TIDAL POV

"It's starting to show, isn't it?" I asked Curdle and Ayra as the doctor checked my exposed belly for one of my daily inspections. I had noticed a while ago, but wanted to ignore it since it felt so weird to think that a life was growing in me. Thinking back on it now, I don't think it was a good idea for me to be a mother with that attitude. Which made the conversation much more impactful.

"Well, that's to be expected of a changeling child. Our incubation takes place over a matter of weeks," Ayra said as she stared at my exposed belly "Though it's almost been four months, and nothing has happened to it."

"Actually-" Curdle interjected "- when I took a sample of your blood-"

"-samples," I said bemusedly.

Curdle cleared her throat "Your results did not resemble anything like pregnancy. You also seem to lack many of the symptoms. Morning sickness, cravings; perhaps the occasional exhaustion but apart from that, the condition resembles more of a parasitic relationship."

"Isn't that what pregnancy basically is?" I asked. Both mares looked at me in horror.

"No!" they both yelled. As both of them began 'instilling the beauty of life into my ignorant self', I tried envisioning myself with a child. I know for a fact if I keep this thing for the long haul, Noire and Cadance will be sure to support me every step of the way. Those two would definitely have their own child: the only thing stopping them is a megalomaniac. I could even see myself having a tiny me or Noire running around with them. We would be one big, happy family. However, these three months haven't made me endeared in any way. Life is beautiful, I know that for sure, but if I keep it, I'll only be able to see him. The one who betrayed us all and put this thing inside me to kill me. I try to see me caring for this child, them calling me 'mom', me making them little lunches and playing outside. Reading and singing to them at night, eventually watching them go off and starting their own life. I can't see myself smiling for this child, loving this child. Ever. Keeping them would only hurt both of us in the long run. I didn't want to be a deadbeat mom. I wanted kids that were proud of me and I them. Just like I was proud of mine. The thought of disappointing her by resenting this innocent life was enough to steel my resolve.

"Curdle." I said halfway through her lecture "I want this 'child' out of me." The silence that came after my decision could make a pin drop sound like thunder.

"Tidal, are you sure? This would be incredibly dangerous. We've already identified that this entity is parasitic in nature., but the unknowns are still numerable: When will it emerge? What will happen if we remove it prematurely? What will become of it when it is removed? If we removed it now, we could not guarantee your safety, or even our own."

"Curdle, you're a good doctor, despite your eccentricities. Don't think I don't know that you take extra blood from us every chance you get." Curdle looked down, surprised and ashamed "However, if you can get so much from my blood, then you should know how strong I am. I'll survive. We can have people around to isolate the 'child' if it is as dangerous as you think it is." I took a hold of Curdle's hand and tightly squeezed it. "Please, save me." Curdle pondered for a bit, but she relented in time.

"Okay, okay, I'll do it. Noire's going to kill me for this so expect me to be much greedier with samples. At least another litre for the month." Ayra quickly hit the doctor over the head.

"You'll do it for free because that's what friends do. Right, honey?"

"Yes..." Curdle answered, rubbing her head "However, I will need ponies with experience in C-sections, some mages, and at least 10 elite guards. 2 inside and the rest outside." Speaking of guards, one came in at that moment, witnessing me with my near exposed chest. I gave him a fierce glare to make him turn away.

"My apologies, General Tidal Horn! I was just coming to say that we have a long line of ponies waiting for court."

Ayra let out a sigh "That is my cue. I will take my leave now. Just remember that I'll stand with your decision no matter what, Tidal." With that, she left with the guard to court. Ever since Cadance had left for Griffonia, Ayra had taken over many of her duties, despite the princess’ insistence that she didn't. She was doing an outstanding job at it too. Crystal ponies were much less afraid of her due to never suffering from changelings in the past and her less intense appearance as a changeling queen. It was impressive how even the migrants from other towns, especially from Canterlot, left satisfied. Turns out Ayra was a good mediator.

"She's so hot when she takes charge," Curdle said as she swooned.

"I did not need that mental image, Doc." I was about to get up to leave when a letter adorned with the mark of Princess Luna landed in my lap. “What’s this?” I cautiously opened the letter and read its contents. When I finished, I felt a burning desire to be with my team, my allies, my friends. This was Chrysalis’ idea, taking me out of the fight to weaken us. This letter emboldened me, strengthened my resolve. I put the letter away and looked at Curdle.

