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One Last Royal Duty

By Hearthsong
Created: 2026-01-10 14:11:58
Updated: 2026-01-11 03:13:03
Expiry: Never
anontwilight sparklesafetree of harmonyalicornonking anonthe tree of harmony

  1. 1.
    >As the dust settled and the earth finally stopped shaking, you could feel consciousness return to your mind
  2. 2.
    >Bleary, though the cobwebs were quickly fading away to return clarity to you
  3. 3.
    >You...
  4. 4.
    >Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship
  5. 5.
    >Pushing yourself off the ground, you glanced around the ravaged countryside, jaw dropped at the sheer scale of the destruction around you
  6. 6.
    >Deep gouges in the earth, shattered stone, part of the walls of the Ghastly Gorge had been partially collapsed, leaving the gorge half the size it used to be
  7. 7.
    >It took you a moment still to remember the cause of all of this
  8. 8.
    >Grogar, the Father of Monsters... and your King, Anonymous Rex
  9. 9.
    >The conflict was unlike anything you'd ever seen
  10. 10.
    >Even your battle with Tirek, fierce as it was, couldn't compare
  11. 11.
    >The Centaur was a threat to your people and the world, but despite everything he did, you don't think you could conjure up even a fraction of the hatred that Grogar and Anonymous openly had for each other
  12. 12.
    >Hoofblows and headbutts were traded freely just as much as they utilized their magic, each of them relishing in causing physical agony on one another
  13. 13.
    >You were pretty sure at one point they just started biting each other
  14. 14.
    >Despite all that savagery, it still came down to Friendship... in a way
  15. 15.
    >You, you friends, the other Alicorn Princesses sharing your Magic with the King to give him that final push needed to overcome his foe
  16. 16.
    >The sheer effort was enough to make you faint, but... you had won, right?
  17. 17.
    >You were fairly sure of it, if the King hadn't succeeded, surely Grogar would be around to gloat
  18. 18.
    >Or... take advantage of all the downed Ponies to ensure that those that aided Anonymous didn't wake up
  19. 19.
    >A shudder lanced down your spine like lightning at the thought
  20. 20.
    >As you trot through the battlefield (breathing a sigh of relief as you note your friends and allies getting to their hooves as you did), you finally found some evidence of the conflict's resolution
  21. 21.
    >The sight of one of the Ibex's horns, thoroughly snapped off and rammed into a charred tree certainly gave credence to the fallen foe
  22. 22.
    >But where was Anonymous, then?
  23. 23.
    >Continuing to look around, it was then that you caught a glint of something
  24. 24.
    >Just past the seeming remains of the Father of Monsters was a massive scorch mark along the earth
  25. 25.
    >And in the middle of it...
  26. 26.
    "... Anon?"
  27. 27.
    >The warped, charred remnants of what was assuredly the King's bronze peytral
  28. 28.
    >And nothing else
  29. 29.
    >"Anonymous?!"
  30. 30.
    >In the distance, you thought you heard someone scream as you collapsed by the destroyed regalia
  31. 31.
    >You later realized that it was yourself
  32. 32.
    >Time seemed to speed by after that
  33. 33.
    >Days swiftly bled into weeks, which in turn became months past by
  34. 34.
    >The King had wisely goaded Grogar into facing him in the mostly unpopulated Ghastly Gorge
  35. 35.
    >But the ferocity of their conflict still managed to damage towns as far as Los Pegasus and Applewood
  36. 36.
    >Repairs needed to be made, citizenry needed to be calmed, and... order needed to be restored
  37. 37.
    >It was no secret that King Anonymous always wanted Celestia and Luna to retake their places as rulers of Equestria
  38. 38.
    >And that he wanted you to join them as a Triarchy
  39. 39.
    >Even as a Unicorn filly he saw something in you
  40. 40.
    >Taking the time to teach you about governance and law in addition to Magic
  41. 41.
    >You had thought before your Ascension that he simply had a position for you earmarked in his court
  42. 42.
    >You never dreamed that he intended for you to take a place at his side as an equal
  43. 43.
    >... And now you never would
  44. 44.
    >At least, that is what others around you would like you to think
  45. 45.
