The myriad of astonished faces gazing at me with comic levels of disbelief would have been worth capturing in a picture. It was a shame I hadn’t been able to take my phone with me. The fewer items I carried, the fewer chances there were for the satis spell to go haywire. Time magic and all that—tricky business.

Seeing that these ponies would become my immediate companions in this new age, I decided to stop beating around the bush. I told the open-mouthed ponies the whole truth about myself, hoping it would ease my situation and provide better context. I was going to miss the chance of breaking them up a bit by brutally force-feeding them the truth. They always make the funniest expressions.

‘See, AJ? I can be honest when the time calls for it… I hope you won’t give me a metaphysical kick in the ass. That would be a scare if I ever had one.’ I inwardly chuckled as I waited for the paralyzed ponies to regain their wits.

From the group of open-mouthed ponies, the first responses to my claim started to be vocalized… loudly.

“A PRINCE?!!!” shouted Pipp, almost falling muzzle-first off the couch, catching herself with her wings.

“An Element Bearer?!!” followed Sunny, sounding as surprised as she was excited.

“A human!!... which… we knew already!” concluded Izzy with an embarrassed smile.

To all their affirmations, I simply nodded as if it wasn’t such a big deal. Their eyes seemed ready to pop out of their sockets from the surprise.

The funniest of expressions indeed.

To my right, I could hear Hitch murmur in an alarmed tone. “D-Did I just imprison a member of the Equestrian royalty as if he was a common troublemaker?”

Zipp only managed to zip her mouth...

‘That was terrible, Alex. Shame on you.’ I chastised myself, practically hearing her facepalm if I had spoken out loud.

Seeing the jumpy ponies fidgeting excitedly on their seats, I could only chuckle at their collective reactions. However, I didn't want to create a fuss either, so I quickly acted to clear the confusion.

“The last two are more like honorary titles; there’s no such thing as an ‘Element of Perseverance,’ Sunny… and I’m most certainly not a member of the royal family. My lack of wings and horn is a dead giveaway.” I began to clarify. “My actions in Equestria led to many ponies calling me by those titles. It was humbling, but in absolutely no way was it official.” A lie. A blatant lie about a certain aspect of my previous life which I wanted nothing but to keep hidden at the time.

The ponies still hadn’t fully recovered their bearings. In a whisper, Sunny mumbled to herself at my side. “It’s unbelievable, THE one and only human to ever exist in Equestria, a living legend…”

I didn't care for the way she was referring to me. I deserved to be called many things, but a legend was definitely NOT one of them. A bit bothered by her choice of words, I quickly corrected her.

“Now now, Sunny, none of that for me, please.” I softly booped her snout, making her go cross-eyed. “I just happened to be a… well, you could say I’m an endangered species of sorts who found himself in the land of ponies. And considering the options before me, I chose to cooperate rather than face the not-so-desired alternatives. You gotta understand it was an unprecedented event. We were all essentially lost back then.”

With a tiny nod, Sunny voiced her understanding and urged me to continue. “My friends and I accomplished many wonderful things, and as I’m sure you’re well aware, more than once saved the country with the Power of Friendship!” I proclaimed exaggeratedly, waving my hands in a mocking manner. “But barely any merit should be attributed to me… okay, perhaps some should be, but... you know...”

I didn’t particularly like praise, even less coming from those outside my close circle who had no true context about what might or might not be going on. Since the moment I crashed into Twilight’s castle, all I ever had to offer was my mind and the knowledge I carried from my homeworld. That’s as much as a scientist such as myself could, and was willing to give in a land of ponies and magic and dangerous creatures and whatnot. Heroism and legends were great and numerous amongst ponykind. I guessed it was cool to get your own statue in the town's plaza, as long as your life wasn’t the price you paid. Self-preservation instincts and all that fuzz gain a new level when you’re facing deadly creatures straight out of humanity's most deranged legends.

Don’t get me wrong, I was always willing to fight and die for my friends if the need arose. All of us would for each other. It was that bond that made us unstoppable. A profound trust, a level of understanding, of companionship—something I would have been very unlikely to develop with other humans back on Earth. A family away from my human family, something I cherished more than my life.

Something I sacrificed for the future of ponykind, threatened by my own hand…

However, few were the occasions where I had to truly wield a weapon. I’ve always despised violence, which considering the world I come from, you could even find in your average cereal box. I hated it then, and hated it even more so in the land of peace and tolerance that Equestria preached to embody.

“What do you mean not a living legend?!” Sunny’s offended rebuttal interrupted my musings. “Do you even know how many lives your work has helped to improve? How much knowledge your discoveries provided? How many ponies you have inspired? My father always told me that it was thanks to you and your friends that ponies… no, all of Equestria’s races entered a new era of peace and prosperity. You and the Element Bearers brought everycreature together! How can you brush off something like that?!” Sunny energetically rebutted, now even looking a bit annoyed at my dismissive attitude.

With calming gestures, I tried to ease her anger. “Okay, relax, Sunny. We can talk more in-depth about it later, but for now, it’s time for questions!” I cheerily announced with a loud clap, a gesture which got more than one head to tilt curiously to the side. “Why don’t you start, Zipp? You’ve been very quiet.” I proposed to the white pegasus, who was lightly smashing her forehooves together to try and imitate the sound of a clap. Good luck with that…

Having become the center of attention, she nervously lowered her forelegs and shuffled on her seat for a bit. “Fine, just… give me a moment to get my thoughts in order.” She exhaled sharply and closed her eyes for a moment, pressing her temples with her hooves before opening them again, full of inspiration. “So, based on all I’ve heard in the last two days, the most pressing question I have for you is: Where did you come from?! I mean, how did a supposedly living legend end up here?!”

A reasonable question, but she was still missing the point. “A better question would be from when do I come from. Right, Zipp?” I offered with a raised eyebrow. “After all, someone doesn’t become a legend if only a few years have passed… most of the time, that is.” I nonchalantly answered.

“Are you telling us that you’re a time traveler?” Hitch inquired with a further tone of disbelief, perfectly understandable in this case.

“Ten points for the earth ponies!” I announced with another clap. “If my calculations were correct, I should have traveled around a thousand years into the future.”

I saw Sunny fidget in her seat from the corner of my eye. “Well, I think it was closer to seven hundred. That’s how many years have passed since magic disappeared,” Sunny pointed out, drawing from her extensive knowledge of times past.

I struggled to maintain a neutral attitude at her claim, for that was all but good news. “W-Well, I guess I fell a bit short then. Nothing I can do about that now, hehe.” I shrugged innocently. In truth, my calculations had been absolutely accurate, considering I had one of Equestria’s greatest minds with me to fill the gaps. Something or someone had dragged me out of my sleep prematurely. Another mystery to add to my growing list of concerns.

