“Can I help you?” A white unicorn stallion asked, walking over to us, since we were the store’s only customers. I thought for a moment; of all the ponies that I had seen, most had been white and unicorn, with the only differences being their clothes, mane, and tail styles—in fact all of them were wearing full outfits. This pony was wearing a suit with black pants. Other than formal events, it wasn’t common for ponies to wear clothes... I guess this country was just different.

“Ah yes, Scootaloo needs some kind of new attire.” Master’s magic floated me into the air in front of the tailor.

“Oh my.” The pony grasped me in his magic, taking me away from Master. “Come right this way. What horror have you done to your precious clothes!?” he screeched in a high pitched voice. Just the way his voice curled and his tail lifted as Master moved behind him made me a bit upset. It was clear that he was batting for the other team.

“I was tortured for a few hours and blasted with magic,” I said rather bluntly, sending a shock down his spine, stopping him in his tracks.

Turning, he noticed the bloody bandages wrapped around my hooves, along with the blood stains and other various muck on my clothes. “My.” He cleared his throat. “Right, I’m assuming that you’ll be buying clothes as well, sir?”

“My name is Jerard, and yes.”

“Jerard!” Spinning around, he stopped in front of Master and leaned close to his face. Dismay went across Master’s face as the stallion’s position made him slightly uncomfortable. “Oh my, Royalty! I beg your pardon, honorable Prince!” The unicorn bowed, going almost to the floor. “Of course, anything you require will be completely free of charge!”

“Thank you, I guess,” Master said in an unsure tone, eyeing him curiously.

“I am Sir Draper.” Standing up, Draper turned toward me. This whole time, having still kept me suspended in the air. “Now then, to fit your… fiancée.” He frowned for a moment, then smiled widely. His magic faded, setting me down on a stand. Three large mirrors surrounded me. “My prince, what would you like her clothes to say?”

Master frowned a bit at Draper, or Sir, or whatever he was called. That queer could very well fuck off, for all I cared. At that moment, a bit of sadness shocked my body, it was like needles marching over my skin, as I realized how I was behaving. Acting out at all would only make Master angry.

“Modest, extremely and excessively modest. Other than her face, I don’t want a single tuft of fur showing.” Draper stared at Master from what probably sounded like a really odd request but then looked at me.

“Um, I suppose that will work. That is very specific, I think.” He swallowed. “However, those beautiful gems are covered in dried blood.” My eye twitched, it was clear that my gifts were covered in dried blood, and a lot of it.

“Scootaloo, you are supposed to keep those clean.”

“I’m sorry, Master.”

“Could you bring a rag and—”

“Don’t you dare,” Draper said, interrupting Master by raising a hoof and teleporting. Master leered down at me, causing me to flinch. “You better hope that not a single flake of dry blood is left after it has been cleaned. You didn’t need to bathe in his blood with your gifts still on. Remember that the next time you kill somepony.”

“Yes, Master.” I shivered scared as he leaned forward, kissing my head.

“Good.” Draper came back with a small bucket, rags, and a small box. He set them down, and Master took off my necklace, collar, earrings, and hoof guards. Sir Draper couldn’t help but frown seeing the bloody bandages around my hooves. “Clothes as well dear,” he said nervously, biting his quivering lip.

Carefully I pulled off my hoodie, and he flinched, seeing bruises all over my body. Even with Coffin’s beating, he hadn’t actually managed to cut me once. Now, I just had large black spots all over my body. Plus, all of my brandings, except the swirls had turned to a tan flesh color. However, the scars on my chest and belly were healing nicely.

“Hello,” Master said, clearly annoyed.

Draper blinked, having missed something. “Sorry my prince.” With a bit of magic, he took out a few tools from the small box, allowing him to polish each piece of my jewelry back to a stunning brilliance. They shined anew, though they weren’t marred that much in the first place.

The setting sun’s fiery ruby light made the gold and gems shimmer a lovely golden-orange hue, shining diamond hearts shapes all around. His smile couldn’t be wider looking at them, but he then frowned looking back at me. My eyes were locked onto my collar being held by his hooves.

Nothing felt right without it on me. It was like I was naked, that there was nothing keeping me from disappearing. Master’s gifts meant so much to me, and yet I had allowed a stranger to touch them, not only that, I had dirtied them.

“Scootaloo, don’t cry in front of others,” Master snapped, and I quickly started wiping my tears away.

“Perhaps we should give her a bath. I could also clean your clothes, my prince,” Draper suggested. Master looked over himself. Blood had soaked into the back of his vest, but he hadn’t really noticed.

“Well, I suppose.”

“Right this way.” Draper motioned, and Master nodded, as my entire being was engulfed in his magic, flying me into the air, and resting me upon his back.

We followed the queer stallion into a back room where there was a spacious open white tile shower. After setting me down, Master took off his hoof guards and his vest, placing them on the floor next to him. This was Draper’s cue that it was time for him to leave, so he took the garments, excusing himself from the room, bowing slightly as he left. A bit of magic caused the streaming warm water to bellow out of the shower head, furrowing through his mane and coat, carrying any blood and grime off of him, leaving his fur glistening.

After a minute, I was guided by Master’s hoof under the warm shower’s rays, washing the blood and filth from my entire body. Once the top layer of muck was cleaned off, his magic started thoroughly scrubbing any remaining stains left on my body.

Master’s slightly painful scrubbing caused my bruised skin to bleed under the pressure of his invisible magic tendrils. Upon noticing the new blood mixing with my fur, he stopped scraping my flesh with his magic. Instead, he removed the bandages on my skinned hooves, almost causing me to pull away, which in turned gave him easy access to inspect them.

Using a blade of magic, he started to remove bits of my flesh with flawless precision. It felt painless. In fact, a nice, cool feeling numbed my hooves as he removed the dead skin; which would have normally been infected, if it wasn’t tended to. After he was done, he meticulously checked the rest of my body for any remaining wounds, caring for them before pulling me close.

“Prince High Blood, your jewelry is in this box when you’re ready. I also took the liberty to clean your hoof guards as well, I hope you don’t mind,” Draper said courteously, hovering by the door so we’d hear him over the shower.

“Thank you very much.”

“It was my pleasure, sire,” he overly emphasized. “Once you finish, I will make proper clothes for both of you. Please, take as long as you desire. It will take me a bit of time to pick out suitable fabrics.”

“Don’t you need measurements?” Master inquired curiously.

“The second you entered my shop a spell filled me in on all your measurements. It allows for quicker services, because I know my customers’ time is valuable.”

“We’ll be done shortly.”

