About a day or two has passed since Kingfin unleashed its attack on the yacht and when you and Shadow fought him. So far, everyone else was in higher spirits ever since. Especially you because you finally got back the childhood friend you've been looking for and right now, you were in Sunny Flare's room conversing about it.

(Y/N): Honestly, I should've seen it coming.

Sunny Flare: Why do you say that, dearie?

(Y/N): I mean, Shad always put others before him so seeing him condescending and egotistical out of the blue just wouldn't make sense.

Sunny Flare: I always thought there was something off about him since he got that pendant but I didn't bother him about it. But hey, at least we got back the Shadow we know and love.

(Y/N): Speaking of love, Shadow told me you rejected him. I was a little shocked because I thought that out of all the Shadowbolt girls you were into him the most.

Sunny Flare: I am but we're siblings and incest isn't something that's praised in many areas dearie.

(Y/N): Well, if you're looking for someone, my harem's always open just as long as they're cool with it.

Sunny Flare: A tempting offer, Y/N but I'm afraid I'll have to decline. Don't get me wrong, I think you're a great guy but I don't know you that well and my heart belongs to Shadow.

(Y/N): Eh. No worries, at least now that I can prove to Shadowlight that even a ladies man like me can get rejected.

Sunny Flare: ** You and Shadow were destined to be friends. Always seeing the good in everything.

(Y/N): That's how we've always been. I make people laugh and Shadow brings out hope in them.

Sunny Flare: You bring out hope in people too, you know.

(Y/N): Not as much as Shadow. That skeletal shark was an example of that. I was surely about to get digested by it, but thinking about Shadow made me keep going. I was still hoping to test my theory about his pendant at the time and seeing him try to fight that thing by himself while I rotted in it's mouth just didn't feel good. Especially when you're given the title of a savior.

Sunny Flare: It's understandable. Still, there's nothing wrong with sharing the spotlight every so often.

(Y/N): True that. So, concerning you and Shadow. Why doesn't he just find a place of his own? You two wouldn't technically be siblings anymore and that would mean you get to be together.

Sunny Flare: Yeah, I'd like that but I'm fearful of how he'll be able to fend for himself. I mean, he can cook a little but I don't think that'd be enough for him to last and I don't want him getting takeout for somewhere every day since most of those food products aren't that nutritional.

(Y/N): Hmm... I could help him find a job someplace. As for who'll be watching over him... I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

Sunny Flare: That sounds like the best course of action. Y/N? Can I say something to you?

You nodded.

Sunny Flare: I just wanted to say that... I'm sorry that we didn't get along very well at the Friendship Games. A part of it was with how my mom was raising me at the time with an addition of how everyone else was acting at CPA. I should have gotten to know you better and it wasn't right for me to act the way I did.

(Y/N): Pfft. Water under the bridge, Sunny. It's all in the past. At least now, you and I are good friends.

Sunny Flare: Yeah, we are. Still, I can't help but wish that things were different during the Friendship Games.

(Y/N): So do I, but I know that there's nothing that can be done about it. We have to live with our mistakes no matter how big or small they are.

Sunny Flare: Yeah, I know. ** Maybe Shadowlight had a point. It was clear that my mom couldn't handle the role of being a single mother right from the start. I'm a little afraid of how long it'll take before she goes back to the way she was again.

You then went over and sat next to her before putting a comforting hand on her shoulder.

(Y/N): It's best not to think that way, Sunny. With the way of how you've described her lately, she seems like she's finally been able to move on. In fact, Shadow's told me that she's now seeing someone, so that's always good.

She sighed before looking up and smiling at you.

Sunny Flare: You're right, Y/N. It's better not to think about that. But...do you think it's too late for me to be with Shadow? I mean, from what I've heard from Indigo, he took that rejection really badly.

(Y/N): Well... it seemed like Shadowlight was the one that was hurt the most by it. Shadow on the other hand... I'm not so sure. Though from my perception, he seemed to have already moved past it so I really wouldn't know.

Sunny Flare: ** Why does love have to be so complicated, Y/N?

(Y/N): Beats the heck outta me, Sunny. Sometimes it works out fantastically, other times, not so much. It always depends on the situation. But if love were simple, do you think anyone would care about it? I think not. I think that the fact that it IS complicated is what makes it so interesting. We constantly try to figure out if it's even real or not. Some say that it's just a chemical reaction that compels animals to breed, others say that it's something special that sentient beings have over others. We're never really too sure.

Sunny Flare: Maybe so. I just wish it was easier to understand.

(Y/N): You and me both, Sunny. But, much like how it is with life, we just gotta live with it.

She nodded before pulling you into a one armed hug.

Sunny Flare: Thanks, Y/N. You know, if it weren't for the fact that I have feelings for Shadow or that I don't really know much about you, I probably would have given you a chance.

