told me that it would be better if I capture whoever or whatever is behind this, and clear my name.” 

Twilight hugged her son. “I’m so sorry Bright.”

He hugged her back. “I’m sorry too. Apparently, my classmates left during our little exchange.” 

Twilight stroke her son’s mane. “It’s alright. I’m glad we talked, we needed this.”

Bright was not used to give affection, but this time, he considered appropriate. He slowly hugged Twilight, who hugged him back with her wings and hooves.

The two of them stayed like that for a few moments, when they both felt a powerful explosion of dark magic, coming from Canterlot. Also, Bright’s Geiger-counters went crazy.

“Bright!” shouted Flurry Heart form her transmitters. 

“I know.” said Bright, separating from Twilight. “Do what I told you. And mom, I need you to shelter everypony in Ponyville in your castle. As soon as everypony is inside, it would automatically rise the shields.”

“Understood!” said Twilight.

Bright made a small nod, and summoned a bunch of robots. “You, I reactivate my mother’s user. Do as she says.”

The machines biped in response to their creator, and turned to Twilight.  She only looked at her son, and for the last time, she gave him a quick hug. “Be careful, Bright. And do not lose control.”

“I won’t.”

Canterlot:

The Canterlot Royal Guard looked really different from how they looked five years ago.
First of all, they didn’t wear armor anymore, except for official acts where they needed to look impressive and elegant. Now, they used white jackets, with stars on the shoulders. White kepis, and that was it. 
Luminositè was the one who designed the uniform, so, it was practically indestructible. It offered more protection than regular armor, and allowed more mobility. 

The two soldiers guarding the castle entrance were happily enjoying the nice weather, when they heard hoofsteps approaching. They looked who it was, only to see former Prince Bright Spark, and Lady Belle approaching, wearing their power suits.

The soldiers exchanged a look, and aimed a hoof to the intruders, summoning a cannon. 

“Hold!” 

“Their Majesties were very clear. Since you refuse to leave Equestria, at least, you have forbidden the entrance to the castle!”

Luminositè extended her hoof, and her scarf wrapped around the two guards, and smashed them on the wall, creating a considerable crack. 
Then, Bright raised his right hoof, summoning his own cannon, and shot a plasma blast to the already unconscious soldiers. The explosion called the rest of the battalion’s attention, and they trotted and flew toward them, ready to fight.

Bright and Lumi high-hoofed, and ran to the battle.
Lumi’s scarf took the leader of the air force, and forced him down, smashing him on the ground, and then, he threw him to Bright. 
Bright Spark caught him on the air, and threw the soldier against the leader of the earth pony and unicorn squad. They both fell unconscious, as the two teenagers took a couple of silver spheres from their pockets.

“No… please…”

The teenagers threw the spheres to the guards, and they exploded. There was no way they could survive. 

A couple of new squads came to help, leaded by no other than Flash Sentry.

“You have two seconds to reveal who you really are.” said the pegasus. 

“Isn’t it obvious, father?” asked Bright.

Flash frowned. “You can’t fool me, you can’t be my son. Don’t you see nothing that you’ve done have worked?”

The two teenagers exchanged a confused look, and then, looked around.
The soldiers who they supposedly killed, were standing, unharmed. And ready to fight.

“Impossible.” said the fake Luminositè. 

“The Royal Guards support Prince Spark and Lady Belle, we believe in them, and we’ve been helping them from the inside.” said Captain Master Sword. “We knew that it was only a matter of time before you show up.”

“Also, they upgraded our equipment while the Princesses weren’t looking.” explained Flash. “They know who you really are, and, believe me, that means that you’re doomed!”

The soldiers prepared their weapons, and the machines did the same. 

Flash Sentry grinned, and raised a hoof. The soldiers under his command took their positions.

“We are NOT going to attack!” shouted Flash.

The fakers tilted their heads in confusion. “Wait, what?” 

“NOW!!” shouted Flash. 

The Royal Guard shot their hoof-cannons in the unison, creating a massive blast over the two impersonators. 

Their sensors went crazy, announcing the incoming danger. Something warned them that a single hit of those cannons would destroy them for good. Not to mention this was a combined blast. 
They made a quick backflip eluding the attack, but they were intercepted by a pegasi squad that shot them with their own cannons. They barely had time to create a force-field. However, the upgraded weapons passed through the force-field as it wasn’t there, and the explosion sent them to the ground. 

They both stood slowly, and tried to run, when Flash shot them again.

The blast sent them through the hallways, rolling. Leaving a trace of oil ponds, nuts, and screws.

Flash grinned. “Hurry, somepony go get the Princesses.”

“Commander Sentry…” 

“Just go!” shouted Flash, angrily.

“Do as he says.” confirmed Captain Master Sword. 

A soldier ran into the castle.

The two machines got back on fours as they could. Their bodies were starting to collapse.

Flash aimed his hoof again, this time switching from his plasma cannon to a laser, that he used to weld the two things together. 

“It’s over.” said the pegasus, coldly. 

Luna and Celestia rain into the scene. “Commander Sentry! What happened here? Why did you call us?”

Flash glared at them. “Oh, nothing important. Just, prove my son’s innocence.”

The two Princesses looked at Flash, confused. “Commander…”

“Oh, don’t ‘Commander’ me!” shouted Flash. “Look at this things! They killed all those people, not my son. THEM!”

Luna shook her head. “Commander, I get you’re upset, but this is not the time to talk about this!”

“No, on the contrary, it seems like is just the right time!” said a voice behind them. 

They all turned, to see Bright and Lumi, sitting on a couch, combing his mane, and painting her hooves respectively. 

Luna rolled her eyes, knowing there was no use arguing with them. “Fine, we were wrong. Do you want a written apology, or what?”

“Oh, yes, you are going to give us one of those. In a public event.” said Bright, coldly.

“Today at five p.m.” added Luminositè.  

Celestia sighed. “Fine, I promise once this is over, we’ll do as you say.”

Bright and Lumi nodded in agreement, and jumped from the couch, advancing toward the machines. 
Halfway from the machines, they both stopped, and activated their power-suits. Those things were impregnated with radiation, and they better take precautions. 

“Just what I thought.” smiled Bright. “You can’t take a ‘no’ for an answer, right, little bell?” 

Lumi shrugged theatrically. “Yes, why don’t you wait for the next generation? Eventually, somepony willing to claim the title of destroyer of worlds would come. We are not interested.”

Celestia and Luna frowned.

“Little bell? Destroyer of worlds?” asked Luna.

“Of course!” said Celestia. “The Silver Cowbell.” 

Bright examined the machines. “If I’m not mistaken, you managed to possess the two ‘Pretenders’ we send to Tambelon. Impressive.” 

The Silver Cowbell glared at them, from its two pairs of mechanical eyes. “Before Creation, it needs to be Destruction. And you must pay for what you’ve done! You killed Grogar, you killed my Chosen One! I need a Destroyer of Worlds, in order to protect the balance of the universe!”

“Dude, our world was in danger, and it was only natural for us to try to protect it. We won, get over it. Again, maybe you can find a new Champion for the next generation.” sighed Bright, exasperated. 

The two mechanical bodies began to chuckle. “Come on, you know you don’t fit anywhere but with me. You two are ponies, a race that have distinguished itself by gaining power from friendship, and love, and things like that. And, you, the descendants of the very incarnations of this values, are everything that ponies fear. A moron with no feelings, and a monster who finds pleasure by inflict insane amounts of pain in her enemies.” 

“It doesn’t matter.” Said Luminositè. “Je suis la fille of Rarity Belle. And, I will do anything to make her proud.” 

“What about you, Spark? You are incapable to feel complex emotions, such as love, and empathy. They think you are a monster. Why do you think they were so easy to convince you lost your mind? They are afraid Spark, you are way more powerful that anyone would ever be. They are the beings you are so willing to protect, but they think the world would be better without you. Why are you still willing to side with them?”

Bright shrugged. “Like you said, I am incapable to feel complex emotions. But love, is not complex. It reduces to the need of receiving, and giving affection, from specific persons. In my case, those persons are my family, and my only friend.” 

