> If Solaris had a Text-to-Speech Device
>  by Jay David
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Return
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia had lost track of how long she'd been standing here and watching this all play out, but her mind had been lost in thought the whole time. Luna, ever by her side, was similarly transfixed, but every once in a while the younger sister would glance to her elder, knowing full well the mix of excitement and concern that must have been within her. In an ancient, long-forgotten chamber beneath their magnificent palace, there stood before them a great pedestal, upon which was, to the undoubted concern of anypony else who saw it, a skeleton. But these were not the average bones of a pony. No, these were far larger, sporting not only a horn, but wings. The frame of an alicorn, and one whose name was a complete mystery to all the younger ponies dotted around the place. One in particular, a mare, was hard a work, installing a device that needed to be attached with care, lest the bones be damaged. Celestia took many a calming breath, and eventually, she broke the silence that had been between her and her sister this whole time. "Think on it, Lulu. So many centuries gone, and now, we can finally hear him speak again."

Luna nodded solemnly. "Indeed, sister. I confess, the possibility of having him back in our lives seemed like such a distant and unlikely thing. Now..." She gestured to the aforementioned device. "With this new technology, that possibility is actually within reach." She turned to her sibling. "Have you thought of what our first words should be to him?"

Celestia smiled to her. "I suppose...just say whatever comes to mind. It's been so long I don't think it'll matter what we say to each other."

"Okay, your Majesties!" the mare upon the skeleton called to them, gaining their attention. "Device is in! We're ready when you are!"

Celestia gave a slight bow of her head. "Thank you for your efforts, Miss."

The mare, having safely climbed down to the ground, chuckled. "Hey, don't sweat it. Happy to help." She turned to her crew. "Okay, guys! Break time! Let's leave before the family reunion starts!"

The two alicorn sisters watched as pony after pony packed up their things and made their way out of the chamber, eventually closing the doors behind them and leaving the princesses alone with the ancient one. After a moment of taking in the silence, Celestia sighed, then stepped forward. "Well...here goes nothing." She cleared her throat, Luna remaining silent by her side, and after looking up into the dusty, old skull, she finally spoke. "Father. King Solaris. After centuries...you may now...speak."

There was quiet for a long while, and in that silence the two sisters wondered if something had gone wrong, or if this whole thing might have been a pipe dream. But then, their ears flicked, hearing some tiny bit of static. The sound grew and grew, eventually morphing into what could be identified as a voice. "E...E...E...E...E...E..."

Celestia stepped forward again, hope returning to her expression. "Yes...yes! That's it! Come on, Father...you can do it!"

"E...E...E...EVERYTHING FEELS LIKE THE WORLD'S BIGGEST HEADACHE RIGHT NOW."

Celestia and Luna's eyes widened, with the latter being the one to speak next. "Father? You...you're back?!"

"LAST I CHECKED, I'VE BEEN HERE THE WHOLE TIME. I JUST COULDN'T SAY ANYTHING. KINDA HAPPENS WHEN YOU'VE BEEN REDUCED TO NOTHING BUT A MOTIONLESS SKELETON, LULU."

Celestia eagerly clapped her hooves together. "Oh! This is just wonderful! We have so much to tell you, Father! So much you've missed!"

"I WOULDN'T HAVE MISSED ANY OF IT IF I HADN'T BEEN LEFT LIKE THIS, CELESTIA."

In contrast to the usual, regal demeanor she was known for, Celestia actually rolled her eyes to that remark. "Okay, here we go. I knew it was coming eventually."

"YOU'RE DANG RIGHT IT WAS COMING! THERE I WAS, LETTING MY BABY GIRL MOVE THE SUN FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND WHAT DO I GET FOR MY TROUBLE? THAT'S RIGHT, HAVING YOU SLAM THE THING RIGHT INTO ME AND LEAVE ME AS NOTHING BUT BONES!"

"I was a child!" Celestia shouted back. "You didn't even train me or anything! You just decided one day that it'd be a good idea to give control of the largest object in the solar system to a minor!"

"BELIEVE ME, NOPONY REGRETS THAT CHOICE MORE THAN ME, DAUGHTER. I HOPE YOU'VE GOTTEN A LITTLE BETTER AT IT WHILE I'VE BEEN GONE?"

Taking a moment to calm and compose herself, Celestia gave a short nod. "As it happens, I have."

"WELL THEN, AT LEAST I'VE GOT THAT LOVELY BIT OF GOOD NEWS TO GREET ME DURING ALL THIS."

Even though the machine guaranteed that his voice remained monotone, Celestia could nevertheless make out the sarcasm within it. Even so, she tried, for the sake of courtesy at least, to put on a smile. "Father...much has changed sine your...affliction. Doubtless you'll want to be updated on all that has transpired during the millennia."

"NATURALLY. ALTHOUGH, GIVEN THAT I LEFT THE REINS OF THE NATION IN THE HOOVES OF A PAIR OF UNTRAINED CHILDREN, I CAN'T IMAGINE THINGS HAVE GONE SWIMMINGLY."

"Quite the reverse," Celestia began, with a look of some satisfaction upon her face. "Things have gone very well while you were incapacitated. There was a thousand years of peace, and now we live in an era of unprecedented camaraderie both within and without." She glanced to the side, to her sister. "There have been challenges, to be sure, but through it all ponykind has grown better and stronger for it."

"YOU'LL FORGIVE ME IF I'M DOUBTFUL DAUGHTER. THINGS WERE NEVER THAT NICE IN MY TIME, SO I'M HAVING A HARD TIME THEY COULD HAVE IMPROVED SO MUCH WITHOUT ME THERE."

Celestia arched an eyebrow. "Well, not to put too fine a point on it, Dad, but you're not the only pony capable of leading well."

"I HAVE YET TO SEE ANY EVIDENCE OF THAT."

Luna, in contrast to her sister, actually smiled as she looked to the latter. "So nice to know the tradition of family reunions always being peaceful and calm is alive and well," she remarked with more than a little snark.

In response, Celestia began rubbings her temples. "This...this was a mistake, wasn't it?"
> Dealing With Dad
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"ALRIGHT THEN. IF I'M GOING TO BE STUCK HERE AS A GLORIFIED NIGHTMARE NIGHT DECORATION, THEN GO AHEAD. TELL ME HOW THINGS HAVE BEEN GOING."

The formerly-royal sisters glanced to one another, and his time it was Luna who took the initiative to speak to their long-absent parent. "I believe Celestia already informed you of our millennia of peace."

"WHOOP-DE-DOO," Solaris replied. "THAT JUST TRANSLATES AS A THOUSAND YEARS OF NOTHING INTERESTING HAPPENING."

Celestia frowned. "And 'interesting' just usually translates as some great upheaval the populace has to deal with. If things are uneventful, that means we're doing our job right, Father."

"AH YES, YOUR JOB. AND TELL ME, DEAR DAUGHTER, HAS THE GREAT WORK BEEN COMPLETED?"

To that, Celestia sighed. "Of course, the great work. I suppose I should have expected you to ask about that."

"YOU'RE DAMNED RIGHT I'D ASK ABOUT IT. IT WAS MY INTENDED GOAL FOR PONYKIND DURING MY TIME AS RULER. TO ENSURE THAT OUR KIND REACHED THE SAME GREAT HEIGHTS AS THE THREE OF US. TO ASCEND AND BASK IN THE LIGHT OF ALICORNHOOD. MORTALITY ABANDONED AND INSTEAD TO EMBRACE AN ERA WHERE PONIES STAND HIGH ABOVE ALL OTHERS."

"Putting aside some of the more...old-fashioned notions that goal implies, we regret to inform you that, no, that particular quest has not been fulfilled," Luna declared to him.

"I SUSPECTED AS MUCH," her father answered. "SO HOW MANY NEW ALICORNS HAVE THERE BEEN? A THOUSAND?"

"Well...no," Celestia admitted.

"A HUNDRED?" Solaris asked again.

Luna exhaled. "Father, I'll save you the trouble of going through every number. It's three."

"THREE?"

"Yes. Three new alicorns," Luna confirmed.

"...THERE'S DISAPPOINTMENT, AND THEN THERE'S THIS. WERE THE TWO OF YOU JUST SITTING AROUND PLAYING BOARD GAMES THIS WHOLE TIME?"

Celestia frowned to him. "I'll have you know, Father, that the two of us decided a long time ago that it wasn't right for us to impose such a lofty ideal on the whole of ponykind. Our concern was that they lived good, safe and happy lives. Not to sculpt the entirety of our race into some grand ideal like they were lumps of clay."

"YOU ARE THEIR RULERS," Solaris insisted. "JUST AS I WAS. IS IT NOT YOUR DUTY TO GUIDE YOUR PEOPLE TO BEING BETTER THAN THEY ARE?"

This time, it was Luna's turn to argue their case. "When we first came to power, ponies across the world lived in fear of dark forces, had no sense of community to one another, and often had to struggle in their day to day lives. Now? Their lives are ones of comfort, happiness and friendship. If you don't consider that 'better' then that just says worse things about you than us."

"OH JOY, GOOD TO KNOW OUR KIND HAS JUST STRAIGHT-UP ABANDONED THE GLORIOUS DESTINY I HAD ENVISIONED FOR THEM. THAT'S JUST FLIPPING WONDERFUL." A brief pause followed. "HOLD UP...WHY CAN'T I SAY FLIP?" Another pause. "...SHIRT? IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS THING?"

Celestia shook her head. "No. I just remembered well enough that you cursed like a sailor, so I decided it might be best to...temper that when we gave you your voice back."

The room began to shake after he'd heard that. "YOU CENSORED ME?! YOUR OWN FATHER?!"

But Celestia held firm. "Father...throwing a tantrum won't change my mind."

After a moment, the room began to stabilize once more. "WELL THIS IS JUST FLIPPING GREAT. IT'S JUST LET-DOWN AFTER LET-DOWN TODAY, ISN'T IT?"

"Well," Luna began. "Sorry being reunited with your own daughters isn't making you happy," she remarked, with no small measure of irritation.

"...I SUPPOSE IS SHOULD BE GRATEFUL THAT AT LEAST I HAVE THREE NEW ALICORNS TO LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING. BETTER THAN NOTHING I GUESS. SO, TELL ME, HOW DID YOU RAISE THEM UP FROM WHAT THEY WERE?"

"Oh, we didn't. At least, not with all of them," Celestia explained.

"...EXPLAIN."

"I was a mentor for many years to a bright, brilliant mare. She became an alicorn by virtue of her talent and her innate goodness." A fond smile came to the elder sister. "She was like a daughter to me. And nothing made me prouder than to see her stand as my equal."

Solaris remained silent for a few moments, no doubt considering his daughter's story. "I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR MORE. BUT FIRST THINGS FIRST. THE OTHER TWO?"

Celestia shook her head. "I had little presence there. One was a mare who became one before I'd even met her. And the third...was her daughter."

"SO IN THE MANY CENTURIES YOU RULED, NOT ONLY HAS THE NUMBER OF NEW ALICORNS NOT ESCAPED SINGLE DIGITS, BUT THAT YOU HAD NEXT TO NO INVOLVEMENT IN MAKING TWO THIRDS OF THEM OCCUR?"

Celestia frowned. "There are new alicorns in the world, Father. Does it really matter about the numbers?"

"YES, DANGIT! WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE THE TOP RACE OF THE WORLD BY NOW!"

Luna buried her face in her hooves. "Father, for the love of all that's good and right, you can't say things like that anymore!"

"I CAN AND I WILL, UNLESS YOU'RE GONNA CENSOR THAT TOO!"

Celestia, having clearly had enough, gestured to her sister, and within moments the two mares had their backs to their reanimated parent, keeping their voices low so as to not be heard. "Lulu, I told myself I could cope with having Father back, but I realise now that was completely unfounded optimism on my part."

Luna smirked. "Well, Tia, I did tell you he was always best in small doses, so..."

Celestia hung her head. "We can't just stand here talking to him forever."

"Well, what do you suggest?" Luna enquired. "Get somepony else to do it?"

As if on cue, the doors of the chamber creaked open, and all eyes turned to it, just in time to see the head of one of the Royal Guard, a stallion pegasus of orange fur, enter. "Pardon the intrusion, your Majesties. But Princess Twilight wished to know if you were alright down here."

There was a silence, during which the two sisters glanced to one another. After a moment of understanding, they simultaneously smiled together, before turning in unison to the newly-arrived stallion. "Lieutenant Sentry, was it?" Celestia asked him.

"Yes, Ma'am," the younger pony replied with a salute. 

The mare of the sun smiled wider "How would you feel about a promotion?"
> The Custodian
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"May I just say, Sir, it is an absolute honour to have been chosen to remain with you," Flash remarked with a bow.

"YES, I IMAGINE IT WOULD BE," Solaris replied, no doubt with a tone of sarcasm had he the means to actually do so.

"I have to say though," Flash began. "I'm curious as to why I've never heard of you. History books talk of your daughters, but your name never once appeared."

"I IMAGINE MY KIDS DIDN'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT ME. WE NEVER HAD THE HAPPIEST OF RELATIONSHIPS."

"Oh," Flash replied. "I'm...sorry for prying, Sir."

"NO APOLOGY NEEDED, LAD. I'M JUST GLAD I HAVEN'T BEEN LEFT DOWN HERE TO ACCUMULATE COBWEBS...AGAIN."

Flash's smile resumed. "Well, Sir, you can count on me to serve you and your needs." He saluted. "How may I be of assistance?"

A pause as the old king considered that. "WELL...SINCE I'VE BEEN OUT OF THE LOOP FOR A WHILE, THERE ARE A FEW QUESTIONS I'LL NEED ANSWERING."

"Well, I'm not exactly privy to all that occurs in Equestria, but I'll certainly tell you what I know."

"GOOD. FIRST AND FOREMOST. YOU MENTIONED A PRINCESS TWILIGHT WHEN YOU ARRIVED. SHALL I ASSUME THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE THREE NEW ALICORNS WHO HAVE EMERGED IN THE CENTURIES I'VE BEEN GONE?"

Flash smiled. "Indeed she is, Sir. Perhaps the most famous pony in the land right now." He turned, looking to the great doors of the chamber that he'd entered through. "She's a hero to many of us, having saved Equestria alongside her friends more times than I can count. Truly, if ever there was a pony who deserved the title, it's her."

"WELL THEN, I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT PONYKIND STILL RESPECTS AND ADMIRES THOSE WHO HAVE ASCENDED TO ALICORNHOOD."

Flash turned back to him. "No question there, Sir. All of us look forward to seeing what kind of days lie ahead of us now that she sits upon the throne."

"...PARDON?" Solaris asked.

"Sir," Flash asked back.

"DID YOU JUST SAY THAT SHE NOW RULES EQUESTRIA?"

"Um...well...yes? She had her coronation quite recently."

"AND WHAT OF MY DAUGHTERS?"

"Oh. They...retired?" the stallion answered, suddenly feeling more than a little worried about the information he was revealing. 

"RETIRED? YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT MY CHILDREN JUST UP AND LEFT THEIR POSTS TO THE NEW GIRL?"

"Well, it's not as if they just dumped it on her and left," Flash explained. "Princess Twilight has been growing into her role for some years now. And besides, given the long history of your daughters' reign, it's not unreasonable that they'd want to move on."

"THERE IS NO 'MOVING ON' FROM THE DUTIES OF AN ALICORN, BOY. WE'RE MEANT TO BE THE LEADERS OF PONYKIND. TO STAND HIGH ABOVE IT ALL AND SERVE AS EXAMPLES OF HOW TO BE. YOU DON'T JUST RETIRE FROM THAT."

Flash scratched the back of his head as he considered his response. "If it makes you feel any better, we'll likely remember Celestia's reign for generations. She guided us well for all those years and became perhaps the most beloved mare in history."

"...AND LUNA TOO?"

"I think it'd be hard to compare, given Luna's recent return to us," Flash answered innocently.

"...RETURN? FROM WHERE?"

Flash halted here, his eyes widening with realisation. "Oh! I thought...I thought you'd have been told, Sir."

"TOLD WHAT, EXACTLY?"

His conversation partner looked away awkwardly. "I'm...not sure if it's my place to tell you."

"SO HELP ME, SENTRY. IF YOU DON'T TELL ME THERE'LL BE A FLIPPING RECKONING!"

Flash sighed. "Well...you see...a thousand years ago there was...a disagreement between the sisters."

"...GO ON."

Realising that he had little recourse but to just lay the cards all out on the table, Flash prepared himself for what he knew would be an unhappy reaction. "A thousand years ago, owing to the division of rulership between them, Luna grew unhappy that the population of Equestria favoured her sister. She felt that she was unloved because ponies were asleep when she was in charge. Because of this, dark magic took hold of her, transforming her into a being known as Nightmare Moon. She and Celestia fought, resulting in Nightmare being trapped in the moon for a thousand years. It was only recently that she became free once more, and thanks to the intervention of Twilight she was able to be restored back to her former self. Since then, the sisters have reconciled, ruling Equestria together just as they did in the past."

There was a long pause, which Flash was most certainly not comfortable with, but in the end, Solaris did indeed give his thoughts. "WELL, I WAS EXPECTING SOME BUMPS IN THEIR RULE, BOT NOTHING ON THAT SCALE."

"Things...resolved themselves in the end, Sir," Flash reasoned, clearly trying to keep him from getting too upset.

"AFTER A THOUSAND YEARS, I'D CALL THAT A FAIRLY LATE RESOLUTION," he snapped back, the room shaking as he did so. "THIS IS JUST GRAND. I RETURN AFTER ALL THIS TIME TO DISCOVER THAT HALF OF MY PROGENY SUCCUMBED TO DARK POWERS AND THEN WENT TO WAR WITH THE OTHER HALF. I MUST BE THE ONLY FATHER IN THE UNIVERSE THAT'S EVER HAD TO DEAL WITH THAT KIND OF NONSENSE."

Flash glanced to the side. "Huh...why do I suddenly feel like I need to correct him on that?"

"WELL, THAT SETTLES THINGS. SENTRY, YOUR TASK FROM THIS POINT FORWARD IS TO KEEP ME INFORMED OF EVERY SINGLE RIDICULOUS THING THAT'S HAPPENED WHILE I'VE BEEN GONE. CLEARLY, EQUESTRIA HAS BEEN UNDER POOR MANAGEMENT FOR FAR TOO LONG, AND I NEED TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT KIND OF MESS I NEED TO CLEAN UP."

