Several individuals lay bandaged on many of the beds lined up neatly throughout the largest room in the stone and wood comprised building. Both doctors and nurses from multiple species tended to every patient, catering to their every need.

Among these masses lies Twilight Sparkle, the curtain drapes surrounding her bed closed as she’s left to ponder in isolation, her upper body lifted and propped up via a white pillow.

Her memories rattled her brain -- memories of many individuals she had killed and wiped clean from existence. And yet, that is what rattled the mind: these weren’t her memories, nor had she committed those actions.

She knew that she had a unique connection to this Devourer of Gods, a being so powerful that Yharim himself had practically weaponized them, bringing about the end of an entire era.

And yet, that strange ‘transformation’ from 8 months ago left a lingering effect on the alicorn, practically invoking a sort of identity crisis.

“No,” Twilight said. “I-I’m not her, and she’s not me.”

-Oh, but you two are the same.-

She sighs. “No, no. What am I saying? We’re nothing alike.”

-And yet, you killed Granny Smith.-

“No, no, no. I-It was an accident.”

-One that you caused. I mean, I’m willing to bet that Applejack and her siblings despise you. Me. Us.-

“Y-yes… I did…” The lavender mare grabs onto her head. “No. Stop it -- wh-why am I saying these things?”

-Simple: guilty conscious. It tends to happen when a murderer finally accepts their actions.-

“I need to stop… I need to stop…”

-Guilty.-

“Stop it!”

-Guilty.-

“No! No, no, no, no!” A lavender aura began to leak out and form all around Twilight’s body.

-You’re a killer. A god-slaying, ancient-killing, era-ending murderer.-

“Please… stop it…”

-Embrace it! Let the world crumble before the might of Twilight Sparkle!-

The alicorn bolts onto her hooves with gritted teeth and closed eyes. A pulse of energy emanates from her form and doubles as a shockwave. The action hurls away the former bedding and anything that lies nearby as doctors, nurses, and other patients, are brought to attention.

“Noooooooo!”

A sudden pillar of lavender energy pierces the ceiling above Twilight before fading away, and the alicorn flees through the breach with a single flap of her wings. All while several doctors and nurses prevented the falling debris from colliding with other patients.

-I have to get away from everyone!- Twilight screamed internally, high above the renewed Hometown, flying away. -I’m too dangerous!-

The alicorn suddenly comes to a halt, her wings flapping to keep her aloft as several individuals manifest before her. She swallows a lump while narrowing her eyes as several ancients and even Discord float before her.

“Ohoho!” Discord starts with a flourish, floating alongside Athena, Oblivion, and Silence. “Isn’t this a turn of events? You know, Sparkles, I thought I was supposed to be the chaotic one. And yet, here you are -- blowing up a hospital and nursery-”

“Let me pass!” Twilight roars out. “Please…! I’m a danger to-”

“Yeah, so is Yharim,” Oblivion interjects. “And the demons. And GrimDarks. And Greed -- pretty much all of us floating before you now. The point is, Twiggle: no. You’re not a real threat to Terraria.”

“You’re just scared, Twilight,” Silence comments. “As Oblivion said, you are not a danger to Terraria. Your powers are destructive, but they just need to be controlled, and you need to deal with your inner conflict.”

“It’s good to see you finally awake, Twilight,” A new yet familiar voice chimes in from behind the alicorn, causing her to turn back to Solaris, along with a mare who strikes an incredible resemblance to Luna. “You always were a bit of a show off with your magical gifts. Heh, one would think you’re trying to outdo the Party Girl or Pinkie Pie with your explosive entrances.”

Twilight’s eyes widen. “S-Solaris…”

“Ah! So my little Celly has told you of me,” Solaris flashes a vibrant smile. “Very good -- that makes this easier.”

“We art glad to finally meet thee in thy current form, Twilight Sparkle,” The stoic mare finally spoke. “As we art sure by our appearance, we likely remind thou of our daughter, Princess Luna.”

