The Alter Accords

Chapter Twenty Eight: Faults of The Past.

Putting the last thing in his bags Lego looked over the place, nothing was forgotten, nothing was misplaced. It was finally time. It had taken another two months for his recovery to be complete but here he was, at his home packing up preparing to move.

‘Goodbye.’ Lego thought to the house that he lived in for so many months as he locked the door.

The white pony had a carriage waiting for him as he went down the walkway from the house, several bags already having been put into the transport, all ready to take him to the palace to deliver the final transcripts of the journal. It was something he was honestly not looking forward to.

‘It will give her and Luna answers at the least.’ Novo called to him from his mind. ‘It may not be what they want but it is closure.’

Lego didn’t like it and he knew Novo didn’t either. ‘Just wish you both would have let me get caught up with it before you spoiled the ending.’ While Velox was moping about not being able to read it all the way through before they finished.

“You had plenty of time, but because we are often wearing this.” Lego tapped the Oneiro Circlet. “You find your time taken up by the naps that Rainbow Dash takes so you can dream teach her the Current.”

The unicorn brother in their mind started to suddenly laugh. ‘Not to mention that Applejack is now starting to take small naps for breaks where he visits her doing who knows what.’

‘HA! Like you don’t do the same with Dash when I am not teaching her, though then again you are teaching her other things aren’t you?’ The pegasus jabbed at his brother before the two of them started a scuffle in their own mind.

It had been by luck that Lego had been wearing the circlet when one of those two were sleeping and found that Velox and Novo could access them. It was also for that very reason that there was now an unspoken rule that all fun time activities were to only be held at night; it was a day that he would never live down to the nurses at the hospital. The infighting was over as they finally got to the palace and with each step Lego was finding his thoughts returning to what he was about to give to the princesses.

“Ahh Lego, it is good to see you again.” The Sun princess’ voice brought him out of his thoughts as he had unconsciously made his way to the throne room. “I am glad you stopped by so I can say goodbye to you.”

He was surprised when the princess gave him a hug which he found himself returning quicker then he would have thought. “Yeah, I came to deliver a going away present.” The stallion pulled out several packets and the stone booklet looking to the princess. “My translation is finished.”

A golden glow overtook all the items as Celestia went wide eyed. “Thank you; you have no clue what this means to me and my sister.”

“Celestia-” The earth pony couldn’t get a word in edgewise as the Alicorn kept gushing about answers to riddles and mysteries and more. In the end he was finding himself leaving the throne room as Celestia was about to go have lunch.

The pastel Alicorn surprised him though by what she said. “Thank you again my friend.”

It hurt his heart to hear that. “I am sorry.” He said before quickly leaving out the door leaving a confused princess alone.

Celestia had found her sister waiting for her in the dining room to take lunch as the older sister held up the packets. “Lulu, the final translations!”

The tea that Luna had been sipping was splattered everywhere as she looked wide eyed at her sister. “Truly?!”

Quickly both sat down next to each other to start reading clearly excited about finally having answers to many questions this book had brought; well they did make sure to take time to order lunch and snacks to be brought in, after all they were going to be here for a while, and reschedule all meetings for today to another time. Finally they would get to read all of their father’s words.

If you ever wonder how the start of the end of the world might look like, some would say Tartarus’ fire raining down on all, others would say it ends with everything freezing, a small few would even pin it down to something so small that you couldn’t even comprehend that it started it all.

“HELP ME!!!!!” The mare screamed at the top of her lungs before she started to glow and fall. She hit the ground as three separate ponies all of them looking confused and asking each other who they were.

For me, I know the start of the end came a few years back. Then again, I might be the only one now that even remembers. This phenomenon had been occurring the last few weeks causing Alicorns of all types to fear one another as a sickness of some type was sweeping over all causing first weakness, then aching before finally the final split of an Alicorn. No Alicorn knew how to stop it, not even the remaining Chosen, which was what the next meeting was about.

“Why can’t we get a hold of Dreamer? This is obviously a result of him tamping with things again.” True Devotion yelled out at the top of her lungs as she threw her helmet down to the ground. “I bet he is even behind the monsters suddenly springing up.”

Sincere Integrity spoke up after that shaking his head. “Now calm down Devotion. We do not know for sure that this is his fault, nor the other things. For all we know some pony from the new tribes developed this spell after figuring out their origins as Alicorns.”