Flash paused after hearing that, letting his new role sink in for him. In that silence, he looked behind him, to the massive doors that led to the rest of the palace, before turning back to Solaris. After a while, and after doing all of the adding up in his head, his shoulders slumped and he let out a long sigh. "I...only got this job because your daughters didn't want to be around you for long periods of time, didn't I?"

"STOP THE PRESSES, THE BOY ACTUALLY HAS A BRAINCELL OR TWO."
> Background Checks
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"SO THEN, SENTRY. IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE THE ONE TALKING TO ME DOWN HERE, I THINK IT'S BEST IF I KNOW MORE ABOUT YOU."

"Fair enough," Flash admitted.

"FIRST THINGS FIRST, WHERE ARE YOU FROM?"

Flash shrugged. "Nothing special there, I fear. I was born in Cloudsdale."

"...I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT IS."

"Oh, really? The city of the pegasi?"

"THERE ARE A LOT OF PLACES THAT WEREN'T AROUND WHEN I WAS RULING, KID. CANTERLOT, FOR INSTANCE. I WAS JUST MOVED HERE AFTER THE PLACE WAS BUILT."

"I see," Flash replied, considering what he'd said. "Well, as the name suggests, it's a city made of clouds. And, as you'd probably expect from that, only we pegasi really live there."

"I'LL HAVE TO TALK WITH MY DAUGHTERS ABOUT THAT. HAVING A LOCALE THAT SEEMS ALMOST PURPOSE-BUILT TO BE EXCLUSIONARY TO ALL BUT ONE TYPE OF PONY SOUNDS LIKE THE KIND OF THING THEY SHOULD HAVE ADDRESSED."

"...Huh. Never really thought of it like that," Flash admitted.

"START," Solaris commanded firmly. "ANYWAY, CONTINUE."

"I didn't really have all that much of a bizarre childhood. Good parents, good friends, dreams of being a Wonderbolt, all the usual stuff."

"WONDERBOLT?"

"Oh, yes, they're a flight team. really popular. Most young pegasi dream of becoming members one day."

"A TOPIC FOR ANOTHER DAY. BACK TO THE MATTER AT HOOF?"

"After I sort of outgrew that childhood dream I enlisted in the Royal Guard as soon as I was old enough. Got my first big break when I was assigned to be an announcer for diplomats and other important visitors to the Crystal Empire."

"STRANGE TO HEAR THEY'D WANT AN EQUESTRIAN DOING THAT JOB. NORMALLY THE CRYSTAL PONIES RESERVE SUCH THINGS FOR THEIR OWN."

"Ah, well, there was a somewhat tumultuous history with the Empire after you left, Sir."

"REMIND ME TO ASK LATER."

"Anyway, after they got settled with their own guys, they didn't need the Royal Guard up there anymore, so me and the others who'd been assigned there returned to Canterlot, where I've been ever since."

"ANY ADVENTURES TO SPEAK OF?"

"A few days of danger here and there, but for the most part my service has been relatively peaceful." He smiled. "I suppose we should thank your daughter for that. It's not many nations that get to say they've lived through a millennia of peace."

"I TAKE IT YOU ARE AN ADMIRER OF CELESTIA THEN?"

Flash's smile widened. "Most definitely, Sir. In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to find a single mare, stallion or foal who doesn't adore her. Anyone born in this nation in the last thousand years will have known little else except her rule." He gestured to the side. "A shining alicorn watching over us all."

"HMPH. AT LEAST SHE GOT THAT PART OF THE GOAL DOWN."

"Goal, Sir?" Flash asked.

"YES. IT WAS MY INTENT THAT I, AND TO A LESSER EXTENT MY DAUGHTERS, RAISE PONYKIND UP SO THAT, LIKE US, THEY COULD BE ALICORNS. TO ELEVATE OUR PEOPLE TO BE THE GREAT, IMMORTAL CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD I ALWAYS KNEW WE COULD BE."

"Well, that's certainly an ambitious hope, Sir."

"AN AMBITION NOT SHARED BY MY CHILDREN, APPARENTLY. SEEMS THEY VALUED YOUR HAPPINESS OVER YOUR POTENTIAL GREATNESS."

Flash's smile returned. "A sentiment I very much appreciate, Sir. And one I daresay they succeeded in. Happiness has been the defining quality of Celestia's thousand-year rule. In fact, I don't think there's ever been a time in our race's history where life has been better."

"YOU PAINT A PRETTY PICTURE, BUT THAT DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT PONIES SUCH AS YOURSELF COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH MORE THAN THIS."

The stallion in front of the king took a moment to think on that possibility, before speaking up in a softer tone than before. "Speaking personally, Sir...I'm not really sure I would have wanted that for myself."

"...ARE YOU SERIOUS? YOU WOULD HONESTLY TURN DOWN THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING COUNTED AMONG THE ALICORNS?"

"...Yes. Thinking on it, I actually would turn it down."

"YOU'RE GOING TO NEED TO LAY THIS ALL OUT FOR ME, KID. BECAUSE RIGHT NOW I'M HAVING A HARD TIME WRAPPING MY HEAD AROUND IT. THE LIFE OF AN ALICORN IS THE GREATEST HEIGHT A PONY COULD EVER HAVE. THE ETERNAL LIFE, THE POWER, ALL OF IT. IT SHOULD BE THE DREAM OF ALL."

"The dream of others, perhaps. But not my dream."

"...WHY?"

Flash paused for a while as he thought on how best to answer. "Well...I don't think immortality is something I'd be happy with. Maybe I'm getting too far into philosophy here, but I think I'm more satisfied with life when I don't know which moment might be my last. I think...the moments I have are more important, more cherished, because I know I won't be around forever. So...I make the most of life while  still have it."

"AND THE POWER?"

Flash shrugged to that. "All I've ever wanted in my life is to do well by others and be of service to the nation. And if you don't mind me blowing my own trumpet for a moment, Sir, I think I've done that. I never needed magic or power to be of use to people or to do good things. My accomplishments may seem simple or mundane to you and all the other big, important people in the world...but they're enough for me." After another moment of silence, his smile returned. "When it comes right down to it...I think the life of an ordinary mortal is all I could ever really want."

A long quiet fell over the chamber, and though Flash had not known this old alicorn for long, he could tell that he was thinking on what had been said to him. "YOU KNOW...IN ALL MY LONG YEARS...I DON'T THINK I EVER ACTUALLY ASKED ANYPONY IF ALICORNHOOD WAS WHAT THEY WANTED. I JUST ASSUMED IT WAS."

Flash stepped forward. "With respect, Sir...how many times did you ever have a conversation with your subjects?"

"...YOUR POINT IS WELL-MADE SENTRY. PERHAPS...MY REIGN DID INDEED HAVE A FEW BLIND SPOTS. IT COULD VERY WELL BE THAT YOUR ASSIGNMENT TO ME MIGHT BE MORE USEFUL THAN I FIRST SUSPECTED."

Flash gave a quick bow to him. "As I said, Sir, I'm happy to serve."

"SO IT WOULD SEEM. NOW TELL ME, WHAT IS THE STORY OF EQUESTRIA'S NEWEST RULER?"
> Old Foes
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"And that's basically that," Flash concluded. "She managed to complete some really old spell and pow, she becomes and alicorn."

"THAT'LL BE ONE OF STARSWIRL'S OLD SPELLS THEN. THE OLD STALLION HAD A KNACK FOR NEVER FINISHING PROJECTS AS I RECALL. YOU KNOW, I STRUGGLE TO REMMEBER EXACTLY WHY I HIRED HIM TO TEACH MY GIRLS. MEH, MUST HAVE JUST HAD A GOOD REFERENCE I SUPPOSE."

"You can ask him if you like," Flash offered. "He's one of his excursions right now, but he's due back in Canterlot in the next week or so."

"...HOLD UP. ARE YOU TELLING ME THAT STARSWIRL IS STILL ALIVE?!"

"Um...yes?"

"STARSWIRL THE BEARDED?"

"Yep."

"THE ONE WITH THE POINTY HAT COVERED IN BELLS?"

"That'd be him."

"...HOW IN THE WIDE WORLD OF EQUESTRIA HAS THAT OLD DUFFER MANAGED TO LIVE THAT LONG?"

"Would you believe me if I told you it was a long and very eventful story?" Flash asked.

"AT THIS POINT I'D BE SURPRISED IF ANYTHING I ASKED ABOUT CONCERNING THIS ERA OF THE NATION WASN'T SOME KIND OF LONG STORY."

Flash chuckled. "It's been a busy few years, no questions there. Sometimes it just seems weird, you know? We go a thousand years without any problems, and then, all of a sudden, we get every conceivable monster or bad guy under the sun trying to get to us."

"IT'S LIKE THE BUS. YOU WAIT FOREVER FOR ONE, AND THEN FIVE SHOW UP ALL AT ONCE." He paused to consider. "SO WHAT BADDIES ARE WE TALKING HERE? GIVE ME NAMES, I MIGHT KNOW THEM."

Flash looked to the side, mentally noting the names in question. "Well, there was Tirek."

"VORAK'S BOY? I ALWAYS KNEW HE'D COME TO A BAD END."

"There was also Queen Chrysalis," Flash continued.

"NOPE, NOT RINGING ANY BELLS."

"Sombra, Cozy Glow..."

"TWO MORE NAMES I'M NOT RECOGNISING."

"Oh, and there was also Discord."

"THAT GUY? I GUESS I SHOULDN'T BE SURPRISED. HE ALWAYS MADE IT HIS BUSINESS TO MESS AROUND WITH US. BARELY A DAY WOULD GO BY BACK IN MY TIME WHEN HE WASN'T CAUSING HAVOC TO SOME DEGREE."

Flash chuckled dryly. "Heh, yeah, he's definitely an acquired taste. Ask anypony who met him after his reformation and they'll tell you."

"...WHAT?"

"Sir?"

"DID YOU JUST SAY...REFORMATION?"

"Oh, about Discord? Yeah. One of Princess Twilight's friends, Fluttershy, got through to him a while back. Now he's counted among our allies."

"...EVERYTHING YOU JUST SAID HAS DISTURBED ME RIGHT TO MY CORE. DISCORD IS THE ENEMY OF PONYKIND. OUR ANTITHESIS. THE OPPOSITION TO EVERYTHING THAT IS GOOD ABOUT US."

Flash sighed. "That might have been the case, once. But today, he is considered one of us. Princess Twilight has vouched for him, considered him a friend. And since most of us owe her a great deal, I am willing to give Discord the benefit of the doubt on that."

"YOUR TRUST IN YOUR LEADER IS ADMIRABLE, BUT YOU'LL FORGIVE ME IF I DO NOT TAKE HIS SUPPOSED REFORMATION AT YOUR WORD. I WILL NEED TO SEE HIS IMPROVEMENT FOR MYSELF."

"I don't blame you, Sir. But does that mean you need me to go and find him for you?"

"NO NEED, KID. I'M ABOUT TO PULL WHAT YOUR GENERATION CALLS A PRO-GAMER MOVE."

"Literally never heard that expression in my entire life."

"TOO BAD. DOING IT ANYWAY."

Flash stood back, not knowing what was going to happen. And before long his instinct proved to be true, as the room began to shake. Clearly the old skeleton had more power in him than appearances would suggest, and soon that power made itself known. A bright light burst in the centre of the chamber, causing Flash to shield his eyes briefly. When the light faded, the stallion began to hear a confused yet familiar voice. "Okay, what fool gets it into their head to summon me of all people?" Sure enough, as Flash lowered his hooves from his eyes, he now looked upon the mismatched form of Discord, one-time enemy of Equestria. And as the stallion was the only person in Discord's field of view, the latter soon narrowed his eyes to him. "And who might you be, little stallion?"

Before Flash had a chance to answer, Solaris did it for him. "HE IS NOT YOUR CONCERN, DISCORD. I AM."

Even with a voice that was undoubtedly different from what he would have had in those bygone days, there was something to it that caused Discord's smirk to vanish. Slowly, he turned, now looking upon the bony alicorn behind him. There was silence for a long while, but at the end of it, Discord responded with a whisper. "...Solaris?" Then, rage began to fill his expression. "Solaris?! The skeleton king himself?!"

"INDEED. IT IS I. AND MAKE NO MISTAKE, I AM NO HAPPIER SEEING YOU EITHER."

In an instant, Discord was right up in the monarch's face. "You've got some nerve brining me here, as if I'd be happy to see you!" After a quick pause, Discord's mood mellowed, and his eyes darted over Solaris' current appearance. "Although, I must say, the 'flayed beyond all recognition' look is certainly what I'd have chosen for you."

"YOU ARE NOT HERE FOR YOUR SO-CALLED WITTY BANTER, DISCORD. YOU ARE HERE SO I CAN SEE FOR MYSELF THIS FOOLISH NOTION THAT YOU HAVE SOMEHOW IMPROVED YOURSELF RECENTLY."

Discord chuckled. "Oh, there's nothing 'foolish' about it, I assure you. I'm a bona fide upstanding citizen now," he declared, giving a bow for emphasis.

"I'VE KNOWN YOU TOO LONG TO TAKE SUCH A STATEMENT AT FACE VALUE. YOU EXPECT ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE PONIES OF THIS ERA ASKED YOU TO BE NICE AND YOU ACTUALLY DID SO?"

Here, Discord took on a more awkward look, scratching his cheek while avoiding the alicorn's gaze. "Well..."

"I THOUGHT AS MUCH. WHAT DID YOU DO?"

"Ugh! So little faith! Is it not within your heart to accept that people can change for the better?" Discord asked with a mocking tone.

"IF THAT PERSON WASN'T YOU, THEN I MIGHT CONSIDER IT."

Seeing that this reunion wasn't going anywhere soon, Flash turned, heading for the chamber doors. "Would anypony want anything to drink while I'm getting one?"

"Coffee," Discord replied. "With a dozen sugars!"

"I CAN'T DRINK ANYTHING, SO JUST GET ME AN EMPTY CUP SO I CAN MATCH THE IMAGE."

As he reached the door, Flash sighed. "Yep...this is my life now."
> Fabulous
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The walk from and to the chamber beneath the palace was hardly a stroll through the park, but even so, Flash was glad to have a reprieve from his current duties, especially if it would have amounted to little more than listening to two old immortals bickering. With a steady pace, he carried his requested cargo, a small tray of cups, one for himself and two for the others, which he carried via an outstretched wing. Once he was about halfway through with his return journey, he paused, sniffing the air, which then prompted him to squint slightly. "Is that...mane oil?" Then, his eyes widened, a look of dread coming to him, before sighing deeply, "...Oh no."

Turning, he now looked upon a trio of stallions. How they'd managed to come up behind him with him only now noticing their presence, he couldn't say. All he could think was how much he didn't want to deal with them right now. Though clad in the standard armour of the Guard, these three couldn't have looked any less suited to the position if you'd tried. Two unicorns, one white and one brown, with the last of the trio being a green pegasus. All of them stood together with smug grins, and for a moment Flash could've sworn he heard an over-the-top choral introduction for them. Regardless, the first of them stepped forward, sweeping his blonde mane to the side before speaking. "Lieutenant Sentry. Always a pleasure."

Knowing he needed to keep up a sense of professionalism, Flash maintained a stoic look, answering in a tone that only hinted at his current irritation. "Cadet Blueblood."

The other stallion chuckled. "Oh come now, surely you must know by now that I am a Prince, dear fellow. I think a touch more deference is in order, yes?"

Here, Flash frowned. "Off-duty, you are one..." He then pointed his hoof straight into the centre of Blueblood's chest-plate. "But as long as you wear this uniform, that status means nothing."

But Blueblood seemed unconcerned. "Be that as it may, surely you appreciate having one of my noble lineage assigned to your squad?"

The Lieutenant glanced away. "I'm sure there's some cosmic reason the command fell to me," he answered in a hushed voice.

Another of the stallions, the green pegasus, added his own voice to the proceedings. "I know I'm definitely happy to be here at least. If it wasn't for my big sis Fluttershy putting in a good word I don't think I'd have ever gotten back in."

"Oh no, what a terrible outcome it would have been if you hadn't returned," Flash remarked with barely-restrained sarcasm.

"I know, right?" Zephyr replied, clearly not picking up on the tone.

The last of them, the brown unicorn, removed his helmet before approaching. "All I have to say is that my articles are going to skyrocket in popularity when this is all done. I mean, sure, it's all well and good being a fashion aficionado, but adding 'veteran' to my reputation will do wonders for the magazine sales!"

Flash blinked slowly. "Trenderhoof, I'm going to ignore the part of you using this profession to boost the audience of your other profession, but I don't think you're going to qualify as a veteran if you've only had this role for a few days."

Trenderhoof chuckled, then glanced to the side before looking to Flash slyly. "The public don't know that though, do they?"

Flash sighed. "Putting all that aside, is there something I can help the three of you with?"

To that, Blueblood's smirk became somehow even more punchable. "As a matter of fact, there is. Word on the grapevine is that we have a new, royal guest in the palace right now."

Glancing over his shoulder to his intended destination, Flash answered. "News travels fast. I was heading back there just now."

Blueblood matched him in looking in that direction. "Well then, I'm sure he wouldn't mind getting a visit from a fellow royal. I mean it can't be all that pleasant being cooped up in the palace basement for thousands of years, right?"

Looking back to him, Flash raised an eyebrow. "While I can't disagree with you on that count, do you truly intend to go there to cheer him up?" He frowned. "Or is this simply some attempt to curry favour with a figure of authority?"

Blueblood shrugged. "My dear Flash, why can't it be both?"

Flash shook his head. "Cadet, such things are for the intrigues of court aristocracy, not for we in the Guard. And besides..." He pointed to all three of them. "I believe you all have duties elsewhere?"

Blueblood rolled his eyes. "Yes, but hallway duty is so...so beneath me, wouldn't you say?"

"You want the bigger jobs, you work for them," Flash stated firmly.

"Or, I could request them," Blueblood countered, either not picking up on Flash's tone or just outright ignoring it. "Like what I'm doing now."

