Msia watched from the cauldron above and felt sorry for Shida giving her life away for a flight.
“A tragedy story,” said Msia, feeling sorry. “If she keeps her dream, she won’t be his forever. But this was her fate.” She then stepped back and went for more potion. “I always wonder how her story went. She has a life, a dream, and a family. But everything she had is now gone, her soul being corrupted by the Demon Dragon led her to become his child for eternity. Her story hasn’t ended yet, two more remain.” She takes two potions poured both in the cauldron. “Who shall we speak of?”
She stirred and stirred, until a cutie mark appeared. “Macian Capian, second unicorn lives in Bridlewood. I always wonder if that forest has some connection to the other forest that my predecessor lives in. But we shall continue the story of Macian.”
Story takes place at Ponyville where a great unicorn magician performs magic to attract an audience of ponies and creatures. But it was more than magic, it was a show. The unicorn hired any creature and ponies with unique talent for the show, and helped them find their talent. Many have loved it, the show was put into entertainment. Then the unicorn becomes the Showmaster and invites anyone to show their talent, such as one unicorn who wants to join.
“Well, young pony, what brought you here today?” He asked, then the pony handed his resume as he looked at it. “Hmm, are you too young for this show?”
“Yes, sir.” He replied. “My name is Macian Capian, I would like to show my talent too.”
“I don’t know,” he looks at his resume. “You live in a small town with your parents, then move into Ponyville, and your dream is to become like me?”
“Yes,” he said, who was excited. “You are my favorite showmaster in the Equestria. I always dream of being part of the show.”
“Hmm,” he thought of it. “Do you have any talent?”
“No, sir.” Macian said. “But I can do this.” He shows him he can transform a weed into a flower, and switch the gold coin with a rock. “So can I be in the show?”
“Well,” he thought of something. “I think you can be in.”
Macian thought he’s gonna be in the show at last, but became an assistant to assist anyone with their amazing talents. This wasn’t what he dreamt but it was the only way to be part of the show. After he was busy cleaning, he heard the cough from the room. He went to check and found the Showmaster sick. He cannot speak due to his sore throat and cannot do the show.
“I cannot do this with a sore throat,” the Showmaster said, with a sore throat.
“But they need you, we need you,” said Macian. “Without you, we cannot begin.”
“Then you will have to,” said the Showmaster.
Macian was surprised, “But… but I can’t. I’m not like you.”
“You are now,” As he gave his top hat to him. “You are the Showmaster. Now help our friends be ready. The show must go on.”
He understood as he put on the hat and was ready for a great show. He put on a cloak and stood on the stage, where all the audience saw him below waiting for the show to begin.
“Greetings,” he said, nervously. “I am Macian Capian, and welcome to the show. Today, we all gather here for everypony and creatures to show their greatest talent you have ever seen before. Now then, let the show begin!” He spun and did his stance.
And the show begins. Many of them have shown their talents one at a time, until the last one was ready. The filly was gonna demonstrate her talent until it went out of control with sprinkles, as the audicane were starting to worry until Macian knew he had to do something. He uses his magic and transforms it into a sparkle of snowflakes. Everything went silent, until an applause from all of them. Everyone was astonished by the event, as the filly bowed. But it was all thanks to Macian but he let her have the applause. When everything was about to end, he stepped in the spotlight announcing their final show.
“Thank you all for watching our show. Don’t thank me, thank these friends.” He said, thanking them. “It’s because of them, the show will always go on. To help your kids and families find their talent. So come and we’ll help you be part of our show.” As he soon said it, a glimmer started to happen around him.
And when it’s over, every creature and ponies were surprise to his blank has a cutie mark. A violet top hat with diamonds. And he reacted.
“I got my cutie mark!!”
Then everyone cheers and celebrates for his cutie mark. And the Showmaster, he saw the moment and smiled for Macian getting his, and wonders if his dream has come true.
Time passed, Macian became older and took charge of the show. The real Showmaster passed away, leaving everything to him as the new Showmaster. Creatures and ponies were chosen for the show, as he worked hard to keep the show on forever.
“Alright, everypony and creatures, we must get on with the show.” He said, speaking to everyone he chose. “Make sure the spotlight shines on our contestants, clear the floor clean so no one slips, and be ready. Our audience is waiting outside.”
They all hurried to set up and prepare, until he realized something’s wrong. There were no creatures, just ponies, in the show. He wonders why as he asks one of his workers.
“Hey, where’s the creatures?” The worker told him, as he was shocked to hear. “What? Not coming to my show? Why?”
