The Tales of Oathbound, The Mountain Hermit

This chapter marks the ending of this story and the beginning of a new one. In addition, despite the gore tag, there is not much violence in this chapter, but I won't break the rules of this website just because gore isn't the dominant theme in this chapter.

The day was slowly fading as the moon was raised, letting the darkness engulf the land as the ponies of Ponyville retired for the night. Sure as clockwork, everypony had gone to bed, the streets were all cleared and Oath wrapped up his patrol. All was perfectly smooth. Just how he liked it. Or so he thought.

"Ahh... Another day without any trouble."

As he went towards his house so he could get to sleep, Oath was missing all the trouble that he had to deal with back when he had first gotten to Ponyville. He was often in mortal danger, or one of his friends, but it made him feel... Alive. Like his duty had meaning. Sure, the Princess herself assigned him this task, but it still made him miss all that adrenaline-fuelled action.

Soon enough the silky sheets of his bed landed on top of Oath's figure as he relaxed his muscles. Sleep came quickly. He found that for some reason he always was a quick sleeper during the winter. The thick layers of snow and the cold breeze had not done much for his cold, but he didn't mind it. His amulet kept back the worst of the symptoms. A running muzzle and a slight headache was something he could easily deal with. And sleep would help. In his mind he longed for the day of the Winter Wrap Up. At least he could dream about it.

But the dream was not pleasant.

At first it was just a haze in his vision but soon the dream started to clear, revealing more than Oath would have ever wished.

A pony clad in the armor of a Canterlot guard was thrown aside by a strange black figure, a red axe floating by his side. The image circles around the black stranger, showing more guards who were all wounded, yet they were not whimpering or anything. They must have been dead. The earlier guard tried to rise to fight again, but with a swift strike he laid still, his blood flowing forth to coat the floor. Soon enough this figure's eyes come into view. Red eyes glow in the icy atmosphere, a cave formed from ice, before the image starts moving backwards. The icy land to the north of Equestria, it's evil hordes spilling forth to engulf the entirety of the land. Images of death, destruction, enslavement, misery...

Oath sees himself, kneeling down on the ground, Fluttershy on his hooves as Ponyville burns around them, creatures of darkness despoiling everything around them. Tears fall down on to the mare's unresponsive form. His friends try to hold back the darkness but without the Element of Kindness they are slowly driven back.

And the stranger is at the center of it all, despoiling the throne of Canterlot! Those eyes look straight at Oath, a wicked grin heralding the most evil laughter he had ever heard. A clash of red and blue are the only thing that he can make out before the scene of him holding his wife's lifeless body comes back. He sees himself look up. But it is not him. Blood red eyes stare at him. An evil smile forms on the impersonator's face.

"And it's all your fault..." The red-eyed stallion says, his form slowly turning black and his mane turning purple.

"Oathbreaker!"

Another scene appeared. A flowery field of roses, fluttering in the wind. But a pony's hoof stepped into view, causing the nearest plants to die and decay. A dark atmosphere descended on the field, as a hooded stallion came forwards, his magic dragging caskets with the cutie marks of the Elements of Harmony on them. The caskets were raised into the air before thrown forwards, into the only patch of healthy roses. A blast of red engulfed the patch, leaving nothing more than a blazing inferno as the stallion turned and walked away with a grin on his face.

"NO!" Oath cried out, holding his hoof out before he realized where he was.

His heart was racing. As he tried to calm himself down, he noticed how an axe had been created by his magic. He dismissed it and soon the axe dissipated, leaving only the gray stallion with his thoughts of what this could all mean. Soon enough the dawn arrived. He had not slept at all after that bad dream. Eventually he just dismissed it being meaningful in any way. It's just a bad dream isn't it? His friends did not seem to notice much difference about his demeanor, other than that he looked a bit sleepy.

He told them about the dream when he found them in Twilight's library. It took them off-guard.

"Whoa... That's some heavy stuff there, Oath." Rainbow Dash said, genuinely interested.

"You think it could have any meaning? Like a vision of some sort?" Oath said, a bit skeptical of his own words.

Twilight Sparkle tilted her head down and closed her eyes as she gave thought to that theory. All Oath had was this single dream, but what he apparently saw... It was a disturbing thing.

