Original Link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dXFSEkh8oTNtkaUjk_9MtaBls_Hv4uEOzFzwye58I_I/edit

It took her a moment, but finally, Twilight made her choice.

Although Princess Celestia avoided to aid her during the time of Obsidian’s mission, it is only thanks to her that Equestria survived up until this very day. It was her decisions, even though they sometimes might have been questionable, that saved the land from becoming steamrolled by demons.

If there is anypony who should be informed first, it is her.

Twilight used her magic to summon a scroll and inked quill. Then, she swiftly wrote an emergency report to Princess Celestia. As soon as she finished, the purple mare used an arcane magic spell to create an artificial dragon flame and sent off the letter.

“Don’t worry, Obsidian! Help is on the way! Just... just hold in there a moment longer, ok?” the purple mare explained in a nervous tone.

“Kill me, Twilight... kill me before... I...” the black stallion replied.

“I can’t Obsidian. I just can’t. I promise, I will figure out a way. But for now, you have to stay strong! Try to hold out for as long as possible!” Twilight spoke.

Of course, Obsidian did not agree with her actions at all, but he was no longer able to argue about it. He had to put all his strength in fighting back the demons, which were slowly taking him over.

Five minutes of silence followed while Obsidian pressed a front hoof against his head with a grimace of stress and suffering. As he nearly collapsed to the ground, Twilight spoke up again.

“No! Obsidian, stay with me! Talk to me!” she begged.

With the last bit of mental strenght remaining, he pushed himself upright again.

“Twi... light... please...” the black stallion replied weakly.

“Just hang in there! Everything will be okay again! You just need to-” Twilight started again.

Before she could finish, the purple mare became distracted by multiple bright flashes around her.

“Twily! Are you okay?” a familiar voice asked.

“Shining Armor? Oh thank goodness! The royal guards!” the purple mare spoke out in relief. “Yes, I’m fine. See, Obsidian? Everything is going to be-”

Before she could finish, Shining Armor gave the signal to the guards to surround the reaper, aiming their spears at him and casting multiple spells to trap him.

“W-wait! What are you doing to him?” Twilight asked.

“We aren’t going to do anything with him, but the reapers will. Princess Celestia teleported us here to make sure he won’t escape and ordered them to execute him. You need to go back to your library. She is waiting for you there,” her brother explained.

“No! They can’t kill him! I... I already lost so many friends...” the purple mare spoke.

“I’m sorry, Twily. But you have no idea how dangerous this situation is! Just look at him! He is already slipping away!” Shining armor explained while pointing at the reaper.

By now, Obsidian wasn’t reacting to anything anymore. He just sat there, staring at the ground with an expression as if he was just a lifeless puppet.

“I can prevent this! I just know I can! There has to be a way to save him! Please, Shining Armor!” Twilight begged.

The captain of the Royal Guard was unsure what to do. His focus kept jumping between his troops, the slowly turning reaper and his sister. Finally, he refocused her with a serious face and nodded.

“Alright, Twily. I’ll tell my troops to hold him in place for as long as we can. The reapers will arrive here in about ten minutes. You better get to the library as fast as possible and discuss your plan with Princess Celestia,” he explained.

“Oh gosh... thank you, B.B.B.F.F! Don’t worry, I will find a solution!” Twilight spoke, just before teleporting herself away.

---

On her way back to the library, she gathered up all of her friends. Although she did not say what was going on, they all followed her back to the library. As they realized Princess Celestia was waiting there, they knew something big was going on.

“Twilight, my faithful student! I’m so glad to see you and your friends unharmed. Thank you for informing me. By doing so, you saved more lives than you can imagine! Please, stay here in Ponyville. My reapers and I will take care of this and make sure nopony will get hurt,” Celestia spoke as soon as they entered.

“No, wait Princess Celestia! Call your reapers back! You can’t do this! There has to be a different way!” Twilight shouted.

“The reapers are coming? Why?” Rarity wondered.

“Twilight... he has to die. Don’t you understand? There is no other way,” Celestia replied to Twilight.

“Would somepony please explain what in tarnation is going on here?” Applejack requested.

“Oh... I-I’m sorry. I was in such a rush...” Twilight started.

She slowly turned over to her friends, mostly focusing Fluttershy with a very sad expression. The yellow mare was very confused, but Twilight could see in her face that she already had an idea what all this was about.

“It’s about Obsidian. He’s in Sweet Apple Acres and about to turn insane,” the purple mare explained.

Fluttershy instantly covered her mouth with her front hooves and tears filled her eyes. The others as well had shock filled expression.

“Oh my goodness! H-how... why is this happening?” the yellow mare wondered.

“I’ll explain it all later. But right now, we don’t have the time for this! We need to think of a way to stop this from happening!” Twilight replied.

“Ya left him there alone?! Are ya nuts, sugarcube? We gotta get mah sister and brother outta there!” Applejack shouted.