As he asked, everything changed. His show was beginning to fail since creatures no longer came during the Creatures Revolution. And when it was over, his show started to go down. Without magic, ponies can’t do anything but start to leave. Macian tries to find more crew but no one will come and join. Soon, he was out of business and the show was shut down but for him he stayed still thinking if somepony would come to his show. But still, nopony did. That’s when he decided to bring his show to the place where the unicorn lived, Bridlewood. As he arrived, he set up his show so he could come back to prepare. He tries to gain their attention but all of them ignore his entertainment, so he gives up and returns to his show. Moment passed at night, he still remained in his place but had no audience to entertain. He stared at the poster of his dream he was gonna announce, but everything was all over.
“Guess the show is over,” he announced, ready to end his career.
When he thought it was all over, a pony who was standing there staring directly at his place.
“Quite a show you got,” she recalled. “Is it available?”
“Look, if you are here to see the show, it’s over.” He replied. “No ponies never wanna come.”
“No ponies?” She asked. “Why, that’s terrible. A pony who once dreamed to make it happen, turns out to be a failure.” Then she talks about it. “I heard ponies used to come to see your show cause it’s for your master’s legacy. You wanted to be like him, you wanted to be the greatest showmaster. Am I right?”
“Yes,” he sighed. “I dream of being like him. His career, his magic, always made me inspired to come and be part of his show. After all, I did get part of it. But now, everything went out of business. My career, my dream, my show.” He felt depressed. “Everything is all gone.”
“Not all,” she said. “Not everything can’t be gone. My father can get you what you wanted to bring your show back.”
Then it got Macian's attention as he wanted to know how. “My show? How?”
As he asked, she revealed her true identity as a blue pegasus named Shida Shield. “By becoming his children.”
“Wait, what?” He asked, then thought it just a joke. “You're joking? Becoming his children? Ha! Why would I ever become part of his family?” As he turned, seeing her in front of him.
“Because, he can bring your show back.” Shida explained. “He can take away your pain and suffering that led you to be broken. Look around you.” She made him see. “This place is now in ruin. No crew to put on a show, no audican with cheer and happiness, and no magic from the top of your horn. Everything is gone, because the alicorn princess Twilight Sparkle has taken everything from you.”
“But… she’s our princess.” He recalled.
“Except she wasn’t,” said Shida. “Her element was Magic stealing everypony, including unicorns, for herself. She never appreciates us as our princess. Father has told me she was evil, like Nightmare Moon.” She reminded him. “Don’t you remember, our Princess Luna became evil and tried to turn Equestria into eternal night. And now, this. No magic for you anymore. But they have more just to keep it for themselves. It’s why father wanted you to come join.”
She was right, the alicorn has everything, while he has nothing. His show is gone, and no pony will ever come. He can’t stand being like this if he ever wanted to have it back. Soon, he decided it’s time to become his.
“What do I have to do to join?” He asked.
“Easy,” Shida responded. “All you have to do is to sell your soul.”
“What?”
“You heard me,” she repeated. “Sell your soul, and you can be free from this pain. But it will cost you to leave everything behind. Your Showmaster, your career, your dream. So, what will it be?”
Macian thinks of his show, but nothing isn’t there anymore. His entire life left him to rust with no spotlights to shine. His heart was broken with every pain and losses he cannot live with, then he decided to take it. “I give my soul to you.”
Soon and later, the wind started to blow harder, as he caught his top hat with his hooves, as Shida smiled knowing someone had sensed the offered as the evil spirit appears in front of him and form itself into an armor alicorn staring right at him.
“Well done, Macian Capian.”
“Your… an alicorn?” He asked, seeing him for real.
“Yes, I am.” He replied. “But I am not.”
Then his horns sparks and straight to Macian’s chest. Red magic pulls his soul out as it consumes part of Clipso’s armor he took out. And return his soul back into him, leaving with pain as his transformation begins. His body starts to pop out armor all around, his cloak becomes darker, his top hat merges with his armor, and his horns change into evil. When it was done, he was now a fully armored unicorn.
“What has happened to me?” He exclaimed, frightened seeing himself more different.
“You are now one of us, my child.” Clipso explains. “I have removed your brokenness from this tragedy. You are now my second child, my son.”
Macian then looked at Shida, who was now in armor, and at himself, until a sparks came from his horn. It was purple, dark purple, as he can levitate and do sort of tricks and spells. And with it, he accepted it.
“I will serve you, father.” He bowed his cloak. "Because I will make the show the world have ever seen before."
“Good,” Clipso said, announcing his success. “Now there’s only one pony left, you two must convince. Bring her so the family will be complete. And when it’s time, find me where you can see.”
“Yes, father.” Shida and Macian respond, and set out to find the last pony. And Clipso disappears into the mist, waiting to complete his plan.