"I don't know. I would have to see it for myself before I make any conclusions. If you want, I know a spell that can let us see what you've seen."

Oath shuddered at the thought of witnessing the scene again. He knew of that spell, it takes the memory from you and lets everypony present to see it, clear as day. But he wanted to spare them from that. They didn't deserve to see that horror. Least of all Fluttershy. Twinkle Star was not there at the moment, as she was content to play with some of the other fillies outside in the snow. She didn't know how to fly yet, but then again, she was about the same age as Scootaloo during her filly years by now. Oath wondered how time could pass by so fast. It almost felt like yesterday since she was born.

His wife came with a blanket in her mouth as she laid it over Oath, warming his back comfortably, suggesting that the cloth had been heated earlier. He didn't really need it, but he was grateful. She was always making him feel at home, even when she was a guest at somepony's house. Twinkle Star couldn't have asked for a better mother.

"Thank you, Fluttershy. In this weather I sometimes find myself wondering how I manage to do this patrolling all the time."

She gave a wide smile as she started watching outside the window, where there was snowing, Twinkle hopping along the library's perimeter.

"Back to the topic. I'm sorry Twilight, but it... It's not something I wish you to see." Oath looked over at Fluttershy, who wasn't paying attention to anything else than the filly outside.

Twilight raised her hoof hurriedly into the air as she said:

"Oh! I just remembered!" Hurrying upstairs, she came down with a letter next to her, hovering via her magic. It had the royal seal, which was surprisingly not broken. Usually Twilight opened the Princess' letters faster than you could tell her that it was a letter from Princess Celestia. Everypony was looking confusedly at the purple unicorn as she came down.

"I got this letter, the mail pony gave it to me because of the seal, when it was actually directed to you, Oath."

An eyebrow raised, he used his own magic to bring it over, breaking the seal and opening the letter while it was still coming towards him. He eyed the letter and when he read it completely, he raised his other eyebrow and read it again, faster this time.

"Well this is unexpected!" Oath said, turning the letter around for everypony to look at it.

As the others looked at it, Oath looked outside the window, the filly gone from the window's view. The city of Canterlot could have been visible under other circumstances, but the falling snow made locating the city impossible.

"My dear friend Oathbound.

I would like to invite you as a royal guest to the Canterlot Guard Parade. As you know, this event sees the most promising of recruits take part in competitions that test their resolve in their efforts to join the Royal Guard. I want to see you there, Oathbound. It would give us a chance to talk. Perhaps you could even show Shining Armor a thing or two.

With warm greetings

Princess Celestia.

PS. I would be delighted if you could bring your daughter Twinkle Star here as well!"

When they finished reading the letter, they looked at Oath, who was not gazing back.

"Wow! That is a really great honor, Oath!" Twilight said, a bit stunned.

"Yea! You get to see the Wonderbolts in their guest appearance!" Rainbow Dash said, doing a quick spin in the air.

"Not to mention all the important ponies of Canterlot!" Rarity said, her eyes sparkling.

Oath, however, was not so enthusiastic. "Perhaps so..."

The door to the library opened as Twinkle Star stepped inside, shaking herself to get rid of the snow. After she was done, she went to talk to her mother about the animals she saw outside. She shared a passion for animals with her mother, which Oath didn't find surprising. But she didn't really share a connection to them in the same way Fluttershy did, so she couldn't communicate with them as easily.

Applejack walked over to him, only to see his face being neutral like he would have just been challenged to a fight to the death.

"Oath, what's wrong? Yer bein' invited to an event by the Princess herself and yer just being glum like this? Ah thought ya would be interested in this since ya was a guard an' all-"

Oath looked back at apple farmer, who couldn't respond to that in any other way than shutting up.

"That's the point. I was. My time has long gone. I reckon there is nothing for me to teach them. Besides, Shining Armor is the current Captain of the Guard, he would be far more useful in that aspect."

Twilight just shook her head.

"You're wrong, Oath. If there is anypony that can give Shining Armor a run for his bits, and I don't say this lightly, it's got to be you!"

"And unlike anypony there, you know how to party!" Pinkie Pie said, doing a little breakdance.