    >But your King didn't raise a quitter
  46. 46.
    >While Luna and Celestia were certain of Anonymous's demise
  47. 47.
    >Celestia claiming she could feel the Tree of Harmony growing in power following the battle, as if it had reabsorbed Anonymous's magic
  48. 48.
    >And Luna even being so ghoulish as to claim they "finally had full control over their celestial bodies once again"
  49. 49.
    >The way she phrased it made your fur stand on end
  50. 50.
    >'Finally'
  51. 51.
    >As if feeling a sense of relief over this perceived great loss
  52. 52.
    >While you respected their abilities as leaders you never connected with the Royal Sisters emotionally
  53. 53.
    >There was too many centuries dividing you three
  54. 54.
    >They were figures from ancient history returned to the modern day, after all
  55. 55.
    >To say nothing of how Luna seemed to revel in her cruelty towards the King
  56. 56.
    >Criticizing his governance, trying to undercut him, challenging him in petty ways
  57. 57.
    >While her older sister barely attempted to rein her in
  58. 58.
    >Likely trying to make up for failing her to the point she succumbed to darkness
  59. 59.
    >While they may have accepted Anonymous's supposed death, you absolutely weren't having it
  60. 60.
    >Outright refusing to accept your place in the Triarchy proper
  61. 61.
    >Pushing back your coronation as you workshopped scrying spell after scrying spell
  62. 62.
    >Each tracker refuted Celestia's claims, your attempt to follow the King's essence leading you back to the Tree of Harmony
  63. 63.
    >You would be in awe of such a beautiful, powerful magical artifact if you hadn't made a hiking path to the damned thing from your unintended repeated visits
  64. 64.
    >Visits from your friends were more frequently turned away as your pursuit of tracking spells you hadn't already tried grew progressively darker
  65. 65.
    >Your results were flawed, you knew he was out there
  66. 66.
    >It was just a matter of finding the right ritual to confirm it
  67. 67.
    >And, after yet another agonizing month
  68. 68.
    >You did it
  69. 69.
    >The trail was faint, so weak that it was no wonder the more vibrant resonance of the Tree of Harmony overshadowed it
  70. 70.
    >That didn't stop you from screaming in frustration at the fact that your King had been holed up in another cave not even five-hundred hooves away from the Tree
  71. 71.
    >Under your nose this whole time and you just... kept failing
  72. 72.
    >Without telling a single soul, you set out after the trail
  73. 73.
    >Despite your expectations, what you found in that cave still managed to be worse than you prepared for
  74. 74.
    >Your mentor was in shambles
  75. 75.
    >His proud forest coat had turned dingy and faded, eyes sunken and dark. His proud mane hung limp around his withers, and all around he was just... diminished
  76. 76.
    >Half his former size and a third his previous weight, he looked like a corpse
  77. 77.
    >Any evidence he ever had wings or a horn were completely erased
  78. 78.
    >But what disturbed you more than anything was how at peace Anonymous looked
  79. 79.
    >Resting on a rock covered in moss, as if he was just... waiting
  80. 80.
    >He didn't even acknowledge you until you cleared your throat
  81. 81.
    >And prodded at him a little
  82. 82.
    >"Twilight Sparkle? Well, this is... a surprise. I didn't think anyone'd be finding me here, what with the big glowing beacon down the street."
  83. 83.
    >That declaration gave you pause
  84. 84.
    "Anonymous... you were trying to hide your presence on purpose? Why would you do that? We've been worried sick!"
  85. 85.
    >You
  86. 86.
    >You were worried sick
  87. 87.
    >The King looked uncomfortable for a moment, but recovered
  88. 88.
    >"Well, I mean... look at me, Twilight. This is all that's left. When I finally ripped that goat in half I received a vision from the Tree. With Grogar truly dead this time, my role in this whole thing was done. The Sisters are back, Cadance is slotted in the Crystal Empire, and we even have you to bring a fresh perspective to running Equestria. Harmony's releasing me from my service... and honestly, I'm not about to fight it. It's been an adventure, these past six-hundred years... but it's time to get things back on track."
  89. 89.
    >Your breath stuttered as your King so nonchalantly revealed the aftermath of his battle
  90. 90.
