Chapters It's been two months since Teotle left the wolf fortress to live with Twilight and Nyx. After he heard of the existence of his lost sister, he's been trying everything he can to find her. Everypony has been supportive of his search, but they've been beginning to worry about him. He skips meals, and he barely sleeps. He spends most of his time asking around ponyville for any sign of his sister, but always reaches a dead end.
Princess Celestia had sent word of the search to all the ponies in charge of Equestria's towns and villages. They haven't seen or heard of any wolf sightings either. They all said that they would keep looking, but that gave Teotle little comfort.
Summer had just ended and it was almost time for Nyx to go back to school and continue her studies. Teotle didn't want to go. He said it would waste his time. But Nyx had convinced him to go after a few hours of endless debating.
Nyx put on a show during that argument, using her acting skills that she learned from the school play that she was in last year. She put on fake tears and practically drowned Teotle in her begging. Eventually Teotle agreed to go for a few days if only to stop her crying.
Twilight was taking them both to the store to buy some school supplies. They needed pencils and paper for taking notes, calculators for basic math, highlighter pens for marking the important notes in their text books, rulers and protractors, and some paper clips and rubber bands.
After they got all the supplies on the list, Twilight let Nyx and Teotle pick out some extra things for fun with their allowance. Nyx got a mini make-up kit, some hair clips, and a brush to see what styles she and her friends can try to make. Teotle got a drawing guide, some sketch books, and a pack of colored pencils. Rarity suggested Teotle get a hobby, so he thought he should try sketching first.
They all went to the counter and payed for the school supplies they picked out. The cashier smiled when she saw Twilight, but frowned at Nyx and Teolte. It would seem that she was one of the many ponies who were still angry with them for their mistakes in the past. They both felt her cold stare and hung their heads. Twilight finished the perches and walked the two of them out of the store, trying not to glare back at the cashier.
"The nerve of some ponies." Twilight huffed.
"It's understandable to me." Teotle protested. "A lot of the recent disasters in Equestria have been kind of our fault."
"No, Teotle." Twilight said, patting his head. "You two are victims of other people's evil plots. The fact that you were being used to succeed in those plots wasn't your fault."
"But, Twilight..." Nyx tried to speak out, but stopped for a second to find the right words. "When I became Nightmare Moon, I made my own choices and overthrew the princesses. How isn't that my fault?"
"Nyx, would you have chosen to become Nightmare Moon if you could?" Asked Twilight.
"No." Nyx answered.
"Exactly." Twilight said with a nod of her head.
They made their way back to the library, where Spike was feeding his phoenix, Piewie. Nyx and Teotle took their none school related stuff out of Twilight's saddle bags allowing her to take the school supplies and pack them evenly and neatly in Nyx and Teotle's saddle bags for school.
Nyx examined her make-up set, while Teotle opened his drawing guide to the first chapter. Twilight watched them with a smile, thinking how much fun they'll have with the new things they got.
Spike walked over to Twilight, pulled out a scroll and said, "You're just in time. Celestia just sent a letter."
Twilight turned to face him and asked, "What does it say?"
Spike called for Nyx and Teotle, who got up to and walked over to him to listen. He opened the scroll and read, "To my faithful student, Twilight. I have just received word from Manehattan of a wolf being spotted on the city bridge. She was seen wearing a black ragged cloak. We don't yet know anything else at this point, but we'll keep you informed of all other activity. Good luck. As always, Celestia."
Teotle took the scroll from Spike and looked it over. After a while, he finally asked, "How far away is Manehattan from here?"
"The answer is no, Teolte." Said Twilight.
Teotle looked at her blankly. "Why not?"
"Because you have school tomorrow!" Twilight snapped.
"You promised me that you would go with me." Nyx commented, shyly.
Teotle grunted and protested, "This is the first and only sign of my sisters whereabouts in months. I have to go."
"And where would you start?" asked Twilight. "All you know is that she was seen at a bridge in Manehattan. There are a lot of bridges in that city."
Teotle tried to protest, but he couldn't think of a good defense on going. "What if I never get a chance like this?"
Twilight rested a hoof on his shoulder and said, "Trust me, it won't be. Somepony will see her again and when we have enough to work with, we'll make our move to find her."
Teotle sighed and said, "I trust you, Twilight."
Twilight pulled him, Nyx and Spike into a hug and said, "I'm proud of all of you." She let them all go and went with Spike to make dinner.
Twilight, Nyx and Spike were sound asleep in bed for the night. However, Teotle sat wide awake on the window sill, just like he has for the past few weeks. Nyx use to try and get Teotle to go to sleep, but when he tried, he would just lay there. Now she just leaves him be. Teotle stared outside as if he would somehow see his sister walking in the streets of Ponyville.
Eventually, he decided to go downstairs and do some reading. He dragged his paw across the books as he read the titles. Nothing seemed good to him, until his eyes were caught by a bright blue book with a silver spine. The book was titled, "The Rise and Fall a Tyrant."
Teotle took the book off the shelf and walked over to the dinning room table to start reading. He checked the date and saw that it was just recently published in Canterlot. Teolte began the first chapter and realized what it was about.
The book was a documentary of the Crystal Empire. He heard stories of it when he was younger. He knew of King Sombra, his reign over the crystal ponies, and how he was defeated, but he never new the whole story word for word. This seemed like a good chance to find out the missing details.
He continued to read for what felt like hours. Eventually he reached the part where Twilight and her friends come in, and how Shining Armor and Princess Cadance are now in charge of defending the empire. He was amazed when he read about the part where Spike returned the Crystal heart and gave the citizens back their magic.
When he finally finished, he heard foot steps coming from the stairs. It was Spike, who had just come down for a glass of water. They both looked at each other.
"Teotle?" Spike asked. "What are yo doing up so late? School starts in two hours."
"I couldn't sleep." Teolte replied, scratching the back of his head before closing the book and putting it back on the self.
Spike gave a sigh and went to the sink to get his drink. After he took a few sips he took it up stairs and told Teotle, "Just make sure you can focus in class later."
"Can do." Teolte said, giving Spike a salute.
A few hours later.
Teotle and Nyx waked out of the door to the library, waving goodbye to Twilight as they walked to school for their first day of the semester. Nyx was excited to see Mrs Cheerilee and continue learning more about new things. Teolte, however, wasn't looking forward to the classwork that they'd be given on a daily basis.
When they finally arrived at the school house, Applebloom, Scootaloo, Sweetiebelle, and Twist were all standing outside, talking about what to try to find their cutiemarks. Nyx trotted over to them with Teolte running behind her.
"Good morning." Nyx said happily.
"Hey." Teolte added.
"Hey you guys." Applebloom said.
"Are you excited about today?" Asked Twist.
"Of course." Nyx replied. She then gave Teolte a nudge in the leg, telling him to at least pretend to be happy about school.
Teotle decided to play along and said, "Totally."
"Good." Said Mrs Cheerilee, who came up from behind them with the door key. "Because class starts soon and your classmates should be here soon."
Once Cheerilee unlocked the door, she led the students inside and gave them their assigned seats. She didn't want them to be all in one group, but they should at least be next to somepony they know.
Applebloom and Scootaloo were set up at the two desks by the window on the far side of the classroom. Sweetiebelle and Twist were given desks by the door outside.
Teotle was hoping to get a desk next to Nyx, but Cheerilee didn't want him to sit down at a desk until everypony else had arrived. She wanted him to introduce himself first.
Teotle frowned at this and asked, "What if all the desks next to Nyx are taken? I won't be able to sit with her then."
Cheerilee gave a sighed and said, "Twilight asked me to try and help you branch out a bit with your classmates. I think the best way to do that would be to not cling to Nyx during class."
Teotle looked at Nyx for support, but she only gave him an assuring nod of her head, saying that it will be alright. Cheerilee pulled up a stool next to her desk for him to sit and wait. He took a deep breath and took his seat.
Once the other students had arrived and gone to their assigned seats, Cheerilee announced, "Good morning, everypony. Welcome to your first day of school from summer break. As you may already know, we have a new student joining us today." She pointed a hoof at Teotle.
The students began to glare at Teotle, whispering to each other in secret. Many ponies in ponyville didn't really trust Teotle. Many of them believe that Teotle doesn't belong in Equestria, and that the princesses should send him away before he hurts somepony. To make matters worse, many of their children were sitting in that very classroom, thinking the same thing.
"Why don't you introduce yourself?" Cheerilee asked Teolte.
He gave a nod, got up from his stool and said, "Hello, my name is Teotle. I'm new to this whole school thing. I hope we can be friends."
The students continued to stare, as if Teotle's friendly introduction was some kind of venomous threat display.
Cheerilee continued, "Teotle is a bit old for this age group, and he has some catching up to do in his studies. I want all of you to give a warm welcome and help him to get settled in with us."
She sent Teotle to go to his desk in the back. As he walked down the rows of desk, however, he found himself surrounded by unwelcoming eyes. All of the students watched him with unease, He tried to look back at Cheerilee for help, but she was busy drawing the class assignment on the chalk board.
When Teotle sat down at his desk, the students looked back at the front of the classroom. Teotle couldn't relax, however, because he could still feel their scorn piercing his heart. He knew right there and then that he wouldn't make friends here.