‘Let’s hope it was a mistake on our part, unlikely as it is. Nopony was supposed to know of my stasis, aside from those who helped me with the procedure…’

Pipp energetically waved a hoof in the air to get my attention. Understanding the gesture, I nodded at her to proceed with her question. “Okay! So, um… just a teensy-tiny detail I need explaining… HOW IN CELESTIA’S NAME IS BEING A PRINCE, A PRINCE, AN HONORARY TITLE?!!!” She screamed while flying up to my face. For some reason, my ‘unofficial’ recognition seemed to have really upset her.

“Wow, wow, chill out, puffy wings!” I nudged her out of my personal bubble, not that the ponies dug the concept much to begin with. “Equestria’s nobility encompassed many families from all around the country, but it was always the case that the true leading figures were chosen for the nobility, not born into it. For the most part, at least.” I added, thinking of Flurry Heart’s case.

I realized at that moment I would never get the chance to see her take up her mother’s mantle if that had indeed been the case.

Bringing my mind back to the matter at hand, I continued. “For all our merits and achievements, many of us could have ended up being suited to receiving such titles. Heck, more than once, I was offered the chance.” That was true; if anything, they had been insistent. “Still, I never had any interest in taking any kind of position within the royalty. I left the immortal rulers to immortally rule over the ponies. I’m a scientist, and a national hero if you will, but nothing more, regardless of what the creatures around the world began to call me.”

I swiftly turned towards Sunny, beating her to her question. “The same goes for the Element Bearers. The original aspects of Harmony were the six that the girls acquired. Mine came after as a… recognition of sorts over my experiences and personal growth while living amongst ponies. I never received any fancy collar with a gem. Heck, at the time of our last great battle, so many heroes had risen to defend Equestria that I doubt being or not being an Element Bearer had any relevance at that point, more so especially considering what happened to the Elements of Harmony themselves shortly before that battle.”

It had been a battle, alright. I was so, so close to… no, never mind.

Over the years, I had the chance to meet many different creatures, each representing their own virtues much like the girls upheld the tenets of Harmony. I was considered one of them in the eyes of the ponies and was often referred to as such. Perseverance is a defining feature for a human who ended up stranded in a foreign world and managed to thrive.

“Izzy, your turn,” I said, turning to the purple-furred unicorn and signaling her to begin.

After a moment of deep thought, evident by the way her snout furrowed, she asked, “Well… from what Sunny told us yesterday after you left, you seemed to be doing something with the crystals. I highly doubt smacking them around would have been of any use, so… did you use some form of magic? And how did you know how to manipulate them in the first place? Almost all knowledge of them has been lost!”

‘Dammit, that’s a hard question… okay, let’s see.’

The moment of walking over eggshells had begun. I had to play it smart while not sounding defensive. “First of all, that’s two questions, Izzy. Minus ten points for the unicorns.” Her ears drooped with a sorrowful ‘awww’. “Secondly, yes, I did use some kind of magic. Or at least, I tried to.” I patted the bunch of gems tucked away safely in my left pocket. I realized then how Hitch hadn’t bothered to search for anything that could aid my escape when he put me behind bars. ‘Some sheriff…’

Sunny wanted to dig deeper. “B-but I thought humans had no magic whatsoever. How could you…?” She still looked a bit shaken by my previous response. Gently placing my hand over her muzzle, she got the message to stop and take a second.

“You’re right, Sunny. I possess no magic of my own. However,” A smug smirk grew on my lips. “I happen to be somewhat smart, if my eleven-plus published papers are of any relevance… Actually, they aren’t, ‘cause of, you know, time travel, Equestria’s downfall, many lost documents. Bah! Whatever.” I made a mental note to correct that issue in the future. I had worked hard on those publications! “Without magic… well, I’m not afraid to admit I felt defenseless and very jealous of my friends’ abilities.” I admitted, surprising my companions. In their eyes, I saw a glimmer of sympathy. Their own recent lack of magic granted them a level of insight the ponies of old didn't possess. “So, instead of turning into a supervillain, like some expected, I chose to correct the situation by applying what I like to call the ‘human approach’.”

I now had the undivided attention of all the ponies present. Sunny had taken a small notebook from somewhere and had begun to scribble down everything I said. ‘Heh, now that I’ve seen before…’ I chuckled inwardly, feeling another cold dagger piercing my heart.

Now deep into story mode, I laid back on the couch, careful not to disrupt her frenetic writing, and continued. “Since I possess no inherent magic, I had to come up with a way to gain the ability to wield it.” A real headache to solve, but in the end, it was worth it. “It also happened that the same problem I faced was present in the vast majority of the different creatures of Equus. Even between the pony races, the differences in magic usage and control were noticeable.” I tapped a finger on Sunny’s hornless forehead for emphasis. “So, seeing how things were, I thought, ‘Alex, you’re a Biologist who graduated second in his class. You’ve studied for many years and learned plenty about how living things function. Why don’t you use that knowledge and do something about this?’ I got to achieve my selfish desires and helped further an entire civilization on the side. A win-win, don’t you think?”

I only got a single answer from the group of astonished ponies, coming from Sunny as she shook her hoof in an attempt to ease the pain of having written a couple of pages in under a few minutes. “That was your main reason? Really?” She asked with a confused tilt of her head, a hint of disappointment hidden in her tone.

Settling into a more comfortable position, I regarded her with a pointed look. “Can you blame me? I found myself completely alone, defenseless, and overwhelmingly underpowered compared to everycreature around me.” Not that I expected a pony to understand such sentiment. Still, I tried my best to offer my point of view. “Humans don’t like being in such a vulnerable position. Where our natural gifts can’t take us, we cheat nature and mold it to fit our desires. I used my knowledge of biology, the pony’s knowledge of the numerous types of crystals that littered the continent and other magical gimmicks, and a healthy dose of crazy imagination, and came up with a substitute for a horn, a wing, or a hoof for that matter.”

I took my blue gem from my pocket and presented it to them while continuing my explanation. “My early discoveries promoted the birth of a new branch of Equestrian science, from which I became the first and only doctor, as far as I know. My goal was always to help as many as I could, including myself.” I narrated while slowly twirling the gem between my fingers. “My investigation focused on the integration of magic usage on as many different creatures as possible, so the abysmal differences that separated us wouldn’t take such a hard toll on society. Reduce the unfairness as much as I could, you know? The world was changing, the races were getting closer than ever before! It was the perfect chance for the Inter-Species Integrative Technology Project to boost that effort…”

I stopped twisting the gem and grasped it tightly between my index and middle fingers, allowing them to get a good view of the gem. “This here in my hand, is my latest and most advanced prototype. It allows me to cast spells of my own choice, not ones pre-engraved on its crystalline composition like those found in unicorn thaumaturgy, or making use of a particular gem’s natural affinity for some kind of magic, like a fire ruby. It interprets my intentions and uses its stored magic to act accordingly.” I explained to the big-eyed ponies, eyes fixed on my most advanced prototype. “Not so different from a unicorn’s horn, right, Izzy?” I shot to the unicorn mare.