“Don’t worry, Applejack. My royal guards are keeping a close eye on him until the reapers arrive. You also needn’t worry about your family. By now, they should be out of danger,” Celestia explained.

Applejack sighed in relief a bit, but the general tension and fear of the situation remained for all of them. Now, Fluttershy stepped forth.

“Is... is there really no other way? Does he really have to die?” she asked with a voice as if she was about to break out in tears.

“I’m very sorry, Fluttershy. This is the only option we have. If we don’t kill him, he will turn into a red reaper and run amok, killing everything in sight. The last red reaper killed over half the population in Everfree City, the former capital of Equestria. I hope that, if you see what this city has become now, you understand why I must act like I do,” Celestia explained with regret in her voice.

This answer was very hard to accept for the yellow mare, but she understood. She just sat down to the ground and sniffled as the first tears rolled down her face.

“I... I see... I suppose... it’s okay then...” she agreed, hesitantly.

“No! It’s not okay! How can you say that? We already lost so many friends through this damn curse! And now, it’s about to get Obsidian as well! We have to stop this! We have to save him!” Twilight protested loudly.

“Twilight... I as well wished there was a way for us to save him, but there is none. It is either his death, or the death of hundreds. Yet even worse, if we fail to stop him in time, he could give birth to Malice, the right hand of Nightmare Moon. If that happens, the level of destruction would be beyond our grasp,” Celestia explained.

“Malice... oh my stars...” Rarity commented.

For a moment, the ponies didn’t know what to say. Neither did Twilight. All besides her came to understand that there was nothing they could do for Obsidian anymore.

The purple mare lowered her glance to the ground, sadness filling her mind at the thought of losing yet another friend. Finally, Rarity broke the silence.

“Twilight, darling... sometimes... all you can do is accept the things as they are... We had to do that with Snails, with Moondancer, with Pinkie Pie, with Rainbow Dash... and... and even... with Spike...” she started, sniffling shortly and a tear rolling down her face as she remembered the little purple and green dragon.

“Like... like all of them, we can’t do anything for him either. This is just how things are,” she finished.

“That’s not good enough for me!” Twilight suddenly shouted. “I had it with Maledictum Insania and the demons taking away our friends, one after another! How can all of you even dare to give up that easily? It’s Obsidian Shards we are talking about here! Have you completely forgotten all the things he had done for us? He has been through a hundred times more terrible stuff than all of us together. And now, this is what he gets as a reward? No! I won’t accept that! I won’t let him die!”

“Then what do you suggest we should do, Twilight?” Celestia asked with a serious expression and tone.

The purple mare turned back to her mentor. She could see in Celestia’s eyes that this decision was also hard for her, but she was absolutely determined it was the right choice.

“Well, what can we do?” Twilight asked.

“Nothing. I already tried everything possibly imaginable to prevent ponies from becoming insane. Nothing works. The curse of madness is simply too powerful. The only way to prevent things from becoming even worse is by ending his life,” Celestia replied.

Twilight lowered her head again. She just didn’t want to believe that the demons would get their will once again. Yet, Princess Celestia had been dealing with Maledictum Insania and the demons for a lot longer than she did. If she was so sure that there was no way to save him, then it might just be possible that...

“Wait a moment...” Twilight spoke as an idea shot through her head. “You said nopony could ever be saved from becoming insane?”

“Yes. Sadly, that is true,” Princess Celestia replied.

“Then what about your sister, Princess Luna? Nightmare Moon already had her under full control and we still managed to save her!” Twilight stated.

“That was a unique situation. It only succeeded because I prepared for this day for more than six hundred years. I altered the book of death and set up the flow of destiny to form your little group, the keepers of harmony. I made sure you all would be in Ponyville at the night of Nightmare Moon’s return and I lead you, Twilight, in discovering the legend of the elements of harmony. But as you know very well, you are not complete anymore. We no longer have control over the elements of harmony,” Celestia explained.

Twilight placed her right front hoof at her chin and rubbed it shortly with a thoughtful expression.

“Not necessarily,” she replied.

All the present ponies now glanced at the purple mare in confusion.

“You think we can do something?” Fluttershy wondered.

“Yes. There might be a way. But I have absolutely no idea if it will work. Actually, we would be very, very lucky if it does. For start ups, we need Derpy here,” Twilight replied.

“Derpy?! Why her?” Applejack wondered.

“What do you have in mind, my star student?” Celestia asked.

“I’ll explain it to all of you in a moment. But first, we need to find Derpy. Then... Applejack... Rarity... there is something you need to know before we do this...” Twilight replied.

---

Fifteen minutes have passed, but the reapers still didn’t reach Sweet Apple Acres. New orders had arrived, making even the royal guards retreat and leaving Obsidian completely unguarded in the middle of the orchard.

Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Derpy Hooves and Princess Celestia were nearby, hidden from the reapers perception by powerful spells.

With a short nod, Twilight gave the signal for the others to get in position. Only Derpy Hooves remained by her side. Then, she looked up to the concerned face of her mentor.

