Canterlot, the capital of Equestria, was full of various visitors that evening, near and far, but not to celebrate or rejoice at the defeated vision of doom in the form of the terrible Hydra-Pony, but from the great pain and loss of great heroes who passed away last day when evening came, many from the delegation gathered from the crystal empire, from New Hive, from the shattered dragon lands, from the lands and undersea lands of the hippogriffs, from every corner of the world, various delegations came to participate in the sad event that took place in the capital.

Everyone gathered, holding their lanterns in their paws and claws, waiting only for the first movement of the princess of Equestria, who had stopped wearing the crown for some time, considering the present times and the loss of great heroes as her own personal defeat, after all, no one could predict, fight or even react. the new day which was just about to end was making Twilight realize how much she had let everyone and herself down.

Twilight Sparkle, accompanied by both sisters of the sun and the moon, walked over to the crowd standing on the podium and holding her lantern in a magical hug, Twilight looked at each with the evident trembling and pain of losing close friends and great heroes that Equestria had never worn before, except in the present time. but the hole that was formed pierced the world and many peoples through like a poisoned arrow.

Many have despaired, and more will soon accuse the Hydra-Pony slayer of deliberate killing, but so far this day has been a matter of sadness and reflection, of course Twilight, standing on the podium, saw a newborn anger and misunderstanding, even her friends making up the Mane Six, no could understand and forgive the man of his deed, come know that without the steadfast will of man, the great beast could run away and attack again, nothing could be done and only time was to help everyone understand the rightness of a man's deed, but even Twilight did not understand why the man did it so without sentimentality, without emotions and so rashly, because she herself wanted to believe that there was another way out, that there was another way, but there wasn't.

That day was the final farewell from members of Pillars of Equestria, Stygian, Star Swirl, Rockhoof, Mage Meadowbrook, Flash Magnus, Somnambula and Mistmane. They were great heroes from the future who, ultimately deceived by the summoning power, were defeated by man along with the beasts of light and darkness, and the loss of the day before touched everyone, young or old, the heroes were a symbol in all that is good, courage, honor, all things each one represented himself, now the world felt a great void and every third of the gathered wondered about the future, about the man himself who, on the one hand, overcame the great threat to everyone, defending the general public, on the other hand, anger and fear began to penetrate the hearts of many in front of man and his power, since man defeated such a powerful creature as the Hydra-Pony and was easily able to overcome the powers of harmony, the question was when crazy Alex as he called himself would attack the peoples of this world to fight his main enemy, destiny and nothingness.

As always, there were many questions about a man, but that day, that evening, they all rejected them to honor the loss of her heroes, Twilight Sparkle standing on the podium raised her lantern in preparation to deliver her farewell speech.

- our friends are gone but not forever, legends never die as long as they live in our hearts and memories, let's never forget their deeds, their friendship, let's not let these memories go away forever, we will remember forever and forever, goodbye friends. Twilight Sparkle sat up, shedding many tears like any of the gathered ones, and unleashing the first of the burning lanterns into the sky.

Canterlot burned with flashes and flames rushing into the sky in silence and reflection, ponies, dragons, changelings, hippogriffs, all peoples looked silently at the departing lanterns, promising themselves that the knowledge of the great heroes would never be forgotten. Standing by Twilight, Celestia and Luna with tears in their eyes released their lanterns looking at the night sky full of stars and burning lanterns, recalling the last moment of friendship with the great heroes who passed away, leaving their world alone.

Luna, looking at the sky, sniffed, remembering the last moments when she and her older sister could spend in peace and retirement shared moments with former heroes, exchanging mutual knowledge and wisdom, today she was dreaming alone after losing so many but despite all the information about the great battle of Hydra- The pony with the man did not feel anger or rage towards the man but regret, Luna treated this matter in a completely different way than her older sister, today her white sister, apart from regret, gritted her teeth tightly.

It goes without saying that Princess Celestia felt great anger, she could not understand why the man acted as he did, that he did not give a chance or any way to free Pillars of Equestria, that despite all his power that Alex had, he did nothing but destroy everything using the with all her unpredictable power, at one point Celestia saw something else in it, a certain unified conclusion about the man's words and the notes in his personal journal.

- a madman, he is not like heroes and this is what distinguishes him. Celestia whispered to herself, which was quickly answered by her sister, but she was silent.