“Yes, Prince Jerard, I will see to it that I am ready.” With a gentle touch, Draper closed the door without a sound, leaving us.

Seeing that we were alone again, I looked up at Master as he looked down at me. He then pushed me back slightly; I laid onto my back, doing my best not to offer even the slightest bit of resistance. His smile spread across his face, and he leaned down. Water streamed off his body onto me, and he kissed my belly.

“I’m starting to question some of these marks.”

“Oh?” Softly he ran his hoof over my belly, going over the, “my master loves me” and then the small heart above and below.

“It’s not that I don’t like these, it’s like this one.” He felt the long scar on my belly and then looked at my side feeling the X my father made inside the heart. “And this one. They just don’t fit well on you. For instance, the X’s and the scar line on your belly, I’d want them completely removed. Both of them are crooked to be honest.”

“Sethi said she didn’t know a way to remove them.”

“Ah, not in Equestria. Scars aren’t that common there; here it’s much more common because it’s a trend.”

“W-what?” I asked, staring at him.

“Well maybe not scars, but they have a permanent ink that they burn into their coats. I hear it hurts, but they can remove it.” I looked away. “Don’t worry I’m not taking your gifts away from you. I’m just enhancing them.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Are you trying to piss me off?” he growled, pressing on my chest. Gently, I kissed his hoof, and he relaxed smiling softly.

Master moved his hoof and went down, rubbing his face into my plush belly, before laying down so his head was on top of it. In small circles, my hooves rubbed around his ears. We laid there for a while letting water flow around us. He just stared at me.

“I love you, Master.”

His smile went away and he sat up, making my heart sink a tiny bit. “We should go get our new outfits.” The shower turned off. Master’s magic weaved around me as if I was being wrapped in a blanket made of water, picking me up. With a flicker of his magic, he dried me with a few towels before toweling himself off as well.

A first aid kit by the door floated over. Master started to wrap up my hooves carefully, and after that, he patched all my wounds. With the final finishing touch of a band-aid on my cheek, but he frowned feeling it. The first aid kit switched places with the jewelry box with our accessories, carefully he examined each piece. He relaxed when he saw that they were real.

Everything inside me went loose, and I sat up as my collar slid around my neck. His expression softened as he put my necklace on me and then my earrings. Lifting up one of my hoof guards, he inspected it for a moment. It was excessively clean.

With a delicate touch, he slid it onto my hoof, watching my expression. The pain wasn’t that bad, but it still stung a bit, which was easy to hide. Carefully, he watched my reaction each time that he put on another guards on me, scrutinizing my every move. He lightly kissed my final hoof guard as he settled it into place upon my right foreleg’s hoof.

“Prince Jerard,” Draper said, and Master turned. “I have the material ready. I believe you will truly enjoy the pallets of colors I have chosen.”

“Come Scootaloo.” Master started walking, and I followed. Pain bounced around my body as I stepped forward. My wounds were now just starting to hurt. Before, I just pushed the pain away, so much so, that I didn’t even notice it. A grin danced across Master’s face seeing my body jolt.

“Carry me,” I ordered, making him turn and frown. My statement caught him just barely off guard as I stood up on two legs and kissed him. “I’m kidding.” I smirked, and he backed away from me narrowing his eyes. Well, he was mad at me, and I had a guess as to why.

“Come,” he commanded, and I nodded walking. Normally I’d limp, but all four of my hooves were in pain. It wasn’t so much that the bottom of my hooves were skinned, it was more a few inches of the sides were as well.

It took two steps before my front legs gave out, and I fell face first onto the floor. Oh, that didn’t feel good. Groaning, I turned over onto my back as Master left the room assuming I was right behind him. Next to being completely dead tired, I had been hit around too much. Not that I, or rather, I suppose I’ve had worse.

“Where’s Scootaloo?” Draper asked, and Master ran back to the shower looking at me laying down.

“What are you doing?”

“Hey, you’re the one that thought smacking around a sick filly was a good idea. I mean really, I’m not a god.”

“You might as well be.”

“What?” He walked over to me and picked me up with his magic, setting me onto his back a bit rough. “What do you mean by that?”

“After all I’ve done to you, all I’ve put you through. You’re somehow are still alive and fighting even more than ever. There have been nearly countless before you, and I’ve been even harsher on you than with any of them. For all I know you’re an immortal filly which enjoys my torment.” His laugh made me smile.

Master walked out of the shower, and I buried my face into his mane. We went over to the stand which was surrounded by mirrors, and he set me down on it. In a losing battle, I fought against my knees, making my legs shake. Master’s hoof rubbed my back, pressing down on me, adding extra weight and compounding the pain.

“Prince Jerard!” Draper snapped in high pitched but mad voice. “Stop right this instant, sir!” Master frowned, turning to Draper, who was floating cloth in the air. “Or I will call the guards. Know that just because you’re a royal, that it has no bearing on whether or not you are immune to the law.”

“I’m a prince and a royal diplomat of another country.”

“Then get out of my shop, whether or not you’re from this country matters little. This is still my shop, and you will follow my rules. Even if the law can’t touch you, I can still have you removed by the guards.” Master stopped pushing and removed his hoof from my back, and I let out a hard fought breath. “So at least have some control, sir.”

“Normally I’m so well tempered, I apologize. I see now that was very rude of me to do in front of you.”

Shock went across Drapers face. “Why thank you.”

“Well that was rude.” We all looked at Al-Baster as he walked over.

“My Prince,” Draper said, bowing.

“I was coming to see how you were doing and apparently, you're being insulted by a commoner.”

Draper growled lightly. “I. Am. Sir. Draper,” Draper snarled, standing up straight. “I’m a knight, sire.”

Al-Baster eyed Draper. “And both of us are princes, remember your place or it could get you into a very dangerous position. You are allowed to do business in the castle because you exceed at your trade, not bec—”

“Don’t act like a spoiled brat!” Shock went across both of their faces. “Just because you are the King’s brother, doesn’t mean you’re any better than any pony.”

“Why you litt—”

“I’ve fought for this country and killed more in battle than almost any other normal soldier during the war. I don’t care if you slaughtered more ponies during the war than the entire nation’s army alone. There are more than twenty medals on my home’s walls, and all of them were given to me by your father. If you have a problem with that. Get out of my shop; I don’t care if the crown owns this castle or not.” We were in a Castle? Looking around, it made sense. I had probably been knocked out longer than I thought.

“Oh?” Master inquired, and I sat down breathing hard. “Would you care to test your metal?”

“I would love to.”

