Into Ashes: Act III

“Soo..” I slide my arm casually up to the counter. The pony in the snack stall stands and stares at me, her face heavy with disgust. “I see you sell food. There a chance I can get some?”

But no words are spent. She only looks on as I think of what to say next.

“It’s a nice setup you got here.”

The stone shelves hold few delectable delights, all fruit or flower in nature. The leftovers of the breakfast rush. I find myself wondering where they get all this from, if I had so much trouble out there on my own.

“So what’s your name?”

“Hazelbloom.” she says at last.

“Alright Hazelbloom.. Listen, I need your help finding somepony. I was told Twinkleshine came this way. Happen to see her?”

Again, silent as the stone around us.

“Look, I’m not here to hassle you. I just need to know which way she went. Twilight sent me. Just help me out and I’ll be out of your hair.”

“She’s to the right!” Two old apples are thrown on the counter, and the stall window swings shut in a hurry.

Well, thank you I suppose.

To the right.. That could take me anywhere. I already had enough trouble making it here.

But I follow a tunnel, barely wide enough for my broad shoulders. Unlike my homeship, these cramped corridors clearly did not have creatures of such bulk in mind. But Hazelbloom’s directions serve me well. I come to a cafeterium. Wide, open, and spacious unlike so many other rooms. Rows and rows of hoof-carved tables offer many seats, but few are taken. Like its size, the space is lit in a much different way, something much more natural. A glimmering light show of water’s waving reflection dances across the ceiling like the northern auroras. A pool of sparkling water, lit from within its depths on the right side, away from the tables. And there, sat right in the middle of it all, not a soul beside her, the lone Twinkleshine. A plate of crumbs before her as she finishes a meal.

In the far corner, I lock eyes with Ivory as she grits her teeth into a sandwich. We hold a gaze rife with grudge, letting our eyes do the talking as we curse each other without word. I join Twinkle at her table.

Her first words, “Oh boy. What does she want now.”

“Twilight wanted me to come check on you.” Check, more like spy. A game of spies to find who the real spies are.

“Well isn’t that kind of her.”

“She seemed worried about you after last night’s skirmish.”

“Why would she care how I’m doing..” She says under her breath.

“Sounds like you have something against her.”

“Sigh, No. I just get frustrated with her sometimes… How’d you sleep?”

What? A kind question for my concern? My thoughts derail. But I shouldn’t push too hard, I must follow along.

“Probably not as soundly as you. They still keep me in my cell. But, at least I had a blanket this time. And no strange dreams.”

“Igneous is probably still carving a room for you. At least you’ll get your own.”

“You don’t?”

“No. I sleep in the same room as half of everyone that lives here. You can imagine how comfortable that is.”

“Seems like after all the work you get put through, you’d be entitled to better things.”

“Sure does seem that way. But, it is what it is.” She sets her hooves on the table, looking to me softly. “Listen, I’ve been wanting to say something since last night. I don’t think we could have pulled it off if you weren’t there. And after so many close calls.. Hard for me to say this, but --”

“You’re welcome. I’ll spare you the trouble of saying it.”

“Right..”

A lull creeps in.

“Where’s Duke? Surprised to see he’s not with you right now.”

“Oh. He’s over keeping an eye on Fluttershy, doing my job for me.”

“You two seem close.”

“And we are. Tends to happen when you survive the apocalypse with someone by you the whole way. But I’ve known him a lot longer than that, that’s for sure. Longer than I’ve been friends with Twilight.”

“What’s your history with Twilight anyway?”

“We went to the same academy for magic together. We shared a lot of the same classes, worked together alot, but she was never really the social type. She always seemed more interested in books than in friends. But Duke? He and I go way back. We’ve been getting in and out of trouble together since we were little. The only time we were apart was while I attended the academy. He’s never really been strong with magic, but he sure is creative with it.”

Twinkles vision escapes to something behind me. I too look, and down near the floor, barely taller than the bench on which I sit, a small young pony stands there looking at me with glitter in his eyes. “Wow I never thought I’d actually see you guys here!” he says cheerfully.

“Uh.. Hello.” I say.

“My name’s Dandy Lion. You don’t know me, but, I’m your biggest fan. I know you did some stuff my parents didn’t like, I’ve been hiding in these caves forever and haven’t seen it, but you’re my hero!”

“Uh, thanks kid. But I am no hero to you.”