Twilight’s stunned expression and quivering muzzle prevented her from forming a proper response.

“Aww, Faust, you’re scaring the poor girl,” Solaris comments as he drapes a wing over Faust. “You’re always so serious; lighten up a little, beloved.”

“Our ‘seriousness’ is why we hath defeated many a foe back in the ancient times, husband.” Faust finishes, looking away with closed eyes.

Solaris forms a grin. “About as serious as you were on our wedding night, eh?” He wiggles his eyebrows and growls like a tiger.

Faust’s eyes shot wide open with reddened features. “Y-you, hot-headed buffoon!” She shoots her gaze to the solar alicorn, “Do NOT bring the carnal arts into this!”

“Ohohoho!” Solaris breaks out into laughter, Faust glaring at him with reddened features while growling.

For the duration of this time, something clicked within Twilight’s heart and her very soul. Seeing the two alicorns before her and their antics had caused a warm feeling to wash over her. And to her utter shock, even the turmoil had ceased, although she felt as if it still lingered deep within.

“It seems to have worked,” Athena comments, leaving her fellow ancients and Discord’s side, flying towards Twilight. “I trust your inner struggles have calmed down a bit?”

Twilight finally reflects on the moment, and Athena is right.

“Wh… what h-happened?” The purple mare inquires in shock. “That voice… I-it’s-”

“Gone?” Oblivion comments. He and the others approached while Athena and Twilight spoke. “That’s Xeroc’s damned influence. Fucking asswipe.”

“X-Xeroc’s influence…?” Twilight questioned in disbelief. “So… he’s speaking to me?”

“Not exactly,” Oblivion answers. “And yet, yeah… in a way. Let’s call it a sort of mental aftermath, if you will. But one that can fuck you up if you give into it.”

“Th-that’s right…” Twilight said in realization. “The others told me about your story…”

The skull wolf nods. “Yeah… I can hear it, too. All. The. Fucking. Time. Greed can probably hear those voices, as well. But, like me, he’s learned to ignore them. To defy them.”

The skull wolf floats closer before gently resting his forehead against Twilight’s. “Hear it for yourself, Twiggle…”

At that moment, Twilight’s eyes widened -- she could hear it… that awful voice that sounded like Oblivion’s yet wasn’t his own:

-Destroy, Terraria!-

-Kill them all!-

-Bring about the end!-

-Destroy everything!-

In tandem, just as Twilight could hear Oblivion’s inner turmoil, so too could he listen to hers:

-Look at all those delicious ancients!-

-Eat them!-

-Devour them!-

-A bountiful feast of the divine!-

The two remained like this for several more moments, but it felt like an eternity for them. They then part as Oblivion backs his head away, and Twilight breaks into full-on tears and sobs uncontrollably.

The alicorn screamed out, her cries echoing throughout the sky. “I-[sob] I d-don’t w-[sob] want th-that!”

Oblivion grabs onto her forelimbs, clasping them into his claws. “Look at my face, Twilight. Is this what you want?”

“N-no!” She sobs. “No! No, no, no, no!”

“Then do me a favor: Don’t fucking give into anything Xeroc demands, even if it IS to save the ones you love. Because once you do? You’re forever his, strings fucking attached and everything.”

“B-but I don’t understand; I never gave in to him. S-so why is this happening to me…?”

“You never gave in, Twilight,” Athena began. “But your original self did, and thus, its influence passed onto you, but it has yet to take hold of you.”

“I-I still don’t understand.”

“Allow me to add more context, Twilight,” Silence responds before manifesting four transparent individuals that bore familiar resemblances. “Before us are the forms of Oblivion, Greed, Twilight -- your original self -- and you. Now, you might be wondering why you’re separated from your fellow cohorts.”

As was pointed out, the imitation of Twilight stood before Greed, Oblivion, and her original counterpart, the former trio standing side by side.