Nyx and Teotle sat at the table as they listened to Twilight and Ivory Scroll tell them what had happened while they were at school. Apparently, Ivory Scroll had already told Twilight the situation with some of the townsfolk. Twilight had told Spike, (who had walked in from the kitchen with some daffodil sandwiches), to send a letter to Celestia explaining everything.
Nyx then explained what had happened between Teotle and the high majority of students during class and recess. Twilight, however, just shook her head and said, "That's what I was afraid would happen, after the Mayor dropped by."
"What do we do?" asked Teotle.
"We wait." Twilight answered. "The princesses will know what to do."
Just then, Spike belched up a letter from Celestia. He opened it up and read, "Dear Twilight, I have discussed this matter with Luna and Cadence after we returned from the wolf fortress. In the past, we have received many letters from our subjects, asking us to punish Nyx and Teotle. However, we have made a contingency plan to prove that they can be trustworthy."
"What does that mean?" Teotle asked.
"Let me finish reading and find out." Said Spike, continuing on. "We think that it is time for Nyx and Teotle to start what they set out to do in the beginning. Try to find a situation where somepony needs help and have Nyx and Teotle be the ones to step in. If they help enough ponies in ponyville, they will start to like them, and maybe word will spread out across equestria."
"That's a great idea." Nyx said with a smile.
"Wait, what if word does go around and they still want us gone?" Teotle asked.
Spike looked back down at the letter and read, "If they still want justice, then we will try the optional phase of the plan. We will temporarily have Nyx and Teotle stay in one of the castle rooms, but tell the public that we put them in the dungeon. We will keep them there until a disaster occurs and the citizens will want them back to help."
"I don't know about this." Said Twilight. "What if the disaster happens and they can't stop it?"
Spike skimmed through the letter and answered, "The letter says that you and the others should be ready to help them if everything goes south."
"But how can Nyx fight?" Twilight asked nervously. "I know Teotle can hold his own, but Nyx doesn't have her magic anymore."
Everypony was silent. None of them knew what to say or what to do. It was true. Nyx had no more of her former strength. Princess Luna took it away after her and Celestia returned from the sun and moon.
"I guess we'll find out sooner or later." Teotle said, finally. "All we can do now is wait."
Ivory Scroll stood up from her chair and said, "But in the meantime, we should do our best to persevere everypony's rejections toward you two."
"We?" Teotle asked the Mayor.
"You think your the only ones being bothered by everypony over past mistakes?" She asked. "No, I get visits, letters and even riots, demanding that you two be sent away. The reason I haven't done so is because You and Nyx have saved me and the citizens of my town from monsters."
Teotle looked at Nyx, who nodded in agreement with Ivory Scroll. He sighed and said, "Sorry for asking."
"It's alright." Replied the mayor.
"Thanks for coming." Said Twilight.
"My pleasure." Ivory Scroll replied. before making her way out the door.
"By the way, Teotle, did you remember to get the oil for you prosthetic leg?" Twilight asked. "I told you to get it on the way home."
"Right here, Twilight." Teotle said, pulling the oil out of his saddle bags. "I put some on after I got it. The store manager said it was the best he had in stock."
"Good, keep it handy for later, ok?"
"Ok." said Teotle, giving a thumbs up,
"Now, what do you say we eat some lunch?" Spike asked, pulling out some sandwiches from the kitchen.
Later that day, Nyx and Teotle walked down town to Sugarcube Corner, where their friends were waiting to hear their plan of action. They told them everything that the princesses said in the letter, and how the mayor of ponyville was at the library.
"So the princesses want you to temporarily stay with them until your needed during a disaster?" Asked Applebloom.
"Yeah." Nyx and Teotle replied together.
"That sounds risky." commented Scootaloo.
"I agree." Said Diamond Tiara. "What if nobody misses you helping them?"
"How will Nyx fight?" Asked Silverspoon. "She doesn't have as much magic as Teotle."
"We don't know." Teotle replied. "But I know the princesses will think of something."
Just then, a loud scream came from down the street. Everypony was looking in its direction when they heard it.
"Looks like you'll have to think of it soon." Sweetiebelle said.
"Wait here." Teotle said before running to in the direction of the screams. Nyx followed behind trying to keep up. When they found the source, they both were dumbfounded. A figure in a black cloak stood in the middle of the street, holding a mare by the neck.
"WHERE IS HE!" The figure shouted. her voice sounded like a teenager.
The mare looked at Teotle and pointed a hoof at him. The figure dropped the mare and turned to Nyx and Teotle's direction. She took off her coak, revealing herself to them. She was a young wolf with white fur. Her eyes were bright red. She had prosthetic hind legs that looked to be spring loaded, giving her high jumping capability.
She looked at Teotle and said, "At last we meat, hellhound."
Nyx and Teotle looked at the wolf with confusion. Who was she? Was she Teotle's sister? How did she find him, and what did she mean by calling him "Hellhound"?
"Who are you?" Teotle asked nervously.
The wolf raised an eyebrow before replying, "Do you even have to ask? My name is Scarlet Rose. I'm the one you've been searching for. The one you set out to kill."
Teotle's eyes widened with concern and confusion. "I don't want to kill you." He corrected.
"Oh really." The Scarlet asked. "Then why did you kill my mother and father?"
"He didn't." Said Nyx, trying to keep calm and not snap outright for Scarlet's accusations. "It was Shadowflame who killed your father, and Smoke who killed your mother."
Scarlet let out a light chuckle and said, "Don't you know anything, little filly? That thing standing next to you, is a part of Shadowflame himself. Anyone in his blood line is a part is his soul. That's the curse he put upon his wives and children. They are all responsible."
"THAT'S NOT FAIR!" Nyx shouted with anger. "Teotle is the only one out of all his siblings who didn't want Shadowflame to come back."
Scarlet snarled and said, "You named it? What a waste of time."
"She didn't." Teotle remarked. "It was our mother, Frost, who gave me that name."
"Ridiculous." Said Scarlet. "Mother was forced to give you life. Why would she give such a name, if any, to a child she didn't want?"
Teotle's blood began to boil from Scarlet's words. "She gave that name to me out of love and hope." He said. "She believed that I could have a different destiny, unlike the one my father chose for me. That's why she sent me to equestria."
"Is that what she told you?" Asked Scarlet. "Did she really intend that for you, or did she simply want to forestall the ritual?"
"What does that mean?" Nyx asked. "Of course she did."
"No." Answered Scarlet. She meant for Teotle to die out here. She thought that if you went out into the world on your own, that you would be killed. Weather it be by the fangs and claws of a beast, or the sword and spear of these ponies you love so much."
Nyx and Teotle said nothing, but Scarlet could see on their faces that what they claim to know was wavering in their minds.
"Now do you understand?" Asked Scarlet. "My mother never loved you. The only reason she showed any kindness to you was to make it easier to kill you."
With those final words, Teotle yelled as loud as he could, "SHUT UP!" Ignoring Nyx's desperately calling out to calm down Teotle, his rage had drowned out her voice. The ground began to shake beneath his feat, the wind began to pick up speed, and dark clouds of shadow began to swirl in the sky.
With all this happening, however, Scarlet Rose didn't flinch. She just stared into Teotle's eyes as they began to turn blood red. After a good long while, she finally asked, "Do you want to kill me now?"
Teotle didn't reply. He pulled out his sword and pointed it his sister. It was the same red curved sword he forged with the help of his friend, Ironeye.
In response to this, Scarlet pulled a bow and arrow off from her back. She prepared an arrow and aimed it at Teotle, and with a wisp of wind, she made her shot. The arrow moved at unbelievable speed as it got closer and closer to Teotl's head.
However, Teotle made a quick and simple move with his arm to have his sword slice the arrow in half, from the head all the way down to the feathers. The two halves passed the sides of Teotle's face and hit the ground behind him.
"Not bad." commented scarlet, aiming another arrow at Nyx. "Lets see you try and block this."
She let the arrow fly, but before it could strike Nyx, a string magic began to radiate off the blue pearl on Teotle's sword. The magic moved in front of Nyx and stopped the arrow dead in its path and it fell to the ground.
None of them knew what just happened, but Scarlet didn't care. She tried to fire at them again, but her bow somehow fell limp like a piece rummer. "What the...?" She asked, before letting her bow fall to the ground.
Twilight and her friends appeared behind Nyx and Teotle to help them. Twilight called out to Teotle to try and calm him. It took a few good shouts, but her voice had finally reached his ears. His eyes changed back from red to blue and the air and ground began to calm down. Teotle put away his sword and looked back at Nyx, who was staring down at the arrow that was fired at her.
What was that magic that stopped the arrow? Where did it come from? Why was it in Teotle's sword? Nyx just wasn't sure. taking her attention off that, she looked at Teotle, who was back to normal, and gave him a relieved embrace.
Twilight looked at Scarlet Rose and asked, "Are you Teotle's sister?"
"Technically, we were born from the same mother. "Scarelet answered. "He, however, is not my brother."
"Why are you doing this?" Fluttershy asked.
"Shadowflame took everything from me and my people. I intend to get justice."
"Against someone who your mother died for?" Asked Applejack.
Scarlet said nothing. She through down a pellet on the ground that blew up into a smoke screen, alowing her to make a quick escape.