“Please, just, just stop please,” I said, quivering slightly, and they looked at me as I rubbed my head trying to soothe my pounding headache. “Honestly, we came here looking for clothes not to bicker like fillies. Seriously, I’m the youngest pony in this room, and yet I’m somehow the most mature? Master act like a prince, I assume appearance still means something to you. Or at least don’t be so damn sloppy. We have dinner in an hour.”

“That’s considerably less time than I realized,” Draper said, embarrassed by his actions, blushing a bit. “And you’re very right. First I need to fit both of you.” He pushed past Master a little too easily, almost like he was a doll, it didn’t matter that Master was nearly twice his size. In fact, Draper was a bit smaller than Rarity.

Magic started to weave fabric and it fit to my body, wrapping around me, as a stand went under my belly, holding me up. After a minute Draper stopped, and I raised my foreleg looking at myself.

“Um,” Master said, also seeing the problem.

“What?” Draper asked, looking at both of us.

“My scars, they’re showing,” I said, looking behind me. The dress was quite pretty. It had a shiny orange top layer. Next was a gleaming navy blue layer that covered most of my back. Finally, the third layer was silver which went to the floor with golden swirls adorning the edge of the fabric. With that final piece, it covered my all of my plot and hind legs, but the piece only covered the back half of my body.

“Oh I know, I didn’t say I was done, did I?”

“Sorry,” I said.

More fabric started floating in the air and wrapped around my front half this time. It covered my entire upper half, matching the back of the dress perfectly, while leaving a hole for my face. The shiny orange fabric covered my cheeks, brow, and chin. My gifts slid out from underneath my clothes pressing lightly against the fabric and shining brilliantly.

“That’s impressive work,” Master said.

“I suppose if I had more time, I’d have a better outfit of some kind with proper designs that truly radiate beauty. Though seeing as I have but an hour, and you’ve been here for a while, this will have to do for dinner.” A magical aura wrapped around my body and floated me off the stand, onto a chair to the right. The outfit slid off of me and into the air. “Please step onto the stand, sire.” He motioned, and Master complied.

Fabric flew around, fitting to him, stopping after a few minutes. Wow, Master looked really good in a suit with black pants. He raised a hoof; the suit constricted his movement a tiny bit, but looked comfortable enough.

“Really?” Master asked, looking at his outfit. “I don’t need this much, and these pants are really annoying.”

“Welcome to the party,” I whispered, and he looked at me making me look away. Master realized that his old vest was still on instead of a shirt, which meant Draper had only added a dress coat and pants. “Master, you look great.” He looked at me again, smiling.

“I guess this will work.”

“Give me a moment. I need to merge another length.” A large part of the right side was of the suit was missing. Another length of fabric flew over, merging with the side. “You’re a very large stallion; has any pony ever told you that?”

“That’s a little obvious don’t you think?” Al-Baster asked, rolling his eyes.

“You’d think so,” Draper said, clearly annoyed.

“Actually yes, a pony did recently,” Master said, looking at me, but then moving to his right as the fabric combined, completing itself. “A dress maker named Rarity. She remarked on that as well when she made my vest.”

“She must be an extremely fine dress maker then. This vest was very well crafted almost to an art. Even the stitching was done with stars. It’s truly amazing. To be honest, I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“She’d be happy to hear that,” I said.

They looked at me laying down on the chair. I looked down when Master gave me a stern look. Draper frowned and started going slower. Master grunted after twenty minutes of Draper fidgeting over his clothes; I took the time to take a short nap. Or at least it was something like a nap. I wasn’t awake, but I wasn’t asleep either. Kind of in the middle.

“Are we almost done yet?” Master asked annoyed, snapping me away from my day dream. Draper slid the, now clearly finished, black coat over Master, fitting it to him perfectly. Not a thread was out of place.

“Yes we are finished, once I put her clothes on.” Master groaned and got off the stand sitting down. Draper floated me back into the air, and my clothes flew onto me perfectly, fitting to my body, the stitching was flawlessly. He set me down, and I smiled, staring at my new beautiful clothes. “Finished.” Master’s eye twitched, clearly mad.

“Let’s go,” Al-Baster said.

Master sighed, his magic wrapped around me, floating me onto his back. They started walking, and Draper grit his teeth when Master turned away. We went into the hallway, and I buried my face into Master’s mane as he walked.

His sweet smell once again filled my lungs, calming me, and letting me doze off. When I felt Master move me from his warm back and onto a large soft chair; I whined and rolled into a ball. Clothes were rather pleasant. They kept me nice and warm.

The talking around me was muted, letting me fall into a black sleep. Master’s warm breath tickled my neck, waking me up. He rubbed my back with his hoof, and I sat up looking around the room.

We were in a white and gold resting room. Or so I called it. The room had two big sofas facing each other, with two large chairs on the far wall away from the only door, Master and I sat on the chairs. A large window was behind us. Al-Baster was speaking to four other ponies which sat across from him. All of them were smiling or laughing. It was clear they were having a good time.

However, my body jolted, noticing a brown stallion next to Al-Baster sucking his dick, all the while Al-Baster spoke without pause. Both of them were on their own sofa, and I chuckled lightly.

That made all too much sense. He was gay, and he didn’t like me taking Master, or at least in his mind. A burning feeling on my back made me look up realizing Master was staring intently at me.

His stare cut into me, making me look down at the white carpeted floor. For some reason he was mad at me, and I didn’t know why. His hoof rubbed my back lightly, and I looked at him, still staring at me.

My body trembled scared. I had thought I was paying his game, but apparently not. Or maybe I’m just not paying enough attention. There was an open spot in front of Master; his legs were open. Watching Master’s reaction, I moved going onto his chair and sat down in front of him.

He smiled for a moment, but it quickly went back to his hard line expression. Master’s soft belly molded a tiny bit as I pressed into it. It was almost like a heated pillow. His warmth filled me as his hooves wrapped around me.

“Ah some pony’s awake,” Al-Baster said, frowning when I cuddled up against Master in a way he couldn’t dream of. I looked up at Master.

“You were asleep for about an hour,” Master said, as if he was reading my mind. He pet my head softly. “We have a little time before dinner. It was delayed some.”

“My guests are actually curious about you,” Al-Baster said, making me look at him, and then to the four pony across from him. I pressed into Master more, seeing Mareot and Mareut sitting next to two stallions.

“Care to enlighten us?” one stallion asked. I looked up at Master, and he nodded giving me permission.

“What would you like to know? Also, I’m Scootaloo,” I said, introducing myself and looking at Mareot and Mareut briefly before looking at the stallion next to Mareot. Or so I guessed it was her, their voices had a slight tone difference, and Mareut was deeper somewhat, but just barely.

