Spoiled Hex yawned. She hated traveling out into the wilds to forage for food. It always made her sweaty and tired. She'd rather be back home soaking in a hot spring, having her back rubbed. If she wasn't so close to her heat, she'd probably visit the common breeding pens for a good bucking from one of the stallions there, but she didn’t need a sniveling foal hanging off her teat for the next couple of years.

Leading their group was an older Caster named Moonglow. Hex didn't like her. She was always ordering her to do things. Spoiled Hex scowled at the nag's back and muttered some nasty names at her. Following behind them were six drudge-ponies, five mares of various ages and a young gelding named Shadow Play. Geldings were rare, but not unheard of. It was the only way to make them safe for mares to work around. Hex had been surprised to have one coming with them.

On the geldings back was one of the new packs the Pegasi had started using recently. The pack’s construction was obviously too clever for the Pegasi to come up with, and she figured they must have stolen it from another Unicorn tribe. Everypony knew that those pesky creatures were as theaving as crows.

For over a day now, they had been heading to a grove of pear trees that Moonglow knew about, and Hex was hating every moment of it. She figured the ugly nag was probably lost anyways, and was just wandering them around in circles. Perhaps it was time to put the mule in her place and take command. If they turned back now, she'd be in one of the hot springs by the next evening.

Coming out of the forest, they came to a large clearing. As they were crossing, a strange fog suddenly started rolling out of the trees ahead of them.

"Foolish things" a frigid voice suddenly said, the mist thickened around them. "Wandering into places you are not prepared for."

Spoiled Hex felt her skin crawl as she searched for the voice's origin. Behind her, the drudge ponies whimpered as they huddled together in fright.

Moonglow held her head up, her horn readied with her magic. "Who are you? Show yourself!"

"The little thing wants to see me," the voice said with a chilling cackle. "How unfortunate for it."

A heavy thumping step could be heard moving through the fog as something massive slowly approached. The mist ahead of them deepened as it crept along the ground and the sound of flapping wings made them quickly look back. Landing ominously on a branch, a shadowed, winged form with a head of a vulture's white skull, stared down at them with empty eye sockets.

One of the drudge ponies suddenly collapsed to the ground in a faint as the others drew even tighter around each other. Spoiled Hex snarled as she summoned her magic. The thing stooped lower as it let out a dry hiss in warning, it's wings fanning out threatenly.

The steady rhythmic steps grew louder as something massive lumbered out of the mist ahead of them. A monstrous dark pony-like creature with a bull's head, shuffled to a halt and let out a loud snort as its great hooves dug at the dirt. Two great horns jutted wickedly forward, ready to gore out the life of any foolish foe that stood before it.

Coming up behind it, a wispy-white mare glided out of the mist. Her steps were smooth and measured. A long spiraling horn that radiated with power thrusted out of an elegant mask that was etched in strange mystical runes. A great raven-feathered headdress flared out from her head and trailed down along her mane. The mysterious mare stepped up next to the monstrous black bull and gazed out over them imperiously. "Behold. I am the Great Enchantress," the mare announced, her voice cutting through the air like a frigid wind. Her horn flashed with a blinding radiance and the air cracked with a thunderous roar that shook the ground.

Moonglow retreated a step as she shook her dazzled eyes. "I've never heard of an Enchantress. Are... you some kind of Unicorn?"

"Do not compare me to such foul oath-breakers!" The air cracked with another thunderclap as the radiant mare vented her disdain.

"How dare you! We're no oath-breakers!" Moonglow denied, her own horn crackling angrily at the affront.

The Enchantress’ gaze bore down on the Caster. "You deceive yourself just as much as you deceive others. You take it in your mother's milk and speak it with your every breath. The Unicorns have forsaken the oath of their blood! It is undeniable!"

Spoiled Hex, feeling her own ire rising, stepped forward in anger. "Silence, foul creature! You will not speak to us in such a way!"

"The Unicorns had been chosen for greatness and stood among the stars as jewels," the Enchantress continued, "but they have grown lost in their pride and now wallow in the mud like hogs. You fight amongst yourselves for scraps of power and trample what you call your lessers beneath your hooves. True magic is found in the strength of the heart, not in the blood.”

