Change of Heart: The Shadow of Hatred

Flash

I couldn’t remember the last time I was this comfortable.

Sheets of silk entrapped me to the softest mattress I’ve ever had the pleasure of sleeping on. Even as Celestia’s sun threatened to pierce my eyelids, the accompanying warmth it brought only lulled me further to sleep. The gentle embrace of the bedsheets was, for a lack of better words, perfect.

Something was keeping me between sleep and wakefulness, though. Behind the serenity of sun and silk, nagging thoughts were hammering against the back of my mind. Images of ash, rubble, and shattered crystal.

Images of Twilight rushing downhill. A sensation of dread shot through my spine like lightning.

My eyes snapped open.

Everfree. The cave of harmony.

Malice!

The silken covers fell from me as I yanked myself from blissful sleep. Shaking my head, I stepped off the bed, rushing towards the door.

“Huh? Wha—shit!”

Or at least I would have, if my legs didn’t end up getting tangled in the sheets.

Stars exploded in my eyes as I face-planted into the crystalline floor. Legs and wings sprawled in every direction, my rear hooves still hanging off my mattress. My head throbbed from the impact as I picked myself off the floor and untangled my limbs. I sat with my back against the bed frame, doing what I should have done first: taking my environment in and finding out where I even was.

Gold. I was surrounded by walls of gold. Even stranger, the blue shaders on the windows, closed as if responding to my focus alone. The blinds had my cutie mark emblazoned on them.

Despite the obvious homage, the imagery was more than a little unsettling.

This isn’t my room.

Never had a room like this. Where in Tartarus am I?

A thought crept up through the back of my head. Wait… Am I back at the mind palace?

I kicked off the silk white sheets and picked myself up for real this time. Sleep was the last thing on my mind now, as this was the last place I expected to wake up in.

Figured I was still dreaming at first. Perhaps having spent so much time here allowed it to invade my dreams. I carefully shuffled out of the alluring satin bedding and looked around. A golden dresser sat opposite of the windows. An unused ponnequin stood next to it, lacking the armor that’d usually be held by it. I allowed myself a good stretch, before doing the tried-and-true pinch tactic to wake myself up.

No success.

“Assuming I’m not dead, guess I’m stuck here until I figure out how to wake up.”

“It’s not your time, Flash. Not on my watch.”

Inner Malice’s words echoed through the walls out of seemingly nowhere. For a second I pondered if I went to Tartarus instead. “Where are you, Malice?”

“In my chambers. Once you find your wits and legs, stop by.”

No snark. No sarcasm. Not a hint of aggression to be found. Someone who didn’t know him would probably say he sounded inviting. “What are you up to?”

“Don’t ask foolish questions. Just do it.”

“Better not be trying to pull a fast one.” While suspicious as Tartarus, there was not much else I could do outside getting lost in this labyrinthine castle once more. Besides, I owed him a hoof bump and hoof sandwich in equal measure. I stepped out into the hall.

Not much was different from my last physical visit. However, the lit torches of last time were now backed by sunlight flooding through the cracks in the ceiling, breathing life into what used to be a dreary hallway. It almost brought me back to the good ol’ days of Canterlot castle.

Now that I think about it, I got lost last time because I had no idea what I was looking for or where to go. Perhaps…

“Castle, guide me to the main hall!” I waved my hoof.

Torches trailing left of the upcoming intersection brightened their flames. It was embarrassingly joyous to finally figure out how to navigate my own mind.

“You could just think it instead of barking orders at inanimate objects.”

“No one asked you!” I should have expected this. Of course Inner Malice would keep a close eye on me. I followed the torches, albeit a little grumpier thanks to that watchful bastard.

Speaking of Malice, I still had quite a bone to pick with him about this shitstorm he needed to answer for. First and foremost, I need to figure out what the hay happened to the original Malice. He didn’t disappear like a vassal would after death. I had to know if he was actually dead. Whatever he did after provoking my attack, Inner Malice would know. He damn well better had a straight answer prepared by the time I got there.

Upon reaching the main hall, I immediately noticed the air was chillier. A faint fog settled on the ground, wafting out of a certain spirit’s prison chamber. The gap between the door wings immediately triggered all red flags.

The door was ajar, the whole chain and lock from last time being absent.

“Malice!” Hoof raised, Spark magic surged through my leg. Focused into a dense point, it was perfectly ready to blast him away. “What did you do?!”

“Calm down, you idiot.” His voice no longer travelled through the walls, but through the gap in the door. “I won’t harm you.”

“Right. I’ve heard THAT line before! How did you break that seal?!”

“You’re asking the wrong culprit. Have you tried taking responsibility for a change?”

I nearly sputtered from the shock. “Wha—but—h-how is this MY fault?”