“I’m Slaught. I have been a diplomat for a considerable amount of years, and this mare next to me is Mareut. My soon to be wife once we return to my country,” Slaught said, with a smile. He was a red pegasus with a blue mane.

“I’m Massac, and this is my soon to be wife Mareot. I am a new diplomat, and this is my first ever mission to a foreign land. I am Slaught’s younger brother,” Massac said. He was a red unicorn with a black mane.

“We’ve met her before,” Mareot and Mareut said at the same time.

“Really?” Al-Baster asked.

“Yes, about an hour or so ago,” Mareut said.

“We lead her to the king,” Mareot said.

“That’s curious,” Master said, rubbing my head harshly. “I didn’t realize that she had met foreign dignitaries’ fiancées.”

“I didn’t know… Jerard.” Master paused for a moment, hearing me say his name. I didn’t know if this was considered public or not, but it wouldn’t hurt. Also it had been such a long time since it rolled off my tongue. It felt wrong, disrespectful, and hurtful. Like I was being bad, and I couldn’t stop myself.

“Of course she didn’t know. How could she?” Slaught asked, smirking. “I mean my brother and I only just today asked for them to marry us.” Siblings marrying siblings. That isn’t odd—at all.

“Anyway,” Massac said, waving his hoof and direction the attention to him. “We wanted to know a few things about Jerard’s soon-to-be wife. You probably have a good idea, but Jerard is a very highly desired stallion in the royal world. No matter what country you go to, his name is held on high. So what we wanted to know is, why you?” I looked at Master, he had an unpleasant look.

“That was a very rude question, brother,” Slaught snapped.

“But an honest one.” They looked at me as I looked away from Master.

“Oh?” Al-Baster edged.

“He picked me because I have traits that he loves. His mother, wife, and daughter were all pegasi. So that was one trait that probably cut off two thirds of his choices. I am free of infections or disabilities, no royal blood in me. Next to that my father and mother are very well known to Equestria’s higher cycles. They deal with most of Canterlot’s wealth and royal treasury. I was also accepted to Canterlot University after only two weeks of studying.” All of them stared at me shocked but Master.

“Just two weeks? Is this true?” Al-Baster asked, looking to Jerard.

“Actually no, it wasn’t two weeks; it was less than one and a half. She was accepted at college level with high honors,” Master said.

“You’re joking, that can’t be true,” Al-Baster scoffed.

“Oh so very, you can look it up even.” Master smirked.

“That is astonishing!” Slaught half cheered.

“If that’s all true, I see why you would pick her,” Al-Baster said, staring at me.

“Well Twilight and... Jerard did help me study a lot,” I said, keeping a warm smile on my face, even as my heart sunk from using his name.

“Wait a second!” Massac shouted, leaning toward me. “Twilight, as in Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria?!”

“Yes, she lives in Ponyville with me. Rainbow Dash is her friend, and I kind of idealize Dash. So, I met Twilight through her.”

“This must be a joke, right?” Slaught asked, and they looked at Jerard. “This filly cannot possibly be that well connected. Not only does she know Princess Twilight Sparkle, but Rainbow Dash. Next you’re going to tell us she knows Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.”

“Now you’re beginning to understand why she’s sitting here with us.” They all stared at him. “She knows all of the elements of Harmony, and all of the princesses of Equestria. She was at the recent royal wedding of Princess Cadance and Shining Armor. She knows so many ponies that your head would spin. Her importance in Equestria is not fully understood yet, but she will change the world.”

They all looked at each other, and Master smiled. I had no idea, but now that Master pointed it out, I did know a lot of very well known ponies. Dash was known all over the world for her sonic rainboom. Actually all six of them were well known in their circles. When Twilight became a princess, they were all recognized.

“Well that makes a considerable amount of sense,” Massac said.

“So what country are you from?” I asked.

“Mal-Du,” Slaught answered. “We boarder Hegi Zebira to the West and North. To make you understand, we’re to the East of Equestria. We’re pretty far away, but we’re on our own little continent. We have great ties to Equestria, like most nations, thanks to Jerard. He prevented a great war between Hegi Zebira and Mal-Du. In fact without him we’d be burning each other’s cities to the ground.”

“As if you had the military,” Al-Baster said.

“As if we’d need to have that large of a military to defeat your sad excuse for what you call soldiers,” Slaught said, chuckling.

“I thought I explained this to both of you before,” Master said, looking at both of them, and they looked away.

“We’re just having a friendly discussion,” Slaught said.

“Very well, but do not allow it to go beyond that. You know who Equestria would side with if you went to war. Neither of you would be very happy if that happen, would you?” He looked around and they nodded in agreement.

“Wait, so you speak for Equestria?” I asked, and Master looked down at me. He chuckled and kissed my head.

“Of course, I am the foremost diplomat of Equestria. I have the strongest ties and have done the most good. There are very few occasions where I will not be present during a discussion about Equestria, when either war is about to happen, or I am sick. The last thing you want to do is kill a country’s leaders with a sickness. Mostly I will go in Princess Celesta’s stead, when she can’t or doesn’t want to.”

“So you can declare war?” Everyone in the room fell completely silent. I looked around, everypony was staring at me.

“You speak those words like you find it entertaining,” Al-Baster said, narrowing his eyes, staring at me. I leaned into Master and looked up at him. He wasn’t the happiest pony with his expression, but at least he wasn’t grinding his teeth. In fact, if I had pissed him off, I would probably be on the floor.

“Nightmares normally are.” Master stared down at me. He bent down kissing me and hugging me tightly. I placed my hooves over his, pushing myself up to kiss him more. He smiled rubbing my belly.

“Excuse me, we’re still talking here. Or are you too busy punishing your whore of a slave to care about your nation,” Al-Baster said, chuckling with Slaught.

“Maybe everypony in Equestria is,” Slaught said, and I frowned because their comments didn’t make sense. Or maybe it was because Master was just so intoxicating that I didn’t have the brainpower to think about it.

Master pulled back down, having his hooves wrapped around my belly, sending a bit of fear through me. That didn’t matter as I pushed up, but Master held me in place making me whimper, wanting more.

He looked down at me, licking my lips. His saliva tasted good, almost like roasted nuts mixed with some kind of fruit topping. I hadn’t realized it, but I was starving. It had been hours since lunch, and I had already burned through the snack.

“I think this conversation is pointless,” Master said, watching me as I tried squirming up to kiss him again.

