Never to be Finished

by Im a B O X

Rating: teen
Tags: Twilight Sparkle, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Death, Alternate Universe, Gallus, Other, Thriller, Original Character, Spike
Length: 29156

With a unicorn sentenced, his fate was now sealed, a past and his views to be revealed, a project now unfulfilled.

A unicorn is found guilty of the crime of High Treason, under dubious circumstances, he is sent to be executed by firing squad, his request. His crimes were viewed as against harmony, unity, and above all, the interest of nations.

He will not bear witness to the dawn of a new horizon, but he'll witness something else; the setting of a new flame for something new. He believed he was the spark for that new flame, and when the harshest lights cast down the darkest shadows, so too do those shadows conceal many things in their darkness.

[The entire story happens after "The Final Problem."]

The cover art is by the same friend (who remains anonymous)

Speaking of which...
I'm sorry for the first couple of chapters being first-person... but the later chapters switch to a third-person pov, so there's that.

Published 2022-05-28 01:30:00 UTC
Last updated 2022-06-23 13:17:00 UTC

Chapter 1: A Breath of Something Different

I looked out the window of my room, the scenery seemingly being dulled as I tried and failed to appreciate what I saw outside, doing so while writing the final and unfinished book before me, “The Changing Winds”. A book that will never have an audience, because I won’t have the time to finish it, let alone publish a polished version.

But that is a story for another time, for now, I am currently held in one of the many guest bedrooms of the Palace of Canterlot; regal, orderly, and quite the silent paradise, just as what one might expect from a palace of this fame, or at least what I expected.

“Why am I here?” I asked myself, the answer being, quite frankly, simple and obvious to me, the fact of the matter is that I simply deny it despite the clarity of my situation.

Ponies would try to come up with reasons to make it seem justified, but the reality of the situation is that it’s easier and much more cost-effective to guard and monitor this entire palace for one single pony. Think of it this way, I am held here through the form of house arrest, solitary confinement if you’d twist the narrative a bit, but compared to me simply being given the possibility of causing havoc in the prison house, they left nothing to chance, if only to avoid future headaches.

So yeah, under the watch of not only the Royal Guards, but also a combined coalition of guards sent from the Crystal Empire, the re-established Griffon Kingdom, some dragons sent by the dragon delegates, and many others, which doesn’t even tap into the Lunar and Solar Guards of the Diarchy, or at least, what used to be the Diarchy. Now that Princess Twilight Sparkle is the crowned ruler of this nation, I had initially expected my work just to go stale, if not for the likely downhill spiral. An advocate for change with revolutionary ideals, no wonder the nobles are so on edge when they hear words along those lines, then again, it would entail that no action came without consequences.

That was not to say that the nation of Equestria is in its little dark age, far from it. Equis was, as a whole, nearing its golden era, or most would be seeing the world entering into a golden era, for some of us, for ponies like me, the world was just growing stale, with no power dynamic and essentially a set future. I saw the world for what it was, a constant with near to no signs of dynamics for innovation, sure, change here and there, but in the age of indirect rule, Equestria’s dominance to power was laid down, everything, it was assured in the purest of words.

The only thing they lacked now was a navy, but since most nations didn’t bother to improve their armed forces for a long while, the majority simply had (royal) guard regiments and a pseudo “air force”. The only other nation (apart from pirates for that matter) with a reasonably strong naval presence was the hippogriffs, but as the world stood at large, Equestria was the center of the world, and there was little need for maritime trade, not when the entire world is run by railway and bridges, not to mention that flight was always an option.

Admittedly, I loathed its very concept, being one of, what I wished were the many, reformers of this time, to advocate and lay the foundation of true change, to see a different future, one where prestige is either earned or the commonfolk stands equal to those in power, if not those in power represent.

My name is Bold Ideals, a unicorn by birth with apparently a brilliant mind to pair, I consider myself a cut above the rest, a reformer and idealist by trade, a radical to most, a convict and a wanted ‘criminal’ by ponies, griffons, and the likes of others, now brought to “justice” as a prisoner of the Crown of Equestria, found guilty and sentenced to death for the crime of High Treason, amongst others. Thankfully, they gave me the option to choose how I want to go, a little something I appreciated.

A knocking at the door is heard, breaking my silent trancelike state of writing.

“You got the keys, don’t play nobility with me you cunts!” I responded out of aggravation. Shortly after, a large purple pony entered, flanked by a blue griffon and a fairly muscular dragon.

I recognized all three of them, a near impossibility not to, considering my field and the charges I’ve been sentenced to, these three would have probably argued for a lighter sentence if they could, despite the irony of my work entailing instability for their own lives. Regardless, the sentence was partial to my request, and no doubt the jury was thrilled when I told them I’d gladly take the death penalty, despite the clear reluctance and hesitation, they still took my bait.

I could see the scowl on the dragon’s face, the hesitation of the griffon, and finally, the unwillingness of a princess, all hidden behind varying degrees of stoic expressions, well, time to make a move.

“Bold of the princess to meet with a convict the likes of me, what’d ya want?” I asked, eyeing them all cautiously.

The moment of silence, clear hesitation, persevered until the purple alicorn spoke.

“Who really are you, Bold Ideals?” she asked. The audacity of the question, although not reflected in my reaction, was kind of an insult, hard not to when I am already infamous thanks to said death penalty.

“Princess Twilight, you shouldn’t be asking that,” I said truthfully, finally setting down the pen I had been using to write up to this point, setting aside my unfinished work. “You should be asking why I am the way I am. For your little servant of a slave you claim to call a ‘brother’, he should be asking who I am. And for the griffon who you once called a student, he should be asking where I’ve been.”

“I- ah...” the alicorn stuttered, taken aback by not only the straightforwardness but also the seemingly indifferent attitude of this subdued unicorn, all things considered. Seemingly taking my word to have trouble meanings, in reality, I was bluffing to some degree.

A moment of hesitation until she spoke again. “Brilliant,” she muttered, more out of fascination than anything else. “In my years of being a student and of service to the Diarchy, to my ascension as a princess, I have never met a pony who could rival the heartless demeanor of a Wendigo. Usually, every creature has a heart, but for you… you seem to lack one, yet, it appears as though you made space for one, I just can’t place a hoof on what that is…”

Rolling my eyes at that remark, I’ve heard this conversation near a thousand times fold, and not once did I give a satisfying answer to anyone who asked me. Then again, those who did ask were either my students or a rival with a degree of respect.

‘Heartless… Pha! My heart has long since been burned by my passion, to the point that its ashes had already been blown away by the winds of fate.’ I thought to myself.

“Can’t say it’s been pleasurable, fate hasn’t been all too kind with me since the beginning, but you have to deal with what you have,” I replied instead.

“About that…” The dragon said, cutting the current monarch from replying to me, gaining an eye from both myself and the blue griffon. “Since, you know… you already knew what I was going to ask, I kinda wanted that to be answered…”

I looked at him as if he had just committed a crime, for crying out loud! You don’t just cut ahead of your ruler, even if you are “family”. Nevertheless, I found his boldness admirable, maybe even downright stupid, comparable to that of love… ugh, deplorable and dangerous distraction when you’re in a field as dangerous and unpredictable as his or mine, honestly.

With a well-mastered poker face that hid any sign of malice or emotion in that regard, I indulged in his question. “Well… to answer all of your questions, which is why I assume you three went with the hassle of disturbing me, I’ll gladly answer them. So for who I am, I’m sure your highness here could provide ample background, but to make it brief, I’m what most nobilities and… shall we say, government officials would call… a menace, a reformer who brings a new perspective and opportunity for changing the status quo in anyways. For where I’ve been, for a while I had lived a double life, I won’t say any names, but if you believed the myths surrounding me and the griffons, you’ll know my apparent association with the works of the former kings of the Crystal Empire and former Griffon Empire, and later on, the coalition that replaced it, a mixed bag if you ask me. And for why I am the way I am, the reasons could be as complex as Star Swirl trying to comprehend his failures as a sorcerer and friend to simply following fates chains... after all, isn’t that what a cutie mark is? A near-literal expression of destiny…”

I allowed them a moment to process the situation, trying to ignore them for the most part, unless they came for more than just those three questions, and so I simply returned to my work, writing under the strain of these magic suppressing artifacts just outside this room’s vicinity.

“Well, I think you would appreciate a good meal,” The princess said.

Baffled at what I heard, I looked at her, trying to see if her expression could tell me anything else. “Excuse me, but are you serious?” I asked.

She gave me a face that seemed to question my very soul. “I mean, if you’d like to, we aren’t forcing you, but I do think it’s in your best interest to follow our lead.”

Thinking for a moment, it should come as no surprise that I would take this opportunity. “Of course, I see no reason why not to.”

“Perfect!” she said, leading the way out of my room as the two guards that accompanied her flanked me at the ready.

‘Thank the heavens that I could get out of this forsaken room, blasted artifacts are a pain…’ I thought to myself as we exited, the trip for dinner being one I mostly don’t remember, no doubt some opposition being raised to my departure, but I guess they decided to bring along a literal leash with a magical spell imbedded in it to subside the worries of my escaped, not that I don’t understand the reasons, but I think I’d need to find a better view apart from just that one room, even a dog has to stretch sometimes.

“W-what can I get you, your highness?” the waitress asked the princess, the conversation between all three of them being distant as I sat opposite all of them.

While all three were giving their orders and socializing a bit, I just kept a low head and continued to write my book. That was until the waitress got to me and decided to ask for what I wanted.

“What about you? What would you like?” She asked me, the notepad at her side encapsulated by her magic, waiting for my answer.

it puzzled me, did she not know who I was? “I Um…” I stumbled on my words for a moment, before deciding to put those thoughts to rest. “Do you serve hot or cold beverages?”

“It is… getting pretty late, I would recommend cold, but tea could be arranged.” She replied, confident with speaking to a pony other than the princess or a creature of ‘significant’ stature.

“I’ll have coffee, give me your best,” I replied in a matter-of-fact tone.

A moment of pause for her to try and process what I said until she spoke again. “E-excuse me? But did I hear that right?” She asked all of a sudden, baffled at my request.

I could see Spike and Gallus looking at me when they heard what I asked for.

“Yes, I said coffee, now just take it or leave me, please?” I said, growing agitation as I tried to keep my patience in check.

“Um… ok then.” She said as she left our table with our orders. A good 20 minutes perhaps until she returns, maybe less.

“Bro, why in Tartarus are you ordering coffee!? It’s already late for that kind of drink, don’t you think?” Spike spoke out, clearly baffled by the fact that I ordered a coffee at a time when it was nearing the late evening.

“Why?” I asked, returning to my writing without a care as I could feel the temperature around me rise, no doubt because of Spike’s aggravation and dragon anatomy.

“Yo, Spike, chill, there’s no need to get worked up because of this pony, heard he’s good for nothing anyway.” I heard Gallus remark, no doubt trying to keep Spike from making a scene while trying to elicit a reaction from me.

I ignored them, and just as time began to become a blur on my part, the purple alicorn decided to make conversation, much to my dismay regardless.

“So Mr. Ideals-”

“-Just, Ideals will do,” I replied, a force of habit when I tried to talk to my students outside of class.

‘When I used to have students...’ I thought, a distant memory resurfacing. Refusing to show any signs of hesitation through my emotions.

“Well, anyway, I was just about to ask, why did you ask for the death penalty? I mean, you didn’t do anything severely as wrong, at least compared to Sombra and... the Legion of Doom, and I know it may not seem like it, but it’s just as if you... threw your entire life away.”

I pondered the thought, truthfully, I had a plan on how to escape my fate, not my first time, after all, having to deal with legal issues the likes of these, I had grown accustomed to planning, but after the plenty of years of running, I had already run out of places to run to, and slowly but surely, the places to hide are also dwindling. The world around me is changing. Having wanted to play a part in that change, destiny had other plans for me...

“Hmm... I guess... I don’t have a fulfilling answer for you,” I replied, but I gave the princess a reassuring smile to ease her thoughts. “But I can tell you something, I can’t have a part in this new Equis.”

“Why?” She asked. Locking eyes with me as if to mind read me or something.

‘Hmm... Why indeed...’ I thought, the answer to it all being clear as day to me. Nothing personal, at least to most creatures, it was just pure business.

“I think that would have to do more with fate and the role that I would play if I was left to roam free and unsupervised,” I said.

Twilight tried to push further, hoping her curiosity would be clenched, “What’s that supposed-” but before she could continue, she was cut by the waitress and our dinner.

“Dinner is served!” the waitress said in a giddy tone as she set down our dinner for the night ahead.

With my better part of the dinner served, I inspected the coffee served, I drank it slowly, and although I preferred tea, I could never pass a good opportunity for coffee, especially now that I needed to stay awake, plus, it might be my last.

...

The dinner went uneventful, at least from my perspective. We came in, ordered, waited, then ate what we asked and paid for, done. Or so I wished that was the end of it, unfortunately for me, just as we were to finish dinner, they decided to jump back into the moody touchy vibes to get me to open up and know me better.

“So, about earlier...” Twilight began once more.

‘Oh, shit…’

“Could we, I don’t know, talk about it later?” I asked, wanting to desperately avoid the subject matter.

“Is it personal?” She asked, seemingly looking out for my well-being even at her own expense, even if she didn’t need to.

I stared at her, hoping that words would get through with her, “Your highness, I would have given credit where credit is due, but there is a fine line between what could be considered personal matters and business. And I do truly hope that you drop it.”

I see she was about to respond, but she kept it to herself. Ironic, I should be speaking with a baited and hesitant voice, not taking my sweet moment in this dinner, with how capital punishment is quite the shock for most. Instead of that, I am here telling a monarch what she should and shouldn’t pry on. No doubt she could do it, and deep down, it felt like she did want to, but too bad for her, she remained persistent and loyal to her morals over her curiosity, admittedly, she reminded me of some of my students, especially a certain unicorn…

“Well, we can’t revel in what is uncertain and dark forever,” I said, trying to lift the mood and switch the subject matter. “C’mon, I know that the griffons and dragons have reputations that far exceed a normal face-to-face meeting, doesn’t the monarch have one too? I know you can keep me company for a while.” As I said this, smiling as I looked around, first at the monarch, then at her two guards, finally settling on the view of a window with my reflection.

But things became a blur, and I only know one thing is for certain, the night continued…

It had been a good while since we left our little dinner of four, they escorted me back to my room, but Twilight had been summoned for other matters, so she took Spike and Gallus with her as she sent another pair of guards to follow me through until I was back in my room, secured and locked up.

The prominent creaking of the door followed by its locking was all I needed to know that someone wanted to speak with me.

“Good distraction, by the way, can’t believe you took one out of my books. So, how long did I keep you waiting?” I asked as I entered back into my room, trotting up to its center just within view of the moonlight that shone through the windows of my room.

“About two hours, give or take. And I must admit, I’d have to give credit where credit is due...” The familiar voice of who used to be the Royal Guard’s captain, sister to her highness herself.

“So, what is it this time? I just went out for dinner, nothing more, nothing less.”

“Oh don’t worry, Discord got us covered there, I just got someone else you’d like to meet.”

I turned around, and there stood two figures, Prince Consort Shining Armor and Dragon Lord Ember.

‘What a surprise… wonder what they want now…’ I thought, abhorring what would probably follow.

After what felt like ages, and the blur of time taking its toll on me, I somehow found myself writing again, this time, in a different book. Knowing what I was about to write, I partook in one of the many coping habits I had when writing, reciting it all while I wrote them.

“Through blood, many things could be done, but one thing would always remain the same... blood is expensive.” I recited aloud, now writing just for the sake of doing something, to keep myself awake.

‘Selavi,’ I thought as my subconsciousness slowly took hold of my mind and magic. ‘Such is life.’ My final thoughts as another night passed on.

I won’t, I refuse, to enter the domain of the night alicorn that roams at this time... Not now, not until I get my spell for a dreamless slumber right.

