Thousand Son in Equestria, part 8 (Prodigal Son P2)

>This isnt' so bad, really.
>You've got two furious daemon princes bearing down on you, one of whom is the first friend you've made in a millenia.
>You can handle this.
>"Princess...Luna!? What happened to you?"
>Wait, what.
"Care to say that again, Rarity?"
>The marshmellow unicorn on your back kicks you with her good leg.
>"That's Princess Luna, or at least she was, and she's coming rightforusAnongetoutOFTHEWAAAAAAAAAY!
>You take her advice as she's screaming it, diving to one side as Applebloom charges past you. Your friends do the same, leaving the furious Applebloom to skid to a stop at the end of the alley.
>Right, re-assessment. Your first friend is a bloodthirsty daemon, your other enemy is an immortal God-Princess, and you're currently burdened with a whiny white pony around your neck.
>But you've got this.
>Your friends are with you.
>You turn to face Applebloom.
"Twilight, Rainbow, Pinkie, Fluttershy, you take...Luna. Talk her down, subdue her if you have to. Applejack, you're with me."
>Your friends form up behind you, facing Luna, as you, Applejack, and Rarity face Applebloom.
>It's go time.


>Applejack pulls a rope out of you're-not-asking-where and starts whirling it into a lasso with her teeth.
>"Awright, Anon', vwat's ta plan?"
"We talk to her."
>Rarity taps you on the side of your helmet with a white hoof.
>"Anon, darling, while I respect you for trying to handle this in a civilized manner, that is a terrible plan."
"You won't be able to fire your artifacts at both of them at once, and the other one will tear you apart while you're floating and doing the glowy thing. We need to get them back to themselves. So we tal-"
>"Anon, dearLOOKOUT!"
>Rarity shrieks again in your ear as Applebloom pounces on you like a tiger.
>You shout an oath in surprise and grab the two horns on her helmed with both hands, struggling against her prenatural strength as she seeks to gore you.
>"BLOOOOOOOOOOD!"
"Applebloom, Discord's gone! You need to CALM DOWN!"
>Behind her, you spot Applejack making a running leap at her daemonic sister's back.


>Truly, if Applejack was born a human male in the Great Crusade, you are sure she would have been among the greatest of the Astartes.
>That pony has bravery.
>Applejack leaps onto Applebloom's armored back, who immediately starts bucking and flapping her wings in order to dislodge her sister.
>The ferocious twist of her head dislodges her hands, slamming you into the wall of a building next to you.
>Rarity shrieks in fear, but you twist to take the brunt of the impact on your shoulder pauldron.
>The orange cowpony holds on tight, hurling her lasso until it wraps neatly around Applebloom's neck.
>"YEEEEEE HAW! Ride em' cowpony!"
>"LET GO A' ME, APPLJACK! I AIN'T DONE RIPPIN' ANONYMOUS' HEART FROM 'IS CHEST!"
>"That ain't gonna happen, lil' sis! Yer gonna calm down now, or we're gonna calm ya down!"
>Applebloom tries to twist her head and bite at Applejack, but you slam into her head with your shoulder and grab her horns, wrestling her head down and away from the farmpony.
>"LET, ME. GO!"
>She twists furiously, and you hold on for dear life, even as Rarity shrieks and your legs slam into the buildings of the alley.
>You really hope the others are having more luck with Luna.