Flash was growing increasingly tired of this entire exchange, and in truth he actually felt being back in the king's chamber with his current guest would be preferable. And it was as he considered that when a new idea came to him, though he had to resist the urge to smile from it. "Well, I suppose if you really want it, I guess Solaris would prefer having somepony in there beyond just Discord."

Just like that, Blueblood's smirk vanished, replaced with a look of concern. "Dis...Discord is in there?"

Flash nodded. "Indeed. In fact, if I remember right, he and Solaris were right in the middle of a rather heated discussion. But hey, I suppose a noble stallion such as yourself wouldn't mind getting involved in an argument between two powerful immortals, right?"

Weighing his options, Blueblood soon cleared his throat. "Um...on second thoughts, perhaps it would be better for me to return to my duties. Can't have ponies thinking I'm irresponsible after all, can we?"

"No, we cannot," Flash replied.

Swiftly, Blueblood turned from him, gesturing to his two cohorts. "Come along, fellows, I believe we should go." Then, he muttered under his breath. "So we can put as much distance between us and this dangerous place as possible."

With great satisfaction, Flash watched them go, and once they were out of hearing range, he sighed. "Huh, kinda wonder if they're the smart ones, not wanting to be here." Then, he shrugged, turning to the great chamber doors. "Well, guess I'll find out."
> Change
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Barely had the doors of the chamber been open for a second before Flash had to duck to avoid an oncoming chair that had been thrown out of it, presumably out of rage by one of the two within. Despite the fact that Flash was almost certain that there's hadn't actually been any chairs in there last time he was present, he concerned himself instead with simply entering the place, with the promised drinks along with him. "Your beverages?"

Instantly, Discord's cup vanished from the tray, appearing in the draconequus' hand a moment later. "About time too!" he said indignantly, gulping the thing in one go. Flash approached Solaris, bowing his head before presenting the empty cup that had been requested. "And for you, Sir?"

The cup levitated, now hovering just a short distance from the skeleton. "I ALWAYS ENJOYED HOLDING THESE WHEN AROUND OTHERS, EVEN IF THERE WAS NOTHING IN IT. ADDED AN AIR OF CLASS TO THINGS."

"Goodness knows you needed it," Discord remarked under his breath.

Flash looked from one to the other before settling on Solaris. "So...talk about anything interesting?"

"ONLY A COMPLETE RUNDOWN OF EVERY SINGLE FAILURE IN DISCORD'S JOURNEY TO BE A BETTER PERSON."

"They were not 'failures' you old bag of bones!" Discord spat back.

"I'M LEGIT SURPRISED ANYPONY IN THIS LAND HAS ANY TOLERANCE FOR YOU AFTER EVERYTHING YOU'VE PULLED."

Discord scoffed. "Oh really?" Then, he smirked as he looked to Flash. "You there. Tell him I'm one of the goodies now and you all see me as one of your own."

Flash didn't look at him, instead keeping his gaze on Solaris. "Princess Twilight and her friends have accepted him as a friend and ally."

To that, Discord's shoulders slumped slightly. "Maybe with a bit more feeling?"

Flash looked away. "I've said all I need to."

Though he'd tried to hide it, there was something in his tone that had slipped through, and Solaris was sure to make note of it. "SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE AN ISSUE, SENTRY. IF IT'S FURTHER CRITICISM OF DISCORD, I'M ALL EARS. METAPHORICALLY SPEKAING OF COURSE."

With full understanding of who he was with, Flash knew full well that there was little he was going to be able to do to avoid direct questioning like this. So, setting his own drink down, he finally looked Discord right in the eye. "You and I have met before today. Do you remember?"

"Can't say I do," Discord answered. "You don't exactly come across as the most distinct stallion."

"Well...perhaps you remember the day you came to Canterlot...with your centaur friend?" As soon as Flash had asked that question, Discord's entire demeanor changed. Suddenly, he was uncomfortable, unwilling to look at Flash, which gave the latter an opening to reply. "I was part of many patrols sent out by Captain Shining to keep an eye peeled for him. And like everypony else that day...we found him." He winced as he recalled that dark day. "We stood no chance. In moments we were drained, powerless, left prone on the floor." His eyes narrowed as he regarded the mischief-maker before him. "But what I remember most of that moment is your laughter." He stepped forward, pointing to him. "I was one of his victims, Discord. I was one of your victims." He took a moment to calm himself, but when he spoke again it was with steel in his voice. "The Princess sees you as a friend...but I do not. And I don't think I'm alone in that."

A long and terrible silence fell over the chamber. Flash's anger had been spent, but it still lingered in the air. Discord said nothing, and his face was hard to read, even as he continued to refuse to look at anyone. After a while though, Solaris broke the quiet. "WELL, DRACONEQUUS? HAVE YOU ANYTHING TO SAY FOR YOURSELF?"

Only after he'd been directly addressed by the king did Discord deign to look to either of them, and when he did so it was with a look that actually seemed troubled. "I've made my fair share of missteps in my life..." For a moment, he looked like he was actually going to try and defend his actions. But, after a while, he sighed, his shoulders falling. "But that one? It's the one that always hurts to think about." Turning, he looked right at Flash. "I'm...I'm sorry."

Flash opened his mouth to speak, only to be interrupted by Solaris. "WAIT. HOLD UP. WHAT THE FLIP DID YOU JUST SAY?"

Discord frowned at him. "I said I'm sorry! Do you need me to say it differently or something?!"

"DIFFERENT IS RIGHT. I'VE KNOWN YOU FOR MILLENNIA, YET I HAVE NEVER HEARD YOU APOLOGISE FOR ANYTHING."

"Well...I'm apologising for something now," Discord threw back. Again, he looked to Flash. "I did a lot of wrong that day. More wrong than anything else in my life. My friends forgave me. But...I know it'll take a while for you to do the same. And if you don't...then I can't really blame you."

Flash continued to glare at him for a time, but then, after a solid minute, his expression softened. "...It's alright."

Discord blinked at him. "Wait...really? Just like that?"

A long exhale escaped the stallion. "Yeah. I guess...I guess the worst of it for me was just never getting the chance to outright say all of this stuff. I was angry, and everypony just sort of accepted that your and the heroes of the nation were friends, so...it was left for me to just stew in." He took a breath, calming himself further, then looked up to the spirit. "I think...we're good."

Nervously, Discord scratched the back of his head. "Um...okay then? Gonna have to unpack that later in my free time."

"I MUST CONFESS, THIS IS UNEXPECTED," Solaris remarked. "FOR YOU TO ACTUALLY FEEL REMORSE AND APOLOGETIC? NOTHING COULD HAVE TAKEN ME ABACK MORE THAN THAT."

Slowly, Discord's trademark smirk returned. "Oh? Then what you're saying is...you were wrong?"

"...I AM NOT SAYING IT."

"Say it!"

"NO."

"I want to hear you say it. No, I need to hear you say it!" Discord insisted.

"...FINE. I WAS WRONG."

Discord punched the air in triumph. "Ha! Oh, it may have taken thousands of years for me to finally hear that, but it was so worth it!"

"I HATE YOU SO MUCH RIGHT NOW."

Discord snapped his fingers and winked at him. "Love you too, big guy."

Flash sighed and shook his head. "Like a pair of immortal toddlers, I swear."
> The Prodigal Daughter
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Well then, if your spat is dealt with for the time being, was there anything else you wished to discuss, Highness?" Flash asked.

"OH, DON'T BE TOO SURE, LAD. DISCORD AND ME WILL BE AT EACH OTHER'S THROATS AGAIN SOON ENOUGH. WE CAN'T EVER REALLY GROW OUT OF THAT."

Discord shrugged. "Honestly, it'd be weirder for me if we were ever buddy-buddy like that."

"Indeed. An odd situation if ever there was one."

All turned to the new voice that had caught them off-guard. To the surprise of all of them, they saw that it was Luna, approaching the three of them with her usual regality. Flash immediately bowed to her, but it was Solaris who addressed her. "WELL NOW. NICE TO KNOW ONE OF MY CHILDREN ISN'T WILLING TO JUST ABANDON ME DOWN HERE."

Luna clearly seemed to restrain herself from frowning, instead putting on a smile for him. "Apologies for my absence earlier, Father. But yes, we felt it was appropriate that at least one of us be here."

As soon as she was close enough, Flash spoke to her, albeit in a hushed tone. "I'm assuming you lost a wager of some sort?"

Luna, in a similar manner, leaned over to him, keeping her voice low so as to not be heard by her parent. "Rock, paper, scissors. Tia was always better at it."

Flash blinked, looked down to his own hooves for a moment, then to hers, before looking to her with confusion. "But...how would you...?"

Unfortunately, he was unable to finish, as Discord suddenly sauntered over with his usual swagger. "Far be it from me to interrupt, but since old boney back there has another pony to talk to, I'll take my leave for now. Goodness knows I'm late enough for my usual afternoon tea with Fluttershy as it is." He raised his hand, ready to snap, before winking to them. "Toodles!"

With that, he snapped, teleporting himself away from the scene, leaving only the three ponies behind. Luna, shaking her head to this, trotted over to her father. "I hope you've been kept abreast of things?"

"INDEED. AND I'M GLAD IT WAS YOU WHO CAME DOWN HERE LUNA. I WISH TO DISCUSS YOUR...DIFFICULT TIME."

Luna's face grew wary, and she glanced over to Flash, who suddenly started to look quite guilty. "I'm sorry, Princess. I'd assumed you and your sister had already talked to him about it."

Briefly, it looked as if Luna was annoyed at the situation. But her mood soon relaxed, and she gave a slow nod before patting Flash on the shoulder. "No...its is fine. In truth, I should have told him."

"YOU'RE DANGED RIGHT YOU SHOULD'VE. EXPLAIN YOURSELF, DAUGHTER."

Looking to her father, Luna's face was stern, and she stepped forward. "A thousand years ago, my reign was...a lonely one. The night had few when compared to the day of Celestia. I grew angry over the love she had, all while I was ignored." She winced at remembering those unhappy days. "I lashed out, gave in to the darker thoughts. Before I could stop myself, terrible powers were wielded against my own sister, and I had become a monster. A being feared by all for generations to come." A small smile came to her. "Were it not for the efforts of Twilight and her friends, it is likely that a nightmare is what I would still be today."

"IT PROBABLY GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT THIS IS A DISAPPOINTING THING FOR ME TO HEAR."

"Of course," Luna conceded.

"...BUT I AM ALSO GLAD THAT YOU ARE AGAIN YOURSELF, LUNA. WHOLE AND FREE OF DARK INFLUENCE. NOT MANY CAN CLAIM THAT FOR THEMSELVES AFTER SUCH AN EXPERIENCE."

Luna looked to him with surprise. "I...you catch me off-guard, Father. I expected you to be enraged by this news."

"IN TRUTH, I WAS, AT FIRST. BUT, LOATHE I MAY BE TO CONCEDE IT, MY TALK WITH DISCORD HAS TAUGHT ME MUCH. NAMELY, HOW ONE CAN INDEED CHANGE FOR THE BETTER AFTER TERRIBLE TIMES. AND IT SEEMS SUCH WAS THE CASE WITH YOU, LUNA. YOU STRAYED, YOU GAVE IN TO THE WORST PARTS OF YOUR NATURE, YET YOU EMERGED THE OTHER SIDE, SHINING AS YOU ONCE DID. THERE ARE FEW ACCOMPLISHMENTS GREATER THAN TO RAISE HIGHER THAN WE WERE, AND ALL I FEEL IS GLAD THAT YOU NO LONGER LINGER IN THE DARK."

Luna looked quite touched by her father's words, as a small smile came to her. "Well...not too far from the dark. I am a mare of the night after all."

"YOU ARE. AND FROM WHAT I HEAR, PONYKIND HAS COME TO LOVE YOU A GREAT DEAL IN THE BRIEF TIME YOU'VE HAD UPON YOUR THRONE COMPARED TO CELESTIA. IF THAT IS NOT A TESTAMENT TO YOUR QUALITY, I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS."

"...Thank you, Father. Your words are...to be blunt, far kinder than I'd have expected."

"WELL...PERHAPS OLD AGE HAS SOFTENED ME SOMEWHAT.

Luna's smile grew. "It is not an unwelcome change, I can assure you."

It was a touching moment between them, as evidenced by how glad Flash seemed to be to witness it. Unfortunately, the mood was spoiled slightly by the sudden reappearance of Discord, who emerged in his usual manner before slumping his shoulders and pouting like a child. "Well, that was a wasted trip!"

Luna raised an eyebrow to him. "No joy with your tea, Discord?"

Discord sighed. "Alas, no. Seems Fluttershy already had a prior engagement. Goody two-shoes Twilight was there with her instead. So, after bidding her farewell and letting her know where I'd be for the day if she changed her mind, I decided to come back."

There was a silence as Luna and Flash glanced to one another. "You...told them both where you'd be?" the latter asked.

"Yes," Discord answered.

"So...Twilight now knows of exactly who is down here?" Luna added.

Discord frowned. "Yes? What's your point?"

The point in question was soon to be answered in full, for at that very moment there was a noise being heard by all of them. Far away, yet growing louder with every passing moment. It was hoofsteps, and all turned to the great doors of the chamber. Before long, they burst open, and a lavender blur sped past the three and went straight for Solaris. Now, hovering excitedly in front of the old king's face, was Twilight, with an absolutely massive grin upon her face. "Tell. Me. Everything!"

To this, Flash cleared his throat. "Um, King Solaris? Allow me to introduce...Princess Twilight Sparkle.

"...HELLO."
> Not Canon!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"SO...THAT WAS EQUESTRIA'S NEW RULER?"

"Father," Luna began. "I assure you, she's usually more professional than that."

Discord raised his index finger. "Except when it comes to those who can tell her more about Celestia. And goodness knows you certainly qualify on that front."

"And let's not forget that your existence probably helps fill in a lot of the blank spaces in Equestria's history books," Flash added. "Something a scholar such has the Princess would appreciate."

"BE THAT AS IT MAY, IT WAS SOMEWHAT JARRING TO SUDDENLY BE UNDER THE MICROSCOPE LIKE THAT. MY THANKS TO YOU, DAUGHTER, FOR CONVINCING HER TO LEAVE."

Luna shrugged. "It was a simple matter, Father. I merely reminded her that there were other duties of governance that she needed to attend. For all her obsessions, you can always count of Twilight to be devoted to a timetable."

"EFFICIENT. I LIKE THAT."

Looking down to Flash, Discord smirked. "In any case, I'm sure you were happy of the visit, eh?"

Flash frowned to him, then glanced away. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

The Draconequus scoffed. "Oh, I know you do. Always nice for the beau to come along."

"We are not going to discuss this," Flash responded firmly.

"OKAY, SPILL," Solaris demanded. "WHAT LITTLE IN-JOKE ARE YOU TWO ON ABOUT?"

Discord gleefully rubbed his hands together. "Why, we're simply discussing the steamy love affair of the Princess and our little knight here."

Flash facehoofed immediately upon hearing that, and Luna looked like she was tempted to do the same, but just resorted to shaking her head instead. As for Solaris, he remained silent for a time. When he eventually spoke, even through his mechanical monotone, it could be felt that he was in on the joke now. "GIVEN WHAT I KNOW OF DISCORD, I ASSUME THIS IS MERELY JEST ON HIS PART?"

"Yes, Sir." Flash eventually answered. "Very much so."

"...YET I FEEL SUCH A JOKE WOULD NOT HAVE AN IMPACT UNLESS THERE WAS SOME...BASIS FOR IT?"

Flash sighed deeply, glancing in Luna's direction. And while the latter was looking like she was taking some small measure of amusement over the matter, her expression also told Flash that he just needed to come out and explain things if he was going to get out of this. So, after rubbing his temples briefly, he did just that. "Well...it all began a few years back, when I was stationed in the Crystal Empire."

"YOU WERE IN THE EMPIRE? WHY?"

"When they first returned, a lot of the city was in disarray from their ordeal," Flash explained. "Prince Shining and a number of the Guard from here in Canterlot were sent there to help them organize. Once they had a Guard of their own, me and the rest of the Canterlot units returned here." He looked away. "Anyway, I met Princess Twilight there, but only briefly. She, on the other hoof, had something of an adventure there."

"One involving another reality, Father," Luna added.

"...AND A MIRROR, I ASSUME?"

All looked to him with surprise. "You know about that?" his daughter asked.

"ONE DOES NOT BECOME A MASTER OF MAGIC WITHOUT LEARNING SUCH THINGS, LUNA."

Flash looked from one alicorn to the other before resuming his story. "Well...while on the other side of it, she apparently encountered..." He sighed. "An alternate version of me. They hit it off, she came back here afterwards, we bumped into each other again, and that pretty much sums up our entire history together."

"SINCE YOU KNOW THIS STORY OF HER OTHERWORLDLY ADVENTURES, I CAN ONLY ASSUME THE TALE GOT OUT?"

Flash nodded. "Yes. The exploits of the Princess and her friends becomes commonplace gossip fairly quickly, especially in a realm that reveres them like the Crystal Empire. Word spread, and before long the assumption was that she and I had become...well...close."

"MUST HAVE BEEN NICE TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BRAG ABOUT THAT." After seeing that Flash wasn't looking quite comfortable with that, Solaris continued. "...OR NOT?"

"No, it wasn't. Putting aside the fact that it wasn't me she'd grown close to, just some alternate version of me, the bottom line is that I have no designs on the Princess. I had to clarify that to everypony who asked me about it. And trust me, there were many."

Luna gave him a knowing smile. "Including her brother, if I recall correctly?"

Flash winced. "Indeed. I remember well the day I was called to his office to explain myself. I'm sure Captain Shining took me at my word that nothing was going on between his sister and I, but truth be told I think he only truly relented once his wife had spoken to him about it afterwards."

Discord folded his arms. "I'm no expert on romance, but it sounds pretty hypocritical of the stallion to get all upset over your supposed wooing of Twilight when he married an alicorn."

"He's her brother," Flash reminded him. "It's only natural he'd be protective."

Discord rolled his eyes. "Must you be so sickeningly understanding?"

"SO THEN, SENTRY. DO YOU STILL GET TEASED ABOUT ALL THIS BY YOUR FELLOWS IN THE GUARD?"