Premier nodded to that though kept a solemn face. “Sincere is right, plus I have scanned the magic behind the first transformation spell and it was stable. This magic is a virus more or less spreading out of control and as far as I can determine none are immune except for us and juveniles which only leave Terra Cotta’s daughter since not many have felt the need to procreate. There is also the fact that this magical signature isn’t Dreamer’s, it is similar but not quite the same. I think somepony may have figured out how to replicate the spell more than likely but couldn’t stabilize it.”

The sound of parchment moving was heard as all looked over to Inner Jubilation as she wrote which Sincere spoke for the mute Alicorn. “So we need to find the one who started this and get him to confess and give us the antidote correct?”

The Alicorn of Magic nodded and looked to the others. “Sounds like the best bet for now. Abundant Charity have you heard anything that could give us a lead?”

At first it seemed like the Alicorn who had diamond dust for a mane was going to say no, but she changed her mind. “There is something, but I was going to save it for when we talked more about the monster infestation.” While it was true that the virus was a big problem, it wasn’t claiming as many lives as rapidly as the monsters and creatures that have appeared so all eyes were now on the blind Alicorn. “Many have come to me claiming to have seen shooting stars.”

“Charity now is not the time for superstition that creatures from other worlds have come to ours.” Devotion told her.

Charity just smiled. “If I am allowed to finish, I was going to say this. Normally I wouldn’t have paid any attention to it at all. The thing that caught my attention is that the stars aren’t falling to earth but being launched up from it at an arch as if something was hurling them.” I have to admit; even I was intrigued now by the news of this. “Whatever is causing these reverse star falls, or ascents as I think they should be called, seems to be coming from the mountains and no Alicorn can seem to get to the mountains without being turned around and finding themselves confused afterwards. So none can tell me where it was they were being launched from only a general location.”

“Our path for now is clear. Let us solve the stars problem and then we can move on to more pressing business of stopping this virus. Right now the virus is slow to act and hasn’t claimed many victims; just enough for us to know it isn’t going to stop simply by running its course leaving us plenty of time to solve it before it deals irreparable harm to the Alicorn race.” A pulse of power went through Legerdemain’s mane as he said that. “Charity and Sincere, please gather up maps and eyewitness accounts for general localization and time frames for which this event occurs.” Those two immediately took off Sincere in front with the blind Alicorn using magic to detect where her partner was. “Jubilation and Devotion, gather up a small force of troops and supplies, we may be gone for a bit to deal with this and it will be good to have extra hooves to help out.” Devotion saluted with Jubilation mimicking her with a silent giggle.

This just left three Alicorns in the meeting hall: myself, Premier, and Magnificent Compassion. “Do you really think this is the best, to ignore this virus in favor of the monsters possible origins?”

“Yes.” The leader of the chosen told her. “I do honestly. The monsters are claiming many lives forever silencing them and sending them to be reincarnated. The virus however is only splitting an Alicorn and while it may be cruel, I like death is worse.”

The elderly looking Alicorn nodded and left without a word though the direction of her flight looked to have been going to catch up to Jubilation to help with the prep for the journey. “Come Terra.” My employer spoke quickly as we suddenly were teleported.

Where I found myself was in the secret location of his lab which he mentioned before though at the time I didn’t know it. “Where are we?”

Premier seemed to ignore me for a bit as he looked over some things which left me with nothing to do but wander around. I got to see many things, books, beakers, spell circles and more before something caught my attention. Nothing had prepared me for looking at the amber orb on a pedestal where a gray liquid sat motionless inside. It was the evil essence that was pulled from Dreamer during his punishment. Before it was lively and active, bubbling, moving around and squirming, now though, it looked lifeless.

“It became like that not too long ago.” My employer nearly scared me out of my coat as I jumped before holding a wing to my barrel to feel my beating heart. “Sorry.” He gave a surprisingly soft chuckle. “Yes I know you keep wondering why I don’t just destroy this but…I can’t bring myself to destroy my brother, even if it is only a part of him that was evil and misguided. Plus, it had a soul.”

“Had?” I don’t know why but that disturbed me more than anything in my life.

