Spirit Waker

The sun rises on another beautiful day. Much of the upper echelon of Neo-Canterlot find themselves milling about the surface taking stock in the wreckage of the war. Funerals were being planned, celebrations considered, and parties to be had from what goods they could now, safely, get ahold of. After all, this was a moment to surely celebrate!

The Gryphs within their region had been soundly defeated, rounded up, and enslaved or killed. While not ideal towards the usual pony-way of dealing with such matters, many have relished in this sudden shift of power. This is far from the prey-predator relationship the two species once had. No, this was a master-servant relationship in which the whip could be easily replaced with a sword to the throat.

Some see this as a step forward while others see it as a step back. Some relate this to the same situation that Celestia had the entire time. After all, why strike at something that could drop the sun unless you could guarantee the continued life of the planet? In this context, why fight against something that could end your life in a single instant if you stepped out of line?

Either way, this is a new step in Neo-Canterlot's life! No longer were they confined to the underground. They have begun the initial steps to starting a new nation that they could look forward to. Of course, the majority of it will be underground as that was simply how they had grown used to the idea of living, but they could start expanding further above ground! How exciting!

No more were they told that the outside world was too dangerous for them. No longer did they have to repeatedly watch the skies and waste mana to shield themselves from the thought of prying eyes. The fear and doubt they once held were replaced with a serene sense of peace. As if the storm had finally resolved into a cooling mist. Now they were the predator! They were the ones that others had to keep a lookout for! They learned much from the past warfare and would put all of their deadly thoughts and tactics into play.

The horizon was finally clear of dust and blood for the time being. No longer was the thought of what if tomorrow they found us. Now it was, what can I get the most out of the day? All that needed to be done now was to address the elephant in the room. One, what would Ponies do now with their freedom, and two, now that they have had a taste of what they can really do, can they go back? If every war was like this, could they really do this? Sure they've had a war before this but it all seemed much more... civilized. If you could consider the slaughtering of others that.

There always seemed to be an order to follow. A unit to stand by. Ranks, coat of arms, royal processions, and the considering of the enemy. What they had just done with the Gryphs...

Absolute savagery of killing whatever was closest to you and caring not for whose body you trampled over. And yet, everypony seemed fine with it. Were Ponies truly that adaptable? Were they not once considered closed-minded creatures with a singular purpose? Had it been switched off, or had they repurposed that?

Lastly, there was the ticking time bomb currently sitting? Crouched? Squatting before two equine Unicorns that seemed to be pondering said thought now. A debate has already been thrown around that they should just exile the creature and be done with it. Whatever its purpose is, it had led them to absolute savagery without a second thought. Was it truly Twilight? One side would eagerly say no while another would question why couldn't it have been.

After all, trauma can really change anyone. There's something about watching all your friends and family die around you that can really bring out the best or worse in a pony. Much like one of their soldier, they found using the bones of long-dead companions to murder his Gryph enslaver chanting the names that each bone belonged. Currently, he was placed in a case study of what extreme forms of torture can do to a mind.

This will then be applied to the Gryphs but that was an entirely different subject.

After all, everyone saw Celestia's true colors at the end of everything. Whether it was considered wise, foolish, or even the correct thing will be debated for years to come.

But that was beside the point. Twilight had taken a grip upon the emotions of everypony and used them for her own gain. She had convinced them all that it was merely friendship that drove them forward. That harmony was on their side to take up arms and slaughter those that stood in their way. And they bought it.

Like a newly born Kid, they suckled from the teat of that Nanny. The sweet addicting taste of being right claimed their souls and minds. And before they could even attempt to wean off it, it was ripped away leaving many feeling cold, lost, and hungry for more.

Was it a wonder why they tried to push the initiative to bring happiness unto the Ponies before they could turn against themselves? Or the fact that something had to be done about this being that seemed to influence everything around them. Or even more so the importance that several of the allies that had joined the war efforts were now thinking of starting their own rival Canterlot that focused on manufacturing and starting wars.

Was it all fated to happen? Or did something go wrong?

Whatever the old ways things were meant to be done, they were long gone. This is meant to be the new normal. This is their generation of discovery amongst themselves. Making everything that their minds could think of, creating whatever necessities they needed to achieve their goals, and learning everything they could from past mistakes to future ones. Nothing would be off limits to them. This world would be ruled by Ponies and their slaves or the Ponies and their allies. There was no room for any creature else.