"Why that little..." Said Rainbowdash. She tried to go after Scarlet, but Teotle stopped her. "What are you doing?" She asked.
Teolte was silent until he was sure his sister was gone. He then said, "We'll see her again."
That night, Teotle sat on the window sill and stared outside, like almost every night now. He used to sleep peacefully with Nyx in their bed, but it seems, that Teotle has found himself in the same situation he's always in. But this time was worse. His sister wants him dead, and he is being led to believe that his mother, the one he loved so much, didn't love him back and wanted him dead.
"Teotle?" Nyx asked from her bed. "Can we talk?"
He jumped down from the window and sat down next to Nyx's side of the bed. "Yes?" He replied.
Nyx bit her lip before asking, "Are you afraid to sleep again?"
"No, Nyx, I'm just not tired."
"Your bad at lying." Nyx said, sitting up in her covers. "You have bags under your eyes."
Teolte sighed and said, "Well, maybe I'm a little exhausted. Today was kind of messed up."
"So much that you can't go to bed anymore?" Nyx asked
"I'm scared, Nyx." said Teotle. "My sister blames me for what happened to our mom, and she tried to kill us today."
"We'll work it out, together." Nyx protested.
Teotle shook his head and said, "I have to do this alone."
"Why?" Nyx asked.
"If you or anypony else get hurt, I won't be able to forgive myself for letting it happen."
"That won't happen, Teolte." Said Nyx. "I trust you to keep us all safe."
"How?" Teotle asked, beginning to shed a tear. "How can I protect you if I couldn't even save my mother?"
Just then, Twilight stepped in the conversation and said, "That wasn't your fault. Besides, she wanted to be reunited with her real husband."
"But..." Teotle said, only be to cut off by Spike, who had been listening from his basket.
"No, Teolte. You can't carry that weight. I know that for a fact."
"Teotle looked at all of them and realized that they were right. He wiped his eyes and said, "Ok, I trust you."
"We'll find a way. You, us and all our friends will do it." Said Twilight.
"Do you think you can sleep now?" Asked Nyx.
Teolte took a deep breath and said, "Sure." and crawled under the covers to lay next to Nyx.
The next day, Teotle, Nyx and Their friends were listening to Cheerilee give a lecture about division. Nyx would try to answer any questions that she would ask the class. Cheerilee, however, insisted on letting the other students get a turn.
Teotle tried to get in on the lecture, if only to show the others that he was more like them then their parents led them to believe. That, unfortunately, didn't happen. If anything, they thought he was just another book worm like Nyx.
word had already spread across town about the fight yesterday. They know what Teotle's rage was doing to the ground and sky, and have made up new rumors of him being a monster. Some of the citizens still believed that Teotle and Nyx were just misunderstood, thanks to Pinkiepie's influence. But that was only a small quantity of ponies.
Eventually, class was dismissed, and all the fillies and colts were playing outside. before joining his friends, Teotle handed Cheerilee his homework and put a fresh dab of oil in the joints of his prosthetic leg. The oil smelled a little different from yesterday, but he didn't think much of it.
He walked across the playground, catching a glimpse's of some students staring at him, to the swing set where Nyx and the cutiemark crusaders usually hang out.
"How're you doing?" Asked Applebloom.
"Ok." Teotle replied. "I'm still a little uncomfortable here though."
"We just need to prove that we can do good, like the princesses said." Said Nyx.
"How?" Teotle asked. "You hardly have any magic and I can't fight without losing control of my emotions, half the time."
"I'm sure you'll think of something." Said Twist. "What do you have to lose?"
Teotle huffed and said, "You don't want to know how many answers there are to that question."
Nyx made a frown and said, "Teotle..."
"LOOK OUT!" Shouted a student, running away from the playground, moments before two timber wolves appeared from the trees and began chasing everypony in the school. Cheerilee had burst from the door and led any stray students inside where it was safe. Watching from the swing set, Teotle scooted his friends into the bushes to hide while he took care of the wooden beats.
Teotle whistled loudly, getting the timber wolves attention. They both looked at him with glowing green eyes and splintery teeth. One of them charged at Teotle with full force. Teotle jumped over it, making it crash into the monkey bars.
The timber wolf scattered on the ground in pieces. The second one charged at him. This time, Teotle tried to pull out his sword. However, his prosthetic leg was frozen in place and couldn't move. It was as if the joints were glued shut.
The timber wolf tackled Teotle and tried to bight into him, but he was pushing it away with his left leg. As they sat their, the timber wolf pulled itself closer to Teotle's face. It was about to bite into his flesh when Nyx pulled Teotle's sword out of it's
Nyx, on the other hand, didn't give the sword to him. She just said, "Teotle, move out of the way."
Teotle looked behind him and saw the timber wolf getting back up. He looked back at Nyx and understood what she was going to do. He jumped aside and watched as Nyx channeled her magic into the sword. The blue pearl on the handle glowed again, Just like yesterday when Scarlet shot an arrow at Nyx. She swung the sword and a beam of light shot out of the blade and slashed the timber wolf in half.
After Cheerilee did a head count of the students, she concluded, "Ok, nopony was hurt. That's the good news."
The students looked at each other with confusion. One of them asked, "What's the bad news?"
Cheerilee's smile drooped down as she said, "The bad news is somepony put another student in danger. After Teotle showed me his metal leg, I saw that sand had been poured into his bottle of oil and stopped his joints."
Cheerilee didn't bother trying to find out who did it. She just said, "I've noticed that a large majority of you fillies and colts don't like Teotle. I also know that you have been staring and gosoping about him and Nyx. That's why I have decided to let him decide how to approach this matter."
She looked at Teotle, who was just as surprised as the other students. He didn't know what to do but say the truth. "I don't really know who would do this, but I don't care. I know you don't like me, and that's just fine. For a long time, nobody ever did. My mother sent me to equestria to live a good and happy life, but everywhere I went, when I offered friendship, you all spat in my face."
The students watched and listened intently as Teotle went on, "I don't mind you thinking badly of me, but what ever you do, don't do anything that puts my friends in danger. In all my life, before I met Nyx and the cutiemark crusaders, I never did a thing worth doing. I'll be condemned before I can't do good. I know My people have done all kinds of wrong my your kingdom. But if you'll let me, I'd like to do one thing right, protect you from our mistakes."
It's been three days since the timberwolf attack on the school. Teotle had found some cages out in woods by the school. The doors were opened by ropes that were hooked onto pullies high up in the trees.
Someone had planted the timberwolves to attack the students during recess. All they had to do was sit in the trees and pull the rope to let the beasts out of their cages.
He had reason to believe that Scarlet did the deed, but he didn't want to think too badly of her. He told Twilight, who had sent a letter to Celestia, and she said that he should oil his leg when he's at the library.
He and Nyx had just left school and went with their friends to Sweet Apple Acres to hang out in the club house. Applebloom was in behind the desk listing what she, Sweetiebelle and Scootaloo have already tried in the attempt to get their cutiemarks.
They then began to list the things they haven't tried. Based on what they like and don't like, they narrowed it down to three things they wanted to try that day. Applebloom wanted to try potion making with Zecora. Sweetiebelle wanted to try making fancy hats. And Scootaloo wanted to try swimming in the lake. The meeting was adjourned and they went off to their first quest.
When they reached Zecora's house, they knocked on the door. When Zecora answered, they all said, "Hello."
Zecora smiled and said, "Good day friends, have you come to find your cutiemark search's end?"
"Yep." replied Applebloom. "We want to try getting cutiemarks in potion making."
"Well you've come to the right place." Said Zecora. "For my day has plenty of space."
Zecora let them inside and began to gather the necessary materials needed for the task at hoof. She grabbed empty bottles, ingredients mixing bowls and some recopies. Teotle and the fillies sat there waiting during the midst of this until she was done. She then put everything down on the floor in front of them.
"A potion we shall prepare is to be made with care." Said Zecora. "These special items you will mix, and await for the amazing tricks. Your eyes will change like clouds in the sky, and become that of a fly."
Applebloom spoke up and said, "I know this potion from before, so I'll go first." She then put the ingredients in the bowl accordingly to the recipe. When she was done, the potion turned a glowing green color. She took a sip of her potion and with a poof of smoke, she had insect eyes.
"Cool." Teotle commented.
They continued to make potions for a while, occasionally having small disasters such as explosions, fires, and mutations. But Zecora always knew what to do to fix their messes. Nyx took a few notes on some of the potions in a note pad she uses for school notes. she thought it would come in handy some time.
In spite of the time they spent, however, neither of them got a cutiemark. They said goodbye to Zecora and went off to try Sweetiebelles idea of making hats. They went to Rarity's house and browsed through used fabric that she doesn't use, picked their favorite designs and got some hat patterns from Rarity's filing cabinet.
It took them a while, but eventually they finished their own hats. Sweetiebelle made a beret with a black felt facoric. It was a bit patchy and sone of the stitching was loose, but she like it all the same. Applebloom made a cowboy hat, like Applejack's, out of some worn out leather. Scootloo made a baseball cap with the Cutiemark Crusaders symbol on it.
Twist made a sock hat that was colored with red and blue stripes, like her twisted candy sticks. Nyx made a blue fedora with a black feather on the side. Teotle made a black top hat with a red ribbon on the base, and a brass gar on the front.