“How soon can we get this done?”

BURNING POV

"Windy! My boy!" The old griffon said as he casually threw Windy up in the air. He was a large, bulky griffon, despite looking to be in his 50s. Dull blue feathers and a grey body that appeared to have gone through many battles. There were scars littered on his face; one on his beak, right cheek, and one large scar across his left eye. The left eye seemed to have lost its light, but his expression matched his sons in its optimism and cheerfulness. I along with other onlookers were dumbstruck by this strange reunion. I had already condemned myself to only knowing a fraction of his tale, with the rest being conjecture, but nothing prepared me for this. I did not even know ponies and griffons could reproduce. It would explain his larger, stronger wings compared to other pegasi. It did not take long before Windy had brought him along to meet me. “You must be Burning Fist, Last Hand of the Lost Martial Arts! The greatest earth pony my son has ever known! Nice to meet you!” He grabbed my hand and firmly shook it. “The name’s Galon, like ‘a gallon of mead’ that we’ll have once that bastard is returned to Aes!” The feather did not fall far from this griffon.

“It is a pleasure to meet the griffon who raised a fine archer and friend. Though I wonder why I’ve never heard about the man who raised such a talented stallion?” I stared at Windy with confusion and bemusement towards this abrupt meeting. Windy could only reply by shrugging his shoulders.

“That would be because I didn’t!” he said with a tone that almost sounded like pride. “Windy was always more of a free bird. I taught him how to shoot a bow before I taught him to walk, and his mother, Aes bless her soul, was a better domestic than me so he learnt his way of life all on his own. Couldn’t be prouder!” Galon wrapped his son in his wings and gave him a strong noogie. Watching the two of them play around in such dire circumstances was vexing, but the fact that Windy had stayed chipper despite our near defeat was uplifting. Practically suffocating as I watched an older clone of him shove some of his baby pictures in my face, reminiscing all the while. They really never stopped talking.

“I hate to put a stop to your reunion, but I would like to know if we have received word from Griffonstone. What is the strength of our forces? What of the enemies?” Galon sighed before his face settled into a serious half squint.

“That’s what I’d like to know. I had only arrived in Galatea Town a couple days ago from Yakyakistan to learn that this ‘Grim’ fellow had declared war on all Equus, and Gilgar had cast his lot with him. I thought I would help with the refugees when I saw you two sleeping like babes in a carriage. The only thing I can say is that while I was patrolling the skies about 3 hours ago, I saw some crazy lights and something flying off west from here. I believe that fighting back there is over, but the details are a mystery to us both.”

“Maybe they retreated?” Windy proposed.

“Likely, but we shouldn’t get our hopes up for a happy sight when we return to Griffonstone.”

Galon placed his hand on his son’s shoulder “He’s right, son. You can win a battle, but nobody wins a war. Your best option is to leave now while the sun’s up and pray your friends are still in one piece.” As I was about to inform the guards of our departure, a letter appeared in a puff of blue flame. Upon closer inspection, the scroll bore the mark of Princess Luna. “Well, I guess we don’t need to wait that long. Don’t keep us waiting, general, what’s it say?” I opened the letter to find a detailed letter. I scanned over every word and by the end, I felt something, deep inside, roar. It reverberated within my heart. I could tell by the determined look on Windy’s face, who had just received a similar letter, that we were of the same mind. In fact, every soldier I could see had a similar looking letter in their hand. I rolled up the letter and stowed it in my pocket. We knew what had to be done. “I know that look. It’s the look of a warrior with a fight ahead of them.”

“Windy.”

“I know, I know.” Windy landed on his feet and gave his father another big hug “Gotta go dad. My friends need me.” Galon was confused for a second but smiled and returned the embrace.

“I’ll work with these forces here to situate the people and protect them from any more attacks. You go end this civil war.” They separated and bid the old griffon farewell. We left immediately for the rendezvous point. Three days is just enough to get there. As we made our way with the pack of rations and gear with us, Windy broke the silence.

“Haven’t seen my dad in five years, you know. Ever since she died, he couldn’t bear being in that place for any long period of time. He did show up enough to teach me how to shoot and steal, though.” I stayed silent and simply listened to him. “I know, from that, you must think he is a deadbeat, and he kinda is, but he cares a lot. Not just about me but about anyone he thinks need help. That’s why he travels a lot. He can’t imagine a life where he sits still for a day, let alone eleven months.” He sighed a bit and stretched, looking up at the peaceful sky, not a cloud or enemy to plague it.