She slowly nodded, a sense of understanding making itself present in the ponies’ eyes. I didn’t want them to regard me as a selfish prick either. I always had the best intentions in mind for everycreature… for all the good it did in the end…

After a moment of silence, only interrupted by Sunny’s furious scribbling, Hitch decided to voice the most difficult question thus far. “But… the magic of the crystals has been lost for many years. You clearly came here with a plan. You clearly knew what you were supposed to do, and we can all see that it didn’t turn out as you expected.” He spoke in a hard tone. “How did you know how to manipulate those crystals in the first place?” He finished with a stony look of conviction, finally able to squeeze the truth that was denied to him yesterday.

‘I guess he’s not as dumb as I believed him to be.’ I thought to myself as I sighed.

I was too far in to start playing dumb, but I couldn't spill the beans either. The future of my plan depended on the absolute lack of interruption or intermission, theirs included. I had no choice but to compromise.

“In light of what transpired the other night, Hitch, I’m afraid I can’t tell you anything about my mission, nor can I discuss the nature of my arrival here.” I solemnly declared, crushing his hopes of learning about my crazy plan. “Things haven’t gone as I expected, true, and I fear for the safety of all of you as a consequence. As the current guardians of the Unity Crystals, it’s YOUR job to keep them safe from anycreature who would do harm to or with them.” I changed modes to that of a scolding parent. “I’m serious about this, guys. Under NO circumstance should I have been allowed to get access to them so easily. You are risking your magic, and most likely your future alongside it, with your carelessness.” I scolded the present ponies, all ears dropping and guilty looks spreading on their faces while averting their gazes to the floor.

At that point, I decided I had revealed enough. Until I could figure out my next step, they would have to simply trust me. I put my faith in them and they in me, and we both benefit while not stepping into each other’s way. “Look, I’ve already told you way more than I was planning to. I want you to understand that I never had any nefarious intentions of any kind. What I tried to do, and still plan to do, is fix a terrible mistake from the past, the past that I came from.” I announced loud and clear in hopes they would at least understand the importance of my mission. “It’s great to see all of you together, representing the best that ponykind has to offer. The bringers of a new age of friendship and prosperity for all ponies. A new beginning that should have never been necessary from the start…” My mood fell a bit as my own guilt beat me incessantly.

Izzy was quick to catch up. “B-But Alex. You’re our friend!” She exclaimed from her place. “You can trust us to help you fix whatever you believe is wrong! I-I mean, things have only just recently started to turn for the better.

Ponies have been stuck in that state of segregation for so long, born solely into fear and mistrust, that we have practically forgotten what it was like to be together as one.” Her ears drooped and her mood matched my own. “Now, everypony is very excited about the new reality, but we can’t be sure if it will only improve, or if it will revert to what it was before.” She started standing up from her couch and walking towards me with tearful eyes.

It brought me out of the loop a bit just seeing how deeply she was taking it. Once she was in front of me, she continued. “Being able to use magic again after centuries of nothing but dread and superstition has been a very, VERY, enlightening experience for everypony.” She revealed with a hopeful smile. “We can finally start healing. N-Nopony cares to even remember what caused our separation in the first place, b-but please, please, help us prevent it from happening again, p-please…” She caught me off guard with her loud sniffing, on the brink of falling apart. “I don’t know if we can…” She couldn’t take it anymore. The poor mare started bitterly crying.

Not fully grasping why she was taking it so hard, I did the only thing a man can do when in front of a crying pony. I gently grabbed her in my arms and settled her on the free space opposite of Sunny. With gentle pets on her mane and neck, I tried my best to reassure her. “Shhhh, it’s okay, Izzy…” I cooed while pressing her head against my chest. “I can only imagine how bad it was before you guys were able to fix things.” I had only witnessed the tail end of the rupture, unaware of how far the conflict had escalated. But I didn't need to be a genius to understand it had to be bad, borderline traumatic for some.

I gently grabbed her head with both hands to meet my gaze. “I want you to understand, Izzy, that preventing it from happening again is my first and foremost reason for being here. To save as much as I can from what we once were, and safeguard all that you’ve achieved.” I stated with all the honesty I could muster. “But, I need to tread carefully, Izzy. It wasn’t by chance that Equestria suffered as much as she did.”

I continued to tenderly pet her, digging my fingers deep into her fur. After a minute or so, her breathing steadily slowed and the hiccups ceased, but the tears continued falling. She had broken free of my grip and buried her muzzle in the crook of my neck like many ponies loved to do in the past, a gesture of closeness and reassurance common amongst quadrupeds. Now that she was close, I could discern her natural scent. It reminded me of wildflowers and tree sap.

Sunny rose from her side of the couch and approached the crying unicorn, tenderly nuzzling her in an attempt to ease her pain. Izzy, having partially recovered, reciprocated with her own set of caresses. I understood then how close these two were.

“It wasn’t so bad, you know. I mean, before magic returned.” Zipp suddenly started from her seat on the couch, her eyes reflecting a deep contemplation. Both she and her sister looked slightly red-eyed, evidence of recent tears. Pipp gazed up at the white pegasus, uncertainty clouding her features. I shared her confusion, prompting Zipp to elaborate.

“As far as we pegasi were concerned, we were pretty content with our situation,” she continued, her voice gaining strength. “We lived peacefully in our own city and had few issues with the other races. Everything we needed was in our home above the clouds. It had always been that way. No pegasi ever stood to try and change it.” Memories seemed to flicker behind her distant eyes. “Barely anypony even remembered that there had been an ancient Equestria at all. Do you recall Miss Fair Lecture mentioning anything during history class?” Zipp asked her younger sister, who responded with a guilty shake of her head. “No, we were on our own, looking down on the other races and minding our own business. We used years upon years of lies and tricks to keep the ponies content…” Her brow furrowed as her thoughts darkened. “But now that I think about it, perhaps it was to keep ponies from wondering…” She concluded, looking down at her sister, who lovingly leaned against her in a show of sisterly support.

I had finally managed to calm Izzy enough for her crying to stop, yet she made no attempt to leave my side. I didn’t protest either, choosing instead to run my thumb idly over the rim of her ear, much to the mare’s delight.