Oath closed his eyes as he listened to the two. They were believing their own words, that much he could believe. A smile formed on his face as he remembered the words of Fluttershy back when Oath had first arrived in town. A ghastly voice could be heard in his head as those words came.

"I think you're being a bit too harsh on yourself."

He looked at the others, who noticed his smile.

"Perhaps.. Perhaps you are right. After all, I couldn't refuse an invitation from the Princess, now can I? Might as well give it my best shot! Besides, I haven't taken you to Canterlot once, haven't I, Twinkle?"

"Really!? Are we going to Canterlot!?" Twinkle said in her usual high tone, beginning to hop about in a Pinkie Pie-ish manner, her wings making sounds similar to a humming bird.

"That's the spirit!" Applejack said.

Soon enough Oath was accompanied to the train station by his friends. Twinkle Star by his side, barely able to contain her excitement. Fluttershy could only smile with her eyes closed at her antics.

"Show 'em what you're made of, hotshot!" Dash said.

"I know you'll make us proud!" Twilight said, a satisfied smile on her face.

"Please be careful, Oath." Fluttershy said as she stroked a bit of snow off his mane, before doing the same to Twinkle.

Oath caught her hoof before it was back on the ground however, as he hugged Fluttershy, who was a bit startled and blushed as a response. "I will. Besides, I got Twinkle with me. My little princess can surely get me out of trouble." Twinkle had to hold back a laugh. Her father was a bit expectant of her, but usually he was just joking.

With that, Oath broke his embrace as he boarded the train. Waving to his friends as their forms receded into the distance, he eventually closed the window as other passengers were complaining about him letting the cold in. A sheepish smile formed on his face as he voiced his apologies. He began to talk to Twinkle about all the things he wanted to show her while they had time during the Guard Parade. He started thinking if the old unicorn was still in the music store. He never asked his name, even though he had helped the old one lift some heavy things to shelves when the unicorn's magic was not good enough.

As the two reached Canterlot they were greeted by Shining Armor and Princess Cadance, who were surrounded by ponies from the city in addition to the passengers from the train and their assigned guards.

"Greetings Oathbound! I assume the trip was enjoyable?" The white unicorn said, stepping forward to offer a hoof.

"It was. I had great company." Oath said looking at his daughter, who was a bit scared of meeting a princess. She hid behind her father's hind hoof. Cadance chuckled as she went past Oath and kneeled before the little filly, who was not looking at her.

"Hey there. I am Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, but you can just call me Cadance. What's your name?" She said, offering her hoof to the scared pegafilly. It calmed her a bit, as she looked at her and said:

"T..Twinkle Star."

"Nice to meet you, Twinkle Star! Did you know that I was the foalsitter for one of your father's friends?"

"Really?" She said, taking her hoof.

With that, the four started walking toward the castle, talking about whatever suited them. Shining Armor was looking very regal in his parade armor, which was enchanted to ignore the winter cold. When they reached the throne room they were greeted by Princess Celestia and Luna. As they came before the throne itself Oath kneeled, greeting them in the only matter he knew how.

"I am glad you accepted my invitation, Oathbound. Not to mention bringing your daughter along. It's your first time here, isn't it Twinkle Star?" Celestia said, stepping down from the throne.

"How did you know my name?" The filly said, startled. Celestia smiled at her as a response.

"Your father has told me a lot about you. I'm not sure if you remember, but I was in Ponyville a few times when you were still just a newborn foal. You look just as beautiful as you did back then." Twinkle grimaced a bit at that. She didn't like it when ponies told her how cute she was when she was a baby. She's grown past that.

Oath raised his voice as a way of taking away the attention from her.

"M'lady Celestia, I was wondering. Are there any special plans for this year's parade?"

With that, the alicorn nodded before speaking.

"Indeed there is, Oath. This year there are quite a lot of hopeful recruits who want to prove their mettle. So many infact that there were some fights out in the camps. As a way to settle things down, Shining Armor decided that the best of the best in the Three Trials would gain a chance to prove their worth to both of you in person."

Oath's mouth opened at that.

"You mean one on one combat?"

"Indeed. In addition, once they have proven their mettle, Shining Armor-"

The white stallion interrupted the princess by continuing her sentence.