“Of course you are! I heard how you two stole back the Element of Loyalty! And how you kicked the butts of all those evil bad guys over there! Here, I want to give you something.”

I reach down. He passes me a small, smooth stone, flat like a disk. “I want you to have this. My dad and I used to go to the pond and skip rocks every day after school. I’d pick up a whole bunch of them during the day so I could have plenty. But, I haven’t seen my dad.. And there aren’t anymore ponds.. So I thought I’d give it away since I can’t skip it anymore, and who better to give it to than my hero!”

Such a small token, yet heavy with the value given by someone so young and innocent. But his ignorance is bliss I suppose.

“Dandy Lion!” echos a voice from the other side of the room. “Get over here this instant!” I look up to see Hazelbloom standing impatiently.

“I gotta go. Keep it! It might be a lucky one. - Coming mother!” He runs off, and Hazelbloom hurries him away.

“Well isn’t that cute.” Twinkle says.

“Didn’t think I’d ever be the reason for a fanclub.”

“You know you probably killed his dad, right?”

“Don’t remind me.” Though I’m not sure where that came from. Our chat was so.. pleasant. “Those days are over with. I’m sure you’re just as guilty for fathers not coming home as I am. Let’s not get into it.”

“Whatever you say.”

“So you were in the infirmary. How’s Thunderhoof holding up?”

“He’s.. getting there. The others you attacked.. You really did a number on them.”

“You know, it still surprises me.”

“What?”

“All of.. this. I always suspected there might be survivors, but I never thought it would be like this.”

“We’re a lot tougher than you think.”

“I can see that.”

All of the sudden, Ivory pokes her pointy nose between our words. “Don’t get too comfortable.” she growls. “You may live here with us.. but you will never be one of us.”

“Wasn’t counting on it.” I reply, still playing to my plan of leaving once I’ve fulfilled my bargain.

Ivory growls once more. “Just you wait. We still have unfinished business.”

“With what? Still upset over the time I spat in your face?”

She leaves in a huff, dropping her used plate off at Hazelbloom’s stall. “The hell’s her problem?”

“She can be a bit of a hardass. And don’t worry, you’re not the only one she hates.”

“Who is she anyway?”

“Basically second-seat to Twilight. Even though Twilight’s in charge, she goes around the place like she owns it. Very strict, very abrasive. Somehow we get along. Hard to believe but she wasn’t always so sadistic.”

“Funny. I could never imagine her as anything but.”

“Like I said, a lot of us went to the same academy. Ivory was never anyone special. You couldn’t pick her out of a crowd. But she was sweet. She’s changed alot since, well, that’s a secret between her, Duke and I. She got even worse after you showed up.”

“You equins and your secrets.”

“What? What’s wrong with keeping secrets?”

“It just seems like you all are so ready to hide important information from me.”

“That’s because we’ve been through a lot, Jax! Some things are just too personal to share.”

“Hmpf. Personal. Where I come from, there’s no such thing.”

“Well where we come from, we’re entitled to hide our past! There’re some things that happened to us we’re still trying to forget. This isn’t Human Land anymore Jax. You’ll just have to deal with it.”

She shakes her head with a grave disbelief. Looking right into my eyes, she mutters “... Why?” She leaves me at the table with the lonely word.

Why.. Why what? Why did we come here? Why did our first contact turn to genocide? It’s a good question. One with an answer just as vague as Why itself. Why? I don’t know. I just did what I was created to do. But I suppose she’s right about hidden history. I know from my own past, there are three types of secrets we all hold. Those we want to keep for ourselves, those we dare not give to others, and those we hide so we can forget.

Well, my chance to probe into Twinkle has gone with the wind. Not as smooth as I would have liked, but I have been left with some curious clues. She certainly does know many backstories of those who live alongside her. Not to mention all the time she spends with Fluttershy as her guard. Surely my history was shared between them, and perhaps that’s how Mustang knew me as his own. But I hesitate to pin her yet. As of Twilight’s last count, there are 74 ponies. Which can only mean 74 potential informants. Only time will tell.

Time.. The one resource with which there is no refilling. The longer we go with our secrets exposed to Mustang’s remnants, the more danger we all stand beneath. The prince is dead, and those slave to his psionics have been freed. But no doubt there are those that would stay loyal. With his death at my hands, surely they will be out for my blood more than ever. The longer I myself stay in this faction, the more danger lurks for all I come to. The stakes are only raised by the presence of one or more moles to give me away. It troubles me to know that no one is safe so long as I stay by Twilight’s side.