>Great tendrils of darkness lash out, stopping Rainbow Dash's ascent as she tries to get some leverage on the fallen Princess.
>Dash tumbles away, avoiding the tendrils but being forced closer to the ground.
>You form another magic shield with your horn, doing your best to blunt Luna's blasts of magic.
"Princess Luna, PLEASE, calm down! There's no reason for this!"
>"Pinkie speaks up from next to you as she readies her 'trusty' party cannon.
>"Yeah! Princess, that meanie Discord's gone now! We can just grab Applebloom and then get everything back to normal and thenthrowaparty!"
>The term, 'one-track mind' was invented to describe Pinkie.
>NMM's eyes flare.
>"ISNT' THERE A REASON, TWILIGHT SPARKLE? IS THIS NOT THE PONY WHO MOCKED US AND HARASSED US ON NIGHTMARE NIGHT? EVEN NOW, THE PONIES OF EQUESTRIA DO NOT GRANT US THE LOVE WE DESERVE. AND SO WE SHALL FORCE THEM TO SHOWER US WITH THEIR ADORATION, AS THEY DO CELESTIA!"
>She hurls another bolt of magic at your shield, and you teleport in haste as her power shatters your bubble.
>You appear behind Luna, shouting.
"Luna, that's crazy talk and you know it! Ponies care more for you than ever before! Remember Pipsqueak, Princess? Do you remember how much fun you had on Nightmare Night?"
>"PIP..."
>Her eyes dim for a moment, before a cannon-fired cake slams into her head, covering her flowing mane with cake.
>Pinkie......you fucked up.


>Her eyes start glowing through the mask of cake, and the food burns off her as she slowly turns around...
>"HOW DARE YOU STRIKE YOUR RULE-"
>A cupcake, fired from what looks like a miniature bazooka, nails Luna right in the horn.
>She growls and pounces at Pinkie, who rolls out of the way of the furious alicorn as her hooves crack the street.
>You give her a telekinetic shove, trying to disrupt her so Rainbow Dash can get in a position to kick her.
"Fluttershy, remember what you did with that dragon!?"
>The butter-yellow pegasus looks up from where she's been cowering behind a crate.
>"Y-yes?"
"We really need you to do that again!"
>"Oh Twilight. I-I don't think I c-can."
>Pinkie dances past you, hurling more cupcakes at the enraged Nightmare Moon.
>"Fluttershy! Assertiveness!"
>What in Celestia's name is that supposed to d-
>You do NOT like the look Fluttershy is giving the princess.


>By the Gods, you think your wristbones might be breaking.
>The daemonic Applebloom struggles to gore you as you keep her still with a combination of physical strength and telekinetic might.
>Your muscles burn with the effort, but for the first time, it is a good pain. Preferable to not having muscles, anyway.
>"RAGHARGGLGLGLGLGRAGLE."
"Applebloom, you've got to let this anger go. You're hurting ponies, Applebloom. You're hurting and scaring your family! And your friends! We can't have any more fun times selling apples if you're goring and killing ponies that shows up!"
>"THAT DOESN'T MATTER. NONE OF IT DOES. THE VOICES-"
"Are gone, Applebloom! They're gone! I know because I can't hear them anymore! I know because Discord's not here anymore! They're gone, AB. It's just you now!"
>"AH WANT EM BACK!"
>She surges against your grip, and Rarity yelps as you are pushed backwards, while AJ hauls on the rope around her neck.
>"Applebloom, ye can't do things like this! How d'ya think Granny would react if she saw you actin' up?"
>That, inexplicably, causes Applebloom to tense, giving you a moment's reprieve.
>"See, dear? Don't you feel better now that aren't thrashing around like a madmare?"
>AB roars and pushes against your hold again.
>Gods DAMN it, Rarity.


>You throw a glare over your shoulder at a sheepish Rarity.
>"Ah heh heh heh. I'll...I'll stop talking now."
>"Much appreschiated, Rare."
"You do that."
>Another shove from Appledaemon causes you to curse as she pushes you back, your armored greaves digging up stones.
>"Like ah said, Applebloom, this kinda tantrum ain't somethin' that Granny'd be proud of! And what about Big Macintosh? Ya think he'd be proud o' his sister misusin' her strength this way?"
>Applebloom hesitates, her pushing weakening.
>You take advantage of that, attacking her verbally.
"And what about Applejack and I, Applebloom? She's your sister, and I"m your friend! We only want to help you! We just need you to become calm, and hold still!"
>Applebloom's struggles weaken.
>"YE WON'T.....YE AREN'T GONNA PUNISH ME?"
>You give a pointed glance at AJ, who shakes her head from her position on AB's back.
"No, Applebloom, I won't. We're just going to help you, I promise."
>You certainly aren't going to go out of your way to try to 'punish' a daemon prince.
>But you can't speak for Celestia.



