The Main Six had wondered what the map in Twilight’s new castle was about when it suddenly showed their cutie marks over a remote village. Going there, the ponies were shocked to see ponies injured.

“Who did this?” Twilight asked. A stallion came up to the group.

“You’ve gotta help her. This black ball showed up and took her to the vault.” The stallion said. “It’s up there!” He said.

“We’re on it!” Twilight said and led the group to the vault where the saw Zanth and a unicorn mare; Zanth was holding a bunch of cutie marks.

“Ah, I see you have arrived. Good. Then I can test my latest theory.” Zanth said.

“Theory?” The mare said.

“Yes. Thanks to you, Starlight Glimmer, I have many cutie marks in my possession. Even if you did not gather them for me, they are now mine!” Zanth said before absorbing the cutie marks and suddenly transforming into a giant Alicorn. “This power is incredible. Let’s see how your magic of friendship stands up to me now!” Zanth said.

Being of Despair
ALICORN ZANTH

Fighting this Alicorn form of Zanth was like fighting Nightmare Moon on steroids. Zanth was capable of causing earthquakes, shooting various kinds of magic from his void horn, and even flying.

It really was like fighting Nightmare Moon on steroids. Thankfully, the elements seemed to sense the need for power, and granted the main six the rainbow boost and this allowed them to defeat Zanth, making him lose his Alicorn form and released the cutie marks he had absorbed.

“Interesting. It seems your friendship with one another is very strong. I look forward to our next meeting.” Zanth said.

“Enough!” It was White Flame. “Zanth, you want me? Well here I am!” The colt said.

Zanth stared at White Flame. “I have no interest in what a colt has to say. Begone from my sight!” Zanth said before vanishing.

“White Flame, what the hell dude?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“…That’s not possible…” White Flame said.

“Huh? What do you mean? What’s not possible?” Twilight asked.

“Zanth’s reaction to me…” White Flame said. “…It’s like he doesn’t even recognize me anymore…” He added.

Afterwords, Starlight Glimmer had been revealed to have had her cutie mark still and thus ran off by the townsfolk.

“There is pain in that Unicorn’s heart. But for some reason Zanth didn’t take advantage of it and void her.” White Flame said.

“That is strange. Is Zanth skipping?” Twilight asked.

“I think Zanth is beginning to lose his composition. It probably won’t be long until he dissolved completely.” White Flame Said.

“What will happen to you then?” Fluttershy asked.

“Nothing. I used what magic I had before my rebirth to make it so if he vanishes, I won’t. I’ve effectively cut our link.” White Flame said.

“So wait, killing you won’t kill him then?” Johnson asked.

“Afraid not.” White Flame said.

“…And here I go…” Johnson fainted.

“So, what do we do then?” The stallion from before asked.

“That depends on you really. You may have your talents, but don’t let that stop you from exploring other ventures.” White Flame said.

“Trust this kid. He knows a thing or two about exploring things and finding out what he can be good at besides blacksmithing.” Twilight said.

“You are a wise colt.” The stallion said.

“Ugh. Stupid stupid stupid.” Starlight said as she fled. “That mare doesn’t know what I’ve been through. But when I’m done with her, she will.” She added.

Zanth was spying on her. “This mare has zero clue. But it’s odd. She reminds me of this unicorn that was with that Alicorn Twilight Sparkle the day I was imprisoned. But it can’t be her. The Unicorn with Twilight was the alicorn’s friend.” Zanth said to himself.

When Zanth returned to the hideout he shared with Garble, it entered a strange state of not glowing. Eventually, Garble came back, but to strange voices.

Guilty. Guilty. Guilty... The voices said.

All rise for the trail... A voiced mixed in with the others said.

Guilty, guilty, guilty... the majority of voices said.

I hearby find the defendent not guilty! A strange authority voice said.

The voices started to loop for a while.

"Z-zanth?! You're seriously freaking me out dude!" Garble said.

Suddenly strange ghost figures showed up in the room. They were mostly saying the same things Garble had been hearing.

"Seriously Zanth, what is going on?!" Garble said. Eventually Zanth went back to glowing. When he did, the voices and ghost figures faded.

"Garble. So, you've heard them then. The voices. I hear these voices like an eternal echo in my head hours on end. There is no end to them. I can barely concetrate. Normally, I can simply tune them out but, something about this world is making that next to impossible. It's becoming harder and harder for me here." Zanth said.

"In that case, I need a plan to rescue my sister from those no good ponies and their dragon slave fast!" Garble said.

"No. Patience is a virtue. I grow weary from my events today. I saw a colt who believed they knew me. But I did not know them. I am too busy searching for Gareth." Zanth said.

Garble growled but just left the hideout anyways. That's when he approuched none other than The Wildman.

"Please, tell me you've given more thought to what we've discussed." Garble said.

"Not until you ditch the evil despair orb will I listen to you. That thing will destroy you if your not careful." The Wildman said. And then he left.

"...Wildman..." Garble said. "Who exactly are you?" He asked before heading off elsewhere himself.

When Garble left, there was but one ghost figure behind him. That of a young lady. "...The time for the truth of this world draws neigh..." The ghost said before vanishing.

Author's Note

Update: Decided to tack on some additional text seeing as it was warm enough for me to do so.