They were all proud of what they made. But, yet again, neither Applebloom, Scootaloo or Sweetiebelle got a cutiemark. So they tried Scootaloo's idea of swimming at the lake.
Pinkiepie volunteered to be their instructor, but that offered little help. They lost sight of their goal and just started playing games until late in the after noon, and not even that got them a cutiemark.
"Well shoot." Applebloom said. "We spent all day and didn't get anywhere."
"There's always tomorrow." Said Nyx.
"You say that, but tomorow never comes." Scootaloo said.
"Not true." Teotle said. "We did rule out some things today. Now we can try other things tomorrow."
"I guess your right, Teotle." Said Sweetiebelle in a nervous tone. "Say, how are you feeling about yesterday, Teotle?"
Teotle sighed and said, "You mean when my sister tried to kill me and Nyx?"
"Yeah." Applebloom replied. "You seemed pretty upset about the whole thing."
"I'm fine, girls. I just need time to think." Teotle said, not even sure of himself.
"Well, maybe you should stop all this thinking and do something." Said Twist.
"Twist, ..." Said Teotle, hesitantly. "She told me that our mother never loved me, and that I was supposed to die when she sent me here. How am I supposed to respond rationally without thinking it through?"
"But she did love you." Said Scootaloo. "You know that for a fact. She even told you that she loved you before she died."
"I know." Said Teotle. "But, then again, she told me a lot of things."
It was late at night at the library, and everpony was asleep in bed. Teotle lay next to Nyx in their bed when his sword began to glow from the other side of the bedroom. A beam of light slithered from the sword and slowly made its way to Teotle. When it was close enough, it entered his ear and into his dreams.
He was dreaming about he and his friends playing in the park when all of a sudden, he found himself in a mysterious dark void. "Hello?" He called out.
Just then, a bright light appeared from the other side of the room. Slithering like a snake, the light came from the blue pearl on Teotle's sword and made it's way to the bed where he and Nyx lay asleep.
The light crawled up to Teotle, entered his ear, and into his dreams. He was dreaming about playing with his friends in the park when the light wrapped around him and took his to a place far in the back of his mind. Teotle watched as Stars and planets swept across the sky. It was as if he stood in the middle of the galaxy its self.
"Hello?" Teotle called out.
A moment later, a wolf with a red coat had arrived, holding a bow and arrow like the one Scarlet Rose carried. "It is good to finally meet you, son." He said.
It didn't take Teotle long to realize who he was. "Crimson Arrow?"
"Yes, and I'm not alone." he replied, pointing at Frost, who stood behind Teotle.
He turned to look at her and froze. Teotle's mind was racing. How and why were they in his dream? "Mom?" He asked.
"Yes, its me." Frost said.
Teotle ran up to her and gave her a long waited hug. "How did you two get here, and where is here?"
"We are in the purgatory realm." Answered Frost. "This is there place between the Celestial plain and the world of the living. We brought you here using the stone Ironeye gave you to put on your sword before the battle in the wolf fortress."
Teotle cocked his head and asked, "How can a stone do this?"
"That stone is a relic, passed down through generations of necromancers."
"Necromancers?" Teotle asked.
Crimson Arrow nodded and explained "They are people who can summon and channel spiritual energy, cast extraordinary spells, and even communicate with the dead. Many of them defy the laws of science and nature itself."
"Shadowflame was once a philosopher who lived in a nearby village in our land."
"Village?" Teotle asked. "I didn't know we had villages."
"We don't, not anymore." Answered Frost. "There was a time when we had villages all across the land, filled with families, trade centers, and even schools filled with young necromancers. Shadowflame destroyed them all for their resources, and their women."
"With every village he leached dry, he would take a woman to be his wife, Including your mother. You know the rest after that."
"How did Shadowflame end up being evil?"
They both looked at each other, debating on weather or not to tell him. "That is for another time." Answered Frost. "But right now, you need to listen. Your sister, Scarlet Rose, is planning to attack you and Nyx again. It will take you both to stop her.
"How?" Asked Teotle. "Nyx lost all her magic. She can't fight anymore."
"You need to teach Nyx to be a Necromancer." Replied Arrow.
"In order to do that, you will need to bring her here for us to train the two of you." Frost continued.
"I don't even know how I got here." Said Teotle. "How do I get Nyx here?"
"Did Nyx touch your sword?" Asked Frost.
"Yeah, she used it to help me fight some timber wolves. Why?" Teotle replied.
"All living things radiate spiritual energy. If Nyx touched the sword, then some of her spirit energy has conducted into the stone. It is now in tune with her soul. With that being said, all we need to do is summon her here."
Just then, Nyx appeared among them in a daze.
"Where am I?" She asked. "I was dreaming of being on a sail boat before I got here."
"Teotle explained the plan to Nyx. He told her where they are, why they were there, and what they had to do. Nyx was hesitant, but she eventually have an approving nod.
"Good." Arrow announced. "Because training starts now."
Parade of teeth and claws
Over the past few nights, Teotle had been teaching Nyx how to be a necromancer. She was slow at first, but eventually she began to understand the concept of the technique. Frost and Crimson Arrow guided them both every step of the way, correcting Teotle when he told Nyx the wrong step to make.
In the day after school, they would practice the new spells they learned on plants and animals, after getting Fluttershy's permission of course. Twilight was hesitant to let them go through with letting Nyx fight, but she eventually came to terms with it.
One Saturday morning, after a full night of training, they and their friends decided to go to Sugar cube corner, where they helped Mr and Mrs Cake with some baking. Pinkiepie would occationally stop them either before adding too much baking soda, or putting too much frosting on top the cake when decorating it.
One time, Teotle put too much yeast in the cake mix and the batter over flowed in the oven. After cleaning it up, he went and put the other cakes they made on display for the costomers to see. But before he could sell any, he saw a manticore running down the street outside.
Without saying a word, he ran to get Nyx, grabbed her by the hoof and dragged her outside. She tried to protest before finally seeing the beast for herself. She then stopped struggling and followed Teotle in pursuit of the manticore.
Once they caught up to it, they channeled their spiritual energy to make chains which were then used to bind the manticore's back legs. That, however, did little to stop it. It used It's claws to cut through the magical chains and continued down the road through town.
"What now?" Asked Nyx.
"If we can't tie it up, we chase it away." Teotle replied. "I'll lure it to the edge of town, while you get my sword from the library."
Nyx nodded and turned toward the library. Teotle ran ahead of the manticore and jumped in front of it to get it's attention. With the manticore's eyes now locked on to Teotle, it attempted to slash at him with its claws and sting him with its scorpion tail.
Teotle dodged and avoided almost every attack with little injury. He did, however, get three large gashes that ran down his back. When he gained the will to endure the pain, he ran down the road that led to the edge of ponyville, where Nyx had been waiting with the sword.
She channeled some of her energy into the sword and passed it to Teotle so he could do the same. When the sword began to glow, Teotle prepared to swing toward to approaching manticore. He used all the energy they put into the sword for one amplified swing, which knocked the manticore on its back with a visible cut on its chest.
When the beast stood back up, still in shock from their attack, looked at the cut and then at Teotle and Nyx. And without hesitating, it spread it's wings and flew back in to the Everfree Forest.
Teotle put his sword back in its sheath and gave Nyx a fist pump and they went back into town, where their friends and all the citizens who saw the fight waited for them. When the two arrived, they all let out a cheer. It was a small group of ponies, but it was it was good enough for Nyx and Teotle to feel accomplished.
That, however, was put to a stop when somepony shouted out, "FOOLS!"
Everypony turned to face the source of the shout and saw Stonewall, one of the royal guards and lead members of the children of nightmare. "Do you not remember who you are cheering for?" He asked, pointing a hoof at Nyx and Teotle. "That is Nightmare Moon and Shadowflame. They are the most hated enemies in all of Equestria. They both tried to plunge the world in darkness."
Everypony looked at each other, wispering to each other. It was true what Stonewall said. They were those people. "Exactly." He said. "Don't give praise to these monsters."
"ENOUGH!" Shouted Filthy Rich, who had come out of hiding in a nearby shop.
"Enough?" Asked Stonewall. They have..."
"I know perfectly what they did, along with what you and I have done." Rich answered.
"What do you mean by you and I?" Asked Stonewall. "I don't know about you, but I've done nothing wrong."
"That's a lie. You and I once served Nightmaremoon. You were one of her most loyal servants." Said Rich.
The crowed looked at Stonewall with disbelief. He then said, "It was against my will. I was under that things spell."
"Nyx is not a thing." Scootaloo protested.
Stonewall glared down at Scootaloo. He walked up to her to try and scold her, but before he could strike a hoof at her, Teotle jumped in front of him and held his sword tight in his hands.
"Are you really willing to hit a filly in front of everypony?"
Stonewall looked around in the crowed, who had been staring at him the whole time. He then looked back at Teotle and asked, "You know nothing of courage. you hide behind others to protect yourself. That is what a person would call a coward."
Teotle smiled and asked, "If I'm a coward, then why hit a kid? Where were you when the manticore was here?"
Stonewall's gritted his teeth. "We don't need you here. If you were to die, no one would care."
"I would." Said a pony in the crowed. "He saved my life."