"How dare you!?" Spoiled Hex shouted furiously, sending a blast of magic toward the mare.

Before it reached her, the bolt shattered on a shield that suddenly shrouded the pair. The dark bull-headed creature roared furiously and looked like he was about to charge, but with a light touch from its mistress, the fearsome creature relented. "Lies are honey on the lips, but truth is bitter to the ears."

Spoiled Hex scowled as she drew on her magic to strike the insolent mare down, but Moonglow suddenly thrust her hoof out to forestall her. "What oath do you speak of, Enchantress?"

"I speak of the One Oath. The oath bound in the blood and bones of all Unicorns. The oath given to honor the sacrifice of the First Matriarch, Fata Morgana. The oath to keep the cycles of the heavens that were entrusted to them!" The Enchantress answered, her voice cutting at them fiercely. "Matriarch Astral has broken this oath and no Unicorn has rebuked her the deed! You have lost your way and only Doom awaits you down the path you follow. Heed my words. Cast off your pride and honor your oath, or perish forever."

Moonglow looked shocked, her eyes becoming thoughtful.

"That oath was made by ponies long since dead!" Spoiled Hex scoffed, almost amused at the absurdity of it."It means nothing to us."

"I fear my words are wasted then," the Enchantress said, with a note of regret. "Perhaps the Unicorns are truly lost."

"If what you say is really true," Moonglow said, "how can we be saved? What Unicorn is truly free of pride?"

"She's just leading you on!" Spoiled Hex snapped, turning back to Moonglow. "Don't fall for her lies!"

The Enchantress considered Moonglow for a moment before she finally answered. "There is one such Unicorn."

"Who?"

The Enchantress hesitated before carefully answering. "I will withhold her name, but know that it was her light that shone in the sky during the long-night to give hope to all that witnessed it that the morning would return."

"Enough! We have heard enough from this sorceress witch!" Spoiled Hex hissed. "Moonglow. We'll take her together and rip that mask off her face. Let's bring it back as a trophy, along with her head!"

"Hex, no! Stop!" Moonglow called out, but Hex ignored her as she prepared to strike.

The air crackled around her with her gathered power as she prepared to blast the mysterious hag with all the strength she had. Suddenly, she felt something slam into her side and everything flashed white. The world tumbled around her and she was surprised to feel herself slamming into the ground. Sliding to a stop, Spoiled Hex blinked her eyes as she struggled to draw in a breath. Standing over her, Moonglow looked down at her in shock. She couldn't understand why everything felt so cold, nor why she couldn't seem to take a breath. Darkness slowly dimmed her vision as her hoof clutched desperately at the dirt. With the last of her failing vision, Hex looked up at Moonglow and reached her hoof out to her. "Please... help... me..." Darkness took her.

Moonglow stared down at Spoiled Hex's lifeless body lying at her hooves, her face filled with horror. "What... have I done?"

Watching through her mask, Starless struggled to keep herself from throwing up. She had known Spoiled Hex since they had trained in magic together when they were becoming Casters. Even though Hex had been arrogant and cruel towards her at times, she had also been almost like a friend. It was a surprise to find her here and she regretted not having Dizzy Spin describe them before confronting them.

Starless felt Ground touch her shoulder. Swallowing, Starless took a long breath to calm herself as best as she could before turning her attention back to the distraught Moonglow. "You made a choice. A choice not to close your eyes and hide from the truth. Her death is a terrible loss, but it was sadly necessary." She was surprised at how steady her voice was.

Moonglow nodded silently. Turning, she slowly approached her. Starless could feel Ground stiffen beside her. He was absolutely terrifying in his spelled bull-mask and Moonglow was showing extraordinary bravery in being able to come this close to him.

Stopping before her, Moonglow suddenly bent her knee and dropped her head down, bowing to her. "In my hopes to return my ponies back to the honor they have lost, I, Moonglow, swear my loyalty to you."

Starless felt her heart jump up in her chest. When she had set out on this wild plan, she had half expected it to end horribly! "Are you truly prepared for what this will mean?"

Raising her gaze, Moonglow shook her head. "For this, I suspect death would be the most pleasant outcome."

"And yet, you still give your oath?"

"I do." Moonglow dropped her eyes back down in supplication.

