Leader of the Pack (Book 3/3)

Chapters

Chapter 1 - The Train Ride Home
Chapter 2 - Research
Chapter 3 - Under the Pale Moonlight
Chapter 4 - Foundation
Chapter 5 - Establishment
Chapter 6 - Confrontation
Chapter 7 - The Great Escape
Chapter 8 - Interlude
Chapter 9 - In the Presence of Enemies
Chapter 10 - Conclusion

Chapter 1 - The Train Ride Home

"Hold still, please," said Princess Celestia, lowering her head to aim.

"I'm holding still," replied Dawn, who stood as motionless as a statue but his mouth in front of the great alicorn. Twilight was right beside him, anxious to see her husband's new horn.

The Princess concentrated, tightly closing her eyes, her yellow aura becoming quite prominent over her large horn, a flash of bright light sparking from the tip. A bolt came rushing to the nub that was supposed to be Dawn's horn. Hundreds - if not thousands - of particles formed in a cone shape, quickly sculpting themselves into what was now Dawn's new horn. Upon the shape's completion, the Princess opened her eyes and retracted her aim, all the light she created dispersing into thin air, a few sparkles twinkling around the glow of Dawn's artificially created horn.

"I am finished," she said, erecting herself upright. "How does it look?" she synthesized an oval-shaped mirror. Dawn stared into his reflection, particularly at the horn.

"Well, what do you think, Twilie?"

Twilight stepped closer so she could be seen alongside Dawn in the mirror. "I think it's beautiful," she said.

"I think so, too," added Dawn, stroking it. "Not too sharp, nor dull...looks like an exact replica!"

Princess Celestia dismissed the mirror in a cloud of magic dust.

"I'm glad you like it. If you two need anything else, please do not hesitate to ask. Is that clear?"

"It is, Princess," answered Twilight. "So...since I can't study magic, what am I to do about my studies in Ponyville?"

"You still wish to pursue your studies even though you are married?"

"Of course, Princess. I love my studies. Not as much as I love Dawn, but still pretty close."

"Very well. How about you go and just spend time with your friends - and Dawn, of course - and see what you come up with? There are still plenty of lessons of friendship for you to learn, Twilight. Learning, as I'm sure you're aware of, is an indefninitely occurring concept. You never stop learning, Twilight. Do not threat: you will always find something to learn about friendship from your continued studies. And, if you can't for a while, look on the bright side: that's more free time you have to spend casually with your friends or with Dawn."

"I understand, Princess," Twilight did not sound very pleased. "I'll be sure to send my reports if I get any in."

"Thank you, Twilight. I look forward to your observations and experiences."

Twilight took a bow, Dawn proceeding her, and then calmly exited Canterlot Castle. The couple strolled casually through Canterlot on their way to the Friendship Express station to head back home to Ponyville.

"The Princess sounds very proud of you, Twilight," Dawn remarked as they passed through town.

"I wouldn't know," Twilight muttered.

"I think how the Princess's words are being received is based on your attitude, Twilie. I can tell you're not too happy with yourself after losing your horn, despite marrying me. Sure that was a happy night for everyone. But it doesn't change the fact that you're still not magic anymore."

"The Princess told me that I am always magic."

"Oh. Well, I don't think she intended that to be literal, especially after the loss of your precious horn. You're as magical as Pinkie Pie."

Twilight lowered her head in disappoint as they arrived at the station, in patient await for the train.

"What I think could be helpful, Twilie, is if you did something like a support group."

"A support group?" Twilight asked with disgust. "Really?"

Dawn nodded. "Aye. I'm no psychologist or anything - in fact, I'm not even a painter anymore - but from what I hear, group therapy is a good tool for fixing problems."

"No amount of group therapy can allow me to be a unicorn again," Twilight remarked.

"Perhaps not," Dawn affirmed. "But there is no doubt in my mind that it could make you feel better."

The train could be seen in the distance, speeding its way down the track as its engines roared and bells chimed.

"Feel better?" Twilight shouted to be heard over the encroaching steam engine. "That's all that matters, isn't it: just that I feel better?"

"Well," hollered Dawn. "I can't change the fact that you're not a magical unicorn anymore. And you know that if I could, I would. And you know that all I want for you, Twilie, is to be happy. As your husband, I feel it is my obligation to fulfill that promise, even if it simply putting on a bandage."

The train pulled up, tons of steam leaking out of its exhaust pipes as its doors opened promptly, several ponies of all sexes and colors and types and ages stepping out, pardoning themselves if they made any intrusion. Once the station cleared, the newlyweds stepped inside and seated themselves abreast to one another. They were not alone, for two or three other ponies occupied the car with them, but it was still pleasantly quiet in the car once the roar of the engine faded from ear.

Dawn resumed the conversation with a kiss on Twilight's cheek. "You know," he began. "I don't think we're the only ponies in Equestria who used to be unicorns but are earth ponies with horns now."

"You really think so?" Twilight asked, looking up at him.

"Yeah...not that Ponyville or Canterlot or anywhere else in Equestria is dangerous - except maybe the Everfree Forest - but I'm positive there are other ponies like us. They probably all feel bad about not being able to cast spells or levitate objects or retrieve things from high places, too. Maybe if we looked around for a few of them, we could all reflect on one another's feelings about what life is like not being magic."

"I've never seen them," Twilight said, leaning her hoof against the windowpane.

Dawn put his arm around her. "One thing I learned as a painter is that things that are apparent don't become visible until you look for them."

Twilight did not reply. That statement did persuade her moderately. Is it possible that other ponies have gone through the pain and turmoil she has? Are there other unicorns and maybe even pegasi who are dishearted and socially isolated because of their inability to fly or cast spells? This was a topic Twilight knew next to nothing about: a topic which would require some research.

Twilight still did not acknowledge Dawn's sentence, for she was deeply into thought. But, since it would require doing what she loved most, what harm could become of it?

"Alright," she mumbled after a while. "I guess we can look into it."

She then stared out the window, to the clear, blue skies of Equestria as the Airborne Express came into view. The heat of the sun kept or warm and relaxed her, and the quietness of the car kept her at ease. She did not fall asleep, but she did close her eyes as her research-to-be-done consumed her thoughts those long minutes as the train drew closer and closer to Ponyville.

Chapter 2 - Research

"You look tired, Twilie," Dawn remarked as they hopped off the train. "Are you alright?"

"Just a little sleepy," she answered, her eyes visibly droopy.

"You could have slept on the train - it was certainly," Dawn stepped aside to let another passenger by. "(Pardon me, ma'am.) It was certainly quiet enough for you to nap."

"My mind was racing. I wouldn't be able to sleep if I tried."

"That's not what your eyes say."

Twilight sat and rubbed her eyes, violently shaking her head immediately afterward. They no longer appeared tired. Her vision came into focus as she saw the reassuring grin of her husband.

"Now then. Do you want to go see your friends?" asked Dawn.

Twilight shook her head. "No. I want to go home: see if there are any books on ponies like us in my library."

"Very well."

The couple ventured through Ponyville, Twilight hoping to not run into any of her friends along the way. Fortunately for her, she did not. When she got home, however, she did run into Spike.

"Twilight! Dawn! Glad you're home!" he exclaimed, hurrying down the stairs.

"Thanks, Spike," she greeted calmly.

"Is something wrong, Twilight?"

Twilight shook her head. "No, I just miss my horn is all."

"Oh, yeah...your horn's artificial."

Twilight propped her head up. "But, luckily, Dawn and I believe that with a little research, we may be able to get some intell on other ponies like us."

"Wow! That sounds great, Twilight!"

"The only thing is...I don't know where to begin."

"Hmm...well, you could start with...uh...ah-hah!" Spike snapped his fingers, raced to the back of the Library, fetched the ladder, and slid it over to his desired destination, where he promptly proceeded to climb the ladder and retrieve an old-looking book from its shelf. Remembering that Twilight had no magic, he knew he could safely descend the ladder without being yanked from such a height by a magical force. He outstretched his hands towards Twilight. "It might not be exactly what you're looking for, but I think it's a good place to start."

Twilight read the cover aloud. "Perplexing Pony Plagues? Say, isn't this the same book I used when Apple Bloom had the Cutie Pox?"

"Yes, yes it is," Spike affirmed confidently. "A unicorn without magic is like having a disease."

"I guess...put it on the table for me, since I can't."

Spike did so, Twilight and her husband proceeding behind him. Twilight opened the book and flipped through the pages with her hooves, finding the activity as irriating as it was insufficient compared to the time-saving activity of using one's horn.

"Uh...let's see...okay, here's something: there's a disease here called magaria, a disease in which the infected pony is unable to cast spells from her horn, assuming said pony is a unicorn. Eh, that wasn't very helpful...let's see...auh...hmm..."

"Anything I can help you with, Dear?" asked Dawn, positioning himself next to his wife.

"No, sorry," Twilight answered, still flipping through pages.

"I understand."

Twilight decided to go to the back of the book to the index, where, in fact, some helpful information could be found. She scanned the section which had page information on various unicorn diseases, most of them caused by agents, but, to her sheer luck alone, Twilight found a page number for a certain "disease" which was actually caused by physical damage to the horn.

"Here we are! Hornioporosis!"

"You found something!?" exclaimed Spike.

"Hornioporosis: the inability for a unicorn pony to cast spells or perform magic of any kind due to physical damage done to the horn. This disease currently has no real cure because scientists have been unable to figure out how to repair any damage done to the bonelike organ that is the horn of a unicorn pony. Simply gluing or taping the horn together or wrapping it in bandages does not allow the magic to react.

"A pony's horn is like a channel. Any unicorn - with or without her horn - is still magical. The horn acts as a passageway to project the magic embedded within the pony to externally cast spells and perform other magic tricks. If a horn is damaged, broken, cracked, or filled with holes, the channel is broken and thus, the pony is unable to use the magic she possesses."

"That's very interesting," remarked Dawn. "And actually quite helpful."

"It says here that unicorns who could no longer perform magic were called Nubs, since a majority of them had their horns broken off, leaving nothing but a nub on their heads."

"Sounds just like you, Twilight!"

"I'm sure that is no coincidence."

"Nor is it very flattering," Spike added.

"I agree: the term Nub is very insulting...but...I don't understand...if- oh."

"What? What is it?"

"I think Dawn and I got lucky with our horns: we had Princess Celestia perform magical surgery on our horns so they would look normal even though we cannot perform magic. I have a feeling that other ponies like us were not quite as lucky."

"So, what? They went the rest of their lives with nubs for horns?"

"That's what the book claims."

"What a pity," Dawn remarked. "It makes me feel worse for other ponies like us than I did when I first heard of your disaster, Twilie. I wonder if there's an equivalent to pegasus ponies."

"There probably is: here, lemme see if I can find something."

Twilight flipped back to the index, once again scanning the entire page for anything helpful. This time she was not quite as fortunate. "Well, there is this: flightlessness."

"That's it? Just flightlessness?"

Twilight flipped to the page number she located. "Flightlessness: when a pegasus pony experiences wing damage, either permanently or termporarily, and thus lacks the ability to fly." Twilight gasped. "Rainbow Dash had that disease not too long ago, when she took a nose-dive during one of her flights and injured her wing. That's the incident which got her into The Adventures of Daring Doo...I guess she was lucky to have recovered. Apparently most pegasi don't."