“The truth is that because of Harmony’s actions, you possess a sort of early warning, something that neither Greed, Oblivion, nor your other self ever had. This, in turn, gives you a huge advantage, Twilight.”

“S-so…” Twilight managed. “You mean that when Harmony split my original self’s soul into two other fragments, we, or I, inherited some of the original’s influence from Xeroc?”

“Precisely.” Silence said with a nod. “You are NOT, let me repeat, NOT under Xeroc’s grasp. But your connection to your original self, who did give in, allows you to tap into it. Of course, this also means that Xeroc can claim you should you give in… just as he claimed Oblivion and Greed a long time ago.”

“Do you understand now, Twigs?” Oblivion inquires, garnering Twilight’s attention. “You will be fine so long as you don’t give in.” The skull wolf releases Twilight’s forelimbs.

Two separate wings rest on Twilight’s shoulders, each belonging to Solaris and Faust.

“Love, family, and friendship are the greatest weapons to use against it,” Solaris comments. “The mistake that Greed, Oblivion, and our third sibling made was facing Xeroc alone rather than seeking help.”

“Do not be blinded by pride, Twilight,” Faust said. “Ask for help, do NOT hide nor run away from thy loved ones.”

Silence chuckles. “A lesson I once showed to Celebes during the fight with Crabulon.”

The moment is suddenly interrupted by the applause of a… crowd?

“Oh, yes!” Discord drapes his lion’s paw against his head in dramatic fashion, wearing a blue suit as if he were hosting a TV show. “I laughed, I cried, I believed! Give it up for them all, dear audience!”

A random burst of cheering came from out of nowhere. And being used to Discord’s antics, the ancients play along, bowing and nodding for the ‘crowd,’ although Twilight remained stupified.

“Now then, folks,” Discord somehow causes the ‘camera’ to focus on his face, “Let us bring out our guest: Applejack!”

Celebratory music sounds off -- again, out of nowhere, and the ‘camera’ pans out before Applejack suddenly ‘pops’ into view.

“What in tarnation?!”

“And here she is, folks!” Discord proclaims with a flourish. “The one, the only, the dryad and pony hybrid-”

“Confound it, Discord!” Applejack roars out, not yet absorbing her surroundings. “What in da hay are ya…” Her words die down as she takes notice of Twilight, the duo staring at each other in silence.

“T-Twilight…” The apple mare drops, her eyes downcasted.

Twilight’s ears are folded against her head, and a sense of panic overcomes her as she fires up her horn.

“I-I have to go!”

“Oh no, you don’t,” Oblivion said as he snaps his right claw.

Twilight had tried to cast a teleportation spell but to no avail. “Wh-what the…?”

“Sorry, Twigs, but you’re not running from this one,” Oblivion said. “I disabled your teleportation spells -- all of them.”

“Y-you can do that?”

Oblivion scoffs. “Please.” He dismisses with a waving claw, “That’s kindergarten stuff for us ancients. No offense, Twiggle, but your magic ain't shit compared to mine. Your original self’s powers vastly outmatched my own; fuck; she INVENTED magic. But you? Nah.” He shrugs his shoulders. “Sorry. Maybe one day.”

The alicorn still wanted to flee, and thanks to the skull wolf, she couldn’t rely on her powers.

“Twilight,” Applejack called out. “Look at me. Now.”

The alicorn hesitantly complies but keeps her gaze facing downward.

“Ah said look at me, Luna, damn it!”

The earth pony’s roar garners Twilight’s attention, but only now does the alicorn take notice of a series of leaves and wood that comprise a pair of wings that are strapped to Applejack’s back.

“You and ah need tah talk, Twi.”

“B-but Apple-!” The alicorn’s words are cut off as a whirlwind of leaves wisps the duo away, leaving behind the ancients and Discord, all of whom chuckles and laughs lightly.

