It had been three days since the attempted coup. During that time myself and the girls were ushered in to more secure apartments with around the clock guards. On my insistence Luna's Nightguard formed the core of our security detail. As far as I could learn no bat pony had ever gone against Luna's word nor failed in its duty. To me that was enough.

The other Element Bearers had been brought to the castle and were quartered in the same wing as us. Fluttershy was quite happy to have her other friends present as was Scootaloo who was delighted to see Sweetie Belle and Applebloom had joined their sisters in the sanctuary of the castle.

Twilight, Applejack, and Rarity both complained multiple times they were missing out on work. Rarity at least was somewhat mollified when my Sovereign promised a royal stipend to cover her expected loss of business. Applejack was less easily swayed, eventually the promise of a full guard detachment being sent to oversee Sweet Apple Acres under the watchful eyes of Big Mac and Granny Smith seemed to calm her. I honestly felt the guards would likely earn medals by the time they were done at the farm; if the Apple Family paced them like they paced themselves.

Twilight was truly the inconsolable one of the group. She felt it was her duty to be back in her castle doing her part in helping the town  with ongoing clean up and rebuilding efforts.

"It's just not fair! I love being in Canterlot and seeing Celestia but I can't even leave the castle let alone go anywhere without a guard attached to my flank!" Twilight whined.

I sighed signaling for the two bat ponies following us to step back, "Twilight, these monsters tried to kill not only me but my mate and my child. Don't you think it's logical that if they went after one element bearer they will go after the others? Do you really want Ponyville caught in that crossfire?"

She silently mulled over my words before answering, "No...not really..."

"Now come on, we need to get to the Archives, you're supposed to be bringing me up to speed on this Sombra." I reminded her.

We continued to make our way from the guarded living area to the Canterlot Archives. After a time Twilight broke the silence, "I-I heard what you did...they day of the coup...thank you for saving Celestia and Luna."

I stopped and turned to Twilight, "Twilight...please don't ever thank me for any action I took that day. I literally lost count of how many lives I took at fifty. That is not a hero. That is a monster."

Twilight pinned her ears back, "I-I had heard rumors..."

I sighed and leaned against the hallway wall, the cool stone seeping some of the stress from my shoulders before I spoke up again, "Twilight...you told me every sorcerer has fallen to darkness. I am not so sure I am immune to this now. As much as I care for my girls, all of you, even my adopted nation...I feel...numb...about the actions I took three days ago. I executed a prisoner without a thought. I tortured a confession out of the leader of the insurrection, I killed so...so many..." I trailed off, my voice growing soft.

Twilight's face took on a sad look and in short order she had her forehooves and her wings wrapped around my waist in a tight hug, "Just stop...please...I don't think you are a monster, I never have and never will! I can't stand to see my friends hurting."

I reached down and gently stroked her mane, "Twilight...since when am I your friend?"

She didn't reply, only tightening the hug. It was actually becoming a bit uncomfortable. "Twilight?"

"Shh. I'm studying this hug...for science...I see why Fluttershy and Scootaloo like it so much. You are softer than a pony at just the right hugging height." Twilight mumbled in to my stomach.

This was getting awkward. "Twilight...you have been kind to me. You have taught me so much about this world and encouraged me to find my place in it. Do you really think of me as a friend?"

Twilight finally stepped back, a slight blush on her face, she looked down and said quietly, "How could I not think of someone that puts up with my lectures, lets me teach them the one thing I am most passionate about, and even forgives me for tricking them in such a rotten way...how can they not be my friend?"

I smiled my first genuine smile in days, "Twilight, never loose that. Never loose that magical world outlook. I think you are a case of the student surpassing her teacher."

Twilight looked shocked, "You...you think I have surpassed Celestia?"

I nodded, "My Sovereign may know more than you, after all she has a great many years on you. But you...you have a gentleness to you that she either doesn't have or has buried so deep as to have forgotten it. She is the Sovereign of this nation, but you, Luna, and Cadence, you are leaders. You are loved by so many and you do not let yourselves be placed on pedestals. That is why you three carry my deepest respect. You do not wield your power, you let it humble you. I am proud to follow any command that you three give."

Twilight had a look of shock on her face, "No one...not since I ascended...no one has told me they respect me...sure I have my friends, I have been told I am admired, or an inspiration, but never...never has someone told me they respect me..."

I smiled and patted her head, "Twilight I couldn't be your 'faithful student', as I think you phrased it, if I didn't respect you."

Twilight beamed a wide smile at me and gave me another hug. If I could brighten the day of the Princess of Low Self-Esteem...then maybe there is hope for me yet.