“Have you already forgotten? Everything in this world is reality translated to fit your understanding. It was impossible for me to free myself. You opened this on your own free will.”

“No! No I didn’t! I never asked or wanted you to be free!”

“You didn’t choose to be attracted to Twilight Sparkle either.”

I choked. Rebuttals failed to reach me, partially for being shocked speechless. I could only think of one thing to say.

“You’re such an asshole…!”

“Is that any way to treat someone who saved your life so many times? One who has not attempted to kill you even when presented with the opportunity?”

Saved my life? Not killed me when given the chance? It didn’t make any sense. That was, until I remember something I couldn’t make sense of until now.

A bluish figure moving a huge rock off me after the mega pathos bomb exploded. My memory was still more than a little fuzzy, but it suggested something equally disturbing and worthy of respect: Inner Malice might be telling the truth. In more ways than one...

“Shall we discuss things further in my office? Unless you strike the first blow, I won’t allow any harm come your way. After all, I have a promise to keep.”

“Outside swearing vengeance to kill me and Discord?”

“You’ve earned a slight change in my priorities.”

I didn’t want to go anywhere near the door, let alone peek inside. But the fact remained, it was open. Knowing him, he would have used such a grand opportunity to kill me long since if he really wanted to.

I thought about closing the door and leaving him stuck in there, assuming it worked like that. I’ve already risked my neck more times than I could count. If something went wrong, I would have nothing else to blame but my own stupidity.

But I couldn’t do it. Not out of fear or caution, but respect. Besides, if he truly did save my life earlier when he could’ve escaped, that would be the worst kind of disservice, even for a jerk like him.

...I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?

The door groaned as I cautiously entered Inner Malice’s domain, not daring to open it anymore than absolutely necessary.

Snow. There was snow inside this… chamber? No. That word no longer did this place justice.

Contrary to Celestia’s sun bathing the other rooms in its warmth, Luna’s moon reigned absolute here, displaying its full glory during a cloudless night. Stars stretched over mountainous valleys in the distance. A wall of pine trees trailed each side of the entrance. Snow crunched beneath me as my hooves sunk deep into its chilly embrace with each further step into this bizarre landscape. Gentle winds whistled by, caressing me with a delightfully cool breeze.

My gaze followed the snowy path between the towering pine trees. It mouthed into a crossroad, where I bore witness to the real mystery at play.

Two logs settled on opposite sides of a burning firepit. One end was empty, save for a white cloak with a furred neckline thick as a bugbear. On the other side, stirring something inside a black pot hanging over the fire, and draped in the same white fur cloak was none other than Inner Malice.

Just when I thought Chrysalis and Discord being intimate was the biggest mindscrew of my life, this somehow blew that out of the water.

Inner Malice took one look at my face and pinched the bridge of his nose. “You’re going to be difficult, aren’t you?”

“I…” With a hard swallow, I broke through my stupor and answered. “I think I have the wrong room.”

“That’s what I get for trying…” He muttered under his breath. “Either join me or go away, but at least try to discourage me from wringing your neck.”

Ah, there we go. Familiar territory.

I let out a sigh of relief. “Phew, you scared me for a second. Glad to know you weren’t replaced by Fluttershy or something.”

“Compare me to her again and I really will kill you.”

Somewhere between his slightly irritated voice and his razor-sharp stare, I wholeheartedly believed him.

“Alright, fine, don’t pop a vessel over it.” Seeing as he didn’t attack me after that jab, either he was playing the long game like a pro or he truly sought out my companionship. The fact I truly couldn’t tell which was which disturbed me down to my core. Curiosity captured me hook, line and sinker. I made my way campside and took a seat on the log.

“That cloak is yours. Try it on and make yourself comfortable.” He growled at me when I unconsciously flinched at his ‘hospitality’.

“Look, I can’t help it, alright? We went from trying to kill each other to you treating me to a camping trip. I’m not even going to try to figure out how you managed to set all of this up in your prison, but you can’t expect me to suddenly be all smiles and sing kumbaya.”

“Several millennia of practice. Would you prefer if we fought to the death instead? Say the word, and I’ll give you what the false Emperor couldn’t.”

My only reply was a frustrated huff.

“Besides, like I said, I made a promise that I intend to keep.”

“Hmph. Alright, I’ll bite: what promise?” I took the cloak and threw it over my shoulders. It was even more comfortable and warm than I expected. Note to self: conjure up one of these bad boys later.

Inner Malice dipped into the traveler backpack by his feet and pulled out… a loaf of bread?

He leaned over and extended the bread to me.

Hold on. Didn’t he say something about… for the love of Celestia!

I don’t think I’ve laughed so hard in my life.

