At The End

The city of Canterlot was calm, the night breeze swiftly blowing through the dying leaves within the city streets. All was still, houses were locked, others empty, shops closed. Here and there were signs of poverty, graffiti adorning several of the more prestigious houses. Acts of arson and sabotage by resistance forces had made the city feel dead. Other than the sound coming from the elemental forces of nature, all else was still.

Shadow watched from the balcony of the throne room. Said room was now littered with every container from the archive, all of them empty. The inky blackness that surrounded the pony was wavering, shaking, creeping all over the pony within. It was sick no longer the large mass of magic that it had once been.

Within the past few days, Shadow had watched as things kept on deteriorating. While the war was being won and quite easily, despite the casualties. All was going down hill rapidly from within. The magical collection had slowed to a halt due to resistance attacks along several of the major train routes. Tendrils of dark magic shook and lashed out, almost trying to attack an unseen enemy.

This was all preplanned, Shadow knew that, there was nothing that could be done, but the fears of another eternity in the void grew and quelled when something unexpected had happened. The magical signature that came from the magic laced armour that Twilight bore, was now moving back towards Ponyville, without the creationist magic. The pulse of said power still remained, within the deep dark of the Everfree.

What was going on?!

There was no logic in this development. The Shadow had expected the magical signature of creationist energy to accompany Twilight, yet it was still in the Everfree. There was no doubt that Twilight was in Ponyville, and there was also no doubt that she had not brought the ancient magic back with her. So what did this mean?

For eternity it had envisioned its rise to power, to return to the world of the living and finally claim victory over the ones who had wronged them. The Peacocks were no monsters. And yet…

Ponies ran away, cowered in fear when within the presence of an ancient creature that eluded all shape and semblance of normality. There was nothing to fear! All would be sunshine and rainbows once the enemy had been eradicated.

Who was the enemy, though?

The question had been asked several times now. Though the self doubt was unfounded, Chrysalis had been the one to attack first. The Changeling queen had taken the risk believing that victory would be swift. Using her children as an army, she was no mother. She was an egg layer, and her drones were not her children, they were disposable.

A hidden tear escaped the inky blackness of the vengeance magic. It struck the marble floor with a soft tick, the sound resonating throughout the throne room. If monsters could weep, then was there really a monster in the room. Or was the act of using such evil magic all that the ponies required to brand them as such?

Nobles were the only ones who dared approach within these last couple of months. They were all so snobbish, petty, insolent, cunning and down right rude to the eyes of the dictator. Never before had such cruelty reigned over the land of Equestria. The nobles were the ones who actually held power.

With the ruling sisters now locked away within the dungeons, the Crystal Empire now under threat from the Yacks and the Badlands to the south also in jeopardy, the Shadow had created the perfect ruinous state. Fully aware that the most suited to rule were those who had power and had a vision, the Shadow on the other hoof, had no ambitions. At least, none that were long term or involved fighting Equestria’s neighbours.

What had happened? Why did nopony care, surely they weren’t all heartless…

The shadow had witnessed it all, over the course of history, it had managed to exert its power over the world from within the void in the mirror. Later being able to do the same with the Human world that shared a stable world gate. It had wanted revenge, then, by pure chance, it had been freed.

Years of trying to stir up trouble after having spent so long within the mirror had not been kind. Had only the fires of the raging inferno killed them both, when they tried to kill Galaxia, how much better it would have been.

Instead Galaxia had survived, having known from the very beginning what was to be or not to be. Yet the Shadow did not, they could only imagine the planning, the years and years of meticulous preparation that Galaxia had gone through to set up such a merciless game. Even after having taken over Equestria, having defeated the great princesses, reduced a hostile invading army to ruins and having had the advantage in the beginning of this damned war… The Shadow had squandered it. The vengeance magic was strong, seemingly unwilling to give up the host that it now had. With all the harmonious magic that had been consumed, she had hoped that the magic would be banished away, destroyed even.

Maybe there was a chance to flee and settle down somewhere one last time. To reflect back on the past and the family that had once been whole. Now it seemed impossible.

Had only the elements of harmony not abandoned their bearers, they could have allowed harmony to banish the Vengeance magic, claiming to be a victim there would have been nothing the ruling ponies could have done but to announce freedom to the last surviving member of the Peacock family. But now…

Mistakes had been made, the Princesses would have helped, maybe they still could help? They would certainly not leave the Shadow untouched with so much Vengeance magic still within their borders. They would probably show reluctance to helping a pony who had caused them grief and even killed their parents, but surely they could find it within their hearts, the kindness or at least the generosity to help a pony in need.

But it was too late for that now. Their was pride within the name Peacock, and if it was to end like it did the time before, then the execution would be swift and brutal.

“Guard!” The distorted voice echoed around the room, hanging in the air for several moments before a changeling drone appeared in the room. Its expressionless blue eyes looking up at its new ruler, its head cocked to the side as it approached.

“Princess Sparkle is on her way back. Ensure that the collection from the southern region takes priority over the rest. Then have all trains cancelled in that area.”

“But… you’re excellence.” It spoke, seemingly conflicted. “That would mean stopping the resupply of our forces in the Southern land.”

“Reroute the trains through the closest hub. You may leave.” The drone dared not continue to argue with a god. It skittered off into the gloom. Its form vanishing into the darkness, with a soft click, the door shut behind it.

