With consciousness came awareness. With awareness came fear. With fear came the need to cower, and so that is what the she-demon did when she became aware of the alicorn once more. The fear wasn’t as strong, wasn’t as pressing, but it was still there, it bore down upon her like a crushing weight. Beneath the currents of fear, there was something else, something faint, but something she desperately wanted to feel.

“I fear a cruel trick was played upon you,” a soft voice said in gentle tones. “You were muted, to keep you silent. Even worse, you were set up to be terrified of me, with magic greatly influencing the natural fear your infernal nature generates in my presence. Something tried to trick you.”

The she-demon, curled into a tight coil, waited and did nothing.

“Come to me, so that I might show you the affection that you deserve,” the soft voice begged.

Compelled by some unseen force, the she-demon found her body responding. Even as her muscles clenched in fear, she found herself uncoiling and her legs moving. The alicorn was laying on the floor, sprawled out upon her stomach. The she-demon scuttled over, then, with a fearful whimper, she went limp before the alicorn, rolling over and going still on her side.

She felt herself being pulled closer and two powerful forelegs wrapped around her upper body. Resistance came as a reflex, but it didn’t last long. Fearful whimpers escaped the she-demon’s throat as she was pulled into a gentle, loving embrace. With a turn of her head, she found herself eye to eye with the alicorn known as Cadance.

And what eyes they were.

The she-demon lost all track of time and her fear flowed away from her. She gazed into those eyes and found a mirror into her own soul. Peering in, she found acceptance, she found grace, she found a profound feeling of love. An overwhelming feeling of happiness overcame the she-demon and she began to giggle.

“I have given you your voice back,” Cadance said as her snoot bumped up against the she-demon’s. “In time, you will learn to speak. I have banished the shadow that loomed over your heart. Now, you will know joy and happiness without reservation. There is only one thing left to make you whole.”

Ears perking, the she-demon wondered what that might be. She basked in the radiant love that the alicorn offered, it was very much like being in the sun. It filled her body, her very being, with warmth and light. Overcome with a feeling of affection, the she-demon wrapped one foreleg around Cadance’s neck, and then held on.

“Oh my… you are affectionate!” Cadance seemed surprised by the half hug and she smiled. “I was right about you. Oh, that’s a relief. See how nice this feels? To have a bit of a snuggle or a cuddle with another pony? Come a little closer and let me show you something.”

Using her magic, Cadance lifted up the she-demon’s book and opened it. She flipped through the pages, there weren’t that many events written down, and stopped when she came to a recent entry. Holding the book up so that the she-demon could see, Cadance then gave her an affectionate muzzle-nuzzle.

“Look, something appeared while you were out. Look, look and see.”

Curious, the she-demon peered into her book, glancing over familiar entries, until at last she came to a new one that she had not seen before. With Cadance’s breath hot upon her cheek, she began reading the entry that had appeared while she was out.

Today, Love saved me from Humiliation. With my salvation, I now have a name. I am Written Word, and I live my life as a testament of goodness to others. A she-demon I might be called, a tiufel spawn I might be, I can still choose to be good, I can have my story inspire others. I am loved, I am accepted, and I have friends. These are undeniable traits of my goodness.

Eyes tearing over, the she-demon stared at the journal entry, not knowing what to think. Cadance was hugging her and not knowing how to express her own feelings, the she-demon let out a faint mewling sound, followed by another laugh. She looked around the room and saw Malcanus, who stood nearby, looking worried.

The book was closed and then levitated over to a table, where it was sat down with a soft thump. The she-demon, now known as Written Word, felt her wings flutter and she was overcome with a feeling of ecstatic joy. It was as though some terrible weight had been lifted from her, some great fear that had lurked within the depths of her soul.

“Written Word,” Cadance began in a low, soft voice, “there is something I wish to ask you.”

Turning her head, her ears perked, Written Word waited.

“These ponies here, in this place, they need somepony to love them and protect them.” Cadance glanced over at Malcanus, and then returned her gaze to Written Word. “I think Shepherd Malcanus could use a helper. He’s done this job all by himself for a long time. I think you are well suited to look after my little ponies. Can you help Malcanus protect them?”

After a moment of thought, Written Word nodded.

