ACT 5: Chapter 0 - A Gift of Compassion

The Visitors in the Night

The night was calm.

The battles were over.

The world was safe.

Yet, as the Main Six and Starlight Glimmer slept, their dreams were not empty.

One by one, they each found themselves in a place beyond understanding—a vast, endless white expanse, neither warm nor cold, neither light nor dark.

And standing before them—

Was her.

A tall, human-like figure, wrapped in a strange, ethereal presence.

Her body was stitched together like a doll, her limbs soft but unbroken, her head tilted with an expression of gentle curiosity.

And her smile—

It was warm.

She spoke, her voice like a lullaby sung by the stars.

"Would you like to have him back?"

Each of them answered in turn.

Twilight Sparkle's Answer

Twilight stared at the angelic doll-like figure, her heart pounding.

“Steel…” she whispered.

Memories flashed—his battles, his wisdom, his final sacrifice.

Tears filled her eyes.

“Yes,” she said. “More than anything.”

The figure nodded, as if she already knew.

Applejack's Answer

Applejack adjusted her hat, watching the figure cautiously.

She wasn’t one for mystical nonsense.

But this?

This was real.

She exhaled, voice steady.

“That big ol’ hunk of metal went and saved all of us.” She looked down, smiling sadly.

“… Ah reckon Equestria could use him back.”

Another nod from the figure.

Rarity's Answer

Rarity blinked, taking in the strange being’s tattered-yet-artistic form.

“I… I do not understand what you are,” she admitted. “But if you truly have the power to return Steel to us…”

She placed a hoof over her chest.

“… Then yes. He deserves to come home.”

The figure simply smiled.

Rainbow Dash's Answer

Rainbow Dash crossed her hooves, eyes narrowed.

“You’re seriously asking me that?” she scoffed.

Then her expression softened.

“… We never even got to say goodbye.”

She sighed, looking away.

“Yeah. Bring him back.”

A gentle nod in response.

Fluttershy's Answer

Fluttershy fidgeted slightly, staring at the figure with wide, uncertain eyes.

She swallowed.

“… He was always so kind,” she whispered. “Even when he was built for war.”

She blinked away tears.

“I want him to have more than that. I want him to live.”

The figure’s smile grew.

Pinkie Pie's Answer

Pinkie Pie simply beamed.

“No hesitation, no waiting, no questions—YES!”

She bounced excitedly in place.

“Of course we want him back! Duh!”

The figure chuckled softly.

Starlight Glimmer’s Answer

Starlight stared at the being before her, her mind racing.

Could it really be true?

Could Steel truly return?

Her voice was quiet.

“… Yes.”

The figure nodded one final time.

Then, she took a step back, spreading her arms wide.

Her button-like eyes gleamed.

"Then I shall give you all a gift."

And just like that—

She vanished.

A New Dawn, An Old Friend

The morning sun rose over Ponyville.

The town stirred to life, the ponies going about their day.

But then—

A gasp.

A cry.

A rush toward the town square.

Because there, lying in the center of Ponyville—

Was a familiar, massive figure.

Steel.

Unmoving.

Unconscious.

As if he had never been lost.

Twilight and the others rushed to him, their hearts pounding.

Pinkie Pie was already shaking him. “C’mon, c’mon, wake up!”

Twilight knelt beside him, her voice soft but desperate.

“Steel?”

For a moment—

Nothing.

Then—

A flicker.

His golden core pulsed.

And his eyes opened.

The first thing he saw—

Was his friends.

Steel took a slow breath, then rumbled:

“… Is it morning?”

Silence.

Then—

Tears. Laughter. Relief.

And for the first time in too long—

Steel was home.

To Be Continued…