Flash shook his head. "Thankfully, not these days. In fact, this conversation here is the first it's been brought up for quite some time."

"AND JUST TO CLARIFY...YOU DON'T HAVE AN INTEREST IN PRINCESS TWILIGHT?"

The stallion exhaled deeply. "No, I do not. Make no mistake, she's a remarkable mare. A hero to the nation. I've lost count of how many times we in Equestria have become indebted to her. But I seek no relationship with her. And even if I did, I'd be unable. My work in the Guard is too important to me to divert time to finding a partner."

Luna chuckled slightly. "A workaholic. You remined me of Father."

"ONLY SMALLER, LESS MAGICAL AND OVERALL LESS INTERESTING."

"...If you say so, Sir," Flash replied with a barely-hidden irritation over the remark.

"BUT EVEN SO, YOU SHOULD COUNT YOURSELF LUCKY. WE ALICORNS ARE A TRUE PRIZE FOR ANY ORDINARY PONY. FOR YOU TO BE CONSIDERED A POTENTIAL MATCH TO ONE IS A GREAT HONOUR."

Flash grimaced over his relationship status still being discussed like this, and before long he watched as Luna leaned in to him to whisper to him once more. "If you think this is bad, you should've seen the days when he tried playing matchmaker to my sister and I."

For the first time today, Flash smiled. "Now there's a story I'd like to hear."
> Wonder
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Pardon me for prying, Princess Luna," Flash began. "But I'd have assumed you and your sister would have been long gone from the city by now. Surely you've earned your retirement away from the hectic activity of the capital?"

A small chuckled escaped the former mare in the moon. "True. And believe me, we do plan on enjoying that retirement. But one does not simply walk away from a long reign such as this. Twilight's coronation may be done, but there are still finer details to work out."

"JUST BE SURE TO VISIT YOUR OLD POP EVERY NOW AND AGAIN."

Luna looked to her father, actually smiling to him. "Fear not, Father, we shall not forget you. Perhaps, if some way was devised to move you, you could join us for a Wonderbolts show?"

"...WHAT IN THE WIDE WORLD OF EQUESTRIA IS A WONDERBOLT?"

Flash turned to him. "Oh, they're an aerial performance team, Sir. All pegasi of course, and they've been renowned as the best fliers in Equestria for many generations."

"A bunch of self-important show-offs, to be more accurate," Discord added.

Luna and Flash gave the draconequus a joint frown, but it was Solaris who answered. "LET ME GUESS. BIG CELEBRITIES, REGARDED AS HEROES TO THE NATION DESPITE HAVING FEW, IF ANY, REAL ACTS OF HEROISM UNDER THIER BELT?"

"The list of truly heroic acts in their history may be few, Sir, but that doesn't change the fact that they have been an inspiration for many a colt and filly through the years. Myself included," Flash countered.

"AH, I ASSUME YOU ONCE STOOD IN THE STANDS ALONGSIDE HUNDREDS OF OTHER CHILDREN, LOOKING UP TO THEM IN THE SKIES AND DREAMING OF ONE DAY BEING COUNTED AMONG THEM?"

"I'd be lying if I said that wasn't the case," Flash admitted. "There likely isn't a pegasus child anywhere in the nation who hasn't had that dream at least once in their life. But as time went on, I realised my goals in life were not to wear the blue, but the gold."

"IT'S FOR THE BEST. CHANCES ARE YOU'RE DOING BETTER STUFF HERE IN THE GUARD THAN OUT WITH THE BOLTS."

"Sure, if you consider being a glorified bodyguard to ponies who don't actually need others to protect themselves as 'worthwhile' work," Discord interrupted.

"Are you just in a bad mood today?" Luna asked, earing herself nothing but a shrug from Discord in response.

"STILL, THESE WONDERBOLTS COULD STAND TO BE REMINDED OF A FEW THINGS."

Luna rolled her eyes. "Okay, here we go."

To Flash's slight concern, the room around them started to rumble a little, but thankfully it only lasted a few moments. "Um...what was that?"

"NOTHING TOO SERIOUS. I JUST DECIDED TO SEND A MESSAGE TO THE WONDERBOLTS. A CHALLENGE."

Luna looked to the nonplussed guard. "It was sort of a hobby Father liked to partake in back in the day. Find those with aspirations of celebrity and test them. Set them grand tasks to show if they were worthy of the, as you younger ponies say, hype."

"ALWAYS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS TO DO, SO YOU'D BETTER BELEIVE I'M GLAD TO GET BACK INTO IT."

"So then, Father," Luna began. "What, pray tell, have you set the Wonderbolts to?"

"I COMMANDED THEM TO BRING ME THE FANG OF THE RED DEATH."

"...Who?!" Flash exclaimed.

"A TERRIFYING DRAGON FROM ANCIENT TIMES. A NIGHTMARE TO PONYKIND. AN OLD FOE OF MINE. IT WAS QUITE THE FIGHT, BUT I BROUGHT HIM DOWN ALL THE SAME."

Flash exhaled a breath of relief. "So, you haven't sent them against a giant, living dragon then?"

"OF COURSE NOT. THAT WOULD BE A SUICIDE MISSION. I'M NOT THAT HEARTLESS."

Discord smirked. "Well, technically, you could be. Remember, we haven't actually looked inside that old ribcage of yours yet."

"IGNORING THAT. THE POINT IS, THIS ISN'T A DEADLY MISSION. BUT THE RED DEATH'S REMAINS WERE LEFT IN AN ALMOST IMPASSABLE PLACE. DANGEROUS EVEN FOR THE BEST OF FLIERS. BUT, IF THE WONDERBOLTS ARE AS GREAT AS PEOPLE BELIEVE THEM TO BE, IT SHOULD BE NO ISSUE."

Flash looked to Luna. "I know that device keeps him monotone, but I swear I could hear the sarcasm in that one."

Luna scoffed. "I grew up with him, Flash. I can always hear the sarcasm"

Then, to the surprise of all, there was a knocking on the door, prompting all eyes to turn towards it. In a mere moment, they creaked open, and the smiling face of a grey pegasus mare with a blonde mane and mismatched eyes came in, giving a quick wave to everypony. She merrily trotted over to Flash, offering him a scroll of some sort, which the stallion graciously accepted before giving her a nod. Afterwards, the mare walked away, just as pleased with herself as she was when she arrived, and only after she'd closed the door behind her did Flash finally break the silence. "Well...I guess we have mail."

Luna smiled to him. "Always a pleasure to see the nation's delivery services at their craft."

Flash, joining her in a smile, got to the business of opening the scroll. After taking in the information for a few moments, his eyes widened with surprise. "Oh...they have it."

"WHO HAS WHAT?"

"The Wonderbolts," Flash elaborated. "They found the fang."

"...WHAT?"

"They found the fang," Flash repeated, after which he squinted his eyes at the last few lines on the scroll. "And they also want to know if there's anything else you need while they're about it."

"...WHAT THE WHAT?! I ONLY SET THEM THE TASK A MINUTE AGO! HOW THE FLIP DID THEY MANAGE TO DO IT ALREADY?!"

Discord chuckled. "Well, that's what you get for giving a challenge to Rainbow of all ponies."

"WHO?"

Flash looked to the king. "Ah, yes. I forgot to mention. One of the Bolts' latest members is Rainbow Dash, a close friend of Princess Twilight. In fact, she's been part of virtually every major world-saving adventure the Princess has been on."

"YOU MEAN TO SAY THAT THEY HAD A GENUINE, WORLD-SAVING PONY ON THEIR TEAM? NEXT TIME, TELL ME THAT BEFORE I GO AND START SETTING THEM QUESTS."

Discord floated up to him, keeping his famed smirk. "Oh, but it's so much more fun to see you get embarrassed, old chum." He looked to the other two ponies. "Anypony got a camera? I want to remember this moment forever."
> Greater
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"WELL, THAT'S JUST PERFECT. ONE OF MY ALL-TIME FAVOURITE THINGS TO DO FROM CENTURIES AGO AND I CAN'T EVEN HAVE THAT IN THIS DAY AND AGE!"

"You know, I don't think I'll ever be able to wrap my head around that sort of thing," Flash mused.

"What sort of thing?" Luna asked with genuine curiosity.

Flash looked to her. "With respect, your ages. I mean, most ponies like me would be lucky to make it to ninety or so, and here you three are, having been around for centuries or millennia. It just...kinda makes a pony feel small sometimes, I guess."

"I THOUGHT YOU MADE IT PERFECTLY CLEAR TO ME BEFORE THAT YOU WERE HAPPY WITH A MORTAL LIFE?"

"Oh, I am, make no mistake about that, Sir," Flash clarified. "But even so..."

His open-ended remark earned him a nod from Discord. "If you think that's difficult to get your head around, I can only imagine how hard it would be for you to consider what we are."

Flash raised an eyebrow. "And what are you, exactly? Alicorns and a draconequus?"

Discord waved him off. "Pfft! Mere trifling things, lad. We go far beyond what your little brain can understand."

"Yeah, that's not insulting in the slightest," Flash remarked with understandable sarcasm.

Discord, annoyed at the fact that the stallion wasn't in awe yet, just got down to it. "We, Flash Sentry, are the greater powers of the world! The forces that shape it, given form and flesh! The highest of the high!"

Flash blinked to him, still struggling somewhat. "So...you're gods?"

"NO," Solaris declared firmly.

"Yes!" Discord countered.

"NO!!!" Solaris repeated.

"Yes!" Discord spat back.

Luna, giving herself an expected facehoof, walked over to Flash and began to explain. "It's complicated. But it's a compromise situation. These two and others are not gods in the way you're likely thinking. They did not make the world or its people. But they are, nevertheless, the embodiment of many of the integral parts of life."

Flash, seeing Luna as clearly a better pony to speak to about this, turned to face her and her alone. "Integral parts? Such as?"

Luna nodded to him. "Consider Harmony. Perhaps the most well-known of these forces. She was a guiding light, growing stronger with every bond of love and friendship formed in our world. And as she grew, so too did her ability to aid mortal peoples in forming new bonds."

Flash's ears drooped slightly. "So...does that mean...?"

Luna smiled to him, shaking her head. "No. Despite appearances, despite the shattering of her tree, Harmony is still very much with us. In fact, I know of six young heroes who could tell you themselves that she is alive in the world even as we speak, even if we can no longer touch her. Some things...will simply always be here."

"ORDER AMONG THEM." Solaris waited until Flash was looking to him before elaborating. "THAT IS WHAT I REPRESENT. STABILITY. THE NEED AND DESIRE FOR THINGS TO HAVE CONTINUITY. TO WAKE UP AND KNOW WHAT THE DAY WILL BRING. YOU HAVE DOUBTLESS EXPERIENCED TIMES WHEN ALL SEEMS TOPSY-TURTVY, OUT OF CONTROL. I AM THE CONTROL. THE SOLID GROUND BENEATH YOUR HOOVES THAT WILL NOT GIVE WAY, GIVING A FOUNDATION UPON WHICH ALL THINGS CAN BE BUILT, AND BY EXTENSION RISE HIGH TO GREATER AND GREATER THINGS."

Discord mimicked a yawn. "The boring stuff, he means to say. He's basically the slice of toast of world forces. Yeah, sure, it's not bad exactly, but it's hardly exciting either."

Flash frowned at him. "And you? You're just chaos, I'm assuming? Hard to see how that is a vital, important thing to have."

Rubbing his hands together, Discord started to look like he'd been waiting for this exact question. "Oh, my dear lad. Not merely chaos. Ever hear the phrase, variety is the spice of life? Well, that's me. I am that delicious spice, making your dull, dismal lives so much tastier."

Instantly, he was rewarded for this display of smugness by a psychically-produced hoof to the back of his head by Solaris. "STOP MAKING YOURSELF SOUND BETTER THAN YOU ARE AND GET TO THE POINT!"

After rubbing the back of his head, as well as casting a dark look to the skeleton, Discord folded his arms and explained himself. "Look, stability is all well and good. But at the end of the day, people want, no, need things to go wrong in their lives here and there. Because to be perfectly frank, those unplanned, unexpected things can be of great benefit to you all."

Flash arched an eyebrow. "How?"

Discord looked to the side. "Take your precious Princess Twilight. Loves her preparations, her checklists and so on. She enters, say, a recent quiz contest, expects it all to go smoothly and according to plan. But then, enter Pinkie Pie. A little touch of the unexpected that eventually leads to Twilight learning a valuable lesson, growing as a person." He smiled again as he regarded Flash. "And that, Sentry, is what I bring to the table. Old Solaris here may indeed be the solid foundation, but chaos? Like what I bring? It's something life needs if it's ever to grow and develop beyond just cookie-cutter stuff day in and day out."

"AS MUCH AS IT PAINS ME TO ADMIT TO THIS, HE IS CORRECT. HE USUALLY GOES WAY, WAY TOO FAR WITH HIS CHAOS, BUT I CANNOT DENY THAT HE REPRESENTS A VITAL PART OF LIFE."

Luna stepped forward, looking to Flash while gesturing to both of them. "And as you can probably guess, this is why the two of them are so often at odds. They are the literal antithesis of one another. Order and chaos, preparation and going with the flow."

"Insufferableness and fun," Discord added, regaining his smugness.

Before Solaris had the chance to counter him on that one, Flash spoke up, this time to Luna. "And you? And your sister?"

Luna shook her head. "We are not greater powers, as they are. We are perhaps a cut above the average pony, hence our magical prowess and longer lives, but not enough that we could, say, best Discord without the help of the Elements."

Flash stared at her, taking all of this in. "Well...this has been quite the eye-opener."

Luna smiled to him. "If you think this was a revelation, try living it."
> The Quest
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Understandably, Flash was looking more than a little tired from his recent experiences. Standing outside the great chamber where Solaris resided, the stallion was contenting himself with a simple cup of tea, sipping only occasionally as he processed all he had seen and heard thus far. Every once in a while he'd glance in the direction of the doors, but never once went in. But this moment of quiet solitude was soon to be interrupted by, who else, Discord, who arrived beside him in his usual teleportation, arms folded and looking like a sulking child. "Hmph! Guess nopony wants a draconequus around for some heartfelt daddy-daughter talks."

Flash had to use all his strength not to raise an eyebrow to that. "Really? Who'd have guessed?"

Discord looked down to him with a frown. "Why are you even here, Sentry? It's not as if somepony with Solaris' level of power actually needs protecting."

Flash looked to him. "I am of the Royal Guard. Tasked with the protection of others and the wellbeing of Equestria. Standing watch over its creator and founder is a worthy task even if it's not actually required."

Discord rolled his eyes. "Ugh! So sickeningly chivalric! No wonder people thought you'd be a good match for Princess Bookworm!" Flash ignored him, but Discord, scratching his chin and pondering what had been said, started to develop that mischievous look that all who knew him could see meant trouble. "Say...you know, if you truly want to be of aid to Equestria, there are better ways of going about it than just being a giant skeleton's babysitter."

"And what, pray tell, would you suggest?" Flash asked, clearly expecting some sort of oncoming fool's errand from the chaos-lover.

Discord, giving the guard his utmost attention, gave his answer. "Tell me, little stallion. Have you ever heard...of the Alicorn Amulet?"

Flash finally looked to him, but it was with an expression of understandable suspicion. "Only as rumour. Some sort of ancient artefact, yes?"

Discord nodded. "Indeed it is. And a pretty impressive one too. It gives its wearer enhanced power, far beyond what they'd normally be able to achieve."

Flash narrowed his eyes. "Wasn't it also something that gave quite a bit of trouble to Princess Twilight a while back?"

But Discord simply waved him off. "Pfft! That was just because it wound up in the hooves of a vengeful attention-seeker. I have far better plans for it!"

"Not exactly the most reassuring of claims, given what your plans usually look like," Flash commented.

Discord ignored his skepticism for the time being. "Well this plan...is to use it to restore Solaris to his former self!"

Flash stared at him for a while, not quite sure if he believed him. "Solaris? The guy you very obviously don't like?"

"Oh, sure, we despise each other's guts," Discord clarified. "But that doesn't change the fact that him being back in working order and actually able to be of some use to Equestria would be an unprecedented boon to you lot." He looked to the side and smirked. "Plus, let's not forget, having his restoration be a result of something I did would be a thorn in his side for the rest of eternity, and that would be oh so delicious to me."

Flash nodded. "There it is. I figured you weren't just doing this out of the goodness of your heart."

Discord seemed legitimately offended by the remark. "Hey now! I'm a changed draconequus! Annoying Solaris is just a bonus! I really do mean to help you little four-leggers."

Setting his tea aside for the time being, Flash looked to Discord fully. "Well then? Let's see this amulet in action. Bring it in."

Here, after all the confidence and bravado, Discord's expression started to crack, showing just a hint of embarrassment. "Well...you see..."

Without even a full explanation, Flash got the message. "You can't, can you?"

Discord's shoulders slumped. "Look, it's not my fault, okay?! After it was used last time, Twilight went to great lengths to make sure it couldn't be used by so-called 'nefarious' forces. And since I was likely still on her list at the time, chances are she consulted Celestia about making it Discord-proof too."

Flash sighed. "So...you're about to ask me to do this, aren't you?"

"A mortal hid it, a mortal must find it," Discord conceded. "And besides, won't bringing Solaris back from the dead pretty much make you the hero of Equestria? The one who brought back ponykind's highest of high?"

"If you're hoping to play on my ego, you're wasting your breath. I took this position to serve, not to cover myself in glory and fame."

Discord facepalmed himself. "Uuuuuuuuuugh! You are infuriating, do you know that?!" He took a breath, then spoke in a calmer tone. "Fine then. Don't think about fame and recognition, think of the Princesses." After seeing Flash cast a small measure of confusion his way, he explained. "Luna is in there right now, talking to a literal skeleton of her father. Don't you think it would be better to actually have him with her and her sister? Because frankly, this arrangement is barely one step up from visiting him at an outright grave."

Flash looked to him in silence for a time, then glanced over to the doors. After a solid minute of quiet had passed between them the stallion sighed. "...You're right."

Discord practically beamed at that. "Well, I usually am."

Ignoring him, Flash continued. "Celestia and Luna deserve their family back together. If this quest you suggest will make that happen, then it's at least worth a shot. And as you say, I pledged myself to serve the princesses."

