It was only an hour after the defeat of the four chosen ones and the arrest of the greatest cataclysm that Equestria had seen, yet this day was not a day of joy for many, it was related to the loss of a hero saving their world at the cost of his own life, many things could be said about the man, he was a madman. for sure, he was a hero in his own way yes, he was ruthless of course, this is how those who took too much and today received even more saw it.
Most of the united peoples, after the end of the battle and the stopped process of the destruction of the continent, returned to the camps set up under the mountain and in front of the capital, and in front of the crater, where the city of Ponyville was once located, there were a few ponies and two dragons, and most of the gathered people looked at the crater, testimony of the stopped extermination angry at man because he took everything from them again.
Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, Shining Armor, Cadance, Thorax, Luna, Braeburn, Big Mac, and Smolder all stared at the crater with their anger toward man and themselves.
- why did you have to take away from us even what we deserved!. Smolder screamed as the orange dragon screamed out loud words full of anger, a white unicorn mare standing near her with a purple mane angrily slammed her front hooves to the ground.
- you took everything from us, I can't even be angry with you, tell me why you did this to us. Rarity asked tightening her eyes tightly.
- He did it for all of you, not only for the good of all, for all of you. Tempest Shadow said as she stepped out to the front of the gathered ponies and dragons and the changeling.
- not only for the good of the public?, So why did he do what he did to my daughter. Cadance asked in anger, all her anger bursting as she thought of her own mistake and provocation from the elemental lord and the black king whose stone statue like the rest was dragged to the camp under the castle.
- because of what Alex did, I can't even hate him, he took everything away from me and I wonder why it was really about us, so if that was the case why he took my daughter from me. Cadance added, hiding in her husband's embrace.
- we must believe that he had no other choice, now he had, and yet he gave his life for all of us. Said the light purple dragon Spike standing next to a maroon unicorn mare with a red mane.
- believe, it's easy to say, he took a lot from us and today he gave and picked up even more than we can imagine. Applejack said.
- did he do it to us out of spite, or did this madman save us all on purpose. Thorax asked, angry at everything.
- or maybe he did it so he could get away from us. Braeburn said as the yellow pony stomped hard against the ground, his red cousin clenched his jaws to bite someone but he didn't know if he was a human.
- whatever he intended, he succeeded again, won again and we will never reach him again. Big Mac said.
- but we must believe, I believe that there was no other option, in those days and today. Luna said looking at Twilight Sparkle lying in front of the crater, who was still looking at the place of the last human farewell.
- we must believe.
- no! it's not like that!. Tempest Shadow screamed tired of hiding the truth.
Everyone, even Twilight, looked at the maroon mare hiding great secrets from everyone, and now, when a man was gone forever, nothing forced us to keep secret the truth of man.
- what are you talking about. Pinkie Pie asked.
- what is wrong. Fluttershy asked as she straightened her pink mane.
- Tempest or you something, you know. Rainbow Dash asked.
- Yes, I promised something to a man, but now. Tempest Shadow was about to say it all, reveal the whole secret, but was stopped by the sudden choking of the tall dragon, Spike began to cough uncontrollably until he finally spat out a scroll of the magic letter.
- what, but how. Spike said, taking the letter in his hand, and to everyone's surprise his eyes grew larger and larger.
- Spike, whoever sent you this letter. Twilight asked, looking at her dragon friend with the biggest eyes he could have.
- impossible, this letter was sent by your sister. Spike said in surprise, looking at the princess of the moon.
- my sister Celestia, but how!. Luna exclaimed, tearing the letter away from the dragon by levitation and reading the letter herself.
- this!, it's unbelievable!. Luna said, almost screaming with joy.
- but what happened, is it true?. Shining Armor asked, releasing his wife from a firm embrace with the slightest hope that miracles were happening.
- it's true, my sister writes that she is waiting for us all in the palace, in the throne room. Luna said, and everyone was looking at her with even bigger eyes than Spike himself.
- but does that mean a human, Alex ?. Rainbow Dash asked in surprise, trembling with every word as did her rainbow mane and tail.
- is it true that he really is. Thorax said, wanting to know the truth as soon as possible.
- what else she wrote. Cadance asked hurriedly, pleading in her heart that another miracle might happen that day and her hope was supported by the smile of the moon princess.
- he writes that there are more of them and in a moment someone will come to pick us up to take us all to the castle. Princess Luna said, and joy and genuine hope like a wave that passed through everyone who lost too much.