Lighting up its horn, the Shadow concentrated the location spell on Twilight. She was still asleep in Ponyville, with only seven hours left until sunrise, there was a lot to be done.

The paranoia was fierce right now. If Galaxia was here and with Twilight, then her return would have happened already. However, there was something else with Twilight. A tinge of a magical signature completely foreign to anything that had come before, so strange yet also so… familiar.

The Shadow moved around the throne room for a moment. Minutes or maybe even hours had passed yet there remained the nagging feeling of déjà-vu, like an itch that couldn’t be scratched because it was almost too insignificant.

Movements stopped as a memory came to light. The night of torturing Twilight Sparkle in the world she now found herself in. The Chaos magic given to her by her friends. What at first had been sadistic pleasure was then turned into rage. Wanting to get information on where the magic had come from. How had Discord been able to share his power with Twilight and how had she managed to master it without turning back into a pony.

Maybe it was the Chaos magic… Maybe those affected by it don’t turn back into their original form because the laws of reality were still bending.

But then… that night…

Twilight had somehow managed to summon one of the creatures from that realm into the dream. How?

“I should have sent you into the void. Let the darkness take you instead of sending you to that world.” The words held venom within them. Twilight had proven to be an annoyance during that time, but now…

“All of this wouldn’t have happened had you not hurt me, Galaxia.”

Moving out into the castle corridors, the Shadow made its way towards the dungeons. Down and down the spiralling staircase to the lower dungeon, the Shadow stepped into the dark hall.

The prisoners were all curled up within the cage. The Changeling guards were still unseen but most likely watching from the shadows. Approaching the cage, the Shadow looked down at the ponies within. The sound of the cell door opening made the occupants awake and look up in fear.

They all backed away, the two princesses moving to protect their little ponies. Shining armour, having recovered from his injuries, moved to cover his wife and family all while keeping his gaze locked on the creature outside.

They watched on, almost in horror as the inky blackness became more and more visible to the group. The wall sconces were barely able to light the surround, yet still bright enough to illuminate the figures in the hall.

The Shadow watched on, its features morphing slightly, allowing a smile to become slightly visible to the prisoners. To their shock, it was not malicious, nor was it sadistic. The creature sat down within the cell, closing the door with a soft click behind it.

With that, they just sat there, looking on in fear at their captor just sat there too. The silence had made the air hard to breathe. The only sounds came from the flickering flames from the sconces. Their breathing was shallow as they waited, waited for a sign, an action or even sound.

“Where are the elements?”

The question held sorrow within the rasping voice. Celestia and Luna glanced at each other for a moment, before glaring at the Shadow with stellar fury.

“We already told you that---” Celestia began to respond, her voice cold. She had already answered that question loads of times. The elements were not within the tree, nor had they magically reappeared within the box that Celestia had kept them in. She had answered time and time again, this time however, she was cut off.

“Celestia… please.” The words held such weight behind them. Sadness, tiredness, fear.

“My time is coming to an end. The end is near. Soon all of you will be free and I…” The voice croaked within the throat of the monster.

“What?” Celestia breathed, a look of confusion having now replaced her anger. She was bewildered at the sight of the creature that was talking to her. She could hardly recognise the Shadow in those moments. The eyes, the sad smile, the lack of power. Had she not had a magic dampener on her horn, there was a distinct possibility that she could overpower the Shadow right then and there.

“There is no hope now, not for me. Soon you shall all be free and I will be nothing more than a painful memory. I need the elements, I need them now!” There was still anger in that voice… and pain. Had the Shadow made another mistake, it needed help, but it wouldn’t ask directly.

“What are you looking for Shadow? What do you want?” Luna asked, her expression changing to match her sisters confusion. The group of ponies they were protecting were also showing interest in what was going on. Their ears perked up slightly in confusion and wonderment.

“The same as you still do, Luna. I wish to let it all go. But you cannot help me, not directly. I need the elements. I need harmony… just like you.” The words almost made the lunar princess gape in shock. Her inner turmoil still present from Nightmare Moon. The Shadow wanted the same thing, just different.

“What have you done?”

“Not enough, like I said, my time is up. I cannot escape fate, but my fate is still unknown. I will face it with my head held in whatever position I will hold it in. Whether in pride or shame, I shall hold it.”

“Why do this?” Celestia asked once more, a feeling of concern looming over her. Not for herself, but for the creature that was sat in the cell with her. “Why are you here?” The Shadow snorted, a smirk crossing its face.

“Because I want to go home. To see my family once more, to love and be loved. Why…” It stopped mid rant, its eyes widening and slowly becoming their usual sickly shade of red. Peacock wanted to spill it all out, cut loose with the explanation. The desire for vengeance, the need to avenge the death of loved ones who had perished all because Galaxia. Celestia and Luna knew Galaxia, to have them help out, maybe even vouch in Peacock’s favour. Maybe there was a slight possibility that she could be pardoned.

But there was nothing that could be done now. There was nowhere to run, no safe haven for a monster.

“No… not yet.” Mumbling, the Shadow rose to its hooves and moved away from the group. Celestia called out, but her captor did not heed her, nor spare a glance in her direction. The cell occupants watched in confusion and loss as the Shadow left them there.

“You’ll all be free soon.” Came the voice from the end of the hall. The Shadow calling back over its shoulder.
“You’ll be free and I’ll be done.”