-EQUUS, PONYVILLE-

Many different species of The Coalition were currently preparing their equipment for the coming conflict with The Corruption. However, Spike, Mayor Mare, and Dragonlord Ember were currently acting as the two heads of the town while they also conversed with some new arrivals. They were all currently positioned just before Town Hall as they spoke to the representatives of their newly arrived allies.

“I’m so glad to hear that you and your fellow buffalo all managed to get out safe, Chief Thunderhooves.” Spike comments.

“Our tribe is safe and we took those with us from Appleloosa who couldn’t make it to The Crystal Empire safely,” The Chief then turns to another representative, “I thank you for allowing us to ride on your flying metal, Captain Celaeno.”

“Haha! Don’t worry about it, and any friend of the ponies is a friend of mine.” The pirate captain said.

“I still can’t believe that you managed to employ The Yetis from the former Storm King’s army under your banner.” Dragonlord Ember said.

“The little hedgehog that usually accompanied Tempest Shadow recommended these big guys,” Celaeno motions to the nearby yetis, “They’re big and intimidating, but they’re also gentle giants. Many of them were forced into serving that horrible Storm King. That monster even threatened to kill their loved ones if they didn’t serve him.”

The yetis let loose an angered roar as they heard Captain Celaeno’s words. Some among them even shout:

“Storm King bad!”

“Me happy he gone now!”

“Celaeno is good leader!”

“We help Captain!”

“Awww, shucks, thanks crew!” Captain Celaeno exclaims as she then returns her gaze to both Ember and Spike, “Now they help me and the others on our new ships that we stole from The Storm King’s stronghold, on his old island. We then tore that place down and even had the Queen of Seaquestria sink that island to the depths of the sea.”

Suddenly, the doors to Town Hall open wide and reveals Mayor Mare walking out with yet another representative: Rain Shine, leader of the Kirin.

“I’m so pleased to hear all about your kind’s safety. The Corruption is very dangerous and will threaten the entire world if we can’t destroy it.” Mayor Mare said.

“Indeed, I only regret that me and my fellow kirin weren’t able to aid the fight against this horrible infection sooner,” Rain Shine then bows respectfully, “I thank you for taking the time to inform me all about it, and for providing us with weapons and armor to combat against it.”

“Oh dear me, please rise,” Mayor Mare says as she waves a forehoof, “I appreciate the gesture but you don’t need to do that. I’m but a simple mare doing her duty and fulfilling the request of The Princesses, and the other leaders of The Coalition. As for the weapons and armor, Discord is the one to thank for that. His powers have certainly been a great help.”

Rain Shine rises, “I thank you. Me and my kirin might not have been there from the start, but we’re here now and ready to help.”

Overhearing Rain Shine’s words all of the nearby kirin begin to cheer and let loose war cries of their own. Some even alight themselves on fire in a display of determination. However, it wasn’t just the kirin as both the yetis and buffalo, all of whom were donned in the armor forged from the demonite ore, begin to celebrate their union.

“Alright everyone!” Spike exclaims with a raised fist as he stands before the crowd, “Now that the buffalo, kirin, and yetis have been geared up and ready to go, we’ll be prepared for the coming conflicts!”

“RAAAAAAAWWWW!” The joined forces roared out in unison as all present began to work around Ponyville by moving equipment and repairing various houses that were still damaged from The Battle Of Ponyville, some time ago.

……….

As the crowd cleared up, two individuals step forth and catches the attention of Spike as he runs towards them and shouts:

“Hey, Big Mac! Sugar Belle! How’s everything going at Sweet Apple Acres?”

“There’s still a lot of damage, but Big Mac and I checked on his parent’s tree and It was luckily spared from the effects of The Corruption.” Sugar Bell said.

“Eeyup!” Big Mac comments.

“That’s awesome! I’m so glad to hear that,” Spike suddenly smirks, “And I assume you two have been getting closer, eh?”

Both Sugar Belle and Big Mac’s face flusters in response before the two ponies chuckle and lovingly nuzzle each other.

“Mac and I are now official. He’s my special somepony!” Sugar Bell exclaims happily.