"Will fight with you. Apparently Celestia thinks that this way you could show me some new tricks. Personally I wouldn't want it to be like this - I do not want to hurt a friend, especially one of Twily's friends - but if you are alright with it..."

As Oath pondered it, he decided that he was missing all the fighting from his early days. This could probably give him a chance to rekindle old feelings.

"I see no reason to disagree with the necessity. Twilight said that I could give you a run for your bits. I won't let her down."

With that, they shaked hooves like knights before fighting in a jousting ring.

As Twinkle Star was shown around town by Cadance, Oath was practicing in a room specifically prepared for him by Celestia herself. Eventually one of the recruits who were being shown around the castle stumbled into his quarters. His yellow skin and green mane contradicted his blue eyes, making him look more like a walking painting than a pony. The newcomer watched in awe as Oath ignored him and practiced with his axes, cleaving through targets that appeared out of nowhere. As Oath finished, he looked upon the pony who had broken into his quarters and smiled.

"Greetings. Here for the parade, I presume?"

With that the colt nodded before kneeling down as he realized how important the pony with the sapphire-encrusted amulet must be to have a room specifically made for training in Canterlot Castle. Oath chuckled at that as he stepped up to the colt.

"Relax, we are all equals here. I am Oathbound, ex-Captain of the Guard, at your service." He said, offering his hoof.

The colt looked at him and was surprised to see him smile. As he took the hoof, he rose up and began to shake it.

"If you say so, Oathbound. I am Rye Bowl. And yes, I am here for the parade. Being a part of the guard has always been my dream." He even had a cutie mark to show for it, a Royal Guard helmet.

Oath looked at it and then gave the colt praise for making this kind of life his choise.

"If you'll excuse me, I have some things to do before the parade begins. I hope I get to see you prove your worth in the arena." He said before passing by the colt, who nodded at that.

"It will be an honor!" Rye said.

As the day for the parade arrived, everypony was assembled in the castle yard, which was overlooked by a balcony meant for royal family members to announce their speeches. Everypony was surprised to see an amulet-wearing pony in there amongst Princess Celestia's guard.

"My dear ponies of Canterlot, it is my great pleasure to announce that the annual Royal Guard Parade has now begun! As you all know, this event sees the most promising recruits and hopefuls complete three different trials to prove their worth of joining the Royal Guard. This year however, a good friend of mine, Oathbound, who has been known to be the fourth member of a certain band, has come to tell you all of what the three different trials are about."

Celestia stepped to the side, giving Oath some space which he was thankful for but also ashamed somewhat. He was used to giving the princess space, not the other way around!

"Greetings, citizens of Canterlot! It is indeed a great honor to be here to inform you all of how this event will work for our hopeful recruits. The three trials will test your resolve, virtue and strength."

With that, his amulet started glowing as three differently-colored rings appeared around the balcony, causing the crowd to emit a wow as they watched in awe. The blue ring at the top began to close in before an image could be seen.

"The Trial of Virtue will test your will to protect others, even if it would bring harm to yourself. Selfishness will result in failure. A guard must be willing to throw aside everything if he can protect what matters." The image had a pony kneeling down before Princess Celestia, before fighting changelings that were trying to assault her. The pony was then given the choice of joining the changelings or perish. He refused and beat every single changeling that came. The image faded and the green ring to the right began to imitate the blue one, making an image of its own.

"The Trial of Resolve will test your endurance and will to protect your loved ones despite the obstacles in your way. A guard must be willing to cross any obstacle if it means he will fulfill his duty." The image had a pony walking forward in a snowstorm, the image receding to reveal a huge snow-encrusted mountain. Once more the image faded and the yellow ring to the left began to make an image of its own.

"The Trial of Strength will prove that you can protect the royal family from the greatest of threats. But brute strength alone will not make you pass this trial. Strength of will is also going to matter in this. A guard must surpass even himself if need be." An image of a pony appeared, fighting a changeling army who all took the pony's form before the original one dived into the fray. He emerged victorious. With that, the rings disappeared.

"I wish everypony good luck. The best of the best will be given the chance of being personally appraised by the Captain of the Guard, Shining Armor and myself." Oath said, before stepping back, allowing the princess to step forward to explain how non-participants can enjoy the day.