>NMM roars at Pinkie, lifting stones off the ground and hurling them at the party pony as she closes in on her.
>Pinkie cartwheels to the side, and Luna turns to follow her, only to come close to close with a FlutterGLARE.
>The butter yellow pegasus flaps her wings to come to eye-to-eye with Nightmare.
>"Luna. Stop acting like such a baby."
>The softness of that statement chatches everyone off guard.
>Even Anon, who is slowly letting Applebloom go as she calms down, turns his head around to stare in shock at the pegasus.
>NMM recoils in shock and surprise.
>"WHA-WHAT DID YOU SAY TO ME, YOU-"
>"Hush now, Princess. I wasn't finished talking."
>The pegasus floats closer to NMM, her eyes still locked on hers.
>"I want you, to let it go. We all know the story. You were locked in the moon for a long time, it's been a while since ponies have cared for you, we know. We all know. But hurting your friends and throwing a magic tantrum isn't going to fix any of that."
>Rarity's jaw drops.
>Pinkie darts over to lift it up for her, her eyes still focused on Fluttershy.
>"I-I I JUST.."
>Is the giant shadow Princess...crying?
>"Shhhh, Princess. Shhhh. Come here now, it's okay. Let it all out."
>Fluttershy floats over and wraps her hooves around NMM's neck in a hug as the alicorn sobs, shrinking down into the midnight-blue form of Luna. Fluttershy coos softly and comforts her.


>You are still frozen in surprise, your hands only lightly wrapped around Applebloom's horns.
>What in Tzeentch's dark name did you just witness?
>A soft growl brings you back to reality.
>"ANONYMOUS. LEGGO OF MAH HORNS. IT'S STARTIN' TA MAKE ME MAD AGAIN."
"Right, sorry Applebloom."
>You comply, happy that she's not trying to gore you to death.
>The transformed pony turns her head to look at AJ on her back.
>"AND SIS, YA NEED TAH HOP DOWN."
>Applejack complies, but immediately turns and pokes a hoof into her bigger little sister's chest.
>"Awright, but ya got ta promise to stay calm till we get tha Elements ready."
>Applebloom snorts a tiny jet of fire.
>"CALM. TRYIN'."
>"Dear, try thinking of a beautif-"
"Hush, Rarity."
>The white unicorn pouts on your back as you gently let her down near the others.
>They gather together, Fluttershy patting Luna gently as she joins your friends to give the good old rainbow cannon another shot.
>You stand to the side as you watch Applebloom tense in discomfort as she resists the urge to jump the ponies in front of her.
>You only hope that she isn't stuck as a statue in that position once your friends fire.


>The rainbow beam washes over Applebloom in another burst of light, the third one you have bore witness to today.
>As the light fades after the explosion, you glance over at your friends, seeing them lying on the alley floor, exhausted.
>Rainbow lifts one cyan hoof towards you
>"Hey...you! Yeah, you! Anon. You're fixing the next monster we encounter, because this is EXHAUSTING!"
>"Hey, I ain't a monster!"
>You turn as you hear the beloved, normal voice of Applebloom behind you.
>The yellow filly sits on her rump, surrounded by a circle of smoke, and looking up at you with a sheepish grin.
>And some say, Anon's heart grew three sizes that day.
>Before you can react, Applejack's already rushed over and tackled Applebloom, knocking her off her feet in a hug.
>"Applebloom! Yer safe! And yer you again! C'mere, lil' sis, I ain't never lettin' you go again!"
>"Sis, sis! Lemme go! Yer squeezin me!"
>"Eeenope, never lettin' ya go, ya lil-"
>"BLOOD!"
>Applebloom roars the last in a daemonic voice, causing Applejack to fall on her flank in surprise.
>Applebloom giggles, and you let out a little chuckle yourself. You knew from the moment you saw her.
>There is no return from daemonhood, not physically. But Applebloom's herself again, and that's the best you could have hoped for.
>But that's not something Applejack needs to know right now.
>Already, the farmpony is chasing her sister around, flailing at her with her Stetson hat.
>"Don'chu ever scare me like that again, ya hear! I'll tan yer hide fer that, AB!"
>Applebloom giggles before stopping, letting her sister grab her in another hug. She looks up at you again, thanks written in her yellow face.


