I couldn’t believe it, here in Manehattan, of all places! My father was alive, I felt joy momentarily, then I started to get mad. Mad he hadn’t figured out a way to come back. He seemed in equal shock, but was doubtful.

“Who are my other two children then?” He asked.

“Applejack and Big Macintosh, and there’s Granny Smith there too. Ah know she’s not yer child though.” I said.

“You really are...” He said, seemingly at a loss for words. In the distance I heard Scootaloo’s voice calling my name, but I didn’t care.

“How couldn’t you find a way?” I demanded, though I was honestly a teensy bit curious about his reasoning. Maybe if I figured out how adults thought, I might be able to deal with the situation more logically.

“Listen, the pony who told me this was some unicorn who looked pretty powerful. They even had the nerve to demonstrate their capabilities, and I couldn’t risk that.” He apologized. “Look, I know I haven’t been there for you for ten or so years, but what’s going on? Why are you here in Manehattan?” He asked.

I sighed and started to tell him. “There’s this ancient prophecy that predicted this Rabil guy coming, and it says that me and my friends will be the ones who can stop him, and only us.”

He seemed shocked for a moment, and then gave me a smile, which was to me ignorant. “Apple Bloom, if you and your friends are the ones all of Equestria must rely upon, then that is the case. But you don’t have to do this, I know that sounds bad, but it’s the truth. You can or can’t make a decision in any single second, and either choice is equally viable. The consequences are always the parts that come to haunt us, Apple Bloom. I am proud to know that you are my daughter, and if you have killed somepony so that other ponies aren’t hurt, so be it. You aren’t anything like Rabil because you killed somepony.” He told me.

“But he kills ponies like its nothing, Ah did the same!” I said.

“Yes, but look at you. You feel guilt over what you did, do you think Rabil has stopped to think about how many lives he’s destroyed? Do you think he feels any remorse? It’s an honest question.” He said.

“No, Ah don’t.” I answered.

“If you don’t mind, Apple Bloom, could I come along with you? I would like to help you as much as I can.” He asked me.

“If mah friends think its a good idea, then yes.” I replied. Almost conveniently, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle came into view, and ran up.

“You do not believe how long we have been looking for you.” Scootaloo groaned.

“Ah, don’t be so dramatic. We’ve been searching for her for only ten minutes.” Sweetie Belle said, then turned to me. “Who’s this?” She asked.

“To make a long story short, her father.” My father said.

Scootaloo seemed a bit surprised, but Sweetie Belle seemed to have something more important on her mind. “Anyways, Twilight and the others teleported here, and we’ve been looking for you to see what you think we should do.” She said.

“Since when am Ah the leader of the Cutie Mark Crusaders?” I asked.

“I don’t know, I guess you just kind of fit the role.” Scootaloo said.

“Well, anyways, would y’all be fine with mah father helping us?” I asked again.

“Why not?” Scootaloo said.

We walked back through the streets where a lot more ponies were out. They seemed to have been rallied by the fight in the park, and were gathering around the group there. “I must say I am impressed, Apple Bloom. It seems they have rallied to your cause.” My father said. He seemed correct, everyone was staring at me and the rest of the Crusaders in some form of awe.

We got to around the middle and Big Mac’s voice said in disbelief, “Pa?”

Applejack looked over and seemed to have the same reaction, asking, “How - You’re dead!”

“I wasn’t dead, Jacky. I had my reasons why I didn’t return.” My father said, definitely remorse was in his voice.

“How dare you? Ma died thinkin’ you were dead, and Smith thought the same too! Not to mention me and Applejack.” Big Mac demanded.

“Macintosh, as I said, there was reasons why.” My father replied.

“What reasons? Ah’d like to know what reason would cause you to abandon yer family!” Applejack said.

“If I had come back, you would have all died. Someone said if I stepped a hoof in Ponyville you would all be dead.” He replied with a bit of temper.

“Uhh, not to interrupt this family reunion moment, but we do have a big problem.” Dash interrupted.

“Yeah, Tartarus is open, and the creatures are wreaking havoc.” Shining Armor said. With that, my surroundings abruptly changed.

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The waterfall was tainted with the darkness, and Rabil found it quite beautiful.

“How much longer do you think this will last?” He thought to himself, but immediately destroyed the thought. Negative thinking led to negative decisions.

“What is your thought process behind leaving?” Sombra asked, Rabil could tell he didn’t mean it sarcastically, he was curious, for his own reasons.