Legerdemain never looked at me, always staring at the orb. “Yes, when it was active it had a soul, it’s what kept animating the goo. However, recently the soul moved on, leaving the mass alive and intact. I don’t like that. Souls that depart the body usually do so with the intent of death, yet this one didn’t die. I suspect that it’s the Chosen Alicorn status that keeps it from doing so, but I have no clue for how long that will remain. All in all this means a few things.” I was going to ask him what they meant but he volunteered the information to me without me having to. “One, it means the soul left to possess another body leaving behind the husk to rot, which as a Chosen it won’t. Two, it means that the goo was no longer compatible with the soul so it separated, which again would mean death if it was a normal body. Last and the more meaningful of them is that the soul entered the reincarnation cycle, which is bad.”

Like so many times in my life, this was another moment where I spoke before I thought, it was just lucky it turned out ok. “I don’t get it, how is that bad?”

“It means that the body will want it’s soul back and can pull at it any time since they are linked. Meaning if the owner of this soul is currently alive, but somehow gets weakened or distraught, this goo body could forcibly pull the soul out and return it more than likely killing the old body in the process. There is also the fact since the soul left this body before it may end up becoming a cycle of death pulling at reincarnated bodies ending them well before their time.” The silence in the cave was palpable now as I dreaded living a life where my soul could be ripped out at anytime to inhabit a body that would push it back into the reincarnation cycle. It would be as if something had murdered me each and every time.

Premier looked up suddenly as his horn glowed as a letter popped into existence and giving it to me to read. “The others are returning, we should do the same it says.”

With a flash we were back, though the visit to that hidden place would stay on my mind through most of the prep of the trip.

All of the remaining Chosen, except Dreamer as he still couldn’t be located, a company of troops numbering at a hundred and fifty, and myself were all ready for the trip as we made camp outside the village that spotted the ascending stars. The troops were nervous as when we had come in there were massive numbers of monsters spotted in the mountains. Singularly they didn’t possess that much power, but with that many they could swarm the village at any time. Because of that they were to be order to stay behind to protect the place.

“You don’t have to come with us Terra. You have a young filly that is growing up and a foal on the way.” Devotion told me with a note of concern. I would say it was strange coming from her, but I always secretly suspected she was fond of children.

“Maybe.” I told her. “But if I don’t come to record what happens, who would?” She chuckled and went on her way to make her final preps but her question was one I has asked myself plenty of times. Looking down past my slate gray coat I stared at my symbol, a petrified feather. A symbol of my scribing destiny and affinity for the earth, maybe it was that mark that was leading me onwards to do this, or maybe I just wanted to feel important. I don’t know and I still don’t to this day.

In the end, I chose to go with them, and I chose to write all these words in this book in the hopes others can learn from this.

“Is that it?” Devotion asked of us as she pointed a cave. We had been flying around for nearly a week now, coming back to camp to eat and sleep when needed.

Premier gave a nod and started swooping down towards it. “Yes, I feel something dark and sinister coming from there. With the barrier no longer trying to hinder us I can clearly sense it.”

It was this morning that Premier finally figured out why we kept getting turned around. A subtle but powerful enchantment had been cast over the area to dull the sense and make the internal compass of an Alicorn turn away from the area where the cave itself was located.

Landing on the outer edge of the cave as it was located somewhat upwards on the mountain we all made sure that we were ok. “The enchantment on this cave was so subtle even I didn’t realize it was here. If not for you Charity I don’t think I would have found it.”

Charity being blind meant she often used her magic to help guide her around and it was only because she often followed the others that she didn’t figure it out till today. “Well it was cause I was thinking of something and was distracted that I noticed you all shifting where you were going. I rely so much on my magic for direction instead of my internal compass that I never noticed the enchantment steering you all away till I forgot to follow you all.”

“Well in the end, all that matters is you are the one to thank for this.” Though she couldn’t see it she must have felt the eyes on her as she blushed when everypony smiled at her.

Looking at the cave entrance, it was now easy to see how Premier found it, even I could sense something wrong and off about this entrance, as well as welcoming which was the strange thing. “Welp looks like we are expected because this is obviously a trap.” Sincere told us which we call agreed with.

Devotion wasn’t one to stand around though as she confidently walked forward. “What are we waiting for? We are the Chosen, unless it is some kind of cosmic being that even our mother can’t handle then surely we are overkill for all the power we hold here.”

The battle ready Alicorn turned towards the cave only to quickly duck out of the way as something sped by, another ascending star. The only problem was as it passed even I could sense the sheer power of it and the miasmic taste of malice on it.

“WHAT THE BUCK WAS THAT?!” Sincere cursed loudly. “I have felt a lot of negative emotions from the monsters before but never something like that.”