The recruits proved to be very promising indeed. The Trial of Resolve had a treadmill with a giant fan making great winds blow out. Ponies had to walk on the angled treadmill while being ravaged by the storm-like winds, some of the falling snow also serving to emulate the image seen earlier.

The Trial of Virtue had ponies be questioned about many many things, some of them going so deep as to sound insulting. Those that stood up for themselves failed. Those that knew that anything they did was for the princess passed with flying colors.

The Trial of Strength had a strength test machine that was rigged to the maximum. It took many ponies out for the count as they tried to get it out with a single blow. What they didn't realize is that it became easier and easier the more they tried. Few managed to do it, but they could do it because they summoned whatever strength they had left and so they passed. Rye Bowl was amongst them.

As the arena was slowly filling with recruits, they were all tested by Shining Armor and Oathbound, many of them failing to meet their harsh standards. Twinkle Star cheered for her father while sitting next to Princess Cadance and Celestia. Rye Bowl, however, managed to hold on long enough with his home-made halberd to get Oath to finally call it quits. All in all, 10 participants met the pair's approval. Eventually however, Celestia was given a letter by a guard who came in and whispered something to her ear. She nodded before opening the letter.

"Twinkle Star, Cadance, go get Oathbound. I have urgent news for him." She said, looking at the pair who looked back at her before they went to do her bidding.

"You wanted to see me, m'lady?" Oath said, stepping up to the princess. The throne room had no ponies except Cadance, Celestia, Oath and Twinkle.

"Oathbound, I'm afraid I have news which you might not find pleasant. It's about Fluttershy."

Oath raised his eyebrow at that.

"Take a look at this." Celestia said, giving the letter she recieved earlier to Oath.

"Dear Princess Celestia.

I am afraid I have some bad news. When Oath left with Twinkle Star towards Canterlot, we began making preparations for a parade of our own, something Pinkie Pie came up with. As we were preparing the town hall however, we were wondering where Fluttershy was. She was supposed to be helping Rarity with the decorations, but she was nowhere to be seen. When we came to her house, we heard screaming and saw that she was being foalnapped! A black-skinned stallion with a purple mane had her in a bubble of magical energy as he ran towards the mountain near Ponyville! We chased them but a forcefield stopped us. We need Oath here right away!

Anxiously waiting for an answer, your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle."

Oath's pupils narrowed down as he read the letter. Twinkle Star saw his expression and was startled a bit.

"Dad, what's wrong? Is mommy okay?"

Oath had to put on a fake smile. He didn't want to worry her.

"Everything's okay, dear. There are just some things that I need to do. You stay here in Canterlot until Princess Celestia sends you home, okay?"

"But dad-"

"Just trust me in this, okay Twinkle?" He said, looking into her eyes. She couldn't meet his gaze without flinching.

"...Okay."

Oath nodded and then turned to the princess.

"Send her home when Twilight sends a letter to you. I'll be going on the next train to Ponyville."

Celestia showed Oath towards the royal carriage, which confused him somewhat.

"No, Oath. Take my carriage, you will reach Ponyville sooner this way. I wish you good luck."

Oath kneeled before the princess.

"M'lady... In case I do not survive from this... It has been an honor to be your friend."

Celestia had to fight back a tear.

"Likewise, Oath. Farewell."

With that, he boarded the carriage and it took to flight, the pegasi effortlessly pulling the golden carriage.

Soon enough Oath was in Ponyville, getting off the carriage and telling the pegasi that they should go back, he wouldn't be needing the ride.

Once they were gone, Oath ran towards Twilight's library, finding all his friends there. With the exception of Fluttershy.

"Well what do you suggest we do? We can't get past that forcefield!" Rarity said.

"I say we crack it!" Rainbow Dash said, clapping her hooves together.

"With what? Nopony here could break it, Rainbow." Pinkie said, a bit sullen which was a very contrasting demeanor considering how happy she was under most circumstances.

Oath walked in, which caused Twilight to look at him and tell him what happened.

"A forcefield?" He said, contemplating a bit. His face steeled itself as he looked at the others.

