> Old Words
>  by WurkyWilk358 0w0
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Misunderstood Mare On The Moon
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Chapter 1


"Finally, after all these years, my reign is nigh!"

The dark alicorn of the night, Nightmare Moon, stood within the ruins of the Castle of The Two Sisters as she paced around in the old throne room. Wicked thoughts surged through her mind as she glanced up at the moon with a fanged grin.

"Poor, poor sister, how foalish of you to underestimate me! I told you that I would return with a vengeance, and so I have! Now this world will truly embrace the night as it was meant to! The sun shall be a forgotten memory, and, in time, so shall you. All that remains is ridding those infernal Elements of Harmony so that I may rule forever!"

Nightmare Moon boasted her apparent victory and continued to pace through the old throne room. From the corner of her eye, her gaze shifted to the entrance when she heard the sounds of somepony approaching.

"Who dares approach me during my hour of triumph?!" The dark alicorn hissed, her horn flared with magic as she prepared to fire.

From the entrance came an odd looking creature, even Nightmare Moon couldn't make heads or tails who or what it was. It was a short bipedal being, just a little taller than she, and it appeared to be walking with some sort of cane. It wore clothes, strange clothes, that consisted of beige slacks, strange looking dark brown shoes, a button up shirt, black suspenders that went over its shoulders, a simle-looking olive green coat, and flat old fashioned hat on its head. When the strange being continued its slow pace towards Nightmare Moon, she soon got a look at its face. It was male, from her point of view, and quite elderly due to his skin's completion. Grey hairs grew from the sides of his head, and his eyes were dark brown. As she was done examining the old being, he stopped just a few feet away from Nightmare Moon. He then did something unexpected, and smiled at the dark princess and took off his hat.

"Evening," he greeted.

"Who are you?! What are you?! How did you get here?!" Nightmare demanded, glaring at the elderly one.

"Oh, I'm sorry, miss, I wasn't aware there was anyone residing in these old ruins," the old stranger apologized as he put his hat back on. "As for what I am, I'm just an old man enjoying a nice walk." He looked up to the sky and his smile seemed to grow a little. "Lovely night, tonight, the stars seem to twinkle a bit more around here." Despite her annoyance towards this intruder who seemingly appeared out of no where, his last statement seemed to catch her off guard. 

"What do you mean, strange old one?" Nightmare wondered.

"Hm? Oh, I just mean what I meant," the old man said. "I come from a far away place, I suppose you could say, and there are only a few places where I'm from that procure such a lovely vision of the stars. My wife and I always enjoyed stargazing when I was a young boy."

"You...enjoy the night?" Nightmare questioned, forgetting her annoyance that turned into piqued curiosity.

"Of course, the night sets these old bones of mine at ease. I recall meeting my wife under a moonlit sky such as this. Ever since then, I had always enjoyed gazing at the stars above and pondered what kind of story each one had to tell."

Nightmare was unprepared for the words the old man said, words that she never even dreamed to hear from the ponies of Equestria for they had preferred the day rather than the night.

"How do you know you're not just saying that, old one?" Nightmare questioned.

"Little miss, I have been alive longer than you might think. I have witnessed many hardships in my life and can now only look back at them as nothing but a distant memory. However, the one thing that always brought me comfort during those hardships was the stars that twinkle along this dark canvass that is the sky. You obviously are also passionate about the night and what it has to offer, yet I feel like you don't really appreciate as such."

"Me?! Not apricate the night?!" Nightmare snapped. "The night sky is my whole existence! It is my pride and joy, something my own sister failed to realize!"

"Oh, I don't know about that," the old man argued, tapping his cane on the stone ground. "But I can now see where your aggression is coming from, you've had a sort of disagreement with your sister, hmm?"

"Disagreement is an understatement..." Nightmare scoffed turning away.

"But, miss, that is just how all siblings are," the old man quipped. "I myself have had the pleasure and displeasure of growing up with two of my own siblings, both of them were older than I. We would bicker and disagree with each other more times than I care to recall, but we always ended up seeing the error of our ways and continued to love each other as a family."

"You know nothing of what I have been through, old fool," Nightmare scoffed again, shooting the old man a stink eye.

"Perhaps not, but, then again, perhaps I do," the old man said. "You are upset, that much is apparent, but would you truly allow your anger govern your decisions for the foreseeable future?"

"I want to make a statement! To both my sister and the foalish ponies out there, that the night reigns supreme!"

"But they also need the day as much as the night, little miss," the old man argued a bit sternly. "I honestly doubt everyone despises the night as you claim, your sister included."

"She banished me! All because I wanted to make everypony appreciate the night just as much as the day!"

"Hmm, I see now, you felt unappreciated," the old man pointed out.

"Exactly!"

"But that does not mean your sister hated you." Nightmare paused from the last statement that was told to her. "Does she hate you?"

"Why wouldn't she? She banished me for years!"

"That is not exactly what I asked, I want to know if she hates you," the old man corrected with another tap of his cane.

"I...well, no, no she would never hate me," Nightmare admitted.

"And do you know why?" The old man asked. "Because you are her sister, and there's nothing on this strange and magical world that could ever change that."

"But why was I banished...?"

"I cannot say, for I do not know, but perhaps it was her only alternative when all other methods failed. Surely she attempted to speak with you, yes?"

"Many times," Nightmare admitted, her ears beginning to droop. "But...I never listened."

"Sometimes, when we become so upset over something, we tend to push away any who try to help us see reason. I may not know your sister, but if I were her, it would pain me greatly to send my own sibling away. I'm sure that it broke her heart to do such a thing, and she probably still regrets it to this day."

Nightmare clung to the words spoken by the old stranger as her head lowered to face the ground. Was it not her sister who she was upset with? Was it not the ponies whom she accused of not favoring the night? Perhaps it was it was not them she blamed and was the cause of her transformation to the dark alicorn she is today, but she was upset with herself that she was misinformed and failed to realize it.

"Was...I wrong?" Nightmare managed to ask under her breath.

"You seem to have been in denial for some time, little miss," the old stranger sighed, and reached out to place a hand on the dark mare's shoulder as she looked up to meet his eyes with hers. "Take it from an old man like myself, regret is not a healthy concept to keep buried in your heart. These emotions and realizations you feel now are a good first step in rekindling your bond with your sister and any who you may have wronged." Nightmare's tears started to form in the corners of her eyes, despite her best efforts to try and keep them at bay. She had only known this strange old man for a few minutes, but with his wise words and calm attitude, he was able to break through the shell and reach out to the mare trapped underneath the dark fur and cold demeanor. The old man patted her shoulder before turning away and began walking out of the old throne room.

"Where are you going?" Nightmare asked.

"To continue my walk," the old man replied. "It's still early in the night, and I wish to savor the feeling of being within the moon's light."

Nightmare looked up at the moon and saw the outline of an alicorn etched on its surface that was her sister she trapped in her place. However, when she looked back down to where the old man had left, he was no where to be seen. All she could do now was stand there, alone, contemplating the conversation she shared with the mysterious old being.



"Luna, the search ponies have been at it for many moons," Celestia said to her little sister. Luna just stood there on her balcony outside of her room, gazing out beyond the walls of Canterlot as the stars twinkled every so often. "We have yet to find this old being who you met in our old castle, are you sure it wasn't just your imagination?"

"Sister, I may now be reformed, but this is not something I would embellish," Luna said sternly, not bothering to look back at Celestia. "If not for that old one, I would have made matters more difficult for Twilight Sparkle and the other Element bearers. He showed me the error of my ways through simple words, don't you wish to reciprocate your appreciation as well?"

"Well of course I do, but as I have said, no pony has seen nor heard of him," Celestia reminded Luna.

"Then we simply must be patient," Luna said as she finally glanced over her shoulder to look at Celestia. "I wish to meet that old man I met, just once more, just so I can tell him how thankful I am for his wise insight. Now, I believe it is time for you to retire for the night, I must see to it that everypony in Equestria can admire the stars however and whenever they choose." Celestia could only smile as she turned and left her sister alone. Luna returned her gaze outside the walls of the capital as a small smile graced her lips. "I hope you are enjoying your walk tonight, old one, I'll be sure to make each night as pleasant as the last for you and the ponies."
> A Friend For You
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Chapter 2


Ponyville was left in disarray as the Spirit of Chaos lounged on his chair in triumph. Twilight and her friends were now the complete opposite of their true selves and Discord was enjoying a nice glass of chocolate milk. He hummed with delight that his sinister plan for plunging Equestria in chaos was coming along swimmingly, especially since he had dubbed Ponyville the Chaos Capital of his distorted reign. 

“Hmm, I believe I shall go for a dip!” Discord chirped as he plopped himself on a cloud of cotton candy and hovered away from the floating buildings that made up the former town.

Celestia and Luna were both helpless to confront Discord since they both had no control over the Elements and had to stay in Canterlot for the citizen’s safety. The only thing they could do was pray that Twilight and her friends could come to their senses and face Discord and put a stop to this madness. The mad spirit soon arrived at the nearby lake, which he had turned the water entirely into chocolate milk, and fancied a swim. However, as he was about to snap his swim trunks on, he spied a peculiar being already at the shores. Discord quirked a brow as he hovered closer to see an elderly fellow wearing strange clothes and hat and had his hands resting on a cane. The old stranger slowly looked up to see Discord and instead of fleeing away in fear like the rest of the ponies, he smiled and gave Discord a friendly wave.

“Good morning,” the old man said.

“Indeed, and a chaotic morning to you!” Discord quipped. He hooped off his cloud and brought his face to eye level with the old man as he stroked his goatee. “Haven’t seen you around, then again, I haven’t seen you around at all!”

“It is nice to meet you, my strange new acquaintance,” the old man greeted with a curt nod. “May I surmise that you are to take credit for all these rather interesting new developments to the scenery?”

“You surmise correct! A glorious sight, is it not? Such wonderful chaos as far as the eye can see. And soon the rest of the world shall be the same!” Discord said excitedly.

“Hmm, yes, well that does seem interesting, but may I ask as to why you would want to do such a thing?” The old man wondered.

“Well, why not? Chaos is so much fun!”

“Perhaps, but what if there was something more enjoyable than this chaos you so crave?”

Discord looked down at the old man as if he was speaking absolute nonsense. “Better than chaos? Ha! Preposterous! Nothing is better than chaos, look around you, it’s all so delightful!”

“You seem to be misunderstanding me, strange one. True, you may have the power to bend anything to your will, make the trees grow large fruit, the clouds pink and edible, but you wouldn’t have the one thing to go with it.”

“And what, pray tell, is that?” Discord rolled his eyes.

“Someone to share it with, of course,” the old man smiled.

“Share? Me share my own chaos?” Discord asked and the old man nodded. “Hmph, and you call me strange.”

“Wouldn’t it be better if there was someone who shared your interests? Enjoying all this precious chaos you seem to hold dear seems a tad lonely, if you’re the only one having fun.”

“But I’m not alone.” Discord snapped his fingers and three copies of himself appeared with wide grins. “I have me, myself, and I.”

“Hmmhmmhmm, a clever joke,” the old man chuckled slightly. “But I’m afraid that is not what I was talking about.”

“Why would I care who I do or don’t share my chaos with? This is who I am after all. Discord! The Lord of Chaos! And now, returning Emperor of Equestria!”

“It still sounds quite lonely,” the old man sighed. “Sometimes a friend can help fill that void to make the things in life more enjoyable.”

“Oh for chaos sake, you too?” Discord groaned. “All I’ve heard about from Celestia and her little student is the magic of friendship, it’s so boring to listen to.”

“Perhaps you say such things because you yourself have never had a friend?” The old man calmly accused, making Discord pause for once. “I once had a friend, long ago where I’m from. I grew up with my friend for many years, until we were both drafted to fight in a war. Times were difficult during all the conflict, and we were called among countless others to fight for our home. My friend was the one who helped me get through most of what had to be endured before we were sent off to the battlefield. While the rest of us soldiers could not bear the thought that we might lose our lives the moment our boots hit the sand, my friend always made sure to keep our spirits up the entire time. He made jokes, sang songs, and made sure that our moods were always in the right place. Even during our training, he’d always get back up no matter what. He was tough like that, and we all knew it.” The old man looked down at his hands and sighed with a sad smile. “But…I suppose nothing lasts forever, even for a spirited young man like him.”

“What happened, if I may ask?” Discord asked, not realizing he had sat himself down in front of the old man.

“My platoon and I fought with everything we had in order to keep the enemy from destroying a bridge. They almost succeeded, had it not been for my friend who managed to snatch the explosives and saved the bridge. Fate, unfortunately, had other plans for my friend as a stray bullet pierced his heart. I had to watch him fall to the ground…and not get back up again. Just like that, I lost a dear friend.”

Discord felt surprisingly disheartened after the old man shared his sad story. To have such a close bond with someone, only for it to end out of the blue in an instant. His ears slowly drooped as he looked to the chaos he had conjured up all around and a frown stretched his lips downward.

“You are a special individual, strange one, it is obvious you can perform many interesting feats with your power. You say that spreading chaos is the best thing for you, but is it truly? I’m sure if you made a friend or two, and perhaps use your gifts the proper way, you would be able to make a great many new friends. Friends who could learn to appreciate chaos in more subtle forms.”

“You make it sound so easy,” Discord shook his head then looked off in the distance. “I could have all the friends I could ever want if I chose to with a snap of my fingers. But then they wouldn’t truly be my friend, would they? Even if I did undo all that I have done, who would want to be friends with a mad spirit of chaos such as I?”

“Well, maybe I can be your first friend?” The old man offered.

“You? Be my friend?” Discord asked, shocked at the old man’s offer.

“I don’t see why not? You don’t seem all bad, and it felt nice to share a little about myself after so long. Besides, you could have easily paid me no mind and continued on with your spread of chaos, but you stayed. I’m sure my friend would also agree with me when I say that being your friend would be a good alternative for you.”