Author's Note

The first chapter is out, and hopefully, I don't screw this up.

Apologies - Sorry if the first-person viewpoint is janky, my mistake while writing the first three chapters, hopefully, it isn't too much of a bother.

edit 1: did a bit of cleaning up, nothing major.

Chapter 2: His Life's Upbringing

A few days had passed since that dinner, it was a new breath in a while and to my somewhat optimistic surprise, the time from then and now has been a fairly eventful ride, so to speak. I had managed to come in contact with an old friend, well, more of a personal student, and to my surprise, it was a genuine experience to know where she had landed in life.

Starlight Glimmer... I had met my old student, and much to my dismay, she denounced my teachings openly. Well, I can’t say I blame her, apparently with her intellect in magic and the direction of my teachings, I think my sudden departure had caused her to “break” and used what I taught for something, shall we say, erm… risky, I think the stories surrounding her could already tell the rest, so what happened next was that I was held liable for “manipulating and exploiting” a pony into something heinous, apparently for the sole reason to cause as much chaos as possible. Just another thing to add to my recently growing criminal records, and although I could personally think of other better reasons as to different motives, that is a venture I’d like to try and distance myself from.

And that’s the thing, Equestrian nobility, officials, and the equivalent of other nations had been hard at work trying to make my sentence look as legally justified, seemingly pushing their luck to what is possible. And to their credit, although I couldn’t directly tell what the public opinion surrounding me is, they make it look like it’s working, which I find very concerning, even if that isn’t the case.

‘Well shit, isn’t that just great?’ I thought to myself, amongst the countless other things that roamed in my mind, that was the core of my current situation.

Before I could lament my degrading situation further, a knock came on the door.

“Who’s there?” I asked aloud.

Regardless if I heard a reply or not, I heard the door creak open to see a familiar young dragon entering my room. I was situated beside one of the windows of the room, just beside the doors that lead to the balcony. I put on a content smirk for the dragon as he drew closer, presumably to sit near to me to strike up a conversation.

“What brings you around here, oh ‘Spike the Brave and Glorious’?” I ask nonchalantly, just to tickle the dragon’s spin a bit.

To my surprise, he was a pleasant chap to speak with, and if it weren’t for his affiliation, I would have taught him in the same manner I had taught Starlight. Although that girl always had a nasty tendency when it came to perspective, even before she had set her plan in motion, I just can’t believe she forwent the basics of my teachings.

‘Tread the fine line of business and personal interest with care.’ I thought, one of the first and most important things I always teach to any of my students, or even rivals when it comes to my field.

“Oh nothing much, Twilight sent me to check on you, apparently you had a little falling-out with Starlight when you two had um... reacquainted with each other, care to tell me more?” He asked, sitting down on a chair at one side of the table, facing me with concern evident in his voice.

“Nah, don’t mention it, I understand her plight, I just wish I had taught her better,” I said, thinking of the things that I should and shouldn’t have taught her. Then again, she always had her heart in the right place, even if the means were dubious.

This was the core of the mutual hate that had been formed between officials, nobilities, myself, and the likes of others, a villainous lens of teachings that differed over tradition and offered something drastically different, one that has since shadowed over me and one I had accepted and adjusted towards accordingly.

“Speaking of which,” the dragon said as if he remembered and reached for something out of my field of view. “Although Twilight asked me to give it to you since she knew you would have preferred to write it down, I wanted to ask these questions aloud, to get a feel of the pony before me, you know?”

I stared on towards the dragon, and as I did so, I could already tell where the direction of this conversation was headed. ‘Here’s hoping nothing unexpected happens.’

“I see no reason why not to,” I remarked. “Go ahead, I’ve seen many forms of compassion before, this would be no different to a foal asking for candy.”

Bewildered by my statement, the dragon promptly took up my offer. “Well, I think it would be best if we start with how you are right now.” He said, preparing to write down my answers to the questions he asked.

“Hmm… in honesty, I am more or less tired with what I’m being put through,” I answered.

“How so? Please, tell me, no, show me the pony that is known as ‘Bold Ideals’, the pony who is associated with changing the very foundation of Equis literature and theoretical geopolitical structures... tell me how you became the pony that you came to be…”

I could see he was listening, waiting, and most importantly, eager to learn. I again weighed my words, I know for a fact whatever he writes and whatever I say would be heavily monitored, no doubt Shining Armor and the others would check up on facts to set them straight.

“Hmm… If I told you my story, do you promise to remember it?” I asked with a heavy tone.

He was thinking about it, and as if he had nothing to lose, he gave me his answer. “I Pinkie Promise to try and remember, but I can’t be certain of it.”

“Good enough for me,” I said, not bothering him as he did the Pinkie Promise chant, all the while I tried to recall my life story, a story that soon enough, won’t even matter. “Well, I don’t know where a good start is, so I guess I should start at a time before my infamy grew... It all started when I met a certain aspiring unicorn…”

In a distant past…

A tower once stood tall and proud, overshadowing and providing a view like no other. Located at the far west of what was the small developing town of Ponyville, a great vantage point to not only look over the town and the overhead view of the rail transports that came and went, most prominently those that shared the tracks of the Canterlot Rail Network. The tower itself stood silently, with plenty of myths surrounding it, of course, the truth couldn’t be much further than that, fiction and reality often influence the other after all.

“Enjoying the view, Starlight?” I asked the unicorn who peered out one of the many windows that the tower provided. Still fairly young and impressionable, she proved to be the little cunning one.

“Yep!” She exclaimed, with one of my books being levitated and held in her magic as she took in the view. Just as if it had been presented to her, Canterlot seemed to be much closer than it ever was in her whole life.

“Won’t your parents be worried about you little one?” I asked, concerned for the wellbeing of this still fairly impressionable filly, I, myself having lived a fairly isolated life in this tower, being older than this filly by maybe 5 years or so, who I presumed to live a bit far out, considering the bruises and apparent malnourished state she was in, despite her admirable perseverance amidst that all.

‘She’s probably searching for a friend,’ I thought, levitating a cup of chocolate milk to her as I drank tea from a fairly modest mug. ‘Worst case is that she’s a runaway, oh god, I really don’t want to run into legal issues.’

“Dad… dad said I should do something I wanted, and so I did!” She said, her mirthful expression reminding me of a lot of colts and fillies, and even some older folk that would often come by and wander around these parts to try and search for adventure or something of the like. Usually, it was a dare to test their bravery or something along those lines. Always thought those ponies were lucky they had a destiny that they could live with.

“And what would that be?” I asked, completely oblivious to the reasons as to why she would go to such extents that might place her entire life on the line.

“I wanted to meet Sunburst again!” She explained, jumping up and nearly off the window ledge. Thankfully, I had plenty of other wondering ponies jump so close to the windows that I practically had to catch them by instinct, so a faint hue of my magic encapsulated her and levitated her back to safety.

“You don’t say now,” I tell her, downing the remaining tea in my mug as I levitated the dishes we used back to the sink for me to wash later.

As a young mind might expect, she took my disinterest personally. “This isn’t some small crusade either. I know what I’m doing and you won’t be able to tell me to stop now!” She said, her point being clear as day to me.

“I understand, and I won’t try stopping you,” I replied, seeing her joy come to a new level, probably at finally having an older pony tell her something different than just her idea of being childish or something along those lines. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t leave you alone, I’m sure you are cunning enough to understand what I mean by that, you, yourself being sly enough to escape your parent’s grasp just for the opportunity to meet this friend.”

And just like that, I saw her face drop, clearly frustrated by what I said, so I try to explain it to her. “Listen, it isn’t anything personal on my part, it’s just that you’re too young that you don’t even know your limitations.”

For a moment a thought to myself and decided to keep her company for a bit as I tried to figure out what to do next. Legal issues still apply pressure to the back of my head.

“Tell you what, you tell me more about yourself and this friend of yours and I might just help you in arranging a meeting with him and even give you a train ride back home, we got a deal?”

I saw her think and weigh the options, but it was all too clear that I just made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. “Deal!” She said, clearly overjoyed that someone older, and she probably presumed, much more experience was willing to help her in her endeavor.

“Wait, wait, you’re older by like… 5 years? That would mean I’m at least 9, maybe 10, years younger than you!” Spike said.

I only stared at him for the interruption but didn’t speak as I allowed him to process what he had just done.

“Right, right, sorry, please continue.” He said a bit sheepishly.

“So anyway, as I said…”

I levitated her to one of the beanbags I used as a couch, she sunk into it as she made herself comfortable. I, myself lying on the extra sofa I had lying around that I used as my bed. I planned to make her rest unknowingly until she was good enough to carry her weight on the journey she wanted to take.

“Well, where should I begin…” she asked aloud.

“The beginning probably,” I remarked.

“Right, right! So when we were kids…” And so Starlight explained her entire youth. With me listening in tow, mentally noting questions for when she finished and points to remember. As she continued to speak, I can tell that she did miss her friend, the worse part was that he was enrolled at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, which is nearly impossible to get far enough near campus grounds before you get intercepted by royal guards. But at the same time as I was listening, I could tell she was getting tired as it was getting pretty late.

Deciding this could go on for tomorrow, I interrupt her little life story. “Listen, tell you what, I’ll let you sleep in tonight and we could continue this tomorrow.”

“But I’m not tired,” she protested, displaying a yawn in the process. “Ok, maybe a little bit... but not by that much!” she retorted sheepishly.

‘Riiighhht...’I thought to myself, clearly skeptical but still understanding of her plight.

And so, my night came and went as uneventfully as it could get, and a decent seven hours of sleep to boot. Of course, a slept in a different room from the filly, I had the decency to give her her private room for the night. Although again, I couldn’t complain as I had a reason to sleep for a good seven hours.

...

And the next thing I knew, my conscious mind was finally starting to catch up and realize what I had gotten myself into. I realized I had woken up and listened to this entire filly’s life story as she just finished reading a book levitated in her magic.

“By the way, what about you mister? I hadn’t known your name or your story!” She said, clearly now as interested in me as she finished up reading one of my books.

‘Oh blasted, it’s one of those unfinished philosophical ones about rulership…’ I thought. ‘Why couldn’t she just be the naïve one and picked one of my many other failures of fictional books I had lying around, at least those were complete.’

“I... didn’t get to introduce myself yesterday?” I asked, more to myself than her.

“Nope!”

“Well, I guess I could tell you that my name is Bold Ideals, and I’m currently... trying to find a decent job, and the book you just read, that’s just a book I wrote during my free time, ‘the ideal of communism’, still unfinished and ludicrous,” I explained, seeing a glitter of... something, which reflected the filly’s trance-like state of wide-open eyes.

“Well, I can tell you this for certain Mr. Ideals, these works are really good, and you should continue working on them!”

Back at the present...

“And the rest would be history,” I said, wrapping up this little session of ours as I noticed the sun beginning to set. “After that, I kept to my promise of bringing her to Canterlot, although we never found the young Sunburst, which shook her to the core, I asked where she lived and promptly took her home to her parents. After a while, say another year or so, she came back into contact with me asking if I was willing to teach her about my books, and of course, she wouldn’t be where she is if I said no.”

“Wow...” Spike remarked until he looked down onto the notepad and discovered he had another question to ask, but I mumbled something aloud before he could say that.

“Hmm...” I thought to myself, “I do owe it all to Starlight, that little rascal gave me the courage to continue.”

“Which brings me to my second point, what about your early life, like the times when you were a colt... or even as a young adolescent or the myths and stories that surround your name!” The dragon exclaimed.

In truth, I found the dragon charming, he shared many quirks with his... “sister”, per se. One that by coincidence also shared traits with the Starlight I met that day, just something that tugged my heartstrings a bit.

“Well... I can tell you some part of my young life, but a pony can keep his secrets.” I said, and just as I did so, I saw the dragon pout at my remark.

‘Adorkable...’ I thought as he reminded me of old, simpler times.

“Very well then... Young colt hood, hmm... let’s see what I could tell...” I began once again.

In another distant past…

In the large prominent city of Manehatten, a certain pair of friends spend their afternoon together on what was still a busy day at the park. Their surroundings were muted to the two of them as they shared the moment with some snacks and drinks.

“So, what do you want to be when you get your cutie mark?” one of the colts asked.

“Oh I don’t know, I wanted to study at Trottingham and then become a figurehead in one of the parties in Stalliongrad or Marelin...” The young colt who would become Bold Ideals said.

The colt to his side merely looked at him blankly, waiting for him to continue as he listened on. He, himself thinking of his future thus far.

“I just want to leave this... stale life, go somewhere, be... something, I know you’re smarter than what you let on Solemn Vow, hard not to when both of us are playing the fools game.”

Finally, a change in his emotions signaled that I had hit home, and that, I was still right on my mark.

“Yeah, I know it’s futile and all, but how long do you think we’ll last? We can’t exactly fool Canterlot until we enter our adult lives.” He said, true to his namesake, he spoke, whether unintentionally or not, in a solemn tone.

I thought about it for a moment, until I spoke to him in the tone of finality.

“I don’t know with you, but since you got your cutie mark yesterday, best you choose wisely. Although honestly, you won’t be expecting me to attend Celestia’s school or even any university up there”

“What about after the fact?” he asked me, distress building up as he dreaded the next things I would say.

“For me?” I thought about it, leaving the silence of our conversation despite the busy noises surrounding us hanging for a moment. “I’ll run, run to Marelin, run to Stalliongrad... I’ll run till Celestia will forget my very existence. I’ll live with false names and I’ll build up the courage to face her down when the time comes. I want to change this world.” I said with determination.

“So you’re leaving me?” he asked, knowing full well of my answer.

“Yes, I will, I didn’t ask to be a unicorn, I didn’t ask to be the colt related to some scholar, and most certainly I didn’t ask for a life defined by service.”

Truthfully, I was in Manehatten as a student of one of its universities. And as quickly as I had grown accustomed to city life there, I also found it stale and empty. Near lifeless despite what shining opportunity it presents, much like how I imagined Canterlot would be.

I saw Solemn coming closer to me, patting my back as a show of respect and one I appreciated to some extent. “Well, if I can’t change your mind now, I could only hope the best for your wellbeing.”

“You won’t stop me?” I asked, baffled, but still grateful for his actions.

“Ah, don’t mention it, old pal,” He said, giving me a heartfelt nudge. “This is where we part ways, and so may you live long and prosper!”

I looked at him, a smile across my face. “Thank you so much.”

We shared a moment until we eventually had to go our separate ways. I would never see him eye to eye again since that day, I only know about him from hearsay and I expect him to keep his distance from me. Eventually, I would send him letters on occasion, nothing major, just some small favors and some string-pulling.

But even then, I still greatly appreciated him, as a friend I could trust back then. He respected my decision and didn’t try to talk me out of it, I wish I could do the same for him back then, but what’s done is done.

...

Just a few years before I would meet a young Starlight and after I left the city life of Manhatten, I somehow found a place of work, in the form of being an informant for one of the parties in Stalliongrad, and it wasn’t a particularly easy life in that cold city. Every day was a challenge for young me, I manipulated most stallions and the occasional mare to show me sympathy and the information I needed for the party. I played a dirty game, but the city itself wasn’t the cleanest of the bunch anyway.

I played an invaluable role for them and in turn, they provided me with all the necessities I asked for, from books to food to a haven. Nearly everything was within reach as I grew and lead part of the party. It was almost like I loved and grew up with the party itself, despite some bad blood, we all got along fairly well. Or at least, well enough for the most part, but it all changed when I took up the job of being an informant and partner for one of the party’s officers who would go to Canterlot for a summit meeting. I would pose as their adoptive child and while they were at the meeting, I would have roamed around the city to collect “information”, the usual schemes they placed me on with a new layering of challenge, a change of pace as they saw it.