Our research in to Sombra was almost pointless. There was nothing here beyond the historical accounts I had already read. It could all be summed up as Sombra being a dark unicorn and the former King of the Crystal Empire. He seemed to have some obsession with crystals and their inherent magic. He discovered his talent for sorcery and fell to madness and darkness, enslaving the empire. The combined powers of Celestia and Luna turned him in to some form of shadow creature never to be seen again. Unfortunately the Crystal Empire disappeared with him. Three years ago the empire reappeared and with it Sombra. Twilight aided in his second defeat and he was presumed dead.

Except now, if Blueblood is to be believed, this unicorn calling himself 'Father' off in the south eastern sea is in fact Sombra. None of this answered more important questions. Is Father the same Sombra? How does he know about Nazis, a piece of Earth history. Why is he after the Elements? No answers to these questions being forthcoming I turned my research to a different matter. Using Twilight's access to the secure archives I began studying sorcerers.

I was reading a book by a pony named Starswirl the Bearded who studied the sorcerer phenomena as well as practically every other form of magic. Sorcerers could come from any of the pony tribes but were most often unicorns. They used arcane magic similar to what unicorn wizards practiced, however instead of the rote formulas and complex spell patterns like a wizard, a sorcerer simply had to will their magic to function. The more powerful the sorcerer the more powerful the magical effects they could produce.

Reading through Starswirl's works I found accounts of a pegasus sorceress who lost her wings in a war between the pegasus tribe and the unicorn tribe. The unnamed pony willed wings of pure lightning in to being and continued to fight even after sustaining wounds that should have ended her. Another account detailed an earth pony who had a mad hatred of dragons and could rend them apart simply by screaming at them.

The list went on. Eventually I picked up the second volume which detailed the limitations of their power...simply put a sorcerer was only limited by the strength of their leylines and the breadth of their imagination. This was particularly sobering considering how strong Twilight insisted my leylines were.

I had reached the end of the fourth book on the subject when I came across the nugget of information that made my mind start racing, how sorcerers are recognized. It laid out in detail how to identify one, an earth pony, pegasus, bat pony, crystal pony, or zebra (zebras too really?) were easy to spot. Just look for powers they shouldn't have. Unicorns were the tough ones to weed out. But there it was, simple tests and tells that are dead giveaways if you know to look for them.

I looked up through a window and saw the sun was setting, good, my Sovereign should be done with her tasks for the day. She and I had much to discuss. I silently made my way from the library leaving Twilight behind engrossed in her book.

I left one of the guards with Twilight and had the other escort me to the throne room. There I found Luna and my Sovereign deep in discussion with what looked to be a group of distressed nobles.

"This is an outrage Princess! To allow this...this...monster to wander the streets of Canterlot dispensing so called justice as if he had some divine right! Almost a hundred dead by him alone! That's not even counting however many that thing's 'pet' savaged!" Called one well dressed unicorn.

"Righto chap! This fellow is a menace! We demand you bring him before the senate at once for a hearing!" firmly spoke an earth stallion wearing a top hat and monocle.

"I agree with Lord Myopic!", cheered a well dressed pegasus mare, "What if this beast decides Las Pegasus should answer for our 'sins'? Will he rampage through our city burning anyone he disagrees with to ash?!"

My Sovereign and Luna both looked taken aback by the vehemence of of the nobles words. Nobles...the very concept of them made my blood boil. I was born and raised American...I never took to the idea that some thought that just because they had more money, or were from a better family, or were the right skin color made them somehow better than you. In fact any form of "ism" rubbed me the wrong way. It had gotten me in trouble more than once and likely part of what had endeared me to Yvette.

I stalked up behind the nobles, still unnoticed by them but making eye contact with Luna. Her expression said it all, Please don't do anything rash.

Sorry to disappoint. I reached in to my vest, which Rarity had so kindly mended bless her heart, and pulled out my battered lighter and a cigar. Biting off the end and lighting it I rocked back on my heals, hands in my vest pockets, just staring down the crowd until the noble from Las Pegasus noticed me. I must admit I didn't expect a scream.

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! IT'S THE APE MONSTER!" Screamed the dainty noble.

As a group all the nobles turned and faced me, a mix of looks ranging from dread to disgust running through them. I counted around thirty in all.

"Ladies, Gentlemen, it is considered rude to talk about someone behind their back where I come from." I said nonchalantly puffing away on my smoke. I really need to ask Tripod where he found these, they are far superior to the Honduran ones I used to favor.

The one in the top hat was the first one to be brave enough to speak up, "You beast! You wiped out the oldest noble house in Equestria without a trial! You should be brought up on charges! Your a murderer! A traitor to Equestria!"