“Twilight... if this goes wrong...” she worried.

“It won’t. We need to have faith. I know how dangerous this is, but I think it’s worth the risk. We owe it to Obsidian. All of us,” the purple mare replied.

Celestia sighed a little and nodded in agreement. She knew that Twilight had set her mind on this and there was no way to change her decision.

“I have faith in you, Twilight Sparkle. You have overcome every threat and crisis so far, so I trust you know what you are doing this time as well. I will be back as soon as I can... Good luck, my faithful student,” the demi-goddess spoke, then teleported away.

“Alright... Oh gosh, he’s starting to look around now. Time is running. Are you ready, Derpy?” Twilight wondered.

“Sure am, Twilight! Don’t worry, no clumsy acting this time. This is just too serious. You can count on me!” the gray mare replied.

“I do, Derpy. Okay. See you at the checkpoint,” the purple mare spoke, then started running as well.

After Twilight left their hideout, the spells broke and created a small noise that instantly caught the black stallion’s attention.

To not bust Twilight too early, Derpy stepped out of the dark and slowly approached the reaper, faking a happy smile.

“Salvē, elder Obsidian! What are you doing out here all alone?” she asked.

The black stallion didn’t reply. Instead, he kept on staring at Derpy for a moment with a strange, lifeless expression.

Slowly, a grin started growing on his face. The reaper got up and started walking towards Derpy.

“Wow, what are you so happy about?” the gray mare wondered, still acting as if she had no idea what was going on.

Still keeping up the fake smile, she slowly backed away, which only made Obsidian come even closer.

His eyes went wide open and his grin grew to unnatural size, showing off his fangs. Now, even Derpy began to get worried and her expression changed accordingly.

She finally decided to turn around and start running. Obsidian instantly began to chase her, giggling crazily while he did so.

After just a few moments, they both had left Sweet Apple Acres. As the insane reaper came close, Applejack popped out of nowhere, kicking a few apples at him.

Obsidian easily dodged them, but Applejack succeeded in getting his attention. As she realized he was now charging towards her, she quickly started running as well.

The orange mare, though, was far from being as fast as the reapers or Rainbow Dash. It didn’t take Obsidian long to get dangerously close to her.

Now, Fluttershy shot out of her cover and jumped the reaper, grabbing him and throwing him over.

Obsidian jumped back on his legs almost immediately after. Due to the strong connection they had, she was now his prime target.

But instead of searching confrontation, Fluttershy lifted into the air and started flying towards Everfree Forest.

The black stallion might have still been able to fight, but his mind was not working far enough to understand that they were working together, trying to lure him away from Ponyville. So, he just kept chasing after Fluttershy, until she became replaced by Derpy again as the insane reaper was about to get too close.

---

The chase continued until the group managed to lure Obsidian to the border of Everfree Forest. Twilight was already waiting for them and worked on getting the reaper’s attention as soon as he came into her line of sight.

Obsidian took the bait. The purple mare teleported herself inside the forest, being closely followed by the black stallion doing the same. After a while, he managed to get in front of her and prepared to swing his scythe.

Now it was Rarity giving up her cover and launching a diamond at the reaper. In the short moment of distraction, Twilight teleported away, making Rarity the primary target.

This chase continued for several minutes as they went deeper and deeper into the forest. The ponies kept replacing each other whenever one of them was in danger.

Obsidian told them he knew the forest very well. They gave him this advantage on purpose to make sure he would definitely try to keep chasing them. Constantly, the group paid close attention to the insane reaper’s focus, making absolutely sure he would keep following them.

Finally, Twilight popped up again and made Obsidian chase her. She ran across a just recently repaired suspension bridge as quickly as she could while he kept hunting her by flying through the sky. The destroyed building ahead of her was one that had seen a lot of historic events by now. It was the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters.

Twilight quickly ran through the entrance hall, Obsidian right behind her. She rushed up the stairs, only to ultimately find herself trapped in a dead end as she reached Luna’s old throne room.

Twilight turned around, seeing Obsidian rush up the stairs and slowing down as he realized that she wasn’t able to run anymore. He kept approaching her slowly now, grinning wickedly and forcing her to retreat further and further to the back of the room.

The purple mare became nervous. She could easily escape by teleporting outside, but that was not her plan. Obsidian was in position now. Twilight could only hope that everypony else was as well.

Obsidian got ready to pounce her. Twilight just stood there and closed her eyes, causing the crazy reaper think that she had given up.

The black stallion jumped in the air. But then, a bright flash filled the room and Obsidian became launched into a wall, chains of pure light tieing him tightly to it and making it impossible for him to move anything more than his head.

Twilight opened her eyes again. In front of her was Princess Celestia. A sight that made her sigh in relief. Everything worked out as the purple mare had planned so far.

“Phew... that was close,” Derpy commented as she entered the throne room as well.