Discord then rubbed his ands together. "Better get to it then, little pony."

But Flash shook his head. "I need to prepare. There's no telling what I'm walking into with this. I'll need backup." A small smile came to him. "Luckily, I've got a few names I think I can call on for help."

After hearing that, Discord turned to the doors again. "And as for Solaris, it probably for the best he just think you're on vacation or something, No way in Tartarus he'll accept anything if he knows it comes from me."

Flash looked back to him. "I'll need to find somepony to take my place while I'm gone."

To that, Discord developed a rather devilish grin. "Oh, I think I have just the fellow for that."
> The New Guy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Let me say, from the bottom of my heart, that it is an absolute honour to have been invited here for you to have companionship, King Solaris," Blueblood declared, clearly not picking up on the unhappy vibes everypony else was giving. "I had a feeling a commoner such as Lieutenant Sentry wasn't going to be up to the task for this forever, but kudos to him for recognising that and stepping aside. Now, you have the benefit of a true noble stallion to be your right hoof."

After almost a solid minute of silence, Solaris spoke, albeit having completely ignored Blueblood in favour of addressing Discord instead. "WHAT THE FRICK IS THIS SUPPOSED TO BE? WHERE'S OUR GOLDEN BOY?"

Discord shrugged. "Oh, I believe he had some vacation days planned, so he's off. Could be anywhere by now, I guess."

The look he had made it abundantly clear that he knew more than he was letting on, a fact that Luna was sure to comment on. "Discord, I do believe you're slipping. You're up to something and you're doing a rather terrible job of hiding it."

Discord seemed offended by the remark, placing his paw upon his chest and letting out an obviously-false gasp. "Moi?! Surely you jest?"

"WE'LL HAVE A TALK WITH YOU ABOUT THIS LATER," Solaris promised. "IN THE MEANTIME, I NEED TO PROCESS THE FACT THAT THIS ONE IS WHO I'M GOING TO HAVE TO PUT UP WITH UNTIL SENTRY GETS BACK."

Blueblood seemed confused as to why the ones around him weren't happy with his presence, so after clearing his throat, he doubled down. "My Lord, I assure you that I am more than capable of performing this task. Auntie Celestia could vouch for me."

"...PARDON? AUNTIE CELESTIA?" If he had eyes, doubtless they'd be pointing at Luna at this very moment. "DAUGHTER? IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WISH TO DISCUSS WITH ME?"

Luna facehoofed. "Oh, for the love of..." She took a deep breath, calming herself, then began to explain things. "Father, I have had to lay this out to many others before, so I'm not fond of the idea of doing it again. But for you, I will do so." She then pointed to the nearby stallion. "Blueblood here is no child of mine. Nor is he any true relation of Celestia."

Blueblood frowned at her. "Well, no need to be quite that offended at the prospect."

"Yes...there is," Luna replied firmly. Blueblood, getting the message, piped down, allowing the former duarch to get her explanation in. "Basically, his family were close friends with Celestia for many years. And Blueblood himself practically grew up in the royal palace because of how much time they were here. As such, it became sort of an unofficial relationship matter. He'd call her 'Auntie' when he was young despite no blood relation, and the word apparently just remained."

"MESSAGE UNDERSTOOD. I DO QUESTION THOUGH HOW THERE IS NOBILITY TO BEGIN WITH. THERE DEFINITELY WASN'T IN MY TIME."

Luna shrugged. "Again, no relations to either myself or Tia. But some families, by acquiring great wealth or influence over the years, styled themselves as aristocrats. And while Celestia never fully acknowledged them as such, she didn't deny it either, so the image became engrained in the populace."

"I TAKE IT THEY DO LITTLE TO WARRANT SUCH STATUS?"

"They do," Luna conceded. "Though I'm loathe to admit to it."

"If I might get a word in?" Blueblood requested. Once he was sure he had the attention of the others, he explained himself. "I may not be down-and-dirty like some commoners, but I assure you I am every bit a Guard as Sentry was, status or no."

"...HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN A FIGHT?"

"...Pardon?" Blueblood asked, clearly showing some nervousness.

"SIMPLE QUESTION. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN A FIGHT? BECAUSE FROM WHERE I'M STANDING, THAT SEEMS LIKE A PRETTY BASIC POINT OF EXPERIENCE TO HAVE FOR THIS JOB."

Blueblood started scratching the back of his head. "Well...maybe not fought exactly, but I did have a rather unpleasant time at a party once. Does that count?" Seeing all the disapproving loos he was getting, he began to speak again. "Hey now, it's not as if that Sentry fellow has any more battle experience than I do."

"Actually, he does," Luna remarked. Once all looked to her, she explained. "After his initial appointment to the Guard, he was tasked with joining an ambassadorial delegation on its way to Saddle Arabia. There was an ambush by bandits, and he along with the others of his squad, fought them off. And that's just one of the times he's been called upon to do so."

Slowly, Blueblood's ears drooped. "...Ah."

Discord smirked, nudging the now-disheartened stallion in the side. "Hey now, it's not all bad. If you like, I can conjure a bandit or two for you to fight right here and now. Get that box ticked?"

"Er...no," Blueblood answered. "Thank you, but I think I'm good."

"VERY WELL THEN. IF YOU CANNOT EVEN PERFORM THE BASIC TASK OF PROTECTION, THEN AT LEAST PROVIDE ME WITH INFORMATION. FLASH WAS QUITE ABLE IN THAT REGARD. SO TELL ME, WHAT SORT OF LIFE DO YOU NOBLES OF THE PRESENT DAY EXPERIENCE?"

Here, Blueblood perked up slightly. "Oh, it was a wonderful upbringing, Sir. The finest education in the realm, for one thing."

Luna scoffed. "If you say so."

"SOMETHING ON YOUR MIND, DAUGHTER?"

The alicorn of the moon sighed. "I'm sure there was lots of good to say about Equestria's education under Celestia's reign, but let's just say it fell into questionable hooves after a while."

Blueblood frowned to her. "If you refer to Chancellor Neighsay, I agree he had some negative qualities, but when it came to ensuring a rigorous curriculum for most ponies, he exceled."

"AND WHAT, PRAY TELL, WERE THESE 'NEGATIVE QUALITIES' YOU SPEAK OF?"

Luna and Blueblood looked to one another, but it fell to Discord to, as usual, be the blunt one of the group. "Bigotry, basically. The stallion was a straight-up hater." Once he saw both of the two ponies beside him look to him with stunned expressions, he shrugged. "What? Am I wrong?"

As for Solaris, the chamber around him rumbled slightly after he'd heard this new information. "BLUEBLOOD...EXPLAIN."

The blonde stallion, after gulping, kept his voice to a hush. "Oh sweet Celestia, what have I gotten myself into?"
> Gathering the Host
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Having spent so much of his recent time around extraordinary beings, only now did Flash realise just how much he missed being with mortals such as himself. The barracks of the Royal Palace, his home away from home, where he'd grown many a fond memory since joining this prestigious institution. All around he saw familiar faces, all of whom gave him smiles and nods of acknowledgement as he passed them by. But he was not here for a friendly chat, much as he would have wanted to do so. No, here was here for a very particular person. One he knew would be ideal for this quest he'd accepted. And before long, he found that person. A pegasus stallion like himself, though bearing an older class of armour. Currently, this other stallion was in the middle of looking over some fresh recruits for the Guard, and only after having done so did he give them all a silent nod. With that unspoken permission, they departed, no doubt to continue their respective training regimens, and once they were all out of earshot, Flash finally decided to step forth and make his presence known. "Think they'll be up to it?"

The stallion turned to him, smiling. "They will be once I'm through with them." Approaching one another, the two stallions clasped hooves in greeting. "Haven't seen you around for a while, Sentry. Some big, new job keeping you occupied?"

A dry chuckle escaped Flash. "Something like that, Magnus. In fact, it's sort of why I wanted to speak with you."

The ancient warrior arched an eyebrow. "Oh? Do tell."

Thinking best how to phrase this, Flash soon got his words together. "There is an artefact of great power, hidden and far away. If it can be obtained, there's a chance we may usher in a new era for Equestria. I do not know all the details, but I believe it is a task worth pursuing."

Flash Magnus nodded as he considered that. "In the time I've known you, I never took you as one to follow a fool's errand. If you say this is a worthy quest, then I believe you."

His fellow Guard smiled. "In that case, know that I have come here to find others who are willing to join me on this journey. I do not know where or for how long we will need to be absent from the capital, but I fancy my chances better if I have capable fighters by my side."

Here, Magnus looked to the side awkwardly. "Ah, and you wish for me to be one of those warriors, yes?"

Without even being given an explanation, Flash understood his fellow pegasi's reaction. "You won't be coming, will you?"

Magnus sighed as he looked back to him. "I fear not. Believe me, I would love to go on such a journey. To quest for adventure like the old days for the betterment of the nation. But alas, I have a prior obligation. I've been requested to serve as the new drill instructor for the Guard."

Flash smiled to him. "So, no longer freelancing in the job then?"

Magnus smiled. "Well, I suppose, given how long I'd been volunteering in the role, they figured they might as well make it official."

Flash nodded to him. "Well, congratulations then. Such things come first, I understand." He looked away. "I will still need somepony to join me on this journey though."

As the younger stallion dwelt on that, Magnus looked past him, slowly developing a mischievous grin. "Well, you might not have to wait too long for a volunteer."

Flash was, naturally, confused by this, until that uncertainty was utterly destroyed by the sudden and startling fact that he was now hoisted off the ground and given the biggest, tightest hug of his life. This massively friendly embrace had come courtesy of an enormous earth pony stallion, clad in garb as old as Magnus', with his mane and beard braided ornately. The newcomer laughed boisterously, oblivious to just how uncomfortable his choice of hugee was. "Ha! Well met, young Sentry! I hope the day finds you well!"

Of course, Flash was hardly in a position to talk normally, and so had to settle for getting out whatever his limited breath would allow. "Ack! Yes! Good to meet you too, Rockhoof!"

Finally setting him down, the towering pony smiled widely, letting off an air of confidence that likely dwarfed anypony else in a hundred miles. "Forgive my interruption, but I couldn't help but overheard that and adventure is afoot?"

Flash, having finally recovered some air in his lungs, nodded. "Yes...um...I am on the search for a magical item, and am currently looking for others to join me."

Rockhoof slapped the pegasi's shoulder, nearly cracking it in the process, before making his intentions known. "Search no longer, friend! You've found your first companion!"

Flash sighed. "Yep. Figured you'd want to be a part of this."

Magnus, for his part, shook his head in amusement before walking alongside his modern-day namesake and patting him on the shoulder. "I know he can be a bit much, but trust me, if a fight breaks out, there are few ponies you'd rather have by your side."

Flash smiled to him, and then to Rockhoof. "Well then, welcome to the host, Sir Rockhoof."

The larger stallion gripped the smaller's hoof to shake, nearly breaking it as he had done with the aforementioned shoulder, though Flash did his best to hide the discomfort. When they stopped, the former looked around himself. "So, where do we go first?"

After nursing his now-sore hoof, Flash answered him. "We'll need to find others first. Can't go off with just two after all."

"If you're in need of help, I think I can be of assistance." All eyes turned, then widened in surprise to the one who had spoken. It was a mare, taller than most, with a dark maroon colouring, a scar over one eye and, most notably, a broken horn. As she approached, she spoke directly to Flash, doing so in a tone that suggested power behind every word. "If you're going into the unknown, best bring along a pony who knows it better than most." She then glanced to the side. "Besides...I have a lot to make up for."

Flash considered this rather unexpected offer of aid, but his uncertainty was short-lived, and he once more reached out his hoof. "Then consider yourself signed up, Miss Berrytwist."

The mare winced. "I just knew Pinkie would let that one slip!"
> Overreactions
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"...SO LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT. EDUCATION IN THIS COUNTRY HAS DESCENDED TO SUCH A DEGREE THAT YOU ALLOWED A NIGH-UNCHALLENGED STALLION TO TAKE OVER AND INFECT IT WITH PRO-PONY PROPAGANDA, INSULAR THINKING AND EVEN DICTATORIAL TENDENCIES?"

Luna glanced uncomfortably to the side. "A rather harsh condemnation...but I can't exactly call it incorrect." She then looked back to him. "Look, in the early days, it was simple. Celestia had her school right here in the capital, and she was sure to teach all young ponies herself. But as time went on, the city grew larger, as did the population. Contrary to popular believe, we rulers cannot be in all places at once, so after a while, Tia had to bring in other teachers, and then other schools in other cities. Eventually, a whole board had to be created to oversee those schools, since Tia had a good many other state matters that took her attention. After a while, her only real, direct involvement with the education system was that first school of hers, which is now renowned as one of the finest institutions for young unicorns."

"BE THAT AS IT MAY, IT'S CLEAR THAT THIS SCHOOL BOARD, AND CHANCELLOR NEIGHSAY IN PARTICULAR, ARE A ROT THAT NEED REMOVING. AND REMOVE IT I SHALL."

Luna's eyes narrowed. "Dare I ask exactly how you intend to do such a thing?"

"SIMPLE. I SHALL MERELY ASK THE MOST FAMOUS MISCHIEF-MAKER IN THE WORLD TO MAKE SOME MISCHIEF."

After a moment, both Luna and Blueblood looked over to Discord, the latter placing his paw upon his own chest and looking to Solaris with at least a modicum of genuine surprise. "Moi?"

"YES, YOU. WE ALL KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVE TO CAUSE HEADACHES FOR PONIES, SO LET'S SEE YOU DO IT AGAIN. BRING THIS CHANCELLOR NEIGHSAY TO ME RIGHT HERE AND NOW, SO THAT I MAY PASS JUDGEMENT ON HIM FOR HIS CORRUPT WAYS."

Discord slapped his paws together, rubbing them with glee while taking on a look of pure delight. "Oh ho ho! This is gonna be fun!"

He then raised one paw, readying his fingers to snap and bring in the unknowingly-doomed stallion. Alas, before he could, Luna intervened, grabbing hold of Discord's arm and forcibly lowering it. While Discord himself was naturally annoyed by this, it was instead her father that Luna now looked to. "Father, with the greatest respect, you don't need to treat him like some criminal."

"DID YOU NOT TELL ME, MERE MINUTES AGO, THAT HE WAS SUCH A COLOSSALLY UNLIKEABLE FIGURE THAT HE EVEN IMPRISONED CHILDREN BECAUSE HE THOUGHT THEY WERE ENEMIES OF THE STATE?"

Luna sighed. "Yes, I did. And believe me, if he had remained as such, I would simply stand by and let you do what you intended. But, and it admittedly pains me to say this, Neighsay has changed for the better since that hostile time. He has softened on the non-pony students of Twilight's school, and he even helped to rally other ponies to her cause during her most recent encounter with Equestria's enemies."

"HOW IN THE FRICK DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING?! I ARRIVE BACK ONTO THE WORLD STAGE AFTER THOUSANDS OF YEARS, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'S LIKE EVERY BAD GUY UNDER THE SUN IS TURNING GOOD LEFT, RIGHT AND CENTRE. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE MOUSTACHE-TWIRLERS THAT I COULD JUST BE SATISFIED WITH SEEING FAIL AT THEIR PLANS?"

"In Neighsay's case it would be more of a goatee really," Luna considered. "But yes, bottom line, Neighsay's better than he used to be, and whatever you were planning, I say he should not be put through it."

"ARE YOU DEFYING ME, DAUGHTER?"

In response, Luna smirked. "Once a rebel, always a rebel, I suppose."

Discord, having wrested his arm free from Luna's grip, exhaled. "Okay, so maybe she's right about him. And I did sort of promise Fluttershy that I'd lay off causing problems for ponies on purpose." He then folded his arms and frowned as he looked off to the side. "Even if he is an arrogant jerk with a pole up his rear-end."

"VERY WELL, IF YOU TWO WON'T HELP, I'LL JUST BRING HIM IN MYSELF."

"Father," Luna warned.

"SORRY, ALREADY DOING IT," Solaris replied, with the chamber around them starting to rumble. 

"Don't you do it," Luna said again.

"IMMA DO IT."

"This should be good," Discord declared with his usual amusement.

The rumblings in the chamber grew more and more pronounced, and soon, in a flash of light similar to how Discord himself was brought in a while ago, a new pony now stood among them. Unfortunately, it was not the old stallion Solaris had intended, but rather a small, unicorn filly, with a pink and purple curly mane, whom Luna recognised instantly. Solaris, for his part, was rather annoyed by this development. "DANGIT. THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN I GET STRESSED."

Sweetie Belle, for her part, was understandably confused and startled by her new and un-asked-for location, as her head darted about in a frantic manner. "I...what...who...where?!"

"YOU THERE, CHILD. WHAT IS YOUR NAME?"

Sweetie, having at last noticed the giant, talking skeleton, acted in the way most people would in such a scenario, and froze in terror, barely managing to get out any words at all. "I...I...I...I..."

"SORRY, TOOK TOO LONG. YOUR NAME SHALL BE FILLY FROM THIS TIME FORWARD."

Luna, thoroughly exasperated by her father's antics by this pointed, walked over to the still-unnerved child, placing a hoof upon her shoulder. The effect was immediate, as Sweetie looked up to her and, finally seeing a familiar face, calmed down somewhat. Luna, smiling to her, before leaning down and whispering. "Sorry about this. Just smile and nod to him for a bit and I promise I'll get you back home."

Discord, who had been enormously entertained by this whole display, leaned onto Blueblood for a bit, much to the latter's chagrin, before declaring his thoughts on the matter. "Look at it this way, kid. At least you've got a good story to tell the other two when you get back to the clubhouse."
> Meanwhile...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight sighed as she rested her head against the edge of the Friendship Map. "I had so many questions to ask! I could have written a whole book about the things I might have learned!"

Applejack, sitting not that far away, raised an eyebrow to her. "Er, no offense, Twi, but the last time ya made a book it didn't really work out all that well fer us."

Twilight leaned back into her chair, groaning in frustration. "Ugh! I know! But this is the father of Celestia we're talking about! An alicorn from a time we barely have any records of! Think of what kind of ancient, lost knowledge we could have gleaned!"