With no one around, I tend to my meal. By my first bite, I can tell these apples had been sitting for a while. All brown and mush on the inside.. Clearly refuse Hazelbloom meant to do away with but decided to give to me. But I eat them, core and all, not letting an ounce be saved. My starved diet still pervades me, even while surrounded by so many full bellies. But who am I to ask for more? Afterall, I am the tearer of families, the destroyer of so many lives - young, old, innocent or full of sin. I was and am the incarnation of their hell. I can only be so lucky that Twilight is my warden. Somehow now.. I find myself grateful for being shown so much mercy.

I sit and watch the light show above, my mind worried by what could come in the near future. I sit long enough that Fluttershy enters the room with an empty basket, and no guards at her sides. Along with myself, she has now been freed from her cage. She does not see me at first. She briefly chats with Hazelbloom, and carries a smile, so soft and genuine. A grin like all in the world is at peace, and not a single cloud blocks her sunny sky. I hear her voice, just on the cusp of my ears. She sings of the finest woven silk. So kind and so compassioned, like not a single ill phrase has ever passed through those sinless lips. Hard to believe she is held behind the same wall as me. Behind the same word, monster.

But now, as she draws her food, she seems daunted. Perhaps Hazelbloom echoes the same unsure offence that rings through these stone walls for me. But the moment she sees me, her daunt flips to joy and she swiftly finds a seat next to mine.

“Oh Jax I’m so glad you're safe! I hadn't seen you since you left. But I’m so proud of you for what you did!” She talks while she eats, taking small, polite bites and always careful to never speak with her mouth full.

“Yeah.. Proud.. I wish I could say the same.”

“Is something wrong?”

“No. I just don’t know how to feel about things.”

“Well if it makes you feel any better, ponies are already starting to warm up to you.”

“It has nothing to do with what they think of me. I couldn’t care less. I’m not even sure what I’m worried about.” But I know this is a lie. I should be careful with what I say aloud, for the walls have ears.

“Well, something has to be bothering you. And my job as your friend is to do everything I can to help you!”

“As my.. friend.”

“Yes!”

“Well, maybe later. In a place without so many prying ears.”

“I know the perfect place. If you don’t mind.”

“Sure. Why not.”

Finished with her food, she flutters away from the table. I follow. But she stops right by the pool, squatting down to peer deep into its shimmery surface. I squat beside her.

Far below in the depths of the well, a forest of fungi cling to the rock. They glow bright against the dullness of the subterrain, beacons of hope against a world so dark. Truly the sunshine of this underground refuge.

Fluttershy picks what few have grown within her reach, placing them in her basket. They cease to glow as they leave the water. “What are those?” I ask.

“Sunshrooms. They keep the water clean and fresh, but they also make good snacks. Try one!”

She passes one my way. It feels slimy, its skin easy to squish yet slightly crunchy underneath. Gooed water drips from it with a faint yellow glow. Hardly appetizing. “No thanks. I’ll pass.”

But this must be the exact spot from where she refilled my water so many days ago. If she is so hated amongst so many, I wonder then how she was able to retrieve it. She must have done a lot of planning, risking herself to make it this deep inside these caves without getting caught. And to go through so much just to help me on my way.. What a powerful gesture of kindness it was.

With her basket full, she flutters away, and I follow. She leads through winding hall after weaving pass, and we go by not a single room nor pony on our way. Eventually, so far away from the rest of the cave, the flickering lights they had strung up along the ceiling end. And now, just that tiny glow dripping from the sunshrooms remains. All is black and quiet, until we make a turn with white sunlight at the tunnel’s end.

There ahead of us, is a room not too far in design to the prison chamber. Round, vacant, a gaping hole above lit by the morning sun.. But this room is no prison. There are no barred cells carved into the walls. It is a sanctuary. The floor is covered with a thick patch of the greenest grass. A handful of scattered flowers bathe in the sun’s healing rays. There’s even a bee or two buzzing around and tending to their petaled joys. I stand marvelled in the presence of such a pleasant place of peace. The room lives as if fully untouched by the cataclysm that came meer weeks ago. I look to the sky. And for that moment, I pretend to be looking up at the tender blue yonder, standing out from the house I had built with my two hands. This sanctuary is but a whisper of the former world. Anything less than a whisper, and it would vanish.