One after another, the keepers of harmony entered and stepped in front of Obsidian. He screamed furiously while struggling against the grip of the light chains. But it was no use. This spell was cast by Princess Celestia herself. Her magic was much stronger than he was. They had him.

“Okay. So far so good. Now it’s getting interesting,” Twilight commented, then turned her head over to Princess Celestia.

The bright demi-goddess simply nodded and started casting a levitation spell. Five necklaces and a tiara lifted into the air. The elements of harmony.

“My reapers are all in position. If your plan fails, I will give them the signal to storm in here,” she explained.

The elements were handed out to the present ponies. While Twilight and her friends got their elements, two still had no owner.

Then, one lifted up to Derpy Hooves and wrapped itself around her neck. The other one flew over to the black stallion. A necklace showing a red lightning.

Obsidian didn’t seem to even realize he got this necklace put around his neck. He just kept on screaming and struggling like a wild beast trapped in a cage. The mares slowly approached the reaper, until they were just a few steps away from him.

The insane reaper grinned widely as they came into his line of sight again and attempted to cast spells on them. But Celestia kept a close eye on him, canceling all his spells.

“Obsidian. Please, calm down. It’s us! Your friends!” Twilight started.

Her words had no effect on him. The black stallion kept struggling and trying to cast spells as if he didn’t even hear her.

“I don’t think it’s working, Twi,” Applejack worried.

“I already said you shouldn’t give up that quickly. He went through a lot of effort to protect us. We shouldn’t strive any less,” Twilight replied.

“Good gosh... just look at him... are you sure he’s still the stallion we know and not just a monster? Are you sure there is anything of Obsidian left in there?” Rarity wondered.

“If Obsidian was gone for good, then this in front of us would be a demon and not a cursed pony. Somewhere deep inside him, he is still struggling. We just need him to resurface for a tiny moment, that is all,” the purple mare explained.

“But I’m still not sure if this will work...” Derpy said concerned. “I mean... the element of laughter? Me? I mean, I do have humor! No doubt about that! But is it really enough for this to work?”

“There is only one way to find out,” Twilight stated and turned back to Obsidian.

He was still struggling and screaming. The mere fact that his mind was absent enough for him to fall for such an obvious trap and having it all work out until now was proof enough that he was very far gone. Not even Celestia was sure if they could get a glimpse of his mind to resurface.

“Obsidian... You have done so much. For all of us, for Ponyville, and most of all, for Equestria. You endured horrors none of us can even imagine, despite all the things we have seen,” Twilight started.

“All the time, ya’ve been givin’ yer best. To protect us, to guide us and to help us wherever possible,” Applejack continued.

“You always were ready to sacrifice yourself for the protection of others. You gave up absolutely everything that had meaning to you, just so others didn’t have to do the same. Now, you have even given up your own mind to protect our dear friend Twilight,” Rarity spoke on.

By now, Obsidian wasn’t struggling or screaming anymore. He stared at the mares with an empty expression.

“Elder, the conditions you’ve been working in were impossible to endure. Not a single reaper, no matter how focused, trained and experienced, would have made it this far. But you still kept going. Nothing could stop you from serving your mistress and protecting your friends, not even your own limits,” Derpy went on.

“This is why we want you to wear Rainbow’s element. The element of loyalty. If anypony embodies and deserves it, then it is you,” Twilight explained.

“Nopony will ever be able to replace Rainbow Dash... Same as nopony will ever be able to replace Pinkie Pie. But that doesn’t mean there will never be any more keepers of harmony. Derpy and you, my love, prove that there are still ponies in Equestria that carry the spirits of harmony in them,” Fluttershy continued.

“And so we beg you... Please, Obsidian. Come back to us. Come back to your mistress, to your friends and to your beloved one,” Twilight finished.

Obsidian kept on staring at the five mares before him. He clearly heard them speak and reacted to them.

Twilight hoped that they got him. But then, the insane reaper just started grinning and laughing again.

“It’s no use, Twilight Sparkle. He is too far gone. We need to end him while we still have him trapped,” Celestia suggested.

“No... it can’t end like this... Please, Obsidian! Come back!” the purple mare begged.

Her words were met with deaf ears. The reaper’s mind was a complete mess, not able to make any sense out of the things happening to him and around of him.

Now, Princess Celestia decided that it wasn’t worth the risk of keeping him alive anymore and gave a signal. Immediately after, the reapers rushed into the throne room and clustered around Obsidian, who still kept laughing maniacally.

“Forgive me, keepers of harmony. But I can’t put all of Equestria at stake for a single stallion, no matter how important and dear he might be to you,” the bright demi-goddess explained.

Celestia raised her right front hoof in the air, signalling the reapers to get ready to strike. Just as she was about to order his execution, a desperate female shout filled the room.

“Nooo! Please no! I can’t take this! I can’t take watching him die!” Fluttershy screamed with tears rolling down her face.

Princess Celestia, the keepers of harmony, the reapers and even Obsidian turned over to her. Fluttershy had become strong due to her training with Obsidian. But having her partner killed before her eyes was still too much for her to handle. Tears washed freely down her face while all her friends embraced the yellow mare to calm her down.