“But your friend…isn’t here anymore,” Discord tried to say. “What if I were to make friends of my own and they somehow end up gone?

“Oh my new strange friend,” the old man chuckled as he stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart. Just as my late friend has on my old heart, and so will any friends you choose to open yours up to.”

Discord gazed into the old man’s eyes for several moments until he patted his shoulder and turned to walk away.

“You’re leaving already?” Discord asked.

“For now, do not fret,” the old man said as he paced away with with a tap of his cane. “You and I are friends now, Discord, so no matter where I may wonder, we’ll always have our newfound bond etched into our hearts forever.” The old man glanced over his shoulder and smiled warmly at the spirit of chaos. “Now it is time for you to share your own friendship. One day, we will meet again, and I look forward to hearing all the wonderful experiences you will share with your friends.”

Discord watched in silence as the old man paced away. He wanted to go after him and beg him to stay, until he heard some sort of commotion from within the town that made him turn his head. When he went to look back where the old man headed, he was gone, nowhere to be seen.



“Wait, so that’s it?” Twilight asked as Discord stood there in front of the mares. “You don’t want to spread chaos anymore?”

“No, I am over such meaninglessness. What good is chaos anyway if I have nopony to share it with?” Discord said.

“But we don’t want any more chaos!” Rainbow Dash snapped.

“I understand,” Discord sighed as he snapped his fingers and everything was put back to normal. “There, all better.”

The mares were all baffled at the sudden change of heart from the spirit of chaos. One minute he was boasting about spreading his chaos to the farthest reaches of the world, and now he acts as though he regrets ever wanting to go through with it.

“This…this has to be some kind of trick!” Twilight stamped her hoof. “Or maybe an illusion? Using magic as a form of reverse psychology? Well it won’t work! Because friendship is worth fighting for, Discord!”

“I agree,” Discord nodded, shocking them all again. “I see now that it was wrong of me to do something so deplorable as making you all into something that you’re not. I should also not have attempted to plunge the world in chaos. The real reason why I did all of this…is because I felt quite lonely that I didn’t have anypony by my side.”

“Lonely?” Fluttershy wondered.

“What do ya mean lonely?” Applejack questioned.

“It is as I said, I lacked what you all have, a strong bond of friendship that did not waver in the end despite my twisted words and manipulation. It just goes to show you that Celestia was right in the end.” Discord rubbed his arm with a guilty frown. “So once again, I apologize for all the trouble I have caused you poor ponies,” Discord shook his head as he turned to leave. “I shall be turning myself in to Celestia and Luna now, so those Elements of yours are unnecessary.” He glanced over his shoulder to the still baffled mares. “Perhaps one day we can try and start over, maybe with a cup of tea and mini cucumber sandwiches?” 

Before Discord spread his wings to take flight towards the royal capital, he snapped his fingers and a pink cloud of cotton candy appeared beside Pinkie Pie, making the party mare squeal and jump on it as she began to chow down on the fluffy goodness. A smile soon graced his lips as he flapped his wings and took off into the air. Discord continued to smile to himself at the thought of the old man he met. 

“I hope to make you proud when next we meet, my new friend.” The mad spirit just kept on smiling to himself, content that he was able to receive something that he believed would be impossible to obtain.
> Love For The Loveless
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Chapter 3


“My Queen, the other drones have engaged the Element bearers,” a changeling reported to his leader.

Chrysalis grew a wide and sadistic smile from the news as she paced back and forth in the main ballroom. So long has she waited for this day, a chance to conquer Equestria and feed off the endless amounts of love that came from it. With Princess Celestia unconscious and cocooned above her, Princess Cadence and Spike bound together against a column and their eyes and mouths covered, and Shining Armor in a trance due to Chrysalis’ magic, there was only victory that lay ahead for the Changeling Queen.

“Excellent, keep them at bay for as long as possible, subdue them even! I want no distractions from those meddlesome ponies, if it’s the last thing I do!” Chrysalis stomped her hoof. “Now leave! I wish to revel in my victory alone.” The drones bowed and saluted to their queen and exited the room with haste. Chrysalis cackled maliciously as she glanced up to the cocooned solar Alicorn and returned her gaze to Shining Armor. “How unfortunate for you, darling, so long as your love for your supposed bride remains as strong as it is, I shall remain unbeatable!” Her monologue was cut short when she heard the sound of the doors opening again from behind her, making her scowl and whip her head around in annoyance. “I thought I told you dolts, I wished to be alone!”

“Oh, my apologies, I hadn’t realized there was anyone in here.” 

Chrysalis had to do a double take at the door as a strange looking bipedal creature slowly walked in with a cane in hand as the door shut behind it. “I wish there was someone to help guide me around this large building, I could use a nice chair to rest my old bones.” As the creature said, it very well did look to be elderly due to his physique and skin complexion, but none of that mattered to the now irritated changeling queen.

“Who in creation are you?!” Chrysalis demanded. “How did you get past my drones?!”

“Oh, there wasn’t anyone outside and I heard some commotion coming from in here,” the old being said. “I once again apologize for interrupting whatever private affair you were in the midst of. I tend to wander in places I’m not exactly aloud to. A curse that I suffer often, for a man my age.”

“Whatever, I shall simply summon my drones to be rid of you!” Chrysalis shook her head. “I have more important duties to attend to.”

“Hmm, you seem a tad agitated, miss, may I ask why?” The old man tilted his head.

“Why do you care? You just walked in here without a second thought! Does your weary mind also deprive you of common sense?!”

“I am somewhat healthy enough to admit that my senses have dwindled over the years,” the old man shrugged. “But I still manage to get around just fine.”

“Clearly you are in need of some work,” Chrysalis rolled her eyes.

“Though I still yet to have my question answered, if you don’t mind?” The old man inquired.

“I still fail to see the point as to why I should have to divulge anything to you.”

“If you answer, I might leave,” the old man offered.

“Very well, if you must know, I am not agitated,” Chrysalis corrected. “I am ecstatic! I have finally achieved what I have been planning for a number of months and it has all come to fruition! Once my drones take care of the last of those who would pose a threat, I shall reign supreme! And all the love I could ever want for my hive and I shall be mine for the taking!”

“Love? You…take love?” The old man questioned, curiously.

“I am a Changeling, a Queen Changeling, we live off of the energy known as love, it is how we feed and survive!”

“Hmm,” the old man hummed as he looked around the room to come to terms with the situation. “Surely there must be other methods to acquire what you seek.”

“This is the only way to get what I want, love is what all changelings crave and the ponies shall provide us with just that.”

“Have you maybe considered the option of not taking love, but asking for it?”

“Asking?! What nonsense are you babbling about?! What is the point in asking for love when I can just take it?!”

“Perhaps therein lies the problem you are not aware of,” the old man stated with a tap of his cane on the floor. “You have never shared love with another.”

The Queen was taken back by this accusation, which caused her to narrow her eyes at the old man. “That is an even more ridiculous statement, sharing love is just as meaningless as asking for it.”

“Is it? My wife would beg to differ,” the old man said, reaching up with his right hand and taking off his hat and placing it over his chest.

“Oh? You are married?” The queen quirked a brow.

“Was, sadly, my wife had passed long ago,” the old man smiled solemnly as he looked down at the golden band that went around his left ring finger. Once again, Chrysalis was taken back as a guilty twinge poked her cold heart. She wasn’t one to care about unnecessary emotions such as pity or ever feel saddened, but the way the old man’s voice sounded seemed to have an unexplainable effect on her.

“I suppose…I must offer my condolences,” Chrysalis sighed.

“I thank you, miss, she was a kind soul up until the end. However, I cannot say the same for myself during my younger years.”

“How so?” Chrysalis wondered.

“I was once a soldier, drafted to fight in a war that affected the whole world,” the old man spoke softly. “When it ended, I expected things to be simpler and more mellow. How wrong I was when even I, a man who fought for his country, struggled to make a decent living. During those times, making a decent wage was difficult enough as it was. It left me bitter and spiteful that I did not receive the solder’s welcome and praise I had hoped to get upon my return.”

“Why not just take what you were owed then?” Chrysalis huffed. “It was obvious that you deserved it.”

“And take, I did,” the old man said. “Back then, there were these gangs of individuals who operated against the law in order to earn more than just an honest living. If I were to put in my personal opinion, the gangs that ran amok made life nearly as violent as the war itself. However, I was one of the unlucky ones to find myself involved with some of those individuals. I shall not bore you with the details, but I had involuntarily aided a mafioso, as they were called, with a certain task. My actions then later allowed me to become acquainted with the very gang of hoodlums the rest of the people had come to both fear and respect.”

“They probably saw potential in you,” Chrysalis commented.

“Perhaps, all I knew is that I was stepping into a world I would still come to regret living to this day.” The old man’s face became neutral as he continued. “They had taught me things of how their operations worked, how they made their profits without the lingering eye of the law. I was hesitant at first, but seeing how much of an income they made on a weekly, sometimes daily, basis, I would be a fool not to accept an opportunity. I became arrogant, brutish even, and became the very thing that my dear mother had hoped I wouldn’t become. But I was young then, my head in the clouds, believing I could do what I wished and take anything I desired, not giving a tinker’s curse who I may have hurt along the way. I once fought with honor, only to turn dishonorable in such little time.”

“You seem discouraged by your choice, but I see no flaw in your decision,” Chrysalis arched a brow. “It is as I am doing now, I take what I want and not care much for who gets in my way.”

“You remind me of my younger self,” the old man shook his head, discouragingly. “I was a cold and cruel young man, but that all changed the day I met the woman of my dreams.” The old man smiled as he rubbed his wedding band with his finger. “She worked as a waitress at a diner I frequented. She was always the one to serve me my morning coffee before the day started. I never really paid her any mind, and she would always wish to spark a conversation with me. Her sweet voice ebbed away at my cold personality and I found myself enjoying her company. Eventually, I found myself to care for her more than I expected to; I dare say I had fallen in love.”

“Hmph, this is starting to get boring,” Chrysalis rolled her eyes. “Why waste your time over something so frivolous as affection for another? You obviously had no need of it, yet you succumbed to it nonetheless.”

“Love is a wonderful feeling to bear, miss, I had the pleasure of experiencing it with that waitress who soon later became my beloved wife. And for the first time since my involvement with the mafiosos, I did not have to take her love for my own. Instead, she gave me her love as I gave her mine. It was also because of her, after I married her, I made a choice to leave my life as a gangster behind and start a new life for myself.”

“You abandoned your life as a lawless crusader? Why, of all the nonsense?!”

“It was for love,” the old man said, keeping his smile and making the queen pause. “I had admittedly always wanted a better life than the one I found myself in after the war, especially after the few times I had gotten caught by the authorities and did time for any crimes I was brought in for. My wife was always supportive of me, even before we married each other, but I knew it had to be done. I had to think about what was best for her and myself.”

“If you cared about your mate so much, why did you not continue your roguish life so that you could provide for her without worry?”

“Similar to how you desire to take the love from everyone around you in order to provide for your kingdom?” The old man retorted. “No, I worried for her too much to think what would happen if I stayed. I wanted to provide for her a more healthy and safe lifestyle as a common man than the one of a mafioso.”

“You gave up everything for your mate?”

“I did, and I would have done it again, if given the chance. You see, miss, you say you need this love energy to live since it is your source of sustenance, but this would only lead to more problems and heartache for your kind. You say you would take love by force, but I suggest that it is unnecessary. There are many forms of love, you see, even loving yourself is a form of love.”

“How can I love myself?” Chrysalis asked sarcastically. “That just doesn’t make any sense!”

“Of course it does, if you loved yourself, you might not need to take the love that you so desire from others by force. Not only that, but your people would be able to thrive as well.”

“But I-!”

“Tell me something, miss, do you care for your people?” The old man asked.

“They’re my drones, I watched them all hatch myself.”

“But do you love them?”

“They’re my loyal subjects, they have their uses.”

“You seem to be dodging the question, miss.”

“Well what do you want me to say?! Yes?! Yes, I do love them! Not as just a Queen, but as their own mother too!” Chrysalis gasped at the words she just spoke as her eyes darted around for any stray changeling that may have overheard her.

“And therein lies the answer,” the old man nodded. “Loving others doesn’t necessarily mean that you must fall in love to do so, love can also be obtained by family or even friends. You love your people as if you were their mother, but you cannot seem to love yourself.” Chrysalis was quiet the whole time, standing there like a statue by her sudden and unexpected outburst. 

“If…if what you say is true, then what hope is there for me anyway?” Chrysalis asked. “I have caused great damage this day, and even went as far as to attack the ruler of this kingdom. I cannot just abandon my mission, my hive is in desperate need of love.”

“Then show them that there is another way,” the old man instructed. “You are more than a capable leader in your own right, and there is much merit that goes with it. In order to take the first step to a brighter future, you must first forgive yourself for all the transgressions you have committed.”

“Have you forgiven yourself?” Chrysalis wondered.

“I have, and I have my wife to thank for it.” The old man boldly stepped forward towards the changeling queen and reached out to place a hand on her shoulder. “We may have only known each other for a short time, but I believe in my heart that you are not what you proclaim yourself to be, Chrysalis. Share the love you desire, not take it. For sometimes, the heart sees what is invisible to the eye.” The old man patted her shoulder and turned to walk away and out the door.

“Old one,” Chrysalis called out, making the old man glance over his shoulder. “What if…what if I fail? What if I return to my wicked ways if I cannot forgive myself?”

“Then you simply try again,” the old man replied. He opened the door and made his exit.

The changeling queen was left to her thoughts after her conversation with the strange old man. He had everything he could ever want during his time as a supposed criminal, yet he gave it up for the love of his life. He was able to forgive himself for all he had done and somehow came out a better for it. Was it truly that simple? To be able to ask for love and share it rather than take it by force? More so, to be able to forgive herself for all she had done? It all sounded so convoluted, yet the old man explained that it wasn’t.