Fluttershy sets the basket in the middle of the room as I stand back at the grasses edge, not wanting to trample over its fragility. “Come on out little ones!” she calls in her silk-woven voice. “Don’t be shy, it’s me! I’ve brought you all something!”

From the many warrens and dens cut around the walls, out come several shy, chittering creatures. Rodents, reptiles, avians, and even a large brown bear all flock to Fluttershy. She greets them all, one at a time, telling them how much she missed them. She picks up a small white rodent, its face bright as it smiles and returns her embrace. Even the bear, who stands twice my size, is as docile and friendly to her as all the others. “Oh I missed you all so much!” They all reply in an uproar of chitters, chirps, and growly murmurs. Fluttershy breaks off pieces of the sunshrooms and gives them away to her woodland friends.

Again, so used to the idea that we had destroyed it all, I stand surprised to be so blatantly wrong. Perhaps there might be hope for this world afterall. Fluttershy's tender nature certainly seems to believe so.

“Now, I brought a very special guest here with me. Be nice to him, he’s a friend.”

All the critters look right to me in an instant. Their happy faces shoot down right to hateful frowns. The small white rodent leaps from Fluttershy's hold, hopping towards me with its tiny battlecry, and jumps to my face. It flies through the air, leading foot first for its best try at a powerful kick. I let it strike. It bounces off me and I catch it as if falls. It bites, kicks, and squirms in my hand as it tries to break free for a second strike.

“Angel!” Fluttershy calls. She flutters forward and takes him tightly from my hands. “That was very rude of you! You shouldn’t get so excited around new friends, you know better. This is Jax. And Jax, this is my best bunny friend, Angel.”

Angel’s beady black eyes glare with disdain. “I’m sorry he jumped at you, he’s always very happy to greet new friends.”

“Funny little thing.” I say to Angel. “Angel, eh? Fluttershy told me about you once.” I feel relieved for Fluttershy. She had mentioned all these creatures before, but I never figured they were still around.

“Now Angel, I know you’re excited for playtime with Jax, but it's time to eat first.”

She has them all finish their sunshroom snacks. “Come on, Jax!” She politely tugs on my arm. But still reserved for this last sacred patch, I decline.

“What’s wrong? Don’t you want to join us for playtime?”

Many of them growl to me. “No thanks. I don’t think “Play” is what they have in mind for me.” Despite her oblivity, it is sweet that she trusts me enough to be around her closest possessions.

Still heavy on my mind are the events of recent. “So..” I continue. “This place.. This is your new home?”

“Mhmm.”

“And you brought me here.. How did you find me? I thought for sure I was left out to dry.”

“Oh I felt so awful after we fought! I was so alone. But I couldn’t stay outside. I came back home the next morning, but you already left. After I realized you were on your way to Canterlot, I flew there as fast as I could, and that’s when I found you.”

“Sorry you had to see me.. Like that.”

“Oh don’t worry, it wasn’t my first time. But after, I knew I couldn’t just leave you there. So I hurried here so fast, and got Primrose and Nurse Redheart to you right away.”

“So you brought me here.. to save my life? Even though you yourself would be a prisoner?”

“It was the least I could do after you saved -- Oh.. You heard..”

“I did. And before you apologise, don’t worry. You weren’t exactly.. you. You became corrupt under the guise of your own fading element.”

“Oh I’m so glad you understand!”

“Well, sort of. But uh.. Thanks. It was a bit of a rough start here, and going to be until I leave..”

“I know, I didn’t want them to hurt you --”

“It’s fine. It’s only half of what I deserve.”

“But you said you were leaving?”

“I thought I was. I was going you bring you with me.”

“You can’t leave! We need you!”

“I realize that. Trouble is, after what I went through just for Loyalty, I’m not so sure I could survive getting the other four plus the two crowns.”

“But we have to get them back!”

“I know. But your enemy knows I’m out looking for them like they are. That makes me a target. I’m only here long enough to give you a lead on Prince Mustang..” The secret I had been keeping, now right at the surface. In light of recent things, am I sure I can trust Fluttershy? Who knows what she could have been doing with my back turned, especially the day she ran away. Where did she really go? And yet I know I can. I unknowingly put my life in her hands and she did not fail me. For the first time in years, I can be certain in who I’d give my secrets to. “..I have a secret. One I probably should have already told.”