“I’m sorry, Fluttershy... I tried... I really tried...” Twilight apologized.

The yellow mare needed a moment to calm down again and even the reapers lowered their scythes again as they saw her misery.

“It’s... It’s okay, Twilight... Princess Celestia... could you... please let me say farewell to him and wait until I left the room before... he...” Fluttershy requested.

“I would not be able to forgive myself if I wouldn’t. Your sorrow is enormous as it is. I don’t want to make it any worse,” Princess Celestia replied.

“Thank you...” she spoke and started approaching the black stallion.

The other reapers immediately opened a path, allowing Fluttershy to reach Obsidian. He had his head hanging, but still kept grinning wickedly.

As Fluttershy came close, he slowly lifted his head, staring at her with the typical expression all ponies who are affected by Maledictum Insania have.

Like a wild beast, he snatched through the air, trying to bite her. But this didn’t scare Fluttershy. She placed her front hooves left and right to his head, out of his biting range and brought her head as close to him as she could without risking to get bitten or pierced by his horn.

What happened then could only be described as the effect of her Stare affecting him. While Fluttershy looked him right into the eyes, Obsidian did the same and seemed to be paralyzed for a moment, a kind of disbelieving expression frozen on his face. It was not her typical Stare, though. Her eyes were filled with warmth and sadness.

“I love you, Obsidian. I’ll always love you, even long after you are gone. Maybe I will have another stallion in my life at some point, but I already know I will never be able to feel for anypony like I felt for you,” she spoke, slowly and warmly, but with intense suffering in her voice.

Now, she came even closer and placed her lips on his. The black stallion did not react to this. He still maintained his lightly shocked expression. After a few seconds, Fluttershy pulled back again.

“Farewell, my love... Farewell,” she spoke, still crying.

The yellow mare turned back around and slowly started walking away. All of her friends followed her. None of them wanted to see this happen.

The keepers of harmony had done everything they could to rescue Obsidian. But it wasn’t enough. Nothing could make him recover his sanity for just a brief moment. All they could do now was leave the room and let Celestia and her reapers do their jobs.

“F...Fluttershy?” a deep male voice suddenly spoke.

The keepers of harmony instantly stopped and turned back around. Even Princess Celestia and the reapers looked back to the black stallion in disbelief.

“Obsidian? Obsidian!” the yellow mare shouted back.

The black stallion slowly moved his head around the room, seemingly trying to understand what he was seeing. Then his focus fell on Princess Celestia.

“My... mistress...” he spoke slowly.

It seemed like something started happening inside his mind. The keepers of harmony ran back in front of him, Fluttershy going even further, embracing him and crying loudly.

The black stallion focused them, then his eyes wandered down to the yellow mare.

“My... friends... My... love...” Obsidian continued analyzing.

“Yes. We are all here. All of us,” Rarity spoke.

Obsidian didn’t reply. Instead, he closed his eyes and smiled gently, a black tear flowing out of his good eye and rolling down his face.

It flowed all the way down to his chin. There, it stopped and formed a drip, which then fell down, right on the red lightning on the necklace.

Suddenly, the element of loyalty started glowing brightly. At the same time, all the other elements of harmony began to glow so powerful that the reapers were forced to step back.

As Fluttershy realized what was happening, she loosened herself from Obsidian and ran back to her other friends, forming a row facing the black stallion.

The elements of harmony combined their powers, forming a mighty rainbow colored beam of light, first shooting straight up in the air and then falling down onto Obsidian.

Although light usually harmed him, he embraced its warmth and the powerful sensation of harmony it gave him. The chains disappeared and the reaper spread his front legs and wings, allowing the light to wash straight through him.

The powerful magic rushed through the reaper and a dark aura formed behind him, which quickly broke into countless demons, getting blasted away by the force of the elements’ magic and screaming while they disappeared in its light.

With the demons he had consumed getting destroyed, more and more of his body became erased by the light as well.

His wings simply dissolved into small black clouds, quickly getting blown away.

Small red and black clouds escaped through his closed eyes, also getting washed away by the light.

His horn became dissolved, along with his cloak.

Finally, Obsidian himself turned into a black cloud and vanished into the light.

---

The light disappeared and Twilight slowly regained consciousness. As she looked around, she realized that only Princess Celestia remained standing upright, unaffected by the sheer force of the elements’ magic. All of her friends were still unconscious, but slowly woke up as well.

The rest of the room was filled with knocked out reapers. The intense light was too much for them. Although none of them were harmed, it would still would take them a while to come back to their senses.

“Ugh... Ah’ll never get used to that...” Applejack commented while slowly getting up.

“I know what you mean...” Rarity agreed. “Derpy. Hey, Derpy! Wake up! Wow. The elements really kick out the lights of reapers... if you know what I mean,”

“Ugh... Just a few more minutes... I promise I won’t be late for work... Wait. What? What happened?” the gray more wondered as she slowly came back to her senses.