“My queen!”

Her thoughts were interrupted when a couple of her drones flew in and bowed to her. “Forgive us, my queen, but we cannot hold the. Element bearers back for long! They shall be here momentarily!”

“That…” She wanted to give the order to prepare for their arrival. She looked back at the dazed Shining Armor and the still cocooned Princess Celestia. The old man’s words echoed in her mind, his experiences, and how she should handle the situation more appropriately.

You must forgive yourself.

“I shall send a new order to the hive,” Chrysalis said as she closed her eyes and used her magic. The order she sent out to the hive seemed to leave most of the drones baffled but dared not go against their queen.



“I…I don’t understand it.” Celestia stood before Chrysalis with Twilight and her friends, after being freed from the cocoon, and Shining Armor, who had his mind control spell broken, and Princess Cadence. All the ponies were completely gobsmacked at the Changeling Queen as her drones stood behind her. Meanwhile, Chrysalis had a surprisingly neutral expression on her face.

“There’s not much not to understand, Princess Celestia,” Chrysalis said as she closed her eyes. “I yield, and I shall take my leave and return to my hive.”

“B-But how?!” Cadence demanded. “You threatened Canterlot, took my place, almost hijacked my wedding, corrupted my fiancé,  and now you’re just gonna leave?!”

“Indeed.”

“This has to be some sort of trick,” Shining Armor stamped his hoof. “No pony just ups and changes their mind so quickly! Especially since you went out of your way to commit all these atrocities!”

“I cannot blame you for having such disdain for me, for your hatred and spite are justified,” Chrysalis said as she opened her eyes. “All I can offer you is my word that I shall no longer scheme to take control of Equestria for its love. I shall simply find other means to provide for my hive.”

“And what, pray tell, did you have in mind?” Celestia wondered, still weary of Chrysalis’ words.

“I still have yet to find that out for myself, to be honest, but I know now that this is not the way.”

“And just what made you come to this sudden realization?” Twilight asked.

“I suppose you can say…I had a new change of heart?” Chrysalis shrugged, leaving some of the ponies slack-jawed. “I once again apologize for my transgressions against you ponies. I will take my leave now, so I bid you adieu.” Chrysalis fanned open her wings and took flight into the air before soaring away with her still visibly confused hive following suit. The conversation with the old man, still fresh in her mind for the days to come, clung to her heart and soul. It would be a long road ahead for redemption, but if someone like the strange old man could redeem himself, then maybe even a Changeling Queen like Chrysalis would be able to perform the same feat.

“My queen, are you certain of this?” A drone asked as he flew up beside her. “We almost had them on the ropes!”

“Maybe, but then again, maybe not?” Chrysalis shook her head. “We have been too closed minded as a race, and we need to make some changes. I want what is best for the hive, and I feel as though taking love is not the solution we seek.”

“Then what else can we do in order to find the sustenance we require?”

The queen glanced at her drone as a small smile graced her lips. “Maybe…what we need is not just the energy that love provides, but perhaps the concept of love itself.”
> Lost To The Shadow
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Chapter 4


The winds of the frozen north were howling and the landscape could barely be seen due to the thick snow whipping all around. To the outskirts stood an ancient temple that had eroded over time and was nearly covered in ice. Within the temple was a dark and unsettling presence as there was only darkness that remained. A lone pony, with sinister ruby red eyes and a curved horn paced around the inner chamber. His black magic seeped around his body as he cackled with unsettling malice.

“Soon…” the dark pony hissed. “Soon I shall make my return, and all shall tremble before the might of King Sombra once again! I was a fool to underestimate those meddlesome alicorns, but once I reclaim my precious Crystal Heart, I shall become unstoppable!” The dark king seethed with a vengeful smile, he dragged his tongue over his razor sharp fangs. As he was busy brooding, his senses perked up when he felt a presence enter the temple. He growled as he faced the only way in and out of the chamber and had his horn powered up and at the ready. “Who dares enter my hideout and is bold enough to forfeit their life in doing so?!”

“Pardon me!” A voice called out as a strange bipedal creature walked in. He was an elderly looking fellow with a cane in hand as he brushed off snow from his shoulders. “I do apologize for the intrusion, but I just needed a place to rest in order to escape the frigid cold. The weather is not the kind a man my age does well with.”

The dark king glared at the strange old being and stalked towards him with his magic still at the ready. “I cannot tell if you are just completely oblivious or just too senile for your own well-being, not that I give a shadow’s curse.”

“I understand my appearance may be unwelcome, sir, but may you find it your heart to allow me sanctuary from the storm?” The old man pleaded.

“Hmph, of all the insufferable…” the dark king spat, turning on his hooves away from the old man. “Do as you please, I shall not remain in this place for long anyhow.”

“I thank you,” the old man nodded. He spotted a good sized rock and proceed to take a seat to rest his old bones. “This is quite the unusual place to call it your home, sir.”

“It is not my home, fool, just a temporary stay until I take action to reclaim what was taken from me,” Sombra corrected sternly.

“What, may I ask, was taken from you?”

“My whole kingdom.” Sombra’s eyes glowed red at the memory of how he was defeated by the two alicorn Princesses. “I was robbed of my right to rule, and now I shall make them all pay once I am back in control.”

“You seem quite bitter towards those who have wronged you, what have you done to deserve such a fate?”

“I was king of an entire kingdom,” Sombra explained. “My rule was a glorious one, and I ruled with an iron hoof! I had everything in my grasp and no pony would dare stand against me. That is until the two rulers of the sun and moon thwarted my plans of dominating the rest of this pathetic land.”

“Why do you sound so spiteful?” The old man wondered, discouraged by the harsh words spoken by Sombra. “Shouldn’t a ruler care for the betterment of his subjects?”

“Who cares about the subjects! All that matters is who reigns supreme!” Sombra spat. “It is my destiny to bend everything to my will, and I refuse allow myself to fall once again as I did eons ago!”

“Nothing good comes from forcing others to do as you desire them to, sir,” the old man sighed.

“Hmph, how would you know? You’re just a bumbling fool who I am allowing to refuge because of how pathetic you are.”

The old man was silent, seemingly undeterred by Sombra’s insults as he closed his eyes. “You remind me of a story I was once told when I was a boy. There were two brothers who lived outside of a town, one a farmer who grew the bounty of the earth and the other a keeper of sheep who raised them with love and care. One day, the brothers brought gifts to the local mayor of the town in order to seek his favor. The older brother brought some food he had grown, and the younger brother brought the very best sheep he had. Care to guess which brother the mayor favored most?”

“Hmph, it is obvious, the brother who provided the bounty of the earth.”

“Wrong,” the old man shook his head. “It was the keeper of the sheep, whom the mayor favored.”

“What nonsense is that? What use are dumb animals to anypony? The bounty of grown food should have been the one chosen!”

“It is not just that the older brother’s gift was better than the younger brother’s. It is because the younger brother was a good man. He was the mayor’s friend, along with the town’s inhabitants, and even his brother. But the older brother was bad; he did not love his brother, nor bothered to be friends with anyone.”

“For good reason, he was robbed of his favor and put in all that work for nothing,” Sombra said bitterly. 

“His hatred would soon be his downfall, I’m afraid,” the old man continued. “So the mayor tells the older brother that he should change his ways, but he does not listen. He is very angry because the mayor liked his younger brother better. So he says to him, ‘Let us go over into the field.’ There, when they are all alone, the older brother hits his brother. He hits him so hard…that he kills him.”

There was brief silence in the room before Sombra smiled with a fanged grin. “He got what he deserved.”

“Do you truly mean that? The man killed his own brother out of spite.”

“He robbed his brother of what he was owed. All the younger brother did was look after a bunch of stupid animals. Meanwhile the older brother put in more effort to grow and raise his bounty from the ground with more care and effort than his brother.”

“But the older brother was known as a cruel man, he wouldn’t share shred of kindness to anyone, not even his brother.”

“It is as I said, only those who reign supreme should stay at the top. Those who disagree are mere inconveniences and are cast out like the vermin they are, forgotten so that the more competent ones be remembered for years to come.”

“Unfortunately, even though the younger brother died, the mayor still remembered him. He was good, and the mayor and the townsfolk never forgot a person like that. So even though his life ended, he was still remembered by those who viewed him as a friend. But the mayor was not pleased with a person like the older brother. So after he killed his brother, the mayor and town punished him by sending him far away from the rest of his family.”

“What sort of ludicrousness is that?!” Sombra barked. “So what if he dispatched his brother?!”

“He committed a terrible crime, that is why,” the old man said. “He allowed his pride and hatred overcome him and do something that was unforgivable. It is similar to how you ruled your kingdom without compassion and not care about who was suffering along the way. Can you not see that if you were to reclaim your kingdom, and continue to rule the way you are now, you would only be causing more damage to those around you?”

“It is I have mentioned many times, old fool, I care not for those who are beneath me! I am a King, a powerful one at that! I deserve anything I want, that includes Equestria and the rest of the pathetic kingdoms that stretch across the world!” Dark shadows enveloped the shadow pony as he hissed at the old man.

“So you would rather live a life of solitude and malice rather than try and see that your actions would doom the world to conflict? The older brother from my story had live with the guilt of killing his brother for the rest of his existence after being marked as a murderer. Over the course of time, there were many others like him who committed acts of violence for their own selfish gain.”

“Only the worthy and strong survive,” Sombra repeated once more. “And I am not weak like the younger brother in your foolish story.”

The old man frowned, feeling that nothing else could be said to one so lost to the shadows like the dark king. He had been successful before with his words, but this was the first time when words failed him. This one had allowed himself to embrace his inner darkness to the cruelest extent.

“I see.” The old man stood up from his seat and slowly made his way out from where he entered. “I was truly hoping I could help you see the light, but your heart drowns so deep in shadow that it has forgotten what light looks like.” The old man looked over his shoulder to see Sombra still glaring at him. “I only wish that one day you will stop to take a look at the misery and torment you bring upon others. Not everything is about power and might, Sombra, compassion and peace can have more of an impact than you realize.”

“Begone with you, I shall hear no more foolish words,” Sombra demanded.

Sighing again, the old man turned to walk away. Once he was out of sight, the king felt a twinge of magical power in the distance, which made him smile and cackle in the darkness.

“Now…the time has finally come.”



Standing on a ledge in the snow, at the base of a nearby mountain range, the old man watched as a bright light enveloped the Crystal Empire and the snow storm surrounding it began to cease its strong winds. Though the grand city was saved by Twilight and her friends, the old man, who watched from afar, felt a twinge of guilt that his words fell on deaf ears.

“I suppose even the words of an old man like myself are meaningless to those too far gone,” the old man shook his head. “I may be an old fool, but I have a feeling that we will one day meet again, Sombra. Maybe then, my words will be able to break through that cold shell that surrounds your heart and soul.”
> Redemption or Vengeance?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Chapter 5


“No…please!”

“I’m afraid it’s too late for that. Your magic shall be my source of power.”

The unicorn stallion could say nothing else as a hooded figure opened his jaw wide and absorbed the pony’s magic. The essence was pulled out from his horn and into the mouth of his attacker until his eyes became glazed and weak before collapsing to the ground. The hooded figure felt elated at the new source of power he felt as he crept through the dark streets of Manehattan. The moon cast its light down when the cloaked figure hid within an alleyway and pulled back his hood. His skin was pale red, two small horns were on its head, a bushy beard along his jawline, and he shared the body of both a bipedal and an equine. Tirek cackled quietly to himself as he looked down at his hands with an unsettling grin.

“Hmph, it’s a good thing that mangy mutt left his post. It gave me the opportunity I needed to make my escape.” His eyes trailed to the sky as they glowed bright yellow. “The magic shall be mine, this kingdom shall also be mine. Once I have all the magic, I shall return to my homeland and make that traitor pay for what he did.” His face grew a scowl at the memory of his brother. “You once told me you would remain by my side as a beacon of support. You only have yourself to blame for whatever happens next, Scorpan.” The centaur shook his head as he pulled his hood over his head again. “No matter, I shall continue my feast for a little while longer before the night’s end.”

Tirek proceeded to exit the alleyway and continue his hunt for more unsuspecting ponies. His trek out in the open was soon interrupted when he bumped into someone.

“Oh excuse me, I wasn’t watching where I stepped.”

In the corner of his eye, the centaur arched a brow at the new creature he ran into. It was bipedal, by the looks of it, and his appearance looked a tad old fashioned.

“You are a peculiar creature to be wandering these streets at this time of night,” Tirek said.

“Hm? Oh, well, I just enjoy my usual nighttime walk. It’s a pleasant past time for a man my age.”

Tirek eyed the old man closely as a strange phenomenon occurred to him. No matter how much he tried to sense it, there was not one drop of magic from within this strange being. Then again, he wasn’t even a pony, but Tirek decided not to dwell on it since he turned away from the old man.

“Your hobbies matter little to me, old fool, I shall take my leave,” Tirek huffed.

“Do you enjoy walking at night as well?” The old man asked, finding himself walking beside Tirek.

“Hardly, I’m just trying to search for more resources in order to fulfill my longtime plan of vengeance against those who wronged me.”

“Goodness, vengeance?” The old mad gasped a little. “Whatever would cause such an unbridled grudge?”

“My brother,” Tirek said bitterly. “He betrayed me when I needed him most. We were meant to have each other’s back no matter when or where. Because of his betrayal, I was imprisoned and left to rot.”

“I see,” the old man said. “It sounds a little similar to my own past, in a way.”

“You? Please, you can’t expect me to believe you could even fathom what I have endured,” Tirek said dismissively.

“On the contrary, I can, for I too was once betrayed by my own brother.”

Tirek halted his pace to look a the old man at his declaration. To his confusion, he expected the old man to show bitterness in his tone yet he wore a smile of content.

“You say your brother betrayed you, yet you hold no disdain in your voice,” Tirek pointed out. “Why is that? Do you not abhor him for such a treacherous deed?”