To him, I was probably like a newborn foal in strength. He could hold me with a little bit of strength, and I’d still lose. I had burned every bit of energy I had, and the nap only made me hungry and thirsty. Actually, the biggest problem I had, was the fact there was little to no fat on me. It made not eating at least three times a day draining.

“Pointless? That’s insulting!” Massac scoffed, clearly unhappy, and Master giggled as I gave up trying to fight his grip. Composing the best puppy dog eyes I could, I looked up at him, being on the brink of fake tears. I had never begged to anypony before, and I never thought I’d ever want to in order to get something. This, however, was different, and I needed more kisses.

“No, that’s not insulting.” Master looked up at them. “What’s insulting is the fact you dare to press my fiancée and attempt make her insult you. If you wish to be insulted then that’s fine. Just stop trying to be nitwits.”

“Oh my,” Slaught said, holding up a hoof with a smirk. “You have quite some tongue on you. Insulting as always. I guess you’re right though, b-”

“Excuse me!” Massac bellowed, standing up. Shock went through Al-Baster and Slaught for some reason, and Master frowned. “How dare you insult us like that! And how dare you agree with him!” Massac shouted clearly mad. “I know you’re not so stupid as to believe that! I don’t care what title he has, no one says that to anypony! That’s ample to war!”

“Whoa, wait a seco—”

Master held up a hoof stopping Slaught from speaking. “Is that all you have to say to me?” Master asked, his voice going low and his expression turned serious.

Massac looked at Al-Baster and then at Slaught for a second, seeing the horrified expressions on their faces. He looked at Master unsteady. “O-of course not.” He stepped back, now unsure. “I will not stand here to see you insult my brother and another Prince that you just barely signed a peace treaty with.”

“Anything to add, Slaught?” Master asked gravely, as they looked over to Slaught. He looked down as if he had been scolded, no, a scolding would be an understatement. He looked like he was about to be killed.

“No my Prince.” Massac’s eyes went wide and looked back at Master. Master put me down on the chair next to him and got up making Massac unsteady.

“I will give you one chance to apologize.”

“I didn’t start this.” I looked at Slaught which looked like he was praying in his head, before I looked back at Master confused. Why was Massac alone? I didn’t understand. Master had in fact insulted them, or so I guess, but why was only this being taken seriously? I guess a comment about me wasn’t that important.

“Apologize, you idiot!” Al-Baster said nervously.

“Why? You called his slave a whore? Why is-” A magic blast hit Massac causing him to fly into the cement wall cracking it. He fell to the floor gasping for breath as blood rolled down his back from bones sticking out.

“You dare call my Scootaloo a whore!” Master shouted, making the room vibrate as his magic aura increased drastically.

Fear ran like ice through my vines, stabbing my insides, so I moved back against the chair, scared. Every ounce of my body shook violently with fear. I closed my eyes and buried my face into the chair. Tears of fear blinded me. Master was angry, that wasn’t good. Master was rarely truly angry, which meant I must’ve done something. Everything was going to hurt even more.

“Please spare him!” Slaught begged. “He didn’t know it was a game!”

“That doesn’t matter, he took it seriously and that means it wasn’t a game to him. So it wasn’t a game to me!” Master shouted angry, making me shutter. A scream of pain slipped out of Massac.

“You’re scaring Scootaloo!” Al-Baster shouted, and Massac stopped screaming for some reason. A thud and then a kind kiss on my head stopped my shaking.

“Scootaloo, please look at me.” I sniffled a bit and looked at Master. He was just an inch from me, staring at me with a sorry expression. Softly, he pet me calming my nerves. “You’re not in trouble. I’m not going to hurt you,” he said, kissing my cheek, before licking my tears away. All my fear melted away instantly, and I jumped forward hugging him.

“I’m so sorry Master,” I said, and Master rubbed my back softly. “Forgive me, please, please forgive me.”

He chuckled smiling. “You didn’t do anything bad.” Tears started going down my face, and he frowned, making me flinch.

“I’m sorry Master.” As he kissed me, I laid back onto the chair spreading my legs. Honestly, I didn’t know why I had started spreading my legs to Master, but I always felt better after doing it. Like if I could give him something else, then he would lessen the pain he would inflict.

With a loving embrace, my heart jumped. He smiled as he sat back down, setting me in front of him, facing toward his belly. “Mareot was it?” Master asked, and she nodded scared like all of them. The stallion that was sucking Al-Baster sat up and swallowed. Al-Baster looked at the pony and hugged him. “I would like you to go call for a doctor so he doesn’t bleed out. If he does, I believe that we might have a bit of a problem.”

“Yes, my Prince.” She got up quickly and ran out of the room. Slaught and Mareut got up, going over to Massac and making sure he was still breathing. Master rubbed my back gently, and I smiled, looking up at him.

“Tell me, Scootaloo, do you have a question?”

My smile faded and panic went through me. “I-ah.” He frowned, that was the wrong answer. “I don’t, Master.”

“Do you think it’s normal that I can just nearly kill a countries diplomat without worry or problem?”

“Yes?” I asked, making him smile.

“You see, I have such high standing with both nations that simply killing diplomats or low level royals would not make the country they are from bat an eyelash. They take it as their diplomat’s stupidity and say sorry to me. I’m that well respected.”

“That’s, wonderful.” I smiled, trembling, and he felt my cheek.

“More than you probably understand.”

“Yes, Master.” My chest slid against his as he pulled me, up kissing me, and rubbing my back slightly with his hoof.

“Holy hell!” a stallion shouted, when he entered the room, going over to Massac. While I couldn’t see it, it was clear. Master kept kissing me, and I smiled, pushing against his chest, making him open his eyes in bit of shock as I pulled back.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, a bit annoyed, and I smiled.

“Nothing.”

Master went to kiss me, and I looked away making him kiss my cheek. He growled making me bite my lip playfully. “Look at me.” I looked at him, and he went to kiss me. I looked away again, hiding my smile. “You think you’re being clever, but you’re not.” I giggled. “Oh and now you think you’re funny.”

I looked at him. “Yes.”

“Brave word.”

“Only if you make me worry that you’re going to hurt me.” He frowned. “Please don’t hurt me for trying to be playful.”

“Then don’t make me hurt you for doing something you know I won’t like.” Tears brimmed, and Master sighed. He kissed me, as I hugged his neck. Master leaned back, letting me lay on his chest, but still high enough to kiss him easily.

“He’s going to be just fine,” a stallion’s voice said. Massac started screaming, causing me cringe a little. A weird kind of excitement filled me as the screams vibrated through my body, making me kiss Master very passionately. His hooves slid along my back, rubbing slightly in a circular motion.