“And you are mine, Sugar Bell.” Big Mac responds as the two continue to nuzzle.

Spike watched on momentarily as he then looks over his shoulder and gazes upon Ember’s form while saying:

“I… I wonder if Ember would be interested in me?” He ponders on it for a moment, but sighs in defeat soon after, “Who am I kidding? I don’t stand a chance with her…”

Unbeknownst to the dragon, he forgot all about the two ponies who stood before him as Big Mac and Sugar Bell chuckle to themselves.

---

-EQUUS, FLUTTERSHY’S COTTAGE-

Both Discord and Harmony were currently walking towards the entrance of the cottage. As they traversed, many of the animals seemed to recognize Harmony as birds began to land on her crest while other animals such as wolves and even a single elephant respectfully greeted her.

“Awwww, these animals are quite lovely. The Element Of Kindness has done an amazing job,” Harmony turns to Discord, “You’ve also done a fine job in taking care of the place in her absence.”

“I wouldn’t want her to be sad if the place fell apart while she was gone,” Discord responds with shrugged shoulders, “And I still can’t believe that you think that rude rabbit can do anything to help us!”

Harmony chuckles, “You’ll see. He’s inside the cottage, yes?”

“Of course he is. When I’m not here, he’s keeping the place in check.”

The duo then reach the closed door to the cottage as Harmony knocks on it with her left forehoof.

“Why are we even knocking? We could’ve just poofed into the cottage.”

“Don’t be rude, Discord. Besides, I’m more of a guest here compared to you so it would be rude of me to barge in without a proper invite.”

“A guest?! You’re freaking Harmony! The creator of, oh I don’t know, everything around us?!”

“That still doesn’t equate to-” Harmony’s words were cut off as the door to the cottage opens up and a certain rabbit stands in the doorway.

“Hello, Angel Bunny, or is that what you call yourself nowadays?” Harmony says with a smirk.

“I still don’t see how this rude little-” Suddenly, Discord’s mouth literally fell to the floor by what he sees next.

Angel Bunny was currently staring at Harmony with a face of shock and awe as he then leaps into Harmony’s embrace via her forehoof and shouts in a deepened voice:

“Harmony! Oh my dear old friend, I’m so glad to see you again!”

“As am I, Rajah Rabbit. I’m so grateful for you keeping an eye on Fluttershy and her family.”

Rajah Rabbit is gently sat down onto the ground by Harmony as he then says:

“Why of course! It is my duty to protect the descendants of Angel Pony! My dearest friend who I have sworn an oath to! So declares the great champion of the innocent! Ahahahaha!” Rajah Rabbit strikes a heroic pose, “Fear not, innocents, for I am here! Rajah Rabbit!”

The animals all around him start to cheer, and Harmony giggles to herself with a forehoof covering her muzzle. However, Discord stares on with absolute dumbfoundment as he literally lifts his mouth off of the ground and shouts:

“What is going on here?! Explain! Explain now!”

“Ahahaha! But I already have, citizen!” Rajah Rabbit responds.

“Citizen?! Are you kidding me?! Also, let me list off why this situation is too chaotic even for me!” Discord lifts his lion's paw and lowers each individual finger as he lists: “You can talk, you’re some champion of the innocent, apparently you protected Fluttershy’s ancestors, and now you’re acting nothing like your usual rude self!”

Harmony was now laughing uncontrollably as she sat on her flank and watched the exchange take place before her.

“I am deeply sorry for coming off as rude, Rajah Rabbit hated doing that to you and others who came to visit Fluttershy. But do understand, Harmony requested that I remain incognito. I posed as a rude but ordinary rabbit named: Angel Bunny, as you are all too familiar with. I took on that name in honor of Fluttershy’s ancestor, Angel Pony.”

“So you were some heroic rabbit all along? With the way you’re acting, you’re like some superhero in a comic.”

“I am not a superhero in a comic, I AM a superhero in the real world! Ahahahaha!” Rajah Rabbit poses heroically, “Fear not, innocents, for I am here!”

Harmony was now starting to recover from her laughter as she wipes away her tears and says:

“I always missed your enthusiastic heroism, Rajah Rabbit.”