“To be honest, no, I do not,” the old man shook his head. “Because I had later come to realize that his betrayal was what I needed in order to stray way from a dark path. I had a history with a group of individuals who committed crimes for personal gain. My wife and I, when she was still around, wanted a life away from the violence and dangers that came with it. The times after I left were simple and full of content, however, I’m ashamed to admit that I…had come to miss that old criminal life of mine.”

“You missed the thrill, is what it sounds like,” Tirek commented. “Doing as you please, enjoying the spoils of your transgressions, living life on the edge? I know what that feels like all too well.”

“Perhaps, it also made me feel younger than I was. So I did something quite foolish, and ended up returning to that old life behind my wife’s back. It was easy to do so, and they welcomed me back with open arms. I was a common man during the day, but back to criminal once the moon rose.”

“Why not tell your betrothed of your decision?”

“I was a brash and reckless man back then,” the old man sighed. “I tried to keep away from my life as a mafioso, but instead that life managed to find me again. My wife was the reason why I stepped away, and it would have disheartened her if she had known of my new double life. Things were proceeding without any repercussions, until my brother caught wind of my return and confronted me. He warned me to step away and keep away as I had done before, but I was too stubborn to listen to him. No matter how many times he confronted me on the matter, I rejected his words and continued my double life.”

“It was no business of his, you had your own path to walk and as did he,” Tirek said.

“Maybe, all I know is that I vented my frustrations out on many individuals who were undeserving of it. I hurt people…too many people, because of my anger and growing hatred towards my brother’s confrontations. Eventually, my brother had grown tired of my stubbornness and decided to tell my wife without my knowing. Now I had both my brother and my wife confronting me to give up the life of a mafioso permanently.”

“Your brother’s betrayal sounds a tad similar to my own,” Tirek said bitterly. “It just goes to show you that you cannot trust anyone but yourself, not even your own family.”

“But you don’t know, sir, is that it was just the kind of reality check I needed,” the old man exhaled with a sad smile, making Tirek gaze at the old man as if he had lost himself. “There was a deal that had gone awry and I ended up getting arrested for it. This would most likely have ended with me spending the rest of my life behind bars. To add insult to injury, it was my brother and wife who were the ones that tipped the authorities off about my arrangement.”

“How dare they…” Tirek hissed. “Not only would they refuse to keep out of your personal affairs, but it was because of them that you were imprisoned?” Tirek paused before chuckling to himself. “Perhaps you can understand my dilemma. But why did you say that it was a reality check?”

“I saw how my actions we’re affecting my loved ones. My brother lectured me that it would destroy the family if I spent my days behind bars. My wife especially…since she was pregnant with my first daughter.” That seemed to catch the centaur’s attention. “When she told me that I was to be a father, I was both elated and ashamed. Elated that I had a child on the way, but ashamed that I had caused so much trouble for her because of my foolishness. All I wanted was to prove I could provide for my family by any means possible. Only I ended up doing more damage than good.”

Tirek was silent as he rubbed his hand on top of the other as he turned away. “I…once had a family. A father, a mother, and of course, my brother. My father was a king, and I always wanted to prove to my father that I was worthy to succeed him but he always looked to me with disdain and dissatisfaction. I wanted to prove that I could lead our people to greatness by attaining as much power as possible. I would go through any means to gain power, even at the expense of others.”

“Why would you go so far?” The old man asked.

“Because nothing was ever enough for my father,” Tirek said. “So I turned to the teachings of my old teacher, but was impatient and brash. So I turned to Equestria with my brother to seek power, only for it to lead to my imprisonment by his betrayal.”

“There are other ways to prove yourself, you know?”

“I highly doubt it, even now I crave power,” Tirek shook his head. “It is my destiny to rule all I see. Once I absorb all the magic in the land, my vision will become a reality.”

“There are other means to prove yourself to your family, but this is not the way,” the old man said.

“Why bother? I’ve always strived to be the most powerful I can be and prove that my father was wrong about me. What better way than taking all the magic and returning to overthrow him?”

“Because Tirek, in the end, family is all we have,” the old man stated. “You must forgive your brother for what he did. It sounds to me that he only betrayed you because he didn’t have a choice. You were causing more damage than you realized and he didn’t wish for you to destroy yourself from your own selfish desire for power. The inhabitants of this world have done nothing to incur your rampage, so there is no reason why they should have to suffer for your benefit.”

“You’re just spouting nonsense,” Tirek spat. “I had a family, but they turned their backs on me. And if they do not wish to have anything to do with me, than neither should I.”

“But you still valued your brother as your number one source of support. You may not admit it, but I am willing to guess that you still care for him, your family included, very dearly.”

“We have only known each other in a short span, and you think you have the right to lecture me?” Tirek glared at the old man. “You are simply too weak minded to see the bigger picture. For it is how I keep telling you: power is everything, and I shall have all of it.”

“Then…allow me to bargain with you,” the old man said firmly as he stared at the centaur. “All I ask is that you temporarily cease your attacks on these ponies.”

“And why would I do that?”

“Are you confident that if, and when, you gain the power you seek, you shall reign supreme?”

“Very much so, yes, especially when I have absorbed the magic from the three alicorn Princesses,” Tirek nodded firmly.

“Then here is my bargain: I request that you travel these lands on your own. See what it has to offer. After seeing and experiencing all that you possibly can and are still convinced that you deserve to become all powerful…then you may continue your conquest.”

“This is a complete waste of my time, I have better things to do than travel on my own!” Tirek snapped. “Even if I were intrigued to take you up on your offer, what exactly would I hope to find? What would I be looking for?”

“You seem to always have an argument for everything I have to say, even after sharing my experience of being betrayed but sought redemption. You also wish to convince me that vengeance oversteps redemption. So prove me wrong, Tirek, prove to me, that after you have seen all there is to see and felt all there is to feel, that your way is the only way.”

The centaur stroked his beard in thought at the old man’s bargain. This was completely unnecessary and he could so easily continue absorbing magic as he had been since he became free. Then again, he knew that in the back of his mind that the words he shared with the old man would be wringing in his ear. The bargain was simple enough, as it were, plus the old man didn’t seem to mention any catch to it. All he had to do was travel the lands, supposedly finding whatever hidden truth the old man was trying to show him, and resume his conquest upon his return.

“Hmm, you’re very persistent with your incessant words,” the centaur hummed. “Very well. To humor you, I shall accept your bargain.”

“Not quite yet,” the old man said. “You must also swear to not absorb any magic on your travels, and you must return all the magic you had stolen thus far.”

“You’re asking a tad too much, old man.”

“I do not believe so, I believe it is only fair.”

“Ugh, whatever, fine.” Tirek snapped his fingers as strands of magic escaped his body and flew off to return to the ponies he stole from. “Satisfied?”

“Very, now give me your word that you shall not steal any more magic during your travels.”

“Yes, yes, I swear I will not,” Tirek sighed dismissively.

“Good, then we have an accord,” the old man nodded as he held out his hand. Tirek stared at the old man’s hand until he slowly reached out and grasped it and shook it firmly.

“I do not know what it is you are trying to prove to me, old fool, but once I return, I shall be more than willing to personally show you what it means to bargain with me.”

“I look forward to seeing it, Tirek,” the old man said with a smile.

Once they broke the handshake, Tirek pulled his hood over his head and departed in the opposite direction towards the exit of the city. The old man also turned to leave as he glanced over his shoulder.

“You’ll see, Tirek, one day you shall see,” the old man said to himself.



“And there’s no sign of him?”

“I checked everywhere! Not a trace to be seen!”

Celestia paced back and forth in her throne room with her sister watching her unrest.

“He cannot have just up and left, this is Tirek we’re talking about!” Luna said.

“I have searched high and low, every crack and crevice, yet nothing came back!” Discord said.

“I know, you two, I know,” Celestia sighed. “This is most concerning, Tirek could be reeking havoc anywhere! He must be stopped, Discord, you must find him and send him back to Tartarus!”

“Yes ma’am!” Discord said with a mock salute as he disappeared.

“Sister, can we really trust Discord? He may be reformed, but I still think he’s a bit of a loose cannon,” Luna said.

“He is more than capable, Luna, I know he is,” Celestia said. She walked out to the balcony as she looked along the horizon of her kingdom. “I just hope we’re not too late.”
> Nightmare No More
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Chapter 6


The moon was high in the sky as the ponies slept peacefully and safely in their homes. As they slept, they dreamed of their own fantasies which allowed them to slumber in content. However, there were those who sometimes were plagued by nightmares from dreaming of monsters attacking them or allowing their insecurities warp their reality and cause fear within their hearts. Thankfully, a certain Princess of the moon was there to rid the nightmare from their dreams so that they may continue to sleep peacefully. 

Princess Luna traversed through the dream realm and kept a watchful eye on the many dreams of her little ponies. Before she would find it a tiring and menial for a pony of her power, but she instead wore a content smile as she performed her duties. Ever since that night, the words she shared with the mysterious old man, she had made her solemn duty to ensure she not let her own insecurities get the better of her. His words of how much he appreciated her night sky, and how she was able to gain closure with her sister, allowed Luna to be a better keeper of the night and co-ruler of Equestria. Now she found herself to be on equal ground with Celestia as a sister and earned the recognition of the populace for her watchful eye over the dream realm.

As Luna examined the many dreams, one seemed to catch her eye. The setting looked to be in a living room of an old house. A comfy-looking chair, a table with a lit lamp beside it, and outside the window was the night sky. Luna gazed at the dream for a moment until she saw something that made her gasp and grow a wide smile. A bipedal being stepped into view with a cup of tea in hand and a book in the other. Luna approached the dream to confirm her suspicions. To her delight, it was none other than the old man himself as he sat down on the chair with a warm smile. Luna squealed to herself with excitement as she went to enter the dream to greet the old man. However, she hesitated and looked back at the many other dreams that she was supposed to look after. Luna would only enter a dream if the dreamer was being plagued by a nightmare or if they needed to hear some of her sagely wisdom. It wasn’t often that she would willingly enter a dream for her on volition, but this was an encounter she had longed for.

“Just…a quick visit wouldn’t hurt, will it?” Luna thought aloud.

Steeling her resolve, she stepped into the dream where the old man sat and appeared behind his chair. She looked around the humble abode and felt a warm comforting feeling wash over her. Her eyes landed back on the old man sitting in his chair as he reached over to take another sip of his tea. Luna’s chest felt like butterflies were flapping all around at the sight of him. She wanted to just wrap the old man in a hug, casting aside her regal personality, and thank the old man for setting her mind straight. But Luna was a professional, she had to be, especially at this very moment.

“Um…sir?” Luna called out, taking a hesitant step forward. The old man’s head perked up as he leaned to the side to look behind his chair. The feeling in her chest grew more intense from the sight of his kind eyes. “Do you…remember me?” The old man stared at Luna for what felt like an eternity until he smiled his signature warm smile.

“Princess Luna, how wonderful to see you again,” the old man said.

That was the final nail in the coffin as small tears of joy seeped through Luna’s eyes. It was him, the old man whom she longed to meet again.

“It is you,” Luna said, fighting back a sob. “I…I’ve long to meet you agin, sir.”

“I am glad to see you as well, my dear,” the old man nodded. “Come, sit so we may talk.” Luna did not hesitate this time as she walked around the old man’s chair and hopped on another chair beside him. “You look well, much more vibrant and full of content than when last we spoke.”

“Thank you,” Luna smiled as she got comfortable in her seat. The old man grabbed a second glass from the table that he made appear with his dream and poured it for his guest.

“Tea?”

“Oh, yes, thank you,” Luna accepted the offer. She used her magic to grab hold of the cup and levitated it to her lips. The taste of lavender with a hint of honey and cinnamon tickled her tastebuds, earning a sigh of satisfaction. “It is very good tea, sir.”

“I’m glad you like it, my wife always had a special talent in bringing out the flavor of certain teas,” the old man said.

“Have you continued to enjoy the night sky as you said before?” Luna wondered.

“Yes, most definitely,” the old man nodded. “I have noticed that the stars, even the moon, shines brighter than usual. It’s a truly wonderful sight to see, my wife would have loved the very spectacle you provide.”

Hearing those words filled Luna with a happiness she had hoped to feel during this encounter. His words were as truthful and wise as he himself was. This was one of the reasons why Luna was able to see the error of her ways and allowed herself to be purged from the darkness by the elements. She also was appreciative to him for giving her the incentive to rekindle the almost lost bond she once had with her dear elder sister. There was so many things she wanted to tell the old man since their talk, but there was little time to do so.

“Sir, may I express something to you?” Luna requested.

“By all means, my dear, I’m an open book,” the old man said.

“I wanted to thank you, sir.” Luna said with a happy smile.

“What for, if I may ask?”

“I was lost in a sea of jealousy towards my sister and felt unappreciated for my night sky by the ponies of Equestria. I believed that the ponies favored the day more than the night and no pony noticed all the hard effort I put into the stars that twinkle in the night sky. I allowed myself to become a dark being of rage and lashed out at everypony around me. Thus ending in my banishment to the moon for a thousand years. I vividly remember harboring that rage for all that time, but I see that it was not rage towards my sister and the ponies, but it was myself I was angry with. I was about to follow though with my plans of domination by plunging the world in eternal night, and I very well might have done it had you not intervened.” Tears began to form again but this time dripped from Luna’s eyes. “You were able to convince me that these feelings of insecurity were of my own fault, and that they should not be held on to, for it would have consumed me and I would be all alone. What you said before, how ponies did in fact appreciate the night sky, rang to be true after all. I was foolish, foolish for letting my insecurities get the better of me and almost ruining my relationship with my sister forever. For that, I am truly grateful for your advice and helping me stray from the dark path I found myself on. I’ve waited for a long time to express my gratitude towards you, and I am finally able to do so, even if it is in the dream realm.”

