Mystogan had been away from Ponyville for about a week since the wedding. He had headed eastward to the oriental lands to gather what information he could about the current ways of life and knowledge of their culture. During his absence, Twilight and her friends had gone about their usual day to day activities. Though soon enough, the six mares were soon to find out something about Mystogan that had been kept shrouded deep within the underground archives hidden beneath that castle at Canterlot. Something that may forever change the way they see him as their friend or possibly more. Especially for the bookworm unicorn.

Twilight was in her home doing some usual studying when Spike, her little dragon companion, and his surrogate mother comes in with a letter addressed to Twilight. Wgt have he and Mystogan never met? Simply because they just could never find the right time with Mystogan being a nearly reclusive pony should he stay still in one place for too long.

“Hey, Twi? A letter just came from the princess. She said it was rather important for you and the others to head over to the castle right away. She said it was about your friend...Mystogan was his name?”

She takes the letter and nods to Spike with a smile and thanks him. He heads out of the room to go to his normal activities. Twilight begins to read through the letter and lets out a slight gasp as she read it.

”Dear Twilight,

With Mystogan out on his journey for the moment, I believe that your friends and I need to discuss something in private regarding the mountain pony and his kind. I did not want him to know about this meeting so I waited to call you to the castle when he departed.

This wasn’t because I didn’t want him involved. More to the point of...I’d rather not him find out because of what it could cause him to feel of his own kind. And more importantly, how he’d see himself because of it. I await you and your friends to come to the castle. Please make haste, as I remember Mystogan saying he’d return any day now.

Yours,
Princess Celestia”

She read this in her mind and quickly jumped to her hooves to gather a few things before heading out the door to go and gather her friends for the train ride to Canterlot. Once they had all gathered, they hoped the train and began their ascent up the tracks to the station i.n Canterlot. Along the way, Twilight briefed her five friends of the situation.

“I won’t lie. As handsome and charming as he is, Mystogan also seems quite...brutish. I don’t mean to sound like I don’t like him though! The stallion was kind enough to make a wonderfully soothing shampoo that makes my mane even more divine than it already is!”

“He seems like an alright stallion. It’s just...the way he tore into that changelin’ at the weddin’...and he even drained its blood. I can handle a lot of things Twi. But that kind of brutality and strength, it’s enough to make me even feel scared around him.”

“It’s not like he enjoyed doing it, you guys. Mystogan was just doing what he felt was right in order to get to us and everyone else. If you ask me, I thought it was pretty awesome how he showed those oversized bugs no mercy. Especially when ruining such a special day.”

They all said their piece about how they felt about Mystogan. They all came to the conclusion that he was just doing what he felt right. But in Twilight’s mind, her memories went back to that night she stayed at his home and the words he spoke. They rang in her head over and over.

“Alchemists aren’t afraid to do what is necessary for the greater good. That does not mean we don’t have morals, and that some of our decisions sometimes haunt us. But if we can do it to help save lives or even make other ponies’ lives better. We will do it.”

The fact that he was willing to take the life of another being or creature to do just that. It frightened her, but at the same time she admired him for his outlook on life. Do what needs to be done. Even if it is not the safest or more diplomatic route but, get it done. Something she was too afraid to even think about doing herself. Perhaps that is why she didn’t feel as if he was truly a monster. At least, not intentionally anyway.

Eventually, they made their way to the castle and met Celestia and Luna in that royal library. Celestia greeted them happily as did Luna. Once they made their way to a more..out of the way and secluded part of the library, Celestia turned to the group with a more serious look on her face. Even with a slight glare.

“Due to recent events. I need to inform the six of you, especially you, Twilight. About Mystogan and what he and his kind are. Please, follow me, and stay close.”

Celestia takes a key from her pocket and moves a bookshelf out of the way with her magic. Luna takes out a key as well. Both sisters place their keys into the two holes that then divide from a seamless door to a now opened passageway. They travel down into the dimly lit corridors which seemed...rather neat and tidy for a hidden place. It took all of Twilight’s willpower to not grab the first book she saw on the shelves they all passed, knowing her mentor wouldn’t approve. However, once they reached down to the end of the massive room at the end of the corridor, Celestia pulled out a rather large book that was decorated in a steel binding and a black hardback cover. The title read ‘The History Of The War Giants’. She holds the book in both hands and looks down at Twilight and the others.

“What I am about to tell all of you does not leave this room. Am I making myself clear?”

She asked in an almost threatening manner. They all nod and listen intently as Celestia opens the book up and turns a few pages with ehr magic.

“You see, my little ponies. The reason that Mystogan is desensitized from brutality and gore is that it is in his genetic makeup. Mystogan’s race is in fact bred for war and battle. While mountain ponies are gentle and kind during times of peace, once they get a smell of confrontation. It flips a switch on in their blood to tell them it’s time to draw their weapons once more. What you saw from Mystogan on the day of the wedding is something that just couldn’t be helped. And…”

She lowers her head and gripped the book a bit roughly. As she was having a hard time confessing this to them. She hadn’t even told Luna this secret of hers that she still regrets.

“I asked Mystogan to stay for the wedding just in case something like that would happen because I knew of his genetic disposition. I...I used him because of it. Knowing full well that he’d respond to the violent nature of the changelings. Under the guise of him protecting his friends, I used him as a secret weapon against the potential danger.”