The mechanical doppelgangers glared at Bright Spark. 

“Your family? Their fear makes them try to control you, imposing you with their stupid morality over you, but you, you are beyond that, don’t you? Come on, tell us, what do you think about morality?” 

Bright smiled. “I don’t mind telling you. Morality is the chain of intellect.”

“And, the only way to free your full potential, is to get free from that chain.” said Lumi, indifferent. “So? Maybe we cannot do as we please every time, but, the censorship from our mères only makes our search for knowledge more challenging. And, we live for challenges.”

Bright laughed, agreeing. “Yes, it is super funny to find logical loops, and new forms to get away with what we want.” 

Celestia and Luna glared at the pair, but didn’t say anything about it. They were really used to them at this point.  

The mechanical copies tried to reason with them. “But you… you are… I just showed your families really think of you. You’re supposed to be against them by now!!”

“You know what is a complex feeling?” asked Bright. “Resentment. I was born incomplete, I have no capability to feel such thing. Instead, I have logic, and logic told me that I had to clear my name instead of go, and hurt my family because they didn’t believe me at first.” 

The entity possessing the two robots could not believe this. “Fine, if that’s how you like it, I’ll take everything from you until you accept your fate as the successors of Grogar!” 

It released the remaining of his power, and shot a magic beam against the Princesses.
Bright and Lumi jumped to protect the Princesses with their bodies.
Their protection reduced the impact at minimum, but they were sent at the other side of the hallway.

The dark energy separated from the mechanical bodies. The robots went flaccid, and the entity materialized in two Silver Bells, ready to join Bright and Lumi.

“I’m not touching this.” said Lumi.

“Neither do I. Stop bothering us.” said Bright.

Princess Celestia frowned. “Can’t you use your gadgets or something?”

Bright and Lumi nodded, and activated their especial cannons, shooting an energy blast in exchange for the one they received. The explosion sent the two Silver Bells backwards, and the two prepared for a second shot.

“Give up, or you’ll force us to get rid of you for good.” Warned Bright Spark.

“Get rid of me?” asked the entity, sending a small trace of energy to the mechanical bodies. They activated briefly, just the right time to roll a couple of silver spheres. “I AM A GOD! NOT EVEN YOU ARE POWERFUL ENOUGH TO DO SOMETHING AGAINST ME!”

The two Princesses, and the inventors watched the micro-bombs roll toward them, and everypony but Celestia jumped away just in time. Celestia, was more used to using magic, so she created a force-field that she thought it would protect her. But the micro-bombs were designed to fight Grogar. 
Her shield was destroyed as soon as the energy explosion touched it. Then, it reached Celestia. Its flames were hundres of times hotter than the Sun, and Celestia’s body burned immediately. So fast, that she didn’t had time to scream. But, the heat was only one part of the problem. The force of the explosion itself crushed her bones, and the fragments of the bomb penetrated her muscles, and organs.
All in less than two seconds.

“Godmother!” shouted Bright, running to the mare.

Celestia looked at him from the edge of her eye, but didn’t say a word. She couldn’t. She was dying, and there was nothing anypony could do about it. 

“No, Tia!!” cried Luna, kneeling in front of the white alicorn’s body.

“Godmother, godmother, please, answer me…” said Bright, desperately.

She briefly opened her eyes, and smiled at him. “Bright… Spark… I am so sorry. I should trust you… please…”

Bright screamed in anger, and aimed all his arsenal to the damn bells, and shot over and over.
The explosion sent away the Cowbell, but Bright continued shooting, even if the damn thing was long gone.

Luminositè stopped him. “Bright, there’s nothing we can do now.”

He fell on his knees. “What have I done?”

Luna, much to Bright’s surprise, embraced him under her wings. “It wasn’t your fault, Bright Spark.”

“I was the one who designed that bomb, I was the one I decided to not to intervene sooner because of my pride. I was the one…”

He couldn’t continue. He had never lost somepony dear to him before. And the fact that it was one of his inventions that did it, made it worse.

“I swear I’ll make that thing pay!” said Bright, crying. “I AM GOING TO FIND A WAY TO KILL A GOD!”
> Sixteenth Principle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Sixteenth Principle:
A hero is willing to do anything to protect his/her loved ones. Anything.


Twilight and Rarity ran desperately to the Castle.
After making sure every inhabitant in Ponyville was safe inside her castle, it wasn’t hard for Twilight to convince Rarity to join her to go to Canterlot. Since Bright’s and Lumi’s exile, Rarity was devastated. She understood, of course she did, but it hurt. The white unicorn felt like she failed as a mother not being able to help Lumi to control her ‘urges’. So, she accepted Lumi’s exile in silence, but she fell in a deep depression. 
It had been a while since Rarity have designed anything new, barely ate, barely spoke. All she did was sleep. 

That’s why she was so happy when Twilight told her that their kids were innocent. 

“I’m terribly sorry, Rarity!” said Twilight. “I shouldn’t involve you in this, I know how much you love Luminositè.” 

“No, Twilight, I decided to not to believe in my daughter. I need to see her, and apologize to her.” 

They arrived to Canterlot Castle, where Flash was already waiting for them.
Twilight stopped, not knowing what to say.
Since Bright’s exile, Flash haven’t talked to her. He was at Bright’s side, and did not forgive any of the Princesses for exiling his son. Especially his wife.  
Since that day, Flash left home, and spend all his time at the barracks.

“Flash!” called Twilight shyly. 

The pegasus glared at his wife. “You came.”

“Flash, I am sorry.” said Twilight. “I should believe in our son, but…”

“Yes, you believe in him now just because the faker showed its face.” said Flash angrily. “This whole crisis could be avoided if only you believed in him instead of thinking he lost control. Now…”

“I know I acted awful,” sighed Twilight. “I know I should know better, but Flash…”

Flash sighed, he really wanted to stay mad at Twilight, but, the current situation was really urgent. “Forget it, it’s good that you came.”

“You mentioned a crisis.” Said Twilight. “What happened? Is anypony hurt? How’s Bright? Is he okay?”

Flash sighed again. “Yes, Bright is okay. And, no, nopony is hurt. But, we lost someone.”

“You mean…”

“Bright is fine, but only physically. Psychologically, he needs all the support we can bring him.”

Twilight noticed the grim expression on everypony. “Flash, what happened?”

The commander shook his head, sadly. “Princess Celestia is dead.”

“WHAT?!”

The impersonators took control of one of Bright’s machines, and used their own weapons against him, against us. We were able to survive because of our new equipment. Bright and Lumi won, but, at the last moment, the impersonator threw a bomb, one of Bright’s bombs.”

Twilight shivered. “What?”

“She tried to use a force-field, but, of course, she was no match for Bright’s inventions. Especially a weapon designed to fight Grogar.”

Twilight let escape a tear. “No… Princess Celestia… no…”

“I’m sorry Twilight, said Flash,” embracing Twilight under his wing. “I know it would be difficult to accept, and… oh, I’m sorry Twilight.”

The lavender alicorn sobbed, but regained her composure. “You know what the worst part is? That you were right! This crisis could be avoided if only we trusted them.”

“If you need a moment…” began Flash Sentry.

“No, I need to see my son.”

Rarity followed them in silence, looking around, in the search of one specific pony. She finally spotted a shadow behind a column. Slowly, she approached.

“Luminositè?”

The figure behind the column turned, and, Rarity found herself wrapped in a beautiful scarf, softer than silk, that dragged her into a warm embrace from her daughter. Sobbing, Lumi nuzzled her. “Mère, oh mére!”

“Luminositè!” cried Rarity. “Oh, my dear, don’t you hate me? Do you forgive me for not believing in you?”

Lumi shook her head slowly. “There’s nothing to forgive, mére. You have no idea of how alone I felt. I thought hated me, I thought you didn’t want me at your side. I thought you were going to abandon me.” 

“But Luminositè, why aren’t you mad at me? I abandoned you, I decided to believe that you went out of control, and, I felt terrible, thinking I have failed you…”

They both embraced each other. “Mère, I’m so glad you don’t hate me. Oh, mére! Je t’aime more than anything in the world! that’s why I did my best to capture the real culprit, and prove you I am still worthy of your love.”