>You walk over to the two sisters as the others cluster around Luna, making sure their princess isn't going to snap again.
>You kneel down in front of them as AJ speaks up first.
>"...Thank ya, Anon. Thank ya, fer helpin' me get mah sister back. Ah didn't trust ya when I first met ya, and when I saw what happened to Applebloom, ah....ah just lost it. Ah'm sorry."
"There is nothing to apologize for, Applejack. Your sister is safe."
>Applebloom looks up from her sister's arms.
>"Thank ya, Anonymous. Fer....stickin' up fer me when ah...wasn't quite mahself. Will ya...will ya..."
>She seems quite nervous suddenly, glancing up at AJ.
"Yes, Applebloom. I'll explain it more, later. And this time, stick around for the end, so I can teach you how to handle it."
>She smiles at you again, and you return it with a gentle pat on her head.
>She might have all the might of a daemon prince, but she's still a child. And you're going to treat her like one.
>If Celestia has a problem with it, she can take it up with you.
>Applejack glances at you in confusion, until the other ponies make their way over to you.
>Rarity haughtily tosses her head, glaring at you.
>You sigh and pick her up, putting her on your back again. As you do, Twilight taps you on the leg.
>"We've still got to save Celestia, and find Sweetie Belle. Ready to go?"
>You glance down at the still smiling Applebloom.
"As ready as I have ever been."


>Luna speaks up, looking more than a little ashamed.
>"Our sister will be fighting where the light is brightest. She is formidable, but her faithful student is a bit anxious to see us get to her."
>She smiles at Twilight, who grimaces.
>You already know what you want.
"Gather 'round...uh.."
>Pinkie whispers to you.
>"Fillies and gentlecolts."
"Fillies and gentlec-there aren't even any, oh forget it, come here, we're going to save your princess."
>Pinkie, AB, and Fluttershy giggle at you, while the other ponies, even Luna, offer you a smile.
>They take your hand, and you warp them all out, headed towards the part of the city bathed in sunlight.
>Immediately, you hear the roaring of Scootaloo's daemon engine.
>Glancing in the air, you can see a shining figure, that can only be Celestia, being circled by Daemon-scoot on her engine, as well as what can only be Sweetie-Belle, a tentacled, vaguely pony like monstrosity wreathed in blue fire.
>Looks like the princess is in more trouble than you thought.


>Luna takes off with a billow of wings, shouting Celestia's name as she rises to aid her sister...
>And leaving the rest of you on the ground.
>Twilight looks up after her mentor.
>I"m going after her."
>A glow surrounds Twilight, and warp magic crackles around her like lightning. The magic flows into two slightly unstable butterfly wings on her back, and she lifts off after the Princesses.
>You glance after their retreating forms, and then back at your friends.
"Okay, I have an idea. Rainbow, Fluttershy. Grab Applejack and Pinkie Pie, get them up there. You all need to take Scootaloo down to earth. I'll handle Sweetie Belle."
>Pinkie salutes
>"Yessir Captain sir!"
>The ponies make their way off, leaving a bouncing Applebloom, with orders from Applejack to stay put.
>The filly immediately looks at you, and two great red wings burst from her back.
>"Anonymous, I wanna help! I can carry ya!"
"Applebloom, that isn't a good idea. I promise, when this is over I'm going to teach you and your friends all about what you are now, and what you can do. But now is not that time. Put those away, before Applejack sees."
>She pouts and sits on her rump, crossing her forelegs.
>Rarity gapes at her over your shoulder.
>"Anon...what in Celestia's name? I thought the Elemen-"
>You scowl. You forgot the marshmellow horse was there.
"We'll talk about this later, Rarity. Right now, we need to save your sister. Hold on tight!"
>You stomp, and the rock beneath you cracks into a circular disk that lifts the both of you into the air.