“Congratulations, keepers of harmony. You have succeeded in using the elements to change destiny once more,” Princess Celestia spoke happily after they all got up again.

“It worked... It worked! Obsidian! Where is he?” Fluttershy spoke out in confusion and excitement.

Celestia smiled warmly and pointed over to the place where he had been chained down.

“Look over there,” she answered.

Surrounded by countless knocked out reapers, a single black stallion was standing with closed eyes, seemingly sleeping.

“Obsidian!” the keepers of harmony called out at the same time.

Slowly, the black stallion opened his eyes, placing his left front hoof against his head and making an expression as if he had a headache.

“What has happened? Where am I?” Obsidian wondered while rubbing his head.

As he slid to his forehead, he discovered with a small shock that his horn was missing. His eyes instantly shot wide open, giving him a second shock.

Disbelieving, Obsidian moved a front hoof over his face, discovering that he was able to see on both eyes again. They looked like normal pony eyes again and had changed their color back to gray, as they used to be when he was a foal.

Now lightly panicking, he looked all over his body. His wings were gone as well, along with the cloak and all of his scars, stitches and bite marks.

But the strangest change of all was his cutie mark. It too had disappeared. Obsidian was a blank flank again and his body had become as pure and undamaged as that of a newborn foal.

“What happened to me? Am I dead? Is this what death is like?” the black stallion wondered.

“No, you are not dead. You have been purified by the elements of harmony,” Princess Celestia explained.

Obsidian’s eyes instantly shot over to the bright demi-goddess. Again, he seemed to be lightly shocked.

“My mistress,” he spoke and kneeled down before her.

“No, Obsidian. I’m not your mistress anymore, since you are no longer one of my reapers,” Celestia corrected.

“I... I am... a pony again?” the black stallion wondered.

Instead of an answer, the keepers of harmony rushed over to him, Fluttershy running ahead and pouncing him.

“My love! You are back! I can’t believe it! You are back and everything is okay!” she shouted out in happiness.

“Mea amāta. Ladies. So you did this,” Obsidian analyzed.

After cuddling him for a moment, the yellow mare got up again and embrace Twilight, crying happily.

“You did it! You saved him! Thank you, Twilight! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Fluttershy kept shouting and crying in unspeakable relief.

Obsidian was still heavily confused. But as he lowered his head and saw a golden necklace around his neck, it started getting through to him. Somehow, they managed to use the elements of harmony by using Derpy and him as the missing keepers.

Now understanding what had happened, Obsidian started shaking. He didn’t really understand why, but he guessed that, since he was a normal pony again, he had difficulties handling the intense and fully unbound emotions rushing through him.

Seeing how nervous he was, Fluttershy came back to him again.

“Hush now, my love. It’s alright. Everything is fine again. Absolutely everything,” she spoke gently, still crying and sniffling a little, but smiling widely.

The black stallion lifted his head over to Twilight. She as well was smiling warmly at him.

“You have broken your promise, Twilight Sparkle,” Obsidian stated.

“I already told you I wouldn’t keep it. Did you really think I would actually kill you? Well, I think what we have done instead is way better anyway, don’t you agree?” the purple mare asked.

“Yes... I have to thank you, Twilight.” Obsidian replied, smiling lightly. “I never thought I would experience this ever again. I feel like an enormous weight had been taken off my shoulders... Thank you. Thank you all. Now, I can die in peace.”

“W-what?!” the five mares shouted in disbelief.

Obsidian gently loosened himself from Fluttershy and stepped in front of Princess Celestia, kneeling down before her again.

“My mistress. I have disobeyed you once again. Due to my actions, I put all of Equestria in danger. I am aware of my actions and am willing to face the consequences. I am ready to meet my execution,” he spoke while looking at the ground before her.

The five mares didn’t know how to react. They just stared at Obsidian and Princess Celestia, not believing he still wanted to die.

The bright demi-goddess just smiled gently, closed her eyes and placed her right front hoof on his shoulder.

“Any further punishment will not be needed. The fact that you even ask for one is proof enough that you have suffered more than necessary. As your mistress, the ruler of this land and demi-goddess of day and sun, I hereby pardon you for all your actions,” Celestia declared.

Obsidian lifted his head as soon as she was done speaking. Again, he felt a stunning sensation rushing through his body.

“But... all the horrible things I have done... all the innocent ponies I have lured into Pinkamena’s hooves...” he spoke.

“You already paid enough for that, Obsidian. This is all the past now. As I said before, you have suffered more than enough. From now on, you as well deserve to be free and happy,” Twilight explained.

“You mean... I... get to live a second life?” the black stallion wondered.

“Yes, Obsidian Shards. From this day forth, you should live as a normal pony and one of my subjects. The first one that ever became uncursed from the reaper curse,” Celestia agreed.

Again, the black stallion hung his head, trying to understand why all this was happening.

“How do I deserve this?” he wondered.