    "R... releasing you from your service? What do you mean by that, exactly?"
  91. 91.
    >"I think you can tell I'm missing a few accessories, Twi."
  92. 92.
    >Despite that, Anonymous still gestured at his empty back and blank forehead
  93. 93.
    >"Obviously I'm not flying or teleporting anywhere anytime soon, but with those being gone, well... I think you can guess what I'm missing as well. Honestly, I'm surprised I haven't starved yet."
  94. 94.
    >Your heart stopped
  95. 95.
    >No. Absolutely not. No.
  96. 96.
    >Your mind refused to accept that statement
  97. 97.
    >Refused to accept the idea that the effort you made to find your King only resulted in you reaching his death bed
  98. 98.
    >Refused to conceptualize a world where you had to get on by without Anonymous to turn to
  99. 99.
    >From the base of your horn to the bottoms of your hooves, you refused
  100. 100.
    >Your horn flared to life as your magical aura ensnared Anonymous, who, in his current state, had no way of stopping you from carrying him from this wretched cave to the cavern of the Tree of Harmony
  101. 101.
    >This was not happening
  102. 102.
    >Placing your mentor down as tenderly as possible, you turned to face the Tree, expression set in righteous, furious determination
  103. 103.
    "He's served you for centuries. He kept us all safe at the cost of his own blood. You are NOT going to throw him away like trash!"
  104. 104.
    >With a firm stomp of your hoof you waited
  105. 105.
    >And were met with a vision of... yourself
  106. 106.
    >Static and shimmering, it was clearly a projection, though you didn't understand why it would pick you of all Ponies
  107. 107.
    >"Anonymous has performed his role admirably, Princess of Friendship - balance was torn down by the Day Princess's foolish attempt to circumvent my judgement and return the Night Princess from her exile early, allowing creatures like Grogar to return and wreak havoc, as you well know. Empowering Anonymous was only a temporary solution until all of the fated Alicorn Princesses could be accounted for, and the Father of Monsters was permanently slain. All of his duties have come to pass. The terms have been met."
  108. 108.
    >Your left foreleg stomped the ground hard enough to leave spiderweb cracks in the stone. Your brow set into an even tighter glare
  109. 109.
    "Why does that mean he has to die, though?! To wither like this? Hasn't he earned the right to enjoy a life past those duties?!"
  110. 110.
    >Your shimmering doppleganger simply shakes her head. "The power he was granted was never his to begin with. It cannot stay with him - it is my might that protects this land. Had I had access to it during the Plunderseed incident, for example, I would have been able to repel those wretched Chaotic vines without having to take back the Elements of Harmony from you and your friends. Because I rationed out my power to Anonymous, Equestria lost access to its' most powerful assets. As it stands it will take generations for the Elements to be restored and able to be received by new bearers. Besides... I think you will find that the stallion himself is accepting of this fate."
  111. 111.
    >Despite every sense in your body telling you not to, you couldn't stop yourself from turning to look at your dessicated mentor
  112. 112.
    >The expression on his gaunt face was not one you wanted to see, but you could tell that he didn't disagree.
  113. 113.
    "Anonymous...?"
  114. 114.
    >"Harmony... isn't wrong, Twilight. You need to understand that... six hundred years? It's a long time. As it is now, you can't understand that amount of time. Generations pass in the blink of an eye. Friends, loved ones... all taken by time. All of them, except for me. I've given everything I had to ensure that Equestria would be in as much of one piece as I could to hand it off to Celestia, Luna... and you. I'm ready."
  115. 115.
    >If it weren't for the soft shimmering hum of the Tree's avatar, you were sure you could've heard your heart shatter
  116. 116.
    >You bound over to your mentor, your king, your friend
  117. 117.
    >Grasping at him as tightly as you dared, terrified of what he desired, but not as terrified as accidentally hurting him in this state
  118. 118.
    "But I'm not ready!"
  119. 119.
    >You sob, unable to stop yourself from weeping
  120. 120.
    >ugly, fat tears escaping out of your tightly clenched shut eyes, already beginning to tremble from the emotions overtaking you
  121. 121.