“Yes! Ahahaha!” Rajah Rabbit exclaims and takes on various hero poses.

“You know what? I don’t even care about the references here... I’m not even going to question this any further,” Discord says with his eagle’s talon rubbing against his face.

……….

Now positioned within the cottage’s living room along with a freshly brewed pot of tea, Harmony, Discord, and the newly revealed Rajah Rabbit all ponders on the conversation they had just finished having.

“I’m glad to hear that you and Oblivion made up, Harmony,” Rajah Rabbit says as he sets down his cup of tea.

“As am I, and I look forward to seeing him again.” Harmony responds with reddened features.

“Enough with all the gushy stuff, bleurgh.” Discord said with crossed arms and disgust.

“You two always made me smile when I saw you together. Such a lovely couple. Your daughters are living proof of that, ah, how I miss Pinkie Pie and her antics whenever she came over to visit Fluttershy,” Rajah Rabbit puts a forefoot to his chin in thought, “However, I couldn’t help but wonder if she somehow knew of my true self. Not to mention my true form.”

“Your true form?” Discord questions with a raised brow.

“Indeed,” Harmony said with a nod, “What you’re looking at is a highly suppressed form of Rajah Rabbit’s true self.”

“So how strong are you, exactly?” Discord inquires.

“Why I’d never,” Rajah Rabbit waves a dismissive forelimb, “I do not brag of my strength, I simply use it to protect the innocent!” Rajah Rabbit poses heroically.

“Rajah Rabbit’s physical might is so great that he can beat all but one of The Ancients in that department. That includes my beloved, Oblivion. And I’m certainly not going to challenge Rajah to a contest of strength.”

“WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!” Discord shouts in absolute dumbfoundment and shock.

“Lady Harmony, please, you’re making me blush.” Rajah Rabbit said.

Discord still remains dumbfounded.

“There’s no need to be shy, Rajah,” Harmony takes a sip of her tea, “My Oblivion often praised your physical attributes. Your might is rightfully respected by The Ancients and you especially have my admiration for using it to protect those who are unable to protect themselves.”

“Oblivion praised my might? Now that is certainly a feat, and I am honored!” Rajah bows respectfully.

Discord finally manages to regain his composure, “Ok, I get it, you’re a very strong ‘hero’. Now, I couldn’t help but notice that you said one Ancient in particular can match his strength?”

Harmony was about to answer, but Rajah Rabbit unintentionally cuts her off, “Greed… my arch nemesis and a foul villain. He has stolen many riches throughout Terraria’s history and his caverns are filled with ancient artifacts. If one wanted to find powerful items, Greed’s lair is where you’d go. Not even the treasures of Yharim’s kingdom is any comparison to Greed’s hoard.”

“Ah! Old Greedy boy! I’ve heard about him, he often keeps to himself in his caverns if I recall correctly?” Discord questions.

“Yes, and one would be wise as to never underestimate Greed’s power,” Harmony takes another sip of her tea and place it back onto the table, “Greed is an Ancient who triumphs in physical might, but him being the very embodiment of greed makes him very dangerous.”

“Oh come now,” Discord waves his lion’s paw dismissively, “He just steals stuff. Sure, that can be annoying, but I doubt that-”

“You are a fool, Discord,” Rajah Rabbit interjects sternly, “He is the embodiment of greed, greed itself comes in an unlimited variety of forms. Greed takes what he wants and often holds back a lot of his strength during a conflict. It doesn’t even matter if he loses said conflict while holding back, he simply enjoys the fight. What I’m trying to say is that Greed can take from you whatever he wants with a single touch.”

Harmony clears her throat, “If he wants your life? He gets it. Your will? He gets it. Even the divinity of a god can be taken away from them if he wants it enough. He is the Gilded Glutton, the thief above all thieves, and the Worm King. When an adventurer delves into a cavern in Terraria and finds chests filled with loot, odds are, Greed created that cavern.”

“So he takes treasure and rare items, but then creates caverns with chests filled with loot for others to find?” Discord questions with confusion, “Isn’t that counterproductive? I don’t know much about the guy since I never actually got to meet him, but I can’t tell if he’s Robin Hood or a powerful thief.”

