Flawed Harmony

Canterlot

Anon and Chrysalis walked into the throne room where Celestia sat watching the Shadow Troopers repair the city that once belonged to her. “So, what d o you plan now...King Anon?”

Anon sighed and took off his fedora and bandana. “Now we address the people of Equestria, tell them what has happened and what is going to happen.

“And what of me?” Celestia asked with worry.

“You are still welcome on my council.” That statement took both Celestia and Chrysalis by surprise.

“Why?”

Anon gave a small, sad smile. “Because the conflict between us is over...and you are still my sister.” Anon began to limp towards Celestia. “The world still needs you to control the sun, and I'm not going to put you in some dungeon or punish you just for standing up to your beliefs. You did what you thought was right for your kingdom and I can respect that...and I promise you that I will take great care of your subjects.”

Celestia just looked to her wounded brother-in-law in shock before returning a weak smile. “All these years we've acted like we hated each other.”

“We both know that was an act. My respect for you never died. I may have ruined you and your image, but that was never truly against you Tia, I needed to shorten the war, to save countless lives the war needed to end.” He replied solemnly.

“And yet in the process we both put Equestria in greater danger.” Celestia chuckled. “Seems as though fate does not want this war to end anytime soon.”

Anon just nodded with a knowing smile as he reached her side and looked out at the aftermath of the battle. "How did we end up like this Tia?"

Celestia looked up at him in confusion. "What?"

"How did we end up here? A few millennia ago we were children playing in the Royal gardens, now we're at the aftermath of a war that we raged against each other for centuries. How did it start?" He asked.

Celestia looked away, closed her eyes and sighed. "I didn't listen..." Anon looked to her with confusion before frowning as he knew what she was talking about. "When you had told me you were going to change Equestria for the better, fix my 'flawed harmony' and bring a new age of peace to my kingdom...I just saw you as a threat to my way of life, my ponies way of life. I saw you as nothing but a danger."

"To be fair I had been building up a large following with some unsavoury individuals." Anon chuckled. "I don't blame you for what happened Solena, you never asked for the burden of looking after a kingdom, you were used to the Elements of Harmony fixing your problems. I still remember the day that Clover the Clever began researching those gems,the things that were accomplished thanks to her research." Anon looked to his hand that started glowing. "She even managed to make a spell to locate the Lunar Flowers, it's a shame that spell died with her but it's still a blessing, otherwise countless creatures would be hunting down the flowers and using them for their own twisted purposes."

Celestia sighed and looked up at the sky. "Ah yes, the times when Clover the Clever and Starswirl were the ones I would fall back on." She chimed as she remembered events of centuries ago.

Anon nodded as he too remembered the days before the war broke out. "I think it's about time we address the people of this land."

Celestia nodded and stood up, ready to broadcast through a magic screen.

Chrysalis walked to Anons side and cast a healing spell on both of them, allowing them to look presentable enough for the broadcast. Anons hand glowed blue and a magic screen appeared in front of them, multiple showing up all over Equestria, he then began to speak. "Attention citizens of Equestria!"

In the town of Ponyville the town had gone quiet and rushed to the Town Hall where the screen had appeared.

"I am here to inform each and every one of you of something of great importance!" He gestured to Celestia. "The way between The Shadow Empire and The Solar Empire, has ended with The Shadow Empire being victorious!" There were multiple cheers coming from the streets of Canterlot. "The war between us may be over, but there is now a new threat to Equestria. King Solaris, has returned!"

The residents of the many towns and cities all gasped and began looking around worriedly, having heard stories of the tyrant as foals.

"I know that this news is unsettling, but know this! King Anonymous! Will not stop,until this tyrant is brought down!" He then sighed and began to speak in a softer tone. "I know that I have stated before that just using force to get rid of your problems every single time without an explanation is nor how harmony should be...but this situation, what Solaris will do if he gains control again, I...no...WE cannot let him regain his former power! Former king of Equestria, Solaris, shall die!"

There was cheers all around, but many of the residents of the land were untrusting of Anon, but we're even more untrusting of Solaris and Celestia.

"Now, I know that the land is in chaos due to the revelations regarding the Rainbow Factoty, but if we are to survive and thrive as a country we need to put that behind us! There are far more important matters at hand!" Anon then looked to Celestia. "And do not worry, Celestia will indeed pay for what happened in that factory, I will make sure of that." He didn't like it, but he knew that Celestia did indeed have a dept to pay for the family's broken apart due to the factory, she needed to make up for that pain. He wouldn't allow physical harm to come to her, he would find a suitable punishment while trying to find a way for the people of Equestria to find her trustworthy once again.

