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div style="max-height: 999999px; padding-left: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"Chapter XXX p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongFirst things first, NOT THAT KIND OF XXX! /strongstrongThat's Roman numerals for 30! /strongstrongNow that that's out of the way, HELLO, PEOPLE OF THE FANFICTION WORLD! /strongstrongGOLDENPONYBOY IS BACK FROM THE DEAD! /strongstrongYou know, I started this fic last year during the track season at my school, and now it's right after that season again…/strongstrongTHIS FIC IS ABOUT A YEAR OLD! /strongstrongI need to get back on the ball. /strongstrongTHE FIC IS THE THING!/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongP.S. I forget who gave me the use of Fleet Fire, but now I'm finally using her to her intended purpose./strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Fluttershy pulled away from Paul for the third time, but it still had no effect. He was still struggling against her every time. "Unhand me, you stubborn mule! What are you trying to do?"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""I… I want…"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Paul finally pushed her away before standing in the spot where Sombra had left the garden. "Whatever you were trying to do, stop it. You're all too late! Grandfather is now back in Equestria, taking his rightful place on the throne forevermore!"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Tristan began to step toward him. "Why are you still defending him? He betrayed you!"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""So? He can't trust me, as he hasn't worked with me for long enough. Besides, I'll get my reward in due time."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""What makes you think that he's coming back?"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Paul lifted his head and released a brisk laugh. "Oh, Tristan… I do not believe you understand the… emgravity/em of the situation." At that, he turned around and held his hand toward Tristan. Instantly, he began to be lifted off the ground. After this, Paul turned him upside. "Don't underestimate the powers at work. Things won't change because you try to reason them to."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"As Tristan struggled in the air, Joseph came up behind Paul and grabbed his arms, locking them behind his back. "Paul, listen to me. Sombra was using you. There is nothing more to it. And do you know what he intends to do in Equestria?"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Eliminate the Princess Celestia and take over the kingdom himself, as if that needs explaining."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""I meant to you. Why did he leave you here?"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Isn't it obvious? This world is my plaything now! I shall reign in my grandfather's stead."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Joseph shook his head. Before he could continue, Fleet Fire walked up to Paul and placed her arms on his shoulders. "Paul… look into my eyes."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""What?" Then, he let out a short laugh. "Oh, I see. But if Fluttershy couldn't change me, what makes you think you can?"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"She gazed right into his eyes, causing him to not only stop mocking, but locking him in place. Then, she blinked her eyes wide, causing them to glow a bright red./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"emPaul opened his eyes, noting that he was not outside the Garden of Eden any longer. /ememHe was now inside a forest, lying on his back and looking up at the canopy. /ememHe held a hand to his temple before sitting up, noting that he was next to a lake, with a Pegasus at the other side./em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"emStanding up, he walked around the lake and stood next to the Pegasus, recognizing it almost immediately as Fleet Fire. /ememBut while he could see her, it became evident that she couldn't see him./emem "/emIs this a vision?" emhe thought, curious as to the reasoning./em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"emUpon closer observation, he noticed that she was crying, every tear steaming off of the lake as if it were a drop of fire. /ememIn this steam, Paul noticed images from what he believed to be were her past. /ememHe saw several images in this steam: an older stallion caressing area around the side of the steam; his grandfather prepared to smack the area closest to them; seemingly endless forest rushing past./em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"emHe stood there, watching these images for a short while longer, before the color from around the forest faded to black completely. /ememAs he looked around, nothing stood out./ememBut it was not until he began to take a step forward when a voice called to him./emem "/ememDon't you see who you were?"/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"emPaul immediately turned around to face Fleet, who seemed even more scared than their first meeting./emem "/ememYou show me a few scenes from your past. /ememWhat can that show me about myself?"/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"em"/ememThese are the things that kept me awake at night as I was running. /ememThe evil stallion… he ruined my life…/ememThen, I met you./ememI sensed something about you. /ememYou were… and still could be... everything he isn't."/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"emPaul let out a short laugh./emem "/ememI am his descendant! /ememHis blood runs through my veins! /ememHow could you say that I am any different from him?"/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"em"/ememYou made me feel safe. /ememAfter living under his rule… you were… something new."