Beneath the sun's ruthless stare, the desert extended in all directions in a wide, shifting sea of golden sand. In the distance, the wind howled, muttering lost promises and forgotten names. A lone figure trekked through the desolate terrain, his every step deliberate, ponderous, and weighed down by the passage of time.

Long and silver as the moonlight, his beard hung down to his knees, swinging softly with every weary stride. He rested heavily on a wooden staff that had been used for decades, if not centuries, and had a smooth surface. His sun-bleached and ragged clothes held his ailing body together, but he exuded strength.

Life exploded out of the sand with each step his left foot took. Beneath his touch, flowers grew, bright and colorful, bucking the ruthless heat. However, as if the entire essence of life were being taken away, the sand turned black and turned into a pale gray dust with each step of his right foot.

He continued forward, his eyes locked onto something in the distance. A ruin. A place he once knew.

The ruins of Canterlot High School.

Once a beacon of youth, of hope, of friendships that could overcome the impossible. Now, it was nothing but shattered stone, collapsed walls, and the remains of a history long buried under the weight of time.

The elderly guy paused. With his wooden staff burrowing into the sand for support, he fell before the ruins, his knees, weak but strong, buckling. His breathing was rough, erratic, and sorrowful. With eyes brimming with millennia of suffering and remorse, he raised his head and said, in a voice hardly audible above a whisper

“It shouldn’t have ended like this…”

A voice, smooth and familiar, laced with amusement and something deeper, something almost fond, echoed behind him.

“No, it shouldn’t.”

He didn’t need to turn around. He already knew who it was.

“You must have really taken a liking to me,” he muttered, his voice holding the same tired anger that had been with him for years. “I could sense your presence next to me since the day I healed Sunset… since the day I stabbed her with my own hand.”

A soft chuckle followed, one that held the weight of eternity. “What can I say, ki—” The voice paused. “Hah. Well, that nickname doesn’t fit anymore, does it?”

The old man slowly turned his head.

Death stood there, as vibrant and effortless as ever, her hooded cloak draped over her shoulders, her arms crossed in amusement. Despite all the time that had passed, she looked exactly the same. Still looking like Sunset, a living image of something he couldn't save. Not a wrinkle, not a sign of aging.

“Look at you. All wise and ancient, wandering the sands like some mythical prophet. Hah! If someone had told me back then that you’d end up looking like this, I would’ve laughed in their face.”

He let out a small, dry chuckle. “And yet, here we are.”

Death’s smirk softened just slightly. “You know, your story was the most fascinating thing I’ve seen since Ragnarok. So, naturally, I stuck around.”

She shrugged as if that explained everything.

But then, something shifted.

Her posture stiffened slightly as her smirk vanished. As though listening to something the elderly man couldn't hear, she squinted and cocked her head.

“Hm?” she muttered.

The old man frowned. “What is it?”

Death held up a hand to silence him.

Then, she turned back to him, her usual amusement gone. Instead, her gaze was serious, almost… warning.

“The young you is watching,” she whispered.

The old man stiffened. His breath caught in his throat.

Death’s lips curled into a mischievous yet knowing smile.

“Don’t look lame.”

The elderly man knelt on the sand and exhaled a weary breath, his chest gently rising and falling. The wide nothingness of the midnight blue sky above him reflected the emptiness in his heart. His wooden staff dug into the sand beneath him while his long beard waved slightly in the wind.

His voice was hoarse, cracked with the weight of years. “But I tried… I tried so many times to go back. How… how is he—”

Death sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes as she leaned lazily against the remains of a crumbling wall. “Oh, don’t be such a crybaby.” She waved a dismissive hand in the air. “Do you have any idea how much extra work you’ve dumped on me with all this nonsense? Two universes’ worth of souls to sort into the afterlife. Two! That’s way too much paperwork for one omnipotent, incredibly stylish, and devastatingly cool entity to handle.”

She huffed, crossing her arms. “So yeah, you should change it. For me, if nothing else.”

Old man fingers curled around the sand, letting it slip between them like time itself. His face remained still, but in his eyes, storms raged.