Finally, the last of the lanterns appeared in the sky and the beginning of the end of the celebration ended with the last word of the princess of friendship Twilihgt Sparkle.

- do not forget and let the memory of the old heroes be a new force for you, we cannot give up, they would not want it, let's not give up in the darkest moment of the hours, we cannot, we cannot. Twilight said from the podium, and all the ponies, changelings, dragons and hippogriffs gathered raised their hands, feet, and hooves up, chanting Twilight's last words.

- we will not forget, we will not give up, we cannot. They all said with one voice.

So the dark day is over, visitors from near and far, anyone who wanted to honor the great loss and everyone for whom there was room began to leave Canterlot returning to their homes and cities which also lit their own lanterns, for it was a day for the whole world, a day of mourning and cautions for the future.

Twilight, standing on the top of one of the towers, watched Ponyville and the burning lanterns soaring, recalling in her last memories her meeting with the old heroes, the return of the heroes, the fight with the shadow pony and uniting in the great battle against the three tyrants, and today she was left with only regret and despair.

- why did it have to end this way, if there really was no other way out. Sparkle twilight said, unable to believe the loss of her friends anymore.

Twilight, despite the loss of friends, did not direct her anger towards the man, contrary to her sister-in-law and her brother, who stood between her, placing their hooves on her beeches.

- Twilight please stop crying, too many tears have already been shed today, they wouldn't want that. Shining Armor said. The white unicorn in silver armor looked at his sister, wiping the flowing tears from her face.

- tell me why it had to happen this way, why the enemy did what he did forcing the man. Twilight said.

- you, don't tell me that you still defend man, don't you see it, he annihilated them, without thinking, without regret, like a cold machine, or as people from their world call it, a robot for destruction. Shining Armor said.

- exactly, Celestia claims that what the man did and said was a display of his madness, so that Akeron would know what he is dealing with, a madman who is ready to annihilate even us for the common good. Cadance said arguing her childhood friend.

- a show?, I think it was supposed to be like that!. Twilight Sparkle said, standing with new strength, come her heart pierced with regret, a logical vision appeared in her head, a possibility.

- you really believe it. Cadance asked, staring deeply into her friend's eyes, looking for the slightest hint of uncertainty, but to pink Alicorn's surprise, she saw not the slightest twitch or a moment's hesitation.

- Yes, I am sure of it, he did it to protect us, I believe it with all my heart and I wish it had to happen what happened last day. Twilight said, unleashing a tear of sadness again.

- one thing is wrong here. Shining Armor said, getting his wife and sister's full attention.

- I mean what, brother. Twilight asked.

- and that a human could not do anything, as far as I know and heard, human, Alex as you prefer, has the powers of time at his disposal, so why not use them to withdraw their absorption by the being of darkness and light. Shining Armor asked.

- as always, we have too little knowledge about it, man, Alex is someone full of riddles, mysterious riddles and questions, until he stands with us hand in hand and talks openly with us, there will always be many questions about him, besides whether his powers of time would help here, if he did, he would use them and give the elemental lord another specimen of his power, but he didn't. Twilight Sparkle said.

- so we can only have hopes and guesses, and man, Alex is still an mysterious card here, if that's what we can do in the current situation. Cadance asked, this time full of fear and apprehension, hugging her slightly shorter husband.

- As I said, we can wait and hope that the enemy will no longer provoke man to act in a similar way as it did yesterday. Twilight said, looking up at the sky full of stars and flaming lanterns.

Her brother and sister-in-law looked at each other trying to assimilate the words of her sister and family, at one point and Shining and Cadance came to a similar conclusion.

- if it was so, if Akeron provoked a man to act in a way not similar to the hero's actions, what can we do now, do we have to watch over each other and each of our citizens and soldiers, and what if Akeron decides to take my wife. Shining Armor said, hugging his wife tightly.

- worse, what will happen if Akeron takes my husband or our children under what then!. Cadance screamed, not wanting to even think in a similar way until she suddenly clogged her mouth so as not to tempt fate.

The fear that Cadance and Shining Armor felt was quickly shared by even Twilight Sparkle who quickly thought about her friends and the dragon, the next thoughts like an avalanche focused on everyone who meant less to the most, princesses, New Six, Starlight, Sunburst, even Discord appeared in her horrible visions, Twilight started talking to herself, shaking her head uncontrollably until her family had to intervene by catching her and shaking her left and right.