And it was a dangerous game that I had loved since the beginning, and it was a plan I joined in, but the unfortunate truth of the matter was that it was a risky job that comes with infamy, things that would take a turn for the worse when unexpected circumstances arose.

...

“W-what do you mean!?” I exclaimed, pacing in what was supposed to be the shared room for me and my would-be accomplice.

‘I had a big day, a turning point even, and today was the day they decided to make some last-minute changes!?’

“You heard me right, he can’t attend the summit. He had to go and sort of business, for the time being, and until further notice, the party leaders decided you should stall for time or just take his place.” The mare said, another informant for the same party I was in, who was stationed at Marelin. A personal associate that I had worked with previously and would make great progress within a different field outside of the party itself.

At this point in life, I had already gained some infamy in the underlying political parties in Equestria, known as the ‘Blank Mask’, mostly because of my empty flank and unprecedented, and apparent talent, for acting, which coupled with the use of effective illusion magic to give different cutie marks and facial structure, made me a terrifying informant, hence why I was able to hide with many identities to my name and make it convincing.

Of course, one has to wonder why I didn’t gain a cutie mark for acting or something of the like at that point in life. That wasn’t even something I excelled at, at least with what fate would give me. Working for the party certainly broadened my view, and even inspired me, but the parties of these city-states were very basic in structure and idea, at least compared to the magnum opus that I would one day write.

“Hmm…” I thought about the idea, internally groaning at the new arrangements I found myself in. “Fine, I’ll do it, but make no mistake, I am not at fault for anything from this point on, got it?”

“Sure, sure.” The mare said, about to take her leave from my room.

But before she could exit, I told her one last thing.

“And tell Stalliongrad I’m considering their proposal.”

She didn’t respond, but I knew she heard me. So after that, I decided to prepare for the summit with what little time I had, internally hoping that someone would take my steed, but I knew all too well that it was a pain to even find, let alone send, a replacement in such short notice.

...

I dreaded every single moment that has lead me to his very moment. I could see and feel the gaze of dozens upon dozens of eyes staring in my direction. I was about to make the speech of a lifetime, but nobilities, royalties, and every single commoner in the room looked upon me and the podium. One would think that I would have remembered what happened next, but because of its ending, I chose to bury this memory deep down in the darkest pits of my mind to forget.

The speech itself was a blur to me, the exact contents having long been forgotten. Yet despite that, I could still vividly remember its results, I heard voices of protest, I heard voices of praise, and I heard the mixed reception of these many voices, coupled with the uncertain applause of the many at that time. I knew then that the sole monarch of Equestria, Princess Celestia, and who used to be her prized student, Sunset Shimmer, was watching me from somewhere.

I remember those moments when I spoke with a passion, I remember that dread moment I began to float off the ground. I didn’t know it at the time, but at such a late age, I thought I would have never attained a cutie mark, and the backlash of it all was intense, considering the time.

And sooner rather than later, I had Royal Guards escort me to a private room in one of the towers that accompanied the palace, completely separate from the main building. When I asked them where we were going, they merely shrugged me off and said that they were there just to escort and protect me from harassment. The young me at the time completely believed that part since I could see the distress of my entire audience build and boil up, no doubt from just realizing that they had seemingly been following and tricked by a pony who was supposed to have no talent, no destiny.

Back then, I knew I was seen as a fraud, if not by my view, then clearly by the view that the ponies I fooled would impose on me.

Soon enough, when I arrived at the towers, I took the moment to marvel at their design, which would serve as an inspiration for the tower that I would isolate myself in.

And before I could knock on the door, I saw the iconic bacon hair of Celestia’s student, but before I could respond, she dragged me into her room with her magic and sealed it shut so that the two of us could have a moment. One that, amongst many others, I would vividly remember.

“What’s all of this about!?” I asked, growing apprehension as I looked over myself around to make sure I was fine while also the room I was suddenly dragged into.

“Oh nothing much,” she said, before eyeing the saddlebag that I had brought with me. “Say, whatcha got in there?” she asked, pointing a hoof of genuine curiosity.

“Oh, this?” I asked, lifting said bag off my back to rummage through its contents. “It’s nothing special, it’s just unfinished books and paperwork.”

“May I?” she asked.

“S-sure,” I said, unable to say no to a pony the likes of her, especially with what she could do. “But please, there is nothing of interest in there-”

“How much for this book?” she suddenly asked, levitating an unfinished book relating to some theoretical structuring and methods for different systems, the specifics were unimportant to me back then.

Baffled at that, I clarified something for her. “That book’s unfinished, I can’t just sell something so worthless-”

Again, she did not hesitate to push her advances. “Tell you what, you get to keep this student’s entire bank of bits if you just shut up and just give me the book.”

Of course, it was an offer I can’t refuse, the book was an unfinished book outlying potential improvements on the educational system and its curriculums. Later on, I would find out through an informant that the book also went missing with her when she “vanished”. Although I knew a thing or two that wasn’t within public news, I just didn’t think she was insane enough to go through with her plans about the mirror in that tower, although in the end, I guess I figured out why she needed a book in theoretical education...

Back at the present...

“On the very same day that I earned my cutie mark and made a deal with one of Celestia’s students, I fled on that same night, having planned to vanish until the party thought I was dead. I wanted to think about my future, and I knew it was my chance, I knew I had a talent and I knew I could figure something out, so, like any good pony, I tried to capitalize on that...” I said, wrapping up this little discussion as I saw the moon begin to rise to the center of the sky.

Looking back now, one might say I was insane. Well, what I think is the only insane part would be is the fact that, in more ways than one, I had done so much over the years than what I ever expected, be it just running or even simply writing.

“I had gained a fortune, but I was quick to hide it, regardless of that fact, I had come a long way since the beginning, earned many things, and lost just as many. Time hasn’t been too kind to me for the last couple of years. Continually, I saw the world around me change, yet ironically, the general attitude and unwillingness of many creatures never cease to amaze me, with just how adamantly they stay unchanged, ponies although compassionate to a certain extent held some contempt deep down, griffons crave glory and gold, and many other habits die hard. Simply put, the creatures who understand my works are also the ones who understand its effects, thus, the greater majority could never truly, and fully, appreciate its ideals...”

“Damn, so that’s how Sunset’s entire background vanished, she had you hide it, didn’t she? So what is your point?” Spike asked. Although not as smart as the pony he had grown to call a ‘mother/sister’ of sorts, he was still smart enough to understand the general premise of my story.

“The point is that... Time is money, make no mistake of that, Spike.”

He started to question it. “I mean, I understand that sentiment, but-”

“-but it also erodes gratitude, faster than it does beauty. We don’t realize that until old faces would come back around in our lives. I know I learned it the hard way.” I said, knowing that he was able to understand my point to some extent.

“There are plenty of things we take for granted, I know you took for granted being a naïve drake when you moved in as a child to Ponyville with Twilight.”

I saw his reaction to my remark, but I did not allow him the opportunity to respond, so I press on.

“Listen, Spike, promise me this, that even if I may not seem like it, that you remember what I said, time is unforgiving, and it is with that little time that we have, that we are allowed to define our lives.”

But before I could hear his response, I finally felt the strain of the magic dampeners on me and I suddenly passed out. The last thing I saw was Spike seemingly in a sudden frenzy as the sound of dozens of hoof steps seemed to echo in my hearing.

...

The next thing I knew, I was in the same room, but I knew things had been tampered with. The slight changes in décor are a telltale sign of that. Then again, it wouldn’t surprise me if they placed something new or just took away something else.

“Well shit,” I said aloud, but instead of sullying in what is comparatively the same old situation, dulling out any sense of the word.

I immediately looked at the far right corner of the room where the door would be if it was opened. There, I saw a book and a small crystal. Smiling as my eyes hovered over it, my magic, now with a bit less effort needed, levitated the book and crystal, this time with much more ease thanks to, what I assumed, to be newer and much more lenient magic dampeners, likely still exported from the Crystal Empire. I levitated it to the table where the lamp that lit this room, for now, sat undisturbed. And soon, I opened it and began to read its contents.

“They still do it despite the risk and inevitability of it all,” I said in a low whisper, truly thankful for these small acts of compassion by some of my informants that I find appalling.

Although I never was an outstanding soul in this greater world, I always sought to face my consequences head-on, and this was just another one of them.

‘Time... a constant in anyone’s life, it trickles consistently to the point that we don’t realize its value until it isn’t there. It erodes the soul, always reminding us of how early or late we were, and that’s the beauty of it, it forces us to take risks. Risks that define not only our lives but also dictate its eventual path.’ I thought as I read through each spell that the book provided, soon finding myself staring at the spell I was looking for.

And soon, my thoughts grew silent as I began to focus, beginning to practice this specific spell to counter the creatures that roam the dream realm, although heavily suppressed and with much more strain thanks to its complexity. I continued, persevering as I tried to remember the spell word-for-word, action-for-action, letting myself silently put to rest the memories of how I had come to define my life and my upbringing.

I smirked, knowing that I still remembered some of the offensive spells I had learned long ago, forbidden knowledge if you will.

Although, I had a bit of final thought as I focused more and more. ‘It isn’t over yet, there is still a bit more to come.’

Author's Note

Nearly forgot to post this chapter...
Sorry!

Also, do leave a like if you enjoyed the stor!y (and maybe share it around, I put alot of effort into proofreading and writing it, so it would mean alot to me, thanks! And see you around :twilightsmile:)

Chapter 3: When Times Move On

I suddenly shot up from my bed, forcefully wide awake and disoriented as I was about to have another breakdown. Slowly looking around me... that was when I remembered the memories of the last two days, the realization hitting me like a mule. Through these past few nights, my sleep hasn’t been all too kind for me, with me being unable to remember anything of note from my dreams, if I even had a dream, and although it could be argued that I likely had a dreamless night, I was still completely on edge with whatever may enter my dreams. It wasn’t for any particular reason, but ever since this endeavor had started, I’ve always been on edge and it’s been hard to break that habit.

I looked around, still in the same room as always, but lately, the room I was in seemed to have lost its hue, it seemed to have become duller... this place now, unexpectedly to my surprise, brought a semblance of ease for me, it reminded me of the low and dully lit rooms of my old tower, and although I don’t know what has become of the tower I used to call home, I do still enjoy the fact that I haven’t had that many visitors as of late.

I’d have expected the nobility to try and talk me down by this point in time, but surprisingly, that hasn’t happened yet and it brought a bit of smugness to my ego, knowing that they would be hesitant to meet with me. I have no such qualms meeting such ponies or other creatures of similar stature, but I will critique that out of all the things that they could and should have done, they chose to avoid me, like a subject that a filly or colt might be hesitant to talk about with their parents.

Lamenting it, my mind drifted to other topics I would enjoy. Deep down, I thought of my situation as ironic, poetic even. My works, at least to the core of it all, would dictate that for a proper form of governance to improve both itself and its society, it should mitigate risks and only pursue endeavors if such things could be justified despite the possible repercussions and expenses... yet here I am, going out of my way and taking unnecessary risk in death to further give infamy to my work when I could have simply sat at the sidelines and let it slowly but surely grow.

I stayed in that lamenting state for a while, unable to do anything as my mind continued to return to better times, of better memories. But nothing could last forever, and soon, I had another visitor that came to visit my presence.

I Heard the obvious clinking and low thuds that a griffon’s hind paws and foreclaws made while they moved. I prepared myself for an uneventful and, most likely, violent interrogation. Instead of that, I am greeted by the sight of a blue griffon, motioning me to follow his lead and to go outside.

Hesitant at first, I realized I’d rather just comply with him than risk what is likely a forced beating to get me to follow, so following wherever this griffon will take me I did. Sneaking past what was sure to be double the force of guards that seemed to guard every entrance, exit, and hall to their posting, it was to the miracle of my surprise that we weren’t found out on the way, or at least, we didn’t face strong opposition, with how much of a sweet talker Gallus was and his seemingly outstanding rank as a guard.

...

“Here we are,” Gallus said as he came down for a landing, having carried my weight for who knows how long, I was impressed. More so of the view he chose, the early twilight view being a change from the sunsets most would see in life.

“So, what’s the occasion? Finally proposed to that Hippogriff ‘friend’ of yours?” I asked, pursuing small talk to open up this close guard of her highness.

I saw his face light up in a strong shade of crimson. His reaction is what I sought after with the remark, and I would react with a chuckle of my own, it would be more out of relief. The fact he was able to react with a strong emotion meant that he had a heart and mind despite the obvious “necessities” his line of duty entailed, something I might be overthinking but still nonetheless noticed.

“N-no, it’s not that,” He tried in vain to hide his flustered face. Unfortunately, it didn’t do him any good, it was just that obvious with how the contrast of his beat red emotions are to his fur. “It’s that I need to do something-”

I didn’t allow him to finish as my expression visibly took a turn for the worst. “Did they finally decide to kill me? Sending you to do their bidding? Were they impatient? Did they want it to be quick or slow?” I impatiently asked, awaiting his remark as I expected him to respond with a hitch.

“W-well… no, duh, I’d think it be obvious that I would have wanted more than just to kill you off, I’d be hunted down if I did so anyway... besides, Grandpa always told stories of a pony who could bring the wrath of gods and sway the minds of many with simple words and promises.” He said, looking at me eye-to-eye as we stared at each other. As intent as he may be, I saw courage and hesitation, mixed and held together by curiosity.

“We always thought he was in another one of his episodes, but now, seeing what the world wants to do with you, it reminded me of him, if only for what he spoke about,” he continued.

“Hmm... is that so?” Pondering about it, I thought a spark of my magic from my horn was what it would take for old memories to resurface. “Well, I can tell you this, the old geezer is, in more ways than one, a griffon who cared about your future… hehe. He knew what to oppose and what he was warned about, but was unable to properly show his love for a shattered nation, shame…”

Silence for a moment has persevered as I took the moment to appreciate the view I was allotted, waiting patiently for the griffin to catch up with his mind.

“So, you want to know more about the creature that the old griffon said? Or do you want to know the closest thing to it?” I saw his face and the response he was about to say, so I replied before he could speak. “So you do. Hmm, well, the closes I could give you is a story from my past, a lesson about... Um, what was it called? Um… Aha! Yes, I think it was something along the lines of ‘the Irony of Life’, do you know such a thing?”

“No?” I asked for him.

“Well, to tell you, it’s about the youthful energy and time, always wanting to take risks and make a mark, make something last while the risk we take also changes with us. We gamble upon it, but sooner or later, what was once the reason we gamble, the very thing that could bring success would be the very same thing that could bring it all crashing down. In the blink of an eye, riches could be earned and lost in an instant, and it is all because of the risks, how it favors not only the Bold but also the willing.”

“Wait... isn’t that just the ‘fortune favors the bold’ quote?” Gallus asked indicatively.

“Beats me, but what I’m saying is that there is always a toll for everything we do, be it time, reason, money... even blood. Remove this ring at my horn and I’d better visualize it for you,” I said.

And I saw the thinking mind of a griffon at play, a pose most griffons share when thinking over my proposals, weighing the options, and he took the risk, my word, and with a hesitant claw, removed the ring that made it difficult for me to cast magic.

As if new energy was being allowed a release, I did a spark and two with my horn, satisfied with being able to let loose. I looked at him, smiling as I cast the illusion spell I would use to better visualize it for him.

“Risk, rewards, everything… it’s like a... say, a snowball, it’s got to start from somewhere, usually small, but once we get rolling, you will soon realize that too much has been gained that turning back won’t be an option, a simple yet dangerous complex game that anyone could play...”

In a distant past...

The early morning here at what is essentially a barren wasteland was painful, but I continued, persevering through it. The scope I used to spot my targets laid there at my side, prepared and in position. Although today, I wasn’t particularly in a hunting mood, I was just here to “negotiate” some terms with a pony for publishing my book.

Soon, I spotted them nearing my position, with a griffon by their side, presumably there to guard them.