I raised my voice to address everypony present. “So much has been lost, and it happened so quickly... An endless tirade of lies and conformism, choosing to stay isolated, teaching foals to fear one another, and to accept that this was the best choice…” I gently pushed Izzy aside so I could stand up. “My original plan failed, and I didn’t correct the issue that brought us here in the first place. I need to do some research, try and come up with feasible alternatives. Until I can get a better understanding of the situation, I won’t go into more detail than I already have.” I reiterated my previous claim. “Please understand, I WILL ask for your help when I deem it necessary. But until the time comes, protect the crystals, and keep proving to everypony that THIS is the true path.” I boldly exclaimed, looking pointedly at all of them, a sentiment of pride warming my heart at the sight of the five ponies hanging on my every word. Not a shadow of doubt darkened their features. They were as committed to their roles as I was to mine.

‘A new generation of heroes. A new set of Elements to represent their greatest traits. To guide ponies into a better future. It shouldn’t have come to this. So many questions need answering... Yeah, it’s going to be a rough couple of months, if not years…’

Feeling positively drained after the interrogation, I decided to call it a day. “Okay, I think that's enough for today. Know that I can count on you to help me solve the biggest issue, but until then… I don’t know, keep being you, I guess. Sometimes, that’s all it takes.” I smiled proudly at the ponies, the mood starting to rise again.

Turning back to address Sunny, I asked in a formal tone, “Now then, Sunny. Considering I find myself several hundred years into the future, with my home surely a crumbling mess halfway across the country, I humbly ask for your permission to stay in the Brighthouse until I can find a place of my own. I can sleep here on the couch without issue.”

‘My back won’t agree with that come morning...’

The sparkle returned to Sunny’s eyes at my request. With her tail happily wagging against the couch pillows, she eagerly agreed. “Of course you can stay here! We’ll all be together! The new Guardians of Harmony, fighting for a better future! I can’t… no, I won’t allow you to go anywhere else, mister. Not after everything you’ve done for us… us ponies, I mean.” A determined look now adorned her features, leaving no room for protest.

Chuckling at how she had turned the tables, the rest of the ponies offered no protest. Izzy’s mood drastically shifted, now regarding me ecstatically while jumping off the couch. “OOH!! You can totally bunk with us! It’ll be the biggest, most lengthy sleepover in all of history, hehehe!” She celebrated loudly, doing a cute dance in place. The rest of the girls didn’t look so convinced.

However, there was a huge flaw in her proposal, one I swiftly set to correct, “Whoa, whoa, slow down there, Izzy. I meant I would stay here in the Brighthouse somewhere, but not in the same room as all of you. You know it’s forbidden, right?” Her blank stare told me she didn't know. “‘The day the male chooses to share sleeping arrangements with the opposite sex, will be the day the Earth will crumble, and the sun shall fall from the sky!!’... Book of Genesis, fourteen something, I think...” I dramatically announced, barely able to hold my laughter at the absurdity of what I had just blurted.

Izzy shamelessly burst out laughing, nearly falling back onto her rear. “BWAHAHAHAHAHA!! Where did that come from? It's hilarious!! AAAHAHAHA!” The rest of the girls also started laughing, trying and failing to mask their merriment with a hoof over their muzzles, none of them having a clue about the meaning of my words either. Not that I had expected them to. Poor Hitch was as lost as a unicorn in a cornfield, darting his eyes around in search of any semblance of meaning.

I hadn't expected such a reaction from her, but I was far from disappointed. ‘And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you offend a third of a planet’s population at once; another great job, ponies.’ I thought, chuckling at their clueless merriment.

Once Izzy had gotten everything out, Sunny, rolling her eyes at the silly unicorn, offered me an alternative. “I was thinking of something else, Alex. You can use my dad’s old room. It’s been empty since he… passed away…” She offered, her ears dropping in sadness. However, she wouldn’t allow herself to sink deeper into her sorrow, shaking her head vigorously to dispel the painful memories. “It should be big enough for you, and it still contains many of my father’s discoveries from his research on Ancient Equestria. I’m sure they’ll be very helpful to you.” She turned up the dial on her cute-meter and shot the full strength of her pleading eyes at my defenseless form.

I had no option but to cave in. I nodded in agreement, to the mare’s delight. “Thank you, Sunny. I’ll be sure to make the most out of it. If the rest of you have any concerns…” I addressed the rest of the group. At the complete lack of negative responses, I closed the chapter. “Very well, for better or worse, I’m afraid you’ll have to deal with my ugly face in the mornings for now.” A collection of eye rolls shot down my attempt at some comedy. “Ahem. Thank you, guys… For everything.” I finished with a smile of gratitude. Nothing but a healthy dose of pony hospitality to make me feel right at home.

The ponies returned their own sets of inviting smiles, followed by trapping me in the middle of a pony-patented group hug. Poor Hitch fidgeted in the background while the mares surrounded me, looking a bit unsure of how to proceed.

I wouldn’t miss the chance to tease him for the world. “Too much of a stallion to join us, huh sheriff? More for me, then.” I teased the poor stallion, too much of a stud for a group hug. You gotta learn that no amount of masculinity survives in Equestria. Best to adapt and be carried by the stream.

With an annoyed huff, he begrudgingly rose from the couch and joined in the hug, awkwardly reaching with his forelimbs behind Izzy and Zipp’s withers.

Once the group hug broke down, we could call the exhausting twenty questions game officially over. The new home base for the ponies was done and ready to host them, but it was still missing several crucial things, those being each pony’s personal belongings. Those from beyond the limits of Maretime Bay still within each pony’s own abode, waiting to be relocated alongside their owners. The pony sisters took the initiative and set about leaving for their hometown so they could retrieve their belongings and finally settle in. Hitch, ever the responsible sheriff, also took his leave, alleging some pressing matters back at the police station needed his immediate attention. I suspected he was still too embarrassed after the group hug and went for a cowardly escape. I made sure to remember to tease him about it on the hour.

Izzy chose to keep working a bit more on her little corner of the Brighthouse which she had claimed as her workshop, citing she had ‘many crafting materials to meticulously classify’. As it happened, she was a ‘master crafter’ and praised as a living legend amongst those of the upper crust of the artisans guild…

A peek towards her working area only revealed a complete mess of glitter, cardboard pieces, sequins... and glued macaroni? Very professional indeed. I could only hope to glimpse what breathtaking wonders could be conceived from such a prestigious mind and… particular choice of materials.

My sarcasm went completely over her head, so I just wished her good luck. With a spring in her step, she went on her merry way.

Sunny, seeing as everypony else was busy, took the chance to show me where her dad’s room was located. She led me up the ramp and headed left from the main dormitory.