“My love... you of all deserve this the most! You have been through so much and no matter what happened to you, you remained loyal to everything. To your mistress, to me, to your friends, even to your mission,” Fluttershy explained.

“If that’s not a reason, then ah don’t know anymore!” Applejack agreed.

“But...” Obsidian started again, sitting down and staring at his front legs. “These hooves... they can do nothing but kill and destroy. How do you justify the existence of such a creature? Whose one profession in life is murder...”

“Well, that’s not true at all,” Derpy disagreed. “Just look at your flank! Do you see a skull cutie mark there? I sure don’t! Or look at your necklace!”

As she mentioned the elements, Obsidian glanced over to Derpy. She had become the keeper of laughter and the symbol on her necklace turned from a light blue balloon into a gray rune.

Then, he looked down to the one around his own neck. It was now that he realized that it, too, had changed. From a red lightning, it had turned into a black circle, not showing any kind of symbolism that would fit to Obsidian, despite him being the keeper of loyalty now.

“Don’t you get it, darling? You gained your cutie mark after you became cursed! It only turned out to be a skull because you were forced into the life of a reaper! You never got to discover your true talents! But now you can! You got a second chance to live your life!” Rarity stated.

“A life which I do not deserve...” Obsidian commented.

The black stallion turned his focus over to Applejack. He needed to let her know about his last actions as a reaper before they say anything else.

“Applejack... I... murdered your sister...” Obsidian stated with a lot of regret.

“Ah already know...” the orange mare replied.

Once again, the black stallion felt shock rushing through his body. Applejack looked down to Obsidian with an expression of sadness her face. But still, something in her eyes told him that she seemed to understand.

“And Rarity knows about her sister... Twilight told us all about it... But... we don’t blame ya, Obsidian. Anypony else might, but we don’t. Ya know why?” Applejack asked.

The black stallion remained silent. It was beyond him how they could bring up the understanding for all his terrible actions and how they were able to forgive him, so he just shook his head slowly.

“Because we are your friends,” Rarity explained. “We know you very well, maybe even better than you think. We will miss our sisters... but we understand why things turned out like this. Despite all, we all still helped you and we still want you to live this second chance. Don’t throw it away after we had been working so hard on giving it to you.”

A moment of silence passed while these words sank into the black stallion.

“You really wish for me to live?” he asked.

All of his friends nodded in agreement and even Princess Celestia smiled in approval. Then, he too began to smile.

“Thank you all so much. This is a gift only the fewest can claim to ever have received. I hate to bother you any further... but... I suppose I will need help getting used to being a pony again,” Obsidian spoke.

“You can count on us, sugarcube! We’ll stick to you, no matter what!” Applejack agreed.

“Grātiās... Yet, there is one more thing I need to do,” Obsidian announced.

He then got up and walked back over to Fluttershy.

“Mea amāta... I have to apologize to you for leaving you like I did. With my destiny sealed, I saw no other way... But now that I face this new situation, one thing is perfectly clear to me. A life without you is not worth living. You are the beat of my heart. You are air I require to breathe. I need you, more than anything,” Obsidian started.

Then he got down, kneeling in front of her like he usually only does for Princess Celestia. Fluttershy’s heart instantly began to beat faster and she covered her mouth, blushing hard as she realized what was about to happen.

“So I ask you... Fluttershy... Will you do me the great honor and be my mare for a lifetime? Will you marry me?” Obsidian asked, full of warmth.

The answer came instantaneously.

“Yes! Yes, I will!” Fluttershy spoke, nearly shouting out in excitement and embraced Obsidian once more.

---

The demons prepared for this night for a very long time. They knew Twilight would not possibly be able to kill Obsidian and this is what they were counting on.

They set up the events to the smallest details. But they did not expect her to find a loophole in their plans.

Twilight refused to do what the demons had been expecting of her. Instead of trying to find a solution all by herself as they thought she would, Twilight turned to Princess Celestia. This way, she found a way to not only rescue Obsidian, but to also completely undo the plans, preparations and advantages of the demons.

Not only has the prophecy been prevented from coming true, but the keepers of harmony have been reformed as well, returning Equestria to its full strength.

---

Several weeks passed. Ever since Derpy had become the keeper of laughter, she started getting much closer to the group. Princess Celestia even arranged things so she could stay with them for the rest of their lives.

A new era had dawned in Ponyville. One of hope and harmony. But that was just the beginning.

It was a beautiful and warm late summer day when another wooden construct had been set up in front of the city hall in Ponyville. Like the first time, all the villagers were waiting in front of it in excitement. But in contrast to the events of roughly one year ago, they all precisely knew what was going to happen today.

Princess Celestia, Luna and Cadence, as well as Shining Armor were already standing on top, Celestia being in the middle. Some last preparations were made, including rolling a long red carpet down the stairs of the wooden structure and hanging up the miniature copy of the Seven Sounds Bell above the podium.

