My life in Equestria

Autumn had finally arrived. I had been looking forward to it, although I don't shout it from the rooftops. Summer, with its endless days under a blazing sun, had ended up exhausting me. The temperatures were so scorching that I felt closer to an indolent slug than anything else. I really can't stand the heat, and this year was no exception. For two long months, I trained in a kind of summer torpor. Even though I was doing everything I could to stay active, I didn't have the energy or the desire to fully invest myself in my combat training. Luckily for me, my brother had taken the lead and taken on our role together, which gave me a breather.
But this respite, although welcome, did not really reassure me. Something was wrong. A feeling of uneasiness slowly settled in me. Maybe it was the tranquility that made me nervous. Equestria had been going through a period of relative calm for a long time. No imminent threats, no enemies on the horizon... Too quiet. This kind of silence does not bode well, especially when you are used to living on a knife's edge, always ready to face danger. This thought never left me: what were our enemies preparing? The calm before the storm is what I felt, and this premonition stuck to me.
I couldn't help but wonder if Luna or Cadance felt the same way. They were, after all, my mentors, and certainly had more experience than I did in dealing with these kinds of situations. But should I talk to them about it? I didn't want to be seen as paranoid. Still, this anxiety was becoming difficult to ignore. I had to do something to calm down.

As I was about to leave the square to think about it all, Twilight and Cadance appeared, walking towards me with a quick step.

''Hi, Mady! Cadance said to me, a benevolent smile on her face, as usual.

I nodded to them before answering: 'Hello girls. ’’

Twilight, as curious and energetic as ever, asked, "Do you have any things planned today? ’’

I shook my head. "No, not much. Don't worry, we'll see you tonight as planned. ’’

Twilight smiles, visibly reassured. "So much the better! But she seemed to have already noticed that something was wrong.

"You look worried, Mady. What is going on? Cadance asked, her smile fading slightly.

I tried to minimize the situation, but this only betrayed my concern even more. "Nothing serious, I just think I'm getting a little paranoid... ’’

'Explain anyway,'' Twilight insisted, always attentive to this kind of detail.

I let out a sigh, before launching into a quick explanation. "It's just that... I'm not used to going through such quiet periods. There is no conflict, no apparent threat, and it makes me uncomfortable. I have this impression that our enemies are preparing something in the shadows. ’’

Cadance nodded softly, perfectly understanding what I meant. "I see very well what you mean, but don't worry. It may be nothing. ’’

I lowered my head, uncertain. "I know, but I can't help but have a bad feeling... ’’

Twilight intervened immediately. "It's normal to feel like this, but sometimes you don't have to let yourself be overwhelmed by your negative intuitions. This calm is a very good thing, you know. »

"Yes, but... I paused, trying to calm my stress.

Cadance moved slightly closer, placing a reassuring hoof on my shoulder. "When Flurry was born, I had these kinds of fears all the time. But today, I feel safe with The Shining Armor, you, and all our friends. And above all, I no longer feel the threat of Sombra, the one who haunted me before, thanks to you, Mady. ’’

"Yes, but... I began, hesitantly, once again. I had a hard time letting go of this anxiety.

Twilight, more blunt this time, says, 'No 'buts,' Mady. If this hunch is stressing you out, trust yourself. Go where your instincts tell you to go. But you'll see, it's probably nothing serious. ’’

"You're probably right. I took a deep breath. "I'm going to do that. I'm going to follow my instincts. ’’

'' Be careful with yourself, okay? Cadance whispered, her gaze filled with gentleness and concern.

Twilight added, "Yes, and we'll get back soon!" ’’

'I'll be careful, I promise,' I replied, before I leave.