“Well, I’m always here to listen.”

“You don’t have to worry about Prince Mustang anymore. Things should be easier now.”

“W-what do you mean?”

“Last night I had an opportunity, and I took it. He’s gone, Fluttershy. I killed him.”

“Oh - Well - That’s great! But, I really think you should share that with Twilight.”

“I probably should have already. But I’m sharing this with you because, well, after I find the next Element.. I’ll be leaving.”

“Jax --”

“I’m sorry Fluttershy. It’s what Twilight and I agreed on.”

“But you’re so important to us! So important to me! We can’t do it without you!”

“I am just as important to you as I am a danger. Twilight is smart. I’m sure she can find a way.”

She stops. I can tell by the look on her face, something is brewing inside her. An anger, hidden deep that she keeps repressed. “Now you just wait a minute, Buster!”

Finally, after all the timid weakness she cowers behind, she fully unleashes her fearsome spirit. I’m surprised as I am glad she’s finally standing up.

“When we were out there in the ash, you said something to me that I will never forget! You said that if there was a way for you to stop everything bad from happening, you would do it! Well now’s your chance. And I know you have too much guilt in your heart to let that go! Now I want you to march right down to Twilight, and tell her you’re staying!”

“I would love to stay and fight, don't get me wrong. But I think you’re missing --”

She gives me a look that stops me in my words. Her eyes burrow fiercely to my soul. My heart pierced, my mind let loose too every overbearing figure in my time all cursing me in the same instant. Those eyes, something in that dreadful stare is so powerful, I feel that even the devil himself would shudder. I leave, in search of Twilight.

Right.. back to the crystal sanctum. Though that look still burns against my brain, I know I must keep to my inhibitions. I never expected Fluttershy to want me to stay so badly. But my concern for her safety, for everyone’s safety, unfortunately outweighs all emotion. It is for the greater good.

And now, I go all the way back through the burrows. It would be nice to have a map, though some places are beginning to look familiar. I could never forget the layout around the prison chamber, I know it better than any other place on this planet.

On my way, many step aside to let me pass. But I see ahead of me, a young colt brimming with teen angst. I can tell by that bored, uncaring look in his eyes that he means to do something foolish. Perhaps he will let me be. I’d hate to have to put him in his place.

But as he passes, a sly and cunning grin. He kicks my ankle. “Oops.”

Hmpf. Such a light tap. But it’s not the force that matters, it was the gesture that says it all. This young boy lacks manners.

I return with a casual kick. You wouldn't even see it unless you were paying attention. He slams to the wall. He returns to his hooves, a lessoned learned, and I carry on as if nothing happened. “Oops.” my only response.

I finally find my way to the sanctum. The doors lay closed. I hesitate to open as Twilight could be busy in her meditations. But, I was right when I said I have should have told her of my meeting with Mustang.

I enter the sanctum, in the middle of a discussion between Twilight and Ivory.

Not even so much as a Hello.

“What the hell are you doing down here!” Ivory barks.

“It’s okay Ivory. I can handle this.” says Twilight. “What is it, Jax?”

Polite. Cheerful. The exact negative of the manic Ivory. As opposite as the North and South poles. But, I suppose with such a wide spectrum between them, they work well together at the helm.

“I.. have some important news from last night.”

“Oh this better be good. You’re dealing with Twilight Sparkle now, Jax. You better not waste her time like you wasted mine.”

“Ivory, please. Go on, Jax.”

But how do I tell her? What way can I say this without raising too much alarm?

I tell them it all, my entire encounter with the evil Prince. I replay it from start to finish, and every last word in between. How he infiltrated my mind, how I almost abandoned Twilight. I end my retale where the knife met the flesh, how I brought the Prince his death.

“YOU. DID. WHAT!” Ivory exclaims.

“Jax.. This is really bad.”

“As I said before. I did what I had to.” I say.

“How could you be so irresponsible! Now an entire chunk of magic is gone! I knew we should never have sent you.”

“Ivory’s right, Jax. Prince Mustang may have been on the wrong side, but without his magic in the world.. Sigh, who knows how little there is left.”

“A price had to be paid to get your precious Element back.” I say. “Without me to make that payment, how much closer would you be now?”

“Twilight, can I speak to you for a moment? Privately?”

They huddle together far across the room, speaking so close that only whispers fit between them. But little do they know, my attuned ears still pick them up.