Rarity cleared her tears, and kissed her on the cheek. She would never be able to understand her, not to say actually control her, but she loved her child so much. And she would fight every single day for her daughter’s sanity. It was a lost battle, but, as a mother, Rarity would never give up. Never. 

“Luminositè, I swear I will never let you go, never again.”

“I’ve feeling so alone, mère. Aunt Sweetie is really sweet, but I need you. The time we spent apart, was, a nightmare.”

“Oh Lumi…” but Rarity noticed a spark of anger in her daughter’s eyes. She shivered. “Luminositè?”

She was grinning, slightly, but she was grinning. And it was never a good sign. “And, the one who made me loss your love for so long, will pay. Bright may be going through an emotional crisis right now, but, once he gets over it, he’ll be pissed off as never before. And this thing will pay. It doesn’t matter if it is a god.” 

Rarity shook her head. “Please, Lumi, as Bright helped you when you were little, you now help him. I have a bad feeling of how is this going to end.”

In the meantime, Flash and Twilight have reached the infirmary, where Luna was crying inconsolably.

“Princess Luna…” said Twilight.

Luna cried louder, as she ran to embrace the smaller alicorn. “Oh, Twilight Sparkle!”

“So is true. Princess Celestia is…”

“Not yet…” said Luna. “But she won’t make it to the night. The doctor said that all he can do is sedate her so she dies in her sleep. But she refused, she said she wants to stay awake at the very last moment.”

Twilight sobbed. “No… Princess Celestia…”

“You better go inside to say goodbye.” offered Luna. “Bright is with her too, he refuses to leave her side. I tried to persuade him that it wasn’t his fault, but, I cannot reach him. But maybe you can.”

Twilight and Flash hurried inside the room.

Bright was staring at his godmother, with an angered expression, as two streams of tears came from the corner of his eyes. It was the second time Twilight saw him like this. But Flash had seen this side of Bright before. When Twilight and the Princesses decided to exile him and Lumi, it was Flash who was there for Bright. He came to visit him at his grandparents’ house, and his son cried on his shoulder. Tears from frustration, not sadness.

“Bright Spark…” said Twilight.

Bright kicked a wall, and then, he stared at his hooves.

“Son…” said Flash, approaching.

The teenage colt kicked the wall again. “Why did I had to be born like this? WHY DO I HAVE TO BE ME?!!”

Princess Celestia agitated, and Twilight ran to her side. And Bright, sighed, and went silent.

“Bright, please, this isn’t your fault and you know it.” insisted Flash. “You know it!”

“I am a cornucopia of talent.” said Bright coldly. “I am a genius, I have no magic power, but, with my talent, I’ve been able to achieve things that all the magicians in history have died trying. I’ve built a whole legacy for the ponykind, from making equipment for the military, to revolutionize the transportation industry. All this time I thought I was a creator. But now…”

He repressed a scream. “I am feeling this thing, something I never knew before. I know it is guilt, from the definition.” He cried. “I’ve done horrible things. Robbing banks, profane tombs, kicking (Diamond) dogs, but I never hurt somepony who didn’t deserve it. My weapons were made to destroy our enemies, not somepony I care about.” 

Flash held him with his hooves and wings, as his son cried in silence.
Bright was trembling, haunted by the ghost of guilt. For someone who had never felt guilty before, it was too much to handle. 

“Let it go, Bright. It hurts, I know. But it will be worst if you try to repress it. Feel it, is difficult, but, it the first step in your way to redemption.”

Princess Celestia touched Twiligth with her hoof. Twilight approached her ear to her teacher’s mouth, and she told her something.
Twilight nodded, and turned to Bright. 

“Your Godmother doesn’t blame you.” said the lavender alicorn. “You are a genius, and she respects you for that. She says she should never be afraid of you, and the era of progress you brought to Equestria.”

Celestia mumbled another thing to Twilight’s ear, and she nodded. “Your Godmother says, ‘This is what the Silver Cowbell wanted. As long as you don’t give up, and become the destroyer of worlds, I don’t mind dying. I believe in you, Bright.’ And so do I. Please, Bright, you are a genius, you can find a way to prevent this thing win. Right?”

Suddenly, Bright looked at his mother, and godmother. 
His guilt slowly turned into something else he haven’t felt before, hate. Not just anger, but hate against the damn bell. They were right, he couldn’t let that hing win. He had to find a way to turn the tables, wasn’t he a genius, as his mother have said? 

He trembled.

“Bright, pain is something completely normal. Why don’t you tell us what you’re thinking?”

“It can’t win.”

Before Twilight or Flash could notice the dangerous look on their son’s face, he hurried to Celestia’s bed, and activated three of his robots. They took the alicorn’s bed, and shot to the wall, creating a hole, big enough for the bed to go through without problem. 

“Bright, what you are doing?”

“I am a genius, and I just got the solution for this. As you said, this bell cannot win. Seeing this as a normal pony won’t help Godmother. But seeing this as a genius will. I’m leaving to my lab immediately! As long as her brain and heart keep working, I have a chance to save her!”

The robots went to Bright’s underground tunnels as fast, but also as careful, as they could. Then, Bright activated his suit, and personal transport. 

“Bright, wait!” shouted Flash.

Bright looked back at his parents, who gasped at the madness, reflected on hi expression. “I’ll save her, no matter the cost. Even if it is my remaining sanity.”

Princess Luna got into the room, just in time to see Bright leaving.

“BRIGHT WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?”

“We couldn’t stop him, everything happened too fast.” Said Flash.

Twilight gulped. “He is willing to cross the line. As long as he can save Princess Celestia, he would do anything. And, I have a horrible feeling. If he succeeds, he’ll be lost forever.”

“I don’t get it.” said Princess Luna. “What is he up to?”

Flash Sentry grinded his teeth. His brain was working at its maximum, as he tried to unravel his son’s intentions. And, he shivered when he understood. “He will replace every damage organ for a machine. Princess Celestia would be more machine than pony when he finishes.”

They all paled at this perspective. 

“We have to do something…” said Luna.

Suddenly, Luminositè came in, looking more serious than usual. “He is at the lab already, at this point. And, knowing him, he may have activated all the security protocols.” She then offered a silver card to Flash and Twilight. “Here, this is my emergency key to the lab, Bright doesn’t know it exist, and it only works in my old toy house. It will nullify all the security measures that Bright installed.”

Also, she offered them her personal transportation. “Hurry.”

“Thank you, Luminositè. How can I thank you?” 

“Don’t let him fall to his own madness. I love him, as my best friend. And, believe it or not, I will not allow him to go completely mad. I am aware of how dangerous it is, after all, wer are the same.”

Twilight smiled. “Thank you.”

They jumped over the transport, and it automatically took them to Lumi’s old toy house. The only reason she kept it, was because it was her personal entrance to the lab. 
Without losing time, they inserted the card, and the elevator opened its doors.

The couple get in, praying that it wasn’t too late.





Celestia’s body laid over an examination table, as Bright turned his back on her, and observed several screens, with the blueprints of all the devices that would replace his Godmother’s body.
During his small trip from Canterlot to Ponyville, he had already designed and perfected this machines. Now all he had to do was to give the order to his other machines, and he could start restoring his Godmother.

“Bright…” called Celestia.

He stroke her mane. “Keep your strength, Godmother. Only the sixty five percent of your body was damaged, we still have time. Before you realize, you’ll be back on your hooves, stronger than ever. No one will ever hurt you again. I can even make sure you don’t remember none of this. Life will go on, as nothing happened.” 

Weakly, the white alicorn put a hoof on his godson’s mouth. “Stop it…”

Bright trembled. “Please, let me save your life.”

“That wouldn’t be life, Bright, and you know it…”

“That’s why you won’t remember. You don’t have to…” 

“Bright, please, you are a good pony, and I’m sorry that I believed otherwise. Don’t do this… I can tell for the look on your eyes, that there is no going back. Bright, you are blinded by pain, and I’m happy, because that means you do have feelings. But, if you do this, you’ll lose what still makes you a pony. I’m not worth it…”

“Godmother, please, I can save you…”

“Not like this. Let me rest in peace, let me become a reminder of what will happen if you let your madness to take control. I love you, my godson. Sorry if I turned my back on you. Let me redeem myself, let me become the anchor to your sanity. Don’t try to get rid of your feelings, embrace them. Your feelings are the only thing that can prevent you to become the destroyer of worlds.”