"So would I." said another, and another. Eventually everypony in the crowed had something to say against Stonewalls words.
Stonewall scoffed and said, "Idiots, You don't know what your talking about."
He then walked out of the crowed and down the street.
Rich walked up to Nyx and Teolte and asked, "Are you two ok?"
"Yeah." answered Nyx. "We kind of get that a lot at school."
"Well, I hope that changes." Rich added, thoughtfully.
"It will." Said Teotle. "I'm sure of it."
Teotle and Nyx told Twilight what happened that day with the manticore. Twilight wasn't sure what to think of it, other than it being very dangerous. But this was the message they've been waiting to give to Equestria. She and Spike sent a letter to Celestia and Luna, a few days later, they gathered to put the plan together.
The princesses made the announcement to their subjects that Teotle and Nyx were going with them to Canterlot to allegedly stay in the dungeon. Almost everypony was more than pleased to hear it. The Cutiemark Crusaders were briefed on the plan to keep them from protesting.
When they arrived to Canterlot, Nyx and Teotle were shown to their room where they will be staying until the next part of their plan. The room was simple, a few book shelves on the all, Two small beds by the window, a closet, and a bathroom.
"Not so bad." Teotle commented.
"What did you expect?" Luna asked.
"I didn't know we'd get a bathroom." replied Teotle.
"This room will be your home for the time being." Said Celestia. "However, you mustn't go anywhere else in the castle. Only a few staff members know our plan, and we'd like to keep it that way."
"What happens if somepony goes to the dungeon and we're not there?"m Asked Nyx.
"We have made the announcement that there are not to be visitors." Luna answered. "Twilight and your friends, however, can come any time they wish."
"What if my sister tries to attack ponyville again?" Asked Teotle.
Celestia then replied, "We have sent royal guards to watch over the town, in the event she does try something. We have it under control."
Meanwhile
In the Everfree Forest, Scarlet Rose prepared for her next move against her brother, Teotle. She sat in a camp she set up in a clearing. The camp had a tent made out of some sticks and a tarp, a fire pit, some logs to sit on, and a some fruit she gathered from the trees.
She sharpened her arrows and adjusted the string on her bow when a voice appeared. "Hello, child." It sounded like it came from close by, but when she looked around, she saw no one.
The voice had a dry, ashy feel to it, as if the persons lungs were set a blaze. Scarlet readied her bow and arrow when the voice came back and said, "Don't be afraid, I'm a friend."
"Who are you?" She asked.
"I am the one who speaks inside your head." Said the voice. "The one who has secretly helped push you forward to your goal." a ball of smoke appeared from the shadows and took the form of a wolf skeleton. It was Shadowflame, himself.
Scarlet gritted her teeth and shouted, "YOU!" She aimed at Shadowflame him in the head. The arrow, however, passed through him like he was nothing.
He shook his head and said, "You can't hurt me, for I have no form, not yet."
"I'll make sure you never have one." Scarlet growled.
"You misunderstand, my dear. I'm not here with an evil plot." Said Shadowflame. "I have come to repent for my sins, to fix my mistakes."
"How?" Asked Scarlet, raising an eyebrow.
Shadowflame frowned and said, "My children are one of my greatest blunders I've ever spawned. I stole women from their homes and families to create them, including your mother. They are monsters that must be destroyed."
Scarlet sighed and said, "I'm with you there. One of them killed her before I could return home to save her."
"I am sorry for that." Shadowflame said sympathetically. "I wish I could take it all back."
"Why should I believe you?" Asked Scarlet. "You killed my father."
"I know, he was a good person, and a good fighter. I see you caught up with his teachings." Shadowflame extended his paw to her and said, "let me make it right by you. Let me give you what power I have left."
Scarlet was hesitant. She wanted Teotle dead, but she wasn't able to do it on her own. She knew this all too well. If she wanted to do it, she needed help. She shook Shadowflame's paw in agreement, and like that, his ghostly form entered her body. As he entered, Scarlet felt herself change. She felt stronger, powerful, and more angry than ever before. She was ready.
All had been silent in Ponyville since the manticore attack. Nyx and Teotle's friends missed them as they went about their days. Twilight and Spike felt that the library was a little but empty without the running and laughter of Nyx and Teotle.
During the past few weeks they spent in the secret room, the young filly and cub studied, read stories to each other, and drew pictures in Teotle's sketch book. It wasn't much to work with, but they were entertained regardless.
One afternoon, a knock came from the door, but when it opened, it wasn't a staff member. It was Nyx's aunt and uncle, Cadance and Shining Armor. She smiled as she saw them walk in, ran to then and gave them both a big hug. Teotyle however, was dumbfounded. He hadn't met them yet due to the circumstances of trying to find his sister. He had heard of them and received letters, but had never seen them in person.
Nyx took notice to this and introduced them to Teotle. She then asked them, "What are you doing here?"
Cadance closed the door behind them and said, "Well, we heard of your plan from Twilight, and wanted to see how you were doing." She then looked at Teoltle and asked, "Who is this little guy? Is he Teotle?"
Nyx nodded and said, "Uh huh, that's him."
Teotle smiled and said, "Hi, nice to meat you."
"So..." Shining Armor said, Rubbing the top of Teotle's head. "Your the one Nyx told us so much about?"
"Yep." Teoltle said proudly.
"And your friends with Twilight and her friends?" Cadance asked.
Teotle's smile grew as he replied, "And then some. Me and Nyx are friends with the Cutiemark Crusaders."
"So we've heard." Said Shining Armor. By the way, we have something for you." Shining Armor was wearing a pair of saddle bags. He reached inside the left bag with his magic and pulled out a poorly wrapped present. When they opened it, they pulled out two crusader capes from their friends. when Nyx and Teotle took their capes, they found a note at the bottom of the box..
Nyx read it out loud, "Hey guys, it's Applebloom, Sweetiebelle, Scootaloo, and Twist. We hope your doing well at Canterlot and are not too bored. Twilight and the others miss you a lot. Cheerilee's class has been dull without you here. We've also been trying new ways to get our cutiemarks. We haven't gotten anywhere though. Hopfully, your capes will help you remember us. We even made one for Teotle to make him a crusader. Hope to see you soon. Your friends."
The letter made the two of them smile. They put on their capes and showed them off to Cadance and Shining Armor. "That's pretty cool." Said Cadance.
"Yeah." Shining Armor added. "Say, Teotle?"
Teotle turned to face him and asked, "Yes?"
"Twilight told me about how you and Nyx fought a manticore back in ponyville. Have you ever considered joining the royal guard?"
Teotle and Nyx looked at each other and then back at Shining Armor. "Why?" Teotle asked.
"Well..." Shining Armor replied. "I heard that Nyx's cutiemark represents how she is meant to protect the ponies around her, and you two have been training together to use your magic to fight. So why not join the academy for the royal guard?" With your kind of skill, you could graduate in just a few years."
"I don't know." Said Nyx. "How will anypony trust us after..."
"Pay no mind to that." Shining armor interjected. "I'm captain of the royal guard. I can pull some strings and call in a few favors."
"Shining..." Cadance protested with clenched teeth. "We didn't come here for that."
"It's ok." Teotle replied. "We'll think about it. Why did you come here though?"
"We're here to tell you whats been going on these past few days." Cadance answered. "its about your sister, Teotle. She's hasn't been spotted in over a week. No attacks on the citizens, no sightings of her presents, nothing. We have reason to believe she's planning something big."
"Like what?" Nyx asked.
"We don't know." Said Shining Armor. "Just be ready to be called out to action when it happens."
Just then, one of the staff members barged into the room with a disturbed look on her face. "Princess Cadance and Shining Armor, Celestia and Luna want you to bring the children to the throne room now."
Attack on Canterlot
Cadance and Shining Armor took Nyx and Teotle to see Celestia and Luna in the throne room after the staff told them of an emergency. when they arrived, the sisters were dressed in armor. Celestia wore bright gold armor, while Luna's Armor was black as the night sky.
"Why the armor?" Teotle asked.
The sisters looked at them with bold expressions, but Teotle could tell in their eyes that they were afraid. "It is your sister, Teotle." Luna replied. "She has become the host of your blood father, Shadowflame."
They all looked at the sisters with disbelief, how could Shadowflame posses someone other than his children? wasn't the hosst supposed to have his power in order to be possessed?
Celestia then said, "She has collected an army of slaves from the Everfree Forest. She has recruited birds, beast, and even the trees have been taken by his will to dominate."
"How can that happen?" Nyx asked. "don't you need to have all of his power to...?"
"Its more complicated than that, Nyx." Teotle interrupted. "It's true that someone could become a vessel for his soul by having his power, but that's only because his power is twisted and evil. With each drop of his power, the person will be more easy for him to control. However, there is another way for him to posses someone. They would have to say yes."
"Say yes?" Celestia asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Uh huh." Teotle replied. "They would have to say the yes to his offer. The offer for him to make them stronger. My mother told me of that trick. All Shadowflame has to do is get the person to say yes to his offer and they will become a slave to his soul."
"I see." Celestia remarked.
"Scarlet Rose must have made a deal with Shadowflame to give her some of his power." Said Luna.
"That still doesn't explain how he could contact her." Said Celestia. "He couldn't have a physical form until he possessed her."