"That's a shame," Dawn said.

"It is, but...does this mean there really are ponies like us, Dawn?"

"I'd say so." He pointed to a sentence in a book. "What does that say? I can't read it from here."

"It says that pegasi who can't fly are called Fwaps."

Spike shivered. "Sounds even more insulting than Nubs. Is there a reason why we haven't seen any of them?"

"I don't think this book will mention that. But, since we know the vocabulary, I think a history book of Ponyville will give us the answers. Spike if you will, please."

"Yes, ma'am!" Spike saluted Twilight and retrieved a large, brown book from across the room. He swapped the original for the new one.

"Now let's see...Nubs and Fwaps, Nubs and Fwaps...ah-hah! Here we go! Nubs and Fwaps refer to ponies who can no longer perform magic or fly, respectively. Many new Nubs and Fwaps were reported every day in the early days of Ponyville, and even today, there are still occasional reportings of them. Most ponies found these 'acting earth ponies' as inferior. This started when the first wave of Nubs and Fwaps experienced severe cases of Cutie Mark Failure Insanity Syndrome and went totally crazy and beserk because they could not longer pursue their special talents, for they happened to only be possible in relevance to their magic or flying abilities. They became violent savages, and were kicked out of Ponyville. Many fled to the Everfree Forest, never to be seen again. Those who didn't killed themselves."

"Pony suicide?" asked Dawn. "Woah, that's intense!"

"Nubs and Fwaps have been bullied ever since. They say every day, another Nub or Fwap can be found fleeing to the Everfree Forest, hoping to seek freedom from the scorn and torment they received in town. Those who decided to stay hide for their lives in the shadows of Ponyville."

"And because you're so respected, even if you resembled a Nub, you would not have been bullied?"

"Most likely," Twilight answered. "I did save Equestria from King Sombra, after all. And I am Princess Celestia's most faithful student. But you," Twilight looked up to Dawn. "If you resembled a Nub and weren't married to me...I'm afraid your fate would be like the thousands of other Nubs who lived in Ponyville."

Dawn chose to refuse that statement; he did not want his thoughts to start dreaming of a life in which he was not married to Twilight Sparkle, nor respected and honored as a world-class painter...at least in his past.

"Well, the book does say that there are Nubs and Fwaps still living here in Ponyville, yes?"

"That's what the book says."

"Hmm...Twilie...I have an idea."

Author's Note

Magaria: pony parody of the disease, malaria
Hornioporosis: pony parody of the disease, osteoporosis

Chapter 3 - Under the Pale Moonlight

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" asked Twilight to Dawn, her, him, and Spike still gathered around the post in the Library.

"Didn't we already establish that, Twilie?"

"Yeah, but that was before we learned about how shady the Nubs and Fwaps are and how tormented they were when they were not in hiding. I don't think they'd want to be exposed like that."

"We can create a support group without exposing them, you know."

"How do we do that? Host it at night?"

Dawn made no reply, but only grinned suggestively.

"Of course," sighed his wife. "Spike, as my number-one assistant, can you go to the store and get me some parchment sheets? I'll give you some bits."

"Yes, ma'am!" Spike saluted.

"Great. And Dawn, I know you're not a painter anymore, but do you think you can use your artistic talent to create some flyers around town for us?"

"Anything for you, Twilie."

"Also great." Twilight climbed the stairs, opened her nightstand drawer with her hoof and withdrew a small, leather pouch from within, closing the drawer. "Here, Spike, don't spend too much."

"Twilie," began Dawn as Spike ascended the stairs. "Don't waste your hard-earned money on something as menial as parchment paper. I'll pay for it: I've got plenty of money back at home."

"It's fine, Dawn," Twilight handed Spike the pouch as both of them descended back to the first floor. "I can pay for it."

"But you're on a limited income, Darling!"

"So are you now, Honey!" Twilight protested.

Dawn gave up.

Spike exited the Library.

"So, what exactly is your plan?"

"When Spike gets back with the parchment sheets, we'll make flyers to put up all around town to advertise our support group. We'll all meet tonight, after everypony's asleep, so the Nubs and Fwaps can come out into public without being humiliated."

"Didn't most of them flee to the Everfree Forest, though?"

"We've gotta start somewhere."

When Spike got back to the Library, the three of them began using Dawn's old painting and drawing tools to create fifty nearly identical flyers to put up around town. It took the better part of the afternoon to complete, but Twilight believed there was enough time for word to spread about the support group before dark.

After the sun went down, Twilight and Dawn stood in front of town hall, patiently waiting for their guests. They spent several minutes waiting...waiting...and waiting.

So far, their luck was not very good.

"Are we gonna call it a night, Twilie?" Dawn asked.

Twilight shook her head. "No, they're probably just shy. I wanna wait out here a little longer."

"That's fine," Dawn affirmed.

The night was quiet. A gentle breeze swept through the leaves and the manes of the characters as they stood in perfect silence at town hall. All was calm. It was almost as if Ponyville itself was asleep. No lights except the few scattered around town to help the denizens see at night were on, no ponies were up stirring, galloping through the streets, and nothing but the wind made any movement.

Twilight began to get sleepy standing outside in the dark for so long. But she did not lose hope.

Finally, after several more minutes of silence in the dead of night, there was a graceful breathing sound, short-lived, and pratically inaudible, as if somepony was whispering. Twilight and Dawn felt like they were being watched. Twilight was tempted to give a beckoning call, but she feared she would bother the stirring creatures of the night.

She and he could make out shadows at the edge of his and her vision. They slowly emerged from the depths of the night, the light of the moon shining onto their coats and manes, their wings broken and torn, some ripped right off their pony bodies, others twisted and crooked; their horns cracked and split into two, three, and four, most of them just nubs on their heads. There they were: the Fwaps and Nubs. They gathered around the couple and the town hall. Then all was still.

Twilight cleared her throat.

"Fwaps," she began. "Nubs. Pretty degrating terms if you ask me. You won't be called these terms anymore. For you are not Fwaps and Nubs. You are not even acting earth ponies. You are pegasi and unicorns who have had tragedy struck your mortal beings. You are still pegasi and unicorns, and no damage to you will ever change that."

Silence.

Twilight and Dawn stepped out of the shadow of the town hall, exposing their faces and horns. "The truth is, we are Nubs, too. Princess Celestia synthesized artificial horns for us, but my husband and I are just as magical as any of you other unicorns out there. I understand that no one else here is that lucky. You still bear your broken horns and wings...I know about your people. You're a good people. Yet you were cast aside and ridiculed. And all because of a few breakouts of Cutie Mark Failure Insanity Syndrome. Well...your time of torment and scorn ends tonight."

Polite applause.

"It is getting late, and I do not wish for any of you to feel uncomfortable. All of you meet back at this time in front of the Everfree Forest tomorrow night. We will set up a formal club then, so everyone can have a chance to speak in the privacy of the Everfree Forest."

Nods.

"Thank you for coming. And, goodnight."

A gradual depature.

Chapter 4 - Foundation

A cold breeze whispered through the air that night, after such a warm, sunny day. Twilight started to shiver from the chills she received from the weather. The shadows re-emerged this night in front of the Everfree Forest, but this time with less hesitation.

"Welcome back," Twilight said. "I am told many of you fled to these woods to escape your fears. As much as I can sympathize with your actions, I do not believe a formal society has been set up even though a regular population remains in the Everfree Forest. Tonight is your night to shine: please lead my husband and me to the others. I wish to address all of them. Don't worry: if I were going to harm you, would've done it already."

Twilight and Dawn stepped out of the way, the mass of shadow composed of Nubs and Fwaps started into the Everfree Forest. They seemed more afraid of standing under the silver moonlight than of venturing into the woods. They proceeded with hardly any hesitation, Twilight and Dawn taking the rear and carefully walking through the thick, ominous vegetation which completely surrounded them. It got even darker when the moon hid behind some massive mountains in the distance. Darkness consumed their eyes. But Twilight and Dawn did not need to see: they could hear the soft hoofsteps of the ponies in front of them, and that's all they needed to continue navigation as they were led deeper and deeper into the forest.

Finally, their march concluded.

Twilight and Dawn moved to the front of the mob, where a lone stallion - badly injured, missing wings, a horn, and even a whole ear, seated on a log in front of a small bonfire, strumming an acoustic guitar which lacked all but a single string. He was thin a paper, and his tan coat looked like it had not seen sunshine in decades.

"Who are you?" Twilight asked the stranger.

"Who can remember?" he asked. "The sights I've seen...the things I've heard...the damage I've taken...but I do know this: I am the epitome of Nubbism and Fwapism: I am the most damaged and broken-down pony in Equestria...I've been injured so long, I don't even remember if I were a unicorn or a pegasus...I only remember I was one or the other. All the Nubs and Fwaps who live within these woods are under my supervision...my time in this world is limited...and we need a new leader to represent the struggle of these good ponies...we believe you will be a great leader."

"You...want me to lead them?"

The stallion nodded twice. "All that is required of you is that you take care of them, and hang out here forever."

"What do I need to do to take care of them?"

"Are you a mother?"

Twilight shook her head. "No, we're just husband and wife."

"That's a shame...just be motherly to them...care for them...give them food, water and shelter...most of them are too scared to speak, so you won't have to worry about feeling too sorry for them, since you won't be hearin' any of their little stories...Promise me you'll take care of them...promise me."

Twilight turned around to the mob of Fwaps and Nubs behind her, to the thousand or so eyes staring back at her.

She turned back around. "I will...I promise."

"And I promise too," interjected Dawn. "As her husband, I will contribute to this chartiable act as much as possible."

The stallion rose, and stood upright on two of his hooves. "I'm glad you haven't given up on them..." he started walking quietly away by means of the crowd of defective ponies behind Twilight and Dawn, who turned as he strolled by. "Most ponies have," he continued. He stopped when he reached the end of the mob. "By the way," he hollered. "In case this is the last time you see me alive...my name is Bones." Twilight and Dawn kept their attention to the mysterious Bones until his hoofsteps could no longer be heard.

"So..." Twilight began to the throng. "Where do we sleep?"

Twilight and Dawn followed the crowd once more to a nearby cave. Bones had left all of his possessions except his guitar for the new leader, including his bed arrangement: a pillow over a mattress which laid flat against the earth. The mattress, surpisingly, was big enough for both partners...almost as if they were being...expected.

Twilight awoke to the sunshine staring her in the eyes. She sat up and rubbed her large eyes. She looked around. There was all of Bones' furniture: a table, some chairs, a desk, some writing equipment including parchment paper, quills, and ink, an old couch, a bookshelf which actually carried a small number of dusty books, a toolbox, and a cabinet with a few knickknacks.

Twilight dismissed the blanket over her and started out to the entrance of the cave and looked around, seeing a good number of defective ponies sleeping in trees and on the ground.

"What part of the Everfree Forest are we, anyway?" she asked herself aloud.

Dawn started to stir. "Good morning, Twilie," he said, stretching.

