REGRET (Good Ending)

"You show much promise, Last Page," I said slowly, watching him intently as his horn glowed with a faint aura of magical energy. Before him, a set of intricate runes hovered midair, glowing softly as he channeled the spell I had taught him. His concentration was unwavering, the light reflecting in his eyes like a fire that refused to be extinguished.

In the weeks since I had taken him under my wing, Last Page's potential had grown exponentially. His magical strength, though nowhere near my own, had evolved into something remarkable. But it wasn’t just his raw power that intrigued me—it was the way he worked. The runes he crafted, the intricate spells he devised, the sharp intellect that fueled his magic. Last Page was becoming so much more than I ever imagined.

Yet, I couldn’t ignore the shift in his demeanor. There was something beneath the surface. A quiet intensity. A hunger. And one day, he left without warning.

The shadow flickered next to me, an all-too-familiar presence that hissed its observations. “Something is off,” it murmured, its voice like a serpent slithering through my ears.

I nodded, my gaze fixed on the horizon where Last Page had disappeared. “I feel it, too. He left with a purpose,” I replied, the words heavy with suspicion.

The shadow's presence loomed closer, coiling like smoke around me. “This child is power-hungry. He wears the mask of nobility, but his intentions are tainted. He reminds me of you, in a way.”

I stiffened, the implication slicing through me like a blade. The shadow’s laugh was low and mocking. “But you were different, Twilight Sparkle. Your pain made you relentless, but your heart was never as hollow as his. Keep your wits about you.”

And with that, the shadow dissipated into the mist, leaving me alone with my thoughts. My eyes narrowed, scanning the direction Last Page had gone. “This is truly interesting,” I said softly, my voice echoing in the empty hall.

Last Page walked with determination through the bustling streets of Canterlot, the weight of his ambition pressing down on him. The moonlight bathed the city in an ethereal glow, but it was lost on him. His mind was consumed with a singular goal.

Luna.

He thought back to everything Twilight had told him, everything she had taught him. The parallels were striking. Luna was just like Celestia—aloof, powerful, and unwilling to share that power. And he was just like Twilight, the one burdened by manipulation, the one destined to rise above.

But unlike Twilight, he wouldn’t falter.

“I will do what she couldn’t,” he whispered to himself. His steps quickened, his resolve hardening with each stride. “Luna will fall, and I will rise.”

Yet, there was a nagging thought that refused to leave him. Twilight had always spoken of Celestia’s manipulation, of the lies that bound her to servitude. But Last Page couldn’t fully see it. He couldn’t understand why Twilight believed it so fervently. There was a missing piece in the puzzle, a sliver of truth that eluded him.

It didn’t matter.

Last Page reached into the folds of his cloak, his hoof brushing against the cold metal of the talisman he had crafted. The artifact was a masterpiece, imbued with ancient runes and dark magic—magic that Twilight had taught him, though she hadn’t known his true purpose.

If his calculations were correct, the talisman would do what no spell alone could accomplish. It would strip Luna of her magic, siphoning her divine power and transferring it to him. And with that power, he would ascend. He would finally become an alicorn, a being of unparalleled strength.

He glanced up at the towering spires of Canterlot Castle, his lips curling into a determined smile. The plan was simple: confront Luna, use the talisman, and take what he deserved.

The stars above twinkled faintly, oblivious to the storm brewing below.

“You’ve ruled for long enough,” Last Page muttered under his breath. “Now it’s my turn.”

As he approached the castle gates, his heart beat steadily, his mind racing with the possibilities that lay ahead. He wasn’t just going to follow in Twilight’s hoofsteps. He was going to surpass her.

And nothing—not Luna, not Twilight, not even the shadow of doubt that lingered in his mind—would stop him.