The old man listened to all the words spoken by the lunar alicorn as he set his cup aside. He picked himself up from his chair and slowly walked over to her. Luna looked up at the old man as he leaned down and gently wrapped his arms around her frame and held her close.

“You are most welcome, Luna, I am glad you have reforged the bond with your sister and have regained the recognition from your subjects.” The old man leaned back to stare into Luna’s eyes. “I always knew you had the resolve to do so, I never had any doubts.”

Luna whimpered as her lip quivered and she wrapped her front legs around the old man, being careful not to put any pressure on him. She cried her eyes out on his shoulder as he gently rocked her back and forth, letting her tears fall on his shoulder.

“Thank you…thank you for showing me the way!” Luna wept as she held him close.

“It was my great pleasure, Luna, and it always will be,” the old man said as he stroked her back.

The world around them soon began to fade, meaning the old man’s dream was coming to an end as they broke the hug.

“Will I…will I ever meet you in the real world?” Luna sniffled. “I would like to see you again face-to-face.

“Perhaps one day,” the old man nodded. “In the mean time, you just keep your head held high and remember, I’ll always be with you in here and in here.” He pointed to her head and then her chest. Luna couldn’t stop her tears from flowing as she spread her wings and flapped them away from the old man.

“I’ll never forget you, sir, not for as long as I draw breath,” Luna said with a tearful smile.

“Neither shall I, Luna, neither shall I,” the old man said as we waved goodbye and the dream faded along with him.
> Not So Chaotic
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Chapter 7


“I’ll see you soon, Fluttershy!”

“I look forward to it, Discord.”

The spirit of chaos waved to his shy pegasus friend as he poofed out of sight and reappeared high above the lake near Ponyville. Discord sighed as he snapped his lion paw and created a hammock out of thin air and lounged on it with a glass of chocolate milk floating beside him. So much has happened since he had turned himself in and it has been quite beneficial for both him and the ponies of Equestria.

Back then, Celestia and Luna were both completely baffled as to why Discord would just suddenly just give up his chaotic onslaught on his own whim. At first, they believed it to be a crude hoax as an attempt to overthrow the two other liabilities who could possibly threaten his power. However, it never came to that. Discord simply surrendered himself without as much of a hint of dishonesty in his voice. When the Princesses asked him why he had such a sudden change of heart, he said to them that it was because of a new friend he made. He explained that while spreading chaos as much as he pleased was enjoyable in its own right, he came to realize that it wouldn’t be as much fun as sharing it with someone, but at their own pace. The feeling of making a friend was a little alien to Discord, but after having been able to make one, despite his transgressions, it felt fulfilling to his chaotic mindset. 

After his surrender, Discord had spent a majority of time behind bars in the Cantelot royal dungeons, under heavy guard and surveillance. Many moons were spent by Celestia and Luna themselves as they constantly interrogated Discord in an attempt to reveal any sort of malicious intent and treachery. Despite the constant questioning, however, Discord said the same thing every time.

“I no longer wish to spread chaos for my own fulfillment. I am now ready to use my magic for good instead of evil…most of the time.”

As a test to finally prove if his words rang true, Celestia decided to release Discord and send him to Ponyville. She made an accord that while he resided in Ponyville, he would not cause any sort of trouble and chaos for the duration of one month. Celestia warned that if she had received a letter from Twilight saying he made a single cloud pink or morphed the smallest animal, he would be sealed in stone for the rest of his days. As a result, and an unforeseen development, Discord managed to keep his word and make new friends during his stay by gaining their trust. One of his now closest friends being Fluttershy, whom he recently started having occasional tea times with at her cottage.

“Spreading chaos and pulling pranks on everypony was fun and all,” Discord sighed aloud as he relaxed on his hammock, sipping chocolate milk as he recollected his memories. “But having made a friend, including my new ones, could very well be more enjoyable.”

“I’m glad to hear that, Discord.”

Discord’s eyes shot open as he frantically looked around at the voice spoken to him. He knew that voice, a voice he hadn’t heard in so long. It was the voice of his first friend!

“Down here.”

Discord turned to the edge of the lake to see someone that made him grin widely. An old-looking bipedal creature, with a cane in hand, stood by the water as he looked up at Discord with a warm smile. Discord poofed the mid-air hammock out of existence as he quickly flew towards the old man with renewed glee.

“It’s you!” Discord cheered as he landed just in front of the old man. “Oh, how wonderful this day turned out to be!” Discord rested his lion paw and eagle talon on the old man’s shoulders as he kept his wide grin. “I was just thinking about you, my friend! It has been some time!”

“Indeed it has, Discord,” the old man chuckled as he pat his lion paw with his hand. “You seem more cheerful than usual, since the last I saw you.” The old man looked around the lake as if he was scanning his surroundings. “It pleases me that the area is not so chaotic any more.”

“But of course, because I no longer need to!” Discord proclaimed as he stepped back from the old man. “I now have made many new friends since our last encounter, and one of them is actually quite fond of my chaotic lifestyle! She finds our tea times to be far more interesting than what she is used to, which is delightful!”

“It gladdens me to see how far you have come, Discord,” the old man said.

“Oh, and I have much more to tell! Would you like me to share my new experiences with my new friends?”

“By all means, share away.”

Discord then went into great detail of the memories he made with his new pony friends. Discord expressed the laughs he shared, the lessons Discord learned, and the occasional obstacles he had to overcome when his chaotic mind almost made him stray from the path. All the while, the old man just kept smiling as he listened to every word.

“Spike and Big Macintosh’s little game of Ogres and Oubliettes is surprisingly quite enjoyable! With a little touch of chaos magic, they have agreed I join more often for the more in-depth experience!”

“It sounds like you have made a variety of friends,” the old man nodded.

“It is all thanks to you,” Discord said, his voice becoming more soft. 

“I still remember being the cold-hearted bringer of chaos who only valued my own enjoyment from other’s torment. I believed that I didn’t need anyone else to tell me how to live or how to act, because I literally had myself to tell me otherwise. It took me longer to realize that despite all my power, all of my influence, I failed to grasp the one thing I never knew I needed most.” Discord smiled sadly as his ears drooped. “A friend. I’ve come to learn that a friend would always be there for you whenever you step out of line or have a shoulder to lean on when you’re all alone and feeling burdened with whatever troubles you. They also help introduce you to new friends who can be just as kind and learn to accept you for any faults you have. As a being of chaos, the mere notion of accepting friendship in my heart seemed next to impossible for me. But thanks to the words you shared with me when we met, and the guidance of my new friends that I have made, I feel a sense of bliss and untapped happiness I never knew I would have. I’m now in a better place in my life, and I would not have it any other way.”

The old man’s eyes gazed at Discord with pride. He knew the joys friendship would bring Discord if he had just opened his heart to it, and the results were more than satisfactory. No longer did the old man see a lost and lonely mad spirit, but a bright and vibrant soul who valued his new relationships.

“Are you grateful for the friends you made?” The old man asked.

“Most definitely, yes,” Discord nodded.

“Would you say you would do anything for them as they would you?”

“Indeed, I would rather not return to my secluded and lonely lifestyle of spreading chaos. Besides, with friends like these, who needs that much chaos anyway?”

“That is what friendship is exactly for, Discord, the friends you’ve made will always be there for you when you least expect it. My late friend was the exact same way, he always wore a smile even in the darkest of times. Friends give us hope that everything will be okay when all seems lost. One shouldn’t lose faith if nothing goes their way, all they need is proper guidance to a brighter path of happiness and fulfillment. So whenever you feel a sense of doubt in yourself, just know that your friends are there waiting for you.”

Discord smiled as he leaned down and wrapped a single arm around the old man. “Your words as wise as your very spirit, sir, I am honored that you were the first one who gave me the gift of friendship. For that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

The old man reached up and returned the one armed embrace to his friend until Discord pulled back with a smile. “Do you wish too join me? I am having tea time with my friend Fluttershy in a little bit.”

“As much as I would love to, I am merely here to visit and continue my walk,” the old man said. “I’m glad I ran into you though, I am quite proud of you and the new bonds you have made.”

“Thank you, my friend,” Discord said as he flapped his wings and lifted in the air. “Until next we meet! I bid you farewell!”

The old man smiled and waved Discord goodbye before he snapped his fingers and disappeared. He reappeared in front of Fluttershy’s cottage with a gleeful smile and knocked on the door. When he saw his timid friend, he scooped her up in a hug, causing the mare to squeal in surprise.

“Discord! What’s wrong? Why are you hugging me? Not that I mind,” Fluttershy wondered.

“Oh just expressing my gratitude of our friendship, my dear,” Discord chuckled as he set he down. “I should always remind myself of how you and the others were kind enough to give me a second chance when I almost believed I didn’t deserve one.”

“I’m happy to hear it, Discord, but what brought this up?”

“Just…something an old friend taught me some time ago,” Discord said as he glanced out the window with a smile.
> Love Conquers All
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Chapter 8


Far to the outskirts of Equestria, there stood a large castle in the Desolate Zone. None would think to venture so far where the lair of the Changelings reside, or be foolish enough to do so. However, nowadays there had been a drastic change in the scenery and the castle itself. Instead of it being a baron wasteland as it once was, vegetation and other plant life has grown across the area. Even the castle itself is covered in plants and looked rather welcoming to any who would bear witness to it. It was not just the scenery that has changed, but its inhabitants as well. The Changelings have gone through a metamorphosis, in a sense, that changed them both physically and mentally. No longer did they have the sinister black chitin with holes in their hooves, but now dawned a more colorful and friendly appearance. Their chitins were as colorful and pastel as the ponies of Equestria, their wings looked similar to some species of insects instead of being jagged and unsightly, and their horns were more smooth-looking anc curved; some having grown antlers.

Within the Changeling Hive sat a larger Changeling on a throne made of a tree and plant life. Her chitin and hair were both light pastel blue, her eyes were as blue as a topaz gem, her wings looked similar to a dragonfly, and her horn was curved and long. The larger Changeling who sat on this throne was none other than Queen Chrysalis herself, reformed and adorning a warm smile almost all the time. Ever since the day she abandoned her desire for conquering Equestria, she had been searching for an answer a certain individual had told her that she was missing. She had based most of her existence in searching for a pure source of love to feast on for both herself and her hive, that she hadn’t considered the option of sharing love instead of taking it. How would this be possible? Wasn’t love just a food source? How else would she acquire love when it was her nature to feed off of it? For many moons, she pondered the questions that addled her mind and had almost considered foregoing it all and attempted her usurpation of Equestria. But the words spoken to her by the mysterious old man echoed in her subconscious, casting aside such dark thoughts.

One day, Chrysalis came up with a hypothetical answer to her questions. What if she tried to experience the feeling of love by using her drones as an experiment. She once stated that she cared for them all as a mother would for her own young, and she was right. The more she aquatinted herself among the hive, the more she came to care for them all. It was a surreal feeling for Chrysalis, caring for others besides yourself, and she wanted to share this feeling with many others. When the day came that she announced to her hive that she cared, no, loved them all not as their Queen but as their mother, her transformation took hold into the beautiful form she now holds. Chrysalis was beside herself at the drastic change she underwent, but also took note of how she no longer felt the need to feed since she could now self-sustain herself with her newfound love for her hive. What’s more is that she had even discovered how to love herself as a living being. The hive followed suit in her example, one by one, in taking on their new reformed appearances. Queen Chrysalis was ecstatic of the Changeling Hive’s new development, but knew that there was still work to be done before she could reintroduce herself to Equestria.

“May I have the room to myself, please?” Chrysalis requested to the drones guarding her.

“Of course, my Queen-Mother,” they both said.

“Thank you, I appreciate both of your hard work,” Chrysalis smiled warmly at them as they left.

Being called Queen-Mother was a new title she gave herself since her transformation. It was to address her not only as the Changeling leader, but also as their maternal figure. It filed her heart with joy, especially when some of the drones just called her Mother. Once the drones were gone, Chrysalis stepped off her throne and walked to the balcony to look down at her newly reformed kingdom. She watched her subjects/children fly around and laugh together with gleeful smiles. She often recounted the days when she was still the cold and calculating ruler, and wondered what might have happened if that old man had not appeared in the fist place.

“Hmm, I wish to meet him again one day,” Chrysalis thought aloud. “I would very much like to show him all that I have done thanks to his wisdom.”

Knock! Knock!

Chrysalis was brought out of her thoughts when she heard a knocking at the door. Before, she would be infuriated that one of her drones would disturb her when she said she wished to be alone. But she could not bring herself to be angered by something so trivial. 

“It is open! What may I help you with-?”

Chrysalis’ sentence was cut short when she saw who entered her throne room. Her heart was sent into a rapid flutter and a wide smile spread across her lips. In walked an old bipedal creature with a cane in hand as he smiled warmly at the reformed Changeling Queen. Those kind eyes, the welcoming atmosphere, and his signature kind smile sent waves of happiness throughout her body.

“Hello, my dear, it has been some time,” the old man spoke softly.

“Oh my goodness! It’s you!” Chrysalis cheered as she unfurled her wings and flew directly at him. Like a filly first learning to fly, she flew in circles in the air above the old man until she landed gracefully in front of him. “For so long, I wished to meet you again, and here you are! It’s as if you heard my wish to see you again just now!”

“I am glad to see you as well, Chrysalis, you are looking much more vibrant than the last I saw you,” the old man said.

“Do you truly think so?” Chrysalis asked as she looked herself over. “It still baffles me how I was able to achieve such a form. The feeling of being loved and sharing it has allowed me to see things in a different light.”

“And what, pray tell, is that?” The old man wondered.