Behind the wooden door, a small room awaited me, with an old bed that looked big enough to fit my bigger frame, albeit just barely. A wooden carved bedside table with two drawers and an antique lamp above it sold the overall rustic aesthetic of the room. In addition, a tiny work desk faced the bed, with numerous boxes carelessly stacked over it and forming a tower in the near corner. A medium-sized cabinet stood against the wall opposite the door, with a window to its right. A pleasant view of the cliff face and the surrounding sea could be seen through it. That would surely bring gorgeous sunrises.

All in all, it was small, cozy, and had everything I needed at the moment. Simply perfect.

Sunny entered first and pointed to the many boxes placed around the desk, letting me know that inside of them were stored many files, clues, journal entries, and other documents of interest, all from her dad’s time as a historian and archaeologist of the old world. She told me he had reached far during his trips around Equestria, but little to nothing had survived the passage of time. Still, from what little I caught from the material scattered over the table, he had worked his best to build the best picture he could muster with so little evidence. I had to give it to her dad.

With a nod of appreciation, I took a moment to run my eyes over the pieces of evidence that were out of the boxes and spread all over the desk. They seemed unrelated to each other at first sight. I would have to put them back in order at some point if I wanted to make any progress with them. I held special interest in whatever events transpired since my entering into stasis up to this day. The rest of history either I had already learned or I had lived it.

‘Work for a later time.’

“Hey, um…” Sunny’s hesitation dragged my attention away from the research material. She was nervously pawing at the floor. “D-Do you mind if we talk for a bit? There’s something I want to show you...” Sunny asked softly, sounding unsure about whether she should proceed.

I saw no reason to deny her. “Of course, Sunny.” I agreed, giving her a small scratch behind her ear. A scratch behind a pony’s ears always worked wonders. With a happy flick of her tail and a cheery grin, she promised to return shortly and left me alone in my new room.

I tiredly sat on the bed and took my shoes off. The renovation and our ‘little’ talk had taken their toll on me. I looked around the room, drinking in the sights and smells of what would become my new residence, enjoying the weak warmth of the late sun filtering through the worn-out curtains. A relieved sigh escaped my lips, mentally thanking Faust for the prospect of not having to spend more nights out in the open.

‘I’ve always been more fond of a lab robe than field boots,’ I thought to myself. But then, an outstanding image came to mind, one I had learned to enjoy with one who would become one of my best friends in ponyland. ‘Still, nothing can compare with the Equestrian night sky. Wherever you are, Luna, your night is still as beautiful as ever…’

Before melancholy had the chance to invade my thoughts, Sunny returned, carrying a cardboard box decorated with tiny drawings typical of a foal, with colorful ponies and rainbows scattered haphazardly over the exterior. Patting the bed beside me, I scooted over a bit to leave enough room for her. With a silent nod of appreciation, she climbed onto the mattress and placed the box on her lap. I gently nudged her to lean back against my side. Ponies had a worse time than us when trying to sit as humans do, and I didn’t want the contents of the box to spill all over the floor. The way she was treating the contents betrayed their fragility.

Smiling with gratitude, she accepted the gesture and shifted to a more comfortable posture. She opened the box, and I don’t exaggerate when I say that the contents inside left me speechless.

‘Are those…?!’

My fuzzy mind struggled to process what lay before my eyes. Sensing my sudden change of mood, Sunny raised her head to give me a knowing look. I guessed she was expecting this kind of reaction.

One by one, she carefully extracted what appeared to be small figurines of my dearest friends, my pony family. Six figurines of the six greatest ponies to ever live. They looked hoof-made, carved from pieces of oak wood, and a bit worn from age and use.

Smiling fondly, memories of her fillyhood passing before her eyes, she placed them neatly between us. Once the box was empty, she gently placed it at the head of the bed where it wouldn't be in the way and turned sideways to face me fully.

“My dad and I made these when I was only a filly,” she explained while gently brushing her hoof over Rarity’s figurine. “He taught me about how all of ponykind used to live together in peace. How the great Element Bearers, alongside the Princesses, fought against evil forces that sought to conquer the land and steal all of the magic. He told me inspiring stories of a time when fear and mistrust were but a fickle thing, when everypony… no, everycreature, could be whatever they wished, live wherever they wanted…” She recalled with a hint of longing, her eyes beaming with memories of her youth and her late dad.

“Nopony wanted to believe him,” she continued. “For them, the status quo between the tribes had always been and would always be like that. The other ponies were out there to get us, to put an end to our way of living.” Sunny’s head dropped, and she sighed sadly, her voice slightly breaking. “W-when he p-passed away, I t-tried to take up his mantle. For the last few years, I tried again and again to erase the stereotypes, to open minds and fill them with clarity… to try to make them realize how stupid all of that nonsense they were preaching actually is!” She softly pawed at the bedsheets, her ears flat against her head, and her spirits dropped further with each word that came from her muzzle.

My heart ached for her. For a moment, she appeared to have aged a century before my eyes. I guessed she must have been very close to throwing in the towel before she and her friends managed to do the unthinkable. That is a sentiment I could very well get behind, for it had been the same for the girls and me in our wasted efforts to ease the rifts between the ponies before they could escalate to the breaking point. No matter the peace talks, bribing, or friendship lessons, nothing would work. Her influence was too strong, her words striking true and hard on the ponies' hearts.

“But now we have magic... and we have you!” Her teary eyes left the mattress to search for mine. “We can make this work. We can leave our mark! We can teach ponies across the land about the wonders of ancient Equestria! To spark their curiosity, to encourage them to search for a better way…” She exclaimed with renewed spirits, sounding livelier than before, a sense of determination and passion now defining her features.

Her forelegs rubbed nervously against one another. “My, um… ‘eccentricities’ cost me many friends over the years. Until I met the girls, Hitch was actually the only one who bothered to speak to me beyond asking for a smoothie…” Her hoof ran over the small figurines. “These toys here became my only friends for most of my fillyhood. Can I… ask you to tell me more about them? The Element Bearers, I mean. I know you were very close to them, and I always wanted to know… what were they like?” She nervously requested while shuffling her hooves further. I guess she understood the weight of her request and didn’t want to bring up any touchy subjects.

Luckily for her, I was more than willing to talk about the greatest heroes Equestria ever saw, the ponies who became my family away from my family. Being ‘close’ to them sounded like a gross understatement.

“Of course I will, Sunny. Let’s do them one by one, okay? There’s a lot to tell about them.” I proposed as I collected my thoughts about how best to comply with her request. Her tail began to waggle in delight behind us, her full attention now focused on me.