- Twilight please, I didn't mean to forget what I said, being together we will overcome everything, together!. Shining Armor shouted straight into his sister's face, which stopped her thoughts rushing into deeper and deeper fear.

- Shining is right, only by standing together we are able to win, help each other, we will not let Akeron try to provoke a man to his madness again and I sincerely hope that after what Alex did, Akeron will abandon similar practices, let it be so. Cadance said, and her words and her husband's words broke Twilight's terrible thoughts.

Twilight Sparkle looked at her family and smiled, hoping for Cadance's words, hoping to believe that the Dragon's Lair would never happen again.

- thank you, being together we will not allow ourselves to repeat this story, and let Akeron stop at what he did once, someone like that should not make the same mistakes. Said Twilight Sparkle, finding new hope. Come deep in her heart, she felt that she would have this one point of fear to repeat the repetition of history.

The next day, when the moon was tilting towards the horizon, Princess Celestia stood on the highest tower and using her great power began to raise the sun to begin the next cycle of day and night. But this time everything was different, the sun should give light to the whole world, but every moment it seemed that the sun was shining dimmer and dimmer, as if something was blocking it, when Celestia looked at the sky, she saw a terrible sight in the sky, and at the same time heard the screech and scream of the guards.

- not impossible, just not this!. Celestia shouted as she saw the two-hundred-meter titanic form of a human racing straight towards Canterlot.

Man in his titanic magma and ethereal form landed in front of the castle clutching a terrible fiery sword with both hands, the man looked at Canterlot and swung several times over the highest towers, the sun princess could only fall on her stomach, saving herself from a sudden and powerful blow that would surely drag her to the afterlife.

For a moment Celestia trembled under one of the battlements of the tower until everything was shaken by the sudden bang of impact and a strong explosion tearing through half of the capital, when the princess stood up and looked down she saw before her the terrible sight of a half city and a fiery sword steeped in laser powers rising above her head. knowledge and red power.

- not why are you doing it to the monster!. Celestia shouted at the top of her throat, activating the magic of her horn.

The man didn't answer, he didn't seem to pay attention to her, instead he struck another fiery sword causing another strong explosion, another explosion cut through the city again and destroyed everything on the road. Princess Celestia was shocked to look at the enormity of the destruction, not understanding the motives and actions of man, at the same time she could no longer look at the destruction and destruction that the madman was spreading, Celestia, accumulating all her power to one destructive attack, sent a great beam using all her strength to the last of reserve, the beam struck the giant man's chest with a bang, but the beam did not even wobble the man, one half of the beam melted like molten copper, and the other half of the beam flew through the ethereal part of the human body to be absorbed by the last one.

Celestia, losing her power, fell to her knees, looking at the man turning half-burning igneous head and half-ethereal face towards her.

- you, slave of destiny!. Alex said, lifting his sword higher and higher and swinging it at ever greater speed.

- I knew, I always knew that you are a madman, you are a monster worse than Akeron. Celestia said watching Alex unleash a powerful destructive wave from his sword, hitting first the castle walls, then the turrets and finally the terrified Celesta.

- Sister, little sister, please wake up. The cry of the moon princess broke her older sister from her terrible sleep. Suddenly Celestia realized the situation, her exhausted and dark circles under her eyes looked at her room, everything was in its place, the king's bed, cupboards, desk, table, wardrobe and window showing the hiding moon and of course her younger sister who had a glimpse into the world dreams.

- Luna?. Celestia asked, glad that someone had finally saved her from the terrible nightmare.

- yes I am here, always with you. Princess Luna said, blue Alicorn embraced his white sister, encouraging her after her terrible sleep was interrupted.

- oh how glad I was it was just a nightmare. Celesta said.

- I know she saw him well and I had to intervene. Luna said.

- Besides, someone has to pull the sun into the sky, so I had to wake you up.

- thank you for everything, for being with me, that you are simply my dear little sister, thank you for everything. Celestia said, surprising her sister with another firm hug and a sudden emotional burst of tears of happiness and hope.

- I was really afraid that what I dreamed was true.

- little sister, know that it was only a dream.

- only or as much as. Princess Celestia said, breaking her hug and looking her sister in the eye.

- what do you mean. Princess Luna asked expecting the worst.