“I was convinced that I would do anything in my power to seek out love and take it, for my self and for my hive. I admittedly cared not for any who I may have harmed along the way, and was on the verge of usurping an entire kingdom just to get what I desired. When you explained that there were other ways to receive love and share it instead of just taking it, I was unprepared for such a concept. I took your words to heart and have been searching for the answer for many moons. Then I remembered what you asked me about my hive, how I cared for them as if they were my own young.” Chrysalis smiled as she glanced out the window to see a few young Changelings fly together in the air. “You were right, for I have come to love and care for them as any mother would for their young. I have come to realize that they bring me so much joy and it fills me with pride that they are able to love me back as their mother. It has taught me to also love myself, something that almost seemed too ridiculous to consider before my reformation. But I could not be more happier because of it, and I have you to thank for it all.”

“I’m glad you see it that way,” the old man nodded.

“But…this also leaves me feeling guilty,” Chrysalis confessed, sounding sad.

“Whatever for?”

“Though I now am reformed, I fear of what everypony else must still think of me after what I attempted to do. I caused them much grief and interrupted Princess Cadence’s wedding. I still recall each of their faces, how they looked at us with such disdain. I had hoped to one day make a second appearance, but I worry that they may not forgive me.”

“Hmm, perhaps you have this turned around?” The old man suggested.

“What do you mean?”

“You should learn to forgive yourself before you seek forgiveness from others.”

“Forgive myself?”

“Of course, you have seen the error of your ways and learned to love your precious hive and yourself. You have done what you have set out to do, but you still feel as though your transgressions will hold you back. If you forgave yourself, and then showed the rest of the world how much you have changed both inside and out, you would be able to achieve the closure you so desire.”

Chrysalis was once again taken back by the old man’s words. To seek forgiveness from others was one thing, but to forgive herself? Could it even be possible for her?

“Is it truly that simple to forgive myself?”

“It is if you allow it, I was able to do so long ago,” The old man reassured her. “So long as you have your family by your side.”

“My family…” Chrysalis repeated. “Once again, your words hold true, old one. My children, my…family, has been my source of support for as long as I can recall. If they can forgive me for once being a cold and unforgiving ruler, then surely I can do the same for myself.”

“So would you still say that the ponies would hold resentment towards you?”

“Not if I can show them otherwise. I’ll prove to them that I no longer take love, but share it with others.

“Then that is exactly what you shall do,” the old man smiled at her. “As the old saying goes where I am from: love comes in all shapes and sizes.”

Chrysalis smiled back at the old man as she raised up on her hind legs and gently embraced the old man. “Thank you, wise one, your words of encouragement have allowed me to become something I hadn’t realized I had the potential to do so. I suppose you could say that I was in my own way.”

“As we all are, at one point in our lives,” the old man said as he pat her back. “That is why it is important to forgive yourself.”

Chrysalis released the old man as he nodded in approval and turned to walk away. “Old one,” Chrysalis called out, making him look over his shoulder. “Will we…meet again in the future?”

“One day,” the old man nodded with a smile. “And I look forward to seeing what else you can accomplish.”

The old man then left out the door and Chrysalis was left alone. She returned to the balcony and smiled even more than before down at her reformed kingdom and subjects.

“I will show them all,” Chrysalis proclaimed proudly. “We will show them all.”
> Forge Your Own Destiny
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Chapter 9


It had been some time since the battle against King Sombra and freeing the Crystal Empire from its curse and his control. The Empire was once again a thriving city and its crystal ponies were happy that they no longer had to worry about Sombra’s rein. Or at least, it should have remained that way if it weren’t for the actions of a single pony. 

One thousand years ago, she was once a resident of the Crystal Empire during Princess Amore’s rule, but lived as an orphan and did not socialize with many ponies. Her name was Radiant Hope, and she was Sombra’s first and only friend. When Radiant Hope first acquired her cutie mark, after healing Sombra and stopping his body from breaking apart into shadow, she was sent to study and pursue the magical arts under Celestia’s and Luna’s tutelage. However, the young mare could not bare the weight of worry in her heart any longer and left Canterlot to find her own path since Sombra was exiled. It was then, during her travels through the Arctic Wastes, did she discover the origin of Sombra’s people, the Umbrum. At first, the Umbrum came off as friendly creatures who informed Hope that they wanted to help Sombra as well. So she spent the next thousand years in their world, never aging, and learning all she could. Unfortunately, for the misguided mare, her naïveté would be her and the Empire’s downfall. 

Using the aid of the Flim Flam bothers, Iron Will, and Lighting Dust as a distraction for the main six, Hope was able to restore Sombra’s body. Only for Sombra to trap the main six, overpower Celestia and Luna and turn them to stone, and seize control of the Crystal Empire. Hope was distraught with Sombra’s actions, but refused to believe he was evil and wanted to prove to him and everypony else who and what he could really be. Within the Crystal Palace, Hope was confronted by Princess Cadence and tried to convince her that the Umbrum were not the monsters she believed them to be. How wrong Hope would soon realize she was, when she actually brought Cadence to the world of the Umbrum and the shadow ponies revealed their true forms as grotesque monsters. Despite learning the truth, and attempting once again to appeal to Sombra to not free them, it was all inevitable in the end once Sombra freed the Umbrum after their long imprisonment.

Now the Crystal Empire was once again a shadow of its former self. Sombra was in control, Twilight and Cadence were in shackles, the rest managing to escape capture but on the run, and the Umbrum were free and unstoppable under Sombra’s rule. Just when Sombra had learned of the other main six’s location and when he was about to turn Twilight and Cadence into stone, Twilight managed to convince the Umbrum and Sombra to make a big show of their stone transformation as a sign of his total dominion of Equestria. The only task Sombra had to do now was to fetch his one and only friend so that she may witness the spectacle and second step of world domination.

Now that Sombra thought about it, as he made his way to Hope’s room, she had distanced herself from him when she should have been by his side. He took back the Crystal Empire, defeated his enemies, and soon the world. Sombra eventually arrived at Hope’s room and gave it a few knocks.

“Hope, are you awake?” Sombra called out. When he entered the room, he found his friend sitting by the window with an expressionless look on her face. Hope gazed at the ominous clouds that passed overhead and didn’t bother to look in Sombra’s direction. “There you are. I was worried that I would wake you. Should I have somepony bring you dinner?” Despite his cold demeanor to nearly everypony else, he still viewed Hope as his dear friend. “We’ve just turned the Sun and Moon Princesses to stone and we’re about to do the same to the remaining two Princesses out on the dais.”

“On the dais?” Hope repeated, still not looking at Sombra.

“Yes, where the heart used to be. We’ll put an end to them where everypony can see them,” Sombra confirmed.

“That will be good, then you’ll have won, right? Then we can live happily ever after?” Hope asked sarcastically.

“Well, not quite yet. If we take Cloudsdale by surprise, we’ll have the high ground to assault Canterlot.”

“Oh. So then you’ll be done?” She asked again.

“Hope! This is only the beginning!” Sombra pleaded to his only friend. “Then there’s the griffons and the yaks!”

“And I am to be your Empress in this? I’ll stand by your side and watch-ow!” Hope winced, the attack she shielded him from Twilight still aching.

“Hope!” Sombra said, attempting to help her.

“Get back!” Hope snapped. “I’ll do it myself! If I’m going to be an Empress of monsters, I ought to at least be able to stand on my own.”

“Hope…I’m sorry,” Sombra frowned.

“Are you, Sombra?” Hope questioned brazenly. “They told me this who you would become, but I didn’t believe it. I knew there was something better in you.”

“But Hope, I-”

“No! I was a fool. You told me yourself that you were a monster. I should have listened. But I had…hope. Foolish, foolish hope.”

“You don’t understand!” Sombra shook his head. “When we looked in the Crystal Heart that day, I saw this! I saw what I am now! I saw my destiny. The Umbrum confirmed it. They told me I was a weapon. They made me the way I am so I could release the other monsters. I was born to be a monster!”

“Is that truly what you believe?”

Both ponies snapped their heads to the door opening to see someone else walk in. At first, Sombra did not recognize the strange bipedal creature that walked in on his own. Until he saw the cane in his hand and the old-looking face.

“You?! What are you doing here?!” Sombra demanded. “How did you get past the Umbrum?!”

“Wait, you know this creature?” Hope asked curiously as the old man closed the door and walked in.

“I had a feeling that we would one day meet again, Sombra,” the old man said as he slowly approached the two. “I only wish it were under better circumstances.”

“I don’t know how you got in here, but I shall personally see to it that you are thrown out! I have no time for your interference!”

“Sombra, don’t!” Hope said, hobbling in front of the old me before Sombra charged up his horn. “The Princesses are one thing, but you would go so far as to harm an elderly creature like him?”

“Move aside, Hope, I should have dealt with this one long ago!”

“I will not!”

“Sombra, even in the presence of your friend, who has always stood by your side, you would continue to inflict violence upon others?” The old man frowned.

“Do not speak to me ass if you know me, old fool!” Sombra barked. “I am what I am! A shadow pony! One of the Umbrum! A monster! It is what the Heart showed me, I an just fulfilling what destiny had in store for me!”

“And you would allow a relic to define who and what you are?” The old man asked.

“There is no escaping destiny, so why bother trying to avoid the inevitable?”

“That is where you are wrong, Sombra,” the old man shook his head. “Destiny can always be rewritten, so long as you have the will to do so. I too was once in the same position as you, I once lived as a criminal and had always been told it was something I would do for the rest of my life.” The old man then shared his life as a mafioso to the shadow pony and Hope. “Despite all my transgressions, I was able to pull myself away from it all.”

“Your life and my choices do not concern each other, old man, the difference between you and I is that I had no choice.”

“Sombra, look at me,” Hope said. “When we looked into that heart, you hid what you saw and I told you what I saw. What did I see?”

“You saw yourself as a princess,” Sombra said.

“And am I a Princess?” Hope questioned.

“Aren’t you?”

“No. After what happened with you I left my training. I went out to try and find you. To try and help you.”

“So you never became a Princess because of me?” Sombra sounded surprised and Hope nodded.

“That’s right.”

“How interesting,” the old man hummed. “The chance of a lifetime that most could only dream of, and she chose to forgo it all for the sake of her friend.”

“Then that means I robbed you of your great destiny,” Sombra said sadly. “I’m so sorry, Hope.”

“Ugh, Sombra, you’re a fool!” Hope groaned, confusing Sombra. “It’s just as this old man said, I chose to not become a Princess. You didn’t rob me of anything!”

“But…your destiny.”

“Who gives a flying horseshoe about destiny! You think I cared about Somme dumb princess title? You think I’d let an old relic tell me who and what I was meant to be? I only went along with it because I thought it was the best way to help you! But then you got exiled and I couldn’t focus on anything else! You were my friend, Sombra, you were just too blinded by your own fear of your destiny to see the truth!”

“If you cared so much…if she cared so much, then why did I still turn out the way I am?!” Sombra barked. “Why didn’t anypony help me when I needed it most?! Why couldn’t Amore just tell me the truth before things escalated to this point?!”

“Blaming others is hardly fair, Sombra,” the old man said.

“What do you know?! Was it not your destiny to live as a criminal?!”

“No, it wasn’t, because I had the will to change it,” The old man said. “Perhaps you would be right in a way, I often thought that it was my destiny to live my days as a criminal after the war. But if I continued down that path, my future would only continue to be bleak and unforgiving. I might’ve never come back. I tried to appeal to you once, to help you see that your actions would come at the expense of other’s suffering, but I was mistaken to try and reach out to you in that way since you were still driven by your self-proclaimed destiny. You say there is no escaping destiny, Sombra, but look at this young mare, look at me.”

“I agree, Sombra,” Hope said. “Besides, I never believed in destiny anyway and neither should you.”

“But what the heart showed me rang to be true in the end!” Sombra argued defiantly. “I became a cold hearted pony, bent on destroying my enemies, and I couldn’t do a thing to prevent it! It was my unavoidable destiny!”

“Who ever said destiny is absolute? Who or what has the authority to shape what one becomes in their life?” The old man asked. “I had many individuals tell me what I should or shouldn’t do, and I went along with it for a time. The realization came later rather than sooner, but I was able to come to the epiphany that my destiny is my own. The same should apply to you, Sombra, just because you have more to lose rather than gain than you realize.”

“And what exactly is it that I have to lose?” Sombra questioned. 

“Your individuality, your small trace of goodness, and most of all your one and only friend,” the old man said.

Sombra looked to the floor after all he had been told. Was it truly possible to reject his destiny and become something more than what he was? He had caused so much pain and suffering already, and yet Hope, his only friend, and this strange old man, who is now appealing to him for the second time, told him it was indeed possible.

“You both make it sound so…simple. To be in charge of my own destiny and shape it how I, and I alone, see fit.”

“That’s because it is,” Hope said as she used her magic to lift her cloak and open her saddlebag. “I was holding on to this for safe keeping, but maybe you should take one last look at it.” Hope then pulled out the very relic that revealed to him his apparent destiny, the Crystal Heart itself.

“The Crystal Heart? You had it all this time?” Sombra questioned as he used his magic to hold it.

“It’s the lock that keeps the Umbrum imprisoned. As long as it’s whole, the Umbrum can be locked away for good. If you smash it…”

“Then the Umbram shall remain free forever,” Sombra finished.

“I recall you saying that it showed you two your destinies,” the old man said as Sombra looked into the Heart. “So tell us, Sombra, what is it that you see now?”

“Just me…” Sombra said as his reflection stared back at him. “Just my reflection.”

“Remember, Sombra,” the old man said as he turned to walk away. “Rejection is merely a redirection; a course correction to your destiny.”

“Is that what you told yourself in order to give up the life of crime you had lived?” Sombra asked as the old man opened the door.

“Who can say?” The old man shrugged. “But now comes a thought to ponder that will define what happens next. Who are you? What do you want?” And with that lingering thought, the old man left the room and shut the door, leaving the two ponies to contemplate with one another.

“Hope?” Sombra said as he hid the Heart under his cloak.