“Jerard, I do believe it’s time for dinner.” I pulled back, and Master frowned.

“Sound good.” Master rubbed my cheek, making me bite my lip. He got up, floating me onto his back. Looking around, I only saw Al-Baster and his, ah… his servant? Still in the room. “Lead the way,” Master said, motioning with his hoof, and Al-Baster nodded going ahead of us, not turning to make sure we were following.

Like so many time before, I buried my face into Master’s mane. Master walked for a while, and I glance around, a bit of sadness shot through my heart. It wasn’t the white stone floors, or the ponies that we passed that made me cringe. It was the walls which blurred like a rainbow of changing colors. It only stood to remind me that I wasn’t in Equestria and how alone I was.

We reached a pair of very large, wooden doors. They were solid white and had figures of unicorns carved into them making a slightly odd appearance. Al-Baster opened the doors. The bright light was slightly blinding.

Master walked forward, going to the edge of a balcony. My eyes went wide. I was shocked more than anything. Rainbow light filled the room from four gigantic chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.

They were made of gold and had beaded crystals holding one of several large, golden rings which had orbs of light on them. I then looked down at two very long white clothed tables and at more than a few hundred ponies speaking to each.

Al-Asitis sat at a smaller table with Al-Chester sitting behind him on a large throne like chair, but it was at the head of the room with a golden cloth covering the table, with several servants assisting them. Guards stood around the room between the massive paned windows that showed a large blue and white garden outside. Dozens of servant ponies passed out food and did other things below. I looked at Master as we started for a staircase, it was one of two.

Al-Baster lead us, ponies slowly stopped making noise and turned to look at us. The servants and guards bowed as Master and Al-Baster passed them. We reached the head table, and Al-Asitis smiled, standing up.

“Come and sit my friend.” Master nodded, going around the table. He sat next to Al-Asitis, and Master laid me down to the right of him on another chair. My hooves ran over the white felt seat, and I looked at Master. He turned away from me speaking to Al-Asitis. Al-Baster sat down to the left of me, with his... servant and stared blankly out at the crowd of ponies. It still seemed odd for ponies to wear clothes.

A few servants came over to the table, placing dozens of plates and trays full of food down in front of us. My stomach growled at the smell, but not from the appearance. They had somehow arranged the food in such ways that it all looked like crap. As for the chocolate pudding, that actually looked like a pile of shit.

Al-Baster and his servant started eating, and I looked at Master who was still talking to Al-Asitis. While Master never told me not to eat before him. I figured it was a good rule to follow. I looked down waiting, and Al-Baster peered at me staring at the table.

“Something wrong?”

I didn’t look up at him. “Just waiting for—Jerard to eat.”

Al-Baster eyed me curiously. “You don’t need to wait for him here, it’s custom to start when you want.”

“It’s not a custom in Equestria either.”

He stopped, looked around a bit, and then at Master. No one was paying any attention to us. “He’s not going to care. As much as he tortures you, he wouldn’t starve you. That’s completely absurd. Even the condemned get full meals. That’s one custom that we hold very dearly here.”

“You have a lot of customs, don’t you?” I edged.

“Yes, we do. Actually everypony in this room, other than the few at this table, doesn’t have a home to go back to. This is a penny event.” I looked up and out. There were ponies of every kind, many of them foals. I hadn’t noticed it, or really thought about it, but every pony other than royalty were clothed.

“That’s…kind?”

“We hold this every night.” I looked at him.

“Really? How can you afford that?”

He chuckled. “We have two types of lands, one is public lands which are owned by the public and then king lands, which are owned by the crown. We use the king lands to produce food. Everything you see here was made from things grown on that land.”

“That’s, actually amazing.”

Al-Baster smiled. “Before my father came into the seat of power, Hegi Zebira was a poor nation. Whether it be from lack of gold, or lack of basic life rights. Hegi Zebira wasn’t a very good place to live, or do much of anything in.” He looked at me, and I looked at the ground again. “Crime was so bad that ponies couldn’t even walk outside without a weapon. For they were fearful that they might be killed, captured, or sold into slavery. It would be very likely that they would be bought by a servant of one of the few rich ponies that lived in the capital.”

I chuckled, looking at him. “You mean like your brother’s slaves, or yours which is sitting next to you?”

“They aren’t slaves.”

“But they-”

“Are criminals.” He interrupted me, making me freeze. “My little pony here.” Al-Baster pulled him closer. “Raped over thirty-six mares, and that’s just what he admitted to.” He pulled his brown stallion over. The stallion quickly swallowed his food. “Slavery is illegal in the highest here, that is unless you’ve been convicted of a crime of some kind. Then your rights are completely forfeit. At the executions, if you have enough gold, you can buy the pony and turn them into your slave, or do anything you want to them.” He let go of the stallion.

“Wait, so you mean that the pony that... Jerard bought could have been let go?”

Al-Baster chuckled, grinning. “Yes, in fact he could have just released him, but he chose to kill him. He always chooses to kill them, picks one or two normally to kill personally. The profits from it go to the victims and other public services. We don’t have taxes because of it. The cover charge is ten to a hundred gold bits. There were several hundred thousand which attended the execution today.”

“Oh.”

“Not as evil as you thought we were.”

“Kind of.”

“The only thing evil about us is the way we kill those charged with crimes, and even then that has a noble cause. Also we never kill foals.” I looked at him. “No matter your status, rather king or peasant, if you kill a foal on our soil you get the worst.”

“Really?”

“Yes, even Jerard would be executed if he did that here. The crime is the highest ever conceived of this nation, or the world. We’ve actually gone to war before because of it. Of course it was my foal sister that was murdered, but none the less. That’s also the reason why we only have one neighbor country. We used to have eight more,” Al-Baster said, with a slight frown.

“So Jerard stopped you from taking Mal-Du over?” I asked confused.

“Oh heaven’s no, he’s stopped us from going to war, but Hegi Zebira would never take over Mal-Du.”

“I don’t understand.”

“When we went to war, Mal-Du was our only collaborator. We signed a declaration with them. That if we ever went to war the only thing we’d ever do was wipe out each other’s military, we’d never harm any civilians. We’ve held that pact for just over five years.”

I looked at him a bit confused. “Wait, what?”

“Oh my father has only been in power for about twenty years. My brother and I were a part of the war.”

“Wait, how old are you two?”

“We’re in our early twenties.”

“Really?”

“I just barely turned fifteen when we went to war. Hardly even a stallion when I killed my first pony. Ran a sword through his throat to protect my brother from a poison dagger. Jerard was there as well, in fact he was the one which gave me the sword in which I protected my brother with.”