"Good morning, Dawn," Twilight replied, still looking out to the forest. "Do you know where we are?"

Dawn got up and walked over to Twilight. "Not past somewhere in the Everfree Forest, no."

"Isn't Zecora's hut the edge of the Everfree Forest?"

"Who's Zecora?"

"Oh. She's a zebra who lives here in the Everfree Forest. I'm surprised we didn't encounter her last night. In fact, she might be able to shed some light on our whereabouts!"

Twilight started galloping back into the woods.

"Wait, where are you going?" Dawn called.

"Off to Zecora's! I won't be long!"

"But what about the...ponies?"

"Entertain them!"

Twilight vanished into the thick vegetation and wildlife. She retraced her steps through the forest all the way back to the entrance, and, sure enough, there was Ponyville, within eyesight. And, even closer, there was Fluttershy's cottage. She turned back around and used her memory to navigate herself through the jungle of a forest to Zecora's hut. There it was: same place as always. Yet, Twilight and the mob of Nubs and Fwaps did not seem to pass it on their way to Bones.

Twilight entered Zecora's cottage.

"Zecora! Thank goodness I found you! I have some important news!"

"What it be, Miss Twilight, to have brought you to this site?" asked Zecora, who was seated behind her cauldron as it boiled away.

"This old guy named Bones made me this new ruler for the remaining Fwaps and Nubs."

Zecora's eyes widened. "Did you say Fwaps and Nubs? The defective ponies you speak of?"

"Yes! Most of them reside here in the Everfree Forest. I was wondering if maybe you could tell me anything about Bones or about the defective pony population, since apparently I'm their new leader."

Zecora rose to her hooves. "You must go down the path Bones does seek. Or their future shall be bleak." She started to her bookshelf in the corner of her hut and searched it for a particular book.

"So, I have to take care of them?"

"Is what I say, Miss Twilight, please show no fright."

"I'm not scared."

Zecora found the book she desired and placed it on the post, opening it, and turning the pages to one in particular which explained the Nubs and Fwaps.

"This book doesn't have anything that any book at my library has," Twilight remarked.

"That is quite good, for it means you have everything for your new motherhood."

"Motherhood? Hey, that's the same term Bones used- he's not gonna want me to breastfeed them or anything right, 'cause I don't even have-"

"Defective ponies are like vulnerable prey. They need a leader to show them the way."

"Because they're too scared to do anything on their own?"

"Poverty and hopelessness bring them much fear. You must lead them, my dear. Raise them into a society, so they may dance in their prosperity."

Twilight pondered that thought. "So, the defective ponies are like a prehistoric, untamed society, and I am the newfound leader of this society?"

"You are correct, Miss Twilight, for as the day is long and moon is bright."

"Okay, I think I got it. Thank you, Zecora."

Twilight bowed and hurried to the door.

"One more thing, little mare."

Twilight stopped herself in her tracks.

"Yes?"

"I am making another trip to Ponyville, though quite rare. Do you wish for me to send a message to your friends in Ponyville? If you request it, I will."

"Just let them know about the defective ponies and that, as far as I know, I'm gonna be staying out here in the Everfree Forest for a long time."

"I understand, my dear. Now go - while the skies be clear!"

Twilight continued her gallop back to the cave. She wondered what Zecora meant by bringing up the sky. Sure, she talked in rhyming couplets every time she opened her mouth, but usually both lines are relevant to one another. On our way back, she looked up to the sky, noticing a few clouds have already formed overhead. Was Zecora forecasting rain? And, if she was, how? Could she feel it in her bones? Precognition? Twilight only wondered. But her wondering came to an end when she could see the aspiring glow of Dawn's face as he came into view.

"Twilie! You're back!" His wife leapt up and hugged him. "I missed you so much!"

"I missed you too!"

They kissed.

"So, did you find Zecora?"

"Yeah, I did."

"And? What did she say?"

"She told me what I have to do: I have to bring this society to its hooves: build them homes and shelters, get them food and water to keep them fed and hydrated, and altogether help them prosper as a people under my rule."

"Wow, she told you all that?"

"No...she didn't have to...I figured it out myself."

"That's my Twilie," Dawn smiled.

"She's also going to relay a message to my friends while she's in Ponyville, so they're gonna know I'm here, I'm alright, and I might not ever come back to Ponyville again - if I can help it."

"Well then at least we won't have to worry about the domestic agreement we never worked out since we got married." Both Dawn and Twilight laughed.

"So, what's our first plan of action?"

"Our first plan of action is to wake all the defective ponies up, and let them know what is going on so we may start the production of stuff like houses. There's plenty of wood here in the Everfree Forest. I'm sure establishment will be a sinch. We can borrow some of Bones' tools from that toolbox in our cave."

"Sounds like a plan."

Dawn and Twilight headed into the cave to study the tools they had at hoof.

"You know, if you ask me," Dawn began. "Always calling them defective ponies sounds almost as insulting as calling them Fwaps or Nubs...do you think we could call them something else a little more...appropriate? We are reviving a society after all."

"You know, my last test from Princess Celestia was reviving a forgotten society."

"What?"

"Euh, nothing. Hmm...how about...the Ferals?"

"The Ferals?" inquired Dawn.

"Yeah, since they're all untamed and wild - you know - feral."

"Hmm...I like it."

They arrived at the toolbox, finding hammers, nails, a few saws and axes and hatchets - almost as if they were...planned to be left there.

Chapter 5 - Establishment

Twilight and Dawn, lacking magical abilities, were forced to drag the toolbox to their desired location at the front of the cave. It was quite heavy, and took much work and time, but they gradually succeeded in their combined efforts.

"Attention fellow woodland ponies," Twilight hollered, her voice echoing through the trees. "Please gather."

Though they were finally exposed to the light, they did obey Twilight's command. Slowly they gathered in a semicircle around the couple.

"Is that all of you?" Many ponies looked at one another, as if they were telepathically asking each other if that was everyone. Not many gestured an answer to Twilight's inquiry, and those who did only shrugged. She counted the eyes. "Two hundred," she mumbled. "Only a hundred?" she asked aloud. "Where are the others?"

There was no reply.

Twilight snorted. "Very well. Let me start this lecture off by saying that your former leader, Bones, will no longer rule over you. My name is Twilight Acorna Sparkle, Princess Celestia's most faithful student of magic...(at least until I broke my horn saving you all from annihilation). But you may call me Twilight. Except Dawn, who calls me Twilie."

The only movement in the audience was the motion their eyes made when they blinked.

"Anyway, I have gathered you all here because, as your new ruler, I will not only make sure you ponies survive, but thrive and prosper in a society you can be proud of - instead of being ashamed of not being part of the society that makes up the population of Ponyville and the rest of Equestria."

Continued silence.

"We will start by building you all homes. From what I can tell, most of you are probably individual nomads, so it looks like we'll only be building one home for pony. That is not a problem, however, since we have plenty of wood and room to go around. You will also assist my husband and me in constructing a fortress for the two of us. Bones may have been comfortable sitting on a log his whole life, but I'm not. I want to be comfortable, and also be able to protect you all from any danger that may come our way. Dangerous creatures lurk in these shadows, besides the population of Ponyville. And I am not comfortable with the thought that any of you could be attacked at any given time."

The silence prolonged. A few more white, puffy clouds drifted into the skies above the Everfree Forest.

"Alright, now to get to work. Split up into halves. Half of you will grab hatchets and axes and saws and gather wood and other building materials, and half of you will grab hammers and nails and build the houses."

There was no groaning or whining or complaining. In fact, there was no noise made at all.

The group gradually split into two equal halves. One half stayed where they were while the other approached the toolbox behind Twilight and Dawn and grabbed their tools as they subdivided themselves up into smaller groups, each in charge of its own tree to chop down.

The Ferals may have been quiet and shy, but they were no stranger to conventional pony life. They chopped and sawed and axed all those trees like professionals. Once a few trees were down, the other half of Ferals subdivided and two or three ponies each took to a tree to build into a hut after they retrieved their instruments.

After a few hours, their progress was visible, and a whole settlement started to appear where there was once only trees. Twilight and Dawn went around the area and checked the architectural stability of each hut, to make sure all of them would hold up. Each one passed inspection. Once the huts were inspected, Twilight and Dawn went to work on the decoration. They used some extra wood the Ferals had left, in addition to a few stones they found from within their cave, to build a campfire so the Ferals could be seen at night. They also instructed a few lone Ferals to set aside some extra logs to be used around the campfire.

They then split up: Twilight taking part in bodily decoration while Dawn took care of the more architectural decor. Twilight found some old paints at the bottom of the toolbox, hidden under all the axes and hatchets and saws. She got the idea for how to let everypony know that they were now Ferals and not just a large group of Nubs and Fwaps: body paint. She started with her face, taking her hoof and drawing several different lines around her eyes, across her cheeks, on her forehead, and even on her other hooves and what she could reach of her torso. Dawn meanwhile painted the official insignia of the Ferals: the Alicorn Amulet icon, inspired by the fight with Trixie Twilight had a while back, on each completed hut as the settlement grew and grew, to establish a keen sense of identity within the Ferals as a society that shall stand no ridicule.

Twilight chose the Alicorn Amulet to be her icon not only because of its dark appearance and intense meaning, but to both symbolize her struggle when she was isolated from Ponyville during Trixie's return, and how the Ferals are "alicorns" themselves. She felt the Amulet ushered in a feeling of superiority over the common earth ponies, pegasi and unicorns who inhabited Equestria. Since everypony there but Dawn was too shy to even speak, no one told her anything; and Dawn supported the idea as he felt that the Ferals all had very low self-esteem, which was probably a result of all the pain and torment they felt.

Once the insignia was painted on every hut and it seems that the original settlement was completed, Twilight then called it a night, and encouraged everypony to sleep in their huts that night. They, of course, obeyed her command. She and Dawn reported back to their cold, lonely cave, where they huddled together to keep themselves warm under the uncomfortably thin blanket over their bodies.

In her heart, Twilight knew that the Ferals were only taking their first steps into their establishment.

Chapter 6 - Confrontation

The day after Twilight left her hut, Zecora went on her trip to Ponyville, Twilight's message to her friends still on her mind. She wandered through the streets, bought the goods she needed, and before turning home, she waltzed into Sugarcube Corner, where Twilight's five friends were hanging out and having lunch of various meals.

"Good afternoon, young ponyfolk," she greeted. "Twilight's absence is no joke."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"What's happened t' Twilight?" Applejack inquired directly to Zecora.

"Twilight Sparkle is now a resident, in a location most unpleasant. She has become a leader of a pack. We not have much time to act!"

"Leader of a pack?" Fluttershy inquired.

"Is she in trouble?" asked Rarity.

"I cannot say this action can bring her much good. I would help her if I could."

"Sounds like she's in trouble!" Pinkie Pie exclaiming, hopping to the front of Sugarcube Corner. "C'mon, everypony! Let's see what Twilight's up to and help her before she gets into any trouble!"

Everypony nodded.

"Zecora, where is Twilight?"

"She is in the Everfree Forest-"

"Let's go!"