“He is a man of his principles but knows when to set them aside for a greater cause. I respect men who can sacrifice like he just did, regardless of his nature. Does that put you at ease?” Windy looked shocked at my statement, like that was the first time someone had complimented his father, but quickly returned to his relaxed expression.

“I wasn’t worried at all.”

“…He talks a bit too much, though.”

“I know right!”

“…”

NOIRE POV

After everything, I wanted nothing more than a soft bed and a week’s worth of sleep but from the looks of everyone, I would need to buckle up. Luna, Gilgamesh, Cadance and I were gathered in a tent discussing the plan I devised. “Are you sure this is the best course of action, Noire? If we fail...” Gilgamesh was right to be concerned. What I proposed was crazy, suicidal even. I looked back out of the tent, to the troops. After Cadance had given us a temporary victory against Chrysalis, we managed to rescue most of the soldiers we had lost. However, some were reduced to nothing but hollowed out corpses: their muscles atrophied, eyes sunken, and all colour drained.

“We don’t have the troops to stand against Gilgar's; that is just a fact. Coming at him conventionally will only get more people killed in the long run. Grim has relied on nothing but trickery and misdirection since he emerged, and he’s only found more ways to overpower us in a direct confrontation. If we don’t change our way of attack, he’ll win. That’s why we must do this.” I then placed my finger right on the castle where our enemy was residing. “You, Cadance, and Luna will go to Opus Terrae, and you’ll use the cavern system infiltrate the castle. Meanwhile, I will meet with Windy and Burning and be the distraction for any of Grim’s faction. If all goes well, we should be able to perform a two-pronged attack on Gilgamesh and whoever is with him.” After I explained the plan, I gave a moment of silence for anyone to interject, but from the looks on everyone’s faces, they either agreed that this was our best shot with the state we are in or couldn’t come up with a better idea.

“And what of the remaining soldiers?” Cadance asked.

“They need to recover. We’ve lost enough of our army to be delayed by weeks. They won't expect any attacks from us. If we do not take this chance while they're guard is lowered, they'll crush what left of us and we'll effectively lose the support of the griffons in this war. We should leave now while there is daylight.”

"Then you should speak with them before we leave. You are the leader of this charge," Gilgamesh said. Outside, all of the soldiers were still a bit scattered; many were still being tended to, some were talking with other soldiers. They were clearly still divided: ponies and griffons do not reconcile in a week. There would not be a civil war if they could. We probably had about 6 hours of daylight left, so I decided to speak with them all through a quick and easy method.

“Soldiers, do you hear me?” The whole camp went silent. “It seems you can. I am Noire, a traveller from another world who has taken up arms in defence of my new home.”

“This is not just Equestria, but all of Equus. Our home. Another traveller, Grim, came here long ago and attempted to destroy this world, and create his self-proclaimed ‘utopia’. He has returned and to achieve his goal once more, he is willing to erase everything. Our homes, our families, our lives.”

“You may look around you and see people you saw or still see as enemies. I am aware of the bad blood that has separated us, but now is the time to set our grievances aside for a better future. To create a better future for the people who will live in it, we must fight our common enemy. Gilgamesh, Princess Luna, Princess Cadance, and I will storm the capital. It is our best opportunity to defeat Gilgar. If any of us do not return, I would like to speak on all of my comrade’s behalf and say thank you for standing with us. Regardless of your race, it was an honour to stand beside you. ”

With all that said, we exited the tent and bid our farewells. However, as we left, we saw every soldier standing in salute. Those who were injured helped each other stand to the best of their ability. At that moment, we were a united front of pony and griffon.

“May Faust be with you!”

“May the blessings of Aes protect you!”

With that, I cast a spell on Gilgamesh to help him fly along with us, and we took off. During our travel, I remembered something I had forgotten to ask due to the frenzy.

“That was an excellent speech, Sir Noire.” Gilgamesh said, causing me to blush.

“It was so embarrassing! I came up with that on the spot!”

“Welcome to the club, Noire. It was so good, I simply had to send written copies to the soldiers in Guilatea Town.”

“…What was that spell by the way, Cadance? It was way stronger than any other barrier I’ve seen you make.” I asked.

Cadance could only shrug in response. “I honestly don’t know. I just wanted to save you both, and it just happened.”

“With the strength to push Chrysalis, with all her love enhancements back, it had to be arcane magic.”