“It isn’t enough just to protect them,” Cadance continued. “You have to love them, just like Malcanus loves them. These ponies here, in this place, they’re special. They’re hurt. They’ve sustained injuries to their minds and souls. This is why they need a shepherd, like Malcanus. As for you, I think the ponies here could benefit from the sincere affection that you have to offer.”

Again, Written Word nodded.

“Also, I need you to look after Malcanus. He’s lonesome. He’s so thoroughly devoted to his duty that—”

There was a loud groan from Malcanus, and he rolled his eyes.

“—he won’t relax his guard enough for somepony to get close to him.” Cadance cleared her throat and smiled at the interruption. “I need you to be his friend. You have my permission to be a little impish and pester him if the situation demands it. Be playful. Be affectionate. Remind Malcanus that even though he made a terrible mistake, he is still worthy of love and friendship.”

Written Word focused upon Cadance’s eyes and once more stared into their depths, perhaps seeking to peer into Cadance’s soul. She still had one foreleg around Cadance’s neck, and she gave the alicorn a squeeze. The fear was gone now, completely and totally. No trace of it remained, there was only joy, love, and affection.

“You are a precious gift, Written Word, never forget that. Every life has meaning, including yours. I am glad that we met, and I look forward to getting to know you better in the future. I’ll be by to visit, and to read your book as it develops.” Pressing her muzzle into Written Word’s jaw, Cadance gave the strange creature she held a sincere, loving smooch.

Written Word was true to her offered namesake; she was a testament to Love’s kindness.

With a snap of her toothy jaws, Written Word snatched a bit of cookie out of the air. She sat on the floor, being fed cookie bits by Malcanus, who threw them at her with a flick of his wing. The meal was now over, but the fellowship was not. Cadance sat at the head of the table with Shining Armor beside her. Freckle Speckle was close to Shining Armor and Glitter Glammer sat across the table from Freckle Speckle.

“We’ll be taking Mustard and Coffee Cake when we leave,” Shining Armor said to Glitter Glammer. “Mustard has had the sincere change of heart required to leave this place. He will never stray again. Coffee Cake has family in Ponyville that is willing to help her get established and start over.”

A satisfied smile spread over Glitter Glammer’s face.

“Speaking of changes of heart,” Cadance said in a soft voice as she turned her attention upon Malcanus, “it is time that you and I spoke about your future, Malcanus.”

The amused grin fled from Malcanus’ face and he became stern and serious once more. He folded his wing against his side and he focused upon the princess at the head of the table. Glitter Glammer cleared her throat, an uncomfortable sound. Freckle Speckle stopped smiling and then just stared at Cadance with wide eyes.

“Princess Luna, the Night Lady, feels that you have paid for what you have done. You have done your time in exile without complaint and you have performed your task most admirably. She gave you an order, and you have followed through with it. Not one pony has been lost under your watch.” Cadance’s voice held no trace of emotion and her eyes remained locked upon Malcanus.

“Princess Cadance, we cannot survive without our protector.” Glitter Glammer’s voice was hushed and fearful. “More than just about anypony, I want Shepherd Malcanus to be redeemed, but who will protect us?”

“Malcanus,” Cadance said, “I think we both know the choice you will make. You are a free pony and the Night Lady has forgiven you. Your life is now your own.” Cadance glanced over at her husband, Shining Armor, and then met the gaze of everypony around the table, including Written Word.

“It is my belief that I can best serve the Night Lady by remaining here.” Malcanus, his ears drooping, stared down at an empty bowl for several long seconds, then looked up at Written Word, who sat beside him. “I have obligations here… friends… ponies that I love, like Freckle and Glitter… they are very dear to me.” Malcanus’ voice sounded as though he might choke at any moment. “And now, there is Written Word as well.”

“Princess Luna will be visiting soon and the two of you can discuss this matter.” Cadance lifted up a piece of bread, used it to mop brown sauce from her bowl, and then popped the sauce soaked bread into her mouth. She chewed and made very unprincesslike slurping sounds.

Lifting her head, Freckle looked over at Malcanus. “We all dream of leaving this place—”

“And I dream of staying, Freckle.”