Rarity, who had just finished drawing down the last touches of a new dress design she'd brought with her to the meeting, looked to her alicorn friend with a smile. "Trust me, dear, you're better off up here than down there in those dreadful catacombs. Why, the fact that you managed to emerge without being covered in cobwebs is nothing short of a miracle in and of itself!"

Fluttershy then frowned to her. "Hey now! Those spiders are just doing their job by making those!"

Rarity softened in her tone as she looked over to her animal-loving colleague. "Apologies, Fluttershy. No offense intended."

Fluttershy opened her mouth to speak again, only to be stopped by the sound of furious scribbling nearby. She turned her head, as did everypony else, to seer that it was Pinkie, frantically writing something down on paper while her tongue was sticking out of the side of her mouth. "Um...Pinkie? What are you doing?"

Pinkie, looking up, grinned widely in that usual way of hers. "Well, I got to thinking. The six of us are basically in charge of Equestria, right?"

"...Yes?" Applejack answered warily.

"Well them," Pinkie continued. "How about we go ahead and introduce a bunch of new laws and stuff?"

Twilight, having finally lifted her head up from the table, looked to her friend with some small measure of concern. "What did you have in mind?"

Taking on a more mischievous look, Pinkie raised the paper she'd been writing on, holding it high for all to see. "How's this? We make it illegal for anypony to be grumpy on any day that happens to be somepony else's birthday?"

Twilight blinked. "Pinkie...every day is somepony's birthday,"

Putting the paper down, Pinkie nodded firmly. "Exactly! With one stroke, we make everypony happy all the time! It's genius!"

Understandably, and unsurprisingly, Twilight buried her face in her hooves, after which she began to rub her temples in a doomed effort to alleviate her stress. "Pinkie...I appreciate the sentiment, but we can't force ponies to be happy all the time."

But Pinkie waved her off. "Pfft! That's quitter talk!"

Spike, who had just arrived onto the scene with a bowl of oats for his lifelong friend, offered it to her. After seeing her smile in appreciation and accepting it off him, the young drake glanced around. "Say...aren't we missing somepony?"

Applejack chuckled, then leaned back into her own chair. "Eyup. She should be arrivin' right about...now."

Sure enough, her instincts proved correct, as the doors of the castle burst open to reveal a very triumphant-looking Rainbow Dash, who darted over to her chair and sat herself down before speaking up to the rest of them. "Oh yeah! Another day, another victory for Rainbow Dash and the Wonderbolts!"

Fluttershy smiled to her childhood friend. "Another mission done already?"

Rainbow cackled. "You bet! We've been getting a tonne of orders from Canterlot lately. Find this, find that. No idea who's been asking for all that stuff, but I hope they're happy with us right now."

"Word on the street is that you've been set some rather dangerous tasks of late," Rarity remarked. "You're not worried?"

Rainbow shrugged. "Nah. Not really. I mean, yeah, it was kinda weird being asked out of the blue to find magical stuff and lost treasures and the like..." She then regained her famous smirk. "But don't worry. For I, Rainbow Dash, am on their team these days. So things went about as easily as you'd expect."

Applejack frowned to her. "Careful there, Dash. Yer head might not fit through the door if ya let it swell up like that."

The two mares shared a laugh together shortly afterwards, during which time Spike looked over to Twilight, poking her in the side to get her attention. "So...Celestia and Luna's dad?"

Twilight smiled to him. "You heard right, Spike. An alicorn of an era older than any of us even knew about. Before Celestia, before Starswirl, before any of it."

"So...what's he like?" Spike asked.

Here, Twilight halted, blushing slightly. "I...might have possibly been asking too many questions to really get a gauge on his personality."

Spike put his hands on his hips and shook his head, disappointed but not in any way surprised by Twilight's apparent reaction to the old king. After giving her a moment to get her silent embarrassment out of the way, the youngster started tapping his chin. "Let's see...old, magical royalty. Big, mythic figure. Used to be in charge but has spent thousands of years as a skeleton in a glorified basement." After a moment, he shrugged. "My guess? He's really bitter and cranky about everything his daughters are telling him about the modern day. Like those old folks who always complain about things used to be better in their day?"

Twilight looked to him with incredulity. "Oh come now, Spike. This is the stallion who brought up Celestia and Luna, remember? He's bound to have more dignity and class to him than that." She sat upright, regaining a smile for herself. "An alicorn's parent is likely refined, wise, brimming with untold charisma and respectability."

It was now Spike's turn to look to her with some skepticism. "Really? You mean like how our Dad is whenever he gets onto an impromptu dance floor?"

Thinking on that, Twilight forced a cough and glanced away, unwilling to look him in the eye. "Yes...well...good point."
> Reliance
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"GETTING BACK TO THE WIDER HISTORY OF EQUESTRIA SINCE MY ARRIVAL HERE IN THIS TOMB, THERE IS ONE THING I AM CURIOUS TO."

"Oh? And what would that be, Father?" Luna asked.

"TWILIGHT SPARKLE AND HER CLOSE FRIENDS. THEY ARE THE ONES PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE FOR FELLING THE NATION'S FOES DURING THE LAST FEW YEARS, YES?"

"They are," Luna replied with a smile. "Ponykind, and indeed the world, owes them a debt of gratitude that likely can never be repaid."

"YES, YES, ALL WELL AND GOOD. BUT MY QUESTION IS HOW? BY MY RECKONING, THEY ARE SIMPLY A SMALL GROUP OF ORDINARY PONIES. GRANTED, TWILIGHT HERSELF IS AN ALICORN, BUT WAS VERY MUCH AN INEXPERIENCED ONE PRIOR TO HER CORONATION. AND MANY OF THE ENEMIES THEY WERE PUT UP AGAINST WOULD COMPLETELY DWARF SUCH A GROUP, YES?"

Discord then shrugged. "Well, not always. Sometimes they beat their enemies by talking them down. With a bit of time-travel shenanigans thrown in for good measure of course," he added with a smirk.

"...I WON'T ASK ABOUT THAT ONE. BUT GETTING BACK, HOW DID SO MANY VICTORIES COME TO THEM?"

Luna nodded to her parent. "Well, in several instances, they were aided by powerful, magical objects. Chiefly among them being the Elements of Harmony."

"A CREATION OF HARMONY NO DOUBT."

Another nod from Luna. "They were. When Twilight first set out on her path, the Elements were a tool that was invaluable to her early adventures." She looked to Discord. "They helped them imprison Discord for the second time in his life..." A look of shame came to her. "...and they were what ultimately freed me from my dark influence."

Discord looked to her and, while somewhat annoyed that his past villainy had been brought up again, he knew better than to speak up while Luna was reliving old and bitter memories. As for Solaris, he naturally had his own thoughts on the matter. "AND WHERE ARE THESE ELEMENTS NOW?"

Here, Discord took on a somewhat guilty look, trying his best to avoid looking at the skeleton. Luna noted this and, in an effort to put on as much of a poker face as she could, gave an honest answer. "They were destroyed by another of Twilight's enemies. Quite recently, in fact."

"...WHY DO I GET THE FEELING YOU HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THIS, DRACONEQUUS?"

Finally looking back to him, Discord smiled, albeit a very small one. "Experience, I suppose."

Solaris undoubtedly wanted to enquire further about that, but instead it appears as though there was another part to this that he needed to say. "IN ANY CASE, PERHAPS IT IS FOR THE BEST THAT SUCH A THING HAPPENED."

Luna looked to her father with surprise. "You'll forgive me for not quite understanding such a stance, Father. The Elements were a force for good for many years. They embodied some of the best qualities of ponykind. Their loss was felt by many, not only by Twilight and her friends but even the newer generation of the world's defenders."

"TRUE ENOUGH," Solaris conceded. "BUT EVEN WITH THAT IN MIND, THEIR REMOVAL DOES DO ONE GOOD THING. IT ENSURES THAT PONYKIND IS NOT RELIANT UPON SUCH CREATIONS TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS." Once he was sure he had everycreature's attention, he continued. "AS LONG AS THE ELEMENTS WERE THERE, SO TOO WOULD HAVE BEEN THE TEMPTATION TO USE THEM FOR EVERY PROBLEM THAT CAME ABOUT. WHEN DEPENDENCE SUCH AS THIS GOES ON, PONIES, AND INDEED ALL CREATURES OF THE WORLD, AVOID OTHER SOLUTIONS TO THEIR PROBLEMS. MAGIC, TOOLS OF POWER, THESE THINGS CANNOT ALWAYS BE OUR GO-TO WHEN FACED WITH DIFFICULT TIMES. INSTEAD, WE MUST LEARN TO USE WHAT WE HAVE WITHIN OURSELVES TO OVERCOME THE DARKNESS."

After considering his words, Luna sighed. "Perhaps. But some dangers are too great for one to overcome. A soldier, such as our good friend Flash, knows to go into a fight with his armour. Courage and a sense for battle may be on his side, but even so, the right tools can take away the danger he may face, or at the very least lessen the risk."

"YOU SPEAK TRULY, DAUGHTER. AND I WOULD NEVER COUNSEL FOR ONE TO GO INTO A BAD SITUATION WITH NAUGHT BUT HOPE AND GOOD FEELING IN THEIR ARSENAL. SOMETIMES, AN EXTRA ADVANTAGE IS NEEDED. BUT THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A RISK OF COMPLACENCY IS THOSE INSTANCES. A TIME WHEN EVEN THE MOST SENSIBLE WILL SIMPLY TAKE THE EASY OPTION, RATHER THAN IMPROVE THEMSELVES SO AS TO NEVER NEED IT."

Hearing that, Discord looked to Solaris and, for the first time since their reintroduction to one another, actually gave a genuine smile. "Never thought I'd see the day when you and I were actually on the same page about something."

"I ASSUME, DISCORD, YOUR WORDS ARE IN SOME WAY RELATED TO YOUR INVOLVEMENT WITH THE EARLEIR INCIDENT?"

"Maybe," Discord replied with faux innocence.

Sweetie Belle, who had been dutifully listening to all of this, glanced down to the ground. "Still, it's a shame the Tree had to go the way it did."

Luna looked to her, smiling and gently placing her hoof upon her shoulder. "Fear not, child. Harmony is still with us. The power she embodies will always be part of Equestria, even if we cannot see her."

Sweetie Belle returned the smile, clearly reassured by Luna's words. As for Solaris, he had further things to speak of. "EVEN WITH ALL THAT SAID, I'M JUST GLAD PONYKIND HAS NEVER BECOME ENAMOURED WITH DARK MAGIC EN MASSE. SPELLS AND ARTEFACTS OF THAT ILK WERE ALWAYS A BANE TO ME."

Luna looked to him. "Fear not, Father. All dark magic has been thwarted in the time since you've been gone, and that which hasn't has been secured away safely.

"GOOD," Solaris replied. "THE LAST THING I NEED IN THIS DAY AND AGE IS SOME TERRIBLE, MAGICAL OBJECT OUT THERE AND CAUSING A RUCKUS FOR EVERYPONY."

Having heard that, Discord nervously scratched the back of his head. "So...even if your situation could be improved by it, you wouldn't, say...partake?"

"NO. NEVER. WHY DO YOU ASK?"

Discord shrugged. "Oh, no reason." Looking away, he whispered to himself. "Okay, well that kinda dampens my plan a bit."
> The Long Road
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It had been many a year since Flash had set hoof outside of Equestria's borders, and he'd certainly never done so in a place as remote and bleak as this. Far from the green and verdant hills and calm rivers he was used to, instead he found himself amidst rocky, barren wilderness as far as the eye could see. There was a road, but just barely, and whoever had built it had clearly done so long before anypony with him was even born. Speaking of whom, his one solace in all this was that he was not alone in this venture. To his right was Rockhoof, famed stallion of the Pillars, whose hearty smile made it obvious to all that he was enjoying the chance for another adventure. To Flash's left, Tempest Shadow, former enemy of his people, who walked silently, her eyes focused on what lay ahead. Looking over his shoulder were others of the guard, as well as retainers. Together, they all numbered roughly twenty strong. Not exactly an army, but at least enough to be able to handle themselves should things go wrong. Considering their circumstances, Flash sighed as he continued onwards. "Well, got to give the Princess credit. I doubt anypony would think to come to a place like this to look for anything."

"Ha!" Rockhoof laughed. "Clearly, you do not go on many adventures, lad! Because this is exactly the kind of place you'll find magical artefacts!"

Flash rolled his eyes to the words of the apparently-expert adventurer, but it was Tempest who spoke next. "I just hope this doesn't turn out to be another dead end. The last few so-called 'leads' we had didn't exactly turn out well."

Their leader sighed, nodding in acknowledgement. "True. But I suppose that was to be expected. Princess Twilight's goal in this was for the Amulet to remain undiscovered forever. Makes sense that few, if any, would even have a hint as to its whereabouts."

Tempest looked ahead as she considered that. "Curious she did not simply try to destroy it."

Another nod from Flash. "Best guess? She wanted to but was unable to do so. It is the Alicorn amulet after all. And since she wasn't an alicorn by that point, maybe she simply didn't have the power to harm it?"

"Perhaps," Tempest mused. "Or perhaps she foresaw a scenario such as this one, where it would be called upon one day."

Silence fell over the group as Flash dwelt on that possibility. "I don't want to believe that Princess Twilight would actually be willing to use dark magic. Even I have my reservations about this quest."

Tempest gave him some side-eye, smirking as she did so. "You ponies all revere your alicorn leaders so much. You'd be surprised what they'd be willing to do if the circumstances are dire enough."

Here, Flash looked to her with a less than friendly expression, matched only by his tone. "Circumstances as dire as the one you brought about, perhaps?"

Though initially irritated at having her past brought up in such a manner, the mare's face soon softened, and she nodded slowly to him. "Fair. But the point still stands. It's all well and good to speak of doing things the 'right' way. But, as soon as the situation turns, as soon as we no longer have the luxury of doing what is clean, we should not be surprised when the dirty option becomes just a touch more tempting."

"...Maybe," Flash admitted, after which he looked ahead. "I just hope this option is not as unpalatable as that."

Tempest had no chance to respond, as it was here when Rockhoof bellowed out in that boisterous way of his. "Ahead, friends! I believe I see something!"

All eyes looked ahead, and it appeared as though the largest of their number had the right of it. Finally, after having walked who knows how long, the horizon was at last broken by what appeared to be a ruin of some sort. Though wary, the party approached, always keeping an eye out for anything that might spring out at them as they drew nearer. Whatever this place was, it was evident that nopony had been here for a very long time. Crumbling brick, long-rotted wood, it had it all. But, more importantly, it also appeared to have absolutely no sign of the Alicorn Amulet. No heavily-locked chest, no great door leading to some secret chamber. Nothing at all to suggest that a precious treasure was here. Naturally, Flash felt disheartened by this, sighing deeply. His companions looked to him, never saying a word, and instead watched as he silently resolved himself to assume his duties as leader once more. Turning, he regarded the rest of his followers. "Fan out. I don't want any stone left unturned before we write this place off completely."

The others of the group, save for Tempest and Rockhoof, saluted their leader before carrying out the order. Flash watched as each and every one of them searched high and low for something, anything that would hint at the presence of their sought-after artefact. But unfortunately, there came a point where it was clear to all that none would be found. One of the troops approached him, giving him a solemn shake of his head, to which Flash responded with a similarly silent nod. Rockhoof, for his part, looked ahead to an even further horizon. "Perhaps we can continue onwards?"

Flash turned to him. "My hopes aren't high, Rockhoof. But if we're going to find the Alicorn Amulet, giving up isn't an option."

"Ah, so it is the amulet you are here for!" The unknown voice caught all of them off-guard, and they joined together as a single unit, looking out in every direction for the source of the surprise words. They didn't have to wait long for their owner to reveal themselves, as all heads craned upwards to see a massive figure fall down from the skies above them. In an instant, they leapt out of the way, just in time for the enormous stranger to come crashing down. Dust was sent flying everywhere, and when it settled, the group looked on with shock and awe at the one who now stood among them. "Well hello there, little ponies."
> Riddle Me This
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Flash had never before laid eyes upon a creature such as this, yet he remained where he was, cemented to that one spot, ready and willing to go if it should come to it. Rockhoof, for his part, opened his eyes wide at the being now before them. "Y...you?!"

The one in question vaguely had the shape of a cat, though far larger and sporting a massive pair of wings. Its colouring was that of a dark maroon, and it eyed the party hungrily. "Ah, you were one of Somnambula's companions, were you not? Do send her my regards...if you make it out of this."

Flash looked to the larger stallion. "You know this one?"

Here, in stark contrast to his usual demeanour, Rockhoof frowned. "Yes. It is the Sphinx. An enemy of ponykind!"

The Sphinx gave a slight bow of her head. "Guilty as charged. Today however, you stand not before an enemy, but a protector." Her eyes narrowed. "And I believe you know well exactly what I protect."

Flash's eyebrow arched. "The Amulet?"

Another nod from the great beast. "Correct. I was charged by your Princess to keep it hidden."

Flash considered his options, then stepped forward, his tone one of diplomacy. "Then know that we come to retrieve it. The Princess did not ask this of us, but we do it in the name of Equestria's future."

The Sphinx rolled her eyes. "A pretty speech, stallion. But words alone won't be enough here. You want the Amulet?" She then smirked devilishly. "Then you'll have to earn it."

Tempest groaned with frustration. "You want a fight? You've got one!" she declared, her horn flaring up.

But the Sphinx raised a paw towards her. "Not so fast, little pony. My challenge is not one of combat, but of riddles."

To that, Tempest halted herself, looking to her foe with scepticism. "Didn't you just say words won't be enough?"

The Sphinx frowned back to her. "Word of advice? Don't nitpick the big, hungry cat."

Flash considered his options, then took another step forward. "Very well. Ask your riddles."

Another smirk from the Sphinx, and after that she regarded the group as a whole before focusing on Flash, Tempest and Rockhoof specifically. "Three leaders, three questions. Answer them all, or your quest is at an end."

Flash nodded solemnly. "Then proceed."

First, the Sphinx looked to Rockhoof, drawing closer and looking him right in the eye. "I am a house. When one enters, they are blind, but when the leave, they can see. What am I?"