Bright fell on his knees, crying in silence. “Godmother…”

“Good bye, my dear Bright. I’m sorry.”  





Twilight and Flash got inside the lab, where they found Bright sobbing over Celestia’s dead body.

“Bright…” called Twilight.

“She didn’t let me do it. She said that, if I do that, it wouldn’t be life. She wanted me to embrace my feelings, to let her go in order to be a better pony and…

He screamed in anger, and sadness. 

His parents hugged him, and Bright cried himself to sleep.
> Seventeenth Principle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Seventeenth Principle:
If a villain push you to the limit, you put it in its place


That day, was a sad day for Equestria, the saddest day anyone could remember.
Ponies from all over Equestria, all dressed in black, flooded the streets of Canterlot to present their final respects to Princess Celestia.
And not only ponies, people from all races came to say goodbye, including several enemies, like Squirk, Queen Porccina, and even Tirek. They came to respect Celestia as an opponent, and they felt that the least they could do was to show up, and bring flowers to her grave. But, of course, first they asked for permission to the most powerful protectors of Equestria.

The line to the chapel was so long, that it even went out of the city. It was one of the darkest days in the history of Equestria. 

“Prince Spark, Prince Spark,” said King Thorax, bowing to him. “I am terribly sorry. I should never believe you were the one who killed my mother. You would never do something like this to her. I am so sorry, and, in the name of the hive…”

Bright Spark turned his back on him. “Leave me alone.”

Twilight looked at him, worriedly. 
First of all, that wasn’t actually Bright Spark, it was a ‘pretender’ robot, taking his place in the funeral. He was so devastated for what he supposedly did, that he did no come out of his lab. 
Lumi was at his side, comforting her only friend. 

Bright turned to his friend. “You know, Lumi? I need to build something. But, for the very first time in my life, I have no idea what.”

The sky-blue unicorn nodded. “Good. Last time you almost lost your mind. Also, we have to do this carefully. You cannot make a weapon to defeat a God of Destruction. He proved us that we need a better plan to defeat it.”

Bright sighed, but smiled. “I know. I was thinking in using our mothers’ approach. Sealing it. The problem is, how to do it for good.” 

Lumi nodded, and took a seat aside her friend. “You’re definitely not in your best shape, I’ll help you this time, even if this is not my cup of tea.”

Bright smiled, grateful. “You know? This whole thing reminds me when we were children, and tried to become villains. That time I spent countless nights trying to think in something to incapacitate alicorns without actually hurt them.”

“I remember.” said Lumi, nostalgically. “We ended up analyzing the Tree of Harmony to see if we could make a weapon that works like Harmony. We ended up making the Artificial Harmony Generator. Useful, but not as a weapon.”

“Except if you’re dealing with Discord.” said Bright. “But, maybe we can start with these data, and see what we can create.”

Luminositè agreed. “Okay, I’ll examine the remaining of the robots that thing possessed, and you study the Tree of Harmony Data. Alright?”

Bright nodded, and started to look for the files on his computer.
In the meantime, Luminositè pulled out a couple of especial sunglasses. They allowed her to study the magic signature of everyone, and everything. The glasses tracked the traces of magic, and compared with the database the two of them had been gathering since they were little. 
When she finished, she connected the glasses to her computer. She needed a better look of the data if she wanted to do something useful.

Bright eventually turned, and froze by the surprise.

“What?” asked Lumi, puzzled by her friends’ behavior. 

Bright pointed a hoof to his own screen. “Look at this, the readings we took from the Tree of Harmony five years ago.”

Lumi could not believe it. “They are similar.”

“Not similar, the same.” said Bright. “Okay, now I’m pissed off.” 

Lumi agreed. “We have a long night ahead of us.”


…


After coming back from Canterlot, Twilight and Flash came into their home wanting to see their son. But, what they found was the lab’s door, hermetically closed. 

Giving Bright’s current mental condition, this couldn’t be a good sign.

With no hesitation, they tried to get into the lab. Surprisingly, the door was open.
They got inside the elevator, and went down. And, as soon as the doors opened again, Twilight felt ten times stronger than before. 

“What is this?”

Flash looked at himself. He did not feel stronger, or anything like, but, he did felt peaceful, and, happy. In perfect harmony with the world, and with himself.  “Twilight, I have no idea.”

They hurried to see Bright and Lumi, who were working in a what it looked like a giant purple tower. The tower glowed mysteriously, with all the colors of rainbows. It felt like the… Tree of Harmony.

“I am afraid to ask, but what on Equestria are you doing, Bight Spark?” asked Twilight.

The boy smiled at her. “Today, I’m going to follow your example, mom.”

“What do you mean?” asked Flash Sentry.

“It feels like the first time we joined with the Elements of Harmony!” said Rarity, entering behind Twilight and Flash, who looked puzzled at her. “What? There’s an entrance at my house too!” 

“We’re planning to use the Power of Harmony to seal the bell.” explained Luminositè. “Remember when we replicated its power by creating a portable tool that anypony could use?”

“Yes, and Princess Celestia almost had a stroke when you showed her.” said Twilight with a sweat drop on her temple.

“Well, if we consider the real power the bell has, a small gadget is not enough to contain the bell’s power. Not even the tree itself! So, we are creating something that works the same way the tree does, but more powerful. Ten times more powerful. Not even the God of Destruction will escape from this one.”

Twilight smiled. “Okay, this is brilliant!”

“No pony else will get hurt because of this.” assured Bright Spark.

“But, you may talk to the tree first. It may have an advice for you.” suggested Lumi. 

The two teenagers nodded. That was the plan. 





The Silver Cowbell emitted a monstrous aura that prevented that anyone to approach. Of course, it could just deactivate it and attract a temporary bearer that could take it to its real targets. Spark and Belle.
It needed their power, their madness. It wasn’t like the Silver Cowbell was evil, no. It was only the one in charge of the cycle of life. Before creation there needed to be destruction. A world should end so a new one could start. That’s why it chose Grogar on the first place, it knew he was capable to destroy the world, and no one could ever face him. Well, it was a mistake.

Five years ago, it had met the two kids, when they came to study its other face, the Tree of Harmony. It talked to them, it took a small glance to their minds. It saw limitless potential, but, it never thought they would be powerful enough to defeat its champion. When he survived the atomic explosion, the Cowbell stopped worrying, if he was capable to live after receiving it directly, it was only a matter of time before he came back seeking for revenge. But then, it realized that Grogar was sick, and the cause, was that weapon. 

Of course, the Silver Cowbell understood that it was only natural that the living beings tried to protect the world, but, they defeated the one who shouldn’t be defeated. And the Cowbell could not allow that. They needed to take responsibility for what they did.

Yes, the Silver Cowbell will find a way to attract them, but it would have to wait. Trying to make the kids’ families to reject them was the wrong approach, and they were really pissed off. It needed more time to think a new strategy to make them join his side. 

And, maybe, I’ll just have to wait a bit longer. Their madness will eventually take complete control over them. 

Suddenly, a metallic claw took it. It knew that cold touch, it was one of their machines. What were they thinking?

They wanted to fight? Are they giving me a body so they can get rid of me?

It didn’t make any sense. It was a God, it couldn’t be defeated, but, it couldn’t release its power without a bearer. What was the meaning of this?
And then, the machine locked the Cowbell in an especial container inside its body. Then, it activated, it was a version of its other face’s power, Harmony itself. But no, this wasn’t just Harmony. It was something else, that somehow mimicked Harmony, and amplified ten times.

NO, THEY CANNOT LOCK ME WITH MY OWN POWER!!!

Suddenly, it felt how the six Bearers of Harmony were approaching to the Tree, followed by Bright and Lumi. Do they know? 





Bright, Lumi, and the Bearers arrived to the Tree of Harmony. Without a word, they bowed to the tree, so they could communicate with it.