It had been such a mundane comment to make while I was busy fighting off death. I couldn’t believe he was actually serious about that. Such a joke of a promise was so unlike him, yet it somehow still fit him regardless.

I wheezed and clutched my sore stomach, fighting a battle of wills to regain composure. “I thought you were messing with me! No way I would’ve expected you of all creatures to take the whole ‘breaking bread’ line so literal.”

“That’s your fault for taking me lightly.”

“Heh, I guess it is.” I accepted his offering, tearing off my half of the loaf. Hunger didn’t seem like a factor in the mind palace. At least, I hadn’t been stuck here long enough to find it. Still, I just had to sample bread offered by Inner Malice. I took a bite.

Crunchy exterior betrayed the otherwise surprisingly fluffy bread. Cinnamon melted on my tongue with every bite. I was halfway through my half when Inner Malice poured broth of what appeared to be veggie soup from the pot into two bowls and passed me one, followed by a cup of what smelled like hot chocolate. I accepted both graciously.

“This tradition was commonplace in Dracossia,” he began with a hint of nostalgia lurking in his tone. “It’s a continent to the far, far north-east. A land dominated by dragons of all kinds. A ruthless tundra where you were either strong, smart, or dead.”

“Sounds like one hay of a vacation spot.” I sipped on the hot chocolate. A little rich, but I could get used to it.

“It had its calmer sides. You haven’t lived until you’ve tasted Draken mead, but that’s a treat for another day. As you can imagine, traveling was especially dangerous. Worthy companions were treasured for survival just as much as camaraderie. In Equestrian terms, this is the roaming warrior’s way of giving a toast of gratitude to those that he entrusted to fight by his side.”

I sampled a spoonful of the soup, making sure to grab pieces of minced celery and assorted peppers. My nostrils and tongue almost melted from the amount of spice packed into it. Took a couple more bites before speaking. “A sign of friendship.”

Inner Malice facepalmed. I swore he was in physical pain. “Way to ruin a millennia old tradition…”

“Don’t be an ass. It’s the same thing!” A long pause passed, his glare unrelenting. I eventually decided to throw him a bone. “Fine. A sign of respect. Better?”

“Enough to let you live.”

“Excuse me?”

“I said it’s enough. I’ll live.” Inner Malice lied and raised his cup to me. “Regardless, I wish to formally thank you, Flash Sentry.”

...Let it go, Flash. Let it go.

“What for? Taking out the true Malice? We may have worked together to get this far, but not like you had much choice.”

“I had plenty of choices.” Inner Malice stopped to replenish his bowl with more spicy soup. I presented my bowl for seconds, which he filled with a hint of satisfaction in his smirk “Did you believe someone who worked so hard to avoid capture hadn’t considered suicide or sabotage?”

“Almost. Quickly learned you’re too proud to do such a thing.”

“Being proud is exactly why I had to consider it.”

A wry grin snuck into Inner Malice’s jowls. He leaned back, draining his soup and letting his words sink in for a beat. “You cannot fathom what it means to be imprisoned for so long. It does things to you. Cripples your mind and willpower. Raving madness is just foreplay during the first century. Killing Discord was not just a ploy of vengeance to restore Fafnir and I’s honor; it was what kept me going.”

“And through Chrysalis, you learned about the Tree of Harmony and how its power trapped Discord.”

“Indeed. While Chrysalis and her forces grew stronger and kept Equestria controlled through stealth, we enacted the false emperor’s plan to use the tree against Discord. The changeling’s natural hatred for ponies acted as both leverage and a self-sustaining power source.

“Many contingency plans were in place, ponies were none the wiser, and the changelings were wrapped around our claws. I—no, he— took a chance when deciding to handle the tree personally under Princess Twilight’s nose. So, assuming we were holding all the cards, we grew confident. Too confident.”

“To be honest, I can’t blame him for that,” I muttered in between sips. “Everything you guys did since breaking free seemed to go according to plan, save for the occasional hiccup. If I had known at the start who you were and what your plan was, I would've done a lot more to prepare for my mission.”

“Our plan held together because it wasn’t being tested by an outside force. From the moment that crafty little Shadow started working against us, things began to slip from our hold. He wouldn’t admit it of course, and in our pride we refused to see the growing issues.”

Considering my experience with Noble, it was a wonder his plans hadn’t been dismantled by her sooner. “She was hiding in plain sight from everyone. We knew she was a changeling with an agenda from the word go and she still played us like a damn fiddle.” A thought occurred to me, a detail that seemed almost out of place. “Is that why you had her daughter take charge of the operation nearest to you?”

“Of the four generals, Noble Heart is the softest. If there was even the faintest chance she survived, seeing her daughter would no doubt make her hesitate. It was one of many contingency plans and it would have worked… were it not for a meddling pegasus and his merry band of friends.” He emptied the contents of his cup and brought out a gallon-size canteen with more hot chocolate.