“Twilight, is this guy for real! Even when he’s helping us, he’s still ruining it all!”

“He didn’t have a choice. I know you’re worried, but give him some slack. And he’s right, what would we have done to get it ourselves?”

“I know. Uch, I hate to agree with something so vile. But I can’t even think about how much we would have lost to get it ourselves. Wait, Twilight, check your magic!”

Both their horns glow for a brief moment.

“I feel the same.” says Ivory.

“I feel the same, too.”

“It must still be leaking. We need to try and find the next one again while there’s still enough left.”

“Alright. It’s worth a shot.”

They break. A slit in the crystal wall slides open, and they retrieve the two Elements. Ivory sets Loyalty at one point of the six point table. Twilight places a tiara on the opposite point. This one I had not seen before. Its encrusted gem matches Twilight’s icon, and the shape the table itself. So this is Magic.

With the two Elements in place, a mystical spellbound ritual begins. The unladen points retreat inwards, while the other two grow outwards. Twilight and Ivory stand still, their heads bowed and their horns shining as bright as the sun. Two beams, red from Loyalty and purple from Magic streak out like lasers to touch each other. I stand back, completely at awe with no understanding of what it all means.

But Twilight and Ivory hold for several minutes. They focus hard, their teeth clenched and sweat slowly rolling down their cheeks. I can feel the immense power shared between them. My skin tickles with a tingle, but it fades the longer the ritual continues. Eventually all the glitters, everything that glew so brightly flashes cold. The ritual ends in as the power between them shatters. The table returns to its six points.

Twilight and Ivory collapse, their bodies strained to all they could withstand. “It wasn’t - enough.” Ivory pants. “It wasn’t enough. Dammit JAX! Why didn’t you tell us sooner!”

“It wouldn’t have - made a difference. We weren’t - any closer - than when we tried last night. If Loyalty hadn’t faded so much, it might have worked.”

“Well now they’ve faded even more! Thanks to Idiot over there!”

Again, she continues to blame me for things that are out of my control. It seems to be all she resorts to with so much hate in her heart. Hate, for me. My kind. My life. She may blame me, however, who am I to blame her?

“There has to be a way to restore its power, without Rainbow Dash!” Twilight yells.

Rainbow Dash.. Something about not needing them puts Twilight on the edge of tears. A close friend perhaps. Maybe even another Element since their name is tied so close.

“So.. what’s the plan now?” I ask.

Both are unsure how to proceed.

“We stick to the mission.” Twilight says after some time of stressful strategizing. “I still need to find one more Element before I can start reshaping Magic. But.. I must keep meditating to find it. I also still need to figure out a way to fix them.. There’s got to be a way, I’ll find it somehow!”

“Jax, you can leave now. Keep looking for that damned spy, and next time.. come here AS SOON as you have something important to say! Don’t fuck us like you almost just did.”

I leave, my purpose fulfilled and my secret spilled.

Still I come no closer to finding the one who hides in plain sight. It could be Twinkle, it could be Ivory, and, dare I say.. it could be my dear friend, Fluttershy. Yet each have reasons for me to deny just as strong as they do to be blamed. Perhaps it's not any of them, perhaps it is someone I have yet to meet.

“One more Element before I can start reshaping Magic.” And also one more Element before I must leave. I still find myself torn at three ends. I could leave now, it would certainly draw heat away from Twilight with the spy no longer on my trail. But I must also stay. I have a deal to remain faithful to, one that could certainly put Twilight on the road to success. But it’s not just the deal. I find myself becoming more and more concerned for the fate of my new world. I have too many options to make sense of. Each one puts me in a bind. Each one could very well end in disaster for all. But I suppose there is no way out of it, I must do my part in some way. Only time can tell me what that is.

After seeing how much it takes just to recover one Element.. I almost shudder at what I used to be a part of. The Elements of Harmony, the single most powerful collection of magical artifacts this world has ever known. Yet these great spirits, clothed with unimaginable might.. are so weak that they have almost no use without so much sacrifice. I have but one question to ask myself - What have we done? The war for Home has ended in loss for both sides. But the war to restore balance has only just started. After all I’ve been through; after all the days waking up covered in ash, to my recent hard earned victory over Mustang, I have only tasted the beginning. And after seeing what it takes to find one more.. I can’t imagine what sort of dark things come my way. But they are sure to come.. and the will be here soon.