“If you’re really watching…” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, “if you’re really me… then you can change it.”

Death smirked. “Now we’re talking.” She spun the scythe and jabbed the blade into the ground, leaning on it casually. “I mean, look, I get it. This whole ‘failing everyone you love’ thing? Pretty tragic. But the universe threw you a bone, and guess what? You’re not taking it.”

Old man took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over the ruins. “I’ve seen a song of past romance… I’ve seen the sacrifice of heroes… the portraits of betrayal. I saw her final stand.” His voice wavered, the cracks in his heart splitting open again. “I saw her on the brink of death. I saw her draw her final breath…”

He clenched his jaw.

“But I couldn’t save her.I couldn’t save anyone.” He closed his eyes, as if trying to block out the ghosts of his past. “Their faces still haunt me.”

Death groaned dramatically, dragging a skeletal hand down her face. “Ugh, soooo lame.”

“You don’t understand.”

“I understand that you’re being a little drama queen instead of speaking” she quipped, tilting her head. “You want a do-over? Here it is. You want to stop this from happening? Then listen up kid, because this is important.”

She jabbed a finger at him. “First thing’s first you need to stop him from absorbing the Power of Friendship.”

Death continued. “Second, you need to side with Sunset. No doubts, no hesitation"

“And most importantly—Do. Not. Forget. Who. You. Are.”

Silence stretched between them. The wind howled through the ruins.

“He will try to make you forget,” Death whispered. “He will try to break you, to strip you down until nothing remains but the thing he wants you to be.” Her voice was softer now, almost… caring. “You can’t let that happen.”

"Is there anything more we can do?"

Death looked at the old man, he wasn't the same one she saw for decades... He was now full of hope "Nah now we wait and see if younger you succedes"

She point's a finger into sky, now wake wake your time comes now.

Warmth. That was the first thing I felt.

A featherlight touch that lightly touches my cheek. It was such a soft feeling that I briefly believed I was still dreaming.

When my eyes opened, Sunset's teal eyes were the first thing I saw as she looked down at me, her face just inches from mine. She pulled herself up on one elbow, her hair disheveled from sleep, strands cascading over her face. Through the window, the early morning's golden light surrounded her like a halo.

Reality hit me all at once.

The vision. The old man in the ruins. The weight of regret pressing down on my chest like an anvil. The future I had seen.

I let out a short breath and jolted back before I could stop myself. Before my thoughts could react, my body took action.

I fell.

“Gah—!” Thud.

Pain shot through my side as I crashed onto the floor.

“Ouch, ouch, ouch…” I groaned, rubbing the back of my head.

Sunset gasped, immediately sitting up and leaning over the edge of the bed.

“Oh my gosh! Are you okay?”

With my heart still thumping my ribs, I blinked up at her. The vision's recollection stuck to me like a second skin. The desert's chill wind. Canterlot High's ruins. In my ear, the voice of Death whispered cautions.

I swallowed hard.

“Y-Yeah,” I muttered. “Just… another weird dream.”

Sunset frowned, studying my face for a moment before reaching out.

“Come back to bed” she murmured, fingers brushing against my wrist.

Her voice was so soft. So normal.

As if nothing had changed.

As if the world hadn't just fallen apart under my feet.

I paused and gazed at her extended hand.

Then, slowly, I took it.

She guided me back under the covers, wrapping her arms around me the moment I settled in. I felt the steady rise and fall of her breath, the way she instinctively curled against me, as if she belonged there.

And maybe she did.

Maybe she always had.

Sometime later, she stirred again.

“Awww, wake up,” she teased, nudging me with her foot under the blanket.

I groaned dramatically, burying my face in the pillow.

“Again with the late sleeping? You’re worse than Rainbow Dash” she continued, sitting up and stretching.

I peeked out from under the covers, just in time to catch her slipping her shirt over her head. The sunlight from the window hit her at just the right angle, painting her in golden hues.

For a moment, I just stared.

She was perfect.

“Pervert.”

I scoffed, dragging a hand down my face. “Oooh yeah, it’s so bad to look at my own girlfriend, you’re totally right,” I grumbled, making an exaggerated grumpy face.