I nearly choked on my own hot chocolate from the snort that escaped me. “Hate to break it to you, but your first mistake was not outright killing me.”

“I made no mistakes with you.” He offered to refill my cup. I accepted it. “Chrysalis and Discord were my true undoing. I was not prepared to deal with Chrysalis, nor had the power to kill Discord directly, not that it would stop me from trying. All I could do was push you hard enough to deal with them.”

“And yet here we are after all of that, breaking bread over a campfire. Weirdest Tuesday of my life.” I shook my head, laughing to myself. “You never answered my question though. Why are you thanking me?”

“I’ll take from your example and answer your question with one of my own.” Inner Malice downed his hot chocolate. “Why did you defend me? When the false emperor slandered me, you fought for my honor. There was clear defiance in your retorts. Anger born not against me, but for me. So why?”

The question struck me in a weird way. It was a fair question, yet such a genuine one coming from him. All I could do was be honest in return.

“I didn’t have a reason. Well, not a conscious one. You might be an unbearable asshole, but the way he disregarded you the moment you failed his expectations rubbed me the wrong way. It just kind of happened.”

“Hmph.” Inner Malice took an aggressive bite from his bread. “You’re being dishonest. Or perhaps unconsciously modest. Hard to tell with ponies.”

“What do you mean?”

“You told the false emperor to look at me as his ‘superior’. Not stronger, not better, but superior. Equestrian military has a very distinct definition of superior. Such words came from an honest place. From your very core.” He pointed his cup at me. “You defended me out of respect as a threat and your equal. You stopped seeing me as a helpless prisoner and accepted me as your warmaster, and yours only. That, Flash, is worthy of gratitude.”

“I… see. That is a very you way to look at it.” I shrugged and took a swig of the hot chocolate.

Thinking about it, when I was fighting for my life and he guided me on how to use my pathos, I really did start to see him less and less as an enemy. Sort of. Still don’t know what to think about him, but ‘respected threat’ was the best category I could see to throw him in.

“Now then,” Inner Malice placed his empty bowl and cup to the side and leaned forward on his knees, fingers steepled against his snout. “I’ve prepared for this moment. It will test my resolve, but I do believe I’m ready now. I owe you at least that much.”

Tension coiled shoulder to shoulder. I placed my dishes down and braced myself for the worst. Either he was messing with me, or he was about to drop a bomb on me. Possibly both. “For… what?”

“Questions. I know you have them, and I would rather tackle them now, while I’m in a good mood.”

...It’s the former, I see. Celestia damn it, Malice.

“I’m not that bad,” I rolled my eyes. “You have to admit I was thrown into the den of wolves—quite literally mind you— with very little to work with. It would be ridiculous to not have some questions.”

“At the rate you barraged me with your silly inquiries, you would’ve been a damn good inquisitor back in my day.” He shrugged. “I can’t argue against rewarding your efforts for not screwing up. I am a benevolent and merciful warmaster, after all.” He made a lazy flourish with his hand. “So ask away, Inquisitor Sentry.”

His snark aside—and admittedly liking that title—I was not going to pass this opportunity up to put these mysteries to rest. “As long as you’re offering. So let’s start with the most pressing question: what in Tartarus happened to the original Malice? Before lights out, you said something about how he used me as a trump card.”

Inner Malice’s mood shifted. Hesitation spoke volumes as he glared at the flames roaring between us. “Leave it to you to start strong. He’s… gone, but not gone at the same time. Shattered might be more accurate.”

“Meaning…?”

“It was something Discord taught me long ago. Energy cannot be destroyed, but the bond holding it together can be. I won’t bore you with the specifics, but the false Emperor tricked you into forcing his energy, his very consciousness, to scatter rather than be trapped by Discord. You freed him from a fate worse than death at the cost of his identity and memories.”

“So he’s not dead, just broken up? What happens now?”

Inner Malice stroked his chin and hummed thoughtfully. After a long pause, he shrugged. “No idea.”

“Oh, you have got to be kidding me…!”

“Let me remind you that I’ve never actually experienced this. In war, an experimental strategy—even if based on mere speculation—is better than accepting a worst case scenario. As someone who just body-slammed a spirit into a town-ending pathos bomb I’m sure you’ll understand.”

He seriously needs to stop making good points at my expense. “So what, after all of that he’s just going to come back?”

He stared into the fire, as if the answer was hiding somewhere among the embers. “Yes and no. Something will return. What exactly, only time can tell. Only thing you can do for now is to learn from your mistake.”

“Excuse me?”

“You’ve seen what happens to the overconfident. And yet, you fell victim to your very own strategy.”