The question was whether the man did something completely different, whether it is possible that everyone was deceived, whether the man wove a perfect illusion hiding the whole final truth, new strength, new hope was above these questions, everyone wanted to get to the castle as soon as possible to see another miracle with her own eyes a miracle that Tempest Shadow knew about.
- So it happened, Alex today pulled back the veils of illusion. Tempest Shadow said, releasing her own tear of happiness, and her words did not go unnoticed by all gathered.
- wait, Tempest just don't tell me you knew something none of us in the world knew. Smolder asked.
- actually not, Zecora, Diper and Zax also knew about the secret of man but they and I stayed silent to protect everyone. Tempest Shadow said shyly, tilting her head a little ashamed.
- Did you promise the man silence?. Pinkie Pie asked, Tempest Shadow nodded in response.
- so that's it, I can understand you a bit, if someone promises to keep quiet, it's a beak for a padlock. Pinkie Pie said, dragging her right hoof over her mouth in a padlock gesture.
- but it does not entitle to keep such a silence, Tempest just tell me one thing. She asked Cadance, wanting to know the truth, but she didn't have to finish the question because Tempest Shadow's broad and sincere smile gave her the greatest hope and joy.
New hope and faith put almost everyone on their feet and hooves except for one creature, Twilight listened to the words and conversations of her friends, but she herself was sure that the man had worked a miracle, she still could not control her sadness which grew stronger at the present moment.
All conversations were quickly interrupted by the appearing spirit of chaos who also died at the hands of a man in front of everyone and now stood before everyone in a gala dress accompanied by two ponies, a green earth pony with a golden mane and a pink Alicorn, a bright curly mane in pink to purple with a cyan highlight.
- Flurry Heart, what are you. What's up?. Cadance asked, confused when she saw her daughter and Swift Max.
- I'll give it. Discord said, then he snapped his fingers again taking them to the shaggy throne.
In an instant, they all emerged from a bright flash of magic and found themselves in the middle of the throne room, but this time they were not alone, in front of the transferred ponies and two dragons stood those who were to die at the hand of a man.
Stygian, Star Swirl, Rockhoof, Mage Meadowbrook, Flash Magnus, Somnambula, Mistmane, Star Lara, Sugar Belle, Miss Cheerilee, Maud Pie, Garble, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Pharynx, Discord and Celestia, and man's last truth in finally she saw the light of day, a truth which for the sake of everyone Alex was forced to keep a secret in order to protect everyone, the general and every creature of this world, everyone who became closer to him.
- daughter!. Cadance shouted as she ran to her daughter Star Lara.
- sis it's you!. Flurry Heart screamed, catching her little sister in a tight and warm embrace.
- it cannot be!. Shining Armor shouted as he and his wife hugged their daughter.
- sister!. Luna screamed, throwing herself into a strong embrace with her sister.
- I thought you were gone forever. Luna added between her tears.
- it was supposed to look like this, in fact Alex did something else. Celestia said, also speaking between tears.
- oh little sister!. Pinkie Pie cried out, jumping up and down hugging her gray sister, Maud Pie.
- Oh, Pinkie, stop it or you'll strangle me, and it's not that bad, especially now. Said Maud Pie who is not used to showing deeper emotions.
- Brother, I thought. Smolder said hugging her red bigger brother.
- You know that you will never get rid of me, sister. Garble said, tapping his sister on the yellow right corner.
- Discord, I thought he took everything from me, took you from me. Fluttershy said between tears holding her lover in a suffocating embrace.
- Oh, Fluttershy, please stop or you'll strangle me and you'll have to cost a wreath for me. Discord said jokingly.
- I'm sorry, but it's stronger than me and I still can't believe it, so Alex really. Fluttershy said, releasing her tight hug for a moment to meet the spirit of chaos in the eye.
- yeah, Alex really saved us, as he called it, and yeah, he used the power of retroactivity to withdraw the power of warp or something like that but the effect is great and probably more chaotic than I thought. Discord said, standing on one leg showing his full form without gala attire.
- Brother, I thought, I believed, man, Alex, I was really able to believe that a man. Thorax said, being able to hug his brother whom he considered dead but his own brother stood before him as always.
- Alex has always had a different plan for all of us and I'm glad we finally got back. Pharynx said, standing in front of his brother alive and well.
- Sugar, I can't believe it. Big Mac said, embracing his wife tightly.
- Mommy, I believed that I would never see you again. Swift Max said looking tearfully at his happy mother.
- but for what you. Braeburn asked, also clutching Miss Cheerilee tightly.