Pinkie Pie led the hurry out of Sugarcube Corner, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rarity right behind her. Zecora remained stationary until the coast was clear. "Hey, I did not get to finish my rhyme!" she protested. "I shall do so another time."

The girls trotted as fast as their hooves could carry them to the Everfree Forest. When they arrived, Fluttershy suddenly started cowaring. Then she remembered what Twilight said on their way to Zecora's hut when it was just her, Twilight and Pinkie Pie back when King Sombra was in reign: if there was anything scary in the Everfree Forest, they wouldn't emerge until nightfall. So she swallowed her fear, and galloped on.

It was long stroll through the thick woods of the Forest. And with no sense of directional intention at hoof, they were essentially wandering through the trees and bushes and shrubs blind. They simply kept walking in the same direction, and eventually hit the Ferals' campground, which now looked like a well-established pony village. Several of the Ferals had already begun the construction of Twilight's fortress, the foundation of which was centered between the mountain with the cave where Twilight and Dawn slept, and another nearby mountain.

The girls hid their faces in the bush at the entrance to the campground as they eavesdropped on a conversation between Twilight and Dawn.

"Are you sure about this?" Dawn asked while painting the Alicorn Amulet logo on Twilight's forehead as Twilight kept her mane out of his way in the process.

"Sure about what?" she asked calmly.

"That it's okay to just abandon our old lives and live here forever? I mean, I may not be a professional painter anymore, but I certainly don't think that's worth leaving everything of ours behind for these ponies."

"If we abandon these ponies," Twilight began. "They'll die. And if they die, their blood will be on my hooves. And I could never live with myself if that were to happen."

"I don't think that's the case," Dawn protested. "These ponies may be...disabled, but they're not stupid. Just quiet. I'm sure that if Bones had left them and you had just walked away - or never shown up - they would simply survive on their own. They may not thrive on your leadership, no, but I hardly think they would die."

"If you say so," Twilight remarked. "I just know in my heart that we belong here with them. They love me. They love you. And they love the guidance and leadership we give them. They will thrive and prosper in a society of their own creation, as I promised them when I gave them my speech. It will be hard, since we have virtually no contact with the outside world, but we don't need contact with the outside world. Those who are the best of warriors survive independently."

"What the heck is Twilight talking about?" Pinkie Pie whispered to Rarity, who was standing next to her.

"I don't know," Rarity answered. "But it sounds like Twilight's been put in charge of these ponies. Like she's their leader."

"Leader? But isn't she supposed to be our leader?"

"Not necessarily. But that doesn't change the fact that she looks completely ridiculous. Look at all that paint on her body!" Rarity groaned quietly. "She looks like an exploded tube of paint with hooves!"

"What's the deal with these ponies, anyway?" Rainbow Dash wondered. "I mean, what separates them from us?"

"It looks like all those ponies are earth- no, wait...they're...damaged," Rarity concluded. "Look at those few over there: they're clearly pegasi. But they're acting like earth ponies. Their wings looked pretty bruised to me."

"So that's it! She's in charge of a bunch of disabled ponies!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed with the upmost quietness. "That's probably because she and, uh, what's his name? Oh, yeah, Dawn. She and Dawn lost their real horns."

"But that still doesn't explain why she's so...so...painted," Rarity whined.

"Do you hear something?" Twilight asked Dawn after he finished up.

"Nothing other than the construction around us and the sound of your voice," he replied.

"No, not that. It sounds like...whispers." Twilight rose to her two back hooves and picked up a sharp spear which looked like she fiendishly sharpened from a long, thin plank of bark. "Who goes there?" she asked, approaching the bush where her friends were hiding. They made not a sound and disguised themselves as thoroughly as possible to avoid being caught. "Show yourselves!" she barked. No movement. She got closer to the bush and saw the unmistakable lightness of Rarity's coat. "Ah-hah! Intruders!" she hissed. She brought her spear through the plants. "Come out or I will use this!"

A high-pitched squeal came from the vocal chords of a yellow, pink-maned pegasus, who bolted from the thicket and took a nose-dive towards the ground at the front of the Ferals' campground. Twilight's attention from the other four was adverted from Fluttershy's flee. She cowarded at the sight of seeing Twilight tower over her with the pointy spear in her hooves, which Twilight brought dangerously close to her. A heavy wind picked up.

"Who are you?" she inquired, as if she had not remembered.

The other four slowly crept out of the thicket behind Twilight's back.

Fluttershy trembled with fear. "M-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-my name's F-F-F-F-F-F-Fluttershy."

"Fluttershy, huh? You're pretty cute. But cuteness doesn't win the war!"

Fluttershy's ears dropped as she covered her eyes with her hooves.

"State your purpose! Why are you trespassing into Feral territory?"

"I-I-I-I-I-I don't know!" Fluttershy squealed with fright.

"Answer me!" Twilight boomed, poking Fluttershy with the spear.

"Hey, leave her alone!" Rainbow Dash hissed, flying up into the air, her trio of friends beneath her.

Twilight turned around. "And she brought company. Interesting," Twilight stood her spear upright, and then drew it again. "State your purposes! Why are you trespassing into Feral territory?"

"Hey, watch where you're pointing that!" Rainbow Dash beat Twilight's spear away with her hoof. "And we're not trespassing: we're here to rescue you."

"Rescue me?" Twilight lowered her spear. "But I am in no danger. At least, not at the moment."

"Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Zecora told us that y-y-y-y-y-y-you were h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-here, and she s-s-s-s-s-s-s-said that you're-"

"I'm what?!"

"I-I-I-I-..."

"Look, Twilight: Zecora came to us while she was in town, and she said that your absence from Ponyville was intentional, so we came here to see what's up, why you're gone, and ask if you're interested in coming back."

Twilight almost seemed moved. "You're just visit me?" she asked.

"Not exactly," Rarity said. "More like bring you back to your senses and bring you and Dawn home."

Twilight became fiendish again. She drew her spear. "I am at my senses!" she roared. "It is you who are crazy! You who trespass into forbidden territory and, you who think that I will leave my Feral nation just to return to crummy ol' Ponyville. My home - our home - is here now! And I will give these poor ponies the leadership and safety they deserve!"

"At your senses? Please, only a total lunatic would wear that much paint!"

Twilight brought the spear so close to Rarity's face, it nearly touched her nose. "Do not insult the Feral Mistress!" she hissed. "You have five seconds to apologize, or be thrown into the dungeon to be tortured and/or executed!"

"Apologize? Please! You should apologize to my eyes for having them look at such a hideous-"

"Guards!"

Two large ponies, both Feral, rushed to Twilight's side.

"Take her away! Take them all away!"

The guards nodded, grabbed ahold of Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash.

"Mmmhr?" one asked, pointing to the cowaring pony on the ground.

"Yes. Her too."

Fluttershy was dragged along with the rest and thrown into a dark cave which dug into the second mountain at the other end of the fortress. A sturdy gate was erected in front of the prisoners as the guards stood by abreast to one another.

Twilight had followed behind, and was present for the imprisonment of her friends.

"A few days in here outta teach you a lesson," she smirked devilishly. "Go ahead! Call me ugly! Call the Great Mistress of the Feral Ponies ugly! It will only buy you more time behind those bars!"

"Twilight, please!" Pinkie Pie whined, sticking her head through a hole in the gate. "This isn't like you! You're not a Great Mistress of anything! You're not insane! And you're not uh, uh..."

"A what?" barked the Feral Mistress.

"A Nub!"

That word echoed all through the cave, and bounced off of each wall until it reached the outside, where nearly every Feral pony working heard that word once again. Dark clouds loomed overhead as the breeze picked up. At first, Twilight said nothing. She simply stood there in horror, her pupils shrunken in her large eyes. Never before had she been so sensitive to such a foul and heinous word. But now, it seemed that her heart had been broken by it. It shattered in her breast. Her face grew dark. Her eyes sharpened. A fire raged in her eyes.

"Your execution will be in the morning," was all she said before she walked out of the cave on her two hind hooves.

Chapter 7 - The Great Escape

Twilight found her husband.

"Are you alright, Honey?" he asked, giving her a kiss on her head.

"I'm fine," she replied softly. "Just a few intruders. I put them in the dungeon. They shall be executed in the morning."

"Don't you think that's a bit harsh, My Love?"

"They called me a...Nub."

"Oh, I see. Very well, Twilie. We cannot let the other Ferals know that happened. They're finally starting to trust us. While you were away, I counted heads. Twenty more joined our fleet, and I hear more are on the way."

"There are more?"

"I heard that there are several other tribes like ours which inhabit several forests around Equestria. And there's talk of their addition into our society. We'll have to keep everypony working day in and day out to support the population increment. But that is a good thing. It means they are beginning to trust us. Maybe they'll start talking soon. We'll feast together. Socialize. Sympathize. And, most of all, rise above the ponies who have insulted us in the past."

Twilight sat next to Dawn and the two watched the sunset together, Twilight putting her hoof around Dawn. Not a word was spoken between them. The noise that could be heard was the sound of the other Ferals building houses and other buildings - the campground becoming too inhabited and complex to remain a simple place to sleep - and sawing down trees and gathering other materials from the other plants which occupied the land of the Everfree Forest.

"You know, your mane looks really cute in a bun..."

"Does it?" Twilight asked.

Dawn nodded. "I think you should start styling it like that. You aren't the Nub of a unicorn you were back when you lived in Ponyville. Why look like the pony you're not anymore?"

"That's a good question, Dawn. Perhaps I shall."

"We can't just stay in here, Rarity," Applejack said. "We gotta get outta here and tell somepony about Twilight. She's deranged. She needs our help."

"Don't you think I realize that?" Rarity asked exasperatedly. "If we are able to make an escape, we can hitch a ride straight to Canterlot Castle and report Twilight and her deranged husband to Princess Celestia. She'll know what to do. She always knows what to do."

"Mighty fine plan, Rarity, but...what's yer plan for gettin' us outta here?"

"We need to distract the guards. I noticed the bars don't have a key, so we can open them from inside - an extremely primitive prison - but we are trapped here as long as the guards are here." Rarity turned her head to face Rainbow Dash. "Rainbow, you love making funny faces for security guards. Can I count on you to divert the attention of those guards out there?"

"Totally!" she exclaimed, saluting.

"The rest of us will make an escape attempt. But we must make our timing perfect. I suggest we wait until morning, right before our execution. The guards will go after Rainbow Dash, and we can get away and fight off anyone who tries to stop us."

"What about me?" Rainbow asked. "Am I just doomed to be caught by the guards?"

Rarity shook her head. "No, Rainbow, you'll just fly out of here and bring yourself back to Canterlot. We'll catch the Friendship Express when we get there. But you, Rainbow, once you're free of the Everfree Forest, get your blue butt to Canterlot Castle and relay our warning to Princess Celestia as soon as you can."

"Understood."

"What if we don't make it?" Pinkie Pie asked.

A cold shiver stung Rarity's body. "Let's pretend that failure is impossible."

"I don't wanna die!" Pinkie Pie screamed, tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

"We're not gonna die," Rarity said calmly. "Have faith. Twilight may be deranged and intelligent, but there's no way she and her precious guards are gonna detain all five of us. We outnumber and outwit them. We'll make it...together..."

