Power lies deep within

Michael landed in front of the castle without any sound. In all his time as an angel he had learned to be extremely light on his feet. Even pegasi made sounds as they moved, but the angel did not. He stood there for a second while he folded his majestic wings onto his back. He pondered at the times he stood here, over one thousand years ago. The time when he left, walking over the very path he was now standing on. He remembered how he didn't look back. He remembered his fury about the situation. He remembered his sadness. He remembered his tears...

He stared out over the small river that streamed in front of the castle. There was a bridge that spanned over it, allowing access to the castle. He stood at the edge of the bridge, still deep in thought.

"Hey... um.... good.. eeh... good morning" a voice from behind him said.

It was Twilight Sparkle. Michael turned around.

"Oh, hello little one", he said, "I'm terribly sorry about what I put you through yesterday, I truly am. I hope that you can forgive me in time".

He smiled ever so slightly.

Twilight let out a slight sigh.

"My name is Twilight Sparkle", she said, "I heard your story".

That clearly upset the angel. His face showed sadness again.

"That story is not meant for this land", he said, "she should not have told you".

"I can not say I fully understand", Twilight responded, "but your story moved me. I was very upset yesterday. But I forgive you. And I know Shining Armour will also forgive you"

The angel had bowed his head again. A single tear dropped from his eyes. "I do not deserve such kindness miss Sparkle. But thank you. Thank you so much. You can not begin to realize how much those words mean to me".

Twilight wanted to help him somehow. She felt like the person in front of her was completely void. Like his existence had no meaning to himself. Like nothing could ever fill the emptiness in his heart again. She did the only thing that she thought she could do. She walked up to him, stood up onto her hind legs and put her front legs around his neck, resting his head on her left shoulder. This made the angel even more emotional. He let out a slight sound, as if he was crying inside. He put his arms around twilight's back.

"You truly are too kind to me miss Sparkle", he whispered.

"You can call me Twilight if you want, miss Sparkle is too formal", Twilight said after she had let go of the angel.

The angel smiled.

"Alright Twilight, I'll do that", Michael responded, "But only if you will call me Michael in return".

Twilight smiled.

"I will."

They walked to the castle together. Twilight talked about her library in Ponyville. She told Michael about her studies, about Celestia being her teacher, about what she had learned about friendship. Michael didn't say much. He smiled all the way to the castle. He was clearly happy about the way Twilight talked to him.

When they arrived at the throne room, Shining Armour was waiting outside the door. He frowned as he saw twilight talking to the angel that had made her experience such a tragedy the other day.

"Can I talk to you for a second sis?", he asked Twilight.

"You should get inside, the others are waiting for you", he said to Michael in a monotone voice.

Michael nodded.

"Alright", was all he said as he walked in.

He knew it would take time to mend the wounds that he had inflicted upon the mind of the captain.

When Michael was inside, Shining Armour started speaking to Twilight

"What was that? have you lost your mind? He's dangerous!"

Twilight bowed her head.

"No he's not. You have no idea what he's gone through!" she spoke.

"Twilight", Shining Armour replied, "have you forgotten what happened yesterday?"

"No!", she responded.

"But princess Celestia told me what happened in his past, and even though I do not fully understand, he deserves another chance!".

Shining Armour frowned.

"Princess Luna said the same thing to me yesterday. I hope you're right Twily"

He looked troubled.

"We should get inside", he said as he turned around.

Inside the others were already gathered around a circular table. Celestia and Luna sat next to each other, facing the door. Michael sat next to Luna, then there was a gap of two chairs. Then there was Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. Pinkie Pie sat next to Celestia. It was clear that the five friends didn't dare to sit next to the angel yet. In their minds, he could not be trusted. Twilight chose to sit next to Applejack, making the row of six friends complete. Shining Armour took his place between Twilight and Michael.

The six friends all had their attention on the angel. Twilight was the first to speak.

"Princesses, if I may", she started.

Both Luna and Celestia nodded. They wanted to know what would come next.

"Princess Celestia told me the legend of humans tonight", Twilight continued, "I think everyone here should know what transpired in the ancient past. So that everyone here might understand what Michael is doing here".

Celestia bit her lip. She knew Twilight was right, but the legend of humans was a story that should be kept a secret. Michael was the one who responded to Twilight's proposition.

"You may tell the ones in this room, but I think it to be best if Equestria stays oblivious to the cruelty of the past"

"I agree", both Luna and Celestia said together.

"It is important that the events of the past do not corrupt the good hearts of all those who live here in peace", Celestia added.

Twilight explained everything that she had heard from Celestia. Michael said nothing. His eyes were closed as he was forced to remember his dark past. When Twilight got to the part where he fought his brothers, tears flowed from his closed eyes, but he did not make a sound.

After the story, all of the six friends and Shining Armour were silent for a long time. None of them could fully grasp the depth of the angels suffering, but they all realized that they had been too quick to judge him.

"I decided to give him another chance", Twilight said. "I met him on the bridge outside the castle this morning. I found that he could be another friend, if only we allow ourselves give him a chance".

The angel had opened his eyes again.

"I hope you will do the same", Twilight finished.

"While you all think about this, let's move to the urgent matter of why Michael is here in the first place", Celestia proclaimed.

"We have waited with this for far too long. Equestria is in danger and without a plan to stop Atum Ra, Equestria is doomed"

This brought the attention for the matter back to the group. Everyone directed their view to Michael, they expected him to have a plan ready.

"I know how to fight", Michael spoke, "and I can train those who are willing to fight with me. But beware, the path of a warrior is filled with regret. It will change the lives of those who join me forever. They might die, and even if they live to tell the tale, they might never find peace again".

These words made great impact on the group. They understood that in order to fight such evil, they would have to give up their peaceful life, and learn the truth about warfare.

"There is another way", Celestia spoke. "The Elements of Harmony".

"Even if you could find someone to wield them", Michael said, "They alone would not be enough to stop him. I would have to weaken him first. And I don't think I am able to do so on my own".

"We do have the elements of harmony", Rainbow Dash spoke while she jumped up. "It's the six of us!".

This clearly took the angel by surprise.

"Impossible", he claimed.

"After you left, Luna and I found a way Michael", Celestia said.

"It was the love of this land that made it possible for us to wield them".

"I don't believe it", Michael said, "this is something I dared not hope to see in my days"

"We already succeeded in defeating two enemies in the past years", Rainbow Dash spoke again, "we're totally able to take on this enemy of yours".

"I wouldn't speak so lightly about that", Michael spoke to Rainbow Dash, "but this at least gives us a fighting chance."

"What we need now is one who is trained in the art of warfare magic, like I am.", Michael continued, "but only someone with considerable strength and strong ties to the love of this land can withstand it's tainted effects. Is there someone in this land who could stand up to this challenge?".

"I'll take that task upon me", Shining Armour said while standing up. "I will gladly lay down my life if it means that Equestria can live in peace."

“And his wife will make sure his heart stays in the right place”, Luna said while smiling.

"It is decided then", Celestia spoke. "Michael will learn Shining Armour new kinds of magic. Luna and I will see to your mastery over the elements of harmony", she directed to the six friends.

"You are all in my gratitude of standing up to the challenge of defending Equestria again, it means everything to us to have such loyal subjects"