>"WAHAHAHAAAAAAA!"
>Rarity was shrieking into your ear, whether from joy or terror you weren't sure.
>Whatever it was, it was annoying and loud.
"RARITY! WILL YOU STOP?"
>She laughs as the two of you ascend on your stone platform.
>"I'm sorry, Anonymous. I've just always loved flying, ever since that time in Cloudsdale.."
"Story later, saving your sister's immortal soul now."
>"Ahem. Of course."
>The both of you close in on Sweetie Belle, and you lift a hand, firing a bolt of blue warpfire at the evershifting daemon pony as she lunges at Celestia.
>She hisses and turns her eyes on you and Rarity.
>"SISTER."
>Her form shifts again, into her natural shape, only with blue warpfire for eyes. Similar warpfires spring up around her, at least nine of them, floating in the air as little balls of death.
>She smirks at you, and you can feel Rarity's grip on your neck tightening.
"Perhaps I should have tried speaking before throwing fire at her."
>"Perhaps, yes."


>"Shitshitshitshitshit Oh Celestia she's gaining on us!"
>You lean on your warpdisk and pull sharply to the left, avoiding a volley of warpfire as you bank into a cloud.
"Rarity, such foul language! I'm astounded at you!"
>"Anonymous, my dear, when this is over feel free to berate me for my slips of the tongue all you like. Right now, FLY FASTEEEER!"
>You oblige her, pouring more power into your warpdisk.
>You try to lose Sweetie in the clouds, but the daemon-tainted filly just teleports after you, that same sneer planted on her face.
>"Anonymous YOU'RE NOT FLYING FAST ENOUGH!"
>You dodge to the right to avoid another blast of warpfire, returning the spell with a blast of lightning from your hand.
>Sweetie Belle bats it aside with her hoof, roaring at you.
"Rarity, now would be a very good time to try talking some sense into your sister!"
>Rarity turns her head around and looks behind the both of you as best she can.
>"Sweetie, dear, I'm sure we can talk about thi-"
>"YOU WILL BEG FOR DEATH!"
"TALK BETTER, RARITY!"


>Sweetie Belle teleports in front of you, and you curse, pulling your warpdisk to a halt sharply as the daemon filly gathers her energies for a spell.
"Now would be a really good time for that talk, Rarity!"
>You gather a spell of your own, and your powers meet each other in a crackling blast of electricity, her power slamming against yours in a miniature warp-storm.
>You are quite powerful for a mortal psyker, but Sweetie has all the energy and boundless hate of a daemon prince.
>You fall to one knee on the disk, putting as much power as possible into holding Sweetie back and keeping your disk afloat at the same time.
"RARITY!?"
>Sweetie Belle's face splits in a monstrous grin, extra teeth growing in as she starts shifting again.
>"Sweetie Belle I'm sorry!"
>Sweetie falters, her horn flickering as she stops channeling warp energy at you.
>You draw off immediately, so as to avoid electrocuting Sweetie Belle.
>"WHAT DID YOU SAY?"
>"I said I'm sorry, Sweetie Belle. I'm sorry we havn't spent more time together. I'm sorry I havn't tried to play with you more often!"
>Sweetie Belle's face twitches, and her extra teeth retract. Those burning blue eyes stay focused on Rarity.
>You are speechless. Is that it, really? Is that all that turned Sweetie Belle to the worship of Tzeentch? The hope that her sister would treat her better?
>"Y-YOU ARE?"
>"Of course I am, Sweetie! I swear to you, when this is over, we're going to sit down and plan out some ways for both of us to have fun, like that time at the Social."
>Burning tears fall out of Sweetie's eyes and float upwards into the sky.
>You decide that you are going to avoid the hell out of Rarity and her family for the rest of your time on Ponyville.