I sat there quietly letting him bluster. When he finally ran out of breath I spoke again with cold venom, "I am a murderer, no doubt about that. I am a monster, no doubt about that either. Maybe I should be brought up on charges, fair too. But I'll tell you what I'm not."

I stepped forward slowly, careful menace in my steps, my eyes boring in to the well-bread pony until we stood mere inches apart, "I'm no traitor. You, and anyone of you ponies that want to start an inquisition...try me. Because I swear to you I have the power to rip your secrets from your minds. Just like I did with that treasonous Blueblood."

The arrogant fool had guts I will give him that, he didn't back down, "Listen here ape! Nobles are entitled to keep whatever secrets we please! It is our right as the betters of the commoners!"

A round of affirmation swept through the crowd as I felt my sympathy and my IQ waning. With measured words I spoke, "Any secret that can not bear the light of truth does not deserve to be kept."

Before any retort could be made my Sovereign spoke up, "Indeed, Bear O'Hara speaks wisdom with those words. The dissolution of House Platinum stands. If anypony else wishes as he put it, an inquisition, then I hereby name Bear O'Hara as Equestria's High Inquisitor. may the Creator help your souls."

I have never seen a stampede in real life. Especially not one so colorful as the one that made it's way out of the throne room. It was kinda neat. I looked to my Sovereign and smiled, "High Inquisitor huh? I am really starting to like you more and more."

A hint of a smile broke her Royal Mask, I admit it made me feel good. "Well after all you have done for the country the least I could do is give you a fancy title and a bit of a royal stipend to go with it."

"So what are the job duties my Sovereign?" I asked.

"Well it is very simple, first help me ferret out this nest of vipers. You are doing quite well with that."

I nodded in agreement.

"Second, I need you to be a bit...gentler...if you must make an arrest."

I nodded again, "I will endeavor to make sure any traitor I bring before you in the future does not require a feeding tube and a colostomy bag like the last one."

Luna giggled slightly at that. She does have a bit of a dark sense of humor, as long as Fluttershy doesn't mind I think I would like to go drinking with her one night.

My Sovereign shot a disapproving look at her sister and continued, "Lastly...please...stop calling me Sovereign...it's...uncomfortable...please just call me Celestia."

I looked at her puzzled, "But I have been calling you that all along my Sovereign..."

I became even more puzzled when my Sovereign and Luna exchanged very worried glances.

It was disconcerting when Luna and my Sovereign lead me to a private room softly illuminated by magical glowing bulbs along the walls. The room itself was almost a perfect circle, the walls save for where the brackets held the lighting, were covered in floor to ceiling dark blue drapes with white and gold borders. The floor was solid stone, basalt if I was not mistaken, polished to a near mirror shine. Etched in to the black stone of the floor was a large pentagram. In the middle of the pentagram was a perfectly circular king sized bed.

I stopped on entering the room and looked at the royal sisters in mild trepidation, "Forgive me but...you aren't leading me here for some strange...mating ritual...are you?"

I sat there nervously fingering the bronzed feather around my neck and filling my thoughts with my little yellow mate. I was relieved when  Luna snickered then burst in to a genuine belly laugh while my Sovereign merely places a hoof on her face.

"Nay Bear O'Hara, thou is already claimed by the Element of Kindness...though if she dost desire a herd then perhaps we would give you a try." Luna said teasingly.

I laughed along with the joke, "Then pray tell why are we in a rather...odd room with a bed in it?"

My Sovereign spoke up, "Because Bear O'Hara my sister and I are concerned for your health."

"My health? Aside from the healing burns from the lightning bolt I took and a bit of an ache in my shoulder from Blueblood's blade I am perfectly fine. Honestly I have never felt as healthy as I do now living in this world."

My Sovereign shook her head, "No Bear O'Hara I speak of your spiritual health. We fear you may have done some real damage when you swore yourself to me. I know you say the symbols on your shoulders were artifacts of choice but they may have taken on real meaning here all things considered."

I nodded slowly having suspected as much, "So I have in a way damaged my...soul?"

"Yes Bear O'Hara, that is what we fear." My Sovereign confirmed.

"But what has lead you too this conclusion?" I curiously inquired.

Luna spoke up, "We have noticed two major things Bear O'Hara. First your seeming lack of compassion for the sapient lives you have taken these past days. Tis out of character for what we know of you and what we shared in your dreams. Secondly and most telling...you seem unaware that thou has referred to our sister as 'Sovereign' in lieu of name or title since swearing your service."