"And what if we don't?" Fluttershy whispered, her eyes shimmering like Pinkie Pie's.

"If we don't...then we'll die here together..." Rarity put her hooves into Pinkie Pie's, who was sitting on her left, and Applejack, who was seated at her right. Every pony held hooves with the pony abreast to them. "We'll make it...but...if we don't...we'll die here together...success or not, we're a family...and if we fall...we fall as one."

Tears were shed. Pinkie Pie lunged to Rarity and started crying. Rarity patted her back, a tear or two streaming down her cheek.

"We'll make it...I promise..."

Rarity did not sleep that night. She stayed up, and mothered Pinkie Pie until she stopped crying and fell asleep in her lap. Rarity assumed that since Twilight was not with them, and since she's also a unicorn, the group just elected her as their new leader. Why Pinkie Pie was being such a crybaby, however, that Rarity could not answer. Everyone else slept in a circle around the hollow cave. The only sound audible was Rainbow Dash's snoring. It was quiet and peaceful, and surprisingly warm considering how cold of a place the Everfree Forest was considered to be, especially with the deadly storm encroaching overhead.

Morning came. The first thing that happened was the prison gate was opened by the guards who monitored it.

"Alright, everypony," one of them said. "Let's get this over with. Come with us."

"Rainbow - that's your cue."

Without a word, Rainbow Dash bolted from the cave, and started on hoof through the Feral village as fast as her hooves could carry her.

"Hey! You! Stop! Get back here!" the other guard shouted, both of them chasing after the pegasus.

Meanwhile, the other four made their escape. They ran out of the mountain and into the village, moments behind the guards, when a familiar figure - her mane up in a bun - blocked their path.

"Uh-uh-uh," she said, standing on her hind hooves, her deadly spear pointed at them. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Um...freedom?" Rarity sarcastically inquired.

Twilight shook her head. "I don't think so."

"Twilight, please! This is your friend, Rarity, talking! You're not in your right mind! You're delusional! You're deranged! You're out of your ever-loving mind! You're not a Nub, you're a Feral, you're not a Great Mistress of anything - you're Twilight Sparkle, our friend, and just a regular unicorn."

Twilight's pupils shrunk in her eyes. Rarity's words touched her. As soon as she was lost in realization, the group continued their flee. She was paralyzed. She vaguely remembered what life as like before she became a Feral, and started this whole society. She hardly remembered who those ponies were and how special they were to her. Suddenly all the thoughts about her friendships and memories of the quality times she had with them came rushing back to her. Were those ponies really her friends? Or were they simply playing the cards they wanted so they could make their escape? Blinded by her new personality - her new insane personality - Twilight suddenly snapped out of it. She did not trust those ponies with her life. She showed a fiendish face of abhorrence and resentment. She turned around and hissed at the intruders.

"Go ahead, run!" she roared. "But don't think there's any place to run to! We will find you! Our numbers will exceed yours, and we will overcome any obstacle in our path! Don't even think about coming back here! Because if you do, you will never be seen again!"

Twilight would have bothered to chase her so-called friends in an effort to apprehend them, but Rainbow Dash had already made her escape from the guards, and the others were so distant, there was no use chasing them. They had got away.

They all took a breather in the Everfree Forest, out of sight from the Feral village.

"How many are there of us?" Rarity asked.

"Four," Pinkie Pie answered.

"Plus Rainbow Dash, who we assume made it out of here alive. Alright, now to the Friendship Express. We'll go straight to Canterlot and then to Princess Celestia. Let's move!"

Rainbow Dash, being the fastest flyer in Equestria, only took several minutes to reach Canterlot from where she began. She landed herself right at the entrance of Canterlot Castle, and let her wings rest while she walked on all four of her hooves inside the great building. She went directly to Princess Celestia.

"Princess Celestia!"

"Rainbow Dash? What are you doing here?"

"There's been a disturbance in the balance of harmony in Equestria!"

"Oh?"

"Twilight has gone mad and started this secret society known as the Ferals. They're taking refuge in the Everfree Forest, and that in it of itself isn't so bad, but she doesn't really remember us or her life as your most faithful student, and she almost tried to kill us! And she would've if we hadn't escaped!"

"Oh, my..." Princess Celestia did not seem to be aware of this travesty. "Thank you for coming to me, Rainbow Dash. Twilight is clearly not the only pony in your little circle of friends who is noble."

"It was all Rarity's idea. The others are on their way as we speak...she's hoping you'll let us stay here in Canterlot until Twilight comes to her senses."

"Of course you may," Princess Celestia smiled meekly. "There are a few empty suites here where you can stay."

"Thank you, Princess Celestia."

Chapter 8 - Interlude

Twilight was devastated. She spent the rest of the day in silent contemplation, watching in sadness as her village of Feral ponies gradually grew into a town. New faces were popping in from all over Equestria, seeking shelter and safety under Twilight's roof. Dawn sat next to her, also dangling his hooves from the top of his wife's divine fortress, now recently completed as day turned to dusk. It was difficult to tell exactly what time of day it was, for the dark, ominous clouds which loomed in overhead never parted, and seemed to be getting heavier and heavier with each passing hour.

"The intruders got away," Dawn said.

"I know," Twilight whispered in response.

"Is it likely they will return with more?"

Twilight shook her head. "No. They seemed to be too scared to fight."

"What are we gonna do? We cannot let any more intruders through these walls. And especially not be able to escape a public execution like that. If others hear of their retreat, we may start losing some of the residents. They know you rule with an iron hoof. And they feel safe and protected under that strict level of guard. If they believe that you are vulnerable, they may start to distrust you. And we can never regain their trust if we were to lose it."

"How many are there now?"

"Well over two thousand," Dawn replied.

Twilight looked surprised. "Two thousand?...Eyes?"

Dawn shook his head. "Heads."

Twilight was unaware of how popular her society was becoming. Their numbers had grown exponentially in just a matter of days. Countless homes had been established, as well as a library, granaries, storage sheds, lumbermills, mines, a temple, a whole marketplace, a town hall, of course the divine fortress, and a large conference hall not far from the town hall. Twilight was not in charge of a simple village or even a small town anymore: she was the Divine Mistress of a whole city of ponies who trusted her with their lives. They felt rejected and tormented by the rest of society. But Twilight blocked them away from that scorn and ridicule, and brought them to a place of peace and acceptance. That is why they came. And that is why they stayed.

"As I see it, there are two options ahead of us," Dawn began. "We can either stay here, secluded in the depths of the Everfree Forest, or we can hold a revolt."

"A revolt?" Twilight asked. "Doesn't that seem a little...extreme to you?"

Dawn thought that was quite an impressive interrogation from Twilight, considering that even he agreed that she had not been herself since Bones disappeared. "Listen, my dear Twilie. The Everfree Forest is a huge place, with lots of unexplored territory that we can claim for ourselves. We can spend months - even years - here, expanding our borders and supporting the continuously growing population. But the Everfree Forest is only so big. There's only so many trees we can chop down, houses we can build, and places we can go before we're just too crowded to thrive anymore."

Twilight thought Dawn made an excellent point.

"What exactly would the revolt do?"

"The revolt would finally bring all those who mocked us for being Nubs and Fwaps down on their knees and obey our command. We are growing stronger every day. We can fabricate weapons and armors for everyone, and usher in a voice that has otherwise gone unheard in this wretched world. We can open ears and have the natives hear our pleas, and finally succumb to what we desire. If we are successful, we can grant the Ferals not just a home, but freedom that they desire deep down, and are just too scared and insecure to know it."

Twilight considered the revolt. "We'd have to hit them at their weakest point - their Achille's Heel...Celestia...the Royal Canterlot Throne. If we take down the Royal Canterlot Throne, the rest of Equestria will crumble. And they will hear our voices...but why go through all the effort just to ask for freedom? Why not make it a whole revolution and a mutiny?"

"A mutiny? You mean you want to take over Equestria?" Dawn asked.

"All it takes is the dethroning of the Royal Canterlot Sisters: Princess Luna, and Princess Celestia. Nopony else is even near their ranks, not even Princess Cadence. She may be royalty, but she's a peasant compared to Luna and Celestia. It will be no easy task, but our numbers are huge...Dawn, tell everyone to meet in the conference hall tonight right before bedtime. And tell them that their attendance is mandatory."

Nighttime came. The torches set up around town were lit, and once they were, the Feral ponies started to gather in the biggest building in town: the conference hall. Twilight and Dawn stood at the front of the hall on a slightly elevated stage.

"Attention Ferals," Twilight began aloud. "I'm sure you're all familiar with who I am. But for you new ponies, I am the Divine Mistress, Twilight Acorna Sparkle. You may address me as Mistress Sparkle, if you shall speak directly to me. I understand that most of you are very shy. That is understandable, considering the tragic backstories I'm sure you all have. And it is these tragic backstories which explains my purpose for standing in front of you all tonight: we are going to charge a revolution against the Royal Canterlot Throne."

Many Ferals in the audience looked at one another in confusion.

"For those of you who don't know, Canterlot is the crown jewels of Equestria: the city of gold as it were. The heads of this city belong to none other than Princess Luna and Princess Celestia, sisters who bear the greatest power of anypony in all of Equestria. If our revolt is to be successful, we must apprehend those two alicorns and, to ensure our glory, kill them. They are the only ponies standing in our way between the life we live now as Ferals, and being able to conquer the world and make everpony in Equestria feel the pain, sorrow, torment, and misery we have felt when we were cast aside, rejected, ridiculed, mocked, scorned, alienated, whatever applies to you. We are hundreds strong. My husband tells me we have over two thousand in our population. I will admit: that is a lot of ponies. And each and every one of you is welcome to our home. Stay as long as you like - forever if you want - because come the day after the revolt, you will have all of Equestria at your hooves!"

There was quiet talk in the audience.

"Our plan is simple: kill Princess Luna and, more importantly, Princess Celestia. Now here's what we'll do: we will raid Ponyville and clear a path to the Friendship Express train station, which we will bring under our total control, so may ride out to Canterlot. From there, we will be divded into two uneven groups. The bigger group will apprehend everypony in Canterlot, keep them out of our way, and ensure our storm through the Castle. The second smaller group will follow me and Dawn as we storm the Castle, and find and exterminate the Royal Canterlot Sisters as we gain control of Equestria. This is no easy task. However, we will spend the next few days training you all, and crafting weapons and armor for the job, so you may all be well equipped for the mission.

"Now, here is the difficult part: I only want the most loyal of all of you in my armies. Those of you who are in favor of this revolt, please stay here and feel free to join in on the action when the time comes. Those of you who oppose this, you may stay the night, but come tomorrow, you must vacate the town, and if you don't, we will assume you want in on the mission, and will give you your weapons and armor and train you like the others, and expect you to participate come the day of the revolt.

"We are fighting not because we want to, but because we have to. If we do not retaliate against the heinous forces of Equestria, we shall spend the rest of our lives in the darkness they force upon us. We are not a people worth putting in the dark. Our voices deserve to be heard, our freedom deserves to be given upon our command. That is why, come hell or high water, we will fight!"

Twilight raised her mighty spear overhead and roared. Many members of the audience roared right along with her. She had them right where she wanted them.