"I think we can break it. But I doubt it's the only obstacle we will face. We have to be careful."

With that, they began to walk towards the mountain. They could have taken the hot air balloon, but Oath doubted that it would be strong enough to handle the strong winds that likely would be at the tip of the mountain. As they reached the forcefield, he stepped forward, summoning his axes.

He brought them down in a cross-pattern in the same way he had broken Twilight's forcefield when he first arrived to Ponyville. The others were amazed. Oath's power was quite something. But he ignored them as he started to gallop towards the mountain.

"I'm coming, Fluttershy. Just hold on!"

As the 6 reached a small clearing, they were met by two ponies.

One of them was a purple earth pony with a mane of red, his eyes pure black with no iris'. His cutie mark was a face with a wicked smile.

"Took you long enough, didn't it?"

The other one, a black unicorn with no mane, giggled at that before muttering something in a confirming tone.

"Who are you?" Oath said, stepping up.

The red-maned pony looked at him with a blank gaze.

"I believe you and I know eachother, Oathbound. Albeit, you are always consciously unaware of my presence. But when I am there and you notice it, even if unconsciously, boy do you notice it."

Oath was confused by this before he clutched his head as it was assaulted by a feeling he had not felt for a long time. It caused pain in his head. He immediately recognized it.

"Cruelty.."

"Bingo. I prefer the name Knife Twist, though."

The mane-less pony burst into laughter while rolling around like a wheel.

"Insanity..."

"Not insanity, None Sense." The unicorn muttered as he continued rolling.

An axe came to life as Oath steeled himself. His cruel side just chuckled.

'You believe that we are here to fight? Not likely.' With that, the pony waved a bit and Oath's axe spazzed before disappearing. He gasped.

"We are here to tell you of what Oathbreaker is proposing. You want your wife back, no?"

"What has he done to her!?" He yelled, feeling angry for a moment before he felt like it was being forced out of him. He forced himself to calm down as he realized he was only feeding his negative emotions.

"Nothing."

The insane creature, truly not a pony, stopped rolling about and muttered something yet again, this time in a contradictory tone.

Applejack and the others looked at Oath as he looked at the ground. Eventually he said:

"What does he want?"

"If you want to know, come with us. Alone."

Twilight was stepping forward but Oath looked at her.

"No, Twilight. I must do this. I'll bring her back safely. Go."

"Oath..."

"I swear to you that she will be safe, Twilight. Just go."

With that, he began to walk with the pair who somehow seemed to fuse into one. The others stayed there, not knowing whether they should follow him despite the danger or whether they should wait for Fluttershy here. After hesitating for nearly a dozen minutes, they decided against doing as Oath told them to.

As the amulet-wielding stallion and the evil pony reached the top, they entered the cavern inside. Oath was alarmed as he saw Fluttershy hanging from a cage. The evil pony stepped in front of Oathbreaker, who seemed to swell with rage before a red axe sweeped at the combined form of Oath's insanity and cruelty, causing it to dissolve into a black mist which flowed into the stranger's horn, which seemed to rejuvenate him. With that, Oath stared at the evil version of himself. He was a perfect mirror to Oath in physical terms, every muscle that he had pulsed with each heartbeat Oath had. His cutie mark was a broken bronze shield with a single red axe in front of it, like a twisted mockery of Oath's own. The evil Oath stared back, his cold gaze meeting the good Oath's resolve. There was no doubt in his mind that he was going to have to do something which nopony wants to do, despite the circumstances. He would have to fight himself. As neither's gaze flinched, Oathbreaker began to speak, his demonic voice rumbling across the cavern.

"So you came."

Oath knew that this was the pony from his dream, the evil pony who would be the doom of the entire land. The same pony he had seen years ago on a hill before his birthday party.

It seems like Oathbreaker had read his thoughts.

"And you think I would do that? No, but it did bring me to you."

Oath looked at his evil side, then at Fluttershy, then back. The mare was too terrified to say or do anything, so she just watched the pair in silence. Apart from her barely audible whimpering.

"You mean that dream was just a trap!?"

The pony summoned two axes that began sharpening themselves against eachother.

"What else? But, now that I think about it, why not make it happen?"