“Yes, Sombra?” Hope saw an ever so faint smile form on Sombra’s face.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For helping me see the truth.” Sombra said as he walked towards the door. “Now I believe it’s time I see if the words you and that old man have said ring true. I shall attempt to forge my own destiny.”



No pony saw it coming, not even the wicked Umbram expected this sudden turn of events. Just when they thought Sombra was going to make an example of Princess Cadence and Twilight, he revealed the Crystal Heart out of nowhere from under his cloak and placed the Heart back on its dais. It all happened so fast, that all the Umbram could do was roar in horror and rage that their plans of world domination were completely snuffed out in a blink of an eye. As Sombra began to fade away after thanking his one and truest friend for believing in him, she used her magic to stop the Heart’s magic from sending him away again. After witnessing Sombra’s heroic acts and change of heart, the four Princesses also lent a hoof with their magic and helped break the dark curse that afflicted the shadow pony. Now reformed as a normal-looking unicorn stallion, Sombra had informed Celestia that he will use his second chance to rekindle a lost friendship by tracking down the scattered pieces of Princess Amore’s statue. Though it would be a long journey for Sombra, both physically and mentally, he now had a bright and clear mind thanks to his now beloved childhood friend and lover. As Sombra and Hope departed together from the Crystal Empire to begin their search, the old man stood on the same cliff’s edge, afar from the Empire, where he witnessed Sombra’s defeat. Only this time, the old man was smiling proudly that with the aid of Hope, he was able to finally get through Sombra’s cold heart.

“I wish you luck on your journey, young ones, all it takes in the end is having a little faith in yourselves.” With that, the old man left from where he stood. All that remained for him to do now is wait once more for another who was also lost.
> Life’s Gift
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Chapter 10


The night was still, and the moon shined down on a pasture of fields with the stars twinkling beside it. There was a faint breeze in the air that carried a scent of trees and dew from the grass. A single trail stretched across the fields, a trail ponies would sometimes walk along during the day just for a stroll. Along the trail sat a single bench someone decided to place in case there was anyone wished to take a short break. Nothing could be heard for an untold amount of time as the bench awaited the next wanderer to take a seat.

From the horizon, on this cool and quiet night, a figure slowly walked along the path to the left of the bench. It was a bipedal creature with a cane in hand and it was slowly and patiently making its way towards the bench. Eventually, the being had made it to the bench and decided to rest upon it by taking a seat. The old man sighed as he gazed up at the stars and moon. The old man always enjoyed his nighttime strolls, especially since he could bask in the moon’s glow. But why he chose to go out and walk this late at night was anyone’s guess, especially since most everyone was asleep by now. Despite this, the old man held his place and stat on the lone bench, by himself, with no one around.

Some time later, a second figure appeared from the opposite end of the trail. Its appearance was a tad larger than the old man, but had a cloak over its body. The slow, yet heavy, hoofsteps came clopping along the dirt path until the cloaked being spotted the old man on the bench. It paused for a moment, staring at the old man, until a tired sigh escaped and the cloaked figure walked closer to the old man on the bench. More silence followed once the two were just a few feet from one another and the old man glanced at the cloaked figure.

“Evening,” the old man greeted, and received a low hum in response. “Care to sit?” The old man offered. The cloaked figure hesitated but felt compelled to accept and positioned himself next to the old man. “Nice night, wouldn’t you say?”

“…yes, indeed,” the cloaked figure nodded.

“What brings you out all the way here?” The old ma wondered.

“I…was on a journey,” the cloaked figure said. “At first, I believed I was wasting my time when I should have been doing what I set out to do once I was free. But now…I feel so…conflicted.” The figure turned his head towards the old man. “You knew, didn’t you?”

“Now why would you go and assume something like that, Tirek?” The old man smiled. In response to the name, the cloaked figure reached up and pulled off his cloak’s hood to reveal himself. 

Tirek had a blank expression on his face as the old man examined him. The last time he saw him, Tirek looked quite withered and frail due to lack of magic consumption. But now, he looked more healthier and less frail. His face had filled out, his body gained a bit more mass, and his horns had grown a little too. Though his eyes were black with yellow irises, they no longer had the power hungry gaze as before. Instead, they were much more calm and collected.

“You look more vibrant than the last I saw you,” the old man commented.

“I have been eating, if you must know, actual food for nourishment instead of consuming magic from ponies, as what we had agreed to,” Tirek said.

“You sound as though you have something on your mind,” the old man said.

“More than you can ever imagine,” Tirek frowned as he looked up at the sky. “When I was young, I held as much pride in myself than I care to admit. I was a headstrong, cold, and defiant centaur. My father always did what was best for my brother and I, but I treated him as though he were an obstacle in my way. I’m embarrassed to admit that deep down, I wanted to prove that I could be a better leader than he ever was.” Tirek looked down at his hand. “There was this hermit who prattled on about discovering a new way to harness magic and make it his own, and I saw it as my chance to achieve what I desired. In the end, I found myself being betrayed by my own brother and imprisoned for my crimes.”

“And you wished to continue those dark deeds of yours if and when you were ever free from imprisonment?” The old man asked and Tirek nodded.

“Power was the only thing on my mind. If I had that, no one would ever dare question my authority. That is…until I encountered you and convinced me to strike a bargain with me.”

“I asked you to travel and see the world,” the old man nodded.

“I did, and you know what I saw?” Tirek paused and looked up at the sky. “I saw…life.”

“Life?” The old man repeated.

“Yes, in the beginning of my journey, I wished to complete the task set for me and be done with it. As I traveled, the more I began to notice things. In a forest, I was surrounded by trees as far as I could see. Some stretched high to the sky, and their leaves were shaded a variety of colors. I thought to myself that if I had the power, I could burn the forrest down to make a monument to my greatness. But then I noticed the animals that lived in the forest. The animals I saw every now and then had made their homes in some of these trees. They all looked…content with their homes and found comfort from the trees. If the trees were not there for them, they would be driven out and left to fend for themselves out in the open. I felt a sense of…guilt when I wished for the forest’s destruction, so I decided to leave the forests of the lands be.”

“Nature is more important than you might understand,” the old man commented.

“I realized that, especially when I witnessed these ponies up close.” Tirek frowned and looked away. “I can’t tell you how many times I wished to absorb their magic for my own, but my honor made me stay my hand. At the time, I only viewed them as sources of power for my conquest and nothing more. That is until I had a certain encounter.”

“What kind of encounter?” The old man wondered.

“There are only a select few in the world who know of my existence, them being the Princesses, the Element Bearers, and Discord. The rest of these ponies were all mostly oblivious to my name, but kept their distance if my appearance was shown to them. One day, as I took refuge near a town, a young foal took notice of me an boldly approached. I thought he was a foolish little colt, but I suppose it was because of his young mind that made him oblivious of the danger I could have posed to him. The colt was so small, I could have easily scared him off or threaten to drain his power, but, once agin, I stayed my hand from doing harm.”

“The young are always innocently ignorant,” the old man said.

“I did not think much of the colt, but ever since he met me, he always seemed to want to see me each time for as long as I resided near that town. He prattled on about his family, how he always wanted to make his parents smile. I asked him what was the point? Why did he have to go out of his way for their satisfaction when all that should matter was his own? He didn’t seem to quite understand what I meant, but he responded by asking me why he should be the only one to be happy? His parents, his friends, his…brother, the colt was happy to have them in his life. It somehow reminded me of my own family, how my mother was always a kind soul. Even my father, in his own way. As I continued my travels, I had met many other ponies, young and old, even different creatures from time to time. Each one sharing their own view of how content they were with their lives.”

“You mentioned once that you had a brother when we met,” the old man said. “Were you close?”

“As close as can be, before he betrayed me,” Tirek said with a sigh. “Though, now that I recall, he was always one of my main pillars of support before my imprisonment.” Tirek looked back at the old man. “I see now that he must not have wanted to turn against me when he attempted to appeal to me, but I was so driven by my lust for magic that he was left with no choice but to warn the Princesses.” He looked up at the stars again. “I believed that not absorbing magic would make me too weak and frail, when in fact that it was starting to become therapeutic. My mind became clearer, my body felt more natural, and the drive for magic consumption ebbed away from my soul little by little.”

“Addiction is a terrible disease, it requires a strong will in order to not give in to its dark whispers,” the old man commented.

“I agree,” Tirek nodded. “But despite all that I had encountered, those experiences were not what convinced me to change my ways.”

“What was it then?” The old man wondered.

“It happened as I was headed towards another town. I was minding my own business when I heard a cry out for help. Piquing my curiosity, I investigated and saw a stallion and a mare. One of their wagon’s wheels had broken and the mare’s abdomen was greatly bloated, which could only have meant she was in the midst of giving birth to her unborn foal. Feeling compelled to aid them in their dilemma, I offered to quickly repair their wagon. However, fate had other plans and the mare was ready to give birth right then and there. With the stallion panicking and me having knowledge I’ve read in books, I had no choice but to assist the mare.”

“My word, that must have been an ordeal,” the old man chuckled.

“Believe me, it was quire arduous to say the least,” Tirek exhaled. “But the results were…beyond what I expected. Through my efforts, and instructing the couple, the mare was able to birth a healthy baby filly. There were times in my life I always ensured I would be mentally prepared for, but this…” 

For the first time in Tirek’s life, the centaur smiled, but it was warm and kind instead of cold and malicious. “The filly’s wails were like a calling to me, her tiny frame in my hands made me feel I was carrying something so very precious. I had witnessed a life coming to the world for the first time, and I helped bring it to the world.” Tirek looked down at his hands, still smiling. “That’s when I realized it, as I handed the couple’s foal to them and sent them on their way after I repaired their wagon. This foal had been given the gift of life. It is a fragile gift, and not one that can be kept forever, but it is the most precious gift in all of the world. All these ponies, these creatures, they had all been given this gift. And I was planning to take it away from them.”

The old man smiled back as he too looked up at the stars. “In the end, what matters isn’t how long we’ve lived but how fully we’ve lived. The good we’ve done, the friends we’ve made, and the love we’ve shared along the way.”

“I am sorry that I did not realize this sooner,” Tirek said, slowly nodded.

“It’s the journey, Tirek, remember that,” the old man said as he patted Tirek’s shoulder and stood up. “Now it is time for you to begin living your life how can.”

“I shall,” Tirek nodded again and stood up as well. “I believe I owe my brother a long overdue apology.” He raised his hand towards the old man. “I thank you for showing me the way.”

“It wasn’t I who showed you anything, Tirek,” the old man said as he clasped his hand with Tirek;s and shook it. “You did that all on your own through your own eyes.”

Without another word, the two departed from another and left in the opposite directions where they came from. As Tirek walked down the path, he did not pull his cloak’s hood over his head this time. He would no longer hide who and what he was. Now, he had a whole new view on the concept of his life.



Far, far away from the lands of Equrstria, there stood a tall structure that towered over a city of creatures. The MIdnight Palace was home to the Centaur and Gargoyle race, but all the inhabitants were in shock at the moment when they saw someone walk towards the palace with a straight face. Tirek paid no mind to the stares as he made his way to the entrance of the palace. The guards were in such shock that they didn’t bother stopping him as he opened the doors and went in. Tirek eventually made it to the throne room where he saw an older centaur, a female gargoyle, and a younger male gargoyle all staring at Tirek with surprise.

“Hello, my family,” Tirek said. “I have returned, and there is much I would like to reconcile with you.”
> Life Lessons Shared
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Epilogue


Much time has passed in Equestria and the ponies have all been in a more relaxed state-of-mind than ever before. Due to the lack of major threats against Equestria, Twilight and her friends were rarely ever needed to save the day. However, there were a couple incidents when they had to act but managed to quell the danger rather quickly. The reason? They had help from some very unexpected individuals.

The Pony of Shadows was known to be one of Equestria’s most well-known folktales since he existed during a time when The Pillars of Equestria were still around. On the day when the Pony of Shadows was freed along with the Pillars from limbo, he vowed for revenge and set off to engulf the land in darkness. All the Pony of Shadows had to do now was await his former friends to arrive at Hollow Shades, where he had a trap ready and waiting as soon as they stepped hoof in the Well of Shade.

“Foolish Star Swirl,” the Pony of Shadows sneered to himself. “Soon all ponies will feel the despair I did when you cast me out!” The Pony of Shadows’ hatred continued to burn towards the Pillars, nothing mattered to him besides acquiring revenge. “I shall revel in my victory by forcing you all to witness me spread the darkness!”

“Oh, now we can’t have you do that.”

A sudden voice made the Shadow of Pony snap his head towards the entrance. Two figures appeared before him as they stared at him. One was the Spirit of Chaos, Discord, and the other was the reformed Changeling Queen, Chrysalis.

“Who dares enter my inner sanctum?!” The Pony of Shadows hissed.

“Somepony who can tell that you are misinformed, Stygian,” Discord said.

“DO NOT SPEAK THAT NAME, WHELP!” The Pony of Shadows hissed. “And I am far from misinformed!”

“Are you?” Chrysalis asked. “Because it seems to me that you are trying to force something that can be earned a different way.”

“And what is that?!” The Pony of Shadow barked.

“Accepence,” Discord said, making the Pony of Shadows pause. “I know who you are, Stygian, we both do. A young stallion, once a friend to the Pillars of Equestria, but forced out under false pretenses.”

“Enough!” The Pony of Shadows bellowed as his dark magic flared. “I refused to listen to your words, Draconequus!”

Before The Pony of Shadows could blast Discord and Chrysalis with dark magic, Discord took Chrysalis’ hoof and they both combined their magic. With a snap of Discord’s fingers and a flash of Chrysalis’ horn, they both flew straight towards the Pony of Shadows and fazed into his body. There was darkness at first, until Chrysalis lit up her horn for light. They then saw a lone unicorn wearing a tattered cloak and staring at the two in shock.

“But how?!” The stallion gasped.

“Never underestimate the combined power of the Spirit of Chaos and Changeling Queen, my boy,” Discord smirked.