I stood there in shock, her second point I doubted, I had said my Sovereign's name many times, today even. But the first. Of course I didn't regret killing Nazis. Who would? Monsters without mercy are a cancer upon the world and like a cancer should be cut out. If my Sovereign had not ordered he be brought in alive Blueblood would be hanging by his own entrails at the castle gates. In fact had I the time I would have crucified each and every one of the usurpers for all to witness and remember what it means to go against my Sovereign's will. I told them as much.

A look of deep worry etched their faces as they instructed me to lay upon the bed. I obeyed. With careful use of her magic Luna removed my vest and shirt and began examining the healed over burn on my left arm where once sat the symbol of freedom and justice that I had held dear since childhood.

My Sovereign looked at me, gone was the royal mask, in it's place was instead an almost motherly countenance. "Bear...I need your informed consent for what we are about to do. I have wronged you enough to not be completely honest with you now."

"I don't understand my Sovereign. You have never lied to me or been dishonest."

With an almost apologetic look she continued, "Bear, we are going to magically scan you. This isn't like the medical spells you have been subjected to before...these will scan your soul and if we can we will attempt to repair it. Psychic Chirurgery is a very dangerous magical technique...you may not be the same pon...man...afterwards...but if we are successful then we should be able to heal most of the damage done to your soul."

"I understand, you believe I have done something to harm myself and you wish to undo it. It is dangerous and there are risks."

I reached up and took the bronzed feather from around my neck and wrapped the silken cord around my hand and gripped it and the feather tightly as a totem against what was to come.

"Will this hurt Luna?" I nervously asked.

Luna shook her head yes then levitated over a round bit of wood and placed it in my hand. "What do I do with this?"

"Bite down on it my dear friend." Luna replied.

I did as I was told. I watched nervously as each sister stood beside me, Luna on my left my Sovereign on my right. I could see a bright nimbus around their horns and felt the limiters fall from my hands as they channeled magic to remove them. The voices came screaming; a cacophony in my mind. I bit down on the wooden rod against the pain. It likely saved me from swallowing my tongue when their horns touched my tattoo and my scar simultaneously.

I was floating in the void of music once more. Was I in the in between place? Was I finally at rest?

No.

I heard the voice loud and clear. It was my own with a tinge of...hate?

You may not rest until your service to the Sovereign is complete.

I was standing in the field by the old oak tree. I felt...joy...I longed to see Yvette once more. I felt a warmth in my hand and looked down to see the bronzed feather clutched in it...Fluttershy... At that moment a little butter-colored pegasus walked from behind the tree with a sweet smile on her face.

"Oh my silly old Bear...you have gone and done it this time. You have to get the Princesses involved in fixing you. Good thing they love you almost as much as I do." The little pegasus sweetly spoke as she fluttered around me.

An instant later the sky darkened and stormy clouds began to form. "Be brave my beloved. Creation isn't done with you yet and neither am I. I know she has erred in the past by trust Celestia, you have no idea what a step it was for everyone for you to absolve her."

I turned to make eye contact with her but she was gone. Instead I stood facing...myself...a dark mockery of myself.

In this dreamscape, heaven, nirvana, what have you I was dressed in my usual boots, jeans, long-sleeved olive drab t-shirt, black denim vest, and flat cap. This other me...stood there in a black coat and dark glasses looking like something out of the Matrix.

He spoke, "You swore an oath to the Sovereign to be her weapon. You must obey."

I stood aback, shaken, "No! I am not a weapon! I agreed to help her against the Father! Not to be a weapon!"

Again my dark doppelganger spoke, "Irrelevant. The geas you cast upon yourself committed you as a weapon. Intent is irrelevant. Freedom is irrelevant. All that matters is swift and sovereign justice. If you will not obey then I must take over."

"Just who the hell do you think you are?" I bristled, clenching my fists, the bronzed feather cutting in to my palm.

"I am who you made yourself. The life of a weapon is not compatible with your morality. Ergo your morality must be deleted. I am now Bear O'Hara, you are...unnecessary."

STAY THY HAND KNAVE!

Both of us...me...stood in shock at the voice from on high. I looked up and saw two blazing balls of light with white halos, one golden like a small sun, the other slightly smaller a soothing blue. The blue one descended before me and I felt a warm comfort from it the other set down before my dark avatar.

IT IS AS WE FEARED LUNA. HE INADVERTENTLY CAST A GEAS UPON HIMSELF CREATING A DIVERGENT PERSONA.

WHAT SHALL WE DO DEAR SISTER?

FOR HIM TO RETAIN SANITY AND BALANCE HE MUST CHOOSE WHICH PERSONALITY CONTINUES AND WHICH DOES NOT. ONE SOUL CAN NOT HOLD TWO PERSONAS AND REMAIN SANE.