(Y/N): If that were the case, I wouldn't disappoint you at all, Sunny. Still, your heart belongs to someone else, so I won't get in your way. Plus, I'm pretty sure Shadow cares about you more than anybody and while he definitely would be happy if you were with him, he'd probably start doubting himself again and say that I'm a better guy to be with than he is or something like that. I talked with Indigo yesterday about how he suddenly went from miserable to happy overnight and it was because of her. She mentioned to me that all Shadow cared about is to see you smile.

Sunny Flare: He said that?

(Y/N): I kid you not, Sunny.

A faint blush appeared on Sunny's cheeks as she looked out the window of her room.

Sunny Flare: That was the last thing my father ever said to me before I found out about the accident.

She then turned to you with somewhat desperate looking eyes.

Sunny Flare: Y/N, you shared a body with V/N, did he ever tell you why he killed my father and what his motives were?

You frowned while shaking your head.

(Y/N): I'm sorry, Sunny. I didn't even know he existed until the Battle of the Bands.

???: I know why, though.

You heard someone say as you looked to see Shadowlight standing in the doorway with a serious look.

(Y/N): How long have you been there?

Shadowlight: Long enough to hear what Sunny asked you. I know of what compelled him to kill your father.

Sunny Flare: Really?

He nodded.

Shadowlight: You see, from what he told me long ago back in Equestria, he used to have a family once.

We see a beautiful little home on the side of a mountain where we find an older (F/C) alicorn stallion along with a pegasus mare and two children.

(Y/N): Wait, he was an alicorn? I thought he was a human from what you've told us.

Shadowlight: He is a human but he took the form of an alicorn because he didn't want to be seen as a freak and be isolated from the world again.

Sunny Flare: Hmm, intriguing. Anyways, continue.

Shadowlight (narrating): There was a time where V/N was just like you, Y/N. He had a family, an abnormal amount of magical power unlike anything Equestria's ever seen, and he was a stud. He didn't believe in Grogar's ways, so he rebelled against him and started his own life and during those times he used an alias known as P/N. For a while, things seemed to have been a paradise for him. But... fate it seems... had other plans.

The once lovely home of V/N was now a fiery heaping ruin as we see the alicorn stallion trying to search through the ruins of his home while trying to find his family. He continued his search until his eyes landed on his wife and children trapped under a support beam as the roof was about to cave in on them. He tries to use his magic, but due to him sustaining damage, he wasn't able to lift it up enough for them to crawl out. Suddenly, a loud crash occured as the roof... fell onto V/N's family. He cried out in sorrow and horror before flying out of the house as he looked upon the destruction. He then noticed out of the corner of his eye and he looked and saw an older stallion with dark violetish gray eyes, a light gray coat, and a light gray mane. He wore wizard robes that had several bells sewn onto them.

(P/N): ** S-Starswirl... the bearded! B-But what's he-

He was cut off upon seeing that he wasn't alone. There were other ponies alongside him ranging from mares to stallions: The Pillars.

(P/N): ** The Pillars? But...why are they here?

His thoughts were soon answered as he looked and saw... an Ursa Major!

P/N's eyes widened in fear.

(P/N): ** An Ursa Major?! This far from the Everfree Forest?!

Starswirl the Bearded: Do not falter now, my friends! This beast will not cause more destruction!

Shadowlight (narrating): All he could do was watch in horror as his once beautiful home was now destroyed and it was right then where he grew a different perception on how the world works.

(P/N): ** That... that monster! It... it CHOSE to do this... Starswirl... and The Pillars... CHOSE to fight it here instead of somewhere else! Free will... is a plague... I... I will avenge you, my love! You and our kids... will be laid to rest... once I bring order to this world! There are no heroes... there are no villains... only death and misery!

P/N glared at Starswirl and The Pillars one last time before taking off to the sky.

Shadowlight (narrating): He had lost his perception on what's good and what's bad. He wanted to bring world order to eradicate both terms along with all countless losses ponies suffered from.

(Y/N): So... some time after that is when he came across you, right?

Shadowlight: ** Yeah. I actually was the one who created that Ursa Major. It was Grogar's final order before Gusty the Great banished him. He wanted P/N to learn just what it meant to double cross him. I will be honest with you, I hated the idea. I didn't want to make P/N suffer and I was going to go there to stage his family's death and make it look like they died but I was too late. So, as a way to... make it up to him. I decided to seek him out in person.

We see P/N sitting in a cave by himself while testing out his magic by blasting a few rocks. This continued until a voice interrupted him.

???: I don't think blasting a few rocks is gonna help your cause, V/N.

P/N was startled by the voice as he got into a defensive stance. His eyes widened at what he saw. There standing before him was a much taller pony with slitted eyes, a dark grey coat, a pitch black mane and tail and was wearing small armored panels on his hooves.

(P/N): S-Shadowlight?!