"How long do you think she's going to stay like that? It's been three days and she hasn't eaten anything. As far as everything goes, I would say that she's most likely dead." A purple-coated Unicorn asks looking back between the mysterious creature that took the place of one Twilight Sparkle and his tawny-coated associate.

The creature continues to sit, crouch, squat, whatever you want to call it; as it was honestly hard to tell from the angle the two had taken to look upon her, and stares at the ground, once emerald eyes closed in contemplation or possibly even, asleep.

"Doc says there isn't anything wrong with her. Also, wouldn't it be kind of silly for a creature like this to simply just die by starving? I think she's just sleeping honestly. Imagine what it's like to just suddenly shift forms like that. She probably had to wrestle Twilight for control and then even heal the wound she got to. Honestly, I would probably want to sleep awhile after that as well."

"Then why doesn't she move!? She's just been kneeling there for who knows how long." Purple yells with frantic motions toward the motionless being.

"I mean... we don't really know anything about this being, right? After all, I don't think any Pony has taken the time to actually stop Twilight and start asking what the Tartarus is going on. So... has anyone even tried to say anything to her?"

"I mean... no?"

"So.... let me get this straight... No Pony has decided to walk up and say, hello? Or good morning?” Tawny says giving Purple a deadpan stare.

"Well... when you put it like that it sounds silly. What, do you think she's shy or something? That's ridiculous don't you think? " Purple scoffs before looking away from both Brown and the new being.

"Oh really!? Being shy is ridiculous!? That's what's ridiculous about our lives right!?" Brown shouts incredulously.

“Well, I mean, think about it. Everypony has been a lot happier, a lot more productive, and very creative as of late. I'm fairly sure she's the cause of it all. Why interrupt that? Like, I'm all for doing the right thing...

But shouldn't we do right by ourselves first?”

A look of confliction upon the other Unicorn’s face, “Yeah... Times have been rough so I see where you're coming from. We'll give it a few more days than we have to gather up and do something about her. I'm still on the fence about whether or not to exile such a powerful creature.

I mean... Could you imagine what she would do if she knew we wanted to get rid of her?”

“Right?” They both shudder in fear at the thought.

The two look back towards the woman who now is crouched at eye level behind them. She wears a serene smile on her face as her eyes open revealing the same emerald sparkles as before. Her peach lips part slightly as she speaks.

“Calm. Would you mind telling me your names?”

The angelic voice was nothing like the horrific scream they had heard before. The welling panic they had begun to feel suddenly washed away with her words. The thought to flee was nowhere to be found in any of their heads.

“I'm Regal Shine. And this here is Arbour Autumn. I hope you didn't mind our rudeness of talking about you in your presence.” Purple, now known as Regal Shine, begins, "We were simply concerned with your health and well-being as you no doubt already know."

“No, it's perfectly fine. I'm quite used to it by now. You could even say I've lived a thousand years' worth of experiences like it." Her smile slowly fades from her lips, "But I have to ask you something. What sort of food do you have here?"

"That's... Well... It depends on what you would want Miss?" Regal begins.

"Ah, you'll have to forgive me for the moment. I haven't really thought about what I should be called yet. I've been too busy... listening... to things beyond your comprehension most likely. As much as I want to go by my actual name, I don't really see myself as what I was when I first came here.

Currently, there's a heated debate on whether or not. I'm some sort of demonic spirit or amalgamation. So I'll have to get back to you with a formal name. For now, you may call me Thems."

Arbour and Regal glance at one another, "Thems?"

"Yes! I find it most befitting of the current situation!" She says her eyes shutting slightly and a playful smile crossing her face.

"I... Okay." Regal says thinking that it would cause more problems than resolve them, "Well... Thems, we have a wide assortment of food. I've been fairly partial towards a mushroom-based food type known as a stalkdog. It's cooked or grilled and placed between two things known as stalkbuns before being topped with an assortment of condiments."

"If you don't want that, we can go with something a little more classical like a hayburger! Honestly, all these new types of food discoveries haven't really been too great. You can never beat the classics!" Arbour puts in.

"And this is why your palate will never change along with your mind."

"Oh hush you."

Thems giggles before standing at her full towering height. While not as muscular as Twilight had been, she kept the height for sure. Perhaps even a bit more so. Something about her hair seemed to always manage to keep it shining. Magic perhaps? Or was her beauty magical itself?

The two ponies proceed to lead the mysterious creature into their home causing concern and relief to those they pass by along the way into the food district of Neo.

"So what's the plan Onyx?" one lime green and yellow maned Unicorn asks sitting on the seat to the right of him.