HOW DO WE AID HIM DEAR SISTER?

HE MUST SORT THIS OUT HIMSELF, ALL WE CAN DO IS BRING THE ONE THAT SURVIVES BACK TO THE LIGHT.

I stood stunned, here in this place of peace...I would have to stain it with sin. I looked to my dark half and saw a predatory grin on his face as he launched forward. I fought defensively, dodging and weaving the punches and kicks thrown at me. I knew I could not hold out for long, I was only a fighter when the voices guided me. Without the guidance of the Akashic Record I was just...Bear. A solid blow to my jaw knocked me flat on my back. A heavy weight descended on me as blow after blow rained down on my face. I had to fight back. I couldn't let this monster I had created loose on Equestria. I couldn't send this...thing...back to my family. I balled my fist up and summoned forth all my fear, anger, and hate. With a mighty blow I punched upwards connecting with the fiend's nose. It rolled off me with a grunt clutching it's face.

Tapping in to my most primal emotions I screamed in raged and jumped on him. Fists, knees, and elbows rained down in rapid succession. The sickening sounds of the punishment I dealt out formed a litinay of hate as I screamed out in fury to whatever gods may be listening, "Here me Creator! I am a sinner! I am filled with pride, with hubris! I have murdered! I have committed sin after sin and wallowed in self pity! Hear me now heavens...I REPENT! IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT IS HOLY EVEN AT THE COST OF MY SOUL I CAN NOT SUFFER TO LET THIS WICKEDNESS BACK IN TO THAT GENTLE WORLD! PLEASE STAND BY ME! PLEASE HEAR MY PRAYER! I REPENT!"

I felt a soothing peace fill me and a golden aura surrounded my hands as my blows rained down upon my dark reflection. Cracks began to appear, like those in a mirror, all across it as I exorcised it from existence. I felt it nearing it's end. I felt part of it returning to me. It looked up at me one last time as I let up my assault and it spoke in a choked voice, "What can you revile so much that it gives you so much strength?"

I looked on at it in pity as I saw the light begin to fade from its eyes. "Me."

With one last gasp my other self passed on and then faded in to non-existence. I felt...whole...I felt...at peace...

I looked back at the two haloed balls of light and said quietly, "It's over."

In a flash two alicorns stood beside me engulfing me in winged hugs. "Are you yourself again Bear?" Celestia asked.

"I don't know...I don't know if I ever can or will be again." I said as I felt tears running down my face.

"What is my name Bear?"

"Celestia...my princess, your name is Celestia."

Both princesses nuzzled me with relieved looks on their face and slowly they began to fade.

"Bear, you will sleep in the waking world for a time. For now be at peace here. When your body has healed from the spiritual shock you will awaken."

I nodded my thanks as they disappeared from existence. I sat beneath the tree for a time, I allowed myself to cry, to truly weep for the first time in ages. I felt as if a weight had been lifted from my soul. After I had cried myself out I stood once more and looked around. Gone was the field and instead I was in the grotto holding the Earth Mother. I settled my gaze upon the tree and heard her voice in my mind.

The Creator has heard you and you are forgiven lost lamb.

Though I knew I was still in the in between I fell to my knees and uttered the first words that came to mind, "How precious did that grace appear the moment I first believed..."

I awoke with a start. I was laying on the bed in the room where the princesses had preformed the Psychic Chirurgery. I looked to my left and saw Luna fast asleep, exhaustion etched on her face. Looking down I saw my burn scar was gone, replaced with a mirror image of the tattoo on my right arm.

"It is good that you are awake Bear." I heard a voice beside me speak.

I turned and saw a weary, but smiling, Celestia. I reached out and placed a hand on her muzzle, "Thank you...thank you for helping me save myself."

"It is my duty to watch over all my subjects, pony or otherwise...I couldn't stand to see what you had forced yourself to become for me...I wanted an ally...not a weapon." Clesestia quietly spoke with a hint of tears in her eyes.

"Celestia?"

"Yes Bear?" She softly asked.

"Can you forgive me?"

"Of course I can my little human." She smiled in a motherly fashion.

Finally I worked up the courage to broach the subject that had originally brought me to speak with her this day. "Celestia, while Twilight and I were researching in the Archives today I found a text by Starswirl the Bearded. It dealt in detail with sorcerers."

"I see." She said flatly.

"Celestia...Princess...I have to know...when were you planning to tell the Element Bearers they are all sorceresses?" Next Chapter: 24 - Vimāna Estimated time remaining: 47 Minutes