With a resolute step, I made my way to the Everfree Forest, my heart beating faster with each step. Why this place? I had no idea. It was as if something deep inside me, a primitive instinct, was pushing me in that direction. A sixth sense, perhaps. Or my experience as a guard. As I walked forward, I was suspicious, because this forest was never a safe place, even on the most beautiful days. Shadows crept between the trees, and unusual noises echoed with every step.
As I advanced, a sweet smell came to tickle my nostrils. The smell of wild berries from the forest. It was tempting, but something held me back. It wasn't the simple scent of the berries that I perceived, there was something else, something more insidious. A pungent smell, almost imperceptible, but present enough to arouse my suspicions. Rumors of Equestria spoke of poisoned berries, infected with evil auras to capture unwary ponies who dared to taste them. Now that I was getting closer, I could clearly distinguish three smells: berries, poison, and another, even more disturbing, a living smell emanating from the nearby bushes.

I didn't have time to think any more than a surprise attack popped up from the bushes. Two disguised creatures pounced on me. By instinct, I managed to dodge their first attack, but they were faster than I had anticipated. In an instant, everything became blurred, and I felt my body give way to a sudden lethargy. They had put me to sleep, taking me to their dark lair.
I don't know how long I had been unconscious. When I regained consciousness, I found myself securely tied to a chair in the middle of a vast dark room. In front of me, several familiar silhouettes. Tirek, Cozy Glow, the real Grogar, and even King Storm. They were all there, as if gathered for a sinister meeting.

'I didn't know a sixth princess existed in Equestria,' Tirek said in a deep voice, his smirk underscoring his mockery.

"I didn't know you still existed after your pitiful defeats. I replied in scathing sarcasm.

Tirek was about to retaliate, but Grogar intervened. "Come on, Tirek, don't get upset. We will let her speak before we handle her. ’’

Cozy Glow approached, her cunning little eyes fixed on me. 'Oh, but you have to be Mady Sky, right? Princess Twilight's books are about you. ’’

I did not answer, preferring to remain silent.

King Storm, visibly irritated, added, "I think she didn't respect you, little one. ’’

I narrowed my eyes, a smirk. "Aren't you supposed to be in a thousand pieces? ’’

King Storm gritted his teeth, before glancing at Grogar. 'We can thank Grogar for that,'' he replied bitterly.

'' Great... I sighed, sarcastically.

As I began to understand the situation I was in, I knew one thing for sure: this reunion of Equestria's former enemies could only mean one thing. Danger. And what was coming would be much worse than anything we had faced so far.
I continued to observe my captors, each one seeming to play his part in this sinister room. Tirek, imposing and power-hungry; Cozy Glow, always manipulative despite her harmless appearance; Grogar, the mastermind of this meeting, calculating and cold; and King Storm, resurrected, but no less threatening.

Grogar spoke, breaking the tense silence: "There is a reason for your presence here, Mady. We want your celestial tools, the ones that allow you to protect Equestria. If you give them to us, we will be able to finish what we have begun. And you should know that you don't really have a choice in this matter. ’’

A grin stretched across my lips, unable to contain my contempt. "Are you serious? Do you really think I'm going to help you? You're completely crazy if you think I'm just going to give you what you want. ’’

Tirek burst out laughing at my words. ''Grogar, I told you that little pony had guts. I remember her now... He paused, his eyes narrowing as if searching through his memories. "Oh yes, wasn't that you, the little princess who had been captured by Sombra? The one who attended all our meetings like a helpless, chained and helpless spectator? ’’
I smiled boldly before I spoke. "Sombra thought he was controlling me, but he was wrong. And so do you, if you think you can do better. And then, I had the choice to start from your meetings. And if I had wanted to, I could have wanted them all-..... ’’

During all this period, I couldn't leave Sombra Castle, but what they didn't know was that every word, every shot I had heard had remained engraved in my memory. I had witnessed their heated debates, their disagreements, and even their moments of weakness.
I particularly remember a session where Sombra, sitting on his dark crystal throne, laid out his plan to enslave not only the kingdom of the Crystal Empire, but all of Equestria. Tirek, who was sitting across from him, had shared his own ambitions to steal all the magic from the unicorns, while Cozy Glow, that little pest, was happily hopping around and coming up with twisted strategies to trick the ponies. But I couldn't help but laugh at them, so much so that their plan made no sense.