“Well, looks like one potential crisis is averted,” Oblivion comments while wiping his claws together. “Hopefully, at least…”

“Have faith in her, Genesis,” Solaris responds. “Twilight’s mind is sharper than we give her credit for.”

“I’m not questioning that,” Oblivion replies. “It’s her mental fortitude I’m most skeptical about.”

“That remains to be seen,” Faust states. “We must leave it all up to her and her friends to decide. Let us not forget, our sibling was once the smartest of us.”

“Arguably,” Oblivion mutters with a sideward gaze.

“Oh, don’t be like that, Genny,” Solaris said with laughter. “She only outsmarted you in every way back before- huh…” Realization dawns on him. “I guess you do have a reason to be jealous of her.”

“It ain’t jealousy, Sunny D; it’s called respect,” Oblivion corrects with a pointed claw.

“Riiiiight,” Solaris responds while looking away with a mocking expression. “I’m totally convinced.”

“Fucking troll…”

Athena chuckles as Discord continues to talk to the ‘crowd’ in the background. “I’ve missed this so much.” She claps her hands. “Now, let us all convene at Twilight’s castle.”

“Eh, you guys go on -- think I’ll go sleep or check on Anububu at his place,” Oblivion responds, turning away.

Solaris smirks. “Harmony is going to be there.”

A moment of silence ensues as Oblivion freezes in place, his back turned to the group.

“Alright, fine. I’m going.”

Silence chuckles. “Love. Our greatest weakness,” He looks skyward. “Speaking of which, I should check on Celebes.”

---

The dark pegasus is lying on his bed with sadness emanating from his form. His mind is filled with thoughts of Starlight Glimmer and the memory of her being taken away by his own brother, the Pony of Shadows.

“Starlight…” He comments, and his tone is devoid of all life. “Why must you always be taken from me…?” He sighs. “Every time something makes me happy… it’s taken away soon after…”

A knock on the wooden door to his bedroom interrupts his solitude, and a familiar, motherly voice calls out from the other side:

“Shadow Thunder? It’s me, Harmony. Can I come in?”

Shadow raises his head, turning to the door with a sigh. “Y-yes, mother.”

The door is gently pushed open, and the beautiful, equine form of the Empress of Light stands in the doorway before trotting in, closing the door behind her.

The Empress immediately takes note of her adoptive son’s depressing aura, a look of sympathy overtaking her.

“You’ve been cooping yourself up in here for months, Shadow. Only emerging for food and other needs before coming back here.”

“I’m sorry…” He adjusts his form on the bed, lifting himself and sitting on his flanks. “I just miss her so much…”

“We’ll find her, I promise you,” Harmony places a comforting transparent wing on the pegasus’s left shoulder. “The GrimDark is a large place, and that’s putting it lightly. Silence and Oblivion have been on high alert, scouring every possible realm that Starlight could’ve been taken to.”

Shadow looks down. “He’s after me again, isn’t he…?” He narrows his eyes, “My wretched father… Abaddon.”

Harmony sighs sadly. “What that monster did to your mother is beyond cruel, and he forced her to bear you and your brother…”

A moment of silence takes hold.

“But, you know,” Harmony starts with a gentle expression. “Your mother defied him to the end in a most admirable way.” She sighs again. “Which leads me to this revelation, Shadow…”

This piques the pegasus’s interest. “R-revelation?”

“Your mother, Queen Umbra, actually gave birth to three foals that day.”

Shadow’s eyes widened. “W-what…?” Realization morphs onto his features. “Wait… so I have another sibling…?”

“You do, Shadow, and I’m so sorry for keeping this from you. I only did so to keep a promise I made to your mother, but seeing you like this… I have to break that promise. May she forgive me.”

“Who… who are they?” Shadow inquired with building anticipation.

“He was a powerful Umbrum, the name of your species. Or, as he was called back on the former Equus:

King Sombra.”

Next Chapter: Chapter 106 - A traveling leaf. Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 30 Minutes