Starless solemnly considered the older mare. With a feeling of hope, she lowered her horn and touched Moonglow with it. "It is done."

Oddly, Moonglow looked relieved as she straightened up.

Suddenly, the gelding rushed over and bowed down to her. "Mistress, I have little to offer, but if you will have me, I am yours."

Starless blinked at the gelding in amazement. Before she could answer him, all the drudge mares also approached and bowed down alongside the gelding, each pledging herself to her in turn. Starless felt like she had been kicked in the head. Never had she dared to hope for so much. To each, she touched her horn and accepted their pledges.

"Mistress," Moonglow said. "If I may be so bold, what use are they to us?

"It would be wise to not dismiss them so easily." Starless warned. "Dizzy Spin!" A moment later, the shadowed form of the vulture creature swooped in and landed next to her. The others shied back in apprehension at the creature's sudden appearance. Starless had no idea where Dizzy had found that horrid vulture skull. She had just showed up with it when they were preparing to leave and asked to have it spelled much like how she had done with Ground's bull mask. She first met Dizzy when she went to the Pegasi for help with her plan. She was apparently bored and thought it would be fun.

Dizzy Spin tipped back her vulture skull and smiled at them, the shade enchantment Starless had set into it faded, lightening the young Pegasus mare back to her normal grey color. "Hi!" she greeted them, with a friendly wave.

"Please keep an eye out and warn me if anypony is approaching," Starless asked. "We'll be going soon."

Dizzy nodded. Lowering her skull back down over her face, the shadow enchantment darkened her coat again as she flew off into the woods.

With a sadness that cut at her heart, Starless stepped over to Spoiled Hex's body. She didn't need to look to know that Ground had remained beside her. She was glad for the mask covering her face, for it also hid her tears. Without saying a word, Ground reached down and gently picked up Hex's body, setting it down onto his back. He somehow knew that she didn't want to leave her just lying here for animals to scavenge.

Moonglow watched in bemusement as she and Ground returned, bearing Hex's body. "We are finished here. Please come with me. We have a long journey ahead of us." Setting her grief aside, Starless led them away. She wasn't looking forward to facing Dove when she discovers what she planned with little Aurora. Hopefully, she’ll be able to forgive her someday.

"You did it wrong," Celestia said, looking down at the scribble Ash had made in the sand.

Ash looked it over and shook his head. "No, it right. I'm sure of it."

"I'm telling you, it's wrong."

Irritated at Celestia, Ash scowled down at his marking. He'd been trying really hard to get it right.

"Here, let me show you." Taking up a short stick, Celestia scratched it through the sand, marking a corrected form for the rune he had been working on.

Examining it, Ash shook his head. "It's the same as mine."

"No look," Celestia pointed. "This part hooks down when yours hooks up, and this line should end here instead of there."

"But what does that matter!? They're pretty much the same," Ash pointed out.

"It's still wrong," Celestia persisted.

With an angry scowl, Ash slashed his hoof across the sand, obliterating his marks. "What good is learning this stuff anyways!?"

"Its loads useful!" Pine Blossom answered, looking up from her own markings. "Birch Bark is using it now to keep stock of our food supplies and Melodious has started using it to record the new births that's been happening this year."

"I know it can be frustrating, but just keep trying. I'm sure you'll get it," Morning Sky said, trying to encourage him. "It took me all winter to learn just the basic parts of it."

"Pine, you can't just make them up" Tulip complained, looking over her sister's shoulder at what she was working on.

"Why not?" Pine Blossom asked.

Tulip thought about it for a moment, obviously flustered. "Because... you just can't."

"But it needs more," Pine pointed out. "There aren't any symbols for 'after', 'than', 'that', 'and', 'or', 'any', 'the', 'of', 'at', nor any colors or even emotions. There are loads of missing words that are really important. I think it would work even better if the symbols represented sounds of a word instead of just the whole word."

"Don't be silly," Tulip scoffed, waving her hoof.

"No, I think she's right," Soft Step agreed, moving over to Pine. "I think you're onto a good idea. How would you like some help with it?"

"Well. That's enough practice for today," Morning said, looking around at the foals scratching runes in the ground. "Come back tomorrow and I'll show you how to write out numbers."

