Back at Fluttershy’s cottage, the yellow pegasus and her white rabbit friend are sitting on the couch, reading the massive book of criminal records. Fluttershy’s face appears to be turning green as her mind attempts to recreate the events described in the book.

“We’ve been reading this for half an hour now,” she nauseatingly moans, “and it’s been over an hour since I left Relv to look for the ponies who robbed the bank. Maybe he won’t be back for a while.” The sound of the front door creaking bursts into the mare’s ears, prompting her to look over and see Relv quietly walking in. “Relv, is it true that you destroyed the entire skeletal system on a pony in one punch?”

“Yes.” He says.

“Oh… that’s a bit, unnerving. At least those powers will be put to good use. Say, did you catch those robbers?”

“No, a unicorn has involved itself by removing all of their traces.”

“Oh. But they’ll be caught eventually right?”

“No. Without several of my powers unleashed, the detectives won’t be able to locate them. And even if they did, the money would’ve been passed on to either the regular market or an underground crime ring.”

“Well, on the bright side, we saved that foal from falling.”

“…”

“Relv?”

“…”

“Relv, is something wrong?”

“…Yes…”

“What? What is it? What’s bothering you?”

“…We should’ve taken care of the criminals instead of turning around and saving that colt.”

Fluttershy gasps in horror before barking back, “How dare you! We had to turn around or else he would’ve die. You were wrong when you said I had enough time to catch him before we turned around. You’d let that innocent pony die over money?”

“Yes. With most of the bank’s holdings gone, the bank could shut down. This will eventually be leaving many families with very little and several starving in the streets. Letting one foal die, especially one without the willpower to hold on, is better than letting many more suffer and die sooner for it.”

“He’s just a foal!”

“Think of all of the hundreds of foals that will starve due to your stupidity.”

“My stupidity? Just because I saved a life, that makes me stupid?”

“And destroying the lives of many more? Yes.”

“The only pony that’s destroying any lives is you! Look at this book. How many murders have you committed?”

“1,247.”

“Me on the other hoof, I haven’t killed even a fly. Who sounds like the better pony now?”

“Me.”

“Why? I want to hear this.”

“Because, most every murder I have performed, I have improved the lives of many more and even saved some.”

“Oh really? How about this one: The victim is Clover Field, leading royal high-grade weapons manager, the father of national hero Connor John. Justify that.”

“Clover was about to use his weapons arsenal to destroy Griffinstone out of prejudice, using his wealth to cover the entire event up. After I killed him, his son swore vengeance to me and he took his father’s position. He soon discovered his father’s plans. He shut them down, and donated a large sum of it to a vast number of charities.”

“Wait, really?”

“Yes.”

“So, what you said back at the Crystal Empire was not just loaded statements to buy my trust, but actual changes you caused to help others?”

“Yes.”

“Well… I’m still not happy about your attitude. Be proud of yourself that that foal is safe and his family is very happy.”

“I’m proud of myself for saving the foal.”

“Wait, no! I didn’t mean it like-gah… I wanted him to understand what I wanted him to feel, not just have him simply repeat it. Relv, I’m sorry. I said it like a command instead of having you learning.”

“…”

“Please, don’t be like that. I really am sorry. Maybe we can try again with this kindness thing. Want some cookies?”

“No.”

“I promise you’ll like them. Just give me a second.” Fluttershy then darts into the kitchen and runs back, balancing a plate of chocolate chip cookies on her head. She slides the plate off and onto the table and returns to her seat on the couch. “Sit next to me.” Swiftly, the red stallion walks over and sits himself between her and Angel, much to the rabbit’s discomfort. “Eat some cookies with me please.” Promptly, Fluttershy and Relv reach over to the plate and grab a cookie each. Fluttershy takes a small bite from hers as she watches Relv swiftly shove the cookie in his mouth and swallowing it whole. At first a little surprised and grossed out, the mare soon gives a little giggle before talking, attempting to ease his usually tense tone, “Relv, you’re not supposed to swallow the cookie whole, you’re supposed to bite it. Follow my lead.” Relv grabs another cookie as he watches Fluttershy nibbles another bite out. He then follows her lead by copying the very tiny and rapid nibbles before cutting an exact hole shape as hers. Fluttershy laughs as she watches this very powerful stallion repeat her very meek and cute demonstration. “Yeah, something like that. Do you like it?”

“Yes.”

“Very good. By the way, during the dance at the Crystal Empire, I thought I saw you smile.” Although Relv doesn’t respond to the mare while he’s taking another nibble from his cookie, Fluttershy notices that his ears twitched and his pupils shrunk a little. “Do you like to dance?”

“Yes.”

“Did you dance often back then during your times as a guard?”

“Yes, I was often invited by Tia to join her and not just stand as her bodyguard.”

“Why do you call Celestia that anyways?”

“It was her name before acquiring the title of ruler of Equestria.”