>You slowly sink your warpdisk back to Equestrian soil, studiously ignoring Sweetie Belle as she hugs Rarity with an extra pair of limbs.
>You land the disk and sigh, more than a little tired after going mind against mind with a daemon prince, even an inexperienced one.
>Applebloom scampers over to you, her wings gone.
>"Sweetie Belle! She's okay?"
>You gently let Rarity and Sweetie down, making your way to Applebloom.
"Not yet, but she will be soon."
>You spot Celestia, Luna, and the others escorting a shuddering Scootaloo to earth, daemon-scooter in tow.
>Rarity whispers a few words to her sister, and Sweetie scoops up Rarity in blue-white telekinesis, bringing the Elements together for one final cleansing.
>As Sweetie and Scootaloo stand together, waiting to recieve the mystical purity raiinbow to the face, you spot Celestia making her way over to you.
>The Sun Princess looks tired, her wings drooping and her mane looking still and listless. She walks over to you, her eyes set in a determined glare.
>Applebloom slowly backs away as the princess gets close, and she gives the filly a look of mixed sympathy and sorrow.
>She then turns her glare back on you.
>"Anonymous, you disobeyed my orders to you. You let your 'Chaos' corrupt three of my little ponies."
"I assure you, Princess, that I intended to speak to them as early as possible.."
>"Don't try to sugar-coat this, Anonymous."


>She glances at Applebloom, then moves closer to you, giving you a whisper so fierce it might as well be a hiss.
>"Don't you DARE try to sugar-coat this. You can see them as well as I can, Anonymous. My eyes are open to the Warp. They're still...they're still monsters, Anonymous. They may be able to maintain their basic forms, but they still stink of your 'Chaos.'
>You bristle, anger starting to make you a little reckless. You return Celestia's whisper with one of your own.
"Look past their forms, Princess. Their minds, their hearts, are still the same. With time, they can learn to...keep it under wraps, as your sister learned to."
>Celestia's eyes flash white, and you realize this was the wrong thing to say.
>"That's only if I GIVE them time, Anonymous. I am not leaving such a fierce danger among my ponies. I will banish them if I must. I will regret it, but I will do it to keep my people safe."
>Your anger seethes, and you lean towards Celestia, your whisper intensifying.
"You do that, Celestia, and I promise to the Gods, I will kill you. I am a warrior at heart, Celestia. You know that better than any being here. If I can fight Discord, I can slay you, and I will not hesitate to destroy you if you harm those children."
>Her glare intensifies, and you can actually feel the eyelenses of your helmet heating up as you match her stare with one of your own.


>Her whisper softens, just a smidgen.
>"You already know I can send you into orbit, and you're still willing to fight for them? Even die for them?"
"I am Astartes, Princess. I was made to fight and die for the ideals, and the people, that I care for."
>Her glare remains, but you can tell that she's mulling something over, even without trying to read her mind.
>Slowly, a small, mischievous grin grows on her face.
>"Very well then, Anonymous of Prospero. Here is my royal decree."
>You tense up, rapidly running through your mind for ways you might combat a minor Goddess. There are not many.
>"You will remain here, in Ponyville. You will aid in the cleanup for this disaster. You will keep an eye on these three fillies, and make sure that their...'abilities' are kept quiet, and that my ponies are kept safe. You will perform this duty as penance, until the end of your days on Equestria, for the tragedy wrought here today. You will report to me, and only me, about what your penance teaches you about the magic of friendship."
>You eye the Princess warily before sketching a shallow bow.
>She's clever, this princess. Far too clever. But she will not harm the Crusaders. Nothing will, as long as you're around.
>But what in the Warp does she mean, 'magic of friendship?' And why are you reporting what you learn about it.
>As you glance at Scootaloo hugging Rainbow Dash, Sweetie deep in conversation with Rarity, and Applebloom and Applejack laying in the grass, you realize it doesn't matter.
"Very well, Princess. I accept my 'penance,' gladly. Yet one thing remains. Discord."