"Is that important?" Teotle asked, forging a suit of armor with his magic and spirit energy. "Because I think we need to focus on the situation at hand."
Nyx made some armor for herself and said, "I agree."
Celesta nodded and allowed Cadance and Shining armor to get their own armor on. Both Teotle and Nyx had see througb armor. Teotle's armor had a bright blue aura of blue flame, like his magic. Nyx's had a bright crystal aura to it, like a star in the night sky. Cadance wore a sut of silver armor with pink finish. shining armor wore a suit of gold armor with dark blue finish.
Everypony was suited up for battle when they went outside to the streets, with royal guards behind them.
"Is everypony ready?" Asked Celestia.
"Yeah." Teotle replied. "Just remember, the more life he takes from living things, the stronger he becomes."
"How do we defeat his forces?" Asked Luna.
"We don't want to hurt them, they are still alive inside. Restrain them if you can, keep them busy if need be. Me and Nyx will take out my sister."
Celestia then began to direct the royal guards. Shining armor and Cadance were to lead the citizens to safety while she and Luna would fight off Shadowflame's slaves and try to clear a path for Nyx and Teotle to free Scarlet Rose.
As the battle went on, mares and colts were darting down the street to the castle gates, escorted by the royal guard. Monsters such as Hydras, timberwolves, Manticores, Ursa's, and even peaceful animals of the forest were charging after the citizens of Canterlot.
Teotle and Nyx fought their way through the horde of enemies until they finally found Scarlet. She has a black aura blazing around her. She looked as if she had lost a fight with a forest fire with burns that went all the way down to the bone. Her body was slowly decaying as Shadowflame's grip on her grew tighter.
"SCARLET!" Teotle yelled, hoping to somehow wake her up from her possession. When that didn't work, he held his sword aloft and said, "It doesn't have to be like this."
"Oh, but it does." Scarlet replied. Her voice didn't sound like her own. It was over lapped by Shadowflame's brunt charcoal like voice. It sounded like nails on a chalk board, and it brought a tear in Teotle's eye. Scarlet continued and said, "I've waited a long time for this moment. I will not be denied my revenge for my mother and father."
"IT WASN'T HIS FAULT!" Nyx shouted in anger. "Do you really think your parents would want you to attack Canterlot and add to the body count?"
Scarlet snarled and replied, "They would want our people to be safe. They would want Shadowflame and his conspirators stopped in their tracks."
"You don't know that." Teotle argued.
"Do you?" Scarlet growled. She took out her bow and arrow and prepared to aim. She then whispered, "Prove it."
Teotle lay on the ground, still crippled by the arrow in his hind leg. Scarlet stood in there, staring down at him in disappointment.
"Why?" She asked. "Why would a monster like you, a hell hound, do something so stupid?"
Teotle answered, "There is nothing stupid about protecting a friend."
"Hmm, where was that sentiment when our mother was dying?" Scarlet asked bitterly.
"I wanted to save her." Teotle replied. "But she didn't want that. She wanted to be with our father."
Scarlet said nothing. She only stared at him with disbelief as he struggled to get the arrow out of his leg. Eventually, she decided to do it herself. She yanked the arrow out, not caring about how much Teotle screamed. Once the arrow was all the way out, she healed him with her dark magic.
Teotle then asked, "Why are you..."
"Spare me your words, hellhound. I'm only making this a fair fight." Scarlet replied as she finished treating Teotle. "Get up, it's time to finish this."
"I refuse to fight you." Teotle argued, dropping his sword. "No matter how much you hate me, no matter badly you want to kill me, I still love you as a sister."
Scarlet clenched her teeth and said, "Fine, then I'll just kill you now." She raised aimed her bow at Teoltle's head and made her shot. However, the arrow didn't hit it's mark, it just dissolved into a flash of light. She shot another arrow, but the result was the same. How could this be? Was it some spell that Teotle was casting? How did he do it?
A familiar voice appeared and called out, "Scarlet, my daughter." Scarlet looked around and saw no one. Before she could ask who it was, a flash of light appeared next to Teotle . The light came from Teotle's sword, which began to glow brighter with each passing moment. The light began to flow out of the sword, split into two pieces and take on physical shapes. Shapes that both Teotle and Scarlet knew very well.
"Mother? Father?" They both asked together.
"Yes, children." Replied Frost. "Its us."
"Have you come here to help me?" Asked Scarlet.
"Yes." answered Crimson Arrow. "But not in the way you expect."
Meanwhile, Nyx ran to where the light was coming from, with the princesses and Shining Armor right behind her. All of the monsters under Shadowflames control have been restrained and were being watched by the royal guards. When they arrived, they saw Teotle and Scarlet with their parents standing in front of them. Crimson Arrow was holding a black sphere in his paw. It was Shadowflame's soul.
"What's happening?" Asked Celestia.
Frost and Crimson Arrow turned to face the princesses as they watched them from a distance. "We saved our children." Frost answered.
Just then, a Stonewall approached from down the street where the monsters were being held. "Princesses, the monsters, they... They've turned back to normal."
"That's because Shadowflame has no more control over them." Crimson Arrow explained. "Without him, they have returned to their old selves."
"How did you two get here?" Asked Luna. "We all thought you were dead."
"We are." Answered Frost. "The blue pearl in Teotle's sword acts as a gateway between purgatory and the world of the living. We used it to come and end Shadowflame's schemes."
"But I thought it only allowed me and Nyx to visit you in our dreams." Said Teotle. "How is this possible?"
"We can enter your world with the pearl's magic, but only for a short while, and there's a catch." Frost explained. "After this visit, the pearl will lose all its power and you won't be able to enter purgatory again, unless you die."
Scarlet's eyes widened as she protested, "No, No, you can't just leave us like this, not again."
"I'm sorry for this, Scarlet, but it's already done." Said Crimson Arrow. "We wanted to come here as a last resort, if Teotle didn't find the strength to fight you."
"But why?" Why would you do this to save him? He killed mother and..."
"No, Scarlet." Frost interrupted. "I gave my life to save his when his aunt, Smoke, tried to kill him. It was my choice."
"But he could have healed you." Scarlet cried. "He has the power of Resurrection. He could have..."
"Yes, he could have saved me, but his place was never with me, it was with Nyx and her friends in ponyville." Frost explained. "The same goes for, my daughter. You two are family, you must stay together. Besides, my place is by your father's side, watching over you from the next life."
"But...I..."
Frost put her paw onto Scarlet's head, scratching behind her ears, like she did when she was still a cub. She then, joined Crimson Arrow in giving her and Teotle a loving embrace. "Nyx." Frost said, holding her paw out to the filly to have her join them."
Nyx entered the group hug and the two parents squeezed them as warm and tight as they could, as if it would be their last meeting for a long time, it however would not be the end. No, it was just the beginning.
After the monsters were taken back to the Everfree Forest, the princesses ordered the royal guard to accompany the citizens back to their homes. Twilight and her friends arrived to Canterlot to try and help repair any damages caused by the invasion. When they finally finished recovering, they convened to the royal throne room, where they planned to decide what to do with Scarlet Rose.
After they were all gathered, Scarlet Rose stood before the princesses and said, "I know that what I've done is inexcusable. My sins will haunt me throughout the days of my life. I will accept any punishment you have for me."
"The princesses looked at each other and nodded in agreement. Celestia then said, "That will not be necessary."
Scarlet looked at them in confusion and asked, "What?"
"According to what Teotle told us before this our gathering here, you came into contact with traces of Shadowflame's power before committing the crimes you are accused of." answered Luna
"How?" Scarlet asked.
"Have you been anywhere near the wolf fortress?" Asked Cadance.
"Yes." Scarlet replied. "I went there to try and kill Teotle before the final battle in the arena, but by the time I got there, it was over, that's where I heard of our mother's death."
"We have obtained reports by the wolf scouts from your homeland that the remaining traces of Shadowflame's power, from Teotle's dismembered leg, had disappeared a short while after they used them to track him down to ponyville. Teotle believes that those trances somehow found their way to you while you were at the fortress." Said Celestia. "Did you find anything unusual while you were there?"
"Yeah, now that you mention it." Scarlet said, "I jumped one of the scouts who was on there way to consult with Sister Cut Throat. The had dark sphere in there saddle bags. It burned my paw when I pulled it out of the bag, and it evaporated in an instant."
The princesses looked back at each other, and then back at Scarlet. Celestia then said, "That's because it entered your body. That sphere was the traces from Teotle's missing leg. That would mean that you were being manipulated by Shadowfame's element of wrath. It would also explain how he was able to possess you."
Scarlet looked back at Teotle, who was standing next to Nyx and Twilight on the right side of the room. "Is this true?" She asked.
Teotle smiled and said, "Yes, which also means that everything you did to hurt everyone wasn't your fault. It was Shadowflame's doing."
"But it wasn't just him." Scarlet argued. "I made a deal with him in the Everfree Forest. He said he would help me..."
"Did you have his power inside you back then?" Teotle asked.
Scarlet nodded and said, "Yeah, but..."
"Then what's there to talk about?" Teotle interrupted. "Stop blaming yourself."
Scarlet looked around the room at everyone who had gathered in the throne room. They all had assuring faces, however, it did little to comfort her. She felt that it was her fault, the things she's done, the things she said, and yet they all say otherwise.