Sunset just smirked, rolling her eyes before turning back to grab a hairbrush.

I sighed, shifting onto my side. Three months.

Three months since I became the so-called Prince of Salvation.

Three months since everything had changed.

And yet… some things hadn’t.

Sunset slept now over at my house like it was the most natural thing in the world. We kissed, we hugged, we shared these quiet moments. And yet…

Nothing deeper.

No foreplay. No whispered I want you in the dead of night.

It was almost like she didn’t even think about it.

I swallowed, pushing the thought aside.

Then my eyes changed direction.

Not at her face.

At something else.

“Huh?” she murmured, her brow furrowing slightly.

I sighed, looking away.

"You know on what i'm looking, Sunset… That scar.”

A pause.

Her expression softened.

She followed my gaze, looking down at the faint mark across her side, the reminder of what I had done that day. The day I lost control.

Even now, it made my stomach twist.

Sunset sighed, then shook her head with a small smile.

“Oh, stop,” she said, her tone light but firm. “I've told you a million times—it’s nothing. You did everything you could, and look—”

Before I could react, she suddenly stepped forward and lifted my shirt.

I stiffened.

For a second, my breath caught in my throat.

Because there—etched into my skin, on abdomen was a scar.

A perfect match.

Sunset grinned.

"We have matching scars!" she declared, as if it were something to celebrate.

I stared at her.

Then at the scars.

Something in my chest tightened.

"Sunset…" I whispered.

She met my gaze again, and I saw it—the love in her eyes, unwavering.

"You always carry your pain like it's yours alone. But it’s ours."

I had spent so long punishing myself for what had happened that night. For hurting her.

But Sunset Shimmer,the strongest, most stubborn girl I had ever known,refused to let me drown in my own guilt.

She still stood beside me.

Still chose me.

Still loved me, even when I couldn’t love myself.

"Okay," she sighed, finally pulling back. Her hands lingered on my shoulder for just a second before she poked my forehead with her finger. "Let’s start the day. We have school today, remember?"

I groaned, flopping back onto the bed dramatically. "Ehhhh, do we really have to? Can’t we just stay home? Celestia and Luna will understand."

Sunset shot me a deadpan look. "No, you need to start going outside again."

"But it’s so cool at home." I pouted, stretching out under the blankets like I was melting into them.

Sunset rolled her eyes, grabbing my pillow and whacking me in the face with it.

"Ow!" I yelped.

"Get up,"

We both got ready, and after a short wash-up, we went downstairs despite my complaints. Two steaming cups of freshly brewed coffee were waiting for us on the counter, and the air was filled with the delicious aroma of the beverage.

My dad was standing by the sink, casually drinking his own cup as he glanced up at us.

"Morning, Sunset," he greeted.

"Good morning, Mr. Sombra," she replied politely.

Dad rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "Stop with that ‘mister’ nonsense. We’re family now, remember?"

Sunset chuckled. "Force of habit."

I grabbed my cup and exhaled deeply. "I’ll drink mine outside," I said, already making my way to the porch.

Sunset grabbed her own cup and followed. Between the warmth of the rising sun and the lingering chill of dawn, the morning air was sharp but not too frigid. I inhaled deeply, enjoying the quiet quiet of the neighborhood.

Then, I reached into my pocket, pulling out my box of cigarettes.

The moment the familiar crinkle of the box reached Sunset’s ears, she snapped her head toward me.

"Hey! You said you quit!" she scolded, her eyes narrowing in frustration.

I sighed, flipping the box open and pulling out a cigarette. "Oh, Sunny, it’s my last pack, I swear."

"You said that seven packs ago."

"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, lighting the cigarette. I took a slow drag, feeling the familiar burn in my lungs. "But this time it’s really the last one."

"Let me guess—'these are the same ones Dawn gave you'?" She quirked an eyebrow.

I froze mid-inhale.

Busted.

"Uh…" I coughed, looking away. "O-opsie."

Sunset groaned, dragging a hand down her face.