/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"em"/ememI am no different from my grandfather, Fleet."/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"em"/ememThat's not true! /ememYou are not evil! /ememAt least, you weren't." /ememShe began to step towards him./emem "/ememFluttershy may be the reason you're in this scenario, but I will get you out of it."/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"em"/ememHow do you intend to do that?"/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"em"/ememShe doesn't truly love you. /ememShe feels indebted to you." /ememShe was finally close enough to put her arms around his neck./emem "/ememBut I do. /ememFrom the time I met you, something felt different about you. /ememSomething… amazing."/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"em"/ememFleet… I…"/ememHe shook his head and pushed her back a little./emem "/ememI can't believe you. /ememYou are the enemy."/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"em"/ememNo… I'm your friend, Paul. /ememAnd I don't want to see you like this."/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"em"/ememHow do you intend to change me?"/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"em"/ememJust help us."/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"em"/ememI can't fight my grandfather."/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"em"/ememWe'll see about that."/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Paul blinked a few times, held a hand to his head, and then began to look around at the people around him. "Paul, are you okay?"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"He looked at Joseph before continuing to look around at the other faces. Then, his eyes locked onto those of Fleet Fire. He noticed that her cheeks were turning a slight shade of crimson, before she turned away slightly./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"He let out a short sigh before saying, "Fine. I'll take you back to Equestria. But I cannot promise that I'll be on your side. Is that understood?" There was a near collective nod from the others outside the Garden. At this sign, Paul stood in a short distance away. He closed his eyes, focusing on the air before him where his grandfather's portal had been. Slowly, it began to open back up, at which point he turned around to look at the others. "This portal will take us to Canterlot, but it will most likely highly defended." He gestured to the portal behind them. "On you go."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongMeanwhile, in Canterlot Castle…/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Celestia sat on her bed in her room, staring out the window on the city around the castle. These poor ponies, that she had pledged to protect with her life… about to be under the rule of Sombra. For once in her life… she felt powerless. Not only powerless, but at a loss of faith as well. She knew one of the Elements of Harmony wasn't in this world now, and even if she were to return, it would make little to no difference./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Sister? May I come in?"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Hmm? Oh, yes, Sister."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Luna slowly entered the room, closing the room behind her. "You cannot marry that fiend! We have had to banish him twice, and this time he can just come an best you? Nothing can best you!"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""He threatened to harm the citizens."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""He's made the threat before, and we've been able to fight him off. What makes him so different this time?"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Sister, there is a new power about him. Something that wasn't there before. It's like… I don't know. But he seems so much more powerful."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Be that as it may, we've never been stopped before. There has always been a way to best evil before. We can get through this. I'm sure of it."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""As much as I want you to be correct… I just… leave me, Sister. Please. Allow me to think."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""As you wish, Sister." She left the room, but nearly made it out before there were the sounds of a struggle outside the door. Celestia jumped off her bed and rushed out the door to see that six black stallions had her sister pinned to the floor, her forehead bleeding profusely./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Release her! Now!"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""In due time, my Fiancee." Sombra stepped out of the shadows before her. "Think of this as… insurance. She'll be fine as long as you follow along with our plans, Princess."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Celestia knelt down and put her head next to her sister's and began to cry. "You… monster…"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Sombra had to laugh at this. "Oh, please. What is different from the last time we confronted? Oh, wait… that's right." He looked down at Luna. "Her little Prince helped me gain the only power stronger than yours."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""What? What are you talking about?"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""The power… of eternal life."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongChapter Complete. /strongstrongFinally, I'm able to complete this chapter. /strongstrongAnd might I just saw, I'm glad that I was able to do so. /strongstrongI've been putting this off far too long with other project. /strongstrongBut hopefully I can get this thing finished. /strongstrongAgain, I'm sorry. /strongstrongI forgot who gave me use of Fleet Fire. /strongstrongBut I remember how I was supposed to use her. /strongstrongSo there you go. /strongstrongRR AND ADIOS!/strong/p