- you know, I take care of children, and when Alex took Star Lara with him to defend her, he needed a babysitter and a cook, he rightly said that the previously taken Pillars were not suitable for this, so. Miss Cheerilee said, winking at Sugar Belle.
- so he took us to take care of the little baby. Sugar Belle said, and Big Mac, Swift Max, and Braeburn grinned.
- but why didn't he say anything. Swift Max asked looking straight into his mother's eyes.
- He said he was doing it for our good, he said something about many roasts or something like that, understand the man here. Sugar Belle replied with a slight chuckle.
- so he took you away from us to protect you all, he took my sister from me to protect us all, that's not serious. Rarity said, hugging her little sister tightly.
As Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash hugged their little sisters, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle tightly, pondering the reasons behind the human actions, leading the former heroes Star Swirl clad in a star robe and the little gray unicorn Stygian, along with Rockhoof, Mage Meadowbrook, Flash Magnus, Somnambula, Mistmane stood in front of everyone to explain the exact human operation.
- human, Alex, it must be said straightforwardly has always been a madman, as he said, he created a multi-level plan that changed every day, evolved to protect the common good and all of us, to create a false illusion that could deceive the lord of the elements. Star Swirl said, shaking his chin and everyone behind him, Rockhoof, Mage Meadowbrook, Flash Magnus, Somnambula, and Mistmane nodded confirming his words.
- but the most important thing was that Akeron was deceived, Alex had to deceive you as well, your pain had to be real, but the latter was not easy for him. Stygian said as he stepped closer to the two princesses of the sun and the moon.
Everyone looked at the gray unicorn, understanding everything, knowing the whole truth, the last one Alex hid from them, and now knowing everything, everyone shouted loudly, which met with the surprised looks of the survivors.
- what happened. Apple Bloom asked, looking at her sister.
- and it happened that I hated man for what he did, and now that he saved everyone and took away all of us hatred for him, anger and even regret, today, now I see that he has always been our true hero, a crazy but a hero!. Applejack cried, hugging her sister tightly again.
- so Alex stopped evil, Akeron was arrested. Star Swirl asked hurriedly.
- yes!, he did everything!. Twilight Sparkle cried on the verge of tears, which met with the surprised looks of the survivors.
- but what happened. Sweetie Belle asked.
- and that man gave his life for us to stop the destruction of the continent. Rarity said, hugging her sister tightly.
Along with the last words, all the former heroes and survivors looked at each other in a moment's silence. Broken by an uncertain bearded sage.
- it means that he is gone forever, maybe that's good, someone with such power could become a great threat. Star Swirl said shocking everyone but the most Twilight herself who jumped to the bearded sage and screamed in his face.
- how can you, monster!. Twilight's scream knocked the bearded sage to the ground. There were many shocking deeds, Star Swirl was scolded by the princess for it, but no more like the sudden scream of Twilight herself, for the rest of the survivors who looked at navy blue Alicorn with bared eyes without knowing the truth.
- but why. Mistmaje asked, hiding behind Rockhoof at the same time.
- you love him, yes. Said the familiar voice of a unicorn mare emerging from the corridor leading to the magic mirror.
Everyone glanced briefly at the orange mare with the red-and-yellow mane, to quickly glance back at the broken Twilight Sparkle staring at Sunset Shimmer in a moment's silence.
- Yes, I loved him even when he did terrible things, and now that it all came out I understood how badly I had misjudged him, I should never stop believing. Twilight said in a trembling voice.
They all looked at Twilight with the same regretful gaze. Those who knew the truth as well as those who know the truth only now.
- Twilight don't blame yourself, you know, now each of us knows, that's what the man meant, he deceived us, he concealed the truth to protect us. Spike said as he stepped closer to Twilight along with Tempest Shadow.
- and I knew, despite this, I had to keep quiet, but I could not otherwise, I hope you will forgive me. Tempst Shadow said.
- Tempest I know you did well but what will change it, Alex left a big hole in my heart, and you Star Swirl are glad that he is gone!. Twilight cried out again, shouting the bearded sage sheltering herself in her own robe.
Star Swirl lay for a moment on the stone floor of the throne room, seeing that he should never say such things, but his pragmatism and distrust of man made him be careful.
- so he really expected he might not come back. Princess Celestia said, magically lifting a man-written letter.
- Twilight, Alex wrote this letter especially for you, you want you to read it now, do it just in case, and now I know what for. Celestia said, handing Twilight the letter.