“Hello, Tree of Harmony.” The six said in the unison. 

It’s a pleasure, my Bearers. Why did you come to see me? Is something wrong?

Rarity smiled to the Tree. “No, Tree of Harmony. But, my daughter and Twilight’s son have a problem with an ancient being, and they need your advice.”

The Tree of Harmony was puzzled, but, it extended two of its branches to Bright and Lumi. 
The two of them stepped backwards. 

“Guys, you are supposed to touch it in order to speak to the Tree.” said Rainbow. 

Twilight looked at her son, confused, but then, she noticed the look on his eyes, and shivered. This meant danger.

Bright smirked. “Hey, Hearts Warming Tree, you see, we have a problem with an ancient deity that wants us to become the destroyers of this world. Can you believe this?” His tone was completely impertinent, and rude. 

“Bright, you are being disrespectful to the Tree of Harmony!” scolded Twilight. But she felt unsure, she had a feeling that something was wrong. 

“Yes, didn’t you asked for its advice?” asked Fluttershy. “Show it the respect it deserves!”

At Bright’s and Lumi’s command, an army of robots, armed with light chain saws appeared. 
(Like light-sabers, but chainsaws)

“WHAT ARE YA’ TRYING TO DO?!” shouted Applejack, scared.

“We are turning this thing into fire logs.” said Bright, coldly.

“Oh, no, you don’t!” said Rainbow, charging against the colt. 

Bright extended a hoof to her, capturing Rainbow in a stasis force-field that came from one of his gadgets.
The cyan pegasus was not happy, and tried to fight her prison. “Hey, let me go! Do you have any idea of what you’re doing?”

“Bright, please, don’t you see this is the madness taking control?” asked Twilight, watching at the robots carefully. 

Bright turned at his mother. “This thing and the damn bell are one in the same. Believe it or not, this thing is the responsible of the death of my Godmother. And we are here to make it pay.”

“Two sides of the coin.” explained Lumi. “The Protector and the Destroyer. We realized after comparing magic signatures from the Tree, and the Cowbell. They are the same.”

“It wants to keep balance. It needs to destroy the world in order to build a new one.” added Bright. “After discovering its true nature, we could deduce why it was so insistent. We are the most powerful beings in the world, we can easily defeat anyone it chooses to destroy the world. That’s why it needs us, because there’s no one who can stop us.”

Rarity tried to embrace her daughter, explain to her that this was crazy, but the robots blocked her way. “Lumi, don’t do this!”

The teenager shook her head gracefully. “Nonsense. This thing made you believe I lost control, that I was not worthy of your love, mère. Il est temps que j'ai payé.

“Any last words?” asked Bright, touching a branch. 

I AM A GOD! HOW ARE YOU PLANNING TO DESTROY ME?

Bright grinned. “Same way we sealed your other face. This thing is charged with an artificial version of your own magic signature. The signature of the Destroyer of Worlds, just like the cage where we put the Bell is charged with the power of the Protector.”

Bright smiled, when he felt the fear coming from the branches. Don’t do this, please. You know what would happen to the world if you destroy me?

He pressed a button on his remote, and, right in fort of the Sisters’ castle, the tower he was working on appeared. Along with other ten, dispersed all over Equestria.

“Artificial Harmony Towers. Each one of these is ten times more powerful than you.” said Lumi, with half a smile. “You are not necessary anymore.”

“BRIGHT, LUMI! STOOOOP!” shouted Twilight, scared of what she was seeing.

“Luminositè, please, if you do this, the madness will win. You are not mad, Lumi, you can fight it!”

Twilight struggled against the machines, trying to reach her son, before it was too late.

A small branch of the Tree of Harmony wrapped around her hoof. Don’t let him do this, please! All I wanted to do was to fulfil my duty. The world needs to end in order for a new one to start!

Twilight gasped. “So, is it true? You are also the Silver Cowbell?”

The other Bearers turned to Twilight.

“What?” asked Pinkie Pie. 

“Is it true?!” insisted Twilight. 

It is true, but…

Two tears ran from Twilight’s eyes, s she grinded her teeth. “I trusted you. We trusted you.”

“Twilight!!” called Applejack. “They are telling the truth? Is the tree the same than the bell?”

Twilight nodded. 

Rarity looked at Lumi, who nodded too. “Mère, I am furious, I admit it. Not as angry as Bright, but this has to stop. It won’t give up until we join it as its messengers of death. And we cannot allow it.”

Rarity sighed. “I guess you’re right, but…”

“We took responsibility.” said Bright. “That’s why we replaced the Tree with something better. Something more powerful.”

And what about the Destroyer? If there’s a Protector, there needs to be a Destroyer! Pleaded the Tree. Think in the Balance of the Universe!

Bright shook his head. “No. You tried to force us to join you, okay, we understand your reasons. But then, you refused to accept a ‘no’ for an answer, alright. Annoying, but, we understand. And finally, you killed my Godmother. Now, I’m pissed off. This is your punishment, this world will last forever. There will be no more destroyers.”

The Tree of Harmony extended its branches to Bright. You are no one to decide any punishments! You are a mortal, you are…

“I am one of the smartest persons in this world, I can do whatever I want.” 

The robots prepared their chainsaws, when Lumi called. “Wait!”

They froze in place, as the robot who have captured the Cowbell approached. Lumi grinned. “I want it to see how we get rid of its other half.”

At her command, the robot who had the Silver Cowbell inside appeared from behind the other robots. 

Bright pressed a new button on his remote, and the robot flew to the sky.

“Where is it going?!” asked Rainbow Dash.

“I put it in orbit. That way, no one would over reach it, no one would ever replace Grogar. There won’t be a destroyer of worlds. Not anymore.”

The Tree of Harmony trembled in fear.

Bright shrugged. “You shouldn’t piss me off. I am a genius, I always win.”

He turned to his robots. “Finish him. Slowly.”

The chainsaws started to cut down the branches, one by one. The power of Destruction allowed them to cut through the crystal tree with no effort.
It moved its branches as they were tentacles, in a desperate attempt to protect itself from the attacks. But the machines cut all the branches, and they started with the trunk.
There was no more fighting.
Bright grinned, as the machines cut through the trunk deliberately slow. 

Finally, the last bit of the Tree was chopped down. Now there was nothing but Bright’s and Lumi’s machines to protect the world. But also, to threaten it. 

“Okay, who’s hungry?” asked Bright.

“Just like that?” asked Pinkie Pie. “You practically destroyed a god, and that’s all you have to say?” 

“It’s over, isn’t it?” asked Luminositè.

“Besides, the Tree started. We just had enough.” explained Bright Spark. “And, you said it’s a God, it cannot be killed. All we did was to incapacitate it definitely.”

The Bearers of Harmony sighed. There was no use to argue with them. 

Suddenly, a white light surrounded the two inventors, and, when they recovered their senses, they were before a pony they thought they would never see again.

“Godmother?” asked Bright.

Lumi made a small nod. “Princess Celestia, what a surprise. Is it time for the Holy Court?”

Celestia sighed deeply, and nodded. “I hope you’re proud of yourselves. You just got into trouble with the Higher Ranks.”
> Eighteenth Principle:
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Eighteenth Principle:
A hero is always ready to protect his/her loved ones. Even form him/herself


Celestia guided Bright Spark and Luminositè through the infinite whiteness. And the two of them could tell that she was scared. And angry. But mostly scared. 
But her anger was not directed to the two teenagers but to the Tree of Harmony. 

Celestia trusted the Tree and thought that as long as it existed, Equestria would be safe. But when she died she learned the horrible truth about the Tree. That the Tree was only one of two faces, and its other face was responsible of her death. And all because it tried to force her godson into becoming the new Destroyer of Worlds. 
From her point of view, the damn thing got what it deserved, but the kids would pay for what they did.

“Bright, Lumi, form this point you’ll be on your own.” explained Celestia when they reached certain point. “I’ll be at your side, but I am forbidden to intervene. Take care, and whatever it happens, do not get cocky. I’m begging you!”