Running my fingers over the six figurines, I gently took Pinkie Pie’s and softly enclosed it in my hands as I began to tell my story. “Pinkie Pie, the Element of Laughter… Heh, the happiest, most cheerful, energetic, and compassionate pony I’ve ever met or likely will ever meet, and I’m positive that went for anypony you asked about her. She was always there for her friends, ready to bring a smile out of you, even during the darkest of days when you just felt like disappearing. Whether it was a joke, a hug, or a simple kind word, she always managed to brighten up my day, to make me feel wanted and special in a foreign world such as Equus was to me. The same she did for me she did for everypony she called her friend, which summed up to be everypony. For many years she worked at Sugarcube Corner, a local bakery in Ponyville, until she met Cheese Sandwich, her soulmate. Together, they dreamed bigger and decided to dedicate themselves to bringing the greatest parties ever to all of Equestria, and beyond. Her only goal was to spread happiness and smiles wherever she went. She was… a very special kind of pony.” I finished, an endearing smile making its way up my face at the memories of her numerous antics and bouts of randomness that broke my poor over-logical mind more than once.

With a melancholic sigh, I took the Applejack figurine into my hands. Each word I spoke about them drove the nail further into my heart, a constant reminder that I would most likely never see them again. “Applejack, or ‘AJ’ as she liked us to call her…well, she was strong, honest, and brave, which should come as no surprise for the Element of Honesty. Her willingness to treat everypony as family and her total dedication to those close to her made her an endearing figure in Ponyville. She had a tendency to always say the unfiltered truth, hence the tenet she upheld, and it caused her several problems over the years.” I chuckled, recalling a few of them when brutal honesty was NOT the solution. “She and her family ran Sweet Apple Acres, one of the biggest and most successful apple farms in Equestria, famous for their Zap Apple Jam and Sweet Apple Cider… One of the most righteous mares I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, she made sure I always felt welcome in her family, a family that extended to all of the girls and me.”

Sunny listened with rapt attention, her big eyes bearing into mine with profound curiosity. I took Rarity’s figurine next. “Rarity Belle, or just Rarity as she preferred to be called, was the Element of Generosity. In the beginning, I didn’t fully understand how she fit that description since her manner and status initially appeared to match that of high-class ponies, who were not known for possessing those traits. You know, muzzles so stuck up they would bump into everypony that walked in the opposite direction?” Sunny nodded, more capable of imagining the kind of pony I was describing. “It took me a few days to realize that, behind her sophisticated complexion and refined manners, lay a heart of solid gold. She was always willing to share her time and her passions with others, while she approached her fashion business with compassion and creativity. Over time, she expanded her business across the whole world, extending her particular style of fashion to every race on the planet, a fair accomplishment considering her origins with a single boutique exclusively for ponies. No amount of fraternizing with the higher classes ever changed her generous attitude… for the most part, at least. She ran three different boutiques. But to her, Carousel Boutique in Ponyville was her most cherished establishment and highest priority. She was, in fact, responsible for making the clothes I’m wearing right now.” That reminded me that I really had to look for new clothes. While sturdy, Rarity’s hoofwork would only last for so long. Meanwhile, Sunny timidly brushed her hoof over my jacket, barely believing that these humble clothes were hoof-stitched by one of her idols.

Allowing her to do as she pleased, I chose the Fluttershy figurine next. “Fluttershy, the Element of Kindness. Always shy and collected around others, she preferred the company of her animal friends over most other ponies. She was very hesitant around me at first, but once she opened up, she became the kindest, sweetest mare that I could ever

imagine, always willing to help me in any way she could. Sometimes, I swear she felt like a mother hen to all of us. Her kindness was a crucial part in resolving most conflicts without violence, often acting as a bridge between enemies, or between her friends when disagreements got heated. She despised violence with all her heart, often outright refusing to fight in a stance that some might confuse for cowardice. But deep down, she knew well how others were capable of rising above the need for violence and embracing friendship. In her spare time, she ran a local wildlife reserve for endangered species near the Everfree Forest, and took great care of many different endangered species alongside some of the pets of Ponyville’s residents…” A sly smirk stretched my lips. “Between you and me though, she was absolutely gorgeous, as much as she denied it. That pony was built like a supermodel.” I finished with a cheeky grin, a slightly embarrassed one appearing on Sunny’s muzzle alongside a faint blush.

Now picking Rainbow’s toy, I continued. “Rainbow Dash, or just ‘Dash’ as she constantly insisted we referred to her, was the bravest of us all. Athletic, headstrong, and extremely loyal to her friends, which was rather apt for the Element of Loyalty. Always willing to stick with you until the end, not caring what the odds were or what others might think. Her stubbornness often got her in trouble, as did her tendency to face danger head-on. In fact, Applejack and Dash would often find that their collective stubbornness got them both into a fair amount of trouble together. Still, she dedicated herself as a weather manager in Ponyville before she was accepted into Equestria’s most famous stunt-flyers team, the Wonderbolts, finally getting to live her dream of becoming the fastest flier who ever lived… She helped me a lot during the first few months after my arrival in Equestria in her own special way, even if her constant pranks were a bit too much sometimes.” A small giggle escaped Sunny’s mouth.

Lastly, I took Twilight’s figurine into my hands. I spent several moments checking it over, the years spent with her allowing me to easily discern the inconsistencies of the wooden toy against my memories of her. After a shake of my head, I set to finish my storytelling. “The Element of Magic, Princess Twilight Sparkle… although don’t ever let her catch you calling her that. She never got used to the title… What can I say? She was the best of us, our leader and our guiding light when times became desperate. Smart like no other, her skills with magic had turned her into one of the most powerful unicorns in the history of Equus. Before becoming a princess, she spent her days in Ponyville’s Golden Oak Library, studying the magic of friendship and whatever other topics that picked her curiosity. Strange was the occasion when you could find her with her muzzle out of a book, for she always seemed to be buried deep in an engrossing read. I was delighted to find a fellow bookworm when I met her. And she was delighted to stumble upon a scientist from another world when I crashed into her castle.” Another snicker escaped my nostrils, for it had been an absolutely crazy experience to meet the ponies that day. “We would often talk into the wee hours about our favorite books and authors… and practically every topic we could come up with. Still, she always made time for us and was always willing to lend a hoof to any problems we had.”