With that, Oathbreaker mustered his magic as Oath steeled himself. But the target of the spell was not him. Oath gasped as the two axes began to fly towards Fluttershy, who screamed in panic. It was all he could do to block the axes with a forcefield.

"Let my wife go now! This is between you and me."

As he said that, Oath heard Twilight and the others as they entered the cavern.

"Oath! We came to help you!"

Oathbreaker raised his hoof and brought it down, his magic causing a forcefield to appear which blocked Twilight and her friends from reaching Oath or Fluttershy.

The two stared at eachother for a few moments before Oath summoned his axes and moved to strike his foe. His axes levitated by his side as he closed the distance before they dashed forward and the sound of magical blade on magical blade reverberated across the cave. They quickly separated before clashing again, a whirling melee from which only passing images of the participants could be seen amidst the sea of blue and red. But it didn't last long. As they stood watching eachother, the evil pony smirked.

"Why do you insist on fighting?"

"...What do you suggest?" Oath said, eager to resolve this conflict without bloodshed.

"I have something you want and you have something I want."

Oath looked at the pony who met his gaze again.

"What do you want?"

Oathbreaker pointed a hoof at him.

"I want to have a body to call my own again. We will hold a contest of wills over ownership of the body you inhabit, the loser dies. Then we shall see which one of us truly deserves to dictate what the being known as Oathbound does!"

The others gasped. Surely Oath wouldn't let him take control again! Oath hesitated for a bit as his weapons disappeared. But he knew that he would pay any price if it meant his friends could walk free.

"Let Fluttershy go and you can take my body, just let my friends leave in peace!" He said, throwing his hooves to the sides. The ebony-skinned unicorn chuckled at that before Fluttershy's cage disappeared, sending her hurtling towards the ground before her wings stopped her descent. The forcefield was laid low as she flied fast towards her friends.

As he saw Fluttershy reach the safety of her friends, he felt a sharp pain in his chest, a black and purple beam of evil emotions flowing into him. He was slowly encased into a dark egg-like shape of energy as he could feel the evil of the pony behind the beam pour into him. Slowly the beam withered out, the pony who fired it nowhere to be seen. Once it died, the casing which had him trapped disappeared. He was lowered to the ground as he knew he was now beyond redemption.

The joining was complete. Oath was one with his evil side again. And it was taking control of him fast. His head flooded with emotions that he had left behind long ago, anger, cruelty, vanity, selfishness, all coming back with one goal in mind. Dominance.

He didn't have much time before it was too late. Tears began to emerge from his eyes as he gritted his teeth, before turning his head towards his friends. Fluttershy was at their side, confused and worried over what had just happened. She knew what was happening yet she didn't.

"My friends. I'm afraid I won't be coming with you. He is going to take control and I cannot allow him to touch you. Go. Run."

Twilight stepped up.

"No. We won't leave a friend behind. We'll find a way to be rid of him forever, Oath! Just come with us!"

"He is going to push me away and kill you all. I cannot allow that to happen!"

Oath shook his head, which caused some of his tears to fall to the sides. "There is no other way." With that, his amulet started glowing. At first nothing happened. Soon the others started feeling vibrations beneath their feet. Rocks were moving around. An earthquake! A stalactite fell down near the corner of the cave, creating a smoke cloud as it crashed into the floor.

"Run! I cannot allow him to live a moment longer! This whole cave is going to be brought down and you with it if you do not go!" Oath said, urgently pointing at them and the exit behind them.

"Oath! Please! Don't do this!" Fluttershy yelled, tears threatening to fall down her cheeks as she realized what he was doing.

The stallion came towards them a couple of steps and Fluttershy ran to him, their hug being the bittersweetest thing in their lives.

Oath's amulet glowed ever stronger as the vibrations became stronger, causing pieces of the roof to fall. His words echoed across the cave as Fluttershy still hugged him.

"I'm sorry."

Before they could do anything, they disappeared in a flash of blue as the cave was falling apart.

"I'm truly sorry." It was the only thing he could say before a massive boulder fell on him, crushing his spine and killing him instantly.