Celestia then gently said, "Scarlet, you have been through enough already. The death of your parents, being possessed my a dark evil, and almost losing your brother have been plenty of punishment for what you did. allow yourself to find peace, not just for your sake, but for Teotle's as well."
"How will I find peace?" Scarlet asked. "Where should I start?"
"Start by making a relationship with your brother." Luna replied "Try living near by and be there when he needs you."
Scarlet looked back at Teotle, who had an excited expression at the thought of having her live close by. She then said, "Ok, I'll start from there."
Teotle then gave a jump in the air and ran over to Scarlet to give her a high paw.
Shining Armor then walked over to Teotle and said, "By the way, I still didn't get an answer about you and Nyx joining the royal guard. Given the circumstance, and the things you two can do, I think they could really use you."
Teotle looked at Nyx to see what she thought, and with that, she said, "You know, that's actually not a bad idea. But, at the moment, our place it at ponyville. Can we have a raincheck on that offer, at least until we graduate school?"
Shining Armor gave an approving smile and answered, "Yeah, of course you should finish school."
"What do you think, Twilight?" Nyx asked.
Twilight was surprised to hear the idea of her daughter joining the royal guard, her mouth was still dropped from when the conversation began. She pushed her jaw back in place and said, "Yeah, lets wait a while before we make it official."
A few days later, after everything was fixed up and back to normal, Teotle and Nyx prepared to for their day at school. They were about to leave the front door to to the library when Scarlet, who had just moved in, stopped them and said, "Hold on."
"Yeah?" Teolte replied.
Scarlet hesitated before continuing, "I wanted to say sorry for what said about you. I now know that mom loved both of us."
Teotle smiled and said, "Already forgiven. I know she didn't intend on having me, but she still loved me. She saved my life when she sent me away fro home."
"How?" Nyx asked, entering the conversation.
"She had faith in the ponies in equestria to give me a life where I could not only survive, but where I could live as well." Teotle answered.
"Whats the difference?" Scarlet asked.
"Sister, you need to understand that just surviving isn't living. Why survive if you have nothing to live for?"
"I never thought about it that way." Scarlet replied.
"If you only care about survival, that's it." Teotle continued. "The bottom line becomes that there is no room for family or friends, no space for success, happiness, or meaning in general. If we all survived just for the sake of being alive, then we wouldn't get anywhere. We would be stuck in an infinite loop of hopelessness."
Nyx and Scarlet looked at each other and then back at teotle. "How do you know this?" They asked.
Teotle frowned and said, "Because Shadowflame did the same thing. After he got everything he wanted, the magic powers, the control, and the worshiping subjects, he didn't know what else to do but survive. He didn't know how to live."
"What could he have done to actually live?" Asked Twilight, who looked up from her book at the breakfast table.
"He should have used what he had for others, rather than himself." Teotle answered. "He used his power to benefit himself. He partook in self-indulgence, instead of friendship. As a result, there was hardly anyone who genuinely mourned for him. I actually feel sorry for him."
"Why?" Scarlet asked. "How could you feel sorry for Shadowflame after all he's done. Shouldn't you hate him?"
Teotle shook his head and said, "No, because he simply didn't know how to live a good life. He was miserable all his life. Not only do I have some of his power, but I also have some of his memories. Before he died, he split his soul into seven pieces, and each piece was channeled into the embryos of his children, me and my blood siblings."
"Really?" Nyx asked in shock.
"Yeah, pretty crazy." Said Teotle. "That's how Shadowflame's vessel was going to be chosen. whichever of his children survived the ritual and had all his power, would piece his soul back together would become him or her."
Scarlet raised an eyebrow and asked, "How come he didn't try to possess you and the other six until now? Why wait until all his power was in one body?"
"Well, that's because he wanted the strongest of his kids to fulfill the role. He wouldn't have accepted anything less. But after i stopped his plan and brought back all the other's back to life, He had no choice but to settle with you, Someone who didn't understand at the time."
"What does that say about you, Teotle?" Asked Spike, who had been feeding his phoenix, Peewee, at the time. "You came closer than anyone to having all the power. What stopped him from trying to possess you?"
"Who said he didn't try?" Teotle asked. "When Fracture submitted her power to me, and when I beheaded Brimstone, I felt more of his presents within me than ever before. He took me into the part of my soul where he dwells and offered me the chance to accept him fully. But when the time came, I refused."
"Wow." Everyone said together.
"That's amazing. Nyx commented.
"Yes well, you two are going to be late for school if you don't go now." Twilight said with a nervous smile.
"Ok, see you later." Teole said, leading Nyx out the door.
"Have fun, you two." Twilight said, bowing them a kiss for the road.
Back at Canterlot Castle, Celestia and Luna were consulting with the royal guard, who had just finished their report on the citizens and the current condition they were in.
"So, there have been no signs of injury among the citizens?" Celestia asked.
"No, your Majesty." Stonewall answered. "If anything, they were just frightened by the recent attack."
"I'll make sure to help them in that regard as they sleep tonight." Luna said reassuringly. "What of the school?"
"The school received little to no damage during the attack." Spell Nexus replied. "Anything and everything was immediately repaired the following day."
"That's a relief." Celestia replied. "The student's parents have trusted us to keep them safe as they learn. We would have been awful to break that trust with one attack."
"Your majesty, what of the ringleader of this attack?" Stonewall asked.
"What do you mean?" Celestia asked, raising an eyebrow. "We have already decided what needs to be done."
"Yes well, some of the citizens are talking among-st themselves, asking each other questions on weather or not she needed a more severe punishment." Stonewall said, trying to keep his composure. He knew that the princesses let Scarlet go with very little punishment. He himself began to question their judgement on the topic.
"They must understand that she was just a pawn that was being manipulated." Celestia answered. "I will have the Sargent make the announcement tomorrow, explaining everything we have learned of the situation."
"Your majesty, Flash Sentry acts like a child, and he just got his promotion a week ago." Stonewall protested while trying to be respectful, but doing a poor job of doing so.
"And we need to be realistic about the facts." Spell Nexus added. "The first wolf Twilight Sparkle found, Teotle, was born from an unnatural practice. That practice was performed by a long forgotten culture, outside of Equestria's jurisdiction, that we have just announced mutual piece two months ago."
Stonewall continued by saying, "And now have just allowed the war criminal, locally known as Scarlet Rose, to roam free in our lands scott free after she sent an army of currupted monsters yesterday, just to kill the wolf who brought this madness upon..."
"Enough." Celestia interrupted with a deep and firm tone, spreading her wings wide. "I already know the situation, I know that our subject's doubts toward those two, and toward Nyx. You two, and everyone else who deny them forgiveness, clearly don't know the things they have been through."
"Sister?" Luna asked nervously.
Celestia forced herself to calm down and said, "I'm sorry, Luna, but this has gone on long enough." She looked back at Nexus and Stonewall and continued, "Nyx, Teotle, and Scarlet Rose, all three of them, have lost almost everything to the mistakes of both our and the wolve's misdeeds. The children of nightmare took Nyx's innocence away when, not just they, but also you two, transformed her into Nightmare Moon. I do not deny that I have made my own mistakes to lead her down that road, and I certainly do not give her the blame for her past sins.
Nexus and Stonewall looked at her intently and bowed as low as they could.
"Get up." Celestia said, calmly continuing on. "Teotle and Scarlet are no different. Teotle's only real family was a mother who sent him away from home, and six siblings who wanted to kill him. Scarlet's father was executed before she ran away, to our country. Her village was destroyed and she and Teotle were orphaned at very young ages."
"Not only them, but the other children of Shadowflame's blood line were affected." Luna added. "They were taught at birth to fight and kill each other so they could eventually live a life that's not their own. These children that you're accusing of being dangerous are just victims, nothing more."
"Celestia then said, without any doubt that it was right, "Flash Sentry will make the announcement tomorrow, and when he does, this conversation, and all the rumors that have spread for almost two years, will be over and done."
Meanwhile, in Ponyville, Teotle and Nyx had returned home from school with big smiles on their faces.
"We're home." Teotle and Nyx said out loud.
"How was school today?" Twilight asked. "I know it's been a while. Did your friends miss you?"
"Today was good." Teotle answered. "Our friends and some of the class mates cheered when we walked in."
"Cheerilee was happy to see us." Nyx added. "She made sure were caught up with our studies."
"Are you?" said Twilight.
"Nyx is." Teotle replied. "I'm a little behind."
"We'll fix that tonight." Twilight said eagerly.
Teotle shuffled his feet around, looking embarrassed. Scarlet looked at him and said, "Hey, I didn't get a chance to ask you this earlier, what happened to your right paw?"
Teotle blushed and answered, "I had it caught in a rigged bear trap."
"Rigged?" Scarlet asked.
"Yeah." Teotle said. "It had an enchantment, so magic couldn't affect it. It also had been modified to be one way, so we couldn't ope nit manually."
"What did you do?" Scarlet continued.
"I chewed it off." Teotle said. "I made this synthetic by using a transfiguration spell on a tree sapling."
Scarlet raised a eyebow and asked, "And you just knew the mechanics on how to make a new leg?"