I softly ran my fingers over the crude facsimile of her wings, smiling to myself as I did so. “Little about her changed when she ascended to become an alicorn. Now as the Princess of Friendship, she along with us sought to spread the magic of friendship throughout Equestria, and beyond eventually. More than once, she confessed to me that being a princess wouldn’t have been her first choice, but she trusted the judgment of her mentor, Princess Celestia, and took on her role with determination and passion. When the time came, she inherited Equestria’s throne from the alicorn sisters, and things got way more complicated for us all. Her inexperience led her to often ask for her friend’s counsel. The thing was, though, we were all inexperienced as well, which in turn led to us making many wrong choices over he reign. However, the early years of her rule were very promising, as she along with us led the ponies into a new era after having been ... stuck as you might say, for many years while the world evolved all around their bubble…” A darker tone filled my narrative. “However, as hard as we tried, Equestria was going through many important changes, some of which I was directly responsible for. Ponies don’t react well to changes. We had hoped for the best and dedicated ourselves fully to the effort… But, things turned south very quickly, to the point where she and I ended up not seeing eye-to-eye right before my journey here.” I sighed heavily, feeling a deep sense of shame and regret for what I could easily call the greatest mistake of my life. “If only we had been more careful…” I simply couldn’t continue as the painful memories assaulted my waking mind. Over and over again they bore into me, constantly reminding me of the things we could have done differently, should have done differently, and of how we failed all those ponies who blindly trusted us.

‘Blind trust… Perhaps that was also part of the problem…’

Sunny noticed my hesitation and gently placed her hoof on the hand holding Twilight’s figurine, her expression silently relaying that I didn’t have to continue if I didn't wish to.

“Thank you, Sunny. There’s much, MUCH more I could tell you about them, and all matter of other creatures that I had the pleasure to meet and befriend.” I thanked her while returning the gesture, taking her hoof in my hand, and gently caressing the rim with my thumb.

“About what you said earlier, about not being an Element Bearer…” She started with hesitation, her relaxed features letting me know she enjoyed my little gesture..

“Yes…?” I encouraged her, continuing my ministrations to her hoof. My fingers brushed against what I found out was some kind of bracelet adorned with numerous small crystals, partially obscured by the slightly longer fur around her fetlock. I remembered Izzy wearing something similar.

‘Some kind of friendship bracelet, perhaps? Like the ones that Pinkie Pie used to make…’

“It’s just, I-I can’t really understand how you’re not one of them. I mean, after everything you did, I would have thought you would have been granted the title.” I underwood then how she wasn’t completely aware of what being an Element Bearer entitled.

“Sunny, being a Bearer of an Element is not a ‘title’ you’re granted, like a knighthood. It’s a role you’re chosen for, one that you must fulfill to the best of your ability while representing an ideal that you must uphold. Element Bearers represented the best of the best that ponykind had to offer, to showcase the epitome of what harmony should be about.”

She absorbed everything I revealed to her with rapt attention. “The girls were chosen to uphold those aspects of harmony during a time of crisis…”

“The return of Nightmare Moon.”

I rewarded her well-known knowledge of Ancient Equestria with a vigorous scratch under her chin, eliciting a bright smile from her.

“Dead on, Sunny.” I congratulated her. “Their roles reached beyond simply defeating evil with a magic beam of friendship and whatnot. They led by example, and helped guide the ponies into a better tomorrow. But, you don’t need a magic gem embedded in a necklace to do that, am I right?” I gave her a pointed look, lightly tapping her naked chest, referring to her efforts in changing the earth ponies’ opinions of the other races.

A sheepish grin appeared on her face. With a nod, she conceded my point.

I continued my explanation. “During one of our many meetings, the girls asked me what element would represent me the best if I had been deemed worthy of it. I told them that one of humanity’s most defining characteristics, one that very accurately defined my evolution during my years with them, would be our perseverance. We have a naturally strong will to keep pushing forward, to reach the very end and on to the next thing we choose to do. It started off as a mock title of sorts, a simple joke, but I guess more and more ponies saw the truth in it. Perhaps I wasn’t that far off… Still, I never received a magic necklace or anything like that, but I did appear on some of the Royal Castle’s stained windows, so not everything was a loss.” I concluded with a chuckle.

It was getting late by then. The sun had given way for moonlight to shine through the window, bathing the room in a soothing light that, after spending many an evening with Princess Luna, I came to deeply appreciate like the ponies should have in times long past.

A big yawn from Sunny hinted to me that it was about time to go to bed. However before I had the chance to comment on it, she swiftly removed her hoof from my grasp and gently pushed me back on the bed. Not wasting a moment, she laid on her left side next to me and snuggled deeper into my side, her head halfway up my chest.

I was virtually trapped under a fluffy pony. Woe is me…

“Well, regardless of what others might have thought, I think you are deserving of… the title. You helped so many ponies… and now, you’re here to help us… too.” Her speech slurred as sleep slowly caught up with her. “… I’m so sorry things got so bad that you had to make that kind of sacrifice, but… I hope once you get to fully trust us, you’ll… consider the chance of…. being part of… our own fami….” She couldn’t finish that sentence, as her gentle breathing told me of her passing into the dream realm.

‘And now, I’m legally obligated to remain in this position so as to not disturb the slumbering pony. Well, it could be worse…’

I placed my arm over her sleeping form, and while gently petting her back fur, I continued to hum the same song I had been during the day, patiently waiting for my own sleep to take me.

“For auld lang syne, my dear. For auld lang syyyne. We'll take a cup o’ kindness yet. For auld lang syne…”

“Hey guys, I brought the books you asked for, as well as some snacks. You’ve been cooped up in here for the better part of a day. Don’t you think you should take a rest?” The not-so-tiny-now purple dragon commented while entering one of the private side rooms at the end of the Canterlot Castle humongous library, deftly carrying a stack of books and a tray of refreshments.

Twilight and I had submerged ourselves into the numerous books the library possessed on the matter we were investigating, in an effort to search for a definitive solution for the growing conflicts that spanned the country. A solution born from a deranged idea I had hostess the previous day.

Recent events had… forced our hand, and hoof as well, I guess, to try and change our approach to the matter of the rifts spreading throughout Equestria. We had all taken it very hard, with me on the brink of attempting something very stupid afterwards. But poor Twilight was simply on the verge of a panic attack, the weight of her throne drowning her as the situation escalated further and further.

Seeing her completely absorbed in her readings, I directed my attention to the young dragon and spoke with a thankful smile. “Thank you, Spike. Let me take those books.” I offered while reaching for the pile of tomes he was carrying.

With a grateful nod, he allowed me to take on the burden of the books while he placed the tray of refreshments on the nearby table. “Do you guys need my help with anything else? It’s been kind of boring now that all the girls are back in Ponyville as well as all the students…” He asked with a hopeful gleam in his green eyes. He had grown considerably taller and bulkier since that little baby dragon I stumbled upon after my arrival, now standing with his head well over my upper chest, his wings seemingly growing in size every time we crossed paths.

Now finally aware of his arrival, Twilight unstuck her attention from her books and regarded the young dragon with a caring smile. “Thank you Spike, you can help us look for any reference to magic-modulating crystalline substances in those books over on the other table if you would be so kind.” She pointed towards a disorganized pile of tomes and scrolls that littered the table in the corner of the room, immediately returning her attention to the book before her after.