Near the outskirts of Ponyville, on a snow-filled plain, a flash of blue signalled the appearance of 6 ponies. They wondered where they were, before realizing where they had come from. Their turned their heads towards the mountain, which had its tip crumbling. It came down in a controlled wave, leaving a round tip on the top as the cave they were walking on moments ago was crushed along with anything still inside. The snow on top of the mountain came down in an avalanche. Fluttershy was the first to have her voice heard, her cries of sadness echoing across the plains. The others couldn't hold the tears back either. He was gone. Oathbound was gone. And they couldn't do anything about it.

When they finally got home, they were greeted by everypony. They assembled in preparation for their return. Their smiles faded when they saw their faces. Twinkle Star didn't see her father with them which, combined with their sad faces, could only mean that the worst had come to pass. She looked at the ground, ridden with sadness as she joined the 6 ponies in their march. Silently the crowd parted to give the Mane 6 a path towards the library, where they went to mourn. As they closed the door behind them, they began to reminisce the good things that Oath had done to the town. To them.

"He was a true friend."

"He was caring."

"He was modest."

"He took other ponies opinions into account."

"He was there when he was needed the most."

"He was there to turn our frowns upside down."

With that, they hugged eachother, knowing that he was in a better place now.

But the appearance of blue caught their attention as a blue thread of magic appeared out of nowhere, almost mist-like in appearance. It took the form of a pony. It eventually began to speak.

"My friends. I am sorry for what came to pass. I wish there could have been another way. But take heart! I shall never truly be gone. You have already shown that the power of friendship conquers anything, even death. Even though my body may be gone, my soul and my spirit will live on inside your hearts."

Fluttershy and Twinkle Star rushed to the spectral Oath, but passed through him as they hit a wall. When Fluttershy realized what happened, she began to cry.

"Fluttershy. Don't shed these tears of ill-founded sadness."

"But I... I want you to be here with me! I want-"

"You need only know that I will always be with you. That is my final promise. Hold me close to your heart and I shall be here, always. I want you to be happy. Mourning for me like this won't help. Besides, you have Twinkle." With that, his magic wiped away her tears. She smiled. The spectre hugged the mare, who could feel his warmth once more on her skin. Their daughter joined in the hug as well as the others watched in bittersweet tears.

"Goodbye, my friends. May we meet again." As he said so, he rose to the air, seeming to pass through an invisible portal as he did so.

Twinkle watched the spectacle in silence as she was under extreme mental distress. She wanted to cry but she wanted to show her father that she'd become strong.

Twilight looked at the ground before speaking.

"He's right. Mourning for him won't fix anything."

Applejack nodded, speaking to the others in response.

"Yup. We should move on with our lives. He deserves that much."

Rainbow Dash looked at the ground sullenly while speaking.

"I'm going to miss that hotshot."

Fluttershy hugged her, which surprised the blue-skinned pegasus.

"We all will."

As they hugged, Twinkle Star had the same blue light appear above her head, which caused a note and a box to drop down to her side. As she took the note, she recognized her father's writing!

"Twinkle Star.

I know that I was not the perfect father that you could have asked for. I was sometimes harsh on you, too much sometimes.

But I did it only because I wanted you to live a happy life, so you could live without the mistakes I lived with.

Thus I leave you my most precious jewelry. May it always show you the path when you are in doubt.

Love, Oathbound."

With that, the box opened itself, the magical lock on the metal box opening to reveal Oath's amulet! It floated to her neck, clicking shut before it came to rest there. She looked at it before shedding tears.

"Daddy..." She said, turning her gaze from the amulet to the ceiling.

A gravestone was erected in front of Oath's house. On the slab of stone it read:

"Here lies Oathbound, a friend who was honest, caring, modest and most of all, a loving husband and father."

As life went slowly back to normal, his house was left abandoned. Fluttershy visited it from time to time, but nopony knew why. All they knew was that there were some weird noises coming from the meditation room...

Back at the mountain, a small black smoke cloud cleared its way out of the wreckage of the collapsed mountaintop. It took the shape of a pony, one who was looking at death's door. His voice was hoarse. He giggled. The giggling evolved to laughter, the laughter evolved to maniacal laughter.

"You failed, Oathbound. You failed for the last time. And now your land shall pay the price. Despite your best efforts, the monster lives!"