“It was also very similar to the ki I had taught you briefly, however, I felt that yours was not just a zone around you but connected to specific people.” What they seemed to be getting at is that she combined the ki zone training she got from Gilgamesh with her love barrier to create a targeted defence spell. Cadance blushed slightly from the praise as I silently beamed with pride. I knew she had it in her. She wasn’t an alicorn for nothing.

“Well regardless of what she used to do that, what is necessary is that it gets a name,” I said . Everyone stared at me like I had said something stupid. “None of you can judge me here, especially you, Luna. Crescent Moon’s Punishment?” It was Luna’ turn to blush.

“I… I came up with it years ago, long before any of your parents were even born,” she said, trying to defend herself. It was obvious she just didn’t want to be left out.

“In that case it’s practically tradition, meaning that Cadance should name the spell.”

“Okay, okay! If it will make you happy-“

“-It will.”

“If it will make you happy, I will name it ‘My Love’s Embrace’ because I love you all so, so much!” she said as she hugged me mid-flight.

“You are all… very strange, but I am very glad to know you.”

CHRYSALIS POV

When I had come to, I found myself deep in a crater, still warm from my landing. I could barely move from a lack of love. That chimaera was still too inefficient: I could have handled all of them just fine if that thing had not drained over half of my energy just for two attacks. I tried to stand up but failed miserably, landing on my face. “What a pitiful sight to behold: a fallen queen desperately clinging to scraps.” I looked up and saw Gilgar standing on the edge of the crater.

“That would make two of us, Crownless King. Now did you come here to help or to mock me further?” He seemed to ponder for a bit, stuck between the logical choice and the choice that amused him. Fortunately, he proved his wisdom and jumped into the crater, lending me his shoulder to lean on. “You are very kind, Gilgar. Just as I suspected.” As he jumped back out of the crater with me and began to walk me back to the portal he must have used to get here, a wicked thought crossed my mind. “However, your shoulder is not what I desire…” with the last of my energy and push him to the ground and straddle him “I need your love.” Before he could protest, I began to drain some of his love from him. His was different from others. Not in the way it tasted, but the lengths I went to obtain it. His was a hidden buffet: delicious, plentiful, but hard to reach. As I milked him for all he was worth, I felt his resistance grow, but a little delusion would settle him. In a flash of green fire, my black chitin was replaced with golden fur, my green eyes turned an azure hue, and Gilgar’s resistance vanished immediately.

“Vera?” His voice wavered, reaching for my face. I obliged, letting him touch me. Whatever kept him docile. Grim was right: the magic in his body made even the most obvious manipulations effective. His mind must have been teetering on the edge for a while for him to believe a lie like this.

“Ah, the most broken ones often have the most to offer. The desperation makes the love so bittersweet. Luckily for you, I don’t mind the taste.” I dove down to seal the deal, planting one right on his lips. That act alone gave me everything I needed to get back to at least 80%. With that, I got back up and walked back to the portal. “We’ll continue this another time. Wouldn’t want you croaking when you have so much left to do. Right, my love?” Gilgar rose to his feet and followed me to the portal.

“Yes, my wife and daughter await me in the new world.” As he approached me, I noticed he mentioned his wife, but not fast enough to stop his hand from gripping at my throat. He tightly wrapped both his hands around it as my disguise dissipated. “The only reason you are alive is because Grim needs you. Do not test it or else you may find out how fragile your safety net is.” He let go of my neck and walked through the portal.

“Grim told me that he should be a delusional mess by now? Is his resistance beyond Grim’s analysis?” I thought before entering the portal myself. “No matter. By the time Noire appears to face him, he will be fully submerged in his agony.”

TIDAL POV, THE NEXT DAY

While I laid on an operating table, I went over everything in my head. Just like the night before, I tossed and turned, considering whether I was making a mistake again. Curdle and Ayra were in the room, along with a lot of doctors. “You sure you can do this, Curdle?”

“I have the best doctors here to help me, an IV filled with magic to keep the entity from trying to drain you dry while we remove it, and soldiers to assist if it goes on a rampage. We’ve got this. I should be asking if you can do this. This is your last chance to back out. Once you wake up, it will be out.”

“I can do this. I’m not letting this put me out of the fight.” Curdle studied my face for a moment of indecision or regret, but once she was sure I was sure, she turned around and instructed everyone to get to their stations. Ayra came over and grabbed my hand. “A changeling child, huh? Probably one of the last ones besides you, Chrysalis, and Shining.” Ayra looked at me and shook her head.