“He’s both, actually, but a very different type of Robin Hood,” Harmony said while sipping her tea again, “He enjoys watching other thieves take what they want and will go so far as to provide them the means to do so. Greed fuels his powers from such scenarios just as chaos fuels yours, it’s really that simple. In addition, Greed also enjoys watching adventurers brave many dangers just to find any loot hidden within. As such, he created the caverns of Terraria and filled them with loot.”

“Well said lady Harmony. However, one must never try to steal from his hoard less they invoke his true wrath.” Rajah Rabbit said.

“So if I understand this correctly, whenever a terrarian finds a cave and discovers a chest hidden within filled with loot, that’s Greed’s doing?” Discord questions.

Both Harmony and Rajah nod.

“In addition, he also likes to provide other thieves with opportunities to steal from others?” Inquires Discord.

Harmony and Rajah nod once more.

“And that's all to provide him with more ‘greed’ to feed on?” Discord questions.

“That’s a fair summary of it all,” Harmony says as she finally finishes her cup of tea, “In the end, Greed simply wants to feed on, well, greed.”

“But make no mistake! He is a foul villain and performs those actions just to generate more greed into the world.” Rajah Rabbit comments as he too finishes his tea and sets the empty cup onto the table.

……….

Some time passes by and after conversing about another topic, Harmony sighs contently and turns to Rajah Rabbit, saying:

“I thank you for being a most gracious host, Rajah.”

“Think nothing of it, Harmony. As for what’s going on with The Corruption, I will be ready to hop into action when you call on me.”

“And I will continue to act oblivious to our conversation,” Discord comments as he then prepares to snap his lion’s paw, “Now I simply must go see Spike in Ponyville, he wanted to make sure that we have enough armor for our newest recruits. Tata!”

[SNAP]

Discord disappears in a cloud of chocolate powder; leaving behind Harmony and Rajah Rabbit. However, Rajah could sense that something was bothering The Empress as he says:

“Talking about Greed’s villainy undoubtedly reminded you of your own. I know your heart is still filled with guilt, Harmony. What you did a long time ago will never truly fade away, but at least you try to atone for that mistake.”

“But do I deserve true atonement, Rajah? True redemption? I lashed out at the terrarians for killing my utopians just to harvest their horns and use them for… crafting. One could call me justified for doing that, or a tyrant for retaliating. However, when they killed her… it sent me off the edge and I became consumed by vengeance. I lashed out against not just those who were responsible, but also those who were innocent,” A river of tears leaves her eyes and streams down her cheeks, “I became no better than those who were responsible…”

“Harmony… when Shadow Water and I challenged you that day, when we stopped you, you became so depressed after realizing what you had done that you were also an emotional wreck. Terrarians would truly fear The Hallow and many would avoid ever entering the biome itself,” Rajah Rabbit then offers Harmony a towel to wipe her tears with, she takes it, “But you and I both know who came into your life some time after those events. Shadow Water made you see reason, Oblivion gave you hope.”

“From that hope, I found love…” Harmony said with a smile.

“And that love gave rise to your daughters. It also changed your outlook on the world and made you into the kind being you are now. You will always have to carry the guilt in your heart, Harmony. But you also can ensure that no one else will make your mistakes.”

“I in turn must always be sure to never repeat them,” Harmony then lights up her horn and floats Rajah Rabbit into a hug with her forehooves, “I thank you and Shadow for giving me a chance, Rajah.”

“It is a decision that not he or I have ever come to regret, Harmony,” Rajah gently breaks away from the hug, “You’re doing a fine job. Keep up the good work, my ancient reformed villain.”

Harmony giggles, “I will forever endeavour to do so, my ancient hero.”

“Yes! Ahahahaha!” Rajah poses heroically after hopping onto the table, “Fear not, innocents, for I am here!”

“Rajah Rabbit!” Harmony exclaims proudly with a raised forehoof as the two laugh together in enjoyment.

Next Chapter: Chapter 5 - Coming Conflicts And Dreams. Estimated time remaining: 20 Hours, 54 Minutes