Premier’s horn was already alight before he gave a ‘tsk’ sound. “It’s already out of range; I can’t shoot it from here.”

The sounds of hooves came again as Devotion got up and continued to the cave. “Well we can worry about that one later, let us find and deal with the one responsible for it now though.”

They all nodded and slowly started forward, that is when the feeling of dread started to fill me. This cave was wrong, not only was it filled with the same miasma that surrounded the star that just shot by but it seemed…more corrupt, more primordial then the egg. If the egg had been malice then this was pure evil.

“This cave isn’t natural.” The voice of Charity spoke as her wings brushed the walls. “It was carved with magic. Not only that but-” She stamped her hoof down suddenly. “The cave isn’t that big and opens up to a large hallow region not too far from here and we aren’t alone.”

My mane stood on end at that statement and the fact that the closer we got to the hallowed out area the thicker and more evil the feelings of dread and pure the concentrated evil became. The feelings of walking into a place of pure perversion were so strong I felt like I was being chocked, fairing only a bit worse than the Chosen themselves it seemed. It was to the point now where the feelings were taking physical forms of a dark smoky fog at our hooves all before entering the main cavern.

The dread I had been feeling nearly seized my heart as several members of the Chosen gasped or growled out loud. “You!”

Devotions yelled at the Alicorn laying down on the dias at the back of the cavern whom wore a smile on his face. “Yes me.”

There was no doubt by the voice that the Alicorn was none other than Hopeful Dreamer himself. “You are behind every monster in the lands?!”

The Alicorn stood up and seemed…big, bigger than normal. “Oh that and so much more.” He told them as he flapped his wings as if stretching stirring up the fog below us. “The little virus that has been separating the Alicorns is also my doing.”

Premier growled suddenly loudly and angrier then I have ever seen him before at this. “Why, I thought we had saved and fixed you my brother, why do you do this?!”

The smirk that came from the Alicorn gave me goose bumps just then as he started to chuckle before flat out laughing. “Oh that is too rich. You still think I am your brother, little Hopeful Dreamer? It is just too funny. No no no, you killed that little foal the day I was born.”

Nearly all of the members of the Chosen recoiled as if slapped when he said that. “What nonsense are you talking about demon?!”

“Oh Devotion, so quick to name call and blame. Well you should only blame yourself for this one.” The obsidian maned Alicorn stated. “I was born the day you killed Hopeful Dreamer, Alicorn of Hope, and completely devoted to the Alicorns and the ideas of the Chosen. I was created the day that he stopped being himself and became me. I was created the day you separated him from me.”

“Horseapples!” Exclaimed Legerdemain angrily. “We used our power to separate the foul corrupt form from his pure self.”

The Alicorn before us just grinned then and felt my eyes go wide in fear. “You did.”

My voice was barely a whisper but I know they all heard me as ‘Dreamer’ nodded. “He is right. Here before you stands the corrupt form himself, the form you let go and mistakenly sealed the good part. Some Chosen you turned out to be. I must thank you though, with how you mentally assaulted us, you thought his love for the Alicorns, his race, and the new ponies was corrupt and that in turn caused him to lose his form since that was dubbed ‘evil’. Because of that I got his body, his power, his mind, and everything to do with as I will.”

The Alicorn of Magic himself flared his wings as his horn lit up. “Then I need to make amends for my mistake and return my brother to his body!” I don’t what was worse, how fierce Premier was looking right now, or the fact that he had tears running down his face as he was doing so.

The other Chosen all flared their wings as well ready to join their leader. “Oh I have no doubt you can beat me, though it won’t matter. I have already set too many plans into motion for you to stop me even if I were to die here now, which I won’t.” Stepping down the dais now his wing swept over his flank and I seen his symbol change. Whereas Dreamers mark was a silver heart surrounded by a silver thread making a ring, this one was of a black heart looking to be strangled by a golden thread. “My name is Despair and I represent my element of which I have taken my name from. Though you may beat me here and now, the despair that the Alicorns feel cause of the virus sweeping the lands empowers me so I will hurt you all dearly before this is over. All of you Chosen will know of and feel my element all before you are killed by me. Oh and make no mistake, I have already won.”

I would have loved to recount for ages to come that I seen the battle with my own eyes, except I didn’t. The first blast that came from Despair met with a blast that came from Premier creating a shockwave that threw me against the rocks knocking me out. I can only tell of what I saw when I managed to come to and that was the results of the battle.