"We move out in three days. This hearing is now adjourned. Please return to your cottages and get some sleep. You will need to be well rested for the heist."

Quietly, the conference hall emptied as everypony returned to their homes. Soon all the hooftsteps faded into the sound of gentle snoring as the town fell asleep. The only waking ponies were Twilight and her husband, Dawn, who sat in front of the roaring campfire in the middle of town.

"Are you sure they can handle this, Twilie, my dear?" Dawn asked his wife.

Twilight nodded. "I am the Divine Mistress of these good ponies. They entrust me with everything they have. I would not ask anything of them if I had any doubt that they should not carry on with the mission. I have come too far with them to let anything have them distrust me."

"Okay then," Dawn said. "If you're confident that we will succeed, then I trust you, and that we will succeed."

"We cannot fail," Twilight continued without even acknowledging her husband's remark. "We outnumber and, by the day of the revolt, outgun them. The population may not be able to fly or cast spells, but we have strength in numbers and intellect. These are a smart people. They are resourceful and intelligent. As shy as they are, they have proven themselves worthy of anything they put their minds to. That is why I am so confident that we shall succeed. We will not fail."

Dawn put his hoof around Twilight as they sat in silence in front of the campfire until it died.

Chapter 9 - In the Presence of Enemies

A gentle rain began to trickle from the clouds above. The storm was encroaching as the day of the revolt drew closer and closer. It was a bitter, harsh, and admittedly cold few days the Ferals spent in training from their Master and Mistress. Twilight now bore a necklace: much like the one Zecora made for her when Trixie isolated her from Ponyville after a rematch when Trixie gained the Alicorn Amulet and enslaved Ponyville upon Twilight's inevitable defeat. Those who were not in training proceeded with the task of manufacturing weapons and armor. Twilight had earlier announced that their only targets were Princess Luna and Princess Celestia, so the weapons which were not shields were crafted more on the defensive side of tactics as opposed to the offensive side. The weapons they created were designed to apprehend anyone who would stand in their way, but not necessarily kill them easily. Twilight did prepare them, however, for anything, and that includes the ability to kill anyone who would go great lengths to stop her or her army.

The Ferals were sent through several tests of strength, speed, agility, and strategy, being unable to advance in their training until the previous test was passed. Some took all three days to pass all the tests they were given; most passed on their first try. Because there were over two thousand of these ponies, Twilight did tend to let some slide since she and Dawn experienced difficulty in keeping track of all the information and data they acquired. She also let anyone who was manufactoring weapons slide, since there was already enough ponies in training. Amazingly, only half of the Feral population spent any time working on weaponry, but they crafted enough weapons and armor for everypony: armor which covered their entire body, including their hooves and their flanks, and weapons which were both lightweight and functional for the task of moving the natives out of the way, and attacking them if and when necessary.

The day had finally come. Twilight and Dawn stood side-by-side at the top of the Divine Fortress to give one final speech before they made their move.

"Ferals," she called from above, in her loud, booming, female voice. "The day has finally come that we commence our revolt against the Royal Canterlot Throne. It is with great pleasure and honor that I hereby commemorate you all to be the greatest warriors we can produce. Granted, we're not an academy, and we only spent three days on training you all, but between our strength in numbers and everyone's individual abilities, I have no doubt that we will succeed in our efforts. This is it. Our time has come to tear down the walls of Canterlot Castle - literally, if we must - and annihilate the Royal Canterlot Sisters once and for all, so our voices can be heard, and everyone here will obtain the freedom you each deserve. No more torment. No more agony. No more scorn. As of now, you are all free ponies. Good luck, and if any of you don't make it, it's been an honor being your Divine Mistress."

Lightning struck, and thunder roared overhead.

"ALL OUT!"

Twilight and Dawn climbed down from the Divine Fortress, and led the massive army of Feral ponies to the entrance of the Everfree Forest, where they took a quick breather to allow everypony to catch up, and then proceeded determinedly straight to Ponyville. An earthquake began to rumble under the hooves of everypony in town. Since Rainbow Dash was not present to warn everypony of the upcoming stampede of Ferals, everyone was all for themselves in finding shelter and protection away from the legion of charging Feral ponies as they galloped and sped through town, crushing or destroying everything in their path. Several natives tried to stop them - including Mayor Mare - but the Ferals pushed on, and overwhelmed anyone who dared to block their path.

Twilight and Dawn were at the very front of the pack, just inches ahead of the crowd. They guided the mob, and were the first line of attack for anypony who forbade their progression. No defense on Ponyville's part would be enough to stand up to the Ferals. Their numbers just too great, their strength simply too overwhelming, and their determination uncanning.

A heavy fog started to roll in over the streets of Ponyville. Large, bright strikes of lightning cracked in the night, thunder boomed and bellowed in the distance as a mighty roar spread through the heavy, black clouds above. A near endless onslaught of rain wetted the roads and stained everything in water, but was of no intrusion to the army which trotted across town to the Friendship Express station.

Twilight turned around when they arrived.

"I want a few hundred of you to stay here and make sure we receive no surprise attack from Ponyville."

Over two thousand nods, and a few hundred salutes. The rest lined up on the tracks of the Friendship Express. Twilight's army shrunk from twenty-five hundred heads to two thousand even. The line of Ferals stretched over a mile, and caused the train itself to brake dead on its tracks. The remaining Ferals stormed the train, and gained control of it. Dawn hurried to the helm, and Twilight stood at the top of the engine car. A good number of the Ferals boarded inside, and the rest followed the slow-moving train to Canterlot along the tracks.

The fire within Twilight's eyes blazed in a frightful flame which lust for destruction and terror, a flame which was not extinguished from the wind and raindrops which violently struck her eyes. She stood on her two hind hooves, covered in her armor, spear on her back, sword and shield in hoof, and watched in determination as the Canterlot Castle grew ever the more close to the her. She could pratically see the Princess through the humongous windows of the Great Hall at the top of the Castle.

Ponyville may have not been prepared for the stampede. Canterlot, on the other hoof, was.

While Twilight was training the Ferals for the revolt, the warning Rainbow Dash heeded the Princess was more than enough for Canterlot to prepare for the attack. Shining Armor, Captain of the Royal Guard, was contacted, and a command structure for the revolt was established long even before the Ferals began their journey to Canterlot.

The train drew closer. Twilight clenched her teeth so hard, they ached. She gave a ravenous look to the magical city. It's a good day to die she thought to herself. The storm abated as the raindrops fell like bullets from the sky. Lightning lit up the darkness, and thunder howled like wolves in the night. The steam engine passed through the station of Canterlot, the entire Royal Canterlot Army greeting them. At the head of the league was none other than Shining Armor, decked out in his purple armor.

"Hello, Twilight," he said darkly as the Friendship Express came to a stop.

Twilight jumped down onto solid ground from the engine.

"Shining Armor," Twilight said.

She barely remembered him, her brain was so corrupted and consumed by the lust for freedom she desired.

"I have the entire Royal Canterlot Army at the ready," he continued. "And they are ordered to attack if necessary. But not unless I give the word. Now, you're still my sister, and I still love you. I will give you one chance to drop your weapons, tell your little friends to retreat, and bring this nightmare to an end."

Twilight stood motionless, sweat (or maybe that was just the rain on her face) pouring down her lavender cheeks, sword in hoof, and determination pulsing through her veins.

"I cannot break the promises I have made to my people," she retorted.

Shining Armor pretend to laugh under his breath. "You really think you're one of them?" he asked. A long moment of silence. "Guards..." he sighed. "Sieze her."

All at once, the Ferals burst from the Friendship Express, and the Royal Canterlot Army butted heads as they engaged themselves in battle, except for the few hundred remaining Ferals who would participate in the final phase of Twilight's plan. Twilight inched her way through the chaos, having to retaliate many, many times with her sword as she crawled to freedom at a frustratingly slow pace. She dared not get herself into any actual combat, for she was saving the greatest portion of her mortal strength for the Princess.

Slowly, the final bunch of Ferals emerged from the warzone that was formerly the entrance to Canterlot. The streets were completely vacant. Twilight figured Princess Celestia must have ordered everyone indoors for their safety. All that did was make Twilight's plan go all the more smoothly as she soon found herself approaching the stairs to Canterlot Castle.

There she might an unkindly group of guards, who drew spears on her without warning. She dueled with her sword, her final move involving doing a backflip in midair, and performing a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree spin with a mighty thrust of her weapon. The spears broke into two.

"That's why I switched to swords!" she exclaimed as she scurried up the rest of the staircase, a good number of Ferals trailing behind her, leaving the guards in nothing but a cloud of dust.

Twilight made it to the Canterlot Castle front doors. A huge plank of wood was placed in the handles, and forbade entrance. Twilight raised her sword high over her head and sliced it in half, gaining access inside. There, she simply bypassed all the guards that came her way by hopping off the walls, leaving the actual duels and brawls to the ever-shrinking number of Ferals who followed her as she got further and further to the Princess. Luna was nowhere to be found. Twilight did wonder where she was hiding, but she decided to worry about her at a later time. She was after Princess Celestia, the most powerful alicorn in Equestria.

She was the only pony remaining by the time she reached the Great Hall. There, at the other end of the interminable hallway, was Princess Celestia, who had been waiting for her. The shadow Twilight cast whenever lightning flared in the night stretched across the entire red carpet. That was the only thing which stood between her and world domination: that very red carpet.

Now here they are: a lavender-colored Feral unicorn without any magical prowess, and one of the most powerful unicorns in Equestria - who is also an alicorn - face to face, about to begin the final battle for Equestria. The Feral unicorn had her pretty mane wrapped up in a bun, her whole body painted and covered in a heavy suit of armor, a sword and a shield in hoof, standing on her hind legs, her cutie mark out of sight, and nothing but a burning passion for death in her pupils.

"Well well well," Princess Celestia began calmly. She made no anguish in her one visible eye. "If it isn't my most faithful student."

Twilight hissed.

"I know what your plan is, Twilight Sparkle. You intend to slay me and conquer Equestria. Obviously, I cannot allow that. But I am not interested in your plan for world domination and the liberation of your precious ponyfolk: I am interested in the chain of events which led to your antagonism. This is not like you, Twilight. I know something is up. Something isn't right about you. Something is definitely amiss. What, I cannot say. But I understand that I am not talking to Twilight Acorna Sparkle, the greatest student to ever have attended my magic school. Why throw all that time and effort you spent learning and earning knowledge with this one stupid show you put on, Twilight?"

Twilight began to creep closer to the Princess, sword already at the ready in her two front hooves as her hind hooves moved her forward.

"I know that you would never try anything like this if you were in your right mind. Even your husband believes you're out of your mind - and he's dueling your older brother back at the entrance! So of course, I will not kill you unless I absolutely have to. I cannot afford for you to kill me, and gain the power you don't even desire - let alone need. You think you need to conquer Equestria in order to be happy. When truly, I know you find happiness with your friends. Take a look around! Look at all these murals - all that you have accomplished as a regular unicorn studying abroad in Ponyville!"