King Storm interrupted my thoughts. "Yes, I remember it well. Sombra often said that you were fascinating to watch. An alicorn, so young, so full of potential... But in my memories you had a few more things."

I sneered. "You talk a little too much for my taste."

Cozy Glow, exasperated by my defiant attitude, slammed her hoof against the ground. '' You think you're clever, princess? You may have resisted Sombra, but we're much more powerful now! You don't stand a chance. ’’

I shrugged my shoulders with feigned nonchalance. "Maybe. Or maybe you're still as stupid and divided as you used to be. I remember your arguments at those meetings. You couldn't even agree on who should lead. You talk about power, but without unity, you are doomed to failure. ’’

The words seemed to have struck a chord. Grogar frowned, rising from his seat to approach me. "Enough! He growled, his voice echoing through the room. "We will not make the same mistakes as in the past. This time, we have a foolproof plan, and you'll be the key to it, whether you like it or not. ’’

'Oh really? I replied, raising an eyebrow defiantly.

Tirek stepped forward in turn, his muscles tense, as if ready to finish it. "Don't be too confident, princess. We have more than one trick up our sleeve. ’’

Grogar motioned for him to step back. "Patience, Tirek. We have all the time. Mady will eventually give in, whether through pain or persuasion. ’’

I knew I had to stay calm, even if the situation seemed hopeless. Their self-confidence made them blind. They had no idea that, despite the chains that held me back, I was already preparing my response. Their arrogance would be their undoing, just as it had been for Sombra.

I looked up at them, a cheeky smile on my lips. "You can try, but I warn you: you underestimate what I am capable of. You have done it in the past, and you are doing it again today. ’’

Grogar narrowed his eyes, his expression growing darker. "We'll see. For now, you'll remain our special guest. ’’
Silence settled again in the room, charged with palpable tension. I was aware that every second counted. Grogar and his henchmen thought they were in control, but I had an ace up my sleeve: my determination. My mind was already in turmoil, looking for ways to turn this situation to my advantage.

I looked at them. "You could threaten me as much as you wanted, it won't work, don't forget that I'm extremely stubborn. ’’

Tirek began to giggle, a hoarse sound echoing through the room. "I agree with that. ’’

Grogar, annoyed by his acolytes' interruptions, raised a hoof to impose silence. "Enough of the distractions. Focus. Mady, you know that our offer is legitimate. Either you join us, or we will have to consider less ... Lenient. ’’

I felt my heart race. I had to save time. The last thing I wanted was to be forced to choose between my loyalty to Equestria and the safety of those I loved.
'Why do you need my heavenly tools. ? ’’

Cozy Glow leaned forward, a smug smile on her face. ''We need the tools for magic amplifiers''

I frowned, thinking about his words. Opening a portal to other dimensions was an extremely dangerous thing. Who knew what might come out of it? Or worse, who could be sucked into this portal? I knew I had to stay vigilant.

"And what will happen to Equestria if you succeed? I asked, feigning innocence. "Do you really think you can rule without consequences? ’’

Tirek stood up, contemptuous. "The consequences, Mady, are details that we are not interested in. What we want is power. And you're going to help us get it. ’’

I was looking for flaws in their logic, something I could exploit. Meanwhile, anxiety was rising in me. I couldn't let these monsters achieve their goals. I wanted to prevent them from harming my friends and family at all costs.

"I offer you a deal. I offered suddenly, my voice determined. "I could give you information to help you find these items yourself. ’’

They exchanged glances, hesitantly. I could feel their interest growing. "What kind of information? Grogar asked, intrigued.

"Information about the objects you wanted. Do you listen to what I'm telling you, asshole, where? I replied in a drunken way.

A sneer escaped Cozy Glow's mouth. "Like we can trust you. ’’

She must have suspected that I was bluffing but hey, I have to save time. "If there's one thing I've learned, it's that trust can be a powerful lever. Let me out, and you'll see that I'm not just a prisoner."