“Take it easy Godmother, we’ll be fine!” assured Bright Spark, calmed as he was. He also seemed, happy. Really happy and unworried. 

“Wi, Sa Majesté Bright and I can handle the Gods or whoever in charge to judge us.” said Lumi. And as Bright’s, her tone was also calmed and joyful. As they didn’t realize the kind of problem they were.

But Celestia didn’t have time to think about it. 
Suddenly she felt a huge pressure coming from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Hundreds of powerful and oppressive presences made two teenagers to stay alert. 
But when they realized that the emptiness continued empty, they relaxed.

Only Celestia remained tense, waiting for the trail to start.

Suddenly, a bodyless voice resounded all over the whiteness. “You seem calmed. Too calmed. Why? Don’t you two realize the situation you’re in? Why are you so relaxed?”

Bright shrugged. “You should have a mentality like ours to understand. You see, we never can stop thinking. All we see trigger our minds. We are constantly analyzing, calculating causes and effects.”

“And since there is nothing here, we can finally relax. I’ve never being alone with myself, and I find myself dark and twisted. Kind of amusing if you ask me. Emptiness is a bliss.”

“Let’s finish this!” sighed one of the voices. “You two managed to stop the cycle of life. The destroyer of worlds is now trapped, unable to recruit a new champion to end the current world for who know how long. Maybe eons. And, to make things worse, you practically killed and replaced its other half.”
 
“This is the first time in history, all the histories, we have to deal with something like this.”

Bright raised a hoof. “If you allow me to say something, we only act under provocation. We defeated the Destroyer of Worlds, but, is it really that bad? Is only natural for us living beings to want to protect the world we’re living in.”

“Yes!” added Luminositè. “Also we don’t blame the Bell for trying to recruit us after we defeat Monseur Chèvre. The little bell spent years trying to find a champion, I guess. But it didn’t take ‘no’ for an answer, and tried to force us to accept.”

Bright nodded. “It set a trap for us, but we didn’t fell, okay, we were willing to let that pass. But when it came and used our own technology to put our loved ones against us, and then kill my Godmother was cross the fricking line.”


Lumi hugged Bright Spark. “Not to mention it almost made this guy to fell into madness entirely. Was it really that hard to wait for another champion? We have no interest in becoming immortals, it could destroy the world once we were out of the scene.”

“We admit it, the destroyer of worlds overdid.”
 
“We would punish him, but you already did that.” 
 
“We are forbidden to intervene in the mortal realm, but we cannot ignore what you did. You had broken the balance of the universe.“


“Let’s go straight to the point!” said Bright, annoyed. “What the hay do you want?”
 
“We cannot risk that you two make things worse, but rules are rules.”

“So we are willing to bend them for you.” 

“What do you mean?” asked Lumi.
 
“For the first, and last time, we’ll interfere with two living beings. Bright Spark, and Luminositè Belle, we are willing to cure your madness.” 

Lumi gasped. “You mean, take the ‘urges’ away?”

But Bright seemed more offended by the offer. “You mean take our ‘genius’ away?” 

“No, your I.Q. will remain the same, but you will be able to feel like any other pony. Being able to have empathy, to make more than a single friend. To not to be feared by your own families.”


Bright crossed his hooves. “What if I don’t want to quit my madness? What if I chose to remain a sociopath?” 

Celestia face-hoofed.

“Bright, stop! Don’t you realize they are giving you the chance to stop?” 

“It’s okay Celestia, we’ll take it from here.”


“Think about it, Spark. There’s no Destroyer of worlds anymore. And he was the most powerful rival you would ever face. Then what? The only thing that kept you relatively under control after Grogar’s death was him. But he is no longer able to do anything.” 

“You defeated a god, Spark. There’s nothing left for the two of you. Now you’ll eventually fall into madness. What do you think that would happen? No one can stop you now.”

Lumi put a hoof on Bright’s shoulder. “We’ll do the bell’s work even if it’s unintentional. Bright, I am a time-bomb. And as long as it doesn’t change, my mère is in danger. I would never do something to hurt the pony I love the most, so I’ll accept before it’s too late.”

Bright sighed. “You know this is a trick, right?”

“So? Sooner or later something will happen.”

Bright finally agreed. “Fine. Just do it quickly.”

Celestia put a hoof on his other shoulder. “I am proud of you Bright Spark.”

“You know this is a punishment, right Godmother?” asked Bright. “They are planning something. I can’t figure what but they’re definitely up to something.”

“Bright, come on! You can trust the gods!” said Celestia. “Right?”

But the gods proved Bright to be right. 

“You are too clever for your own good Spark.”
 
“My own good? You mean your good.” said Spark.
 
 “Don’t worry, after we cure your madness, we’ll do nothing to you.”
 
“Most likely you will be the ones who’ll decide your own punishment.” 

Bright looked at Lumi. “Are you sure you want to trust them?”

“Is not like we have any choice. If they can bring us here, they can do anything to make us accept. Just like the Tree.”

“But this time they won’t underestimate us.” sighed Bright Spark. “Fine, fine, just make sure to make it fast.” 

“As you wish.”

A white light surrounded the two geniuses, as they vanished out of the divine plane of existence.

“Spark is dangerous, he really is. It is a relief that he ended up accepting.”

“What are you going to do with him?” asked Celestia. 

“Nothing. As we told Spark and Belle, they will be the ones who decide their own punishment. Now it’s only a matter of time.”

“I give them ten minutes. Maybe half an hour.”





Bright Spark and Luminositè opened their eyes, only to realize they were at the Castle of Friendship right in front of their mothers.

“Bright Spark!” 

“Luminositè!”

Alicorn and unicorn hurried to hug their children.

“Are you two alright?”

“We were so worried about you. Right after they chopped down the Tree, you two just disappeared and, aren’t you two in trouble with the gods or something?” 

The two teenagers exchanged a worried look, and began to shake uncontrollably.

“What’s going on?” asked Twlight.

Bright looked at Twilight and Flash. “Mom… dad…”

Flash approached to his son along with Twilight, as Rarity hugged Lumi. 

“What’s going on?” asked Rarity. “There’s something wrong?”

The girl was crying. “Mère… they… they… they cured our madness. They…”

“What do you mean with ‘they cured your madness?’” asked Twilight.

Bright Spark shook his head as he tried to process the new emotions overflowing him. Guilt, regret, and more guilt. Everything was new for him. For the very first time, Bright was looking back at everything he had done under a new light.

“They said it was necessary, that we will becoming the new destroyers of worlds if we continued like this. And now…” 

Twilight smiled happily. “Bright, that’s wonderful! Don’t you realize? Now that you are a normal pony, we can start over. I can start teaching you about the Magic of Friendship now that you are able to understand it.”

Lumi fell on her knees. 

“Luminositè?” asked Rarity, worried. 

“No… I cannot stop thinking in everything we’ve done. The villains we foalnapped, torturing them to exhaustion. I enjoyed their pain and suffering. What kind of pony I was?”

“We forced Catrina to hang herself!” said Bright. “What is this feeling? Why my heart hurts and feels so heavy?”

Flash wrapped his son under his wings. “Bright Spark, what are you feeling now is the weight of guilt. But we are here to help you bear it until the end. Right Twilight?”

The Princess nodded. “Of course, I’ll teach you how to deal with past mistakes and accept the weight of your actions. From now on, you’ll be my number one priority, my son. I’ll take a break from my Princess duties to take care of you, I swear.”

Same for Rarity, “Lumi, you and I are going to take a long vacation. Three months at least. We’ll travel around the world to talk about us, and nothing but us.”

The two teenagers continued sobbing uncontrollably, until Bright broke the family embrace and turned to a drawer. 

“I knew they were up to something. Very well, let’s finish this.”

He pulled out a jar full of metallic marbles. 

“Mixed fruit smoothie!” he commanded to his robots.

The machines brought him what he asked.
Then Bright put one of the marbles on his mouth, and swallowed it with some help of his smoothie.
Once he was sure he swallowed the marble, he turned to Lumi seeming doubtful.

“Sorry my friend, these are the actions of a coward. I don’t know what you’re going to do but, I think this is good bye for now.”