On the ground lay the beaten form of Despair still smirking as the Chosen all stood around him battle worn and ragged. “It is over Despair, you have lost.”

The beaten and blooded black and white Alicorn just chuckled as his body seemed to be turning to black ash and flying up into the air. “Oh, but I won even before we fought. You see, when I was stretching and airing out my feathers, I was really spreading a chemical I laced in them with the fog in the ground. Each of them separate have no power, but together, they make something I spent the last few years developing. A poison meant strictly for you chosen, with no antidote and no way of fighting it off. It will eat at you all slowly till you all expire. While me myself? I will live on for I found a way to condense my soul to a purified state and continue my existence. I only wish I could have fought better, but I had spent too much of my power in finishing my proudest accomplishment which I sent off just as you arrived. Farewell my creators. Oh and when you see my little egg that I launched hatch and fully grown, and he comes to greet you. Tell him his name.”

My mane was standing on edge again at this, a poison for the chosen, an egg, and a purified and condensed soul. The Alicorn vanished and all that was left was a solid black orb that hovered there.

From the orb came the voice of Despair. “His name is-” Suddenly the orb flew off crashing through the top of the cavern and into the air, but his voice lingered in cavern. “-Discord.”

Right after the voice of Despair left the cavern started to cave in from the damage that the soul leaving did, as well as from the battle. Quickly we teleported out and away to watch the mountaintop sink into itself as it filled the hole it had.

“He wasn’t lying.” Sincere told us as his horn was glowing. “There is something in us now that I can’t seem to purge.”

One by one each of the Chosen’s horns glowed only to fizzle and sputter out including Premier’s. “He is right. He has won even though he lost his body.” The bitter and hopeless way that my employer said that sentence scared me more than anything else this day. “If I can’t find a way to purge it then we will lose our loves, slowly, just as he planned.”

Devotion slammed her hoof into the ground hard then. “We walked right into his trap too. Not only that, now there is his ‘son’ out there. If the evil that egg radiated was any indication then he will be just as bad, this Discord.”

We soon teleported in silence as none had anything to add at this point. I would love to say that everything worked out as planned, that Premier found a cure, but I can’t. Instead I find myself being led by flight to the secret lab of my former employer.

It had been a few years since that battle and now the Alicorn race had dwindled to only a few hundred. There was no cure, no salvation coming. Our time was over. As we landed Premier stumbled and crashed into the forest floor and I had to help him up.

“Thank you my friend.” His voice, once vibrant and full of life and power, was now as weak and dull as his mane. No longer pulsing, no longer vibrant, but limp and without any power what so ever. “I suppose this is our punishment huh? We took something beautiful and though it perverse. We ignored the troubles of our brothers and sisters and chose to instead focus on our own concerns. Terra, do you know I have recently taken to watching the ponies my brother has created?”

My magic was helping him along as I shook my head. “I had not.”

Premier smiled in a sad way letting out a few tears. “They are beautiful. They are so full of life, dreams, and hope. Truly had I taken time I would see that these ponies represent all of the Chosen elements. They are generous though can be selfish. They are kind though can act cruel at times. Laugh and cry, be loyal or betray. Lie or tell the kindest of truths.” Slowly his horn lit up as the secret cave entrance was revealed to me. The cave it seemed had been changed from when I last seen it. No longer were there notes and experiments, instead just a large cavern empty except for five other Alicorns. “They can act so courageous against odds or as cowardly as mice. They can forgive and have learned to spite others as well as learned of sacrifice and withhold. They have been filled with a determination to continue but I have seen some fall into weakness easily as well.”

“They seem wonderful my friend.” I told him as he slowly walked out of my reach to join his fellow Alicorns. The four remaining Chosen having gone into hiding after their departure left the Alicorns with none to lead them.

Giving a nod as he turned towards me and holding out a hoof he smiled. “They hope and dream, and they despair and are filled with nightmares. Truly his ponies are the most harmonious and chaotic creatures ever seen on this world.” He smiled bigger and bigger as he closed his eyes. “And they are greater than any Alicorn could ever hope to be. That is why we have made a decision.”

My heart was sinking, something was up and I didn’t like it. “What are you saying?”

“The last few years I have been not looking for an antidote at all, Despair has bested me on that. Instead I looked for a way to condense our souls like he has done so that we may in some way be there in case our Ali-no our ponies need us. I leave you with one last job from my friend.”