"Numbers!?" Ash perked up. That was something he was good at.

Everypony started to split into groups and leave to do other things. Ash was going to stay with her, but Celestia waved him away, telling him to go swimming with the other colts. Since his recovery, Ash was reluctant to leave her side. Celestia discovered that it was oftentimes necessary to order him to go play with his friends.

Soft Step left with Pine Blossom to work on her idea while Bumble Bee followed along to watch. Tulip Blossom and Misty Glen vanished together without saying where they were going, leaving Celestia and Strawberry Zest behind.

Wandering around, they searched for something to do. Walking out of the gate, they found Dark’s mother, Light Drizzle, slowly making her way down the path that lead out of the settlement. Curious at where she was going, the two went to her.

"Hello, Mamo," Celestia greeted her. "Where are you going?"

"Oh, good morning you two," Drizzle answered, looking down at them in surprise. "I'm just going to visit an old friend."

"Do you mind if we come along?" Strawberry asked.

"Oh, of course not," Drizzle answered with a welcoming smile. "It would be nice to have some company on the way."

Falling in beside her, they made their way down the path to the south. Although Light Drizzle had recovered greatly over the winter, she still tired easily and needed frequent breaks.

"Are you still having trouble sleeping, Strawberry?" Drizzle asked, glancing down.

"Sometimes, but it's getting better," Strawberry answered. "Mama Mirage is always there for me when it happens. She just holds me and lets me cry until I fall asleep again."

"I'm so proud of Mirage for fostering you," Drizzle said, with a nod. "She's always been such a good filly. Did she by chance mention if she has found a stallion yet? She keeps dodging me about it."

Strawberry shook her head. "She's been really busy helping ponies since she got her cutie mark." Mirage got her cutie mark of three autumn leaves blowing in a breeze when she helped two feuding friends make up.

Drizzle let out a resigned sigh, and shook her head.

"I think it's wonderful that her talent is in listening and helping ponies with their problems," Celestia said, nodding her head.

Continuing on, they chatted about little things. They told her about the games they played with the young Pegasi when they came to visit, and about the new Unicorn writing they had been learning. They also talked about the new lakeside settlement being set up to the southeast and about how Dark's been away for that last month helping them.

Walking through the gentle lands to the south, they came to an old oak tree sitting along the crest of a low hill. Walking under its shading branches, Drizzle stopped before a small mound, covered in stones.

"Is this who you came to visit, Mamo?" Strawberry asked, stopping next to Drizzle with Celestia.

"Yes," Drizzle answered, her voice sounding oddly emotional. "It's something I've wanted to do for some time now. How about you two gather some flowers to give to him while I rest? The walk here was longer than I remembered." Her chest felt tight and she was having trouble catching her breath. Watching the fillies run off, Drizzle turned back at the mound. "Hello, Gravel Biter."

Burial, although rare, was not unheard of. It was usually only done for those who were loved or respected among the herd. At least, that was how it used to be. So much had changed. A new awakening was happening among the Earth Ponies and the idea of returning one's body to the earth was growing more popular.

Moving around, Drizzle settled onto the grass to gaze out at Celestia and Strawberry as they gathered flowers. "I wish you were here," she said to the mound next to her. "You would be amazed at how well your herd is doing. They've settled themselves in and are prospering. The ponies here are amazing. Whenever they discover something new, they explore it to its utmost. Sometimes, it doesn't work out so well. Two huts have already burned down because ponies thought they came up with a good way to heat it, and another was nearly smothered by smoke." Drizzle smiled. "Still. They learn from their mistakes and quickly come up with something new to work on."

Drizzle's smile faded. "I've made so many mistakes over my life. Adding so many regrets. I nearly lost hope I'd ever make amends. Especially with Dark... and with you." Drizzle turned to look at the mound, tears coming to her eyes. "Why did it take your loss for me to finally realize how much I cared for you? I've been such a fool. Even though we bickered and argued, you were always there for me. Whenever I grew too ill to walk, you would carry me on your back with nary a complaint. I realize now I should have paid attention to what you were trying to tell me as well as for my own love for you. For what it's worth now. I'm sorry for my thick headedness and thank you for being the stallion you were."