Grogar rubbed his chin, considering my proposal. "A wedding ring, you say? Hm, interesting. But how do we know that you will keep your word? ’’
I took a deep breath, searching for the right words. "Mh maybe because in any case you have no choice. ’’

Grogar's gaze hardens. "All right, Mady. I'm giving you a chance. But know that if you betray us, you will regret it bitterly. Grogar turned to me. "You have until tomorrow to provide us with the necessary information. If, at that moment, you do not keep your promise, the consequences for you will be terrible. ’’

I nodded, despite the shiver of anguish that washed over me. I knew it was a risk, but it might be my only chance to gain time. When the time comes, I should be ingenious to turn the situation to my advantage. As they withdrew, I dropped against the prison wall, thinking about the next step. My mind was bubbling with ideas. How could I use this opportunity to turn the situation in my favor? I had no room for error, but I knew I couldn't give up.
The hours passed slowly as I planned. I knew I needed to create a diversion. Once I can distract them, I might be able to find a way out and implement a plan to thwart their ambitions. The next day would be crucial. I had to be ready for anything, not only for myself, but for Equestria and those I loved. Their underestimation of my strength would be their biggest mistake. I let myself be carried away by the flow of my thoughts, my heart pounding, my mind quick, already preparing my revenge. The time for confrontation was approaching, and I couldn't afford to fail.
The day dawned on an uncertain sky, while my thoughts swirled around plans and strategies. I had spent the night thinking, but my eyes were beginning to betray me. Fatigue weighed on me, a silent enemy that threatened to weaken me at the most critical moment.

As I stood there, tied to that damned chair, Tirek walked over with a victorious grin on his face. "You know, Mady, I really wonder if you have the strength of mind that you claim to have. He laughed, a hoarse sound that echoed in the dark room. "Why not check it? ’’

I felt a rush of adrenaline throughout my body. Even though I knew that losing my magic would be a big blow, I couldn't let fear take hold of me. "Well go ahead, Tirek. But I think you're going to make a mistake that may end up on your side. I said to him with a defiant look.

He moved even closer, his menacing presence filling the room. "I'm going to suck up your magic, and then we'll see if you can still speak with such aplomb. ’’

I had no intention of showing him any weakness. My friends, my family, everything I cherished depended on my inner strength. "Do it. But without my magic I couldn't do what you want. ’’

Tirek, with a wave of his hoof, began to suck my magic out. I felt my life energy gradually eclipse, as if a part of myself was retreating into the shadows. The experience was painful, but I focused on my memories, on the laughter of my friends, on the moments of bravery and love that had forged me. The pain was dull, but a lingering light shone in my heart. Even when my strength diminished, this light did not dim. Every moment, every memory, reminded me why I was fighting, why I should never give up. I knew that my magic could be restored thanks to a spell I had learned a long time ago but it might take quite a while, despite everything I tried to keep control of myself but fatigue caught up with me. My eyelids became heavy, and despite my effort to remain conscious, I felt my body begin to relax. I hadn't slept too long, and the shadow enveloped me little by little. The feeling of fainting was like plunging into an ocean of tranquility. In this state of semi-consciousness, my thoughts wandered between the luminous memories and the oppressive darkness that surrounded me. A familiar voice, that of my mother, echoed in my mind: "My darling, don't let anyone step on you, fight and never be manipulated by people who don't respect your strength. ''

As the pain of losing my magic faded, a new strength emerged within me. It was as if every beat of my heart was a call to resistance, to struggle. I wasn't alone. Even in the dark, I could feel the powerful bond I had with my friends and family. I didn't know how long I had been unconscious, but when I came to, I was still in that gloomy, tied-up, vulnerable room. In this tense moment, when darkness and uncertainty reigned, a glimmer of courage sprung up in me. I knew that even though my magic left me temporarily, my spirit and determination remained intact. That was my real strength. No matter what Tirek and the others had planned, I would face them with the bravery of an alicorn that I am, because after all, as a guard, I had faced far more dangerous.