>The Princess's eyes narrow, and she nods slowly, before turning and calling out to the ponies behind you.
>"Luna, Twilight, will you come to me, please? Anon and I were just discussing where we will put Discord's statue."
>Both ponies trot over, leaving the others to tend the fillies.
>As they reach you, Celestia's magic envelops you all, teleporting you instantly into the interior of the Ponyville library, where Discord's statue still slumps against one wall, hands clutched to a wound that will never heal.
>Celestia examines the statue, before turning to confer with Luna and Twilight.
>You walk over to the statue of Discord, examining his frozen features yourself while the ponies converse.
>A thought strikes you.
"Princess?"
>"Yes?" she replies without turning her head.
"What did you mean, 'where will we put Discord's statue?"
>There is a hint of levity in her voice when she replies.
>"We are ponies, Anonymous. Our race is a kind one. We set Discord's statue in the garden, last time, so that he would have something to see while serving his imprisonment. We are discussing a suitable place for him to spend his eternal vigil."
"I see."
>There is a loud clanging sound as tempered metal cleaves stone, and the ponies whirl around in surprise.


>They find you standing over the statue of Discord, your force sword in hand, as you swing again, this time cleaving the statue into two neat halves.
>His stone head already lies on the floor.
>They stare in shock as you pick up the head , staring at it for a moment, before teleporting it away, deep into the loam of the Everfree Forest.
>You place your hands on his right half next, teleporting it to the statue garden in Canterlot.
>The left half you handle with the most vehemence. It is the half on which Discord's eagle claw resides.
>You teleport it seven miles into the air between Canterlot and Ponyville, where it breaks upon a mountainside as it drops through the sky.
>You turn to look at the surprised ponies as you finish your task.
>Celestia recovers quickly, confusion and anger plain on her face.
>"Why...why would you do that, Anonymous? Did I not just explain that-"
"I am not a pony, Princess. I am not kind. I am just."
>Celestia gives you an angry glare before speaking again.
>"Remember our prior conversation, Anonymous. Remember my ultimatum."
"Remember mine, Princess, and we will become fast friends."
>That playful grin tugs at her lips again, but she still gives you one last glare before teleporting herself and Luna away.
>Leaving you alone with Twilight Sparkle, who stares at you in shock.



>She shakes her head, as if to clear it, before staring at you again.
>"Did you just...?"
"I did."
>"And the princesses...?"
"Indeed."
>"Wow."
"I agree."
>"You're a strange creature, Anonymous. It's hard to tell WHAT'S going through your head when your face doesn't change like that. I'm going to have to study it further!"
>You chuckle. You almost forgot about your helmet. You havn't truly breathed Equestria's air unfiltered, and it's about time you did so.
>The battle is over, and you feel safe taking it off.
>You release your helmet's hermetic seals with a hiss of escaped air, before taking the metal mask off of your head.
>You inhale deeply, taking in the strange scents of the library with your own two nostrils. You grin and look in a nearby mirror. It sure LOOKS like your old face, shaved head, goatee and all.
"Well, Twilight, after we finish cleaning up the town you can study all you li-is something wrong?"
>The purple pony is staring at you in horror and fascination.
"You have TWO faces?"


MEANWHILE, IN THE EVERFREE FOREST.

>You're absolutely giddy with excitement.
>This is your best discovery yet! With THIS thing in hand, no one will ever laugh at one of your shows again!
>You'll be the talk of every town! The greatest entertainer known to ponykind!
"Oooh, Trixie, this time, you've outdone yourself! All you had to do was take those metal scraps out of dull old Ponyville, and they led you to these!"
>You gesture to the six motionless metal automatons that sand silently under the trees, awaiting your commands.
>And, of course, your greatest find, a giant boxy thing with a cylinder at one end. You're not sure what it is, but as long as you hold it with your magic, the giant metal creatures do whatever you want.
>And the thing, whatever it is, has taught you so much. Already, it's been whispering to you about how to reforge those scraps into something more suitable for the GREATNESS that is Trixie.
>You laugh to yourself.
>Next time you show your face in Ponyville, it will be Twilight Sparkle who's sent running!