Twilight Sparkle trembled for a moment, unable to muster the strength to open the sealed envelope, finally, wanting to find out the whole truth, she opened the letter and took out a pair of numbered pages, then began to read from the first.
"Twilight if you're reading this means that everything is finished, Akeron has been held back and will never get out of eternal prison again, and my last effort has paid off to save you all, I must apologize to you for this and for many secrets, illusions and silences and forced initiated promises, there was no other way out, I know, I had no other choice, I have nothing to excuse myself, you have the right to hate me even now, but I had to do everything, because only I could meet it as a madman .
- he was crazy after all, but in the best way imaginable. Applejack said.
- and that's how it is inconceivable that any of us would do something similar. Rarity said as she embraced her younger sister.
- Hey girls, please calm down. Tempest Shadow said, letting Twilight read on.
Twilight herself paused for a moment, struggling to hold back her tears, taking deep breaths before reading the second page.
"I must admit that many of the decisions I had to make were never simple or fair to you, how I had to fictitiously take away too much from you was not at all easy for me, but I knew that what was tearing me apart was nothing compared to the pain I caused you, I can only hope that someday you will all forgive me, honestly speaking, the most difficult task was taking Star Lara with me, what I did to my parents and my older sister was too difficult but only I could cope with it, only I could face the pain I caused my parents , father, mother, sister, the sight of their eyes, their anger and pain, maybe I deserved hatred, if you hear that I don't expect you to ever forgive me, you have the right to be angry with me even now knowing and knowing the truth, I should never to do it without your consent and I have nothing to excuse myself ".
- what a madman, really. Cadance said hugging her younger daughter.
- if he thought that we would hate him today, he really had something wrong in his head. Flurry Heart said.
- How could he think we would hate him when we found out the whole truth, after all, Alex if you're out there, you saved our daughter and we will never hate you. Never!. Said Shining Armor, staring up at the broken stained glass window at the sky, hoping his words would reach the underworld or wherever the man went after his departure.
- He was really crazy but to the point, Twilight read on. Sunset Shimmer said, listening intently as Twilight Sparkle read the letter trembling attentively.
"It's nice to finally overthrow the last illusions and show everyone the truth, the only truth that I hid until that day, today all barriers have finally collapsed, today your world is free, just like each of you, because it was never about tears and goodness. in general, it was always about all of you, I always did my best to protect each one of you and I was willing to give my life for the smallest creature of this world if such an opportunity arose of course, but my crazy mind never led to this, as I always said I baked there are many birds with one stone and your safety, deceiving the lord of the elements and his four henchmen, was the priority here, the most important of all, I never wanted to see your despair dictated by real loss, I never wanted to lead to a tragedy and every day I weave a false image, illusions to deceive, to create a false image, I deceived you, Akeron has been deceived effectively and this highlights his nature and weaknesses , he has always been only a puppet and nothing more in the hands of destiny and nothingness and your world is safe today, I can only hope that it will happen when I am no longer there".
- he really knew. Princess Celestia said.
- you are surprised, sister, because I was not, Alex was a madman, not a madman, and someone like that goes beyond everything we know, now I can see it perfectly. Princess Luna said as she watched Twilight translate and pull out the last page.
"I know how much I have done, I know that I was not completely honest, I could write for a long time but there is no time for my world, of course it depends on you what you do, it's your decision, I have nothing to say anymore, I guess that I survived, but to the point, Twilight gave you the collected tears, I want you to take them to the world of people, you or any of you, the power of the collected tears should free my world from all evil started by destiny and nothingness, the power of tears will allow children and adults to recover dreams, remember what it is like to be a child full of dreams, as well as they will allow you to regain willpower so that each person can forge their own fate. I can only hope it really works. May this is my last word ".
PS.
"I certainly told you this myself, but sometimes I like to repeat myself, in particular what is important to me, if I regret something and regretted something when I first met you, that I had never met you before, I never saw how you all get to know each other, how you share a friendship that I have never seen in my world, but it is my greatest honor to help you, thank you all, thank you Twilight for everything .
Alex Kowalski.
- Alex, you crazy. Why. Twilight said, clutching the man's letter tightly, shedding tears through her closed eyes.
- He did as much for us as he could think we wouldn't forgive him. Rainbow Dash said, not ashamed of her own tears.
- He did too much in every possible way as he could believe we would continue to hate him. Smolder said looking regretfully at her brother Garble.
- because he was a madman, not a madman, as he emphasized himself. Said Miss Cheerilee, standing with Braeburn and shedding her own tears together.