That stung in the worst way. “Bullshit! I was not overconfident! If I didn’t stop him then, Twilight could’ve died!”

“Excuses,” He spat. “You had every opportunity to handle it better. You didn’t. Putting that aside, a conversation we will continue later, that pathetic bomb lacked the potency to kill Twilight. Assuming she didn’t deflect it, she would’ve lost another eye at worst.”

“We both know I could never allow that, no matter how weak it was.”

“Even if it risked him getting free?”

I didn’t hesitate. “Yes. If you gave me a thousand chances, I would save her every time. We lived to fight another day, all of us, that’s what’s important here.”

Inner Malice studied me for a beat. “...So be it. I don’t like it, but it was not my call to make. I just hope you can keep that conviction when this comes back to bite you in the ass. Just because we’ve claimed the top of the food chain doesn’t mean others won’t try. In fact, the remaining vassals will be dying to test your willpower and dethrone you.”

“Hold up; other vassals? I still have to deal with them?”

“What, did you believe taking down the leader granted you a ‘happily ever after’ ending? You ponies always did enjoy optimistic fantasies.”

I rolled my eyes. “You know what I mean. Shouldn’t beating the emperor have done something?”

“Oh, it did something alright. With such a major loss of vassals and the emperor himself, the remaining warlords and warmasters will be attempting to fill the power vacuum in their own way, seeking champions for their conduits. They all have their sights set on you to prove their dominance. It’s a free-for-all power struggle with you as the grand prize.”

My shoulders sagged as the weight of responsibility fell on me. “Will this mess ever end?”

Inner Malice leaned back, wearing a thoughtful expression for a beat before smirking. “That’s up to you.”

“Of course it is.” I groaned. “Speaking of pain in the asses, about Chrysalis…”

Inner Malice’s smirk disappeared. “What about her?”

“I haven’t been able to get over why you didn’t just, well, kill her when you had the chance. You had every opportunity to kill her when you were running around in my head. Even later, during the real fight, the true Malice didn’t seriously attempt to kill her until the very end. Why didn’t you, either of you, do so?”

His answer was an angry snarl. I was not going to be deterred.

“Don’t go giving me the silent treatment now. After everything you put me through, you owe me some intel.”

“Know your place, colt!” He exploded. “You owe me your life several times over!”

“And you owe me a thousand years worth of solitary isolation! So tell me, who got the better end of the deal?”

Our glares locked. Eventually, Malice broke his gaze, looking anywhere but at me.

“...It wasn’t supposed to be like this.”

His voice was so low I had to strain to listen. “Come again?”

“You heard me.” Inner Malice drummed his talons along his knee. “She was supposed to take Fafnir’s place. She had everything I could want in a champion. Passion. Cunning. Power. Confidence. We were a perfect team. And yet…”

He went quiet. His claws flexed in and out of fist, tension in every twitch of movement.

“When…” He centered his attention on me, forcing out words like poison. “When she stood against me, bared her fangs against the savior of her race, I failed to see the strength of loyalty to protect her own daughters. Strength I valued and fully expected. All I could see,” a pause, “was Discord betraying me.”

Fafnir’s replacement... Failure to grasp motherly nature and defaulting to betrayal…

“You knew!” I shot up from my seat, pointing at him. “You overreacted when she stood against you, and you knew it! You only took it easy on her to save face. To protect your pride.”

“I’m not so petty as to keep her around for my pride!” He snapped. “The only thing I hate more than traitors is wasting potential. Chrysalis was different. She was…”

A hidden pain flickered behind his gaze. I thought to press on it, only to think of a certain pony I preferred to never talk about. Suddenly, I felt like the villain in the room.

“Sorry…” I sat back down, mentally slapping myself for being such a hypocrite. “Not like I haven’t blown things out of proportion. I’m also pretty screwed up on that front, so I get it.”

An awkward pause fell between us. For a moment we sat here not as warriors, but as males carrying a history of regret with us.

“You truly are a strange creature.” He drained his bowl before going for another helping. “It was your trust that was betrayed. Your efforts that were thrown back at your face. Most would’ve simply called her a bitch and left it at that. Why do you carry such an unnecessary scar?”

“I’m not carrying it on purpose, Malice.”

“Yes you are.” He countered me so matter-of-factly I nearly choked on the hot chocolate. “If I had to guess, not knowing the truth behind her sudden betrayal has plagued you more than the betrayal itself. You want to hate her on some level, but can’t truly hate her. Why are you sacrificing so much to protect her? Or perhaps it’s just your version of her that you’re protecting?”

“I’m not protecting her!” Everything he was saying was absurd. Foolish. There’s no way I would protect someone like that.

Right?

“Accept facts. She’s a traitorous slut.”

“SHUT UP!”