"I'm not sure at the moment... While I want to tell everypony that everything will be fine, I'm a bit concerned about whether or not we'll have to prepare for another fight sooner rather than later. Right now we're currently in a... how did you put it, Willful?"

"External Peace Period." A blue and pink swirled Unicored response readjusting the blue collar around his neck.

"Right. But the Internal Peace Period is a lie. I know a lot of the citizens, both old and new, are becoming a bit restless in wondering what the next step of life will be. Will it always be war, or will there be a time of peace and discovery?"

"Honestly, doesn't that just mean that we're more lost than we were before?" A lush blood-red orange and crimson maned and tailed male Unicorn asks as he leans back in his seat slightly causing it to creak from the strain, "Don't get me wrong here, I understand that a lot has changed from Canterlot to Neo, but it doesn't seem like much as changed at all. Heck, I even hear some of the working class talking about becoming royalty in the new world order as they put it."

"And many of the mares have been talking about how having a Matriarchy would be against their wishes. A lot of pressure was put upon a mare's back in the old days and we want more than just a few changes if we are thinking of leaving the past where it belongs." replies a plump maple syrup coated and dark blue mane and tale Earth Pony mare speaks out placing her cup of honey brewed tea away from her lips.

"I understand what you mean Joy and Happy. We are not in the most ideal place to tell them where they need to focus their attention. This is why our culture expert Jubilant isn't here right now. She's currently out there trying to keep the peace as much as she can. And Everypony has been filing in reports of all sorts of activities here and there. Some are a bit more worrisome than others."

Onyx takes a moment to stand and step away from the table towards a large map of the Canterlot area before the destruction of its buildings and towers, "Honestly speaking, we need to focus our efforts on making sure something like this doesn't happen again. As much as I'm sure you all would like to focus on Ponies and their well-being, we got to make sure that we are actually safe first. I purpose following Killer Flight and Steel Rampant's ideas of building barracks and towers within key areas of the city in case our enemies decide to show their ugly mugs to take back what isn't theirs."

The lot of them murmur both approval and disapproval at the idea that they have to keep playing war despite the apparent peace. This wasn't easy on anypony. After taking back everything that once belonged to them and figuring out what to do with the Gryph survivors, not much has been done. Debates on what should actually be done have been tossed back and forced. While this has been taking place, others have taken it upon themselves to do things they want to promote their idea of what should come next. Secret societies and openly disapproving of ideals and actions. It was truly showing how restless the citizens were becoming. And while they didn't really have an official government, some could be seen as leaders over certain areas of the place they call home. From Onyx being the first leader of Neo Canterlot to Happy Tales whose known as the mare among mares of house and home. There was always a leader for something and the majority of them met her beneath the secret tunnels below the homes of the masses.

While secretive themselves, they had done much to ensure that their society survives the shift in ideals and war.

"Next, I'd like to put it to a vote soon on whether or not we should follow the ideals of an archy or if we should continue the ideas of this... uh..."

"Republic." Willful helps.

"Republic. Yes, right. Thank you Willful." Onyx says coughing into a hoof.

"That's... a difficult one. We don't even really know how many forms of government there are. And just having rulers or at least beings that ought to rule show up and just take over is a bit... you know." Joy starts.

"Stupid?" Onyx finishes giving him a deadpan look.

They all knew what really drove a lot of the royalty and upper civilians crazy. The fact that anypony that could grow a horn and wings could be considered royalty was a bit of a stretch. Even then, they could simply refuse the idea in the case of Twilight and eventually Flurry Heart. Which drove the idea of it as a legitimate form of government even more out the window.

"Well seeing as we don't have to worry about Alicorns, I think, we should be in the clear from that problem ever happening again," Onyx says chuckling.

"You forget. It might not be an Alicorn, but there is currently something just as powerful sitting on our porch steps." Happy says as she leans forward bringing her hooves under her muzzle and staring Onyx dead in the eyes, "And what would happen if it becomes no longer content with just the following order and decides to lead?"

Tension begins to form in the room. Another reason the meeting was called. That... creature was known as Twilight Sparkle. It shifted and turned into something else during the final battle and put an end to the majority of conflicts that would've come. Yet before then, it was known as Celestia. Each form has some sort of... influential aura bleeding off of it. It wasn't a pleasant thought, but having it here would mean that something like that could most likely happen. Especially if one of the forms it takes turns out to be eviler than the last.

"What do you suggest then, Happy," Onyx says locking eyes with her.

"We kill it."