"I looked at an article in a catalog they had at the hospital." Teotle replied. "I just made a leg for myself based of a design that was made for ponies."
"Huh, not bad." Scarlet added. "I made my synthetic hind legs from trial and error models."
"How many models did you make?" questioned Nyx.
"I made five pairs of crappy legs before I made a working set with the ability to jump twenty feet i the air, and counting. I used Ironeyes workshop to forge all of them.
"Why did you need Synthetics in the first place?" Spike asked, Coming from upstairs.
Scarlet chuckled and said, "I never had any to begin with. I was born without hind legs. The cubs at school would call me Shuff, short for the word, shuffle."
'What happened after you got your legs?" Nyx asked.
Scarlet smiled and said, "They started calling me Spring Step."
They laughed for a while until Twilight said, "Ok, Scarlet, you're goinf to be late if you keep staling."
"I'm not staling." Scarlet protested. "I'm just having a nice talk with my brother and friends. But you're right, I need to go. I'll see you later." She waved to Nyx, Teotle and Spike, grabbed her new saddle bags and went out the door for her first day of school in years. An from that moment, Teotle knew that his lost sibling had been found.
The end
Cheerilee had finished her lecture on the days topic and sent the students outside for recess. Nyx and her friends went to the swing set while Teotle stayed to talk with Cheerilee for a little bit.
"What do you think?" Cheerilee asked. "Did you understand today's lesson?"
Teotle nodded and said, "Yeah, no problem. I just..." He didn't want to finish his sentence.
"Whats wrong?" Cheerilee asked.
Teotle didn't want to say anything about his classmates. He thought that if he told her about them staring at him, she would try to step in and make the problem worse. "It's nothing." He said.
Cheerilee knew that he was lying, but she had a feeling that he would tell her eventually. "Ok, Teotle. Just remember, If you need somepony to talk to, you can always count on me."
Teotle smiled and said, "Thanks you."
Cheerilee sent Teotle outside to join the others, but when he walked over to the play ground, everypony stopped their games and stared at him. This made him feel nervous again. He walked over to the swing set, where Nyx and the others were playing.
Applebloom took notice at the stares he was getting and shouted, "WHAT ARE YOU STARING AT?!"
Nopony said anything. They just looked away and continued their games. Applebloom turned to look at Teotle, who suddenly clung to Nyx as if he hadn't seen her for years. Tears fell from his eyes as he held her in tight embrace.
"Its ok, Teotle." Applebloom said, putting a hoof on his shoulder.
"Yeah." Sweetiebelle added. "Those guys don't know you like we do."
Teotle started to hyperventilate, still holding on to Nyx, his thoughts began to race. He couldn't help but think of how far the scorn would go. What would they all do to him other than stare? Would they hurt him? How would they hurt him? Would they strike at him or go after his friends? What if he got angry with them and tried to fight back? Would he hurt somepony? He had no idea of knowing.
Nyx rubbed his back, trying to calm him down. "Shh, Its alright." She said. "We're here for you."
Teotle took a deep breath and tried to get back his composure. His grip on Nyx loosened. He wiped the tears from his eyes and said, "Thanks, you guys."
"No problem, buddy." Said Twist.
Just then, Diamond Tiara and Silverspoon came up to them. Their eyes were filled with concern and worry.
"Wow." Diamond Tiara said. "I've never seem someone have this many enemies on the first day."
"Is he ok?" Asked Silverspoon.
"Yeah." Scootaloo answered. "He's just a little scared."
"So is everypony else." Diamond Tiara added. We've been listening to them say things they learned from their parents."
"What do they say?" Asked Nyx.
"They think he's going to attach ponyville, like those other wolves from his home land." Said Silverspoon.
"That's crazy." Twist commented.
Diamond Tiara continued, "My dad says that a lot of the top contributors in ponyville are planning on asking the princesses to banish him. Apparently, they saw him attach Twilight the day he disappeared."
"But he didn't mean to." Nyx protested. "His brother, Brimstone, used a mind control spell to make him do it."
"Well, most of them don't know that." Diamond Tiara replied.
"It's not fair!" Applebloom raged.
"Well, what can we do?" Nyx asked.
"I did ask my dad to try to convince the other ponies not write the letter to Canterlot." Diamond Tiara said. "Maybe they'll listen to him."
"That isn't good enough." Nyx replied. She looked at Teotle for some ideas. "Teotle?"
He didn't answer. He just sat there for a moment and then finally said, "Maybe if we send a letter to Celestia before they do, she'll be able to make an argument to prove I can be trusted."
"That might work." Twist complimented.
"Alright." Said Scootaloo. "Nyx, you and Teotle will tell Twilight the situation and have her send the letter to the princesses."
Nyx looked at Teotle with reassuring eyes and said, "I won't let them take you away. I promise." She gave him a warm hug and let him have a turn on the swing.
Later that day, when it was time to go home, Teotle and Nyx made their way to the library, after departing from their friends, to tell Twilight about what they discussed earlier. Cheerilee had given Teotle some homework in order to catch up on his academics. He tried to protest, but Nyx told him that he needed to.
When they finally arrived to the front door, Teotle held Nyx back and said, "I'm scared Nyx. What if the plan doesn't work?"
"It will work, Teotle." Nyx replied. "I promise."
She then opened the door and went inside. But when they looked at Twilight, who had been sitting at the table, they saw her talking to the mayor of ponyville, Ivory Scroll. Twilight then looked at Teotle and Nyx.
"How was school today?" Twilight asked.
"Not great." Nyx replied.
Twilight frowned and said, "Well, come on over and sit down so we can talk about it."
Nyx and Teotle faced Scarlet Rose, who had been possessed by Shadowflame. the monsters she had enslaved were on the rampage across Canterlot. Celestia, Luna, Cadance, Shining Armor, and the royal guard had let all the citizens into the castle doors where it was safe and were now fighting off the enemy to keep them from destroying the city.
"Do you really think your parents would want you to attack Canterlot and add to the body count?" Nyx asked.
Scarlet snarled and replied, "They would want our people to be safe. They would want Shadowflame and his conspirators stopped in their tracks."
"You don't know that." Teotle argued.
"Do you?" Scarlet growled. She took out her bow and arrow and prepared to aim. She then whispered, "Prove it."
The shot had been made, sending an arrow straight into Teotle's left hind leg. Normally, he could have stopped or dodged the arrow, but Shadowflame's dark magic gave speed and accuracy to Scarlet's arrows.
Teotle fell to the ground with a hard thud, bleeding out fast from the arrow that stuck out of his leg. Nyx tried to tend to it and pull the arrow out, but Scarlet aimed another arrow at her and said, "Touch him, and you both die."
"I'll never listen to you." Nyx barked.
Scarlet smiled and said, "So be it."
"WAIT!" Teotle yelled, stopping Scarlet from taking the next shot to Nyx's head. "If it's me you want, then take me. Just leave everypony else out of it."
Scarlet raised and eyebrow and asked, "You would die for these lesser beings?"
"No." Teotle answered. "I'd die for my friends."
"Teotle?" Nyx asked in disbelief. "What are you saying?"
"Nyx, go help the others fight off the monsters. I'll deal with my sister."
Nyx's mind did a back flip trying to trying to process what was being asked of her. Teotle wanted her to leave him at the mercy of his vengeful sister, who had the power to command an army. And on top of that, he had an arrow in his leg.
"No, Teotle. I can't just..."
Nyx's words were cut off when Teotle gave pulled her into a hug. It was the most gentle and sincere embrace his small fluffy body would allow.
He then looked Nyx in the eyes and gently said, "It's alright, you can do this. With you there, the others will be able to get out of this alive. I believe that."
"But Teotle..." Nyx argued. "She'll kill you."
"Then she'll get what she wants and leave Equestria alone." Teotle said. "Nyx, you are the best thing that ever happened to me, in all these years, Thank you."
"NO!" Nyx protested with tears coming out of her eyes. "Don't say that. I refuse to..."
Teotle gave Nyx a kiss on the forehead and said, "Goodbye." He then cast a teleportation spell, sending Nyx in the center of the city, where the princesses and Shining Armor were fighting off the remaining enemies they haven't yet restrained or chased away.
Nyx was left dumbfounded by what just happened. Her best friend had stayed behind to fight Shadowflame incarnate alone. Teotle knew it was a suicide mission. He knew he couldn't win with a injured leg, and yet he chose to do it anyway. Nyx was thinking about it so hard that she couldn't move. Her heart felt like it had stopped. She couldn't even hear her aunt Cadance yelling from across the town square.
When she finally snapped out of it, she heard Cadance shouting, "LOOK OUT, NYX!"
Nyx looked behind her and saw an ursa minor standing over her with it's claws hanging far out of it's paws. It attempted to strike Nyx down, but Shining Armor used his magic to hog tie the ursa's paws together, rendering it unable to move.
"Nyx, how did you get here?" Shining Armor asked. "Where's Teolte?"
Nyx was silent for a while, but when she finally had the courage to answer, a flash of light appeared on the street where she and Teotle confronted Scarlet Rose. It was big and bright, and it radiated a very powerful magic. The magical sensation shook the ground and filled the air with an aura unlike any other.
"What is this?" Asked Cadance.
"Nyx's eyes widened with anticipation as she answered, "I bet I know."