    >"Twilight... out of all the students I ever had, you stand above them, and it's not even close. You picked up all my lessons, from mathematics to governance with aplomb. You couldn't be more ready... and you won't be alone, you'll have Celestia and Luna."
  122. 122.
    "Celestia and Luna didn't teach me everything they know! They didn't raise me like you did! We can barely have a conversation because all Luna wants to do is badmouth you and Celestia won't do anything about it!"
  123. 123.
    >Your mentor hesitated at that, brow knit as his uncomfortable expression grew, trying to think of something
  124. 124.
    >"Well... your friends, then! You'll still have them, right? Magic knows they already find time to do their regular jobs and obligations on top of helping run that goofy school of yours. They can... help?"
  125. 125.
    >His confidence in his statement doesn't even make it to the end of it. A powerful sob escapes your mouth
  126. 126.
    "For how long?! They aren't immortal, either! I'll have to watch them die, and then I'll be all alone! Please! Please..."
  127. 127.
    >Your grip on Anonymous tightens despite yourself, as your body trembles harder from the sheer power of your weeping
  128. 128.
    "Please... Grampanon..."
  129. 129.
    >Your mentor chokes at that, staring down at you in shock, lifting his forelegs to wrap around the back of her head, petting your mane
  130. 130.
    >"... Shit, kid. You haven't called me that since you grew a sense of shame."
  131. 131.
    >With your face buried in his thin chest fluff, currently busy making it damp with tears and snot, you completely miss the look your mentor and the Tree's avatar share
  132. 132.
    >A conversation of facial expressions and minute gestures that could only be accomplished from centuries of working together
  133. 133.
    >At Anonymous's repeated gesturing at the trembling mare in his grasp, the avatar finally gives a defeated sigh
  134. 134.
    >"Perhaps... there is merit in the concept of rewarding him for his service."
  135. 135.
    >You stiffen in place as you register your shimmering copy's words
  136. 136.
    >"It seems like I have one last Royal Duty I need to attend to before I can high tail it out of here, Harmony... I need to see this silly mare grow into the wonderful Princess I know she can be."
  137. 137.
    >Your heart's pounding in your ears, you can hear the grin in Anonymous's voice
  138. 138.
    >"Agreed. I charge you with this solemn task, Anonymous. Do not let me down."
  139. 139.
    >Before you can lift your head you can feel the tremor of powerful magic behind you
  140. 140.
    >The cavern trembles as cascades of arcane power rush past you
  141. 141.
    >Crashing into your mentor, suffusing his essence once again
  142. 142.
    >The sheer force of it forces you to cling to him
  143. 143.
    >And only when it finally subsides do you dare to pull back and inspect him
  144. 144.
    >A coat of proud forest green, his fluff still damp with your weeping but managing to be majestic regardless
  145. 145.
    >Hair, dark as the blackest night, sticking straight up in that ridiculous upward manestyle he was so proud of
  146. 146.
    >Eyes, vibrant emeralds with bright white sclera
  147. 147.
    >... Though still missing his wings and lengthy horn
  148. 148.
    >Anonymous takes note of his renewed form, standing upright - dwarfing you as he always did
  149. 149.
    >"Looks like I'm free from the paperwork, Princess. Hope you aren't too disappointed."
  150. 150.
    >Something between a sob and a laugh escapes your mouth as you turn to face the Tree's avatar
  151. 151.
    "Thank you... thank you so much!"
  152. 152.
    >Your doppleganger shakes her head simply
  153. 153.
    >"You were right that it was beyond cruel to simply discard Anonymous in the face of his splendid service. While I cannot spare the magic to return him to his full Alicorn form... I can parcel out enough to ensure you will enjoy his company for quite some time."
  154. 154.
    >With a great bark of a laugh, your mentor wraps a foreleg around your withers, grinning
  155. 155.
    >"You heard the Tree - you're stuck with me, kid, so don't get cold hooves in a few hundred years, alright? Now lets go home - I wanna see the look on Luna's face when she realizes she can't have my air hockey table."
  156. 156.
    >Wiping at your eyes to clear the tears, you offer your mentor the brightest smile you've been able to give in months
  157. 157.
    "Yes... lets go home... together!"

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