So, I prepared to make my daring move, I launched myself in their direction, knocking the pony down while I also launched a bolt of stun magic at the griffon, paralyzing the big creature in the middle of their conversation.

I pinned the pony, a mare earth pony, to the ground, trying my best not to lose the upper hand in this situation, considering her inherent earth pony strength. Once she was mostly secured, I now surveyed the area for any immediate threats, as I did so, I also looked over the griffon who seemed to have stiffened up, other than that, I was safe and secured for the moment.

Smirking at the job well done, I looked back to the grand prize of this little foalnapping of sorts.

Seeing her mouth open a bit, I instinctively wrapped a cloth around it to keep her from speaking or screaming, tying up her hooves as I levitated her and the paralyzed griffon back into my little camp in the outskirts, much to the strain of my magic and their begrudging muses.

‘Have a bit of decency,’ I repeatedly thought to myself throughout the journey back.

Once I would take refuge at my encampment, I would have a bit of rest, and later on, I would strike up a conversation with both, being pleasant to speak with, for the most part. I didn't notice it at first, which seems stupid in hindsight, but they were unnaturally calm about their situation.

...

later on...

“So wait, wait, you want us to print your books? Heck no, partner. I got other businesses that pay better than you run-of-the-mill scum.” Responded the southern mare to my questions, seemingly refusing to accept nor be convinced at my "clearly" fair proposal, which was increasingly taking a toll on my nerves.

“Yeah, what she said,” the griffon chimed in.

Breathing out a tired sigh, I didn’t want this to devolve into an unnecessary brawl, and I’d much rather not spill any blood...

So instead, I ignited my horn, levitating my saddlebag to their front, dropping it. As it hit the ground, it slumped over to reveal it was a bag full of bits and nothing more, immediately catching the eye of the griffon, while the mare tried to seem and act indifferent, but I saw through it.

“Will you print it and keep quiet about this encounter if I pay triple the amount? Equipment included.” I asked. Resorting to do anything just to get her on board this project, as I realized I'd have to giveaway to her demands to make her not only shut up but also go along with the plan.

“T-triple!?” she exclaimed as if in an exaggerated sequence, slumped to the ground before she eagerly inspect the bits before her while, ironically, the griffon stood by at attention, standing guard.

Several moments pass and soon, the mare launched herself back up, standing up tall and straight to reply to me. I also saw the hesitation of the griffon at the possible outcome.

“I’ll do it! But only if ya could beat big shot over here in a duel, first one to leave a mark on the other wins.” She responded, making her gamble final and true as she pointed a hoof towards the fairly bulky griffon.

Although not reflected by his outside appearance, I could tell he was hesitant.

“That’s if I win, so what if I lose?” I asked.

“If ya lose to big shot? Then ya owe the Pear family five figures!” she said expectedly, grinning all the while.

“Um... very well then,” I said, accepting the terms while reminiscing on the countless other similar times I had experienced this kind of sudden proposal or arrangement.

“I’ll take him up to the challenge...” I remarked, overlooking the fact that I was speaking to a pony who was probably a close associate of the pear family, probably an informant stationed at Appleoosa, however unlikely that story may be.

“Oh, ya won’t need anythin’ fancy n all, I just need ya both to hit em where it hurts! Don’t care about the specifics, ya just need to land a single hit on the other to knock em’ cold...”

...

So here I am, out in a clearing about to face a fairly large and intimidating griffon, he was armed with what seemed to be a well-maintained saber and was protected by what appeared to be strong armor, ready to fight against me. Meanwhile, on my side, I just stood there, horn alit at the ready to cast an age-old spell I knew, my cloak hiding the daggers that I had, which were strapped to my waist should I need them or just spice up my play a bit, something to pair with the spell’s I was about to cast.

“Are both of ya ready!?” the mare asked.

“Ready when he’s ready,” I said, standing tall, trying not to show fear as I pointed my horn.

“I’m ready as I’ll ever be!” The griffon bellowed, his intimidating nature played a part in my doubts.

But I suppressed those urges to run, I had confidence in myself. What I doubted was just how good the griffon was, with just how bulky he seemed.

“Then begin!” She announced.

The first move was his, and unexpectedly, he was unrelenting in his advances, dashing forward to strike me in one quick blow with a powerful thrust of his blade.

I tried to dodge the incoming attack by dashing to my left, fortunately, his blade wasn’t long enough and I managed to escape it, unscathed but most definitely surprised.

He was fast, terrifyingly so. This griffon, his movements, his blade choice, I had to keep my distance, but it was easier said than done. He did not give me any room to breathe, it felt choky, as if I was on a leash, constantly being pulled.

I was being pushed back, and there was little I could do against his advances, except just backing myself a bit for distance. Dash after dash, step after step. The spells I was supposed to cast were still dormant, but I didn’t have a clear and clean shot over him. What was supposed to be a quick and easy duel had turned into a well even outmatched fight between us both.

‘Shit,’ I thought to myself. ‘Should have shot the bastard earlier.’

The situation was degrading faster and faster, the pacing increasing as the first signs of weariness was coming. I had to do something, but there was no clear way out, not with the constant movement and limited room, if I shot now, I was sure that the blast radius from my spell would hit me, even if I hit the griffon, we were just too close to use such a spell to warrant my safety.

So either this duel would end in a draw or on a griffon victory, and unless I think of something quickly, I would have to settle for a draw.

And even then, a draw was hard to achieve, there was no guarantee that I could hit the griffon nor stay awake from my blast, and if I miss, it would leave me wide open for an attack, ensuring a griffon victory.

‘THINK, BOLD! THINK!’ I internally and desperately screamed to myself, trying to think of a way to bring a win for myself, internal screaming to the point of desperation.

That was, until the griffon gave a downwards thrust, hitting the dirt and flinging it in my direction. Of course, out of instinct, I closed my eyes, but not before I leaped upwards to avoid another potential strike.

This time, his move gave me a bit of inspiration, it was a gamble because I had to use this dormant spell before I could cast another spell. But if I was quick enough...

‘Yes, yes, that might just work.’ I thought to myself. Preparing another spell to go right after I discharge the first initial spell that I had built up, I landed back down and was again on the defensive, but before long, the griffon would try to do the same trick twice.

Once again, he gave a downward swing, but before he could do the same move and fling dirt onto my eyes, I pointed my horn at the ground where his blade was, and immediately, I discharged the spell that I had saved up to this point, sending a powerful bolt of magic that, upon impact, detonated into a big blast, the blast force being stronger than what I had initially anticipated.

The griffon had enough time to cover himself and allow his armor to take most of the blast, as for myself, the moment I discharged that spell, I immediately cast a shield bubble that launched me to the air thanks to the blast force created by the explosion.

‘I just did a blast jump.’ I thought to myself, smiling internally at this little moment.

Landing back on the ground, I quickly surveyed the surroundings, and I saw the griffon seemingly staggering and struggling to stand back up.

‘Geez, what a tough one.’ I had to admit, I was impressed by his resilience. I was sure that spell would have done the job.

Entering another stance, I slowly drew closer to the griffon as I prepared another spell to send into his direction, making sure that it would be able to incapacitate him for good.

Then, as the griffon regained his footing, he gazed over me and spoke. “You’re a good one, I would have never expected that from your size. Say, what’s your name?”

‘Name?’ I internally thought, quickly making a decision.

“Bold Ideals, and you?” I asked, never losing focus on the target set.

“Call me Gustav, a worker from the east.”

I saw him ready in a stance, I assumed he was about to charge forward, and so my horn was now directly tracking him.

“Well, it’s certainly a pleasure to meet you, Gustav. Although the same cannot be said for this duel’s outcome, for it will be in my favor!” I declared.

And just as he was about to open his beak to respond, that was when I made my move. Summoning a row of illusionary cannons through which I would fire my spell in his direction. And that is what I exactly did, internally being proud of my side works inspiring me. Without another moment of hesitation, I discharged the spell and a volley of (magical) cannon fire was shot in his direction. Around a dozen, shots were fired yet no amount of preparation could prepare me for this griffon’s next move.

And as if some god came down from the heavens just to insult my work, he started to dodge every single cannon shot as he dashed and made his way closer to me, as if he was renewed with vigor.

‘What the fuck?’ I thought to myself, dumbfounded at his agility. It was unnatural, at least for me, to see someone match me in skill and speed. It was reaching the point that surpassed being impressed, but I didn’t have time to worry about that, and again, I followed my initial strike with another one.

This time, I would be on the offensive, disallowing him the opportunity to strike me. With the ferocity that was comparable to his earlier attack, he was losing ground as he avoided my attacks, and the sensation of victory was dripping as if I could taste it as I approached it ever so close.

And, the final blow was to be made, I just had to prove I was the faster one, and with one final spell, I shot at him at a near point-blank range, but not before he seemingly threw a dagger as a last resort with his wings.

And in a sort of mellow-like manner, the griffon dropped to the ground, contorting out of pain from the blast I sent his way. For me, he was fortunately not the straight shot, and the dagger he threw missed me by mere inches, but my victory was, for all it was, a humbling experience. And so, I walked up to the fallen griffon, who stared on into my eyes, and I simply gave him a nod and smirk, which he returned, nothing more, nothing less.

Later on, arrangements were made after my fair victory and its terms. Through the years, the books I have written would go on to be fairly well-received books amongst those in the farther reaches of Equestria, having a fairly tame effect (in my opinion) as it spanned as far as the Hyppoghiph Kingdom and as close as the Griffon Kingdom, although never fully making its way back into the heart of Equestria. What became of my books, even I am not fully aware of, but I’d like to think it became the foundation for something greater than even the book itself.

‘SOUL’s: The Will that Influences Will’s,’

‘A Deviant Devine Philosophy,’

‘From The Crimson King’s Court,’

‘The Iscariot’s Will,’

‘Theory of Inevitability: A Book about Fate,’

‘The Cost of Innovation: The Forefront against Traditionalists,’

‘Within the Pilate’s Court: Between Conscience and Profession,’

‘Rules for Rulers: The Fundamentals of Ruling over a Society,’

‘And my ninth book, which just so happened to be my longest book,’

‘Between Those Whose of Sovereignty and Power: The Banner of All Rulership’s.’

Just some of the many books under my name, some were formed from inspiration, and others would now serve to inspire. No doubt each gaining infamy or fame from such an unknown author, much to both my annoyance and partial relief. Still, these nine books are, what I didn’t realize then, the books that would propel my name and allow me to become the change I would dream to be.

To have them simply be infamous is heartbreaking to some extent, but knowing that its infamy is somewhat justified and counterbalanced by the small things of fame, I can at least be comforted by the fact that this world wasn’t full of idiots who blindly listened and follow.

It was, to me, a truly long ride, over many decades and planning, so many sleepless nights spent writing and researching. Just to amount to a single moment in life, change is truly about to come our way.

Back at the present...

“On that very day, the duel I faced was more of a dance than anything else, elegant in most aspects, not even words could fully give justice to just how exhilarating the whole experience was!” I exclaimed, reminiscing on that memory, the thrill, the excitement, the enticement of each movement, all expertly done with the purpose to build onto a goal. “Although now that I think about it, your old pops likely heard the stories from Gustav, since he and I shared a history with the publications of my books, amongst other things.”

Rarely do we meet an opponent that could not only match our skill on the same level and tenacity, but in the rare and, unusually, in-between moments that we do meet, they show us what the true meaning of equality is with no ulterior motives, a thrill, and honor that, although rare, could last a lifetime of reflection.

A fair play that makes one think and appreciate it, a goal that is both humbling and empowering to both parties.

A goal that the griffon and I shared and one that allowed us both to pour our hearts out to the fullest. Although a dance with death isn’t the only form of risk one could take, sometimes, it is with the harshness of life that we could also experience a similar feeling of uncertainty, unexpectedness, or apprehension. Deep respect was formed between both of us from just this single duel.

“So, is that all you’re going to tell me? Just a story about you fighting a griffon?” Gallus asked. Having sat at my side by the cliff edge, admiring the view that was provided by the outside while listening to me.

I hesitated but knew I had to explain it to him, if I didn’t, it would sound too simple to the point of fleetingness, I wanted the idea to stick with him.

“It wasn’t just about opportunity, it was also about something greater... to work for the future. I had many times in my life, placed it on the line for my earlier books to be printed and published, and should I have lost that encounter, my reputation, and likely opportunities, would have sunk deeper than the regrets of even Celestia herself.”

“Really? So, tell me more, I heard many things from Spike, and I’d like to get to know you more.”

“Hmm,” I thought over it, I did not doubt that I was about to do something important, a turning point for later, so I guess… I guess it’s the least I could do for the griffon.

“Ok fine, but I’m going to tell you this now, Gallus, you’re still young, and you still have a life to live. Life could be defined in many different ways, but life could only be lived once, my life was likely defined by my works as a unicorn and writer, but I lived my life with risks... it was enjoyable... I was able to make the most out of it.”

My expression shifted ever so slightly as I continued. “And that’s the reason why I’m not the young pony I once was, I can’t just take risks, I have gained too much to risk away, unlike you…”

The least I could do for him was explain, and hope he understood. That’s what I did before, and I hope it would work again. I’d buy myself some time, I was free from the confines of that forsaken palace room, now is my chance to get back out there, into the open world.

...

I have made my decision, and I am sure that it’s a risk not even my most bashful self would take, I was about to do something so redundant. And from what I’ve learned, regret always comes after the deed, so no regrets, for now.

“Most creatures say that life is about the journey and not the destination, without even understanding what that means! It, its... It’s Disgraceful! Disgusting! Despicable! And deplorable!” I say, now catching up to the things I was saying.

“To live is to experience youth and the eventual coming of age, to live would be to eventually die. That is the cycle, the irony, of life, to taste life only for death to wait at your side, you may not notice it, but it’s always there. So at the core of it all, risk sits at the throne of what keeps us young, to dare what sits waiting for us in the paved road that we call living...”

“Today, I will admit, has been pleasant, especially with a youngster like you,” I said, finally allowing a single drop of tear to flow.

I saw his reaction, one of confusion, no doubt thinking I’m being overly dramatic. “What do you mean?” Gallus asked, his naive attitude griping my heart for what I was about to do.

“You know, having lived an unorthodox life, pared with a time that was... bizarre, I guess what I’m trying to say is don’t make your life stale. So don’t take what I’m about to do personally.” I said, lighting up my horn in the process of it all.

“Wait… DON-” I heard him try to call out to me, but by then, I was already out. Having cast my teleportation spell, it was a pain to even try and conceive in the first place, but in the end, I managed to pull it off.

The next thing I knew, I was in a forest-like place, with thick forestry surrounding me all around. With nothing more than my magic to accompany me now, I was on the run, for how long, I am unsure.

‘Was this all fated?’ I silently asked. Pondering upon the decisions I made to get to this point. ‘Was it even worth it? Isn’t it sealed that my death is inevitable... So why?’

Unfortunately, I couldn’t ponder on it any longer, it was one thing to escape authority, and it is another to remain out of their reach. So, I began my trek, one that would get me far but not far enough.

The consequences of my escape had far reaches, such as public support for me plummeting after my stunt and my fate with death being all but assured thanks to it, with many more unforeseen consequences flying over my mind at the heat of this moment.

Never realizing the river flow of tears that came out as a result. Even the instinctual need to escape was gone, the entire reason why I even decided to make this getaway, a daring escape, but the deed is done. It’s just that... I can’t feel the risk, it isn’t there, maybe it’s because I know that deep down, I’ll be caught eventually. It’s only a matter of when and if it’s ceremonious or not.

Still, I persevered and moved on, I tried to tell myself it wasn’t anything personal, but it could be hard to realize that fact.

In the final stretch of my life, I was on a ticking clock with each passing moment... The only thing I could find solace in is the fact that I’d get a proper dreamless night, without the intervention of the crown, at least until I get caught again.

Author's Note

Had to do some things with the family, but it all went well.