Suddenly, there was a stabbing pain in her chest and she gasped. These pains always came and went, usually lasting only a few moments, but this time the pain seemed worse. She thought of calling to Celestia and Strawberry, but she just couldn't get the breath. Clutching her hoof to her chest, Drizzle squeezed her eyes shut. Her heart felt like it was being crushed under a hoof. It had never felt this bad before.

As suddenly as the pain started, it ended. Blinking her eyes, Drizzle breathed a sigh of relief. Behind her, she heard hoofsteps approaching.

"Was that so hard to say?"

Turning back, she saw Gravel Biter walking up to her. Something about the old stallion seemed different. "What? Thank you?"

"No." Gravel shook his head with a smile. "That you loved me."

Drizzle let out an amused snort. "I said no such thing. Your ears must be failing in your old age."

Gravel Biter laughed and absently scratched his ear. "They work just as good now as the day I was born, and I clearly heard you say you loved me."

Drizzle let out a resigned sigh. "Fine. I admit it. I love you. There, it's out. What are you going to do about it?"

Gravel Biter smiled down at her. "Only to tell you that I also love you. I've loved you since the moment we met."

Drizzle blinked up at the stallion, her face feeling warm. "Why didn't you ever tell me?"

Gravel smiled and lowered himself down next to her. "Because it wasn't what you needed. I saw the hurt in you. It gnawed at you like a wolf with a bone. You needed to find your son and make peace with him, so I did my best to help you. I kept us moving and sought out other herds. More and more, ponies of my herd left to join others with each encounter, but I didn't stop." Gravel let out a chuckle. "Imagine my surprise when I find that it was your lost colt that came to save us in the end."

"My heart nearly stopped when I turned to see him standing behind me," Light Drizzle said, a soft smile coming to her lips. "After all these years of searching, suddenly there he was. I didn't know what I was expecting to happen when I found him. All the words I had been holding deep inside came rushing out. My grief at what I had caused him. The pain of my failure as a mother. All of it. When I was done, he did the one thing I never deserved. He forgave me."

"Of course he did. He's a good and honest stallion," Gravel said, matter-of-factly.

Drizzle smiled and looked out at Celestia. "She's got so much of her father in her. Such a fierce and strong spirit. She'll grow into such a beautiful mare someday. "

"I think she's got a whole lot of you in her," Gravel said, looking over at Drizzle.

Drizzle glanced at him with a raised eyebrow. Suddenly, she noticed what was strange about him. All his old scars were gone. "Gravel? How are you here? Aren’t you dead?"

Gravel smiled at her. Oddly, he looked younger. "Drizzle, my love, death is a word that has no meaning."

Drizzle blinked as a realization came to her. "Am I..?"

Gravel stood and looked down at her. "Come. Let's take a walk among the stars together."

With a lightness that surprised her, Drizzle stood and joined him. "I missed you."

“I know,” Gravel said, leaning in to her lips. “But don’t fret. We’ll never be apart again.”

In the field, Celestia carefully bundled her gathered flowers together. "Are you ready yet?"

"Almost," Strawberry answered, "just give me a moment."

Looking back, Celestia noticed a young mare and stallion standing beside her grandmare. As she watched, they kissed.

"Okay, ready," Strawberry announced, picking up her bundle of flowers.

Reaching down, Celestia picked up her own bundle and turned to head back to her grandmare. To her surprise, the two ponies next to her grandmare were gone. That was strange, she thought to herself. Where did they go so quickly?

Ash watched, laughing as Mighty Oak swung out over the river with a rope they had painstakingly tied to an overhanging branch and somersaulted into the water with a splash.

Journey Stomp quickly caught the rope as it swung back to the shore. "That was a good one, but watch this! I'll do a double!" Climbing back up the slope, he launched himself off. Swinging out, he released and only managed to do a half tumble before landing flat on his belly with a mighty splash.

Laughing at his friend's unfortunate demise, Ash readied himself to catch the returning rope. Suddenly, a painful ache seized at his chest and he knew that Celestia was in great pain. Knowing that she needed him, Ash reacted without thought. Bolting up the rise, he raced off as fast as he could, leaving behind the sounds of his friends calling out to him.