“Don’t make this about me. I’ll find a way to restore my race. Becoming a queen has made it possible now. Just focus on yourself right now. I’m with you, dear.” She gave me a quick hug as Tidal came to me with a mask. Once it was fit around my face, I felt the gases numbing my body, starting with my feet and rising to my chest. Once I was awake, I would be able to join my comrades in the fight. The only thing I regretted was not being able to know what they all thought of this. My head felt heavy, my eyelids slowly closing.

“I wonder what mom would have thought.” I thought.

“Why don’t you just ask me yourself?” I opened my eyes to find the voice that cut through my thoughts like a sword through butter, but the sight was too much, forcing my head down unless I started to cry like I was actually fifteen years old again. I was sat at a café in Canterlot, with the smell of freshly made bread wafting into my nose. This was my favourite place in the city: Brick Oven, best bread makers in Equestria. A strawberry sundae and croissant were on my plate. My favourite order when I was a kid. “I didn’t pay for that sundae for you to have a staring contest with it, you know.” I finally decided to face her once again. Queen of Waves. Commander of Tides. Worst Baker in the land. The Great Storm Surge.

“Mom?” I stood up from my seat and walked over to her, eyes beginning to leak. She met me half-way and took me into her arms.

“I know, baby, I know. I’m here.” We stood there for a long time, just embracing as the ponies past us by without care in the world. “You know I’m not real right?”

“I know, but… I really wanted to see you again.” Once we parted, we sat back down and enjoyed our meal. My croissant was still warm, indicating that it was as I thought. This was just a dream. “Why is this happening though? I don’t recall having this dream.”

“My- or should I say your- best guess is that this is a memory you are recalling from your childhood. The magic being inserted into your system while that entity is being removed is causing a temporary state of magic poisoning. While the side effects do include a deficit in critical brain functions, it can cause people to recover memories long forgotten.”

“Yes, I remember this. I did well in my magic training and you rewarded me with my favourite food.”

“You always liked dipping your croissants in strawberry cream.”

“It was for added taste!” We both said at the same time. We laughed as the memory I was recalling was becoming clearer. The clock strike 10:00 AM and Mom immediately stood up. She looked as if she didn’t even know why she stood herself, but we both knew it was for some reason. Something had to done at 10:00 AM. “It seems we have to leave,” she said.

“Then I will come with you.” I followed where her legs guided her. Out of the business district and into the provinces, and finally into the castle. I blinked and the scene changed. We were in her room, and she was putting on her armour to go somewhere. “What are we doing here? What are you doing on this day?” I looked to her for answers but as she said before, she was a figment of my imagination, a side effect of the excess magic in my system. If I didn’t know, why would she? I looked around the room for any clues. Was it a meeting? Was she going to fight? I checked the desk for any times, but the dates were all scrambled. “Stupid memory. Can’t find any clues about the date if I don’t remember the date.” Mom had already finished dressing and subconsciously left the room. She had not even spare me a look, as if I wasn’t even there. “Mom!” As I tried to grab hold of her, my hand fell through her body. I was not a part of this memory, or perhaps I was just imagining this scenario. I followed her down the halls until we came face-to-face with Princess Celestia and a younger Shining Armour as one of her personal guards. This meant that this had to be at least 10 years ago, when he joined her personal guards and I was still being trained.

“Greetings, Captain Surge,” Celestia said.

“To you as well, your highness,” she bowed and followed the alicorn down the hall. “I assume you were going to my quarters to alert of the situation at the border?” Celestia remained stone-faced as they walked.

“If you know why I’m here, then I assume you know what I have to ask of you?” Mom just nodded and kept walking with them until something I did not expect happened. Around the next corner, was me. A fifteen-year-old Tidal Horn, clutching her practice sword with enthusiasm. Like the end of the world had never crossed her mind. That was when I knew when this was. The adults stared at her, so sad and so mournful, as if they knew the innocence of youth was going to die today.

“Your highness?”

“I implore you to spend this time with your daughter.” Celestia continued walking, with little me bowing in her presence. She knelt to me and said “I see such ambition in your eyes, my little pony. Like powerful waves on the rocks.” That was all she said before she and Shining vanished from the memory. There was only the mother, the child, and me in that hallway. Anyone who was there at the time was simply washed away, out of my child self’s notice.