The ancient stallion paused, thinking on the riddle, all while his companions watched. After a while, he developed a small smile, looking up to the challenger once more. "You are a school. One will enter ignorant, blind, yet come out with learning, sight."

Rather than be annoyed that her riddle had been solved, the Sphinx smiled. "Correct." Flash sighed, noting mentally that one was down, with two to go. And the second one was soon upon them, as the Sphinx then glanced over to Tempest. "Why is a raven like a writing desk?"

Tempest blinked. "...What?"

"Why is a raven like a writing desk?" the Sphinx repeated.

Tempest stared at her, then to the ground. For one who was so used to solving her problems with force, a challenge such as this was clearly putting her out of her element. There was growing tension as all feared she wouldn't be able to answer. And then, after a few more moments, that fear was realised. "I...I have no idea!" Tempest admitted, after which she narrowed her eyes. "And I don't think you do either!"

After staying still for a time, the Sphinx broke out into a smile. "...Correct."

"Pardon?" Tempest asked.

"You gave the right answer," the Sphinx explained.

"The answer...was that there was not answer?!" Tempest shouted. "That's cheating!"

"Not every question in life has an answer, Tempest" Rockhoof said to her.

The maroon mare groaned again. "And this is why I prefer to just shoot stuff!"

Flash shook his head, then found himself the target of the Sphinx's gaze. "Last riddle." She waited for him to nod before continuing. "This thing, all things devours. Birds, beast, trees, flowers. Gnaws iron, bites steel. Grinds hard stones to meal. Slays kings, ruins towns. And beast mountains down."

Long did Flash think on that question, this last barrier between him and his reason for being here. All eyes were on him, waiting to see how this would play out. In his mind, Flash wondered, not only the possible answer, but just how much time he had left to complete it. And it was in that thought specifically that the answer came to him, a small smile creeping onto his lips. "...Time. The answer is time."

As before, the Sphinx smiled. "Correct." A sigh of relief swept throughout the group, with the exception of Tempest, who was still bitter about her own riddle experience. Flash regarded the Sphinx, part of him fully expecting her to go back on her end of the deal and withhold the Amulet from them. But, to his surprise, the beast was true to her word, reaching down with her paw and opening it before him. There, in her palm, was the treasure they had been seeking. The Alicorn Amulet. Flash had never seen it before, but even with his inexperienced eyes he could tell that it was an object of great power and importance. Though wary, he took it from the Sphinx, who promptly began to turn. "Safe travels to you, Flash Sentry. May your journey bring you all you hoped it would."

Rockhoof looked to her. "Wait! Where are you going?"

Stopping, the Sphinx looked to them one last time. "I believe I have had my fill on ponies for one lifetime. I doubt any of you will see me again. What lies ahead for me?" She smiled. "I suppose I'll have to venture out and discover it for myself."

And with that, she spread out her wings, giving an almighty flap of them and sending out a cloud of dust as she launched herself into the skies above. The group had to shield themselves so as to not get any of the aforementioned dust in their eyes, and soon they watched as she flew further and further away, until she was gone completely. All turned to Flash, who himself regarded the Amulet yet again. After a while, he smiled, looking to them all. "Well then...let's go home."
> Otherworldly
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Discord, growing increasingly worried about his plan being discovered, glanced around the room quickly to try and find inspiration for something else to talk about and take everypony's minds off Flash's continued absence. After finding barely anything that could give such inspiration, he reverted back to the previous discussion. "So...um...I'm betting you'd like to know about some of the other magical artefacts Princess Twilight has been having to deal with over the years?"

"SUSPICIOUS DISCORD IS SUSPICIOUS," Solaris remarked, and judging from the looks Discord was getting from everypony else, it seemed as though that was a sentiment shared by all. "BUT YES, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW."

Discord had to fight the urge to sigh with relief over that. And luckily for him, Sweetie Belle soon chimed in on the subject. "Oh! What about that magic mirror?"

Luna smiled to her. "Indeed. It has certainly been a recurring point in Twilight's life."

"I ASSUME YOU REFER TO THE CRYSTAL MIRROR? WHICH GRANTS ITS USER THE ABILITY TO TRAVEL TO OTHER REALITIES?"

All looked to him with surprise. "You...you already know about that, Father?"

"I DO INDEED. AND I SHOULD. AFTER ALL, YOU STAND BEFORE THE ONE WHO CREATED IT."

Naturally, all of them, Discord included, were taken aback by this, with Luna being the one to speak up about it. "You made it? But...why? And why did you never tell me or Tia?"

"I ALWAYS INTENDED TO," Solaris explained. "BUT I NEVER GOT THE CHANCE. THE MIRROR REMAINED INCOMPLETE BY THE TIME THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED AND LEFT ME HERE IN THIS STATE."

"Incomplete?" Luna replied, tilting her head slightly. "But...it works. Twilight most definitely used it, and several times too."

"TRUE, BUT ITS SCOPE WAS LIMITED. THE INTENT WAS TO USE THE DEVICE TO OBSERVE ALL OTHER REALITIES. BUT I WAS ONLY ABLE TO GET IT FIXATED UPON ONE BEFORE THINGS WENT DOWN THE WAY THAT THEY DID."

"Ah," Luna said to herself, finally understanding.

Sweetie, for once, actually addressed the king herself now. "Other realities? Like when Twilight and Spike went time-travelling?"

"I WAS WONDERING WHEN THAT WOULD GET MENTIONED AGAIN. I ASSUME THAT HER JOURNEY TO THE PAST RESULTED IN ALTERNATE TIMELINES?"

"Many, from what she told me," Luna elaborated. "Most of which concerned how the nation would have looked under the reign of all of the foes she and her friends have bested over the years." She then glanced to Discord. "Myself and Discord here among them."

"A WORLD RULED BY DISCORD? TRULY A NIGHTMARE SCENARIO IF EVER THERE WAS ONE."

"Hmph!" Discord pouted. "Sounds liek a rather fun reality if you ask me."

"WHICH WE AREN'T."

Sweetie, looking from one immortal to the other, cleared her throat before spekaing up again. "So...how many other versions of the world are out there?"

"AN INFINITE AMOUNT, FILLY. EVERY CHOICE PUT BEFORE YOU IN LIFE CREATES MANY ROADS. YOU CHOOSE ONE, BUT THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SOME OTHER VERSION OF YOU WHO CHOSE DIFFERENTLY. FACTOR IN ALL THE CHOICES MADE BY OTHER PEOPLE, NOT TO MENTION NATURALLY-HAPPENING EVENTS LIKE WEATHER AND EARTHQUAKES AND THE LIKE, AND WHAT YOU'RE LEFT WITH IS THE POTENTIAL FOR LIMITLESS DIFFERENT INCARNATIONS OF THE WORLD YOU KNOW AND LOVE."

Sweetie stared down at the ground for a while, her mind clearly being overwhelmed with the vast possibilities of what she'd just been told. "So...a world where I never met my best friends? Or one where we might have even been enemies? That...that sounds horrible!"

"...YOU KNOW, AFTER SO LONG OF RULING OVER A RACE THAT SO OFTEN SEES THINGS GLASS-HALF FULL, IT REALLY IS JARRING TO COME ACROSS ONE WHOSE MIND IMMEDIATELY GOES TO THE BAD."

Luna frowned to him. "Well, given the alternate worlds Twilight has spoken of, you can't really blame her, Father."

"PERHAPS," Solaris admitted. "EVEN SO, IT IS A GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT THAT WE SHALL NEVER SEE THEM, SINCE MY CREATION REMAINED UNFINISHED. ALL I GOT WAS SOME STRANGE WORLD OF TWO-LEGGERS."

Luna chuckled to that. "One that has given Twilight her fair share of adventure, I promise you that."

"OH, I HAVE NO DOUBT," Solaris answered, with a smile if he had been capable. "YOU SAY SHE HAS JOURNEYED THERE?"

Luna nodded. "A least three times, by my count."

"THAT CERTAINLY WASN'T PART OF THE PLAN. THE MIRROR WAS ONLY EVER MEANT TO ALLOW OBSERVATION, NOT TRAVEL."

"As I understand it, Father, the mirror only enabled travel under very rare circumstances."

"TYPICAL EQUESTRIA. ENVIRONMENTAL, MAGICAL FACTORS WERE ALWAYS A COMPLICATION WHENEVER I ATTEMPTED TO DO THIS SORT OF THING."

"Twilight was actually able to get it going permanently after a while," Sweetie added with renewed enthusiasm.

"REALLY? IMPRESSIVE. I CAN SEE WHY CELESTIA TOOK A LIKING TO HER. THE NEW PRINCESS CLEARLY HAS AN APTITUDE FOR BOTH MAGIC AND SCIENCE."

Folding his arms, Discord looked to Solaris inquisitively. "You know, I still have to ask...why did you make the mirror?"

Everycreature turned to look to Solaris, all looking equally as intrigued as to the answer of that question. Solaris, for his part, remained silent for a solid minute before answering. "I...AM OLD. VERY OLD. AFTER A WHILE, THERE COMES A POINT WHERE YOU HAVE SEEN AND EXPERIENCED ALL THE WORLD HAS TO OFFER. THAT APATHY, THAT NUMBNESS TO WHAT IS AND WHAT COULD BE, IS SOMETHING I HAVE TRIED TO STAVE OFF FOR MANY YEARS. THE MIRROR WAS TO HELP ME DO THAT."

Hearing that, Luna understood. "You wanted to see and learn new things, in other worlds and other universes?"

"I DID. DESPITE HOW THE COMMON PONY MAY SEE US, WE ARE STILL SMALL PARTS OF A GREATER WHOLE, THERE WILL NEVER NOT BE SOMETHING NEW FOR US TO DISCOVER, IF NOT IN OUR WORLD THEN AT LEAST IN OTHERS."

"Well," Discord began. "Never expected you to wax poetic, old friend."

"JUST AS I NEVER EXPECTED YOU OR I TO EVER HOLD A PROPER CONVERSATION. TIMES CHANGE, IT WOULD SEEM."

After a long pause, the master of chaos actually laughed a little, nodding his head solemnly. "That they do."
> Halted
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Flash knew his cargo was of dark magic, and as such he'd made sure that nopony was actually carrying the thing during the return journey. Taking the risk entirely upon himself, he had it stashed safely away in the saddle-bag that lay upon his back. Leading the group, there was a renewed sense of hope regarding their situation. After all, they'd found their target, and now they were going home. Gone was the feeling that they were on a fool's errand, and instead, they felt like returning heroes. Flash, for his part, had to keep a cool head however, knowing that they weren't out of the woods yet, at least not until they were back within Equestria's borders. It certainly didn't help matters that a thick fog had settled in, obscuring their view all around. Rockhoof was beside him, mumbling to himself about how he was going to craft this trip into an epic tale to tell some expectant group of children upon his return, while Tempest was on the other side to him, her eyes narrowed as she took a more serious feeling on the matter. "I don't like this. We answer a few questions, get the shiny thing and then get back home without incident? I'm not buying it."

The stallion beside her nodded. "I agree," Flash remarked. "As the old saying goes, you don't count your chickens before they're hatched." There was largely a silence as they continued onward together, and that persistent quiet began to unnerve the pegasus. His eyes would go left to right, even up above to get a better idea of what was around them, and as the moments passed he became increasingly on-edge. He could have sworn there was movement of some sort, high up in those gloomy clouds, but for now, he said nothing, lest he give undue panic. But, there came a point where his senses proved right, as a loud bellow echoed across the area, bringing the group to a grinding halt. Instinctively, they began to take up formation without even a command, creating a circle with all looking outward so as to cover all blind spots. Flash, for his part, narrowed his eyes as he looked out, making out shapes in the aforementioned fog. In the end, he knew they'd get nowhere just standing here, and so called out. "Whoever is there, I ask that you step forward and identify yourself!"

The voice that responded back was not one of malice, but of snark. The kind of voice you'd get from somepony who didn't respect anypony. "Heh. Your Guard types really do gotta be all serious and stuff, don't ya?"

Flash frowned again. "Who are you! And what do you want?"

"Name's Biff. A pleasure," the voice answered.

"The feeling is not mutual," Tempest added aggressively, her horn flaring up.

A chuckle from the fog. "Well, since you're all so business-like, let me get to the point. I used to have a pretty good thing going, working for the 'great' Dr Caballeron."

Flash started looking in different directions, since it became clear that this Biff person was not staying put as he spoke. "The criminal?"

Another hidden laugh. "Yeah, they were good times." When Biff spoke again, it was with a harsher tone. "Until he went soft and left us all out to dry! Took me a while to get things together, get a crew of my own. And now, well, we're about to score pretty big."

Rockhoof looked to his leader. "They want the Amulet!"

"Oh wow, gold star for the big fella. And here I was thinking you were just the dumb muscle."

The words had been dripping in sarcasm, prompting a look of irritation for Flash. "Whatever your reasons, you are interfering in a Royal Guard operation. I ask you step aside and allow us to return to Equestria without quarrel."

A snort from the fog. "Ooh, you know, I really wanna help, buddy, I really do. But you see, I kinda got a problem. Ya see, I kinda told my crew that we were gonna get a big score today. You know, a really big payday and all that? Also, a lot of my guys are folk who really, and I mean really don't like Equestrian authorities, which you lot sorta qualify as. Put all that together and you kinda see why calling the whole thing off isn't really gonna work out."

"So it's a fight then?" Tempest declared, a signal spark bursting from her broken horn.

"You got it in one, Missy," Biff answered, prompting even further fury from the maroon mare.

Flash, keeping a calmer head than his cohort, tried to remain diplomatic, even in the face of this escalating situation. "If you choose violence in this matter, then I feel the need to warn you that you face highly-trained Equestrians Royal Guards. Not to mention two ponies who are very definitely no slouches when it comes to combat."

"True, true..." Biff admitted. "But in this case...ya might wanna look again."

As if the world itself was waiting to respond to his words, the fog around them began to lift, and soon, all in the party saw the predicament they were now in. This was no mere collection of ragged troublemakers, this was a full-on army. And not just ponies either. Unchanged Changelings, doubtless gone rogue after Chrysalis' fall. Bipedal canines recognised immediately as the Diamond Dogs, clearly here for treasure. Griffons, large and brutish-looking, with no love lost for ponies. All these together had the group surrounded, cutting off every avenue of escape. Even the skies weren't an option for the flight-capable among them, as a glance upwards revealed that the bellow from earlier had belonged to a dragon. Not a full-grown beast like in ancient tales, but clearly one long past adolescence, which now circled the airspace above them. All in all, this was a grim situation, and the group closed ranks so as to not allow any gaps in their lines. Biff smirked as he watched his targets realise their situation, and Flash, weighing his options, knew there was only one course they could take now. So, without hesitation, he gave the fateful command. "BATTLE FORMATIONS!!!"
> The Battle of the Amulet
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Unicorns! Shields up!" Flash shouted. His command was followed instantly, the proper procedure and reaction time having been practiced by his troops a thousand times over. Now, it would be put into use. Within the circle formation the ponies had taken up, the unicorns among them lit up their horns, conjuring up the standard shield spell. Not the same quality as that of their former Captain, Shining Amour, but still enough to get the job done. Their unity, their group mindset, allowed them to fused their individual spells together, creating a single, strong shield that domed over them, glowing a pinkish-purple colour. It shimmered in what little daylight there was, and it made it clear that it wasn't being beaten down anytime soon. 

Unfortunately for the Equestrians, Biff didn't plan on just throwing his own forces at it, instead electing for the big guns straight away. He looked up, giving a single nod, a silent command for his dragon to swoop down in a divebomb. All of the shielded ponies braced for impact, which came shortly afterwards, as the beast collided with their spell. Knees buckled, but the spell remained. It had taken its toll however, as sweat could be seen on the brows of the unicorns. A few more hits like that and this fight wasn't going to last long. "You know, you can always surrender," Biff called out mockingly.

Flash did not respond, instead focusing his attention upon the dragon that now circled high above them. It was the biggest threat of their enemies, he knew that, and he also knew that the creature was likely preparing for another strike. They couldn't remain like this, not forever. They were sitting ducks, no means of escape. He glanced to the side, to his troops, those who had trusted him and been willing to follow him into danger like this. He had to get them out, back to their home, to their families. But as long as they had the Amulet with them, they'd never be safe from pursuit until they crossed their border again. Then, as he again regarded the dragon above, a thought came to him. It wasn't a perfect ploy by any means, and there was still great risk, but circumstances left him no alternative. He turned to Tempest, keeping his voice low. "Tempest...I have an idea."

Biff, watching from afar, arched an eyebrow to the huddled ponies still acting on the defensive. He watched Flash speak quietly to one of the others, a mare he didn't know. Getting bored, he called out again. "You know, I kinda got places to be, buddy!"

Tempest stared at her leader, knowing what she was now being asked to do. She didn't like it, her expression made that apparent, but she trusted him enough to nod in agreement to the plan. Nodding back, Flash turned, looking ahead to the assembled enemies before them. Then, his eyes turned upwards again, to the dragon that now sought to divebomb them a second time. Perhaps this would even be the blow that finished them. If so, it was more important than ever that this went according to plan. He waited as the dragon flew faster and faster, drawing nearer with every second. Then, right at the chosen moment, he shouted. "NOW!!!" With that command, Tempest summoned all her might to shoot a single bolt of almighty lightning from her horn. It fired upwards, through the shield and straight to the dragon. The great flier had no time to react or change course, and so the bolt struck him straight in the face. He bellowed with anguish, his divebomb now interrupted, as he instead bounced off the shield and impacted the ground, sending dirt and rocks up everywhere. In the confusion, Flash called out to the others. "GO!!!

And go they did. The shield spell dissipated, allowing al in the group to charge forward. Their foes, taken aback by the fall of their dragon, hesitated, and in that hesitation the Royal Guard had their chance. They pressed through, knocking over pony, Griffon and Changeling alike, managing to force their way through the lines. Biff watched with dismay as his quarry began their exodus, galloping as fast as their hooves could take them, away from the battlefield and towards Equestria. Enraged, he called to his own. "Don't just stand there, you idiots! Get them!"

"Biff! Forgetting something?" a voice called to him. Biff turned, seeing that it was none other than Flash, still standing where the Guard had been shielded moments earlier. Alone he remained, holding up the saddle-bag that Biff knew contained the prize he was after. "You want the Amulet? Come and get it!"