His horn was already glowing as were the others. “What is it?”

“Tell the ponies in stories and legends where to find us. We will become guiding beacons of power to shield them should they ever need us. We will give our power to any who display our elements for the right reasons. We will become harmony itself and only through harmony may ponies or any individual wield our power.” The forms of the Chosen glowed till they were white now and a flash had blinded me. “Tell others of The Elements of Harmony and if for some reason my brother somehow comes back to his goo body, of which I have made sure to hide away. Tell him I am beyond sorry.”

When my eyes cleared up I could only see a glowing crystal tree with several branches all extending and bearing what looked like round fruit like orbs from five of them with another orb like fruit where they converged to the trunk of the tree.

I laid there for hours crying and crying. My friends and the leaders of all Alicorn kind had just vanished in front of me. They were to give me one job, a job I didn’t have the chance or the heart to tell them I might not complete.

A coughing fit came over me before I left the cave and a moment of weakness before I gathered my strength and teleported home. I write this with a smile as I look at the sleeping forms of my wife, my daughters Celestia and Luna. These are my last notes and journals that I will ever make. Sadly it will be up to Caeli Cor to guide my daughters and help find them a mentor. Both of us are sick with the virus and soon will be as the others, her later then I. I am just lucky and happy to have known my family and glad that Celestia and Luna are immune for they have not reached maturity. They may end up being the last Alicorns in existence and I hope that I have taught them enough to read my journal. The last few years a wave of new language came over the Alicorns and they had mostly been raised on that instead of the old tongue.

At this point the journals writing has a different set of hoofwriting in it as if somepony were adding their own notes to it.

It has taken me a long time to learn how my husband used to write in this journal but finally I can write slowly in it. I have taught my girls as much as possible but I have to leave them in the hooves of a dear friend of mine that I have come to know in the pony lands. His name is in the new dialect but I believe it is Starswirl and he has agreed to look after my girls. They are sad and crying right now, Luna is too young to understand but she knows that something is happening to her mother and doesn’t want it to. Girls, should you ever read this, I hope you have had a good life up till now; I will be hiding this in one of the old buildings of the Alicorns. Your Mommy and Daddy love you so much and we are so proud of whatever it is you choose to do. Remember to live by all the elements: Magic, Generosity, Kindness, Laughter, Honesty, Loyalty, Hope, Courage, Forgiveness, Sacrifice, and Determination. And to never give in to Despair.

-Caeli Cor.

Celestia could feel how wet her mane had become as Luna had pressed her face into it. The princess slowly set the paper down and laid her head on the dining room table as her own tears started to flow. She was never a stranger to the burden of knowledge or power, a burden of legacy and a burden of leadership. However this burden was so personal, so heavy that it tested her resolve and strength and she found she could barely stand it.

‘The answers I wanted and sought the answers that I would have given nearly everything for before feel so hollow now.’ The sun ruler thought solemnly to herself. ‘My race all brought down by a mistake so foolish that one couldn’t just accept a sibling’s problems. Then again it might be that exact reason that it feels hollow. I made the same mistake with Luna and only through the intervention of the elements had I stopped it. Had the elements sensed what happened and helped me? Is that why they banished my sister on a timer instead of just ripping her apart like they had Dreamer? For that matter why only turn Discord, whom is the SON of Despair into a statue? Every time the elements have been used, every time, they have chosen to do something to protect, but never to destroy. Is there lingering feelings of the Chosen inside of them still? Is that why things are like the way they are now? If so why did it separate Plaga from Lego like it had? The results always seem to be consistent in their inconsistency.’

“Are you alright my sister?” Luna’s voice is what brought her out of her thoughts as she looked up to her. “You seem to be upset as much as I am but you are so silent.”

Celestia nodded and told her of her thoughts, not wanting to hide anything from her only family at this moment. “Do you see why I question it all? The only time that the elements have ever done the same thing is in regards to discord when he was resealed. Even then they released him. Does this mean the elements are aware on some level? The journal says they are but with how inconsistent they are I have to question it.”

“Tia, sometimes you can’t analyze something, especially when we do not fully understand it. Regardless I am just happy to have you here with me and know that we were too young to catch the virus. We have always been and always will be sisters and though our mother and father aren’t around anymore I have all the family I need right here.” The wings of the Alicorn of the night hugged her sister as both felt fresh tears roll down their face, these of happiness.