"You really suck at quitting," she muttered.

I exhaled, watching the smoke curl into the air. "I will quit. Just… not today."

She sighed but didn’t push it further. Instead, she took a sip of her coffee and sat down beside me on the porch steps.

Eventually, I finished my cigarette, putting it out in the ashtray I kept outside.

"Alright," I said, stretching. "Let’s get this day over with."

Sunset smirked, standing up and grabbing our empty cups. "That’s the spirit."

We took our mugs back inside, placing them in the sink before grabbing our bags.

Then, we headed out to Sunset’s motorcycle.

It was sleek, black with orange accents—an absolute beast of a machine. I had gotten used to her reckless speeding by now, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t mentally bracing myself every time I got on the back.

Sunset swung her leg over the seat, putting on her helmet.

I climbed on behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist as she revved the engine.

"You holding on tight?" she asked over her shoulder.

I nodded. "Yeah, yeah, just don’t kill us."

She grinned. "No promises."

And then—

She gunned it.

The sudden acceleration yanked me back, and I had to tighten my grip around her waist to keep from flying off. The streets blurred past us as she weaved through traffic with terrifying confidence, completely ignoring the speed limit like it was a suggestion.

I had long since stopped asking her to slow down. It was pointless.

Within minutes, we were already pulling into the Canterlot High parking lot.

Sunset killed the engine and removed her helmet, shaking out her hair as she glanced back at me.

"See? Fast and efficient," she teased.

I huffed, peeling myself off the back of the bike. "Yeah, until the day you get pulled over."

She just laughed, nudging me playfully before heading toward the school doors. the familiar faces of my friends greeted me. Rainbow Dash smirked, placing a hand over her chest in a mocking bow.

“Welcome, Demon Lord,” she teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Haha, funny, Dash,” I shot back, shaking my head.

We walked the busy halls on our way to our lockers. Student's eyes followed me with curiosity rather than fear or contempt. But I could still feel their gazes. I was going to have to adjust to that. If anything, I gave them a new courtyard to enjoy, so it wasn't like I had done anything to them. As I reached my locker, I noticed Flash Sentry walking past. Our eyes met, and for a moment, we just stood there. Then, with a small smirk, we both bumped fists.

We weren’t exactly close before, but maybe things had changed. Maybe I could actually call him a friend now? I wasn’t sure. The idea of friendships was still something I struggled with.We went to class with our books. Algebra continued to be mind-numbing. Two hours spent looking at formulas and numbers that appeared to blend together. My eyes grew heavier by the second, and my head drooped more than once. The only thing that woke me up was the ring of the bell, which announced the beginning of our free time.

I stepped outside, letting the cool air clear my thoughts. Finding a bench, I sat down and leaned back, staring at the sky.

That dream…

It was different. More vivid. More real.

Don’t doubt Sunset. Don’t let him absorb the power of friendship. And don’t forget who you are.

Those words echoed in my mind like a warning from someone who had already lived through the worst. But what did they mean? Who was “he”? What was I supposed to remember?

I exhaled, rubbing my temples. This wasn’t the first time I had dreams, but this one felt… urgent. Like something terrible was on the horizon, waiting for me to make a mistake.

“Welcome, Your Majesty.”

I turned my head to see Adagio, Aria, and Sonata approaching me.

“Yo,” I greeted, still lost in my thoughts.

Adagio smirked, flipping her voluminous curls over her shoulder. “You look like you just had an existential crisis.”

“Something like that,” I muttered.

Aria crossed her arms. “Well, if you’re done brooding, we have an update for you.”

Sonata grinned, holding up her pendant. “Our new pendants are working better than ever! We’re more fed than we’ve been in years!”

I glanced at the shimmering stones hanging around their necks. They weren’t the same as their old ones—these were infused with something… different. I had given them these after everything that happened. They could now sustain themselves without draining emotions to dangerous levels. They had power, but they weren’t the same sirens they used to be.

“Good to hear,” I said, eyeing them carefully. “And you’re using them responsibly, right?”

Adagio rolled her eyes. “Yes, father, we’re being good little sirens.”