Hope you enjoy, and do leave a like if you did so :)

(Edit: minor gramatic changes.)

Chapter 4: The Preordained Fate

I stand silently as my predicament unfolded, patiently waiting as the seconds slowly tick by. Surrounded once again, it reminded me of the first time they abruptly came into my tower and escorted me to court, a rigged trial that I had expected and played along with. Of course, this time around, it won’t be as simple as an escort, not with me actively being reluctant to go on an easy note.

I had hunkered down in this old, unassuming shack in the middle of what seemed to be an endless forest that stretched on for who knows how far, seemingly trap with no way out, and with each moment, I can hear them closing in, adamant with their advance towards me.

But soon, it won’t be the only noise they would make through their trek to capture me. The surroundings that encircle this shack weren’t empty of surprises, after all, the little open fields, forestry, and other marks of nature were all laced with magical traps courtesy of yours truly, designed and made to make this a lasting impression. Soon, I could hear the first bangs of black powder going off as illusionary spells and crystals were discharged to accompany it, filling the surroundings with what seemed to be the heinous sound of bloodshed screams that served to truly make this experience stand out. I could hear in the distance the rumbling of dozens, if not hundreds of soldiers who were in disarray, likely from the scenery I had provided them with, no doubt expecting their mission to be a straightforward one.

For the first time in this whole ordeal, I will admit, I was beginning to wish they would have just killed me on the spot the first time around. Now, however, as I realize that I have poured too much into my endeavor that trying to forgo it would simply be a waste on my part, I prepared myself to face the consequences head-on.

I stand accused of treason not because of actions, but because of implications. I am a menace to the status quo and everything that Equis stands for, be it harmonic or naught in nature. I am sent to be killed because of the things I have done, a destiny I have forged, because of what I stood for, although some may not see it, I have started something through my endeavors, something greater than even myself, and I take pride in knowing that fact.

I hear the echo of a thump as I am roughly dropped back down into my room, being imminently locked behind as I spot four guards standing at the ready. Looking around, I realize it wasn’t the same room as before, but still had the same layout that gave me that bit of semblance for me, not at all cramp-like what I expected.

...

A bit of time had passed, and during that time, I discovered that they gave me a new ring over my horn to subdue my magic, it was much more efficient than the crystals they had provided earlier in my stay. With that in mind, I did try my luck in levitation, and to my surprise, the ring seemed to “negate” certain types of magic, levitation being one of the exceptions, to some extent. Still, it was a pain to try and exert too much magic, I thought it was a regulator of sorts, but, I didn’t have time to ponder on that as I noticed a book provided to me, skimming over the passage to pass the time.

Silently, I read a small portion of the passage, being reminded of how I had gotten to this point in time. ”Thus, fate is like a sister to time, and although both are cruel in aspects to be said, one can’t simply defile them head-on. Both seem to work as one, where time is an eventuality, fate isn’t a set-in-stone concept as some are led to believe.”

‘Oh God, I think I’m losing my marbles…’ I thought to myself, slowly realizing the amount of BS that I have seemingly made up just to present myself as a pony of higher intellect, a cut above the rest, so to say.

“What are you thinking about?” A voice suddenly asked.

As I turned my head out of instinct to its source, it came as a delightful surprise when I realized it was the monarch of Equestria herself, although I did not quite catch her entering the room, I still decided to give her my form of welcoming.

“Ah, what brings the monarch for a visit, I assume you are here to condemn my actions? To prove a point? Or are you here for something else?” I asked, eliciting a sly grin to test her patience, taunting her to some extent.

To say that she’s no different from the rest would be a false statement in itself. Her achievements are a testament to her uniqueness, better fortune than most, and her general ability, qualities that she and her fellowship share and often compliment, are things that most, myself included, both admire and envy.

Her reaction to my suggestive taunts was much more composed than what I had anticipated. I had expected it to some degree, but I could tell that she had layered her flurry of emotions so deep just to speak to me in a straight fashion. Truth be told, I take great pleasure in the extreme reactions of others, be it somber or not. I find it enjoyable, even if I shouldn’t, such emotions I think reflect a very nature shared by all, somewhere deep down at least.

“I prefer sovereign,” she replied, approaching me with eyes that seemed to have a predatorily gaze over me. “And I’d ask again, what are you thinking about?”

With genuine curiosity now crawling in the back of my mind, I gave a face before reluctantly giving a reply to her question, not that I wished to deny her that.

“I think... I miss the times gone by,” I simply and honestly replied.

I let it hang for a moment, reminiscing on memories I didn’t realize I was making. “Back then, I didn’t have the pressure nor the image that was provided by the majority, but I always lived with the prying eyes of someone else. After that, I wanted to become something greater, to be different from an ever-growing stale world... sure, Celestia has her merits but compared to the possibilities I could ponder, I think she has done the bare minimum of what’s necessary, but now... after arriving at this point, a point I didn’t even think I’d reach... well, I’m just lost for words.”

I trailed off, and from there, she continued that train of thought, much to my surprise. “And somehow, things had become much more complicated, even if it’s the same world, isn’t it?”

I chuckled involuntarily, nervousness crawling with it. “heh, yea, you could say that.”

“So why?” She asked, drawing ever so closer to me with each step she took. “Why complicate things?”

I stared at her, my expression having a visible shift, judging from her reaction. As if I was reminded of a dull but ever so prevalent memory, I presumed she was talking about my escape, abusing the hospitality that Gallus showed me.

“Would you believe me if I said I didn’t know?” I asked, genuine intrigue at what her response might be.

For a moment, she thought over it as she weighed her words wisely before speaking again. “I… I simply can’t,” she said, bringing dismay in the process. “Not with what the stories around you have to say, not to mention the things you’ve done and their extent.”

I sighed, “I understand... and truthfully, I’d have love to discuss philosophy with you at another time,” I said, a small smile appearing for a moment to accompany it.

“Oh Celestia,” She muttered, “philosophers...”

I chuckled at her mumblings, I was probably older than her yet we lived in drastically different leagues of our own. And only now did I realize, she probably stood half a head taller than me. Time has gone forward since then, no more is Equestria ruled by two, it was now ruled by a single mare.

‘Oh, just having to look up, isn’t it great?’ I thought. She probably had this growth spurt with her ascension as a ruler, which goes to make you think about how we all grow up and earn our place in this world.

“So why the long face?” I asked with a grin, completely disregarding the reasons as to why she came here in the first place.

“The magic that one possesses, well, magic as a whole is directly linked to fate isn’t it? You know that as fact, you’re smart and had enough run-ins with villains twice as more powerful as me, yet I am portrayed as the most dangerous compared to them,” I added.

My confidence grew as this went on, knowing that I had waited for a long time just to say what I was about to tell her. “Isn’t that what a cutie mark is? A near literal representation of fate, of destiny. The lack of magic, or a cutie mark for that matter, would mean an uncertain fate, at least that’s how I’d like to portray it. How about you and your friends? Do you think you were brought upon by fate?” I asked.

A smile of kindness adorned me as I spoke my next words. “Truthfully, I have nothing against you, in particular, it’s just that a new era brings new heights to reach, but with new heights comes greater risks, and the greater the risk, the greater the fall becomes. Alas, the work I have made could be interpreted in many ways, things to complicate the status quo, things never seen nor even heard of before, something to challenge the present, a means to beat fate. Or simply a new way of life.” I said, waving in a dramatic sense to accompany my point.

“So, is that all? Your work simply being a means rather than anything else?” She asked curiously.

As she said that, I realized we both sat up straight now, her horn glowed with a soft hue at the ready as she tried to untangle my motives and understanding, giving me the little sympathy that she could, something that I appreciated.

I suddenly began putting some thought into it. “You know, Equis always ran on the principle of magic... every villain, every species, everyone was bound to that principle… so what happens when you take away that pillar, the fundamentals, from which an entire world, an entire society, operates from.”

I saw her about to speak, confused at the sudden change in direction, but she did not expect my outburst.

“NOTHING!” I shouted, standing up in the process out of rage. “They all refuse to let go of the fundamentals, the basics, even if it means staying the same. An entire world would brush off my entire view just because they can. They’d set it aside because they could, not because they should. And they hate me for bringing up the possibility, let alone the introduction of a suggested solution... it saddens me, that such a single-minded approach is taken because of said fundamentals. Magic is an integral part of this world, something that, most would see, could bring many great things, but the darkness it was once used for is near-forgotten in time.”

Her reaction was evident, a face that showed a bit more sympathy for my plight. “I see... so what do you plan with your work? From what I could gather, there all unfinished. Except of course for the other nine that you got published.” Twilight said, taking a breath of view to make her point. “Besides, I’ve written a few books myself, and even I can’t finish everything I’ve started, much less continue your work with how I last saw it.”

Now that I think about it, although I had a plan for how it goes about, I thought it was better to just tose an idea around her head. “Maybe, maybe. And if that’s the case, then I’d like it if they were set aside somewhere, like the Royal Canterlot library maybe, just to collect dust. I won’t be able to finish any of them at this rate, but I’d just like my books to be kept safe, sealed and locked away, but safe nonetheless.”

For a moment, I thought she had accepted what I just said, but it was far from the truth, judging by her sudden shift in mood. “B-but, they could be of great opportunity for Equis! For the future of everyone! You still have a long way to go until your death, a life to be lived, I could even pardon you! You just have to continue your work or just work under me.” She protested, desperation seemingly growing at what could be the loss of a great asset for her.

Knowing that she didn’t fully understand my motives, I decided to make a show. “You know, I already have my dying will, if it would be respected or not is another matter that I’m unsure of, but I do know this: even if all my works were to be completed and well-received, a great unlikelihood mind you, I would still refuse your offer, I refuse to work under you out of respect, as for others, I’d rather die than be an advisor to anyone, be it a traditional sovereign in name or not.”

And despite good reason not to, and much to my strain, I poured in as much magic as I could to my horn, lighting it up and casting an illusion spell to make the point that I was about to say stick. “From Ideologies formed, new economic systems would sprout to follow suit, and after that, a new way to wage war and form peace. Once the snowball of change gets rolling, a new world completely different from this one will flourish and, eventually, die out. Selfishness, or any other reason for that matter, is the key to change, without it, there is no ambition to flourish, that is what this era is lacking in.”

“This is the certainty of life, for change influences change, and when uncertainty is brought by change, it brings opportunities and challenges, and when that happens, competition will sprout and become a race of improvement. This is the true extent of our choices. For hard times create the strong, and the strong create good times... the sad reality is that the weak flourish in these good times, and once the weak reach a peak, hard times would soon follow through, as the cycle eventually continues.” Pausing for a moment to take in some much-needed air. I examined her expression, seeing that she was listening with intrigue.

“But enough about me, I simply can’t hog all of the attention, so now, I think it’s your turn, Your Highness,” I said, bowing in respect to the only monarch I remotely found interest in for that matter.

So she continued where her little protest from earlier ended. “Your books, I’ve read nearly all of them and some research with Spike on some other related topics,”

‘Is that so...’ I thought to myself.

“And I guess your earlier rant would have confirmed it, but you have an... ‘interesting’ stance. So it got my thinking, how come?”

“...” I thought about it.

“You know...” I began, pondering for a moment to remember an old story before continuing, “I don’t know if Celestia has told of these myths, but it was once said that a civilization, long before the time of Grogar, created the foundation of magic, yet they were themselves unable to tap into this gift but were not hindered with this setback, ingenuity being their greatest weapon.”

“I have, and they are nothing more than myths, tales that have no right to exist.” She said, her expression being steadfast at that claim.

“Yet the fact that this is knowledge not even known to at least a portion of the nobility just creates a greater intrigue. How many more myths have been lost to time? The history that wasn’t written by ink? Forever lost and destined to be repeated eventually.”

She spoke up again. “And by doing what is right and striving for it, we could avoid repeating, let alone committing horrible deeds.”

“And here I must say that coincidences are the result of unforeseen consequences. Do note of the word ‘could’.” I pointed out in her claim.

“And that’s what puzzles me,” She began once more, this time with a much more assertive tone. “You’re a pony of such... persistence, in so many ways, your books and the general image you have... to have you simply not fight at the courtroom, a room that would decide your fate. I just can’t see why you’d simply throw it all away!”

I smiled, finally hearing her true colors of curiosity. “Well, even if I said I didn’t know, I’d be lying to you. And truth be told, I don’t think I threw everything down the drain because... I believe that this is what’s best because unless you don’t change the status quo, change will eventually outrun you.” I said in a tone of solemnness as I gauged her reaction.

She then began to rise, slowly at first, but I swore that I saw a flame light up as the faint smell of smoke began to fill my nostrils. “Then why? Why go through the hassle of living a life... just to get yourself killed without a fight? So much for an endeavor... ended with so little effort. I know you didn’t try to kill anyone when you were in that shack, that was more of a defiant show, a show if nothing else.” She asked.

As genuinely as I could, I reached a hoof out and started patting her back, trying to comfort her as best as I could. “I didn’t throw anything away, as I said earlier, I have reasons,” I simply said.

“Besides, I believe this world is destined for a life like a Phoenix. There might be something new, and perhaps, more, waiting once that smoke settles...”

My work must’ve had a wider impact than I thought, judging by her reactions now. I am still unsure if she went through the hassle of reading all of my previous works, and her realizing the many things I have created through my works of writing and studies, I can only be humbled and imagine her desire to have me as an advisor or something of the like.

“It was my choice and thus, a fate that I bestowed upon myself through actions,” I said. Looking at her directly, I gave some more words of comfort. “I know what I did and although you might not see its true reach yet, I want you to respect it...”

Just then, the door was knocked on as someone seemed to call her name.

“Twilight? You in there? Ember and Thorax are here to see you for the evening.” The voice said, seemingly belonging to one, Shining Armor.

I gave her highness another smile, one she took with a bit of surprise. When no response came, the banging on the door became louder, which promptly told her she needed to do something.

So she shouted a response. “Hold on Shining! Give me a minute and I’ll be there.”

She then swung her head around to face me. “You know, there was one book that you’ve written that stuck with me…”

“And what would that book be?” I humbly and curiously asked.

“It was, ‘The Banner of All Rulership’s’. it was kind of... enlightening, so to speak.” She then quickly thought of what she was indirectly implying. “N-not to say that you’re other books are uninteresting, just that, they’re all equally unique and compelling to read, but I was bound to have a favorite.”

Piquing my interest, I listened in carefully to what she might say. “Oh? And do explain, please.”

“Well, I can say that it was how you make parallels with your other books that got me hooked. How you ask the questions of probability and what not or even the simple conclusions you draw up at the end, how you see one’s bindings and freedom, opportunity, and ability. It was a very interesting perspective. Even if I would have to disagree with some of them in general.”

“Aw, shame…” I said, lamenting what she said about my book, “not to you I mean, but still, it’s humbling to know you’ve read them. Now that I think about it, I’m sure you picked up a few things from my recommendations that I’m sure you’d find to be interesting, your cup of tea, so to say.”

But before long, another knock came which interrupted our little moment.

“Twilight!” Came to the voice again, “Listen, sis, as much as I’d hate to interrupt whatever you’re doing in there, Ember is getting real pissed with waiting, Spike’s already having a hard time keeping her down and waiting as is!”

“Coming!” She responded while looking back at me in the process.

“So, you must take your leave, farewell,” I said. Now making myself comfortable for what was sure to be a long night ahead.

“Not yet,” she said, “I still have to ask one more question before I leave, whether you’d like to or not.”

“Shoot, go ahead,” I replied. “Can’t be a bad one.”