“My sweet, sweet child,” Surge touched my face and brought me into a hug “I have to go. I have been summoned to the border.”

“But why?”

“Griffons have been causing a ruckus again. Celestia needs me there to protect the ponies in the outskirts before things get out of hand.”

“When will you be back, Mom?”

“…I don’t know.”

“Then take me with you!”

“No.”

“No?”

“No. You are not ready for the battlefield. It is not a place for a child.”

“I’m not a child anymore! You said yourself that I’m strong! I’m even better than you were when you were my age!”

“It’s not enough, Tidal!”

“YOU DON’T KNOW THAT!”

“I’M YOUR MOTHER! I KNOW YOUR LIMITS!” They both stopped to calm themselves. This is the first time they’ve ever had a fight like this. This isn’t them: it’s just their emotions. Mom was right though: if I went to the border, I would have died just like she did, but every teenager thinks they have everything figured out until life make them see that they’ve only seen the edge of the small pond, and just observers to the ocean. Mom took a deep breath “Follow me.” As we all rounded the next corner, the hallway dissipated and turned into a training ground, the same one I trained at as a child. There, she picked up a practice sword.

“One round. No holding back. If you win, I’ll let you come. If I win, you stay. Agreed?” A part of that girl was scared. She had never seen the full might of Storm Surge, but another part of scared that this would be the only time, and that made the fear turn to courage. Foolish, but unrelenting courage. She drew her blade, summoning her water magic as the two faced each other. Mom looked to a soldier that was handling a few swords to officiate, a hard glare being enough to get him to comply. He dropped the swords and raised his hand. I was already sweating: a bad sign. Mom was radiating an aura that screamed for her to surrender, equal parts intimidation and desperation. However, Tidal Horn’s ambition was her greatest strength. Once her mind was set on one path, one objective, it was hard to shake her. Unfortunately, it kept her in place until the soldier’s hand signalled the start of the ‘fight’. I say ‘fight’ because Mom disappeared and Storm Surge appeared behind her, swift as rain, and everything went dark. She had knocked me out in one hit. Fortunately, I was conscious enough to hear her last words to me.

“One day, my daughter, you will be able to take to the ocean. Guard, take her to my office.”

When the pain from the blow subsided and I could see again, I was watching my younger self in Mom’s office. I remember how once I was conscious, she had already left, and I refused to leave the room unless it was to train. I was in my first week, and Shining Armour returned. I was so happy, I ran past him to greet Mom, but she wasn’t there.

“Where’s Mom?”

“Tidal.”

“Shining, where’s my mom?” My voice came out like a nervous wreck. “Is she outside?”

“She-“

“Is she with Celestia?”

“Listen.”

“I’ll go find her.” My younger self tried to leave but Shining held me in place. I tried to break out of his grip, but he was too strong.

“She’s not here anymore.”

“What? That’s silly. She’s just with Celestia if you just let. Me. GO!” Shining turned me around and pulled me into his arms. I struggled with all my might, but his embrace was enough to tell me everything I didn’t want to believe.

“She’s not here anymore, Tidal. I’m so sorry.”

“No. No, NO, NO! WHERE’S MY MOM, SHINING?! WHERE IS SHE?!” I felt myself shake in his arms, not out of resistance, but pure agony. Even if he wasn’t holding me, I probably wouldn’t have been able to do anything but, cry, scream, and writhe in pain. She was dead. My only guiding light. My friend, mentor, family. She was dead. Killed by griffons. Reality had come crashing down on me and all I could do was wail. The room began to burn my eyes as it filled with salty water. I felt my feet being lifted from the ground as the room became submerged in water.

It hurt so much.

“I thought I had overcome this a while back. Noire had made it into my mindscape and freed me from my self-inflicted torment, but this hurts so much more than back then.” I thought.

“You did, but in another way, it was just a deflection.” A clear voice cut through the water. Mom had returned, but her voice was different. It was layered, lighter, and echoed through the motions of the waves. “Noire had helped you escape from your mind, but your mind is as turbulent as the waves. One moment, you are at peace. Another moment, submerged, and with every storm that rages in your mind, another has come to clear it. Storm Surge was your guide, then you made Shining take her place, then when he left, your lover replaced him.” The unknown person masquerading as my mother drew closer, holding my face. “Now he is not here to guide you, so who will guide you now, I wonder?”

“Who are you?”