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div style="max-height: 999999px; padding-left: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"Chapter XXX p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongFirst things first, NOT THAT KIND OF XXX! /strongstrongThat's Roman numerals for 30! /strongstrongNow that that's out of the way, HELLO, PEOPLE OF THE FANFICTION WORLD! /strongstrongGOLDENPONYBOY IS BACK FROM THE DEAD! /strongstrongYou know, I started this fic last year during the track season at my school, and now it's right after that season again…/strongstrongTHIS FIC IS ABOUT A YEAR OLD! /strongstrongI need to get back on the ball. /strongstrongTHE FIC IS THE THING!/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongP.S. I forget who gave me the use of Fleet Fire, but now I'm finally using her to her intended purpose./strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Fluttershy pulled away from Paul for the third time, but it still had no effect. He was still struggling against her every time. "Unhand me, you stubborn mule! What are you trying to do?"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""I… I want…"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Paul finally pushed her away before standing in the spot where Sombra had left the garden. "Whatever you were trying to do, stop it. You're all too late! Grandfather is now back in Equestria, taking his rightful place on the throne forevermore!"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Tristan began to step toward him. "Why are you still defending him? He betrayed you!"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""So? He can't trust me, as he hasn't worked with me for long enough. Besides, I'll get my reward in due time."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""What makes you think that he's coming back?"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Paul lifted his head and released a brisk laugh. "Oh, Tristan… I do not believe you understand the… emgravity/em of the situation." At that, he turned around and held his hand toward Tristan. Instantly, he began to be lifted off the ground. After this, Paul turned him upside. "Don't underestimate the powers at work. Things won't change because you try to reason them to."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"As Tristan struggled in the air, Joseph came up behind Paul and grabbed his arms, locking them behind his back. "Paul, listen to me. Sombra was using you. There is nothing more to it. And do you know what he intends to do in Equestria?"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Eliminate the Princess Celestia and take over the kingdom himself, as if that needs explaining."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""I meant to you. Why did he leave you here?"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Isn't it obvious? This world is my plaything now! I shall reign in my grandfather's stead."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Joseph shook his head. Before he could continue, Fleet Fire walked up to Paul and placed her arms on his shoulders. "Paul… look into my eyes."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""What?" Then, he let out a short laugh. "Oh, I see. But if Fluttershy couldn't change me, what makes you think you can?"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"She gazed right into his eyes, causing him to not only stop mocking, but locking him in place. Then, she blinked her eyes wide, causing them to glow a bright red./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"emPaul opened his eyes, noting that he was not outside the Garden of Eden any longer. /ememHe was now inside a forest, lying on his back and looking up at the canopy. /ememHe held a hand to his temple before sitting up, noting that he was next to a lake, with a Pegasus at the other side./em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"emStanding up, he walked around the lake and stood next to the Pegasus, recognizing it almost immediately as Fleet Fire. /ememBut while he could see her, it became evident that she couldn't see him./emem "/emIs this a vision?" emhe thought, curious as to the reasoning./em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"emUpon closer observation, he noticed that she was crying, every tear steaming off of the lake as if it were a drop of fire. /ememIn this steam, Paul noticed images from what he believed to be were her past. /ememHe saw several images in this steam: an older stallion caressing area around the side of the steam; his grandfather prepared to smack the area closest to them; seemingly endless forest rushing past./em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"emHe stood there, watching these images for a short while longer, before the color from around the forest faded to black completely. /ememAs he looked around, nothing stood out./ememBut it was not until he began to take a step forward when a voice called to him./emem "/ememDon't you see who you were?"/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"emPaul immediately turned around to face Fleet, who seemed even more scared than their first meeting./emem "/ememYou show me a few scenes from your past. /ememWhat can that show me about myself?"/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"em"/ememThese are the things that kept me awake at night as I was running. /ememThe evil stallion… he ruined my life…/ememThen, I met you./ememI sensed something about you. /ememYou were… and still could be... everything he isn't."/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"emPaul let out a short laugh./emem "/ememI am his descendant! /ememHis blood runs through my veins! /ememHow could you say that I am any different from him?"/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"em"/ememYou made me feel safe. /ememAfter living under his rule… you were… something new."/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"em"/ememI am no different from my grandfather, Fleet."