Lumi shook her head. “No Bright, you are right. There’s no way we can live like this. Dollies, tea!”

The tiny androids brought her a fresh teapot and two sugar cubes.

Lumi elegantly dissolved the sugar in her cup of tea and then took a tiny sip to help her swallow the marble.

“What are these?” asked Rarity, looking at the jar.

Bright turned to his parents and hugged them.

“I love you two. I always have. Even if I didn’t tell you that often. I’m so sorry.”


Lumi also hugged Rarity and nuzzled her. “Mère, this is goodbye. I am sorry, but you must understand, we have too much blood in our hooves. Too much for a normal pony to live with. Luckily for us, we weren’t normal ponies. Until now. This was their plan all along.”

“Bright, what are those things you swallowed?!” shouted Twilight, paling. 

“Explosives.” said Bright, turning to his robots. “Don’t let anypony follow us until it’s done.”

Six machines towered over the terrified ponies, as Bright and Lumi went to the other room, and locked the door.

“Are you sure about this?” asked Bright.

“Wi. There’s no other way. But before we do it, let me kiss you.”

“Lumi?”

“I always liked you, is no big deal.”

Bright sighed, but smiled. “Together until the very end.”

They kissed and finally Bright took a remote from his pocket.
And after exchanging a last look with his best friend, he pressed the button.
> EPILOGUE ONE
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


EPILOGUE ONE:


The day was gray and cold, matching the mood of Princess Twilight, and her husband Commander Sentry. The two of them were devastated. 
But Rarity felt the worse of them all. 

And none of them wanted to know anything from anyone. But they had to be there when all Equestria presented their last respects to their children. 
Luckily Princess Luna volunteered to preside the ceremony, allowing the three parents to stay only for the necessary. But it was hard, and they couldn’t keep composure.

One of the hardest moments for them was when the entire Royal Guard decided to honor the two kids as they were war heroes, showing up to the ceremony with their gala uniforms, saluting the coffins synchronized, and shooting a cannon for fifteen times for each kid.
Cadence and Luna had forbid them to do so though, saying that Bright Spark and Luminositè Belle weren’t even soldiers. They weren’t even old enough to join the army. But the soldiers insisted to do so since they owed too much to the young inventors.
Thanks to their technology they were able to protect Equestria more efficiently than ever. And both of them took care of the biggest menaces personally.

They would be missed. 

In other hand, an army of fashion designers and models appeared with their best dresses and suits, all in black, and one by one bowed before Lumi’s coffin. Even Suri Polomare was between them despite the fact that the girl never missed a chance to terrify her. But in the end of the day, Lumi have gained her respect. 

Then, all the equestrian academic society came to say their final goodbyes to Bright Spark. Especially engineers and representatives from the industry who received help from the young colt. From simple stuff like assistance to solve a math problem to the construction of new machinery to make production faster. He was always willing to help, and to show off his brilliance to the world.

Maybe their funeral wasn’t as crowded as Celestia’s, but still hundreds of people showed, from all corners of the world to say good bye to Bright Spark and Luminositè, who would be remembered because of their legacy of revolutionary inventions.
Very few people knew about their dark side. 

And seeing how loved they were for everyone was the hardest part for the heartbroken parents.   

But when it finally ended, they returned home to help each other to deal with their mutual pain. Twilight made tea for everypony. She haven’t made it for a while. The tea and all of the housework were made by the machines.
But after seeing them cleaning what was left of their creators, they proved to be heartless pieces of metal that nopony wanted nearby anymore.

“I know this is not the time, but sooner or later we’ll have to dispose of that horrible place.” said Flash, looking at the door of the laboratory. 

Twilight nodded slowly. “Tomorrow Flurry and her friends will help us to condemn it for good. I wouldn’t last a minute there.”


Flash agreed, knowing she was right. He felt the same way. He could barely deactivate the robots who served around the castle. He just wanted to get rid of the machines. They reminded him of his son. His beloved son.

“You know?” said Rarity out of sudden. “I’m glad they were able to take the Tree of Harmony with them. I just wish they had taken more Gods.”

“Rarity!” said Twilight, frowning.

“Oh come on!” said Flash. “Rarity is right. The damn gods knew what would happen. They knew that as normal persons, they wouldn’t be able to live with what they’ve done.”

“But Flash, you know they did wrong… you know they did harmed other over and over…”

“Every day they struggled with themselves, desperately trying to restrain the monster inside them. Maybe they hurt villains, but they made sure they did it only when they deserved it. If they didn’t do that, who knows what would happened to the ponies. No, they died trying to protect us… from them”

Rarity sobbed, fighting to hold back her tears.

“They were just children, but had more blood in their hooves than all of our enemies together. I hate to remember them that way, but I cannot close my eyes to the truth. You are right, Flash. They knew that as normal ponies, they would never be able to live with themselves. They just wanted them to disappear, they saw them as monsters… choosing to ignore their struggle with themselves.”

Twilight didn’t say anything else. 
She realized that her husband and her friend were right. Why did the gods decided to cure their children’s madness in the first place? They killed one of them… so instead of punish them they decided to go and cure their madness? 
It was a trap. This was the plan all along.





At the next day, Princess Geek of all Comics and her friends showed up at first hour.
Without a word, Twilight pointed a hoof to the lab’s door. And also, without a word, the geeks stepped in. 

“Are you sure this is safe?” asked Light Spectra to Flurry.

“Well, they did built us our ‘super-secret lair’” said Flurry, emotionless. “I guess it won’t be that different.”

“But what if they had a security system or something?” asked Beat Box.

“But he would never harm a fellow pony.” assured Flurry Heart. 

“Who knows… those two were always scary.”

Flurry sighed, and leaded her friends into the small elevator.
The lights of the laboratory turned on as soon as the young heroes made a step in.

At Flurry’s sign, they began to look for weapons, remote controls and command consoles. Everything that could possibly activate and endanger ponies. 

Dinky was checking on Lumi’s fabrics, when she stepped a remote, pressing the button. She gasped, but nothing happened.

Flurry smiled at her friend, trying to calm her down. “Remember that their things only answer to their DNA. No one but them could ever use the things in this place.”

And, to prove her point, she took one of the many remotes and pressed the button. “See? Nothing happens!”

But then, one of the flat screens at the laboratory activated, showing Bright and Lumi.

“Hey cuz!” said Bright’s recording, speaking in his usual unworried tone. “If you’re watching this, it means we are dead. Bad luck I guess…

Tears began to flow over Flurry’s eyes, not believing she was looking at her beloved cousin one more time.
Light Spectra embraced her with his wings. Flurry accepted his friends’ contact, and soon enough Beat Box and Dinky joined in. 
The worse part was the tone they were speaking. They weren’t afraid or sad. They sounded somehow… resigned.

“Yeah, Monseur Chèvre ended up being too much for us to handle the second time.” added Lumi. “It was to be expected, this time we didn’t have the element of surprise on our side. But we are not sad, not at all. We’ve been preparing for this fight for years, and we’ll make sure our deaths worth it.”


Bright nodded, thoughtful. “The thing is, we decided to record is because we’re not sure that we can defeat Grogar a second time. So, in case we don’t survive, we want to give you this place. If our sensors indicate that our biometrics have gone to zero, the lab is programmed to automatically recognize you as its new owner.”


Said that a machine approached to scan Flurry’s eyes, and tongue. Then it biped.

“The process is complete.” Said Luminositè’s recording. “From now on you can use this place as you wish. Everything is yours, except for my fabrics. Give those to mère, please. As for the other things, you can use it, throw it away, or destroy it. Everything is yours, so whatever you decide is fine.”

The doors opened, revealing shelves with instructions manuals for all the equipment storage in the lab. Manuals that contained simple instructions of how to operate or dismantle the machines. Luckily the machines were programmed to do their own maintenance so Flurry wouldn’t have to worry about that.
Now, Flurry had complete control over the power sources, automated factories, weapons and gadgets.

Flurry sobbed. 

“What I don’t get, is why they said Grogar? Didn’t they defeated him long ago?”

“Obviously, this message was recorded when they received Grogar’s invitation long ago.” explained Beat Box. 