Shadowlight: Even with that disguise, there's no fooling me, V/N.

P/N turned away from his edgy looking acquaintance.

(P/N): Don't call me that! That is a name I abandoned long ago!

Shadowlight: ** Yeah, I was there when you backstabbed the old man. But it doesn't matter if you turn on him. I'm still gonna be loyal to you. You're one I could call...a friend.

P/N's eyes widened as he turned back to Shadowlight.

(P/N): A... friend? Even after I betrayed our creator?

Shadowlight: The old man has some screws loose, V/N. I understand why you rebelled. I wished I had the strength to do that. Speaking of which, that Ursa Major that attacked your home...that was because of him.

(P/N): WHAT?!?!

Shadowlight: Yeah, he was still outraged by your betrayal so he had me create an Ursa Major to go on a rampage. I refused to do it since I didn't want to hurt you but he forced my hoof. I was going to come by and try to stage their deaths but Grogar saw right through me and kept me restrained from doing so.

(P/N): Grrr! That does it! We will find that wretched ram and obliterate him!

Shadowlight: I'm afraid that's not possible. Gusty the Great had already beat you to it.

(P/N): The brainiac? Huh... I didn't think she had it in her.

Shadowlight: She was always very mysterious. But anyway, Grogar's already been compromised so you won't be able to exact your revenge on him.

(P/N): ** Fine then. I'll just settle for the populace of Equestria then.

Shadowlight: What's that gonna do? I don't know if you're aware of this, but you're severely outnumbered. I mean, sure I could create an army for you to lead but I don't think it'd be worth it.

(P/N): You don't understand, Shadowlight. All free will has done is lead ponies to carry out evil, suffering, and death upon others just like with my family and me. Order is the only way true peace can be restored. As for how to deal with those that stand before me... I was considering using the Infinity Amulet.

Shadowlight: V/N, that's a really terrible idea. The Infinity Amulet was a failed experiment! No one can wield its power, Sombra is living proof of that.

(P/N): Sombra didn't have the strength to wield such a power, I on the other hand, am Grogar's former right hand man.

Shadowlight: No, I was his right hand man. He created you from me, remember?

(P/N): ** No need to remind me. Listen, I intend to go through with this experiment regardless of how you feel about it. So, you can do either one of two things. You can stay and help me create the amulet as my "friend" or you can leave. Either way, the Infinity Amulet will be assembled.

Shadowlight: ** I always hated your stubbornness, V/N. If you end up exploding into shards from the amulet, don't say I didn't warn you.

(P/N): Noted. So... are you in?

He offered a hoof to his comrade who looked down at it hesitantly.

Shadowlight: ** He's out of his mind but I don't want to lose him so I guess I'll join him for now. However, I will find a way to bring back the V/N I once knew. ** I guess. So, how do you want to do this?

(P/N): By locating the Disharmony stones first.

Shadowlight: That's easy. Grogar's kept them hidden somewhere all across Equestria. Luckily, I know where to find them.

Shadowlight stomps one of his forehooves on the ground as a teal pegasus appears next to him.

(P/N): An umbrum soldier? For what purpose?

Shadowlight: This isn't just an umbrum soldier, V/N. This is Rabia, the first umbrum of my ranks and the second in command of my army. I've been having her scout Equestria for centuries and she knows exactly where the stones are located.

He then turns to Rabia.

Shadowlight: You mind grabbing them for us?

Rabia: As you command, my lord.

She saluted before disappearing in a flash of light.

Shadowlight (narrating): Little did I know, that that would be the first mistake that would lead to my fate. I knew the Infinity Amulet was dangerous but what it did to V/N was much worse than a simple explosion of magical power.

We cut to another scene as Shadowlight was seen with V/N watching the siren race from afar as V/N was now human again and wore the Infinity Amulet around his neck.

Shadowlight: So, what are we doing?

(V/N): Ridding ourselves of potential nuisances.

He said as he glanced down at some sailors who were sailing nearby but were lost due to a mist that was all around them.V/N dove off the cliff he was standing at and transformed into a pegasus form and flew off towards the sailors. He hovered above them and got their attention.

(P/N): Excuse me! I hear you have been dealing with some siren issues as of late.

The sailors looked up at him curiously.

Rust Bucket: You'd be correct, but who are you and how'd you know that?

(P/N): That's not important. I'm here to tell you that you're only a few clicks away from the siren nesting area. Why not... end things here and now?

One of them stepped forward with a curious look. She appeared to be the captain.

Sailor Moon: I'm listening.

(P/N): Just north of here is the siren nesting grounds. It's right up against the shoreline. So, if you wanted, you could ram your ship into the shore and kill all the potential future threats to Equestria. What do you say to that?

Shadowlight: Whoa, whoa, whoa. You want to wipe them out?

He asked as he flew up to him in a normal looking persona.