The sack of bits exchanged hooves as the doors opened. Down down down did the small part of ponies go as they carried something with them in a large sack.

“Now, you are sure, these are the real deal?” Said the first pony as green flame wrapped around him to reveal his Changeling nature. “If you are lying to us then I will let the Queen know of your treachery.”

The hooded pony just laughed at Egnach and just waved it off. “We both know the real power in the hive isn’t the Queen, but your employer.”

Egnach didn’t like this pony, but so far he had been most helpful in the list of names for them to search and capture for food sources, and most helpful in getting around the guards by relaying their patterns and schedules so he had no choice but to leave him be. “Hold your tongue; we are just here for what you promised and this better not be a trap.”

The Changeling watched as a glow came from under the hood of the pony as the door they stopped at opened. “Not many know of the seal on this and nopony knows I know of it. So you will never be found out and the items you wish are just inside, though I suggest you take nothing else since you didn’t bring replacements.”

Inside was a vault of countless items deemed too powerful or strong to let normal ponies have, but this didn’t stop the small party from looking even if they wouldn’t touch any of them. No their prize was in the latest holding areas. The first item was inside a small case which was quickly unlocked showing off the cracked ruby inside the piece of jewelry. Retrieving the fake and setting it back in place, the case was close.

“One down, now show us where the other is.” Egnach told the pony who started to walk down the hall. “The Professor really wants to examine this one.” He told the pony whom opened a door to reveal a large amber orb filled with a dark goo.

“Oh, you aren’t the princesses. I didn’t expect to get any other visitors down here besides them.” The goo spoke to them. “Then again, a Changeling isn’t something that should be here. This makes me very very curious.”

The sack was opened and inside was an identical orb of amber filled with dark goo that soon replaced the original. “You now work for us and will be grateful that we are moving you away from this place.”

Plaga just chuckled as he was stowed into the sack. “You have no complaints from me. Oh look I recognize that, thinking of trying to reunite me with my old home are you? No thanks, I am happy being a semi-stable liquid goo thank you very much.”

“Quiet.” The Changeling told him. “If you don’t want to be sent back here you will keep quiet.” When no sound came from the sack they closed it up. “Our job is done here. The rest of your payment will come to you in a month over small indiscreet payments. Just like the other times you have helped us.”

He knew the pony was smiling and could feel his emotions of satisfaction at this as they climbed out of the vault letting the hooded pony reseal it all up. Donning his disguise again Egnach left the supposedly secure area with his team.

The only thing on his mind though was no the mystery pony, but his employer. ‘What is Professor Adapt planning?’

Lego thanked the porter ponies as they went off to take his things to his house. He was excited to be back in Ponyville with his friends, which was why he wanted to surprise them all by telling them he wouldn’t be back till a few days from now.

‘So who first? Pinkie? Rarity? Dash?’ Novo asked of his brothers with a teasing tone. ‘Applejack or Fluttershy?’

The mental eye roll of Velox came with the actual one of Lego. ‘Come on we both know who he is looking most forward to seeing.’

Even if it was teasing, it was true, which was why Lego was now currently making a bee-line towards the Golden Oaks Library. While having dreamscape visits were all nice and all, he missed the real thing, and though it pained him sometimes to think that his brothers couldn’t enjoy the same thing, it was overshadowed currently by the fact that he was within moments of actually getting it.

None of the girls had managed to pay him an actual visit in the hospital at all the last few months having become very busy and while he was sad to hear it. It wouldn’t matter for much longer. Bringing his hoof to the door he knocked on it loudly.

“Twilight can you get that, I am busy in the kitchen!” The voice of the number one assistance called out.

“Fine, but only cause it smells good.” Lego’s heart fluttered a bit on hearing her voice and he found himself suddenly so excited he was practically nervous. The door opened and there stood everything he was looking forward to…and more. “Hello how can I-”

Both Twilight and Lego’s eyes went wide as Twilight’s feathers got ruffled both metaphorically and literally.

This seemed to be punctuated by the simple statement of Velox inside the brothers mind. ‘Huh…neat.’

Author's Note

Sorry this chapter took so long to get out. Technically it was done and ready to be posted right after Thanksgiving, though unedited, but some irl emergencies kinda shook my nerves and left me a mess for a few days unable to edit the chapter as I didn't want to make huge mistakes with it. After that I got sick, got better-ish, then another emergency that shook me and I got sick again. I am mostly better and have edited the chapter. Here it is and hope you enjoy.