He cut the broadcast and turned to Chrysalis. "Chrysalis, I need you to manage the repairs here, if you need assistance just ask one of the generals that are currently in the city."

"Understood. But what are you going to do?" The changeling asked as Anon began walking towards the hole in the wall where a rope was dropped down from the flagship.

"I have a long awaited meeting with that other human." With that he was pulled up and the flagship began to slowly turn around as smaller airships dispersed across Equestria to help with repairing the damaged cities and towns and deal with any riots that still were underway.

Badlands, Empire Castle

Abigail, SweetieBot and Sonar walked down the wooden ramp off the airship with the other humans walking behind them. As Abigail reached the bottom Slendermane and Screwball appeared. Abigail smiled and hugged Slender who wrapped a tendril around her. "Thanks for coming Slendy."

"It's no problem Abigail, we are here for you. I know how nervous you must be for this." The faceless pony replied.

Abigail turned and saw her family looking at Slender in fear. Slender back away slightly and lowered his head. "It's ok guys, he's with me."

"How can it be ok? Its freakin Slenderman as a pony!" A young boy yelled.

"I'm open to the idea of him being your friend, it's just, and I mean no offence, his appearance and history behind what he is frightens us." Nicola said with an apologetic tone. "I think if we had a bit more proof, rather than just your word, then we might be able to trust him."

Abigail frowned. "You want proof! Fine, I'll give you proof." She grabbed Slenders head and planted her lips on his, causing the group to gasp, but caused Sonar to look in surprise with wide eyes, not shocked at the action but feeling a sense of familiarity with the situation. Abigail pulled away from Slender who was now sitting with a small blush. "That proof enough for you?" She asked with an icy tone.

"Wait...you and Slender are-" Megan was about to ask but was cut off.

"That's right, we're an item." Abigail stated with a smile while placing a hand on Slenders back. "And I don't care what you all think of it."

Sonar shook herself and placed a hoof to her forehead still wide eyed. 'This is like what happened with Queen Luna and King Anon...' Shaking herself again she walked over to Abigail. "If you're ready, please follow me to my kings quarters."

Abigail nodded, motioning for Slender, SweetieBot and Screwball to follow her and Sonar. "I'll see you guys later." She said to her family before turning away.

The group walked through the long hallways, up multiple stairs and passed many rooms until they came to their destination, Anons room. "My King has said that you are free to look around, but please don't make a mess of the place and don't be nosey...or else." With that Sonar walked off while closing the door behind her, leaving the group to look around the circular room.

The rooms walls were made of stone bricks with a fireplace on one side and a large bed with dark blue sheets on the other. Walking around Abigail reached a desk where she found a picture frame. Picking it up she raised a brow. It was of Anon, but he looked younger, his black hair was short and he seemed to be wearing a basic white top. He was accompanied by younger versions of the generals, minus Lewis. Solid Will seemed to be a teen, with his muscles nowhere near as toned as they were in the present, his horns and snout were also smaller.

Thanos looked to be like a blue version of spike, except he was twice as tall and had larger muscle mass. Sonar seemed to be just a few years older than the CMC, her hair long and slick. Mist Hunter seemed to be nearly full grown, his mane solid instead of mist. Eris seemed to be the youngest, looking to be only around a few years old, she was obviously the youngest of the generals. She was poking her head up from the bottom of the photo with her huge adorable eyes sparkling. Finally there was a younger Luna, looking to have the same body type of a regular mare, her gaze fixed on Anon.

All of them had their arms around each other with smiles on their faces, even Mist and Sonar had small smiles. "He looks so...happy." Abigail said quietly. "Even though he lost his memories, he didn't let that beat him so he just found a place for himself."

"I still remember those days." Abigail jumped as Anons voice came from behind her. She turned around and saw him in his fedora and bandana over his mouth, his cape just blowing slightly in the draft. "Those were the better days, when nothing mattered, there was no violence, no war, no empty promises. Just us, all together as one strange, amazing family." He too the picture and sighed happily. "What I would give to relive those precious moments, but they wouldn't be that special if I could just relive them now would they?"

Setting the photo down, not questioning how they found a functioning camera back then, he turned to Abigail.

"Now, I think it's time you and I had a talk that has been long overdue. Please, follow me." He motioned them to the door before he began walking.

The group jogged to catch up to him before following him through the hallways towards a main hall.

"Now, I know that our encounters in the past have been short lived and cryptic with little to no interaction, but now we have a chance to just sit down and talk. You seem like you have much you wish to know...so do I." Anon placed his hand on the door of the hall.

"What do want to know?" Screwball asked with a raised brow.

Anon stopped and took in a breath before answering. "I want to know who I was before being brought to Equestria."