I couldn’t remember when I shot out of my seat. Didn’t even notice trails of electricity down my limbs and across the fallen bowl and cup until reality caught up to me. As my indignant shout echoed into the wind, and Inner Malice flashed a smug grin, I realized just how hard I bit the bait.

I had no response for that. For anything Inner Malice threw at me. All I could do was take back my seat and try to figure out what in the world that was just now.

“...Bah, it matters not,” Inner Malice mercifully dismissed the topic with a wave. “We made that mistake with Chrysalis. I’ll own that. But I won’t make the same mistake with you.”

I snapped myself out of my stupor. Would rather unpack those doubts later. “Is that right? Enlighten me on how this will be different.”

“You’ve already seen it. Or did you believe my cooperation so far was a simple flash of inspiration?”

“Uh huh. So you’re telling me all your help was not just out of self-preservation?”

“In part. But it would be foolish to not get something out of it besides staying alive. What binds us together is inherently different but identical at the same time. Care to piece together what that could be?”

Inherently different, yet identical. Something that binds us together…

Nothing came to mind at first. He’s a warring tyrant constantly obsessed with finding a champion to replace the missing gap that was Fafnir. I may not be a shining example of a good pony, but I only did what’s best to protect those I care about. Hay, the existence of the Royal Guard is all about protecting what was important. It was my calling. My—

“Purpose.” I muttered to myself. When I saw Inner Malice’s proud grin, it cemented the point. “That’s why you’re so determined about finding a legitimate champion. Not just to replace Fafnir. It gives you purpose.”

“See, thanks to my tutelage, you’re learning to think rather than ask questions.” Inner Malice laughed. “But yes, finding a worthy herald to fight in my name grants me purpose. What is the point of power if it can’t be shared? Conquering lands, crushing nations, means to an end. But to explore someone’s true potential and unleash their full power... To watch their growth, their rise to becoming the apex predator and master of their fate and world, is satisfaction that no kill count could otherwise satisfy.”

“And for me to take down your original?”

“To accomplish what not even Chrysalis or Fafnir could have done? It’s well worth having to suffer your pestering… and almost worth forgiving my imprisonment. I want—no, need—to witness your development in full.”

In other words, he’s gonna make damn sure he doesn’t screw up with me, hopefully. I can live with that. For now.

An uncomfortably warm smile suddenly beamed from Inner Malice. “The resemblance is truly uncanny. You two might’ve become friends had you met.”

“Friends with who?”

“Fafnir Doomscale. The world... is lesser without him.”

“Doomscale. You mentioned that last name along with your own. By Celestia, do you have more siblings I need to worry about?”

“Damn if I know. I found Discord by accident,” he shrugged. “But no, it’s nothing like that. Fafnir was the one who gave me the name Malice. A reflection of his disdain for the dismal, unstable state of Dracossia at the time. I simply adopted his family name Doomscale, as well as this image, to honor him.”

That caught me off guard. “So wait, this isn’t what you really look like? Malice isn’t your true name either?”

“I was born without name or shape, just like Discord. A product of my environment. I drifted from battlefield to battlefield, shifting tides of war with my gifts on a whim. I was empty then. Granting wishes to whoever could stir my mood. It was Fafnir who gave me what I needed: Purpose. Company. Meaning to my wandering existence. He meant everything to me.” His hands curled into tight fists. Shaking. “And Discord took that away from me...!”

His rage lacked its usual intensity. Almost as if he was forcing himself to be angry. To hate. For a moment, I could only see a broken pony who failed his squad and killed a dear friend. A prisoner of regret.

“You can’t live in the past forever, Malice,” I said somberly. I’m sure he didn’t want to hear it, but he needed to. “I don’t need to tell you how that pain is never going to leave; you’ve lived it. If Fafnir’s anything like you talked him up to be, you know he would never want to see you like this. You gotta move on…” I paused thoughtfully. “We both have to move on.”

We stewed in comfortable silence, feasting on bread, soup and hot chocolate. There were still things I wanted to ask about, instead opting to let him digest my advice.

“Flash Sentry.”

I glanced up from my bread. Inner Malice hesitated.

“Is that offer still open?”

“What offer?”

“The one you gave to the false emperor.”

I blinked. It took me a second to work words through my surprise. “You mean becoming my student?”

“I mean earning my freedom.”

He officially had my undivided attention. “You seriously want to become my student, Malice?”

I swore the word ‘student’ nearly made him vomit. Was almost tempted to say it again, just to watch him squirm. After receiving the same glare he gave me when I commented about the sign of friendship I instantly rejected the thought.

“I’m not some fledgling who's beneath you. I am your warmaster, and that’s where we will leave it.” His scowl emphasized the veiled threat lurking within his words. “That aside, I refuse to repeat the false emperor’s mistake and underestimate what you and the rest of your kind can offer. Despite the odds, you’ve proven that the false emperor’s way does not stand the test of time.”