- I'm afraid for you, for everyone, I'm afraid that man will become unpredictable and I do not mean the plans of the lord of the elements, I know what Akeron can do, he can use each of us to provoke a man and man himself can bring destruction to each of us again protecting us in general, but what will happen when a man becomes mad that we are also servants of destiny, what then!, he will destroy us all!. Celestia shouted, ending her emotional discourse about the human.

- and worst of all, there is no weapon that can help us defeat a man or at least banish him to the human world, maybe except the lord of the elements, but fortunately for us he is imprisoned in an underground prison, even our mirror will not work without his personal will, we are lost. Celestia said, sounding calm and logical this time.

- I can't agree with that. Man will never raise his hand against us, I am sure of that. Luna said.

- at least I want to believe it, besides why would a man change his mind, you yourself heard that man found in us what he did not find in the human world, we cannot kill a child and willpower, and man will always be our ally, come preferred that I would be our friend. Luna said and she hid her face and her smile.

- friend?, sister tell me one thing. Celestia said walking closer to her sister.

- huh?

- or like Twilight and Tempest and you find a man cute.

- a bit.

- a bit?.

- and what's not cute. Luna said, this time looking into her sister's eyes.

- well, it must be said that he is interesting, but he is a human being, a human being in our world, someone dangerous with indescribable powers, and this is how we should look at him. Celestia said and her eyes momentarily stopped following her little sister and she had some trouble saying the last sentence herself.

- but aside from these details about human power or insanity, you think people are curious, you know. Celestia asked and her sister nodded her head.

- I think they are curious in many respects. Luna said chuckling with her last words.

- sister please, a little seriousness, I know people are curious, in particular, this man whose photo was shown to us by Summer Shimmer, you know the guy with the shield, Captain, Steve Rogers. Princess Celestia said for a moment losing touch with reality.

- sister, little sister or everything is okay. Princess Luna asked, seeing as her own sister drifted away for a moment.

- Er, what was I saying?. Celestia asked suddenly.

- You were saying something about some captain.

- oh yes, yes, no matter what, we have to get a pretty mess and do a lot.

- but let's start with the beginning of the day, right. Luna suggested.

- oh, yes, yes, I'm already on it. Celestia said in a slightly confused voice.

THIS TIME, NEW ABYSS.

Akeron in the reflection of the three pillars showed his four servant his terrible free hand, but he did not triumph himself, he still had the last two days in his memories, he constantly recalled and analyzed the failure of his creation, he could not believe that someone outside his family of elemental lords could defeat his servant and yet his mighty servant, more powerful than the jewels of harmony and all that the present world could give and do, his servant was defeated, annihilated, and smashed like a toy by an unpredictable adversary.

The image of the defeated Hydra-Pony by man kept returning in the mind of the elemental lord, Akeron could not believe that someone out of this world was able to defeat his servant from the past, come of course Akeron fulfilled his plan using the victory or defeat of his servant did not want to witness the fall his bravest soldier and at the hands of someone truly insane.

Akeron also couldn't understand how someone like the man he had as a hero could do something like that to the old heroes, destroying them along with their servant.

- after all, a real hero would never do that. The thought flashed through the mind of the Elemental Lord.

- Master, so what is our next step, your servant has fallen, the vessels too, man is not a hero as we thought at the time, so what are we going to do with this fact now?. Tirek the red centaur asked.

- if there is no way to blackmail him or force him to act, what can we do. Chrysalis asked.

- exactly what options we have. Asked the adult Cozy Glow.

- and I think it was a big bluff, so he took our old heroes from us to deceive us all!. Sombra said angrily, when the black unicorn stood in front of everyone, showing his opinion, Akeron looked at him thoughtfully.

- maybe you're right, Sombra, maybe that's what it was supposed to be like, if it was supposed to be like that, it is worth checking it four times, and if it is confirmed, I will collect another essence from the hearts of good ponies. Akeron said, and the ground near the four tyrants began to tremble.

Everybody saw another scarlet pedestal with a visible second gyroscope partially charged with the tiny power of these hens, showing their anger towards the man.

- you see my next great work, if a man does it once again, he will hit the creatures with the knife to the throat, we will have a chance to take another power and rise up another of my chosen ones. This is our chance. Akeron said, staring at everyone watching the silvery gyroscope engaging the bad and above all good essence of good ponies.