Twilight and her friends saw the regret on the alicorn’s face once she spoke of what her true intentions were of having Mystogan around. Not because of having him as a friend and ally but, because of what he is instead of who he is? Twilight didn’t know why, but it stung her a bit to learn that her mentor used Mystogan in such a way. Before Twilight could get upset with her, Celestia spoke again.

“I now know that it was wrong of me to do this. I welcomed him into our land under false pretenses. But now that I realize that he truly did it not just because it is in his nature, but because he rushed to the safety of everypony in the chapel, I know that he is valuable not only for what he is but because of who he is. Now that I have told ALL of you this. I am going to reveal to you just how mountain ponies came to be.”

The book’s pages begin to turn rapidly and a bright light filled the room surprising all the ponies and even Luna.

“Long ago, before even Ponyville was founded. A mixture of both earth and pegasus ponies lived in a peaceful co-existence. They were strong and fierce, but loyal and kind to one another and saw each other as their own flesh and blood. And believe it or not, they actually ventured out into the world freely just like any other pony would. But, because of the a certain war that lasted for many, many years. Those very same ponies had to move further and further away from the land that they once occupied.

They had no choice but to move further and further up those mountains that their former home surrounded. And because of that, their bodies went through VERY noticeable changes as each generation passed. They grew larger, thicker coats of fur and even the pegasi grew stronger and larger wings, eventually leading to them having a second pair to fair against the harsh cold winds of the mountain tops.

Armies upon armies tried to rid the now mountain pony infested mountaintops in order to claim the land for their own. But this met with horrible repercussions because of not only having to face enemies large and stronger than they are, but because the near-constant threat of invasions tempered the minds and bodies, thus making them effective living weapons of war. While they did not favor starting wars, they certainly had no issues with finishing them, especially if it was on their lands or their allies. This brings us to the rather...darker side of Mystogan and his kind.

The reason why Mystogan is the way he is is that being both a warrior and an alchemist, he believes that violence and blood is also the key to bettering the lives of others because of how he feels it improves his alchemy skills as well. The way he tore open that changeling, the words his spoke and the way he looked down on Chrysalis as an experimental subject to be used. The thirst for both blood and knowledge is a deadly combination. And Mystogan, being a warrior and an alchemist spells potential trouble for those that are their enemy. Especially with the levels that Mystogan possesses. While he isn’t invincible by any means, A hardened body and a strong mind are dangerous in of itself. And the alchemists of the mountain pony race are just that.

But the fact that his race not only killed their enemies without mercy, they picked their fallen victims onto spikes to show that their new enemies would meet the same fate, or worse. Being subjected to brutal experimentation and cut open while still alive. This is why Mystogan has no issues with blood and gore. Because back then, it was common for his kind to slaughter and dissect any enemy that tried to invade them. As In said, it is in their blood and genetics.

As the years went by, fewer and fewer invaders came, i as they finally got the hint. This made the mountain ponies become less prone to instant bloodlust as peace had finally set in. But that long, long time of killing and dismembering was imprinted onto them. Which is why it seems so natural to just literally tear apart their enemies should killing them be an option.

So as you can see, mountain ponies are killing machines. But, this wasn’t out of choice. It was out of a strong will to live. I wanted to tell you all of this now because of what you may or may not see of our new mountain pony friend. But I want you to know this. He will not do these things because he can. Mountain ponies have a strong sense of loyalty and devotion to those they care for. And will take the step to murder should that arise.”

The light suddenly fades and the book shuts with a loud clap. Celestia takes the book into her magic and places it on the shelf where it once sat. The eyes of Twilight and her friends widened in both surprise and slight sadness for Mystogan. Never having known that his kind had to endure such things made them feel sorry for the large stallion.

“The poor dear was just doing what his kind have done all their lives. He is a kind-hearted soul to be sure. But because of his kind’s past. It made him into a brute, unintentional of course.”

“That explains why I felt fear from him that evening, but I felt no threat. It was a strange feeling indeed. He revealed to me that as an alchemist, he wasn’t afraid to do what he needed to do for the betterment of the lives of ponies, even if it went against his morals. His power and knowledge...it is so stimulating. So...inspiring~.”

They all noticed the blush on Twilight’s muzzle forming as she spoke those words. Celestia actually saw her student...blushing over a stallion? Though with Mystogan being that stallion, she wasn’t sure if this was a good or a bad thing. But at the same time, she couldn’t help but be happy that her student actually had intimate feelings for another.pony. Her friends were surprised by this as well. Twilight had never thought of anypony in such a manner. Normally she had books and studies on the brain. This was certainly a nice change.

“Very well then. I leave him in your capable hands then, my star student. I do believe that you and your friends, but especially you can make sure that he will always be surrounded by those who care and make sure that his brutish side doesn’t come up in unnecessary situations.

--A Few Hours Later--

A cloaked, armored figure steps over the hill that looked over Ponyville. His cloak flowed behind him as he removed his hood, revealing the face of Mystogan who had a slight smile on his muzzle. He had returned with gifts for his friends during his travel. And he couldn’t wait to return home and see them all.

“It’s good to be back.”

He said as he gazed up at the early evening sky.

Author's Note

Mystogan will find out what his own kind has been hiding from him eventually. But from an unlikely source. Who or what will it be?

May the darkness grant you peace.