“Well, I wanted to ask again, why? Outside of fate playing its course, why go to the extents you’ve done?” She asked as she circled me for the first and final time in her visit. “You couldn’t have just up and done everything while having expected it all to burn, so there must be another reason…”

As her thoughts trailed on, this time, I was silent, hesitant to answer her question. Perhaps it was instincts, old memories resurfacing with a better perspective, a much more enlightened view. Even now, I still remember the day I decided to become something, to be the change that this world needed. Maybe I was naïve, maybe it’s misplaced, but I did truly believe this world has grown stale with too much reliance on magic, becoming an essential and fundamental pillar of this society, one that, to some extent, my works would try to blur out in context.

“Well, I know the alicorns are, to some extent, immortal, but I think that’s a partial ruse.” I began, mustering up the courage to make this confession of sorts, an answer to her question.

“...”

And he hesitated, pure emotions flurried inside him that kept him from admitting the core of everything he was worked for. “Because I loved this world, growing up it was a fairytale come true... but as I grew up, I saw that same word change under Celestia. And then, I had that realization, I realized that no one would do it because it was exactly what this world would grow to fear. So, I decided to do it myself, to become what is necessary for change to evolve, and so, I left my prints in this world, be they my books or my other works, because I love this world for what it truly is.”

“Is that so...” she said, letting what he said sink it, “well, I can certainly see where Starlight got some of her old motifs and mannerism from.”

They shared a brief and heartfelt chuckle over that remark.

“Well let me tell you this, you’re not the pseudo kind, you’d probably have a sort of idiosyncratic kind of rule, which I am more than willing to bet will be fruitful. Unfortunately, not everything could be fulfilled. Oh! and do tell them I sent my regards and that it wasn’t anything personal.”

“Sure will,” she responded to his request.

Standing up, she now made her way to the door to make her leave, and Bold Ideals gave her some parting words. Something that he hoped would stick if all else are forgone…

“We all make choices, but sooner or later, we’ll all eventually sit down to a banquet of consequences,” he said, staring at the leaving sovereign. “Well, I believe everyone should have a secret that they carry with them to their grave.”

And finally, before the distant closing of a door cementing the final moments of his life, Bold Ideals and Princess Twilight shared a nod, more out of respect for the other than anything else.

And when those doors creaked to a shut, he was now left to his sealed fate, having lived his life by his choices and work, followed through with his principles and the risk they brought. The cutie mark he bore was a constant reminder of his fate, a fate he has sown and chosen for himself.

Living by his ideals till the end, his bold interpretation of life and the world around him eared him both fame and infamy, and such did the consequences he bestowed upon himself, he believed he was destined for this, not to die just for a change to happen, but as a symbol of something untouched, ideas to be explored. He wanted this… his actions to mean something greater, to have significance for a time that hasn’t even begun.

He was a mixed bag, some say he was a pony with no significance, and others say that he’s the incarnation of what the legend of Grogar wanted to achieve, just with a new shade and tone. To him, it all might as well be prevarications, he was simply tired, too tired to even try and distinguish both, only his work held him together up to that point. His resignation is now in reach, and his final gambit is being played.

And so, the story of Bold Ideals is about to come to an end. Having lived his story the way he did, and so, He died the way he lived: Expecting to finally start living.

Author's Note

EY!

Hey, I finished this a bit earlier since I might be off for a while to spend some time with the family.

Again, I do hope you enjoyed it! and please leave a like if you did so (maybe leave a comment while you are at it :raritywink:)

Chapter 4.5: A Prelude To His Death

The cold mountain winds were unforgiving, with barely any heat to find comfort in and the constant pounding of the snowstorm outside never letting a moment of silence and rest settle, this was the state that Bold Ideals was in. Trapped in a small cabin in the middle of what seemed to be an endless tundra, a white hell of snow that covered everything and left nothing to stand or mark.

Left to freeze, to rot, forgotten even. It all crossed his mind, yet he showed no sign of clear regret, a hint of fear perhaps, but he’ll persevere, knowing something greater was about to come.

So he stayed still, biding his time as he waited patiently as the snow around him dulled his sense to the point that he didn’t notice the pain that slowly but surely chipped away at the little heat and chance at survival.

Just then, as if gods decided to answer his prayers, he heard a rippling effect, paired with a portal that opened out of nothingness right before his very eyes, leading to everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

Out of it came a single white alicorn. She stood tall, fearless, and likely indifferent towards him. Her purpose seemingly being righteous, but he knew better and this only served to give him confidence in what he was about to say.

From his position in the room, he began taunting her and the ponies she cared about. “So is the Lunar Princess not going to tend to those suffering in her realm? Has the Princess of Love finally learned to be indifferent to those that don’t deserve love? Is that why they refuse to come with you? Or did the Spirit of Harmony feel shame, knowing that those that she bestowed her blessing to bring change were bested by a simpleton?”

He saw it, every little word he spoke, it dug-, no, it stabbed at the very conscience of Celestia. Because deep down, she knew there was a hint of truth to what he spoke, even if it wasn’t reflected in her stoic demeanor.

“Even when death herself is at your doorstep, you are still as persistent and revolting as the day we met you,” she remarked, sitting down opposite tp where Bold Ideals was, seemingly being unaffected by the weather as she refused to show any signs of sympathy to the pony before her.

“Well, this is the consequence of a pony making history, isn’t it?” He replied, a small giggle of insanity escaping now and again as the conversation would move forward.

“Well, even I reap those consequences, unlike you who runs and hides away from them,” the hue in her magic started to become much richer as she continued. “So tell me, are you god-fearing?”

He saw it, the small but significant smug grin that labeled Celestia’s face, he was now being tested. This did not of course slip his grasp, and he continued to stare, to look up in defiance to the former sovereign.

“No, no I’m not,” he replied. “And I refuse to kneel before an idealistic, beyond unreasonable perfectionist ruler, a narcissistic creature who is only able to see after the facts...”

This response seemed to be just the response that Celestia expected, as new heights of pain were being given to Bold Ideals as a bolt of magic struck him. Yet despite that, he held back his cries of pain, unwilling to give Celestia that satisfaction.

“For more than several millenniums, I have planned this carefully crafted future of stability for this world, and you are just at the tail end of that process yet somehow, you posed a threat greater than even the villains of the old and new!” She exclaimed, continuing to pour magic into the spell she had struck him with.

“And it’s a miracle that your students and the geniuses of old and new refused to stand up against you, an opportunity that one like myself gladly welcomed,” I retorted, which only served to anger her even more.

“Even Twilight doesn’t know the full scope of your plan for ‘the future’, and I could see it with my own eyes, that I was right all along and you’ll be forced to watch the tower you have painstakingly and meticulously built crumble with one small explosion,” I said with one last sly grin before I closed my eyes to took in the bulk of what she was about to send my way.

The pain I was experiencing suddenly raised to a height as Celestia poured every ounce of her magic at simply hurting and making sure this pony experienced heights of pain no one should have experienced, but still refusing to kill him. This went on for a little while, with the stallion seemingly having lost track of time, but eventually, she suddenly stopped herself.

...

In silence, she looked down at the justice that she served, even if it was in a cruel sense.

“The only problem with moving faster than light is that you could only live in darkness. I am that light, none shall cross nor pass before me, only by bathing in my light does life strive. Without me, you and everything you stand for is nothing.” She said, extending her wings to look as imposing as possible.

This served to do the opposite of what she wanted it to do. Invigorating the stallion only served to get under her nerves.

His laughter, although unjustified, only served to infuriate her further, at least until he spoke again. “He-he, so… I’m guessing the good doctor and the setting student had finally cracked my code?”

His grin… his overall stature, the basic fact he existed, it taunted Celestia to no end, it’s all she could see from him, what he represented, a loose cannon. And this remark only fueled her flame as she gripped him by the throat with her magic, levitating him to look at him directly in the eye as she suddenly stood, without a care for his wellbeing.

“Augh-HU! So-… I’m guessing not.” He began struggling to take in air, flailing his hooves in some vain attempt to fend for himself.

“I- Agh- it won’t do you good Celestia-, I-it’s all gone, NOTHING is left for you, you think y-agh, I’d leave my unfinished works unchecked?.”

As if she couldn’t take it anymore, with all her might, she threw him directly at the cabin wall that tanked the impact by some miracle, and with a loud thud, he dropped to the floor, weaker than ever before.

“A new era calls for a new way, a new way to rule and wage over.” He said, looking over Celestia before coughing up a bit. “Having grown so dependent on magic... so little change in the system, and you don’t even try to address it, too busy mourning, regret, or simply being proud of ‘your’ work, and you still fail to address some common issues and disputes, granted, they are small in nature, but still, the point.”

He looked at Celestia, from his position, he was forced to look up to at least see her expression, and boy did he take his sweet moment to appreciate his little work.

Where one would expect Celestia to radiate warmth, he felt the opposite, as if to add to the already cold and dull outside environment that pounded each moment.

He tried to stand up, but in his current state, all he could manage was to look up to Celestia. “So much big talk, yet you are so ignorant to the things I say, ignorant to your wrongs as a pony, deluding yourself as a deity of sorts the likes of Discord...”

Slowly, Celestia drew closer to him again.

“Maybe you’re wrong, maybe I’m wrong… maybe it doesn’t even matter at all,” she said, reorienting herself to look at the unicorn before her.

“But I do know this: you should have already realized the wrongs with your proposal, seemingly growing much more delusional by the day. Equis doesn’t hold the capacity to support your ways and systems, let alone thrive from it, nature comes first, and you haven’t molded them yet to your cause, even if it was noble.”

And as if his plea for reason was ignored, he got another bolt of magic straight to the chest, launching him back to meet the wall of the cabin that still miraculously stood despite the strong force.

He coughed out blood but still seemed fine for the most part. “So much change for so little effort and all it takes is the prospect of something different, new, something better, and it all consequently hinders your plans for stability.”

Now as Celestia was approaching, he saw her face and knew that this was the time to pull an ace from his sleeve. One he planned would strike not only her heart but also her very conscience.

“And here I thought the Celestia, Sister of the Banished Princess, Mentor to the Sunset and Twilight, Sovereign for over a millennium, would have taken a page from history and the creatures that surrounded her.”

“What, do you mean?” She asked, her low tone of voice is unable to fully convey the pure aura that she radiated at the moment.

“C’mon Celestia, you know my days as a ‘teacher’ are over. That ‘Nothing stays the same for long but just because it changes, doesn’t mean its gone.’ rings any bells?” His face now contorted into one of seriousness at the question and quote he just said.

Celestia’s reaction was one that he expected, but it was such a subtle change that he had to squint a little to notice it. Regardless of that fact, he knew the next part would be better.

Soon, his once involuntary laughter of nervousness in between conversations blew into a hysteric laughing fit, one that Celestia did not find amusing but decided to keep out of. Both did not find it appropriate for the moment, but even in the heat of it all, a bit of laughter could spark a little of something more, and from it, perhaps, a better outlook as a whole.

Soon the laughter slowly died down, and with it, the illusion of the space surrounding him and the princess. Slowly, the cabin and the outside shifted from a cold isolated wasteland to a warm green scenery, just at the outskirts of what seemed to be a city that seemed to resemble the spirit of Manehatten. It did not surprise Celestia however, who seemed to have known a bit more than she let on and amply anticipated the entire thing.

“Well, we both know, even if the dream realm is Luna’s domain,” Ideals said, standing up as the previous blows and any damage inflicted upon him seemingly healed itself.

“It is still the conscious mind that wages over the details, and we both know I’ve been a lucid dreamer lately; we really should be past all of this passive-aggressive bickering we’ve had for so long.” He said with an all too familiar smile to alleviate some tension between the two.

And to welcome this change of tone, a chair, and some tea appeared out of nowhere, one levitating towards Ideals and the other towards the princess.

“Care to sit down? I’m sure you’d like some tea with it.”

Celestia opted to remain silent as she seemingly ignored the question, but she still took up the offer that he gave, and soon enough, both ponies had found a comfortable arrangement. All the while, both took their time to make up their mind for the oncoming discussion, one that might be a bit heart-to-heart.

“We both know old habits die hard, Ideals, and really, I would have thought you’d have grown used to this ‘mutual’ hate we have for each other.” Celestia finally replied, downing the cup of tea until it was empty, which promptly was refilled by itself.

“That hate aside… where has Discord been? shouldn’t he be keeping an eye on me?” he asked.

“No idea,” she honestly replied, “last I heard, he went to a place beyond Equis, to do a bit of research about something, Shining was pissed of course...”

‘You don’t say...’ he thought, being able to at least relish the supposed headaches that befell Shining.

“Well, I can tell you this for sure, your student is a special one, a great actor while being a greater leader.” He said, his praise seemingly having caught Celestia off guard.

“What’s that supposed to imply?” She asked, still looking around the room while silently being thankful for the change in topics.

He looked at another part of the small room before out of nothingness, vague memory bubbled and popped out of nowhere, revealing memories of the past, seemingly belonging to Celestia and those she cared for.

“She’s a peculiar one, not as old as you, so not as wise as some would like her to be, but still knowledgeable enough, even knowing forbidden knowledge from a completely alternate universe. You know which one I’m talking about, the same one that Star Swirl theorized about, concepts away from this world, and she can mask it all with such an act that it even fooled me the first couple of times… and yet despite her intellect, she is soo… something, she is truly fortunate .”

“And why is that?” she asked, “Is it because she has friends? While you’re here being a hollow representation of what you say you are.” Her remarks of belittling him aimed at proving an earlier point.

“Exactly,” he responded, having no qualms about agreeing with the sentiment. “She has friends to remember her, or maybe vice-versa, she’ll have to learn that eventually the saddest part in life isn’t regretting or contemplating, but realizing that there is an eventuality, that even testaments and memories fade, and so does everything else.”

Being patient enough, Celestia would be rewarded with what Ideals would follow it up with. “Like her, like you, like me, maybe like everyone else... all lives that have been ‘lived’, there had been something to pour our hearts in, to dedicate ourselves for…”

“You know, it reminds me about one of your books,” Celestia interrupted, “‘Souls’ I think the name was, heartwarming no doubt, from how you talk about choices and the will to move forwards to even the simple complexity of consequences. I could tell that the times haven’t been kind, going by the fact that there are only those few and far between that still talk about it, one of the smaller things I could respect in your nine books is the message they convey, even if you are writing for an era that has yet to happen, a pony ahead of your time, so to say.”

He remained silent, taking in the compliment as he reflected on his thoughts. “I could have done so many things, the opportunity... point is that it takes a lot of effort to do these things, to make and decide between choices I mean.”

For a moment, he had to catch his breath, looking around as if he was anticipating something. Taking his time to gather what he was about to say next, all the while the princess listened with great intent.

Rarely did Celestia, in recent times, ever have the opportunity to simply listen to those around her speak about something personal, more so if it is something also enlightening for her, and she cherished each passing moment of this conversation. Like listening to a story, she found it entertaining, even if she knew it would have a bit of a darker ending.

“I am too tired, I mean it, Celestia, too tired to make a choice now. I made my final act when I tried to escape, to run, but now, I am at the tail end of my life. The same cannot be said for you and everyone else, ask anyone and they’d always prefer to be a hero, or more appropriately, to be a ‘good’ soul. No one wants to contemplate the morality of things or even something along with the like, because if we did, it would reveal a lot of things, and one of those things is the necessity for change. Change is inevitable, we both acknowledge it but we approach it differently. I pursued a life of challenging the status quo, to be something, a change because ultimately, it is the greatest symphony anyone could accomplish.”

“And how are you going to do that?” Celestia objected, “You won’t be around for long and you’re likely too late to do anything to note. My regards to your soon death, nothing personal of course.”

“Appreciated. And to answer, maybe so, but my symphony’s will live on, even without my name, in one way or another, I made a mark in this world through my books and the ideals I will leave behind, a little something to take solace in if you ask me.”

“Maybe so,” Celestia agreed, now contemplating with herself thanks to the things that Ideals brought up.