Akeron had a very interesting and daring plan, but both Tirek and Cozy Glow and Chrysalis saw one missing detail in it, and that was human.

- well, everything is beautiful and nice, and what about the man, if he does what you plan, or if your new plan and its finalization will have a chance in the fight against the man. Tirek asked.

- exactly your first chosen one was defeated by a man, of course he gave him a good resistance, but he was defeated by him anyway if this new being of yours has any chance. Cozy Glow asked, twirling her pink curls to the left and right.

- and most importantly, what we will do if a man turns out to be a madman what he looks like now. Chrysalis asked.

Akeron himself was silent for a moment, the vision of his second servant's failure at the hands of a man was unacceptable to him, and at the same time so terrifying, and if a man was able to do it and not only that, make his second part of the plan be implemented by the man in the same way. that his madness, all this made the lord of the elements seriously think about the man himself, who so far has shown that he appreciates the tears of this world the most, the tears which could not be taken from him and, as man himself said, the good of the whole.

- I don't think this way, if a man does the impossible, he won't stop my return anyway, and when I'm free even he with his powers won't be able to defeat me. For I am the god of this world. Akeron said come on in his voice you could hear the uncertainty.

- You promised me something anyway. Suddenly everyone was roused out of their thoughts by the evil and imperious voice of the evil black king with a black heart.

- Akeron you promised me something and I'm waiting patiently for you to keep your word. Sombra told what the image of the six-eyed and seven-legged head of the elemental lord turned to him.

- I know what our contract is. Akeron said.

- so what do you want to do. Asked Sombra, Akeron suddenly laughed.

- I know what we will do, everyone will have a chance for revenge and you will use the creatures of this world, family, close friends, you Sombra will go to the crystal empire, we will check a man if he is so crazy, you will attack the palace, take little Star Lara underneath it and wait on a man, if he shows up and he will definitely do it.

- where does this certainty come from, boss. Cozy Glow asked uncertainly.

- it is obvious, it will be a small child, as he said himself, he is also a small child, so we will see if he is faithful to his principles. It will be interesting. Akeron said, then he started to laugh out loud making the two pillars tremble, and his laugh met with the laugh of a unicorn with a black heart.

- I'll do as you like, but no matter what a man does, it's my revenge and even you won't take it from me. King Sombra said angrily.

- but of course, do what you want with her, when you check the human, do what you want with her, as long as it does not turn out to be an easy-to-manipulate hero. In two days you will find your revenge, I promise you, with its pain you will deal the greatest blow to the hearts of your adversaries. Akeron said as he and Sombra began to laugh diabolically, the rest of Tirek, Cozy Glow and Chrysalis looked at them with considerable apprehension.

- and as for you, my loyal servants, I also have a personal work for you, I will give you vengeance on your personal adversaries, you will hit the most sensitive points, the whole world will tremble from day to day, and if a man turns out to be a madman, we will be victories anyway, and then I will give cut into pieces between us the whole world, not only Equestria will fall under my grip, and the whole world, all continents, everything will be ours and connected again!. Akeron said boomingly, and they all raised their feet and hooves, cheering in front of their lord.

- but first, Tirek, Chrysalis, Cozy Glow, to hit a tender spot I will give you the power of corruption, you will use them on the family and loved ones of those who are your target, hit the strongest spot, on family, on close friends, and when the power begins the corruption will do its job, brother and sister will attack brother and sister, father and mother, a friend will hit a friend and loved ones will fight their loved ones. Akeron said, placing his hand over the amulets of the three tyrants.

So the amulet of evil centaur, adult Alicorn and former queen of changelings glowed with scarlet power.

- I give you a chance, here is its symbol, find those whose loss will hit the most, loss and betrayal, let them show their darkest face, you can hit anyone with them, but remember, the number of charges is limited. Akeron said and he began to laugh again and his laughter became the beginning of a great danger to the whole world, not only Equestria was in danger at the present time, come all the attention of the elemental lord was focused on her, the whole world was in danger, always was.

L

this is how the third series began, called a series of pain, disappointment, broken faith and hope, because what will happen when the last sparks of hope and faith are extinguished, only madness will remain, I'll be honest, I had a problem to write the third series and when it was finished I felt morally shattered, but as I wrote before, when the last ray of faith and hope dies, only madness will be left.