Twilight paused halfway to the Princess, and stared up at the mural she was in front of: the one in which brought memories of the six of them defeating Discord. Something in Twilight snapped, and she swung her sword and smashed the glass, causing the terrible storm outside to leak into the Great Hall. She resumed her walk, dripping from the rainwater, thirsty for blood.

"So, that's how it is? You don't even want to remember the good times before you became a homicidal maniac? You know very well that I will do whatever it takes to defend my kingdom and the ponies of Equestria. Even if it means to eliminate my most faithful student. The cost of one life in order to redeem many more...it's a hard choice...but an easy decision."

Twilight let out a battle cry, charged, and leapt up to the Princess, who flew up into the air, and shot a powerful bolt of magic at Twilight's hooves, causing her to stumble backwards on the carpet. She landed.

"I will not let my kingdom fall!" she exclaimed.

Twilight rose to her hooves, picked up her sword and shield, and charged again, the Princess, in response, let out a massive bolt of magic, which reflected off the walls of the Great Hall and shot Twilight in the stomach. She collapsed to the ground.

The Princess then approached the injured Twilight. She was hurt, but there was no mark anywhere on her chest or anywhere else on her little pony body, probably due to the armor she bore. Her sword and her shield were just out of her reach She panted as she desperately sat up.

"Look at you," Princess Celestia began. She put her hoof on Twilight's cheek and applied pressure to turn it to face a mural in which Twilight could see her own reflection. "All that body paint...all that armor...your mane up in a bun...that insignia painted on your forehead...this is not the Twilight Sparkle I know and love and respect as a student. This is a demon in a false body; a homicial maniac trapped in a friendly, purple pony body. It is clear to me now that you truly believe you're one of those Feral ponies. Rainbow Dash and your other friends told me all about them. Those Nubs and Fwaps that they used to be called. Poor things. It's a shame they have to live their lives in social isolation. Clearly, bringing them to their enemies and promoting violence and destruction was the wrong thing to do. They elected you to be their leader because you're the only one of them who has an artificial horn. Well, wake up Twilight! You're not one of them! You're just a regular old unicorn who happened to lose her horn saving Equestria from genocidal annihilation. I'm sorry I have to do this, but I have no other choice."

Princess Celestia held Twilight down firmly with her hoof. Twilight squirmed to get up, but failed. She grunted and whined, but the Princess did not let up. The yellow aura around her horn glowed. She slowly brought her horn closer and closer to Twilight. When she was just centimeters away from Twilight's horn, the Princess brought her head back and smashed her horn against Twilight's.

Twilight expected sheering pain in her head, but felt absolutely nothing as her artificial horn was shattered off her head, leaving nothing but a purple nub in its wake.

Chapter 10 - Conclusion

Princess Celestia took her hoof off of Twilight, and backed away promptly.

Twilight's head hit the carpeting beneath her, and she rotated her head so she could see her reflection in the mural again. There it was again: the nub. No horn. But that was not the only thing that was different about her before this whole quandary began. She was covered in thick armor, wore her mane differently, painted nearly every square inch of her beautiful body, and was crowned leader of the Ferals. She had changed. She had realized that before, but never before did all that metamorphosis come rushing to her than it did that moment as she laid there in a heap on the floor of the Great Hall.

The storm outside suddenly became more distant as the thunder grew quieter and the lightning dimmer.

Was it finally all over?

Twilight slowly rose to her hind hooves. She stood there, unbalanced, for only a moment. She picked up a sword without looking hostile in her demonstration, and stared at the reflection of her visage it produced within its shine. She took off her helmet, and glanced at her reflection once more. There was her bunned-up mane. There was her body paint. There was her Alicorn Amulet insignia on her forehead. There was the nub. Something inside her snapped like a twig. She roared, raised her sword, and charged at the Princess with all her might. The Princess, still trying to interpret what was going on, hid her face in her large wing, closed her eyes, and prayed that Twilight's blade would not be inserted into her.

A second before the Princess would be stabbed, a blinding light spontaneously flared up from nowhere, an orb of intense brightness swelling up in front of the two ponies as a familiar figure emerged from within the orb: Star Swirl the Bearded, in all his magical glory, trademarked uniform and all. Twilight was sent flying to the other side of the Great Hall.

"Am I too late?" he asked rhetorically. He jerked his head in the direction of the Princess, then to Twilight, and then back to the Princess. "I guess not."

Princess Celestia lowered her wing and saw the ancient unicorn right in front of her. She recognized him from the books she read about him as a young mare.

"Star Swirl the Bearded?" she asked hesitantly, slowly stepping forward towards him. "Is that you?"

"It is," he said, turning to face the Princess. "You must be Princess Celestia." He bowed. "Your Highness."

"What are you doing here? You've been dead for ages!"

Star Swirl the Bearded nodded. "I know I should be," he replied. "But I used a special aging spell which has kept me alive all this time. Even so, I know my days are numbered. Anyway, I've come to help Twilight."

"Twilight? Wait, you-...you two have met?"

"Indeed we have, Princess. I taught Miss Twilight the spell she used to defeat King Sombra some time ago. I asked her not to reveal my presence in Equestria, in a desolate cave not far from the Crystal Empire. I'm happy to say that she kept that promise. For if she didn't, she'd probably be dead by now. I know I'm exposing myself by being here, but I cannot think of any greater urgency than the one happening right here, right now."

"The revolt?" Princess Celestia inquired.

"Indeed. I believe I can bring this whole nightmare to an end..." he seemed to have paused. "And all it requires is helping my dear Twilight Sparkle. Where is she?"

"Right over there," Princess Celestia pointed to the knocked-down pony with her hoof.

"Oh, dear!" Star Swirl the Bearded rushed over to the fallen pony. "My goodness! What happened to her? I almost don't recognize her!"

"She went insane," the Princess remarked coldly. "She'll be fine; she experienced minor chest pain."

Twilight regained consciousness a moment later, seeing her idols hovering over her. Star Swirl helped her up to her hooves - all four of them. Without a word, she removed the armor.

"Star Swirl the Bearded?" she asked when she recognized the ancient stallion. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to help you," he answered with a smile.

"How? How did you even know about anything?"

"Bad news travels fast in the Crystal Empire, and it didn't take long for me to hear about your little incident," he pointed to her nub. "I spent some time in the Crystal Empire incognito and heard about your ordeal with your horn. And since then, I've been conducting research on how to resolve your predicament. As it turns out, there is a way to restore your horn back to its original state - magic and all."

Twilight gasped. "No!"

Star Swirl the Bearded nodded. "Indeed there is. It requires a severe level of magical intellect, and a massive amount of magical power...which can become sacrificial. As dark as that may make it, I find this cure to be quite convenient on my part."

"What do you mean?"

Star Swirl the Bearded turned away. He walked to the window of the dark and misty skies, putting his hoof to the glass. "I knew coming here to save you would expose myself. I'm glad you kept your promise to me, Twilight," he turned to her. "I don't know what would've happened had you betrayed me."

She did not reply.

"I hope to minimize my exposure, Princess," he continued, now turning to the Princess. "I don't belong here anymore, anyway. So what better thing to do than eliminate myself from this world?"

"Star Swirl, you-"

Star Swirl raised a hoof to silence the alicorn. He then returned to Twilight.

"I researched the anatomy of a unicorn's horn, and I also discovered a spell which allows a pony to transfer their magical prowess to another unicorn...for a price. I'm not certain, but, as my research stated, anyone who cast this spell in the past died from it. In the effort to continue my confidential presence here in Equestria and Canterlot, I am hoping this spell will do the same for me, and put me out of my misery."

"A suicide!?" shouted the Princess.

"Misery?" Twilight asked. "What misery could you possibly have? You're Star Swirl the Bearded! You're the greatest magician I know! You've done stuff with magic I can only dream about - even before I lost my horn!"

Star Swirl grinned. "I'm flattered, Twilight Sparkle. But I have already made my deicision. I cannot live on in this world anymore." He then turned to Celestia. "Princess, would you do me a favor, please, and synthesize another horn for Twilight? I cannot perform my spell with a nub."

"Not if you're gonna kill yourself," Princess Celestia retorted.

Star Swirl sighed. "I know what you're thinking, Princess. But I have no other choice. I don't belong here. I'm not wanted. I am resented and abhorred. Please understand me, Celestia. I am not killing myself so much as saving Twilight, and, by coincidence, ending my life. Please...it would mean the world to me..."

"Why can't you do it yourself? You're more powerful of a unicorn than I am!"

Star Swirl shook his head. "I am very old and very weak. Age has weakened me. I was barely able to perform the teleportation spell which allowed me to come here in the first place. I fear that if I give her back her horn, I won't be able to go through the restoration spell."

Princess Celestia sighed. "Very well, Star Swirl the Bearded. I will do my best."

"Thank you."

Those would be the last words Star Swirl the Bearded will ever say.

Princess Celestia approached Twilight, who remained stationary, like a statue, in front of her. She closed her eyes, lowered her head, the yellow aura of her magic glowing brightly. Closer and closer she came to the nub, until her horn made physical contact with it. She slowly backed away, and a brand-new horn - just like the old one and the one Twilight was born with - was seen on Twilight's head.

Star Swirl the Bearded then stepped up, closed his eyes, and began his spell. A lightning-like bolt shot out from the tip of his horn, and shot straight to the tip of Twilight's horn. He could feel himself getting weaker and fainter as he literally felt his own magical powers drain from his being. The green aura around his horn began to recede and fade away as color became less and less apparent. Twilight's eyes glowed brightly. She could feel magic returning to her body, manifesting within her being, boiling up inside herself as all the strength and liberation of magic erupted inside her.

Star Swirl was finally emptied. He suddenly collapsed to the ground, a white aura of light surrounding his deceased body. It quickly faded, Star Swirl's body disappearing into complete nothingness as the stormy clouds outside parted.

A tear formed in Twilight's eye.

"Goodbye, Star Swirl," she whispered. She sniffled. "We'll miss you."

"Do you have your powers back, Twilight?" Princess Celestia inquired to the small pony.

Twilight concentrated on a spell which removed all of her body paint, including the tattoo of the Alicorn Amulet on her forehead.

"Yes, Princess," she said with a slight smile on her face.

"I am glad, but..." she failed to finish her sentence for a moment. "I still wonder about Star Swirl."

"I barely got to know him when we met back when King Sombra was in power," Twilight said. "He told me about his story, of why he felt so rejected from society. But...committing suicide to save me...I just never imagined that would be a possibility."

"He will be missed, and never forgotten."

A moment of silence.

"Your mane is still in a bun."

"Hmm? Oh, yeah...I-I know."

"Are you going to keep it that way, Twilight?"

"Yeah...Dawn really-" she gasped. "Dawn! Shining Armor! I have to do something!"

Twilight ran out of the Great Hall as the sun peeked through the clouds, bringing light and heat back to Equestria where there was otherwise nothing but darkness and despair.

She ran down the steps of Canterlot Castle, through the still-vacant streets, and to the entrance, where she found the Ferals all fled, and the remaining able-bodied members of the Royal Canterlot Army surround Shining Armor and Dawn in a full circle. She squeezed herself through the crowd of armed citizens, and reached the battle.

"Shining Armor! Dawn! Stop!"