“So this is what you look like, Stygian,” Chrysalis said as she stepped forward. “Why must you have such hatred? Surely this all must be some kind of misunderstanding?”

“Misunderstanding?” Stygian scoffed. “I was the reason why the Pillars were held in such high regard. I was their tactician, I learned all I could about the dangers that threatened Equestria, but I was never acknowledged for my efforts.” Stygian’s expression became dark and angered as dark magic flowed around him. “And what do I get for wanting to be stronger and fight by their side? THEY CAST ME OUT!”

“As I thought, this all was a misunderstanding,” Chrysalis sighed.

“Indeed, Chrysalis, it seems to me you jumped to conclusions and as did they. All this mess was due to a lack of communication,” Discord said.

“What does it matter, they betrayed me!” Stygian said.

“They did not betray you, Stygian,” Discord remarked. “You betrayed yourself.” Stygian recoiled at his words. “While you may have wanted their acknowledgment and recognition from the populace, you failed to properly confide in your friends. You acted of your own accord and they saw it as an attempt to take all the power for yourself.”

“Tell us, Stygian, before you were banished, even before you became the Pony of Shadows, do you truly believe your friendship meant nothing to the Pillars?” Chrysalis asked. “I would imagine that they were heartbroken because of your actions and did what they felt was their only option to stop you.”

Stygian stood silent as he took in their words. He remembered how jealous he was of the Pillars and wanted to be acknowledged as they were. However, instead of speaking to them directly about it, he decided to act on his own accord. After he was cast out by his former friends, he allowed his jealousy and newfound hatred take over, thus also allowing the darkness to consume him. 

“I was angry for what they did,” Stygian muttered with a frown. “I wanted to show them I could be as heroic and they were. But I…I never meant to hurt anypony.”

“I’m sure you didn’t, all it takes is not losing faith in yourself and your friends,” Discord said. “I should know, since I once believed I didn’t need friends.”

“And I believed I could take what I desired for my own personal gain,” Chrysalis said.

“How did you change your ways?” Stygian asked and both Discord and Chrysalis smiled.

“An old friend showed us a better path,” Discord said.

Chrysalis stepped just before Stygian and raised her hoof out to him. “We can help you just as he helped us. We can share with you our experiences and the lessons we have learned so you won’t ever have to feel despair.”



The Pillars and the Elements made their way down the Well of Shade, all prepared to face the Pony of Shadows. Suddenly, there was a bright flash of light from the inner sanctum that shined brightly for several moments, followed by a demonic roar. The Pillars and the Elements were startled from this strange phenomenon. As the light died down, the group ran down the stairs to investigate. What they found was the Pony of Shadows they were expecting, but also two other individuals. Discord was on one side and Chrysalis was on the other. Both were using their magic to keep the Pony of Shadows at bay while the beast struggled to break free from their hold.

“Discord?!” The Elements gasped.

“Hello, my friends! If you would all be so kind as to send this brute back from whence it came, Chrysalis and I would be most appreciative!” Discord said.

“Chrysalis?!” They gasped again.

“Later! Now do what you must!” Chrysalis said.

“But what about-!” Twilight tried to say.

“Twilight, dear, do not argue!” Discord snapped. “Just trust us!”

The Pillars and Elements had no choice but to oblige and power up their combined magic. A beam of magic shot towards the Pony of Shadows and a portal opened up behind it. With their combined efforts, the Pony of Shadows was successfully forced through the portal and sealed away. 

“We did it!” Rainbow Dash cheered.

“Indeed we did,” Star Swirl nodded.

“I just wish there was another way…” Twilight frowned.

“You are referring to young Stygian, yes?” Chrysalis asked, surprising the group.

“Yes! But how do you know that?” Twilight wondered. “And what happened to you, Chrysalis? You look so…”

“Reformed? I shall explain everything at another time. For now, there is somepony who wishes to speak with you.” Chrysalis and Discord looked off to the side towards a stone pillar. “The darkness is gone, dear, you may reveal yourself.”

All heads turned to the pillar and a young stallion slowly walked out. The Pillars went wide-eyed when they saw their old comrade as Stygian approached them with a guilty frown.

“Stygian?!” Rockhoof gasped.

“How can this be?!” Star Swirl demanded.

“Calm yourself, Star Swirl,” Discord said as he walked over to Stygian and placed his lion paw on Stygian’s head. “I believe you Pillars and this colt have a long overdue conversation that must be addressed.”




Some Time Later
School Of Friendship




Her ruse worked more perfectly than she could ever have imagined. Months of planning had proved to be worth it in the end as Cozy Glow paced around the magical field that had Starlight Glimmer trapped in.

“I’m sorry I had to push you in, but what else could I do?” Cozy asked rhetorically. “You were going to ruin all my plans. You might get some company soon, if I can’t make that annoying Neighsay to BACK OFF!” Cozy took a deep breath to calm herself. “I wish this would have happened sooner if that stupid pen pal of mine hadn’t abruptly stopped writing me back! I mean, one moon we’re sharing copious details of how to drain all the magic in Equestria by using this vortex to suck it into another realm, and then he just stops writing to me out of the blue! Do you have any idea how difficult it is for a single filly like me to plan something as big as this and fake a smile?!” Cozy glared at Straight. “Really hard! Especially since I wanted to pull my mane out from listening to all those braindead lessons of friendship.” Cozy took another breath to calm herself. “Whatever, I did all the heavy lifting anyway so I get to hog all the credit once I become the new ruler of Equestria. I’ll admit that Neighsay was right about one thing, friendship is the most powerful thing to ever exist! And with Twilight and her lackies out of the way, all of Equestria will bow to me! The future Empress of Friendship!” Starlight could do nothing as Cozy Glow cackled to herself. “You know something else? I honestly expected more from that nerd of a princess of friendship, Twilight. For all her smarts, how dumb can she be to think the cause of magic disappearing could be in Tartarus?! She practically was begging to set herself up to fail!”

“It seems my letters were a tad more influential than I expected.”

Cozy Glow gasped and turned to the entrance of the chamber. Two figures entered the chamber that shocked both Starlight and Cozy Glow. The first was Sombra and had a stoic yet stern gaze directed at Cozy. The second was none other than Tirek, dressed in royal-looking armor that had a red cape draped over the shoulder guards.

“What the rusty horseshoe?! King Sombra and Tirek?!” Cozy gasped.

“The young filly has caused quite the mess,” Sombra said. “It’s no wonder my search with Hope for the fragments had to be put on hold.”

“Indeed, though it is my fault that all of this came to pass in the first place. During the early days of my rediscovery journey, I was still in the hunger for power state-of-mind. I presumed that I would need a backup plan in case my original one failed, so I took up a protégé to share my influence,” Tirek sighed.

Starlight was still in complete shock upon seeing both Sombra and Tirek in the same room, more so Tirek since she had heard from Twilight how Sombra managed to be reformed. Tirek was more healthy-looking than ever before and his eyes were no longer black. The once evil centaur no longer had a menacing appearance as before, but now a more calm and collected atmosphere about him.

“You better stay back!” Cozy warned.

“Or else what, little filly?” Sombra wondered.

“I’ll-I’ll use the magic from this magic field to trap you too!”

“An admirable bluff, but we did not come to fight,” Sombra said. “You should know that we have already sent word to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna about your transgressions and I expect Twilight and her friends to return from Tartarus momentarily.”

“Wh-What?! How could you do that?! And you!” Cozy pointed at Tirek. “You think just because you’re here that I’m gonna let you take what I earned?! Fat chance! I did all the work while you sat on your haunches!”

“I did nothing of the sort, Cozy Glow, I was on a journey,” Tirek said. “I have come to tell you that I was wrong.”

“Wrong about what?!” Cozy demanded.

“Everything.” Tirek paced around the chamber with his hands behind his back. “I was determined to drain every last drop of magic so that I could rule as the most powerful being. I did not care for who or what suffered and only thought of myself. I soon came to the realization that power isn’t everything. My journey to rediscover myself showed me that there is more to life than seeking power wherever I go. There is more to offer to the world rather than keeping it all to yourself.”

“What are you, stupid?! Of course power is everything!” Cozy argued. “Just look at what it’s done and how it helped bring the creatures of Equestria together! This school itself is proof that friendship is the most powerful thing in existence!”

“I too once had the same beliefs as you did, young filly,” Sombra said. “I desired power since I am something not of this realm. I wanted to conquer all I saw and believed it was my fate. But what good is power when you abuse it for personal gain? My friend Hope helped me see a brighter path, as did an old soul who convinced me that I could change my fate.”

“Spare me the woe was me speech, Sombra, and you don’t know what you’re talking about, Tirek!” Cozy rolled her eyes. “You both set yourselves up too since everypony knows you’re two of the greatest enemies of Equestria! I doubt anypony would believe either of you over a sweet and innocent filly like me.”

“Is it perhaps you have misunderstood the concept of friendship?” Sombra theorized. “You believe that it can make others do what you want them to once you tap into their innocence, when all you’re doing is taking advantage of them.”

“So what?! It works!” Cozy huffed.

“Not all the time, Cozy Glow,” Tirek shook his head. “Not even my own brother would be fully swayed by my words, which is why he had no choice but to turn against me. Just because you think everypony is friends with you, doesn’t mean they will do everything you say.”

“Well that’s your dumb opinions!” Cozy huffed and turned away. “If none of you are here to fight and just came here to bore me with words, then you can just leave! The magic will soon be drained anyway, and you can’t stop it!”

“It seems our words are not reaching her, Tirek,” Sombra said.

“It would seem so,” Sombra sighed. “I wonder if our mutual old friend would have had better luck if he were here?”

“Perhaps he would, but I believe we must handle this situation first.” Tirek and Sombra approached the circle and each took hold of an artifact. Magic coursed through them but they managed to control it as they used their magic to lift the other artifacts in the air along with the sphere that trapped Starlight.

“What are you doing?! STOP!” Cozy panicked.

Both Sombra and Tirek did not listen as the room was about to be blasted with a powerful wave of magic. Starlight was freed before the blast and teleported out, followed by Sombra and Tirek as Tirek grabbed Cozy Glow before Sombra teleported them. A massive wave of magic enveloped the area and spread across the land, returning all the magic that was once drained. Starlight, Sombra, Tirek, and Cozy Glow all appeared in the courtyard of the School of Friendship.

“My word, that certainly was exhilarating,” Sombra exhaled.

“I agree,” Tirek nodded.

“You’ve ruined everything!” Cozy Glow snapped as she struggled to free herself from Tirek’s grip. “Now I’ll never be able to use the power of friendship to rule Equestria!”

“So misguided,” Tirek sighed as he shook his head.

“Perhaps you were a bit too convincing in your letters?” Sombra guessed.

Starlight was still in shock and kept her guard up as Tirek turned to her. “I believe there has been enough dramatics for one day. Since I am the one who coerced this one to commit her crimes, I shall take responsibility by bringing her back to the Midnight Palace. So would you please do me a favor and relay this message to Twilight and the others?”

“Uh…s-sure?” Starlight mumbled.

“Are you crazy?! I’m not going anywhere with you! Let me go!” Cozy yelped as she continued to struggle.

“I shall teleport you just beyond the walls of your home, Tirek, I must get back to my search,” Smobra said.

“Thank you, I believe it will take some doing to help reform this one. I wonder if our mutual old friend would pay me a visit to assist me?” Tirek wondered.

“Who knows? But if he does, be sure to tell him I say hello and thank you,” Sombra said. With that, Sombra’s horn shined bright and the three vanished in a flash, leaving a very flabbergasted unicorn.




A Few Days Later




“Apologies, Starlight Glimmer, but you say both Sombra and Tirek saved the day?” Celesita asked, still in shock along with the rest of the group who had all gathered in the throne room.

“I wish I was lying, princess, but I saw it with my own eyes!” Starlight said. “And Tirek looked so…different!”

“So he mentioned he was traveling across Equestria and then returned home to the Midnight Palace this whole time?” Twilight asked, her eye twitching.

“That’s what he said! And then he took Cozy Glow and Sombra teleported them!” Straight said.

“Once again, the unexplainable happens,” Twilight groaned as she rubbed her temples. “I can name so many other occasions when Equestria is under major threat, something or somepony steps in and solves everything before we can get a hoof in!”

“I must agree, Twilight, this has happened too many times for it to be a coincidence.” Celestria then noticed her sister smiling fondly for some reason and even giggled a little. “Luna? What is so funny?”

“Oh stars, how could I have not seen it sooner?” Luna said. “It was him, it’s always been him since the start.”

“Him? Who his him?” Twilight asked.

“Why, our mutual friend, of course!” Discord appeared in the throne room in a flash. With him was Queen Chrysalis, Sombra, and Tirek, much to everyone’s utter shock.

“What in my blazing sun?!” Celesita gasped.

“Sister, it is okay,” Luna stopped Celestia as she walked up beside the other reformed villains. “We all have something to share with you. Something we had not realized we had in common until now.”

“You are correct in your statement, Twilight Sparkle, somepony did approach us before you Element Bearers had a chance to confront us,” Chrysalis said. “It is why my appearance has changed to what you all see now.”

“The same applies to myself and Tirek,” Sombra said as he nodded to the centaur.

“I am the reason why Cozy Glow committed such acts against Equestria, so it is my responsibility to set her right,” Tirek said. “You have my word that no harm shall come to her.”

“So…you all were approached by somepony?” Celestia asked and they all nodded. “And what did he do to make you all change your ways? Who is he?”

The group of reformed villains all smiled at each other before Luna answered. “He is a wise old man, whose old words touched our hearts in ways we were too blind to see.” Luna glanced out the window, keeping her smile. “We know not who he is or where he came from, but we know that he came to us at just the right moment. It is thanks to him that we can keep our spirits high and have a brighter outlook on life. Though I suppose it doesn’t really matter who he is or where he came from. All that matters is that he was there for us when we never knew we needed him most.”