With a salute, Spike went to his task. We had come up with many ideas, but none of them would allow us to nip the problem in the bud and mitigate the damage, not without outright turning Equestria into a dictatorship. That is, until that crazy proposal escaped my thoughts for Twilight to catch.

While I would have preferred to focus on taking care of the instigator, because I knew there had to be an instigator for so many conflicts and radical ideas to start suddenly appearing all across the land; Twilight was of the opinion that we had to plan bigger following my initial proposal, to make sure that no more accidents occurred, ensuring that peace and harmony continued amongst the citizens, as it had before for so many centuries.

“I still don’t think this is the best approach, Twi.” I addressed the alicorn at my side. “What you’re proposing is downright maddening. Creating some kind of dead man’s switch for the pony’s connection to magic, to ensure it can only be accessed when true harmony is upheld? It sounds a bit too much. We need to understand the reason why these new tendencies have established themselves within the population before attempting anything so drastic!”

But her mind had been set long ago. “Oh, I know why they have established, alright.” She shot back, not skipping a beat on her reading. “Ponies all over now think that they can fend for themselves without considering each tribe’s special gifts. That ALL the changes and improvements we have integrated are reason enough to give the kick to the old ways. And NOW they think they no longer need the help of the other tribes.” Her tone betrayed her scorching fury for such a belief. “All our efforts have gone towards trying to fill the gaps that separated us from each other, and from those outside of Equestria. And, after all that, they now think they are better than everypony else? Well, I for one am NOT going to tolerate that!!” She shouted, sounded very agitated. After the incident, I feared she might have started to lose focus on what we sought to achieve. I couldn't blame her, for the same had happened to me, only I had decanted for a… more drastic solution before seeing reason.

I was about to protest, but Twilight wasn’t done yet making her argument. “Centuries ago, we were at the mercy of beings that abused us, toiled with us, and treated us like helpless prey. And to beat them, we abandoned our hatred and mutual distrust for one another to band together as all pony should under the princesses leadership. Now SHE wants to sabotage that achievement, to send them back into the dark ages of suspicion, and ignorance, and fear? After all that trust I had put on her?! NO!” She wailed, her hoof slamming into the desk to drive home her point. “I will do whatever it takes to undo the damage she has caused!!” Her resolve was absolute, her mind set and unmoving to proceed with the plan.

With a sigh of dejection, I tried once again to make her see reason. “Twilight, this isn't what we planned. We cannot force that kind of behavior. You’ve seen how poorly ponies deal with sudden changes. This only will radicalize them further! I’ve told you before of what I saw in that place, what I saw ponies being turned into…” With a full-body shiver, I stood up from the couch and approached the chair she was currently sitting on.

I placed my hand on her scalp and tenderly stroked under her mane in an effort to calm her down, without much success. Although in truth, I was doing it to calm my own nerves moreso.

Twilight accepted my touch, her eyes softening when recognizing what place I was referring to. “Yes, Alex, you’ve already told us what you saw there, and I promise I WON’T allow something like that to happen again. But, all of our friends and I have already tried, over and over again, to get our citizens to put this all behind them. The situation is only getting worse, and the other world leaders are starting to sever ties with us and give us a wide breadth. Tartarus have it! Many creatures have even started to discreetly migrate back to their home countries! Not even Celestia and Luna had to deal with something like this during their reign!” The energy flowed straight out of her along her drive, leavening behind a defeated alicorn. “I’m so lost right now, Alex. I’m so, so lost...”

I kept up my caressing while trying my best to comfort her. “I know, baby, I know. I’m also on edge right now. I can’t believe the message behind my efforts has ended up being misinterpreted like this. This is NOT what I wanted. I-I would have never…” My voice began to break at the memory of the incident. No amount of reassurance or therapy would ever release me from that guilt. The blood would forever taint my hands…

Hearing me falling apart, Twilight hastily turned on her seat and captured me in an armed and winged hug. “No more of that, Alex. We already discussed what happened, and who’s to blame. We can’t allow something like that to ever occur again, it goes against everything we believe and have fought for. Whether it was her instigation that started it or not, we have to think bigger. We have to protect my little ponies, even if we’re protecting them from themselves. Denying their access to magic is a monstrous thing to do. I know that, I truly do… but think of the alternative. Think of what could end up happening if we don’t do this. You, better than anypony else, should know what I’m talking about if the stories you told me about your world are true.”

I sighed and instantly knew which stories in particular she was referring to, ones that had inspired me to voice my initial proposal in the first palace, only for the striking resemblance to make me backpedal almost instantly. “Why can’t things be as simple as launching a magic beam like it used to be, huh?” I muttered dejectedly, trying to dissipate the dark thoughts.

A sad smile adorned her face, following my words. “Yeah, it would make things way simpler. But not everything can be fixed that way. Magic MUST be protected, from anycreature who would try to use it for evil… even if that includes protecting it from us. If Harmony won’t help us anymore, then we have to be the ones that make the hard choices. The ponies will see. They have to learn, one way or another.” She concluded her point, leaving no chance for me to change her mind. With a gloomy smile of my own, I returned to my previous seat with a parting kiss on her ear.

“I don’t know how you guys plan to regulate the ponies’ connection to the world’s magic. I don’t think anypony would like a new Tirek incident, or something similar.” Spike shot from his seat on the other side of the room.

“You’re right, Spike.” I interjected. “We’re attempting to mess with something of extraordinary complexity. Playing around with the laws of nature always risks serious consequences. We have to be extremely careful, or else we’ll end up upsetting the balance of the world, or even something worse. Magic can be extremely volatile when handled incorrectly.” I explained, with Twilight giving a muted nod of agreement.

“Well… as far as I can remember, Discord is the only one who can mess with reality like it was his plaything. I mean, whatever chaos he unleashes can be reversed without much of a problem… usually, anyway…” Spike half-seriously stated.

My breath caught in my chest and my heart nearly skipped a beat. At the same time, Twilight's head rose so fast from her books that I could have sworn I heard her neck snapping, a wild gleam now appearing in her eyes. I had learned to fear those eyes. They normally led to something catastrophic happening.

“YES!! YesyesyesyesYES!!” She cried while jumping from her seat, looking livelier than I had seen her in quite some time.

I didn’t share her enthusiasm. With a defeated sigh, I readied myself for what would surely become a crazy week, especially if that wretched draconequus was involved.

“Oh boy, here we go again...”

Author's Note

Not much to add. Thanks for the continued support and the interesting comments. I have a lot to plan and a series to rewatch. Until then, stay tuned.