The two unicorns stopped the horn-fight.

"Twilie!" they both shouted simultaneously, then looking at each other in confusion.

Twilight ran up to Shining Armor first, and hugged him in apology for the grief she put him through when she commenced the revolt. She gave a few words of sincere apology, gave him a kiss on his cheek, and then turned to her husband, and showed the same level of affection and apology to the other stallion she loved.

"I missed you so much!" she exclaimed, tears running down her cheeks.

Dawn gave her a kiss on her horn. "I missed you too, Twilie."

There was a pause.

"So...did you do it?...Did you kill the Princess?"

Twilight shook her head. "No...she's fine...i-in fact, I...I got my magical powers back."

"W-what? Really?"

"Yeah!" Twilight retracted her hug from her husband, and used her magic to remove the armor Dawn was previously wearing. "Ta-da!"

"Great! So...how...how did that happen?"

Twilight looked up to the moon in the distant sky. "I guess you could say it was just magic."

Another pause.

"If you'll excuse me, Dawn, Shining Armor...I must have a word with the Princess...I don't think we're on solid grounds with her just yet."

"Okay, Twilie. Your brother and I aren't going anywhere...we have our own amends to make."

Twilight gave one more hug to Dawn and Shining Armor, and then disappeared as she hurried back to Canterlot Castle.

"Twilight?" Princess Celestia asked when she heard the hoofsteps of the pony become increasingly louder. "What are you doing back?"

"I...I..aren't I supposed to receive punishment for my actions against Equestria?"

The Princess smirked. "Perhaps," she said casually. "But, while you were gone, I evaluated your efforts with the Ferals, and, in a nutshell, your punishment will be menial."

"I...I-how?" she asked.

"Your friends told me everything shortly before you planned the revolt. They told me about the Ferals, and the whole society you formed with them. Sure, you became an evil monarch and tried to claim the Canterlot Throne for your own selfish purposes, but I'm looking beyond that. Those ponies would have died out there in the Everfree Forest, had you not come to their rescue, redeemed them, and have them thrive in the days before the revolt. I could not be prouder of you for your remarkable resourcefulness and your impeccable leadership skills, Twilight. You have demonstrated the true potential of what it takes to be a good leader."

"Did they tell you about Bones?"

"No...who is he?"

"He's this mysterious stallion Dawn and I met before I became the Ferals' leader. He made a short speech, and then left us alone in the darkness of the Everfree Forest...and that's all we know of him. Apparently he was able to keep all the Feral ponies alive and well, and I didn't see any huts or houses or anything. It's as if he just fed them telepathically - which I know isn't possible."

"That's interesting," the Princess replied. "Almost as if he were...magic."

Twilight pondered that, but failed to reach a conclusion. She resumed the conversation.

"What's my punishment, Princess Celestia?"

"Oh, yes, Twilight, your punishment. Seeing as though you plotted a revolt against the Royal Canterlot Throne and tried to annihilate Luna and me from this earth..." she paused, but one could tell she was not considering a punishment: she already made up her mind. "Tell me what you have learned from all this."

Twilight's pupils shrunk in her eyes.

"That's...that's it?"

The Princess nodded. "That is all."

"But...but how?"

"Twilight, do you remember when you were banned from Ponyville when Trixie came back and beat you in a magic duel with the Alicorn Amulet, and her mind was corrupted?"

"Of course, Princess."

"In the same way her mind was corrupted, so was yours. From what, I cannot say. I will leave that information to your discovery. So here is your punishment: discover what made you corrupt, learn from your mistake, and I will not hold anything against you. You are my most faithful student, Twilight. I know you will accomplish great things in life. And I do not wish to be the pony responsible for holding you back from that. Had you done any of that out of your conscious well-being, I admit I would not be so lenient with your sentence, but since it was hardly any of your doing to begin with, I am minimizing your punishment."

Twilight bowed before her ruler. "Thank you, Princess Celestia."

The Princess grinned. "My pleasure, Twilight."

Twilight rose to her hooves. "I just have one more question, though, Princess."

"Yes?"

"What about the Ferals? They're still living in social isolation. What are we gonna do about them?"

"Twilight, don't you know? The words 'Nub' and 'Fwap' haven't been used in ages! Not because of the rarity of the ponies who were physically defective, but simply because when I took power of Equestria" the Princess mumbled something under breath "years ago with Princess Luna, we did not want anypony to live in shame or disgrace, so we altogether banned the use of those words from Equestrian vocabulary. I am shocked you weren't told that."

"Well...Bones was the pony who told me."

"Mmm-hmm. Like I've said I've never known of this Bones character, whoever he is. But I doubt he's youthful in any way, and he's probably been around since the coinage of such vile words."

"He did look pretty old."

The Princess chuckled. "I promise: I will find someplace where all the Feral ponies can go to live in peace, as well as let them know that society has changed since those words were coined, so they may choose to live together in their own civilization, or choose to move here to Ponyville or another Equestrian city as a normal resident. Return to me when you have your findings, and that will be the end of your punishment. In the meantime, there are some ponies who would like to see you again."

Twilight gasped gaily. "My friends!" She turned around and found her five best friends all in a row at the other end of the Great Hall, Princess Luna right behind them.

"Girls!" she exclaimed, running up to them and engaging in a group hug. "I've missed you all so much!"

"We've missed you too," everyone said in unison.

They ended the hug.

"Princess Luna," Twilight bowed for her superior officer. "It's a pleasure to see you again. Where were you?"

"I was with the others, guarding them with the highest security possible. It is a delight to see you again, too."

"Do I have your forgiveness for my destructive behavior as well?"

Princess Luna nodded. "Indeed you do, Twilight Sparkle. I will not hold a grudge against you if my older sister would not."

Twilight smiled. She gave Luna a hug of gratitude, Luna hesitantly hugging back. She then trotted back downstairs across town to her husband and her brother, who were, as they promised, waiting at the front of Canterlot, anxious for her return.

"So, you got your powers back," Dawn said after an affection greeting exchanged between the couple. "How, exactly?"

Twilight was sworn to secrecy about concealing Star Swirl's existence. He abided this secrecy under her admiration of him. However, Star Swirl was, well, dead. Was that the signal for terminating this secret? Or was she still under oath? Twilight, even though she knew that if she told, it would not come back to haunt her, decided to keep her promise to her idol.

"Hard to say," she lied, adding a giggle.

"Hmm."

"But, Princess Celestia showed me how to be able to restore your magic, too, Dawn."

"Oh, really?"

Twilight nodded enthusiastically. "Ah-huh! Close your eyes."

Dawn did so. "Alright, they're closed."

The violet aura around her horn glowed brightly as an orb of light flashed at the tip. Her eyes lit up a bright white light, and shined with the intensity of a thousand suns. She made physical contact with Dawn's useless horn, a bolt of the lightning-like energy reappearing. A spark burst where their horns touched, sending Twilight flying backwards.

"Ahh!"

Both stallions gasped. "Twilie!" They ran up to her.

Twilight's vision was blurry as she lay there on the ground, nearly paralyzed.

"Are you okay?" they both asked in unison.

Twilight groaned. "Am...Am I okay?" she asked.

"I don't know," Dawn laughed. "Are you?"

"I...I think so," Twilight rubbed her eyes and outstretched her hoof for Dawn to grab hold and help her up to all four. "Did it work?"

Dawn used a levitation spell to bring his wife into his arms for a kiss.

"It worked," he said.

They hugged.

Princess Celestia kept her promise about the Feral ponies, and they found comfort in their homes in the Everfree Forest. The Divine Fortress was torn down, however, and the materials were used in the construction of a statue in the center of the new town, Feral Village. Nopony was called a Nub or Fwap ever again. In fact, nopony except Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Twilight and Dawn were even aware that terminology was still in any existence.

Ponies from Ponyville visited Feral Village regularly. They were welcomed with open arms, and with the establishment of contact with the outside world, many Feral ponies came out of their shells, told others (especially Twilight) of their depressing backstories, made friends, and socialized. The Feral ponies were included in any town-wide announcements as if they were part of Ponyville themselves.

Twilight and Dawn worked out their domestic agreement for their marriage (finally). When Dawn and Twilight got to Dawn's cottage, his stuff had been put into storage and his home repossessed by the bank since, all this time, he had failed to pay his bills. The couple agreed to live together in the Library in Ponyville...but they also agreed to keep a home in the Feral Village, for whenever they wished to spend a night away from the hustle-and-bustle of the "big city" and live out in the countryside.

One day, after spending a few weeks as domestic partners, Twilight and Dawn were taking a stroll through Ponyville, when they spotted a familiar figure all lonesome at the wishing well near the center of town.

"Hey, is that...?" Twilight began, the two approaching the lone figure. He was leaning against the well, quietly strumming an acoustic guitar. "Bones? Is that you?"

"Indeed it is," he said calmly.

"What are you doing here in Ponyville?" Dawn inquired. "Shouldn't you be back with the Feral ponies...or back wherever you were from while Twilight was in power?"

Bones shook his head. "Nah...I'm just here t' say goodbye."

"Goodbye? But...but..." Twilight stuttered.

"Before I go, I wanted to talk to you for a moment, Twilight Sparkle."

"Uh...okay?"

Bones got off the well and smacked Twilight in the face. He then hugged her.

"Ow! What the- what the heck was that for?"

Bones retracted the hug. "It was for my mixed feelings about you. You showed excellent leadership skills, Twilight. You not only kept them alive, but they thrived under you." Twilight grinned. "However," her smiled disappeared. "In the process, you became an evil dictator and almost took over Equestria. That is why I slapped you in the face."

"And I get no apology?"

"You do...but not yet...I first wanted to tell you something. And then I will apologize for my violence."

"What is it?"

"Do you remember me saying that I've been a, as you say, Feral pony for so long, that I don't even remember whether I was a unicorn or a pegasus?"

"Of course."

"I'm actually an earth pony...knew it the whole time. How could I forget such a thing? I wasn't even one of them, yet I was the only pony in Equestria who had the heart to care about them. And I'm glad that somepony else can. It warms my old, crippled heart. I lied to you about myself for their safety, and...I'm sorry. After all, your insanity was to be expected, Twilight."

"Expected? What do you mean it was to be expected?"

"We all get caught up in feeling empowered, that we lose track of what's important in life. It's good to feel in power, and in control of inferior beings who obey your every command, even if your command isn't always the most reliable or intelligent. In other words, absolute power corrupts absolutely."

"Absolute power corrupts absolutely," Twilight mumbled. She looked up to Dawn. "Hey, that could be my lesson for Princess Celestia, and I can conclude my punishment!"

"Indeed you can!" Dawn exclaimed.

Twilight, eyes closed with excitement, faced back to Bones. "Oh, Bones, how could we ever thank-" she opened her eyes to find that the strange pony had vanished. He was nowhere in sight. "Bones...?"

There was no response.

Twilight looked back up to Dawn, who, simultaneously, gazed down at his wife. Although there was no physical movement of the two, there was a unanimous shrug which occurred. Dawn put his arm around Twilight; Twilight inched herself closer to Dawn. They then together looked up to the clear, blue skies above, in a wonder.