And so the criminal watched as Flash threw the aforementioned bag over his back, before charging back in the opposite direction. Away from Equestria and away from his allies, back towards the ruins he'd come from. Biff, his mind utterly fixated on his end goal, again shouted to his cohorts. "Forget the rest of them! Get their leader!"

As Flash ran, he looked over his shoulder, seeing that the collection of adversaries were now converging on him. Stretching out his wings, he launched himself upwards, and those behind him who could fly followed suit. All were trying to catch him now, and he knew he had to make this count. Fly as fast as he could, put as much distance as he was able between them and his troops. But his heart sank when he heard a familiar roar. As expected, the dragon had recovered, and with the old ruins soon coming back into view, now was the time when the enormous aerial enemy completely bodied Flash, sending him hurling down into the ground. It was painful, and from the feel of things he knew he'd broken a wing, but still he pressed on, crawling ahead, using every ounce of strength that he had to get away. But now, his hopes had ended, and soon he could hear them. Hoofsteps surrounding him. Slowly, he looked upwards, into the smiling face of Biff, though he was far from happy. "You don't get your supper without working for it, criminal."

Biff didn't answer, at least not at first. Instead, he unceremoniously yanked the saddle-bag off Flash's back, turning away from him and beginning to rummage inside it. His look of smug victory soon faded though. For no matter how hard he looked, he couldn't find what he was looking for. Throwing the bag onto the ground, he looked right at Flash, who by this point had developed a knowing smile. "Where is it?!" he demanded to know.

Flash, weakly, got himself up on his hooves before looking to his enemy. "With my troops. I imagine they're back over Equestria's borders by now, safe and sound." He looked around, to the rest of Biff's gang. "I can't imagine you'll be all that popular, having let your 'big payday' slip by like that."

Biff, grinding his teeth, stepped back. It was a rage shared by everycreature standing around Flash right now, particularly in the dragon, who had since landed and was now towering over the tired stallion. Biff, letting the situation sink in, looked up to the firebreather and gave what was likely going to be his final order. "KILL HIM!!!"

And so Flash closed his eyes, hearing the dragon roar one last time. He knew this was the end, but he took solace in the knowledge that what he'd done had allowed his comrades to get back home. He awaited the final blow, the strike that he knew in his heart would end him, and he took his last breath. But, as the moments passed, the blow did not come. There was no impact of the dragon's claws, no pain to mark the end. There was nothing at all. So, slowly, he opened his eyes again, and was shocked to see what he saw. Gone was the ruins and the surrounding wasteland, and instead he now found himself in the very familiar setting of the chambers beneath Canterlot. His head darted left and right, seeing Luna, Discord and Blueblood close by. Even a small filly he didn't recognise. And of course, there was Solaris looking over them all. Confused, Flash stared at the enormous alicorn skeleton, the latter of which finally breaking the silence. "WELL NOW. I'D SAY YOU'VE HAD QUITE THE ADVENTURE, HAVEN'T YOU, SENTRY?"
> Safe
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Flash's head darted left and right as his mind struggled to adjust to the sudden and unexpected change in locale. Fortunately, Luna was there to offer her usual calming influence. "Be easy, Lieutenant. You are among friends now, not enemies."

But even with this reassurance, the stallion was perplexed. "But...but...how...?"

"I BROUGHT YOU BACK TO US USING MY POWER," Solaris explained. "AFTER WE FINALLY MANAGED TO GET DISCORD TO SPILL THE BEANS ABOUT WHERE HE'D SENT YOU, I DECIDED TO INTERVENE IN THE MATTER."

The Draconequus in question pouted as he looked to the side. "A surprise would have been more entertaining."

Luna scowled at him. "I doubt Flash would have survived it."

"AH, YES, THAT REMINDS ME." Again, Solaris called about his great magical power, bathing Flash in an ethereal glow. Though again taken aback by this, the pegasus was soon put at ease, as the pain of his injuries began to fade. When the light ceased, he found himself once more in fighting form, no broken wing or any other malady to worry about. "THERE WE GO."

Still somewhat unnerved by all the rapid changes happening around him, Flash nevertheless remembered his courtesies. "I...thank you, your Majesty. I am most grateful."

"YOUR GRATITUDE IS APPRECIATED, BUT TRUST ME WHEN I SAY THIS WAS EARNED. YOU DID GOOD OUT THERE, SENTRY, AS DID YOUR FOLLOWERS."

As soon as he heard that, Flash's eyes widened. "My troops! Did they...?"

"RELAX. THEY MADE IT OVER THE BORDER, JUST AS YOU'D PLANNED." He gave Flash a moment to sigh with relief before continuing. "THOUGH I IMAGINE THEY'LL BE QUITE SURPRISED TO SEE YOU HERE BEFORE THEY ARE. JUST AS THEY WILL BE SURPRISED TO SUDDENLY FIND THAT THEY NO LOGNER HAVE THIS." Just as before, light emanated from the old king, a sign of him gathering his power, no doubt for some other teleportation spell. This time, the light was briefer, and when it passed Flash's eyes now locked upon the object he'd nearly sacrificed himself for. The Alicorn Amulet, hovering right in front of Solaris. "SO, THIS IS THE TRINKET THAT CAUSED SO MUCH HASSLE. A RELIC OF DARK POWER IF EVER THERE WAS ONE."

Remembering why he'd been searching for it in the first place, Flash got down to one knee. "And now, your Majesty, I offer it to you, so that you may strengthen yourself."

"...AND HERE WE COME TO THE AWKWARD MOMENT. I DON'T ACTUALLY INTEND TO USE IT, FRIEND."

"...Pardon?" Flash asked with a deadpan tone.

"YOU SEE, I REALLY DON'T LIKE DARK MAGIC. NO MATTER WHAT FORM IT TAKES. THOUGH YOUR QUEST WAS A NOBLE ONE, I WILL NEVER USE SUCH A POWER WHEN OFFERED."

Flash allowed that information to sink in, after which his shoulders slumped. "So I put all of them through that danger for nothing."

"NO. NOT NOTHING. FOR THERE IS ONE PURPOSE THIS AMULET MAY YET SERVE." Waiting to see Flash look back to him, he continued. "SAFEGUARDING THE FUTURE." It was a statement that prompted confusion in all of them, but their uncertainty was soon to be explained. For Solaris, holding the Amulet before him bathed it in his magic once more. The glow was fierce this time, and many had to shield their eyes from it. Eventually, they were able to see it, and when they did, they saw that it had changed. Gone was its dark colouring, as was its sharp and foreboding angles. Instead, what they now saw was a splendid jewel, a combination of blue, green and purple. It still bore the image of an alicorn, but one that seemed far more pleasant to look at. "AND THUS, THE AMULET IS PURIFIED."

Luna stepped forward, entranced by the sight of the new crystal as everycreature else was. "Father...what have you done?"

"HEALED IT," Solaris explained. "WHERE ONCE THERE WAS AN ITEM OF DARKNESS, DESTINED TO ONLY ENHANCE ITS WEARER, NOW THERE IS A CREATION THAT WILL BRING OTHERS TOGETHER." With those words spoken, Solaris used his power to, to the surprise of everycreature, break the crystal apart into three segments. One shaped like the wings, one of the horn and one of the circle at the centre. "I WILL NOT EXPLAIN IT ALL, BUT THINK OF THIS AS INSURANCE. SHOULD A DAY COME WHEN PONYKIND NO LONGER ENJOYS THE UNITY AND FRIENDSHIP IT DOES TODAY, THIS CRYSTAL WILL PROVIDE A LIFELINE TO THAT COMPANIONSHIP. A MEANS FOR THE MANY TO BECOME ONE AGAIN. AND TO ENSURE THAT IT CAN..." He lowered the crystal pieces, to Flash, who accepted them in his hooves before looking to Solaris again. "I NEED IT TO BE PROTECTED BY ONE WHO HAS PROVEN THAT HE WILL PLACE THE GOOD OF PONYKIND ABOVE ALL OTHER CONCERNS."

Though he still had questions, Flash nevertheless smiled. "Your Majesty...it would be my honour," he said with a bow of his head. Then, after looking to the now-separated crystal again, he gave a slight nod. "And I know just the ponies to help me watch over them."

"GOOD LAD."

Luna smiled as well, taking in this whole situation with at least a small degree of bemusement. "Celestia would regret missing out on all of this. Doubtless she'd have plenty to say about it."

"AH, YES. THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME, DAUGHTER."

Luna, and by extension everycreature else, wasn't sure what he meant by that. Instead, they simply watched as Solaris again called upon his power. None of them knew what he was up to this time, but they could feel the chamber shaking. As had happened a few times now, there was a bright flash, a sign that somepony had been teleported in. This time the surprise among the group was even greater, as the one who had been transported was none other than Celestia. Like Flash, she too was taken aback by this unexpected change, darting her head around frantically before settling on her sister and father. "Lulu? Father? What is the meaning of this?"

"APOLOGIES FOR INTRUDING ON WHATEVER YOU WERE DOING, CELESTIA. BUT I NEEDED BOTH OF YOU HERE FOR WHAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN."

Luna turned to him, starting to look more than a little worried. "What do you mean? What is about to happen?"

"...THE FINAL MOMENTS...OF MY LIFE."
> Long Live the King
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The moment those words had been said, all fell silent. Even Discord, chatty though he usually was, was taken aback by Solaris' confession. But the biggest shock was, naturally, felt by his daughters. They stared at him, uncertain of how to respond. And in the end it fell to the newly-arrived Celestia to step forward and get just the barest whisper out. "W...what?"

But Solaris did not reply, at least at first. Instead, all in the chamber watched as the blinking lights on his text-to-speech device began to cease. Then, a long silence fell over them all, during which time they began to see something. A wispy magic, like smoke, emanating from the ancient bones. They stepped back in unison, watching as the fumes all came together, forming a new shape. It was an alicorn, no question, and one that soon came intro greater focus, taking on more detailed features and even colours. A pristine white, like Celestia, but far taller, sporting a bright red mane and beard. The face was one that was clearly more used to being stern than warm, but as soon as the eyes opened, that face smiled. "Before the end...I wanted you to see me as I was, not as I am."

"Father," Luna began, stepping ahead to join her sister. "What is this? What are you doing?"

Solaris sighed, closing his eyes. "My daughters...you and I both know the truth. A hard truth, to be sure, but one that we have needed to stare in the face for far too long." Opening his eyes again, he laid it all out for them. "I...am dead. I have been dead for many a century. Many a millennia. It is only by the great power I wielded that I was able to hold onto this mortal existence for as long as I could." He approached them, keeping his voice calm and collected. "You know my nature. I am order incarnate. Change...never came easy to me. Always, I felt it my duty, my charge, to watch over ponykind. To guide them, keep them from falling. For the world to keep in turning, to develop beyond what I'd originally intended for it, that was something  struggled with for a very...very long time." He took a moment to let his words sink in before continuing. "For that long span of time, I stubbornly refused to let go of the notion that, one day, I could return as I was, to take the reins of the nation and to stand as its sentinel. But time, the world itself, it has...outgrown me."

Celestia shook her head, tears starting to form in her eyes. "No! That's not true!"

Solaris again smiled to her, reaching out with his hoof. Though he could not truly touch her, he nevertheless placed it upon her shoulder as an act of comfort. "My sweet Tia. You and your sister..." He glanced around the room. "And those others I have met since my reawakening, you have all shown me a truth I have refused for too long a time. That the world cannot remain as it is forever. Things change. The old gives way to the new. Just as the mighty oak must one day fall so that new growths can stand in the sun, so too must the figures of the past one day be gone from the world if the next generation is to forge its own path." He chuckled. "You know that lesson well, my daughter. You have lived it. Just as I needed to be out of the picture for you and your sister to rise as the leaders of our people, so too did you come to understand that you yourself needed to stand aside so your protégé could achieve all she could. Your chapter in the story of Equestria succeeded mine, Twilight's succeeded yours, and one day she too must learn this lesson and pass the torch."

It was the truth, and both of them knew it. They weren't happy, that much was certain, but they could not deny what their father was telling them. Luna, for her part, took a deep breath before adding her words to the matter. "You are right." After Celestia turned to her, she continued. "I, perhaps more than anycreature else here, understand how difficult it is to recognise and accept that the world changes, and how it can carry on without you." Slowly, she gave a solemn nod. "But you  speak truly. Nothing can remain forever..." She shut her eyes tightly. "Not even loved ones."

Celestia, by contrast, was having a harder time of it, and looked again to her parent. "But...we just got you back," she said with a slight wobble in her voice.

As before, Solaris gave her a warm expression. "And you'll always have me with you, Tia. I am of the Higher Powers. Like Harmony, I will always be here, even if not in flesh and blood. In the existence beyond this mortal plane...I will see you." And so it was that those were the last words he said to any of them. For once his wisdom had been offered, he closed his eyes, and in the moments that followed, all in the chamber watched as he once more began to lose his distinct shape. His form, his colours, it all began to revert back to the Smokey magic it had started as. The two sisters watched, dismayed but powerless to prevent it, as their father, at long last, disappeared before their eyes. The passing that had been staved off for centuries, now having finally come to a head. In mere seconds, the magic was gone, leaving behind only the now-lifeless bones he had inhabited for so long.

Silence fell again, broken when Celestia eventually fell to her knees, her quiet sob echoing throughout. Discord wasn't able to look at them, lest he get caught up in the emotion of the moment. Even Blueblood, selfish stallion though he was, gave Sweetie Belle a pat on the shoulder as she too became saddened by the loss. As for Flash, he looked up to the skeleton and, after a while, gave a bow. "Rest easy, Solaris, King of Equestria."
> One Last Journey
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Flash hadn't expected to be leaving Canterlot quite so soon after his last foray into the unknown. But, as the old saying goes, no time like the present. So, here he stood, clad not in his usual golden armour, but a simple saddle-bag over his back. One which he promptly double-checked to make sure his precious cargo was safe and secure. Once he was satisfied that it was, he closed it again, looking out to the far horizon, where the sun was just starting to rise. It was a lovely sight, and one that was a nice start to the journey. So, he took a deep breath before taking that first step beyond the city walls. And no sooner had he taken that first step when he was halted from taking another by a familiar voice. "Leaving so soon?"

He smiled as he turned, looking into the face of Luna. "Figured it was worth getting a start on this. Set all my affairs in order. All that's left is to set off and keep watch over this." He chuckled as he again regarded the horizon. "And now my watch begins." He could hear Luna walking alongside him, looking out in the same direction. Though hesitant, he knew he had to say what needed to be said. "I'm...sorry. For your loss."

Luna gave a solemn nod. "I thank you for your kind words, Flash. But the loss happened a long time ago. This..." She turned, looking up to the palace high above them. "This was merely the acceptance of it."

Flash joined her in looking to the castle. "Your sister?"

Luna glanced back to him ."She will be returning back to Silver Shoals. I will be joining her there...after I've had time." 

Flash nodded, understanding. "And the others?"

"Blueblood has resumed his regular duties," Luna explained. "As for Sweetie Belle, she has been returned safely home. Doubtless Rarity has been worried sick in her absence." Another nod from Flash. Afterwards, he turned away from the city once more, which prompted Luna to take on a more worried expression. "I do wonder though. First Harmony departs this mortal plane, and now my Father follows her. For both Harmony and Order to be gone from the physical world...I shudder to think of what consequences this might yield for the future."

Flash smiled to her. "Princess, I can tell you exactly what will happen." After waiting for Luna to look to him, he explained. "Ponies and their friends will band together...and we will face those consequences. Just as we always do."

A small giggle escaped the mare of the moon. "I appreciate your confidence, Flash. Goodness knows the world needs more of it sometimes." After a brief pause, she spoke again. "I assume the other two pieces of the crystal have been offered to your companions?"

Flash nodded. "They have. Where Tempest and Rockhoof will take them, I cannot say. I have my own piece to look after." Slowly, he began to smile. "And I believe I have just the place to do so."

Luna smiled also. "Oh? Do tell."

Flash pointed straight ahead. "There's a place far away from here, right on the edge of pony territory. It's just been discovered. Zephyr Heights. Lots of high cliffs and steep passes. Realistically, only pegasi can get there. A good place to keep something safe and isolated."

Luna regarded him. "Do you believe my Father was correct? That a day may come when it is needed?"

The stallion chuckled again. "If there's one thing I've learned about magical artefacts, Princess, it's that they always wind up coming back into the fore, one way or another."

"No argument on that point," Luna conceded.

Flash, sighing, began to walk away from her, looking over his shoulder as he did so. "Apologies, but the sooner I begin this journey, the better. It was good speaking with you, and I wish you and your sister all the best at Silver Shoals."

For a time, Luna watched him go. But then started to smile again. Flapping her wings, she soon reached up to him again, catching him by surprise. "I hope you don't mind some companionship on this jaunt of yours?"

Flash, understandably taken aback by this request, fumbled his words for a bit. "Um...no, I don't mind at all." He again glanced over his shoulder. "But didn't you want to get back to your retirement?"

Luna shook her head. "I'm an immortal, Flash. I literally have all the time in the world to do that. Where's the harm in a final trek across the land before I settle down?" She then gave him some side-eye. "Besides, given how dangerous your last quest was, it probably doesn't hurt to have a bit more power on your side for this one."

The now-former Royal Guard smiled back to her. "Touché. In that case, I happy accept your offer, Prin...er, I mean Luna."

Luna bowed her head slightly. "Very good. Now then, what else can you tell me of this Zephyr place?"

Flash shrugged. "Far-off, not many people, very quiet." A small smile came to him. "Honestly, the kind of place I'd maybe wanna settle down and start a family, if my life ever went that way of course."

Luna looked to him with surprise. "I never considered you the family type, Flash."

"One day, perhaps," Flash answered. "After all, if there's one thing I think we've all learned by this point, it's how important it is for there to be somepony to take the reins after us." He smiled to his new travelling companion. "Especially since I won't be here to look after this thing forever."

As they walked onwards, Luna continued to look to him. This ex-Guard who likely never would have gone on to have a place in the history books had it not been for the fateful decision to assign him to keep her father company. After a while, she smiled softly to him as they carried on with their journey together. "Well then...let's see what the future holds in store. For both of us."