“To give them a false victory.” Rabil replied. I could tell he was trying to think of a good answer. “Have you found anything from the archives?” He asked towards a servant he had created for searching through the Canterlot Archives for information on any prophecy.

“Nothing.” It replied in a monotone voice. Rabil vented his breath, and told the servant to continue searching.

“Sombra, take the creatures of Tartarus and regain control of the Crystal Empire. We need to look through those archives.” Rabil ordered. Sombra seemed to perk up at the order, eager to regain control of his old Empire.

“I will do so.” Sombra said, and headed off. Rabil seemed to ease up, and looked out from a balcony upon his new kingdom. I could only hope he didn’t know about the prophecy for as long as possible.

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“Apple Bloom, what was that?” My father asked.

“Somehow she can see what Rabil is doing at times, it’s been of good use. Otherwise we wouldn’t have known where to find Cadence.” Shining Armor explained.

“So what’s happening now?” Twilight asked.

“He’s sending Sombra and an army from Tartarus to retake the Crystal Empire.” I said.

“Well, that’s just great. If he finds any records there about you three, we’re going to be in one big problem.” Dash said.

“Ya know, maybe we need to take a look at this. Us ponies alone can’t do anything against this guy.” I said, jumping on to the top of the carriage. “But maybe we can stand a chance if we gain just as big of an army that Rabil has.”

“What are you suggesting?” A pony shouted from the crowd.

“What I’m suggesting is that we get ourselves some allies. Maybe the changelings or dragons.” I said. Everyone seemed a little startled, and I don’t think they took it seriously.

“We can’t ally with them, they hate us!” A pony shouted.

“They’re not even like us!” Another shouted.

“I think she’s right.” A familiar voice spoke up, and a colt stepped out. It was Doctor Whooves. “Not just our land is at risk, but the whole world is. We can’t defend an entire kingdom from an army fit to take over the world. But we might be able to defend the kingdom with multiple kingdoms.”

“Yeah, except for the fact that the changelings invaded us half a year ago, and the dragons you can’t easily bargain with.” A colt said in the crowd. The problem was, both I and that colt were right.

“My guard will follow the three for as long as they need us.” Shining Armor said. “I don’t know about the rest of us, but a small group of ponies who haven’t been trained isn’t going to do much. Equestria needs help. And I will follow them to my death if need be.” The guards agreed with his statement.

Pinkie Pie stepped forward, and said, “You know what? I’m not letting that big meanie push us around like this, I’ll help you with the changelings!” Everypony looked disapprovingly at the pink earth pony, and Rainbow Dash stepped forward.

“Hey, I’m not letting that guy just overwhelm us, whether we like it or not, we need help! I am in!” Dash said. Ponies were definitely trying to not agree they needed to work with others, but they were genuinely not surprised by Dash joining in.

“That big, dumb, meanie killed all of my animal friends. I won’t let him kill any more ponies!” Fluttershy said as she stepped forward. Now that was surprising, Fluttershy wouldn’t do something if it had even the slightest chance of it being scary.

“He killed my mentor, and nearly killed my brother’s wife! This guy needs to be defeated, even if it means I have to ally with somepony who impersonated somepony close to me!” Twilight said, stepping forward. That was great! We would have possibly one of the most powerful unicorns helping us out!

“As much as it troubles me to help my sister in this case, I will do this. That, thing, is a crime against Equestria.” Rarity said, stepping forward. I honestly wondered how she would react when we had to trudge through places.

“Apple Bloom, Ah’ll help y’all too. Ah should have listened sooner, and right now it seems like everything is at risk.” Applejack said. That definitely meant something coming from her, she had so far been very hesitant about this whole thing.

“Is anypony else wanting to help, cause y’all can stay here if you want to.” I asked. I noticed Spike was with Twilight, and I knew he would help her if he had to take a bullet for her. To him, she was his family.

“I will.” A voice said, walking up. It was Derpy - sorry, Ditzy Doo, along with Doctor Whooves and their daughter. That surprised me, yet somehow I knew Dinky wanted to help.

“Does anypony else wish to come with us?” Shining Armor asked. No one budged. “Fine, let’s get going.”

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Author’s Addendum

Sorry if this chapter seemed a bit empty, or rushed. I went through a mini-Writer’s Block, and pushed through this chapter because I know I could stop it by getting to the next one. But please, as I’ve said on my blog, please continue to comment on my story, and provide some advice for my writing. You guys seriously make me feel like I’m getting better at this, and I’m keeping my first three chapters the same so I can remember just how far I have changed.

The Author,

projectoma