“Just an observer.”

“Where am I?”

“The true depths of your pain.” The entire mindscape began to shake as something shot through my body once again and I clutched my stomach in pain. “It seems the entity is fighting back. If this continues, you will die of magic exhaustion. What will you do?” I began to choke on my own pain as it grew, and the waves around became more chaotic.

“So you say my dependence on others to guide me is my weakness?”

“I merely state a pattern in your behaviour.” Her passive behaviour grew irritating. I had enough of her. With a gargled battle cry, I swam deeper into the water. The bottom seemed unreachable, but my greatest strength was and is my ambition.

“I won’t let that rookie get ahead of me. No-one will ever again!” A small glint of light could be seen at the bottom. However, from the surface, black tendrils wrapped around my body and tried to hold me still until the pain had taken hold. However, dream or not, I was in water, and water was my domain. The waves chaotic movements began to bend to my will, slicing the tendrils away on my command. “The only pony I will follow is my own ambition!” The light grew brighter and brighter as I reach my hand. “So observe this, bitch!” I grabbed hold of the light, a sapphire, clean and pure. Once it was in my hands, the water began to drain from the mindscape like a plug was pulled from the sink. As the water vanished, the lady did as well, but not before one more exchange.

“So this is your resolve. I look forward to seeing the fruits of it very soon.”

“Thank you.” The lady shook her head.

“Do not thank me. Thank your mother: she’s the one who asked me to give you that 'smack to your behind'.” I could not ask more as the water had completely drained from the mindscape, and the mystery lady had vanished. All I could see was a blinding light that was pulled away from my eyes as Ayra came into view, with a small changeling in her arms. I looked around to find Curdle, frantically pacing back and forth, muttering something.

“Curdle! She’s awake!” Curdle and Ayra ran up to me to check if I was okay. Surprisingly, I felt amazing, as if the surgery never happened. They were saying something, but I was still coming to and they were talking over each other, making everything unintelligible. Ayra was the first to calm down.

“Tidal?” I looked over to her, and the child in her arms. Yes, once it was out of me, in front of me for the first time, I could acknowledge that it was a child.

“How are they?”

“He’s… doing fine.” She leaned forward to show him to me. He had black chitin, but it faded into a deep purple at his limbs. His hair and tail were a midnight blue, and his eyes were yet to open.

“Please take good care of him, Ayra.” I realise in hindsight that I forgot to ask Mom what she thought of my choice, but at that point, her opinion didn’t matter. I was my own guide.

NOIRE POV

We had arrived. Opus Terrae. A lush green field, with flowers and crops growing almost endlessly. On the horizon, a great mountain stood, piercing the clouds and a city rested on top. Griffonia was right in front of us. Despite our expectation of a fight once we approached the fields, but surprisingly, no-one awaited us.

“It seems they are expecting us,” Cadance said.

“You can sense it as well, can you. The ki at the top of that mountain…” Gilgamesh looked to the peak. Once I looked up, it was clear: magic was swarming around the castle like a storm, dark and perverted. However, that didn’t seem to shake anyone’s resolve. The only concern was where Windy and Burning were.

“Hey guys~!” A familiar voice sang from behind us. “Your favourite pegasus has arrived!” Windy and Burning had arrived just on time.

“Cutting it close though,” I added.

“Travelling to Griffonia on foot isn’t exactly an easy trip, Noire, and we don’t have near infinite magic at our disposal,” Burning countered, shutting me up.

“The caverns are on the west entrance. Once you three begin the plan, we will take the quickest route into the castle. It should take us at least seven minutes to get there.”

“So, we have to keep them distracted for 7 minutes? We can do this, right guys?” Windy and Burning both nodded in agreement. With that, the royals all left to take the caverns while we made our way to the mountain. We had no idea of the events that would transpire over the next 24 hours, but for better or worse, this day was known forever more as ‘The Great Incursion’.

Author's Note

Finally got something out! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Just something to remind all of us (specifically myself) that no matter how hard it may seem some days, we sometimes have to be our own motivators, our own guides. Cut out the negative talk and get to it or else all of your dreams will stay dreams. I heard this quote that really got me off my butt and in a chair writing this saying "The magic is in the work that you're avoiding." Yeah, the procrastination was growing strong in me, but I'm getting there.

I hope you al stick around for the next chapter: I got a lot of stuff planned so I'll see you then. Stay dizzy. Wuzzy out.