The silence was deafening, usually, dreams don’t last this long, at most, they usually last for a little over half an hour, but for Celestia, there seemed to be these bursts of silence until the next conversation in between the hysterical laughter of earlier. It unnerved her, despite coming into this dream with confidence and the backing of Luna and Cadance, she is still left at the mercy of this pony. It was his dream and his to make off and Luna could do only so much for her at this time.

“A little too much, yet a little too less… it is unfair, don’t you think?” He asked.

“What is?” she inquired.

“Life and Death…” he said.

“heh,” Celestia chuckled to herself, “tell me something I don’t know... well, I do think it is unfair sometimes…” she replied, agreeing with the sentiment in whole honesty.

Slowly, the room was filled with the low but audible sobs of someone. Well, out of the two of them, Celestia knew straight away something was probably amiss with Ideals. It wasn’t every day that she would have the privilege of being with someone on their death bed, let alone their final dream of sorts, even if he was a rival to Equestrian interest. She always had a motherly instinct, and although this was different, she decided she’d do a little of something to help him in his final moments.

“Do you want an honest answer?” he asked, despite the heavy tear, his voice was seemingly unaffected by it.

She smiled, knowing what her answer would be to him. “I’d prefer you’d be honest, for your sake. I’m only here to listen, after all, an alicorn could only do so much you know.”

A small smile made its way to his tear-ridden face. “I was so naïve, so wise, so… indifferent.” He said, his tears increasing in volume but still changed nothing.

“I am at the end of the line, aren’t I?” He asked Celestia, one she faced with hesitation. “I won’t have a day after tomorrow… so many choices… opportunities, yet they all lead to something so… typical, different in their respects, but essentially the same things…”

Silence reigned supreme as the last words hung, dangling to be finished. Bold Ideals looked up, trying to hold himself together while also seemingly looking up to nothingness.

Celestia on the other hoof could only listen, part of her refused to help while the other half saw what she was doing was out of respect, believing that lending an ear was what she could only do to help the stallion. Although deep down, both knew that they could do more, they just simply deny it and refuse to do it.

Soon, the scenery changed once more, what was once a room of a cabin now turned into nothingness, replaced with what seemed to be the scenery of a moonlit night, the stars shining as they seemed to be atop a cloud overlooking a far distant land.

Taking a deep breath, he had resigned himself before, he must once again do it again, steeling his resolve, he accepted things as they are, but deep down, he had other swirling emotions to keep hold of.

Sighing, he opened his eyes, taking a sip from the tea that he has kept suspended since the beginning of their little chat, and looking at the open space before them.

“That’s the impressive thing about life and death, through it, the very concept of choices is born, and with it, the path of time is forged through the will that comes from making choices…”

Taking a deep breath, he smiled at Celestia, truly grateful for the time she had allotted for him.

“Well, as a friend of mine once said, ‘live long and prosper,” he said, reminiscing the parting words of Solemn Vow. “And usually I’d wish the same for you, I only hope you don’t live long enough to see what you fear come true... well, I’m not sure if the hard part is done… accepting things I mean, but I’m guessing this is where we part ways.”

Celestia, who was silent for quite a while, returned the smile, believing it was the least she could do.

“It was nothing at all,” she said, genuinely being humbled by his remarks. “And if this is where we part ways once again, I bid you farewell, and may whatever lay after death bless your soul... I still hate your guts and what you have written, respect it in some ways, but still hate it.”

“Don’t hate the player, hate the game.” He responded. Both shared a sly grin after that remark.

And then, everything went blank, just darkness, well, not pure darkness. It was that part of your sleep after dreaming, well, it would be short with the upcoming moments.

Now, he slowly woke up, a light headache persisting as small rays of sunlight alerted him that it was already morning. A dream, it was all that was.

‘I’m growing much more delusional by the hour…’ he thought. The memories of last night were vague yet memorable to some extent, but nothing of note, at least for the things to happen now.

Sitting upright in the bed that he slept on, he wasn’t tired, at least not physically, yet somehow tears ran down his face. Quiet mourning for the day ahead. The sun shone like any other, but his death sentence would be done in the evening. He had some spare time, and he planned on spending it all on reading some books, if not that, then public opinion surrounding him.

From his vantage point, he looked out the window of his room. Opening the windows to let in some fresh air, the outside was less than ideal, instead of a massive crowd denouncing his works as he expected, it seemed like any ordinary day, with ponies and different creatures going about their day. For him, it didn’t fully bother him, but deep down, he knew something was amiss if things were this mundane.

Looking to his side, he saw a paper and pen, and as if something pushed him through, he levitated both and began writing an extended portion for his final will, amongst the things he would outline in this “final” paper of sorts, he would hope his obituary would layout everything he has done in life, both the good and bad, even referencing the few and far between that would help in it. It was all he could do now was try and make something stick.

Because in all the times, only now did doubt creep in, but he couldn’t do anything about it except wonder what happened. He may have been prepared for his execution, but the implications after his death were still something he couldn’t fully grasp, and so, he wrote with a silent heart and looked on outside the window with an uneasy and bated breath.

It was still early in the day, no reason to get so worked up; but only now did he doubt ever take hold of him to do something about it, unsure if his final gamble will even work.

Author's Note

I'd be on leave for Monday (I have to prepare my stuff, like suits and whatnot), so I'll be leaving this here for you lads to read while I'm away.

Do enjoy, and you know the drill, leave a like if you did so and maybe a comment, till eventually! :twilightsmile:

Chapter 5: His Gambit Within Death

His morning was uneventful, save for the way he woke up, but apart from that, he spent most of his time doing what little past time he could indulge himself in, which was only was writing an extended portion of his dying will. And yet to his surprise, he had somehow managed to put together most of his documents in order, scraping those that he deemed unnecessary to the sidelines of what limited room he had.

Other than that, his time went by, slowly but surely. The morning and following afternoon were filled with the unexpected greeting from the mane 6, nothing of note from such, just me doing a bit of storytelling with the occasional journalist dropping by to list in and ask.

He didn’t receive any hassle whatsoever from them, much to his surprise and ever-increasing suspicion. Even the occasional zebras, griffons, or even changelings journalist dropped by, and after having a mutually “tense” history with each of their kind, and to see them even show a degree of respect to him... it felt so unnatural, surreal, even for him.

And so, that’s how his day went by for the most part, without a hitch. Everything was in order, those who knew would not fully understand the situation, but would try to peer into it. And for once in over centuries, if not a millennium, Equis stood at the ready, in anticipation, in bated breath, not for all-out war as some might expect, but for the day that a pony would receive capital punishment by Equestrian law, and be followed through.

Evening, sometime before the execution...

He sat there peacefully in his chair, looking out the window view that he has grown used to. Unlike a pony who would be in the same situation as him, he was unnaturally calm. Although his deceptive demeanor hid his reluctance with it, he wasn’t particularly fond of the idea of death looming over him.

But his thoughts would soon change when in the middle of his patient wait, the doors to his room would be swung wide open without a knock. And from the door swinging open, he turned his head to greet the new arrival as a pony came in, what he didn’t expect was to see an old friend’s face, Solemn Vow.

He took a deep breath, before greeting him, hesitant to remember such an old, yet at the same time familiar face. “Hey, how’s it been, old pal?” he asked.

Baffled by the entrance of his friend, Ideals didn’t notice the other three beings that entered the room.

“Could have been better,” Solemn responded despite the stupor his old friend was in. “And you?”

“The same goes as ever, I found a niche to work with,” Ideals responded, “although I can’t say I’d have expected to meet you again this late into the game, in death row no less.”

“Well, if that’s the case, I can see you’ve brought company, what’s the occasion?” He asked in turn, the shock of seeing an old friend having subsided, his attention was turned to the Monarch, her assistant, and the bluebird. “And do me a favor and tell me you accept prearranged wills, I’d be easier for all of us in so many ways...”

Tension rose again once he noticed and saw Gallus, but his fears were abruptly, and much to his relief, quickly put to rest when Twilight spoke up.

“I’ve already spoken with the both of you, and would like to say that the other to avoid holding any grudges, now, I’d like it if this doesn’t devolve into a strangling competition, got it?”

Both the stallion and griffon responded with a, “Got it.” and soon, both made amends on their terms, but that was cut short with Twilight answering one of Ideals’ earlier questions.

“As for the occasion,” she began, the mood that she and the rest of them brought being reflected in her tone, one of general apprehension, “we came by to, well… see and discuss a couple of things before your, you know… death.”

He looked at them, all of them, yet he couldn’t describe what he felt towards them. He appreciated the gesture no doubt, but there was something else lingering inside him. Regardless, he would indulge in this Q&A of sorts, for once last time if necessary.

“Well, if that’s the case, what do you want? From what I had already provided for my obituary, you should have all the answers you need, plus the one-on-one ‘talks’ we each had.” He said, eyeing the three, excluding his old friend.

“Well, we’re here to sort out your final wills and papers, if that’s all right... something to do with securing taxes, but I digress.” She said as she used her magic to teleport something into the room. What that something is was unknown to Ideals as he didn’t seem to catch any changes whatsoever, although he did make a mental note to ask what she teleported over later.

“Which is the reason why they called me up!” Solemn interjected, his cheerful tone being the source of a mixed reception from the rest of them in the room. “They wanted me to help with the segregation of files, amongst other things…”

With that line of thought trailing, Ideals thought it was a good opportunity to start with what they say they’re here for.

“So, if you’re here to sort out my papers, well I got good news and bad news,” he said, looking around to show them his neat little works.

“Good news first, bad news later.” Spike instinctively said, seemingly having spoken for most of the majority.

“Ook… the good news! I did most of your job in that department, the bad news is that I did most of it.” He explained, levitating a stack of some unfinished papers to make an example of.

“I left out some of the finer detailed works because I was too tired to bother, so it seems like you lot could do that for me.” He said, a smirk creeping upon his face as he saw and savored the initial joy in their reaction that shifted to one of disappointment.

That, and the fact that he probably had some other things that they could also sort out meant he just avoided doing the painfully meticulous portion of paper works.

‘Then again, since when was the last time I had simple paperwork? Never!’ He thought to himself, chuckling at his humor, even if it was bad.

So, all that went well, ends well, the four of them would likely want to record some obscure fact that only he knew, somehow… and that’s assuming they’re going to go through and sort said files. That was his train of thought until he remembered the fact that he was due to die soon, and the fact that they offered assistance at this time, it puzzled him, the same as his morning.

“So why again?” he asked, finally breaking his silent trance of thought as the four guests were about to start. “Why help me? Why go through all of this effort for something that is probably as simple as already written texts?”

But to his dismay, no answer immediately came. The room was filled with a tense air that was accompanied by bated breath, one that everyone shared. None of them wanted to be the one to spill the can of beans onto him. Even with all their highly regarded stature, there was an odd sense of morality that stopped them from just flat out telling him.

And fortunately for all of them, Solemn Vow would be the one to break this tension. “Well, to tell the long story short, we wanted to…”

“To..?”

“We wanted to give you some company, no one deserves to be alone, especially if it’s their last moments...”

“Good-natured?” he asked skeptically. Not because he felt like he didn’t deserve such luxury, but more out of a sense of professionalism. As he did his job before his own emotions, he could not restrain himself from asking such a basic question, even if it could be seen as insulting.

A unanimous nod from all four of his guests as he observed their reaction.

“So is it alright if I go on a ramble? With you lot just listening,” he asked.

It only took a glance between the four until Solemn gave their answer. “Just keep talking whole we do some of the paperwork, we’ll be listening all the while.”

And with that, they did so as they agreed upon. With the four finishing up some of Ideals’ leftover paperwork, all the while they surrounded him as he simply sat atop his chair, content with the comfort as he thought of the things he could ramble on about.

“Well, if that’s the case…” he started, still thinking to himself about what he was going to speak of. “I guess I could start with a wish… a wish that I could experience life at its height once again. It wasn’t every day that one gets to experience the full joys of life, most of the time, you got to take the good with the bad…”

The sound of pen and paper, of writing, was still audible. He eyed the four of them as he continued, having failed to notice the slight changes in furniture and his magic acting up, being too busy with himself.

He paused for a moment, letting himself catch a breath. “That said, mistakes are often made along the way, and usually, one pony’s fault is another pony’s lesson.”

“So what?” Gallus asked sarcastically, “From what we’ve known and been shown, your work had some… varying results and nothing concrete.”

Ideals then noticed the dragon give a stare at the bluebird. To which the bluebird responded on his own.

“What?” he asked inquisitively. “if it’s going to get one-sided, at least give him a reason to go on a ramble about.”

The truthfulness of his words gave him a chuckle as memories resurfaced. Particularly ones about an old book he had read a long while back.

“Hehe, say, you want in on something?” he asked, “have you ever heard of the book ‘Ne’er Completed’? It’s a book about stories, a book from a bygone era that I greatly enjoyed…” the thought trailed on for a moment.

When no response came, all he received was the shaking of heads to go on. Realizing in the process that they probably never even heard of such a book, then again, he had the small privilege of having connections for these kinds of resources and pools of knowledge, even if it was temporary.

“Learned many things from it, shared it with a few others, some took it better than most…” he said.

Looking away in the opposite direction for a moment, perhaps out of shame, he continued. “I’d give you all a copy if I had a spare, but it has been largely lost to the annals of history for a while now. A small novelty to have read it back then. The kind to stick with you until death, something to learn and is truly vast, growing and surpassing both expectations, standards, and even death.”

He gauged all of their reactions, finding it amusing how they perceived his words with varying degrees of perspectives. What he found most endearing was the small bit of curiosity that he has seen so many times in his life, glimmering within them all.

“You lot do enjoy it when I discuss such mundane topics, don’t you?” He nonchalantly asked.

To which Solemn Vow responded for all of them. “We, um… we expected you to be a bit more… solemn since your situation is you know… kind of bleak, so to speak, but it’s still impressive to hear it from you.”

A heavy sigh and Ideals continued despite the heavy emotion that he kept at bay. “Well, as far as the books will tell you, I can tell you this; I’ve done more in my unfinished piles than any of my nine books combined. I made books, yes, but even in the greatest and minute details it still pales in comparison to the books that have been lost to time, books that made a genuine impact, not on the populace, but on how the world would move forward. Something truly monumental, and something I could only dream to try and replicate…”

“But that’s beside the point, the gist of things is that I want you all to remember, although we are all on a ticking clock, thinking ahead of the pack is often better done than having never considered…” he said.

“So what about your secrets?” Gallus asked, catching wind of this, Spike seemed to have had the same line of thought with the way he looked.

“My secrets?” he repeated, “Well, I don’t have much to say for ‘safe’ secrets to share with you, even some old colleagues of ours, Solemn, I’ve kept in touch with. You’d be surprised at how many ponies and others of the like I’ve kept a keen eye and track of. The book I said earlier; taught me many things I still use today, but you can’t really on the old for the new, but you could always rely on the old to keep a good secret. ” he said, smiling as he left them in the dark

“Anyhow, there are some secrets best kept till death, and my papers are already in order.” He said, facing in the direction of where said papers were kept, trying to keep the indifferent façade from cracking. “They’re right beside the door, within the drawer earlier. Use it for my obituary or something. Oh! And before I forget, good job at retaining your integrity, Princess Twilight, not stooping to lowly threats and all.”

‘Like those would’ve worked.’ He thought, although his secrets could very well be spilled with the use of some magic, his gambit did involve retaining the moral high ground as a whole, and while there are few immediate ways for it now, he was playing the long game, even after death, and he thought enough for his work to gain the recognition it deserves. Besides, the crystals should be recording everything that happens in the room, his informants would just have to leak word of it to start something.

All the while, he was looked at with great respite. The general outlook on his congrats is mixed yet nonetheless welcomed.

“It is great to have such a diverse way of thinking…” he began once more, “how there are so many perspectives, questions, and answers to learn and discover. The many morals and concepts that we could make. I think it’s that spice, that taste, and flavoring that makes life worth living, after all, who wouldn’t enjoy some good cuisine? I know I’d enjoy a good meal or two.” He said, an inviting smile accompanying it.