“Oh.”

“I suppose you are a little young to have tasted death.”

“I’m still in school.” I looked down.

“Excuse me?” His voice had a hint of something in it. “How old are you?” I looked up at him.

“This year was supposed to be my last required school year.” He stared at me, and I looked away from him.

“I didn’t realize you were so young. I thought you were just, small.” He looked down and then at his brother. “Brother.” Al-Asitis didn’t turn. “Brother,” Al-Baster said louder, and Master and Al-Asitis turned looking at Al-Baster. “Did you know Scootaloo was still school age?”

“Excuse me?” Al-Asitis asked.

“She’s school age. Did you know that?”

Al-Asitis paused and looked at Master. “Is that true?”

“Yes.” Master answered plainly taking a drink of what I guessed was red wine. They stared at him.

“You’re seriously telling me you had school age foal kill three ponies?” Al-Asitis asked, with a hint of sharpness in his voice.

Master chuckled setting his glass down. “Actually I had a school age foal kill not only somepony, but a dear friend of hers that she loved deeply but also a guard. So yes.” They stared at him with disbelief. “And before you forget, you both enjoyed it while she did it. Isn’t that wonderful?”

“You know the laws, no pony under birthing age is allowed to murder or be killed. Even if the pony is convicted,” Al-Baster said.

Master sighed and smiled, looking out. “Tell me you two, how many would you be willing to let die for the goal of upholding some stupid law?”

They looked out and a deep laughing made us turn to Al-Chester. He smiled looking at Master. “That would be an interesting gamble,” Al-Chester said, grinning widely, clearly entertained.

“It wouldn’t be a gamble because I wouldn’t have a chance to lose,” Master said, leaning back on his chair.

“Care to prove that?” Al-Chester asked, eyeing Master playfully.

“Choose your champion.”

“Al-Asitis, care to show your abilities?”

“Yes, father.” Al-Chester’s eyes glowed with a white fire and the diner tables pushed to the side, creating a large, empty space between them. Ponies quickly moved out of the middle, suddenly scared.

Master and Al-Asitis got up. However Master went to my ear, and softly whispered something. “The truth of this battle will only be seen with your right eye.” He kissed my right cheek and went out to the center of the room. Eight guards went by the tables. Their horns glowed, and a glass like shield appeared protecting the ponies. A single guard went up to them, and they looked at him.

“Rules of this duel are simple. No killing blows, you cannot rip off limbs or permanently injure your opponent. You also may not harm any other pony. The match will go until a rule is broken, someone surrenders, or a knock out. You may start when King Al-Chester signals.” Al-Chester hit his leg rest with his hoof, causing a thunderous knocking sound to vibrate throughout the room.

Everything around me froze for an instant. I blinked as my eyes showed two different things. Closing my left eye, Master was chuckling with a brightly lit blue aura around his horn. Then I looked around and everypony was staring with a blank expression, with a fog around their head, not moving.

Upon opening my left eye and closing my right. Ponies were cheering as Master and Al-Asitis were fighting with what looked like powerful magic spells, making everything shake violently. Finally, I looked at Al-Chester, and he had an annoyed expression on his face. Then opening my right eye, his expression didn’t change. Master walked over to us smiling, and he bowed slightly sitting back on his seat.

“That’s a tasteless victory, Jerard,” Al-Chester growled lightly, and Master took a swig of his drink.

“They interrupted my drink.” I turned looking with my left eye. It was quite the show to say the least. “Also you know very well that Al-Asitis never stood a chance to begin with. Only Al-Baster and myself have been in real frontline war, Al-Asitis was a general, so he never had to dig his hooves in those trenches.”

“Still.”

“You should have put me against Al-Baster, that would have actually been a hard fought battle.”

“And destroy the castle with the fight?” Al-Chester said, chuckling. “I may be prideful, but I’m not an idiot. Plus I don’t want Al-Baster killing you, you know very well when he fights, he doesn’t hold back.”

“Father, I still don’t get why you didn’t make me king.” Master and Al-Chester looked at Al-Baster as he took a bite of an apple. Like Al-Chester, Al-Baster wasn’t fazed even in the slightest. Powerful ponies must just not be affected or something. Or maybe it was ponies which knew how to defend against it?

“You’re a soldier, not a general,” Al-Chester said, looking back out at Al-Asitis which was standing still like everypony else. “Your brother will lead this nation into prosperity. They don’t need to remember the war by having a leader that still cries at night from having to slaughter tens of thousands.”

“Father, you know that’s private.”

“It’s understandable,” Master said, smiling with a sad expression.

“What is?” They looked at me.

“Al-Baster burned dozens of villages to the ground on his brother’s orders,” Al-Chester said, looking out a window. “It wasn’t known until after, that the countries had hidden tens of thousands of foals and mares—some of them pregnant—to save them from the war. However it was pointless in the end. Al-Baster is even stronger than I, he is one of a very few that comes along with power unlike any other. It is likely he is more powerful than both your Celestia and Luna combined. Whether from raw power, ability, or skill.”

“We killed a lot in the war, my friend.” Master reached over me and padded Al-Baster’s back softly.

“We all did,” Al-Chester said.

“Jerard, you were a part of it?” I asked.

“Yes I was. In fact I was the catalyst which started it. It was ordered by Princess Celestia to bring peace to these lands by any means possible. The nations before were basically a field of dry wheat. In the end I was just a thunderstorm that was passing in the area. All it needed was one spark to get set ablaze. If I had done nothing it would have ended up pouring over into Equestria like a molten wave of lava. So I started a small confrontation which did more than I intended.”

“My only daughter was taken,” Al-Chester said, looking at Master. “But it wasn’t Jerard’s fault. He freed us and brought us peace.”

“That’s good,” I said, and Master chuckled. “How long did the war last?”

“A little more than a week,” Al-Baster said, staring at his brother. “With the help of Mal-Du, we completely destroy the enemy’s armies. Their royals gave in after I burned through their largest army which was over a hundred thousand strong in a single afternoon, with only Jerard at my side. We slaughtered the royals and captured their ponies easily after that. It took us less than six days to fully take over and conquer the nations. It wasn’t hard after all those royals had done. The ponies wished for freedom.”

“Al-Baster,” Master warned.

Al-Baster’s eyes flickered red, blood went down his lip as he bit it. “They begged for it so easily.” He trembled, and his eyes quivered causing everything even the air to start to shake lightly. Master got up and went around me, hugging him as Al-Baster looked up. Then stared deep into Al-Baster’s eyes, and the aura tripled around Master’s horn making Al-Baster’s eyes stop flickering.