/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"em"/ememThat's not true! /ememYou are not evil! /ememAt least, you weren't." /ememShe began to step towards him./emem "/ememFluttershy may be the reason you're in this scenario, but I will get you out of it."/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"em"/ememHow do you intend to do that?"/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"em"/ememShe doesn't truly love you. /ememShe feels indebted to you." /ememShe was finally close enough to put her arms around his neck./emem "/ememBut I do. /ememFrom the time I met you, something felt different about you. /ememSomething… amazing."/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"em"/ememFleet… I…"/ememHe shook his head and pushed her back a little./emem "/ememI can't believe you. /ememYou are the enemy."/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"em"/ememNo… I'm your friend, Paul. /ememAnd I don't want to see you like this."/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"em"/ememHow do you intend to change me?"/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"em"/ememJust help us."/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"em"/ememI can't fight my grandfather."/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"em"/ememWe'll see about that."/em/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Paul blinked a few times, held a hand to his head, and then began to look around at the people around him. "Paul, are you okay?"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"He looked at Joseph before continuing to look around at the other faces. Then, his eyes locked onto those of Fleet Fire. He noticed that her cheeks were turning a slight shade of crimson, before she turned away slightly./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"He let out a short sigh before saying, "Fine. I'll take you back to Equestria. But I cannot promise that I'll be on your side. Is that understood?" There was a near collective nod from the others outside the Garden. At this sign, Paul stood in a short distance away. He closed his eyes, focusing on the air before him where his grandfather's portal had been. Slowly, it began to open back up, at which point he turned around to look at the others. "This portal will take us to Canterlot, but it will most likely highly defended." He gestured to the portal behind them. "On you go."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongMeanwhile, in Canterlot Castle…/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Celestia sat on her bed in her room, staring out the window on the city around the castle. These poor ponies, that she had pledged to protect with her life… about to be under the rule of Sombra. For once in her life… she felt powerless. Not only powerless, but at a loss of faith as well. She knew one of the Elements of Harmony wasn't in this world now, and even if she were to return, it would make little to no difference./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Sister? May I come in?"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Hmm? Oh, yes, Sister."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Luna slowly entered the room, closing the room behind her. "You cannot marry that fiend! We have had to banish him twice, and this time he can just come an best you? Nothing can best you!"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""He threatened to harm the citizens."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""He's made the threat before, and we've been able to fight him off. What makes him so different this time?"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Sister, there is a new power about him. Something that wasn't there before. It's like… I don't know. But he seems so much more powerful."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Be that as it may, we've never been stopped before. There has always been a way to best evil before. We can get through this. I'm sure of it."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""As much as I want you to be correct… I just… leave me, Sister. Please. Allow me to think."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""As you wish, Sister." She left the room, but nearly made it out before there were the sounds of a struggle outside the door. Celestia jumped off her bed and rushed out the door to see that six black stallions had her sister pinned to the floor, her forehead bleeding profusely./p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""Release her! Now!"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""In due time, my Fiancee." Sombra stepped out of the shadows before her. "Think of this as… insurance. She'll be fine as long as you follow along with our plans, Princess."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Celestia knelt down and put her head next to her sister's and began to cry. "You… monster…"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"Sombra had to laugh at this. "Oh, please. What is different from the last time we confronted? Oh, wait… that's right." He looked down at Luna. "Her little Prince helped me gain the only power stronger than yours."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""What? What are you talking about?"/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;""The power… of eternal life."/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongChapter Complete. /strongstrongFinally, I'm able to complete this chapter. /strongstrongAnd might I just saw, I'm glad that I was able to do so. /strongstrongI've been putting this off far too long with other project. /strongstrongBut hopefully I can get this thing finished. /strongstrongAgain, I'm sorry. /strongstrongI forgot who gave me use of Fleet Fire. /strongstrongBut I remember how I was supposed to use her. /strongstrongSo there you go. /strongstrongRR AND ADIOS!/strong/p
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