With his breath heaving in his chest, Ash ran unerringly toward Celestia. Feeling her calling to him with her pain, Ash pushed himself ever harder to reach her. No distance nor obstacle would stop him. When she had given him a piece of herself to save his life, a bond had been created between them. A bond that now irrevocably drew him to her.

Southward, he galloped. Crossing through fields of grass and flowers, over hills and across streamlets, his unfaltering legs carried him across the land. Topping a small rise, Ash finally saw Celestia ahead, sitting by a form under a lone oak tree. Hurrying across to her, Ash came to a stop as she turned to look at him with tear filled eyes laden with grief.

"I thought she was asleep. When I tried to wake her..."

Looking behind her, Ash saw the still form of Light Drizzle laying in the grass. Sorrow suddenly swept through him at the realization of what had happened.

"I sent Strawberry back to get help," Celestia continued as a fresh surge of tears came to her eyes. "I stayed with her so she wouldn't be alone."

Knowing what she needed, Ash quickly rushed over and wrapped his hooves around her, hugging her tightly to himself. With her face pressed up against his chest, Celestia began to wail.

Hidden inside a deep, cliff-side valley, alongside a pool fed by a waterfall, Starless watched as Hoof Strike instructed the Unicorns on how to use a spear. She had sent Dizzy back to the settlement to ask for his help. When he arrived a few days later, he brought with him three of his best fighters to help, as well as, surprisingly, Tiger Lily, who quickly got to work organizing their living conditions. Bearing supplies of food and tools for them to use to build more permanent shelters, came the clever mare, Mosswood, along with Dusty, Flint Heart, Blue Swirl, and Kindwhinny.

With blunted staves, Hoof Strike walked the Unicorns through various forms to practice moving a spear around without stabbing themselves or others. The initial results were not very promising. Shadow Play managed to wack himself across his knee while Daylight Delight confused one of the simple forms and struck Dipsy Daze in her head.

With a look of disdain, Moonglow dropped her stave to the ground. "This is pointless. Why are we doing this?"

Hoof Strike folded his ears back as his gaze hardened at the mare. "You're learning this so you can fight."

"What use is some stick when I have magic!?" Moonglow said with a sneer.

With her Enchantress mask firmly affixed onto her face with a spell, Starless walked over to her. Lifting up her dropped stave in her magic, Starless nodded to Hoof Strike who quickly ushered the others away from the pair. "What use is a stick to magic?" Starless asked, stepping a dozen or so paces back. "Let's find out. Defend yourself!" Snatching the stave into her mouth, Starless charged at the surprised mare.

She had been instructed by Ground when they sparred together on how to fight. She had been horrible at first, easily being overwhelmed by his skill and strength. She had been surprised at how limited she had been when using just her magic. Her skill with a spear was moderately proficient, as Ground called it. Oddly, she had felt proud when Ground told her this.

Moonglow quickly focused her magic and shot a bolt at her. Starless had anticipated this and easily sidestepped, dodging around the bolt without slowing her charge. Moonglow’s eyes went wide in shock and she shot out another hasty bolt that missed her as she threw herself into a roll.

Moonglow's horn flashed as she channeled magic down her horn and released a stream of power out at her. Swinging off to the side, Starless flung her head around and threw her stave at Moonglow, striking her in her horn with a thrack. Moonglow reeled back as her spell faltered with a crackle. Shaking her head to clear it, she blinked in surprise when she found Starless bearing down on her with a frightening speed. She quickly threw another spell blast at her, only to miss as Starless dodged and came around to her side and struck her belly with her hoof, knocking the wind out of her. Regaining her breath, Moonglow was shocked to find the end of Starless' stave resting against her neck.

"You're dead," Starless said, her tone filled with a cold finality. Lowering her stave down, she took it into her magic and looked around at the shocked faces of the other Unicorns who had watched the entire thing. "Magic can be powerful, but it can also be a weakness." Giving the stave back to an embarrassed-looking Moonglow, Starless leaned in close. "Remember, a pony's greatest strength is in their heart, not in their spells."

Moonglow lowered her eyes and nodded. "Yes, Mistress."

With a flicker of light, a cutie mark appeared on Starless's flanks. An eclipsed sun with fiery rays, intricately arrayed around it. Seeing it, Starless somehow knew what it meant. It was her desire to bring the light back to the Unicorns.