Flurry sighed. “It doesn’t matter. Nothing else matter.”

She was thrilled that they chose her to continue their legacy. But she was also furious for how casual they looked in their message. Okay, they were still mad when they recorded it, but still it was hard to understand how they could speak so casually about their imminent death. 
Flurry was furious to find out that Bright and Lumi cared about their lives as much as they cared about everything. Almost nothing. 

Flurry cleaned her tears. “You really were heartless, until the very end, didn’t you? And then you proved that you were nothing but cowards… Then, why do I miss you so much? Luminositè… cousin…”

She couldn’t hold it for much longer, she began to cry. “I’m sorry guys… I can’t help you. Not like this…”

A printer turned on, and printed an old family picture. Light Spectra took it, and approached to his friend.

“Hey Flurry…”

“What do you want, stupid?” asked Flurry Heart.

Light Spectra ignored the insult and showed her the picture. It was taken five years ago, when Flurry was living with her aunt and uncle. It showed Bright, Twilight, Flash and Flurry in a family hug, smiling to the camera. It was Flurry’s farewell party, when she was finally going back to the Crystal Empire.

Flurry smiled at the picture and then to Light.

“Thank you. Sorry I was rude to you.”

“It’s okay, you lost somepony important.” smiled the pegasus. 

A second photo was printed. 
It showed Lumi and Rarity having tea together. 

“Hey, nopony activated that. What’s going on?”

Beat Box shook his head. “Don’t you see? This is their way to tell us that they are fine. That they finally repose in peace.” 

Back in the castle, Flash and Twilight were waiting for the teenagers to finish.

The doors of the elevator opened, and Flurry appeared giving her aunt and uncle the photograph. She smiled at them.
Twilight and Flash observed the photograph for a few seconds, and then smiled back at their niece. There was no need to say anything. Bright was fine, and now his loved ones knew it. 

It was a relief.





As for Rarity, she was quite surprised to see the door of her daughter’s toy house opening. 

Light Spectra, Beat Box and Dinky appeared, carrying a big package.

“Don’t worry. That door would be condemned soon. We just came to give you something.” 

They gave the picture and the fabric to Rarity, who smiled and hugged them. The teenagers didn’t say anything, instead, they allowed her to hug them as much as she needed.

Half an hour later, the group reunited with Flurry at the train station.

“Okay, now what?” asked Beat Box.

“Bright’s robots are transporting the important equipment to the Geek Kingdom already.” explained Flurry. “I guess we have a lot to study if we want to make good use of it. That’s what my cousin would have wanted.”


“Well, they wanted that you use their equipment as you wish.” 

Flurry smiled. “That’s why. I promise my cousin that I’ll prove him that he was right to leave his equipment to me.”
> EPILOGUE TWO
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


EPILOGUE TWO


Rarity Belle yawned. She had been working the whole night in her new design. It was a hard and tedious work, but in the end it worth it.

She was eighty eight years old, but Rarity was more active than ever. And her name was still relevant in the fashion industry. And that was because Rarity never stopped working. She was always creating new designs, doing her best to make a work of art that would astonish everypony who see it. 

Rarity gave her new dress a last look before going upstairs to have a good rest.

And as always, she stopped right before her daughter’s room. 

With the pass of years, Rarity had never overcome the loss of her child. 
Despite all her psychological issues, Luminositè was an excellent daughter. She may had been the most dangerous pony in the world, but Rarity knew the internal struggle Luminositè went through every day of her life. A daily battle against herself to not to lose control and release her ‘urges’ over other ponies. All because the love for her mère.

And, as usual, Rarity sighed holding back her tears. “The best and the worst thing that could ever happen to you was to meet Bright Spark, isn’t that right, my love?”

With that Rarity went to sleep. It was the same every night. 

Rarity’s nights were long and silent.
During the day, Rarity had her work to forget about her sadness. But at night Rarity had no choice but listen to the silence and feel the emptiness of her heart. 
Ponies said that Rarity’s dressed reminded them of tears. Because they were. She turned her sadness into beautiful designs, and the ponies who wore it became living monuments to Luminositè. 

Loneliness was too much to handle, but Rarity promised to herself to keep going, and live as many experiences as she could for her, and Luminositè. During all those years she traveled around the world, designed, and extended her brand beyond species. She did all the things she always knew Luminositè could do if it wasn’t for her decision. 

As she had been doing for the last sixty years, Rarity took a pill to help her sleep, and waited for it to take effect. Pray? Ridiculous. She knew that the gods were real, but she hated them for what they did to Luminositè. They took her daughter away, and Rarity hated them for that.

Rarity closed her eyes, and allowed the darkness to swallow her consciousness. 

The alarm clock awoke Rarity.

“Ahuuuum… good morning Equestria.”

She went out of her bed and activated her automated bathtub, created by Luminositè. The tab opened by itself, and as she allowed the bathtub to fill, she went to the kitchen to make some coffee. 
Much to her surprise, in the kitchen she found small dollies dressed as her daughter making breakfast. 

“No, no, no… I throw you away ages ago! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?”

Elegant but firm steps called Rarity’s attention.

“Qui est là? What’s the meaning of this? Who had broken in to my home?” 

Rarity shook her head in disbelief. “Luminositè?!”

The young mare’s jaw dropped. “Mère? Is that really you?”

Lumi ran to hug her mother, as she began to cry. “Mère, oh mère! You have no idea how much I’ve missed you! Oh mère, I’m so glad to have you back!”

Rarity could only stroke her daughter’s mane. She didn’t undersetood what was going on, but she was really happy. It wasn’t an illusion. She recognized her Luminositè’s contact. Her scent, her warmth. 

One of the dollies gave a mirror to Rarity, where she took a good look of herself, and nodded. She understood now.
Instead of a silver-maned mare with a wrinkled face, she saw a white mare in her late twenties with bright purple mane. 

“I see. My time have come.”

“But it’s okay mère. You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.”

“Not as much as I missed you. Oh, Luminositè, I have so much to tell you…”

“Me too, mère. I love you.”

“I love you too, Luminositè.”





Twilight stretched her limbs tiredly when she was awaken by the sun on her eyes. A new day was starting, and as always, she had lots of work to do. She had to classify the library’s new material, read, and such.

She was enjoying retirement, but things had become boring since Flash passed away a couple of years ago. Well, she still enjoyed the visits from her niece’s kids, but they only did it twice a month. The rest of the days were monotone. 
She loved children, but still she and Flash have decided they couldn’t have another kid. After what happened with Bright Spark, they agreed that their hearts couldn’t go through something like that all over again. And also there was no day that she didn’t missed Bright Spark.

All the books of physics and mechanics that were on her library reminded her of Bright. Also the magic text books. She always reminded of how Bright liked to learn new spells and find the way to replicate them with his machines. 

Twilight liked to think of those days when the two of them stayed at her library, enjoying each other’s company as they read. 

As for Flash, he missed the times when he and Bright spent time together. Those times, Bright stopped being this cold and calculating being to turn into a kid having a good time with his father. Flash used to talk about those times over and over, especially the year he died. 

“Oh well, let’s rise and shine.” sighed Twilight, as she went downstairs. 

Much to her surprise, she found her husband drinking coffee. 

“Twilight, you came!” he said excitedly.

“Flash? What are you doing here? You are…”

He nodded. “Dead, I know. And so are you.” he said happily. “We’ve been waiting for you, my love! He would be happy to see you!”

Flash hugged Twilight and kissed her.

“I’m dead? But how?” asked Twilight.

“It happens to anypony.” said Bright Spark coming out of the elevator to his lab. “Eventually, we all have to die. But life goes on, without us of course. Nice to see you mom.”

Twilight smiled. “Bright Spark!”

He smiled back and hugged his mother. 

“Oh Bright, I love you so much, I’m so glad we’re back together.”

“I love you too mom. Now, are you in the mood for a reading session? Her they have a complete collection of all the spells of all the cycles of the world.”

“I would love to.”

Bright put on a pair of especial glasses. “I’ve been waiting for too long. Sorry I was a coward back then and left too early. But now we are finally together and nothing will tear us apart.”