“Which brings us to our next discussion,” Twilight said, intervening at the moment. “What would you like as your final meal? The execution would be just around the corner.”

He looked at the monarch, thinking to himself, he replied with something simple, too simple. “I guess I’ll just have a glass of water and a Hayburger.”

“Nothing more?” Gallus asked, baffled, but failing to compare to Spike’s take.

“Heh, it ain’t even much of a meal!” Spike exclaimed, “Make sure ya think this through cuz, you know, you could get a decent meal out of last moments or something. You’re the first pony in near millenniums since the last records of capital punishment…”

“At least through a jury trial…” he whispered to himself, “but I won’t have anything more.” Ideals replied adamantly, staring at the dragon and griffon with a hint of being offended by their remarks. “And don’t take it as some form of self-deprivation. As far as I’m aware, I wasn’t the best example nor do I have a decent hand in life to offer. I have dug up some of the most prolific knowledge known to exist, the very unthinkable - the unforgivable - and I wished that, along with this death of mine…”

He hesitated for a moment to tell them of the true lengths of his intentions. Sure they could speculate about his motive for death, but at the end of the day, they have nothing more than speculation, unless he tells them something concrete while he’s alive.

Alas, he couldn’t muster up the strength to speak the full truth, unwilling to trip at such an important moment in his life. “That I may keep certain things with me to my grave.”

He sighed, “Just, take my word for it, I already planned it for a long while back. And trust me, the papers I would leave have all the things and instructions that you lot would need, even if I’m not around.”

His words of reassurance however did nothing to ease the uneasiness of the bunch. So, he did what he thought would help: change the subject.

“Well, to change this gloomy moment,” he followed it up with a question, “tell me, what’ll happen next?”

“What’ll happen next?” Twilight repeated, taking the moment to think of the consequences. “Well, after your meal, we’d likely send the papers to their accord, as for you… you’d be handed over to the guards with my brother, from there, it’s up to them. Plus, public-”

“Now wait a minute,” Solemn interjected, realizing something from what she said. “Why is he going to be handed over to the guards? Aren’t you the monarch with power over them? Plus, isn’t this a purely private affair, with the trial being just for formalities sake?”

“Well, she does have power over them, but Shining Armor decided that since this was an execution he’d go back and stand in as the Royal Guard’s captain again, for the time being. He said he’d just take on the ‘finer details’ of the job, so to speak,” Spike replied for her.

“Not only that, but other sovereigns had the guts to come over to ‘observe’ the proceedings. So to give better PR, it was decided that the guard regiments, as a whole, would serve a much more proactive role in these kinds of events and for future events when they’d be entailed.” Gallus continued.

Wrapping up, Spike gave the final remark. “Besides, a new era calls for a new way, am I right? Plus, with Twilight as the monarch she has to divide her obligations to different branches,” he said, looking at Ideal and winking.

“Funnily enough, the system is based on some of your works,” Gallus remarked, pointing at Ideals for the same reason as Spike

A remark that Ideals found comfort in, knowing his work is being put to use, even if it’s only limited. Nevertheless, he was put off by how Gallus said “observe”, nor did he enjoy the fact that Shining Armor was in charge of the guards for now, even if he knew it since a while back. Somethings just never stay right with him, and he suspected that Shining and the others were planning for the events after his death, a thought that brought him uneasiness.

…

Regardless, what followed suit was the finalization of a long and tedious process of back-and-forth, a process that ensured files are in order and papers are to be sent. What happens to said files isn’t as clear cut, but for Ideals, he could only speculate that such papers would be burned to ash, left to rot in his best scenario.

And by the end of it all, as the small party prepared to part ways, a final remark was shared between the monarch and reformer.

“Don’t worry,” he replied, seeing the hesitation in Twilight as she was about to exit, the rest of the group has made their leave with the final files. “I’m good, as I’ve said earlier, I’m already happy that you lot were listening to me, lending an ear does help with reassurance.”

“I’m just sorry… for putting you through this whole ordeal of capital punishment I mean.” He lied as naturally as he breathed.

“Why?” she asked, believing that he was sorry for the things that he entailed. “You shouldn’t be sorry for anything, even if you were deserving of it able to do much, I’d still have to go through with all my royal duties, at least this gives me a bit more breathing room. If anything, I should be the one who’s asking for apologies for not doing enough to save your life, likely even a thank you, if you twist the story enough.”

“Well, now is not the time for reasons, now is the time for acceptance, and besides, it’s better to be sorry for nothing than be to be indifferent to everything. And so, I thank you… for all the hospitality you have shown me in these final hours…” he said, truly thankful for this gesture.

With the farewell out of the way, Ideals watch as she left the room, leaving him once again alone with nothing more than his thoughts. And as soon as the doors shut, he was now left to wonder, instead of being able to do anything else for the moment. Now left again with nothing to pass the time, he waited patiently for his drink and meal, not allowing himself to lose the hold on his tightly monitored emotions. Never realizing the growing crowd outside his window view.

In due time, the door swung open as two Solar Guards came in, one unicorn and one pegasus, with the unicorn having levitated the glass of water and his meal.

“No formalities?” Ideals asked as the meal was levitated towards him and was soon encapsulated by his magic, he slowly began eating his meal, downing the cold drink as he savored the taste of the burger and the coolness of the drink, all the while the guards waited patiently.

Once he finished, he asked them about the proceedings. “So, how’s this going to go down?”

“Just follow us and there won’t be any problems.” The unicorn said, likely the higher rank out of the two as he exited the room, with Ideals following suit followed by the Pegasus who stood by his side.

Once they left the room, both earlier solar guards the way while another pair, this time from the Lunar Guards, flanked Bold Ideals from the rear, having waited outside the room instead. The small escort made their way through the castle and out into the Palace Courtyard, where a fairly sizable crowd waited, not in anticipation, of course.

In the very few instances in the history of this world, the sun and moon could both be seen at the same time, each staying at their respective side of the sky, the sun to the far west while the moon at the opposite end at the far east, done so with purpose. Said scenery of the sky was a mix of colors that reflected the general outlook on such an event.

Plenty of Ponies, Griffons, Hippogriffs, Dragons, and even the oddball Minotaur and Zebra, plenty more to be said attended, some out of curiosity while others attended with a reason in mind, the vast majority merely came because of what the nobilities of Canterlot were gossiping about earlier. All of them were gathered to witness the death of a single pony.

Not in some spectacular way of respect or hate for that matter, just the fact that in the long years since the unification of the three pony tribe, which marked the transition from the Age of Empires to the era of City-states and the norm, one thing has been kept constant: the will of those in power, and the silence of the majority.

In all respects, Bold Ideals thought these nations have no right to exist, yet by some divine intervention, greed and chaos are at bay, and harmony rules to keep everyone checked and satisfied. A world ruled by perfection, it bothered him since his first thoughts of nationalism.

This world was and still is, ruled by the seemingly righteous and just, seemingly immune to the mortal flaws that should be grounding them all to this world. Divine intervention or just pure luck, Bold Ideals made his will long ago, made his mark, made his decision. Even if he wanted to go back, that line of thought and action will get him nowhere, let alone the chances fate would allow him to do so anyways…

Now, he stood unflinching for the most part before an audience, all eyes on him as his hoof were chained and he was given the proper restraints. He didn’t mind it, but he would admit, that he knew better and much more efficient ways of doing this form of capital punishment, with the use of “Black Powder”, but that’s another story for another time.

But before he would be killed, a pony would trot up to him, with a blindfold to cover his eyes with, and some more chains to set him still and to keep his magic at bay. He didn’t make it hard for the pony to chain him upright, now standing still as they finished up the lugs that would hold him in place for the killing blow, that is until the pony raised the blindfold to his eyes, but he spoke before they could properly wrap it around.

“No thanks,” he said to the pony, despite his legs and torso being chained up so that he doesn’t move, they could both feel the uneasiness and trembling fear that made his legs shiver in place. “I’d prefer to see this through with my eyes open.”

The pony, with some reluctant hesitation, left him chained where he stood, the blindfold that was supposed to be wrapped around him never being placed as he now waited in bated breath like the crowd before him, the chains and rings that has kept his magic subdued still doing its job. And soon enough, the ponies that would line up to take the shot of life soon arrived. Not in some ceremonious applause or some grand dashing entrance, instead, they came in single file, heads held up high as they seemingly avoided eye contact with him.

Immediately when they came into view, Ideals saw something was amiss. ‘Officer Uniforms?’ he thought, observing the wears of the ponies that started to line up in front of him. ‘Well that can’t be right, Celestia probably got something planned, would be interesting, no doubt.’

With all the formal wear and no sign of armor plates, this puzzled him greatly, he knew there was something amiss, but he didn’t get to dwell on that as he noticed another problem. The problem that he would realize and, as fate would have it, would be the source of his earlier gripe of something being amiss.

‘Alicorns!?’ He screamed internally as he felt his eyes double in size from the realization. ‘B-but, that’s impossible! Celestia would never have half a dozen ponies ascend into alicornhood!’

His mouth hung wide agape thanks to the shocking sight before him. Something that the guards did not take attention to as they seemed to steel themselves for what they were supposed to do. And who could blame them? They were about to take the life of another pony, what could be their comrades in hoof no less.

‘Oh Celestia, you sneaky clever mare.’ He thought, a revelation dawning upon him. ‘You could have fooled me with those illusion spells, but you did try to lighten the guilt of killing a pony, didn’t you?’ He could only smile at what he assumed to be the lengths went just to lighten the guilt that comes with executing capital punishment, if not for the one at death’s doorstep, then those who would play the executioner.

That, and the crowd that surrounded them presented some familiar faces: A certain chancellor, two former sovereigns, six outstanding students, and various figureheads from the Hippogriffs and Zebras, just to name a few. That did not seem to affect him, however, as he too had steeled his resolve, staring each pony before him directly in the eyes, trying his best not to show any fear.

It was the moment he had been waiting, preparing for. The day he would play his gamble to dictate history, a gambit within his death, a death to cement his name and work! He would hope that his works would at least spark something greater, that he could start something different.

And soon, the sound of the surroundings toned down, in reality, he just steeled himself as he took in a deep breath. Once again, as if base instincts kicked in, he tried to fire up his horn to cast a teleportation spell, unfortunately, the ring that they had placed on him since they recaptured him practically negated his magical abilities, while also seemingly solidifying the somewhat loose chains, now restricting his movements even more to the point that he seemingly stood unflinching, far from the obvious truth.

“Vsque ad finem periri!!” He shouted in defiance, staring directly at those that looked down on him from their point of view.

The words he spoke were his final, a message to both insinuate that although his life would end in this death, his name would live on throughout the ages, while also alluding to a place he had learned from one of his books from a distant past; one of many things that he would keep to his grave, and a secret connected to other such things that he wished could be unfurled in due time.

And as the final notes hit, the magic that guards were building up was promptly released which was accompanied by a whooshing sound as bolts of magic dashed from one side of the field to the other in a near blink of an eye, and ultimately, made their mark, hitting the intended target, yet it failed to do the one thing it was supposed to do, make the death quick.

Instead of hitting the heart or head, they somehow missed vital organs that would deliver a quick death, but the sheer volume and size of each wound didn’t spare Ideals the light of day, as he was sure that he would die from blood loss in a matter of seconds.

The first volley has been fired, and the initial pain of each landing hit was quick and agonizing, but somewhat fleeting.

“And they still couldn’t hit my head…” He muttered in disappointment, all the shots fired missing his forehead and landed somewhere in his center mass, likely an attempt to shoot at his heart for a quick death.

He started to feel drowsy as if he had just run an entire marathon and didn’t stop for water or rest. His vision blurring as its edges began to darken. He didn’t feel anguish, not yet at least, but he was sure he’d feel it eventually. That feeling would come in a small burning sensation coming from each wound, the open air not doing him any favor as it irritated open flesh.

He waited, and waited for the next volley, looking down as his strength left him slowly.

‘Where’s the next volley?’ he asked internally.

To his unnerving surprise, no volley came, so he thought an officer would come up to him and finish the job, so he waited again. And when nothing came, he looked up, only to see everything seemingly frozen in place, he thought it was the shock of the situation. The world around him grew blurred by the second, with no one approaching him, but then memories started to flood in, overlapping the view he had, he realized, his life was flashing right before him.

He was lost for words, he couldn’t cry because this was what he wanted, he couldn’t smile because he wasn’t satisfied with what was happening, and his heart ached with each passing moment. That didn’t last long, as his vision started to darken into blindness, from the edges, next, his senses one by one started to disappear, or maybe dissipate, and soon, he was left in darkness to be adrift, hearing his heartbeat.

And so, slowly, as he let go of his final thoughts, and with it, the darkness with silence started to fully consume him in full, his conscience growing silent as his pulse slowed, then to a crawl, and then… only silence and darkness, not emptiness.

Bold Ideals was now dead, his soul would remain dormant until a new life, a new slate, but until then, he would only be remembered by that name and the works associated with it. He was now out of his misery, he had lived a life far different from most, but he, like many others before and after him, would get to know their fate with due time.

For the crowd watching, it was a different story, as they witnessed capital punishment without seemingly any remorse nor censorship, at its fullest display, they were shocked. The sight of a pony being shot with what seemed to be over a dozen shots was enough to make the average Joe shiver but add to that the seemingly huge pool of blood that was building under the dead body of Bold Ideals and its seemingly enough to trigger made-up memories belonging to long-dead creatures, from a time of uncertainty and bloodshed.

“W-what just happened?” Someone in the crowd asked in disbelief, the quickness, and brutality still fresh for each of them.

Unfortunately, they wouldn’t get the privilege to fully process the event, as royal guards seemed to come out of nowhere and swarm the palace ground, trying to push the spectators out. The crowd, who were still largely in shock, could do nothing but comply, the gravity of the situation seemingly keeping them preoccupied as they left the vicinity.

And by the end of it all, it was already past sunset, with the moon now slowly rising to the center of the sky. The body of Bold Ideals wouldn’t get a grave, no one who has been sentenced to capital punishment will, not for their crimes. Instead, his body would be burned completely, only letting ash settle which would be disposed of either in the Everfree or Tartarus, some sort of belief that alludes to a soul never finding rest for their crimes.

The only ones invited were a select few, only members of Royalty and their (close) friends were allowed to witness, with the addition of Solemn Vow. Not even the sovereigns of other nations are allowed to attend the burning unless invited, case and point, Ember of the dragon lands and not as the Dragon Lord, invited by Spike, who was going to light the spark for the burning.

…

The body of Bold Ideals laid lifeless, a potion having been concocted and watered over the entirety of it to allow the flame to burn thoroughly.

“Ready?” Spike asked the small gathering.

Upon receiving the go-ahead, with one inhale, he and Ember breathed out fire over the corpse, and like gasoline and sparks, the body lit up in a green flame that burned like any raging inferno. They are all looked upon with varying ranges of emotions. Amongst them, Solemn Vow watched the burning from a distance.

“Until we meet again...” he muttered to the burning corpse whilst skimming through some papers.

The burning having lasted as long as it only needed to, the finer details were unimportant, what was important was what it entailed for the rest of the world, the advent of something different. With the Twilight setting in and the night proper starting soon, the day’s sunset having long since passed, there something loomed over in the sky, for tomorrow would bring a new dawn, one that will rise and bring over a new horizon, leaving the old one to the annals of history...

Anything and everything left unfinished will remain unfinished, never to be finished.

And the numbered days had begun...

For this is the start of a New Era.

Author's Note

I am so fucking happy that I got this finished.

This took way longer than what was necessary, but it was worth the effort given, and although it ain't as big as its sequel :raritywink:, it did lay the foundation for its, plus this holds a special place in my heart as a writer.

So thank you all for taking the time to read it, I do you you enjoyed it, and I'd get back to you lads real soon!