“You either adapt or get left behind. Soldiers don’t get a choice.”

“I see that hits rather close to home. Many of your fellow soldiers didn’t share your thinking, did they?”

I shook my head. “Nothing that self-centered. Outside one or two disasters, there simply wasn’t much of a reason for us to mobilize. We got comfortable. Complacent. We couldn’t adapt because we had nothing to adapt to.”

“Ah, the price for remaining uncontested on top of the food chain for too long. At least you understand the need to learn from past mistakes. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you are never too complacent or comfortable. As your warmaster, I will teach you tradition, warfare, and how not to be an incompetent moron.”

I decided to ignore that last part and focus on what was important. I didn’t dare waste this opportunity. “Fine. A mutual exchange of knowledge. I teach you. You teach me.”

Inner Malice smiled. “See? We don’t need titles like master or student. Like I’ve said from the beginning; I’m your warmaster. You’re my champion. No need to complicate what works. So what will it be, my champion?”

It would be a cold day in Tartarus before I passed up a chance to set him on a path to become one of the good guys. Only when the possibility not only proved itself real, but dropped on my lap willingly did caution rear its ugly head. Truth be told, Inner Malice got me good.

This whole nice guy routine was partially to butter me up for this moment. He knows I could never refuse this request, not with him being this genuine with me. Considering who this was, I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if he was truly doing this without a hidden agenda.

“Don’t think I’ll go easy on you just because you helped me out,” I warned. “Just as I had to work to earn your respect, you need to work even harder to earn your freedom. If there’s even the slightest chance you’ll hurt someone or regress, you’re not setting one foot outside my soul.”

His response was immediate. Dare I say planned. “That’s a bit of a tall order, no? What if I need to defend myself? I’ve made plenty of enemies who want nothing more than to lock me up for good. I can’t let that happen again.”

I saw where this was going from a mile away. “No killing, under any circumstances. Not even Discord.” I raised my hoof to stop him before he threw some excuse at me. “What I promised for your original would obviously extend to you. I will protect you from getting sealed in return.”

“Even if it meant killing Discord?”

“I’m not dignifying that with a response. Just as I found a way to stop the false emperor, I would find a way to stop him. You’re not killing Discord, no matter what excuses you try to come up with.”

Memories of Discord’s heckling bit at the back of my mind.

“...Punishing without lethal force or permanent damage, on the other hoof, is fine. Only in strict self defense or with my permission.”

He gave me a look that simply asked ‘why’. I rubbed the back of my neck and averted my gaze.

“I… would be a hypocrite if I said you couldn’t at least punch him in the face for doing or saying something stupid,” I admitted. “Look, just make a conscious effort to change and redeem yourself, and I’ll give my all to secure your freedom. Take it or leave it.”

“Hmmm…” stroking his chin, Inner Malice stared into the fire between us. His silence stretched for several minutes. I didn’t dare interrupt, if only to avoid risking a change of mind. Without warning, he stood up. “Before I accept these conditions, which we will iron out as we go, I have one request.”

Inner Malice moved around the campfire and stood before me. I leaned back warily as he towered like the titan he was. After a moment, he knelt before me, eyes cast down and fists touching the ground.

“Give me a new name.”

“Wha… pardon?” Took me a second to realize I was holding my breath.

“The name Malice Doomscale has been desecrated by a mad dragon with no honor. I wish to sever all ties of weakness and bring victory in our name. Fafnir’s image is my homage to his legacy. That will never change. My new identity will be an homage to your legacy.” He looked up, glaring. “Don’t squander it.”

My mouth worked to form words I couldn’t find. As much crap as he’s given me until now, this was confirmation I wasn’t the only one who had grown from this conflict. Now I really felt like an ass for giving him such a hard time.

I hopped off the log and stood before the kneeling warmaster. It was surreal to have such responsibility dropped on me out of the blue. “Are you absolutely certain? I’m honored, but that was a name given to you by Fafnir.”

“I’m always certain. As I will be a hallmark to your legend, best choose a name that will stand the test of time. I will accept nothing less.”

“Alright then.” I hadn’t been this nervous since my first patrol for Princess Celestia. I mentally rummaged for an idea, taking his personality and our chemistry into account. I didn’t want to deviate too far from what he’s used to; no doubt he would bemoan a weak name. It needed to be strong. Fitting. Something that tied us together.

Then it hit me.

“I’ve decided on your name. This will be your name from now on. A name anyone who faces us will recognize and never forget.” I paused for effect.

“Fluffy McCuddlesworth.”