- Twilight. Sunset Shimmer said as she walked over to Twilight.
- I can take away the collected tears, I can. Sunset Shimmer said as she extended her right hoof and Twilight responded with a quick and abrupt withdrawal.
- no!, it's not your mission, and I, for now, please leave it, it's the last thing that reminds me of him, please not today, not today!. Twilight Sparkle shouted as she escaped from the throne room in front of everyone.
- Twilight wait. Fluttershy shouted, wanting to run after her friend.
- please don't, she has to be alone. Celestia said, placing her hoof on the back of a cream pegasus.
- but. Fluttershy said.
- we can't leave her alone now. Applejack said.
- is in a bad condition. She added Rarity.
- her heart is bleeding, she can't be alone now. Pinkie Pie said for the first time truly serious to the current situation.
- You don't understand, Twilight is in a state where she must be alone until at least tomorrow. Cadance said as she stepped out in front of five friends.
- but is it a really good idea. Fluttershy uncertain.
- is it safe?. Spike asked.
- I know it for sure, no one knows as much about love as I do. Cadance said, but was quickly interrupted by the spirit of chaos standing with her friends.
- maybe you know a lot about love and a broken heart but this!, that's beyond your reasoning, she's in despair, she can't be alone now. Discord said shocking everyone, the princesses and everyone else.
- Discord man from this side I didn't know you. Princess Celestia, surprised, said.
- so what advice do you have. Princess Luna asked.
- just what you advise all of us. Stygian asked.
- tell us quickly. Star Swirl asked, and Discord glared at him angrily.
- first, never say that it is good, your fear is not supported by anything here!, how could you say something like that after what a man did for us, he saved your bacon and you what!, hooray because there is no human among the living because what, because he had an indescribable power!, but his heart was more than golden, the fact was crazy but in the best way you can imagine! So never say such a good thing!. Discord said repeatedly raising his voice to which Star Swirl, scolded, bowed his head in recognition of his own faults.
- in this it is impossible to disagree with our chaotic friend. Shining Armor said.
- this is the time when you, my friend, make a mistake. Stygian said.
- and it's so obvious. Maud Pie said, hugging her pink sister.
- right, you don't do that. Garble said nodding his head along with Smolder.
- such things are not done and said about a friend, no matter what power he wields. Smolder said.
- Star Swirl you should let your prejudices be clear, it's just unnecessary fear and nothing else. Pharynx said, keeping his brother under his wing.
- After what he did, I am not afraid of a man, even if he stood here in front of us in his 200-meter form, it is not worth being afraid of friends. Thorax said.
All words made Star Swirl, knowing his own mistakes, closed his eyes and wanted to dig deep underground, but suddenly an idea flashed in him.
- So what to do, how to help Twilight, Discord please tell you how to help her. Star Swirl asked, standing to attention to the spirit of chaos.
- first, today you have to leave her alone, but watch, watch carefully, I am not afraid that Twilight would want to do something inconsiderate, but it is worth keeping an eye on her today. Discord said.
- I apply for the service, today I will guard it. Star Swirl said.
- and then me, I'll change you in the middle of the night. Somnambula said.
- and I am in the morning. Said Flash Magnus in knightly armor flapping his wings.
- so since everything is agreed, you start from today to tomorrow and tomorrow we must be stubborn. Discord said.
- I can cut in. Said Sunset Shimmer to which everyone looked at the yellow unicorn with a fiery mane.
- Do you have any idea. Big Mac asked.
- I have some experience, recently I read a few books on psychology, and if, knowing Twilight from tomorrow, he starts working, reading, doing all this will be a psychological symptom to repel pain with endless work, there may also be other symptoms, but everyone will focus on one to fight the pain that will be with her for a very long time, so I have to stay here for a long time, so far I can't go back home, to the human world. Sunset Shimmer said.
- so be it, Twilight needs us all. Spike said. All the attendees nodded their agreement, and the first of the designated Star Swirls ran after Twilight to guard her just in case.
No one, however, saw in the broken window a scarlet raven that flew away to bring to its ruler the knowledge he had gathered that day, which meant only one thing, it was not yet the end.
L
finally the time has come when all the barriers of illusion created by man have fallen, finally everyone could learn the truth of their hero, because what Alex did was always a great illusion, he never hurt anyone and he defended everything as best he could, this is one of my favorite chapters as well as chapter 12 Personal Business, but you must not forget, today Akeron has an open road because this time he cheated everyone and everything is possible.