“You’ve earned your second chance, Malcanus. You should take it.” Freckle’s eyes glazed over with tears. “This place… the whole purpose is to want to leave it. To get that second chance. To make amends and then walk away from this place, restored.”

Shaking his head, Malcanus replied, “I choose to stay.”

“Malcanus, you are a fool.” Freckle began to sniffle a bit and then offered a trembling smile to her friend. “I don’t know what we’d do without you. Thank you, Shepherd Malcanus.”

Whimpering, Written Word just wanted Malcanus to throw cookies at her again. Leaning over, she nosed the pony beside her and gave him a hopeful look. The touch, however brief, was electrifying. Something had changed, but Written Word didn’t know what. The feelings of doubt, of hesitation, of residual fear, all of those things were gone.

“Princess Cadance, I think it is safe to say that Malcanus and I are permanent residents.” Glitter Glammer let out a troubled sigh and shook her head. “Here, I am somepony important. Here, I’ve made a difference. Here, I have a chance to serve others and do good. Elsewhere, I would be a nopony.”

“I have no desire to leave either,” Freckle admitted. “This is my home, these are my friends, and it was in this place that I found myself. More importantly, I found acceptance.”

For Written Word, there was very little awareness of what she was witnessing, other than it was heartfelt and sincere. She wasn’t quite sure what was going on, but something in the back of her mind suggested that change was happening, immense change, and she was a part of it. As important as it might be, it wasn’t as important as cookies. Grunting, she poked Malcanus with her snoot and then let out a plaintive yelp.

Distracted and a bit out of sorts, Malcanus produced a bit of cookie and tossed it at Written Word, who snatched it out of the air. Pleased, Written Word gulped down her chunk of cookie and smiled. Sure, it wasn’t delicious soap, but cookie was pretty good. Content for the moment, she relented and gave up on begging for more cookie.

“Come spring, there is going to be a fresh batch of new residents.” Cadance’s brows furrowed and she looked neither pleased nor happy. “New cabins will need to be built. I think another greenhouse will be needed. Maybe two. More soil will have to be tilled. This place will require more organisation.”

“More ponies on the last stop before perdition,” Glitter Glammer remarked as she scratched her neck with her hoof. “No doubt, some of them will try to run, thinking they can escape. Some are so quick to throw away the only second chance they might get.”

“A few have families coming to join them while they rehabilitate.” Looking concerned, Shining Armor leaned over the table and poured himself a glass of water. “I think it is time that we modernised the town a little bit.”

“We don’t want ponies having too comfortable of a life here.” Glitter stared over the table at Shining Armor, who was now drinking his glass of water. “I understand the need for a few modern amenities, but we don’t want ponies happy to live here. We don’t want ponies wanting to come live here.”

“We’ll have to strike a balance.” Malcanus pushed his bowl away and then rested his forelegs upon the table as he shifted his massive bulk forwards. Turning his head, he looked at Written Word. “We need to get you talking so that you can help us.”

Glitter Glammer, looking thoughtful, focused her attention upon Shining Armor once more. “If we are going to have families here, foals, and larger numbers, then I must request more protection. We’re going to need dedicated guards. Look, I understand the issue… getting back and forth is fine during the spring, summer, and fall months, but the winter would be a long post due to the weather.”

“Shining, we do have some guards in need of discipline.” Cadance looked at her husband, then over at Glitter Glammer. “But I feel uncomfortable leaving your protection to those in trouble or in need of correction.”

“Princess Cadance, with all due respect, you left our protection up to Malcanus, who has done a fine job.” Freckle’s voice was hesitant, timid, and she had trouble looking the nearby alicorn in the eye. “I understand that not everypony is as dutiful as he is, but I thought I’d point that out.”

“You know, it occurs to me, that for the residents living here, this place has been a resounding success. Recidivism for reformed individuals is almost non existent. Friendships are formed here… powerful friendships. There is a sense of community here that is amazing.” Princess Cadance looked around the table, meeting each eye in turn, and then at last, she focused upon Written Word.

“Call it fate, call it destiny, call it what you will, but you came to this place as well, Written Word. In this place, you will learn how to integrate into society, get along with others, develop relationships… you came to this place to grow. I can’t wait to see how you bloom…”

Author's Note

A few more chapters still.