Twilight, Rarity and Applejack were heading up to the princesses to speak a few words. All of them were wearing dresses made by the fashion diva.

“Is everything going as planned, my faithful student?” Celestia wondered.

“Yes. Everything is just perfect. It has to be! This is the first positive event that happens to Ponyville in a while. We need to make sure that this will not only be the most wonderful day for Fluttershy and Obsidian, but also for all of the villagers!” Twilight replied.

After exchanging a few happy smiles, she turned her focus to Princess Cadence.

“Thank you so much for helping us with everything, Cadence!” the purple mare spoke.

“It’s the least I can do in return for saving my own wedding!” the demi-goddess replied.

“Who would have thought!” Luna started. ”His life was meant to end, and with it, only sorrow was supposed to be left behind. But here we are! In just one brilliant act, you not only saved a close friend, but also all of Equestria, Twilight Sparkle! You have proven that hope and friendship are stronger than anything else, even destiny!”

Now, Shining Armor stepped forth and gave his sister a hug.

“Well done, Twily. Well done,” he congratulated.

“Thanks, B.B.B.F.F. Thank you, Princess Luna,” the purple mare replied.

“Well come on now, Twi! We’re good to go!” Applejack stated.

The three mares quickly stepped aside and took their positions as bridesmaids. Then finally, the signal was given for the crowd to calm down.

Everypony turned around to see the earth pony Obsidian Shards walking up the carpet in a black tuxedo while smiling happily.

“I always wanted to make a tuxedo for him! He looks so smashing, don’t you think?” Rarity whispered to her friends.

“Absolutely! To be honest, I at first expected you to make it a white suite, knowing how much you like bright and shiny things. But I’m really glad you kept it black. It is the color that defines him and it just suits him the most!” Twilight replied lowly.

As the black stallion reached his position, he glanced over to the mares, smiling warmly at them. He knew that all this was only thanks to them and, for the rest of his life, he will be thankful for this gift they made him.

“Ah am so curious about her dress! Ya didn’t say anything about it, Rarity!” Applejack whispered.

“I wanted to keep it a secret, darling! That’s how my dresses always reach their greatest effect: when you don’t know what to expect beforehand!” the fashion diva replied.

Finally, the wedding march started playing and Fluttershy stepped forth. Slowly, she started walking towards the podium, being met with a lot of happy and stunned faces.

Rarity once again outdid herself on her wedding dress. It was long and a simple cut in white, but it just had Fluttershy written all over it. Delicately placed laces decorated it and a large white ribbon was tied to her back. Her veil was long and studded with a few tiny white pearls, just enough to give a little emphasis to the overall design.

All in all, the dress was very light and delicate, containing just as much decor as there was really needed, underlining Fluttershy’s natural beauty.

The yellow mare blushed brightly while she came closer and closer to her soon-to-be husband. Her heart raced in excitement. One year ago, it seemed like such a situation would only stay a dream to her forever. Even if she found somepony she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, she never thought she would have the courage to go through this ceremony and having so many eyes on her. But this all had changed. All due to a stallion in black.

She finally arrived next to Obsidian, who smiled at her with a shine of life in his eyes none of his friends had ever seen on him before. Fluttershy’s eyes, too, were sparkling.

“Mares and gentlecolts, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of the keeper of kindness, Fluttershy, and the keeper of loyalty, Obsidian Shards,” Princess Celestia started. “Together, they found a way through the greatest heights and the darkest depths. Their love for eachother had fueled them to overcome impossible challenges and even proved to be stronger than destiny itself.”

Since neither Obsidian nor Fluttershy were unicorns, the tradition for their wedding was a bit different. Instead of handing out wedding rings, the demi-goddesses gave their blessings to the couple.

Fluttershy and Obsidian both bowed down lightly while the three princesses gently placed their horns on their foreheads.

“I now pronounce you mare and stallion. Obsidian Shards. You may kiss the bride,” Celestia declared.

“Yes, your highness,” the black stallion replied happily as a token of continuing loyalty to her, even though his time as a reaper was over.

He then turned over to Fluttershy, removed the veil in front of her face, placed his left front hoof under her chin and gave her a kiss, sealing their marriage.

All of Ponyville instantly broke out in loud cheering. White rose petals, grains of rice and streamers were flying through the air. Lastly, the Seven Sounds Bell started ringing, carrying the message of Fluttershy’s and Obsidian’s marriage all across the land.

It was a day as beautiful and perfect as possibly imaginable. Equestria was saved once more, the keepers of harmony were complete again and harmony was as strong as ever.

But the war wasn’t over. The curse of madness still existed and although the prophecy did not come true, it wouldn’t stop the demons from trying to destroy the world. With the keepers complete again, Equestria might have control over the elements of harmony again, but the very same act of reobtaining their control destroyed one of the reaper cloaks.

From this day forth, there were only 86 reapers left. A minimal change, but with a species this rare and important, it was a critical one.

Despite all happiness, Maledictum Insania goes on. Maybe even for all eternity.