“I see. Was that dance you taught me similar to how you and her danced back then?”

“Yes.”

“You’re really good at it. So wait, there’s one thing I haven’t figured out, how did you go from her personal bodyguard to this criminal status?”

“Upon receiving my powers, I used them to better Equestria. Her parents and Tia didn’t approve of my actions.”

“Oh, the, criminal records came and all of that…”

“Prison... Yes…”

“I’ve very sorry for your loss. I wonder what you were like before you became this.”

“Even I have forgotten most of my past life. I did so intentionally for knowledge, power, and what is truly important.”

“Memories are important. They teach you valuable lessons, remind you of special ponies and why they are so special. You still have those memories.”

“…”

“You remembered the time you and Celestia danced, didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Will you remember the time when we danced?”

“Most likely,”

“Good. I like that, not just for your reformation, but also as a friend.”

“A… friend?”

“Yeah, I consider you a friend. You may have, and are still doing, some bad things, but that’s okay. I want you to be a better pony, I want you to be happy with friends. Haven’t you ever had a friend?”

“Yes, only one though, before my change anyways,”

“Who was it?”

“Tia. You know, you are a lot like her.”

“I am?”

“Yes.”

“Did you… have any special feelings towards her? Like, I mean, did you… Like-like her?”

“No, I knew my position as a bodyguard.”

“Oh… Not even while dancing with her at the parties?”

“There may have been a subconscious thought or two, but I wouldn’t really know.”

“Did it hurt when you and the princess parted ways?”

“No, except for, one moment,”

“What was that?”

“The moment I unleashed Power #42-” Before Relv can finish, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Spike, burst through the open door and circle Fluttershy and Relv.

“What’s going on?!”

“Fluttershy,” Twilight declares, “we heard what happened in the Crystal Empire.”

“You did?”

“Yeah, and we know that Relv was what caused a quarter of the city to be destroyed.”

“Most of us did anyways…” Spike thinks to himself.

“We’re here to make sure that Relv doesn’t get into your head.”

“We’ve seen the damage he can cause.” Applejack states.

Rainbow Dash replies, “Nothing safe should be going any faster than me, especially if it’s coming from an Earth pony.”

“And he’s ghastly abilities and ruthlessness,” Rarity adds, “We wouldn’t want a thug to hurt you dear.”

“Hehehe,” Pinkie giggles, “Look at the funny way he’s eating that cookie.”

“Is he in check?” Twilight then asks.

“Don’t worry,” Fluttershy calmly answers, “We’re taking things one step at a time.”

“Spike told me you ‘restrained’ his powers just before he began to tear up the city,”

“I did, but when the foal was in danger, I told his to simply unleash one single power to save him.”

“Did you tell him or did he suggest it to you?”

“He, well, I asked him how we could go faster.”

“That’s probably how he works, he waits for you to ask him for help, he suggests something that’ll make him one step closer to breaking the mind control, and you buy into it.”

“That’s not true. Right Relv?”

“…” Relv doesn’t respond at first.

“Relv? Right?”

“…No. Slowly, my true self is breaking out of this spell, but will never be free. My true self wants to be let loose. I want to be let loose.”

“No, no, no, don’t give our friends the wrong idea. Remember, the dancing, this cookies, all of that. You still enjoy that right?”

“Ye-”

“Don’t deny it,” Twilight interrupts, “he said it himself. If we don’t do something about this now, he’s going to trick you into letting him go, and he’ll cause havoc to all of Equestria.”

“What if it’s for good reason?!” Immediately, Fluttershy shoves her front hooves into her mouth as she bashfully slides down to the floor, realizing what she just said out loud. “Uh oh…”

“You didn’t just say what I think you just said…”

“I-I-I-”

“Fluttershy,”

“Yes…”

“Are you considering that Relv’s criminal deeds are actually good? If you are, we’ll have no other choice than to take forceful action.”

“…”

“Flutter, be honest. Relv could be using his mind tricks on you. We can help save you from making a terrible mistake.”

“…No, what he did was wrong.”

“Are you certain?”

“Yes. You can all go now, Relv and I were about to make a breakthrough.”

“Okay… Girls,” Slowly and hesitantly, the five mares and Spike walk out of the cottage, each giving an aside glance at the duo upon leaving.

“I can’t believe it… I lied right to their faces… Relv, I don’t feel so good. Relv, are you-” Fluttershy immediately turns silent as she looks back to the red stallion. His face has become soft, his grey pupils have grown quite larger, his mouth is subtly quivering, and the bottoms of his eyelids are becoming moist. “…Okay?”

“The moment I unleashed Power #42…” The stallion speaks.

“Relv, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” Relv replies in his stoic tone, though heavy breathing managed to escape with those words.

“Relv, can I ask you what happened?”

“…Yes…”

“You may not like to talk about it. I can see it. But maybe I can help you resolve this problem you might be having. What happened?”