Inner Malice stared. He didn’t move, speak, blink, or even breathe. He glared with the force of a thousand suns. He searched my face for something. Anything. Seeing my stony expression, a look I could only describe as sheer terror exploded on his face as he shot up to full height. “You wouldn’t…!”

“Hey, you asked me for a name. No takebacks!”

Inner Malice—sorry, Fluffy—trembled with outrage. Fists clenched and teeth gnashed together. “You… you little...!” I don’t think I’ve ever seen him—or anyone—look so upset in their entire life.

“What’s wrong, Fluffy? You seem upset. Does Fluffy need a hug?”

“I’LL KILL YOU!”

I ducked and jumped away in time to dodge his lunge. I ran circles around the campsite, dodging him at every turn and no longer able to keep up the act.

“You should’ve seen the look on your face!” I howled with laughter, simultaneously running for my life while he chased with the wrath of a Tartarus hound. I dove through the treeline of pine trees in time to avoid a vicious claw strike that bit into one of the trees, tearing it in half. Worth it.

Note to self: he can’t take a joke.

“Alright, settle down! It was a joke! A joke!” I reared back and waved my forehooves in surrender moments before he could tackle me.

Finally catching on, he slammed into a halt just before his claws reached me. I swear on my life I saw a hint of red break through on his scales as he screamed and pointed. “Fy faen ta deg!”

I may not have understood a word he said, but it was damn clear exactly what he meant.

Thank Celestia he can’t kill me with words. Yet.

I forced down whatever chuckles I had left. “Okay, okay, I’ll be serious this time. In my defense, that was payback for always getting on my case. Let’s put the claws down and do this for real, alright?”

Inner Malice hovered over me for a few more moments before pulling back, muttering something under his breath I just knew was equally damning.

I cleared my throat and gathered my composure. Inner Malice knelt before me again, not daring to take his eyes off me. “As the force of nature who reflects my wrath, one who acts as my confidant and battlemaster to face all of Equestria’s threats, only one name is appropriate for you: Fury Stormguard.”

“Fury, huh?” A grin crept into his features. “Yes, that will do.”

A huge lightning bolt shot from the cloudless sky and struck Fury, almost blinding me. I was nearly sent flying from the sheer force of the electrical blast.

“Fury!” I couldn’t even hear my own scream thanks to the deafening ring in my ears. Took some staggering steps back, unsure who or what attacked him just now. All I could do was take guard and wait for the whites in my eyes to wear off.

When the ringing in my ears stop, the first thing I heard was his voice.

“That was for your little stunt, colt.”

I rubbed away the white flashes with a grumble, calming down upon learning it was just him being an ass. “Damn it, what in Tartarus is wrong with you? Can’t just throw random lightning just to… to…” My vision cleared.

Thick, rainbow-plating covered the dragon from head to toe. The style was a damn near perfect replica of Prism armor, though a variant that turned him into a military train with anger issues. A blade staff just like mine rested in his grip. I could barely see his sharp gaze through the slit in the helmet, a long blue plume falling down his back.

“A new identity deserves new wargear. It wouldn’t do for Fury Stormguard to be confused with a failure.”

I didn’t have words, not even a retort for his boasting. Instead I circled him, admiring the fresh looking warmaster. Only thing I was worried about was him making me look bad if my fellow soldiers ever got a look at him. He simply stood there, allowing me to drink it all in.

The finishing touch was the back of the cloak. Emblazoned in gold, was my cutie mark. I was impressed by the armor and cloak, but I was blown away by the meaning behind it.

“Well?” Fury’s tone was haughty with a touch of impatience. “Will you shower me with praise or just let your jaw stay on the ground?”

My jaw snapped shut. “...Eh, it’s alright.”

Fury removed his helmet as he faced me. “No need to hide your envy, Sentry. A warmaster must strive to always be a step ahead of their champions at every turn.”

“What, to show off how lucky their champions are to have them around?” With a smirk, he flicked the helmet at me. I barely caught it in time.

“To give champions a goal.”

“Huh. So showing off is just your way of taking care of your charge, huh?” I threw back his helmet. With a snap of his fingers, the helmet fizzled out of existence before touching his chest.

“Mostly, yes. Also wanted to show off how lucky you are to have me around.” He suddenly ruffled my mane. I moved to swat his hand away, stopping when I spotted the warmest smile I’ve ever seen on him. A brief glimpse of what lay beneath a millennia of hatred and despair.

The moment left as quick as it arrived as Fury wandered back to camp. I couldn’t help but stare as he acted as if the last few moments didn’t happen. “...Nope. Still can’t figure him out.”

Awkward as that moment was, I still had plenty of questions to resolve with him. I resigned myself to continue our chat and make my way to my seat. Not like there was much else I could do until I woke up outside worrying about the others.

I wonder what the others are up to right now. I hope everyone is alright.