Aria smirked. “No world domination plans. Yet.”

Sonata giggled. “Only a little mind control.”

I shot them a look, and they all laughed.

“Relax,” Adagio said. “We’re not the same sirens you fought back then.”

That was true. They had changed. Maybe we all had. But their transformation was nothing short of remarkable—from power-hungry monsters to girls who lost everything to my decisions, and now? They were just normal girls.

“Hm,” I muttered, breaking the silence. “So… what do you all do now?”

Adagio turned to me, a soft, almost nostalgic smile playing on her lips. “We sing. For charity, actually. The old mansion you left us… it didn’t even cost as much as our old house, so we had a little money left. We decided to use it for something worthwhile.”

I raised an eyebrow, caught off guard. “Charity, huh? That’s… good to hear.”

“Don’t act so surprised,” Aria grumbled, though her tone lacked its usual venom. “We’re not the same sirens you fought back then, remember?”

Sonata beamed, clearly pleased with herself. “And we’re really good at it, too! People love our shows!”

“Good for you,” I said sincerely, watching as they walked off to do whatever it was they had planned.

“Welcome, do you have a moment?"

I turned, startled.

I had never met a man like the one standing next to me. It seemed weird to have him around. He was tall, almost unnaturally tall, and had a lanky frame that gave him an air of both majesty and whimsy. He had wild, black-gray-streaked hair that stood up in tangled tufts like it had a consciousness of its own. Mischief and something deeper, something ancient, glinted in his mismatched eyes, one a dazzling gold and the other a piercing crimson.

His attire, a patchwork of mismatched textiles in every imaginable hue and texture, did not lessen his oddity. His coat appeared to have been sewn together from ten separate closets, creating a strange yet strangely comfortable combination.
And yet, despite his strange appearance, there was something undeniably magnetic about him.

“Uh…” I blinked, trying to piece together how someone like him could just show up out of nowhere. “Can I help you?”

He chuckled, the sound low and smooth, yet filled with an energy that seemed boundless. “Oh, you can help me, alright. But I’m not here to ask for favors.”

“Right…” I crossed my arms, skeptical. “Then what are you here for?”

He tilted his head, his grin widening. “I’ve been watching you.”

“Okay, creepy.”

He laughed again, this time a little louder. “Oh, I like you. You’ve got spirit! But no, I’m not here to creep you out. I’ve been keeping an eye on things. Your story, to be precise.”

I tensed at his words. “My story?”

“Yes, your story,” he said, as if the very word was laced with significance. “You’ve been quite the interesting one to follow. A mortal who managed to dance with destiny, wrestle with gods, and somehow against all odds come out on top. Fascinating, really.”

I frowned, taking a step back. “Who are you?”

“Oh, where are my manners?” He gave an exaggerated bow, one arm sweeping out dramatically. “You can call me Discord. And no, that’s not my real name, but it’s the one I like the most.”

“Discord?” The name sounded strange, foreign, yet it felt like it carried weight.

“That’s right.” He straightened, his grin never faltering. “And I must say, you’ve done an impressive job keeping things together. But…”

“But what?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

He leaned in closer, his mismatched eyes locking onto mine. “I can’t help but wonder… how long can you keep it up?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Oh, you’ll see,” he said cryptically, stepping back and spreading his arms wide. “The game isn’t over yet, my dear boy. Far from it. What can i say, hmmm we will meet again, good luck”

And just like that, he turned and began to walk away, whistling a jaunty tune that felt completely out of place in the stillness of the courtyard.

I watched him go. Who was he? And what did he mean by “the game isn’t over”?

I didn’t have answers. Not yet. But something told me I’d be seeing him again.

Author's Note

WELCOME AFTER THE BRAKE! So we have a sequel now, hmm i will try to make it so someone who haven't read the prequel can read this too, it will be hard but i will try, also i have a milion of ideas, and we still have a lot of lore to cover, looking forward to school vs school and human sunset, i hope you will have fun reading this, this is a littler short cuz i had 14haur shift yesterday and i'm almost alive today but other chapters will be longer i swear.