“After my latest fight with Tia…”

“…My parents sent our entire military on the hunt for Relv. They didn’t want to take any more risks of Luna, me, or anypony else getting hurt. It took a week’s time, but eventually, we found him.”

“Where did you find him?”

“Well, we didn’t actually find him. He came to us in the castle. The guards heard the news and promptly surrounded the room my family and Relv were in, the dining room to be exact.”

“What did he want?”

“He said he simply wanted to talk with my parents. At first, they agreed and they started to debate over Relv’s freedom from law enforcement and his new activities. It didn’t take long for it to escalate into arguing, even causing my dad to shout at him. Then, all of a sudden, one of the guards snapped at hearing Relv continuously denouncing my father and he broke into the room, soon followed by every other guard from every other doorway into the dining room. My father made my mother, Luna, and I stand back in the corner as he as well joined the assault to take down Relv.”

“How many guards were there?”

“At least two hundred, all armed with spears, swords, pikes, crossbows, shields, everything.”

“Did Relv fend them off?”

“Yes. He unleashed several of his powers, wiping out entire waves with single swings of his hooves. Even when he was hit with an arrow or got cut with a blade, he acted like nothing happened and kept on fighting. My mother held Luna and me closer and closer as more and more guards were flung from the brawl. Finally, after several minutes of fighting, it came down to my father and Relv. Most of the guards were too injured to keep on fighting, some even unconscious. Luckily however, my father had a secret trap set for him. A large barbed metal electrical net was hung in each of the castle’s chambers in preparation for Relv’s return. A guard sprung the trap in the dining room, launching the net onto Relv in the middle of the room with the rest of us safe from it. Relv screamed in pain as electricity sparked all around him and the sharp barbs pierced his skin. He couldn’t move and wasn’t even able to think straight with the net entangling him. Now I know that was a terrible idea.”

“Did Relv unleash the forty second power?

“Yes, when Relv finally had enough of it, he yelled out the verbal command. Immediately, his fur and flesh turned black, his eyes completely turned red and glowed. Quickly, my parents threw me and Luna into the adjacent kitchen and barred it shut with their magic. They then looked at us through the door windows as the entire dining room began to darken with an unknown mass growing in the center of it. I watched in terror as my parents disappeared behind the pitch black. I-it was the last time I ever saw them.”

“It’s okay, it’s okay. You can cry.”

“Th-the next thing I knew after Mom and Dad disappeared, the entire castle shook viciously. Luna and I avoided flying kitchenware and parts of the ceiling collapsed. I then heard a monstrous roar from the dining room, one so loud and beastly, I lost my hearing for several minutes. I sometimes even have nightmares to this day where I hear that roar. Finally, after what felt like an eternity of chaos, the shaking stopped.  Relv’s final power appeared to have been wearing out. When Luna and I looked up at the door windows, all we saw was a wall of red, as if somepony had painted all over it. I told Luna to stay back while I investigated,”

“What did you see?”

“When I opened the door, I was immediately met with a small pool of blood pouring around my hooves and into the kitchen. I was disgusted upon it’s warm sickly touch, but that only flared my idiotic and fearful curiosity. Horrified, I looked around in the dining room, only to see every wall of the room was as red as blood. The ceiling was cracked above and the floor was bent downwards and was filled with the crimson paint. I couldn’t see any of the guards that were still in the room, the net appeared to have vanished, and my parents were nowhere to be seen.”

“What did Relv even do?”

“I don’t know, I don’t know what that power was. But that monster murdered my parents! They never did anything wrong, they loved Luna and me, they were the greatest rulers of Equestria, and he took them away from me! I have been scarred for life as well as Luna from even hearing about what happened, all because of Relv! I-I-I will never be able to forget what I saw that day, and I’ll never be able to forgive him…”

“Celestia, I-I’m so sorry for you, and Princess Luna.”

“…”

“She’s on the floor swimming in her own tears. What can I do?!”

“…”

“Celestia? Is there any way I can help you?”

“D-do, you hear the roaring right now?!”

“No, no, just calm down. This is making me so nervous!”

“My parents will never come back! How am I supposed to calm down?! I practically set their demise, I am the creator of that monster!”

“Remember Cloud Thunder? That one guard that helped you defeat that monster several years ago and, well, didn’t make it back?”

“…”

“It wasn’t you’re fault that he died. He loved you and gave is life trying to protect you, he saw you as a great leader. The same is for the case of your parents. You never intended for Relv to turn sociopathic like that. So don’t beat yourself up for Relv’s actions.”

“You do have a point…”

“Exactly, just breathe in and out.”

“…”

“So wait, what happened to Relv?”

“I don’t know exactly… When I entered the dining hall, and realized that my parents were, no more, I saw Relv standing in the middle of the room. Shoulders deep in blood, I was shocked to see he was… crying…”