“Don’t lose control.”

Tears went down Al-Baster’s face. “I’m sorry.” Al-Baster hugged Master tightly. Master lightly pet Al-Baster till he let go of him.

“Now, I need to go finish.” When Master let go of Al-Baster, he looked down with an expression of despair. Oh how I knew that feeling all too well. Master went back out to Al-Asitis in the center of the room. Then Master went down on his front knees using his magic to make a few scratches on his body and Al-Asitis along with a few bruises. “I concede,” Master said, bowing his head to Al-Asitis.

All the ponies unfroze and cheered. I opened my left eye and everything aligned. Al-Asitis helped Master up and they both smiled. Knowing what I knew, that was really scary, to say the least. If Master could do that to hundreds of ponies and not a single one of them realized the difference. Then I couldn’t even imagine the horrors he could enact on me, or even—how was I supposed to know what was real? They came back over and sat down.

“I won, now for—”

“Enough,” Al-Chester said, and Al-Asitis looked at him. “What Jerard and his soon-to-be wife does, is their business. They are not of our country and therefore not of our laws pertaining to each other.”

“But father,” Al-Asitis said shocked.

“It’s final.”

“Yes, father.” Al-Asitis sighed. “Did you at least enjoy the fight father?”

“I don’t enjoy seeing my foals hurting each other. Even if it is a duel. You are lucky to have only come out with scratches.”

“I’m sorry, father.”

“Don’t ever apologize for what you’ve done, that only means you were wrong in your actions. You can never be wrong in your actions, you don’t have that right to be. Do not be sorry again.”

“Yes, father.”

“Good. Now then, I do believe this is supposed to be a feast to our renewed alliance with Equestria!” He called out and ponies cheered in delight. “Remember that we must not disrespect our guests.”

“Yes, father.”

Al-Asitis turned to Master. “Please, eat, and enjoy yourself.”

“Thank you, sire.” Master looked at me, and I looked down, quivering. His eyes bored into my back, making me whimper quietly. I didn’t need to see him to be able to tell he was mad at me for something. “Scootaloo.” His ice-cold flat voice made me freeze. It was almost like a dagger made of ice sliced open my back.

“Y-yes, Mas-Jerard,” I said, quickly, correcting myself.

“What are you thinking?” I stared at him, and he narrowed his eyes.

“She’s hungry,” Al-Baster spoke up, and Master looked at him.

“Why aren’t you eating?” Master asked.

“You haven’t yet,” Al-Baster replied.

“You don’t need to speak for her, she is not a mute.”

“Where would the fun be in that?” Master frowned. “She’s waiting for you to start eating before she does.”

Master looked at me, and I nodded. He sighed and patted my head softly before kissing my ear and then whispering. “You need to gain several pounds of fat and keep it till you turn of age. If you ever starve yourself for any reason again, I'll stuff fat down your throat till I roll you around like a large ball.” I swallowed and nodded. “Now eat till you can’t, or I'll cut you open and fill your belly with it myself.”

“I’m sorry.” He lifted my chin and kissed me; I leaned forward.

“You don’t need to assume stupid things like that. Is that clear?” I nodded, and he hugged me tightly. “Now eat, I’m on a diet so I don’t become fat.” He chuckled causing me to smiled. He then reached out with his magic, grabbing several fattening foods and putting it onto my plate, filling it up.

Without another word, I started eating. Smiling, Master drank some wine while I, more or less, inhaled the food. I hadn’t realized just how hungry I was, but the lemon jelly pie with chocolate whipped topping was going down so well, I couldn’t get enough of it. I no longer cared about how it looked.

“Ah, first kill hunger,” Al-Chester said, and I stopped, realizing they were staring at me. I wiped my mouth with a napkin. Master carefully patted my back.

“I was like that to after my first kill,” Master said, and I looked at him. “I ate so much, I emptied my stomach, and then ate even more.” I blushed, and they chuckled. “Keep going till you can’t hold another piece.” I nodded. Master started talking again, and I started eating again, although slower.

The room quieted down after a while, and I looked around. Ponies had started to leave the room after finishing, not needing permission to leave, which was nice in some ways. Only about fifty were left and spread out talking. Servants cleaned up and finally started to serve the guards.

“Well, this was an entertaining day,” Al-Asitis said, smiling.

“Yes it was,” Master said happily. “Seeing as the treaty has been completed, I shall take my leave. Come, Scootaloo, we have a portal to go through.” Master picked me up with his magic and set me onto his back. He bowed slightly as he went past Al-Asitis. Master started walking without another word, going back the way we came.

“Jerard!” Master stopped for a moment, turning as Al-Baster ran next to us.

“Al-Baster?” Master stopped.

“Keep walking, I wanted to just say a few things before you left.”

“Oh, go ahead.” They started walking.

“I wanted Scootaloo to know that she’s always welcome here. I realized only a few seconds after you left that she might have gotten a negative option of us.” My eye twitched as something snapped. I might have? No one could possibly be that dense as to think I might have. I smiled giggling a bit, and they looked at me. If it wasn’t for the fact I was too tired, I would’ve killed them all. Coffin wasn’t at fault, it was all of them. They needed to burn, and bleed from EVERY FUCKING PORE!

Of course Master was an exception to that, but what I was going to do to him. It wouldn’t even compare to what I was going to do to Al-Asitis and Al-Baster once I had the chance. I had killed three ponies, two of them all by myself, through sheer will alone. One or two more ponies’ blood on my hooves wouldn’t be a problem.

“Scootaloo?” Master waved his hoof in front of me.

“What?” I asked blinking.

“First, you’re drooling.” I wiped my mouth quickly. “Al-Baster told you that you’re always welcome here and that if you have any problems, you can trust him. He is a very good friend to have.”

“Thank you.”

“And I’m sorry for what part I took in your friend’s death.” Tears went down my face, my body shook as her memory came slicing through my brain.

“It’s fine.” I tried to clear my throat. “I only knew her for a single day anyway, she wasn’t that important to me.” Both of them froze at my clear lie. Balai meant more than almost any pony I knew, now more than ever before. “Please, Master, can we please go home? I’m really tired.”

“I'll speak to you again soon, Al-Baster. I have a feeling that the renewing of the trade agreement next month will do us all some good.”

“I believe it will. Good bye, Scootaloo, I hope to see you again.” I nodded biting my quivering lip. Master started walking and Al-Baster left. I closed my eyes as Master walked out of the castle. My tears stopped as we got into a black carriage. It was a silent trip as we went back to the portal.

Two white stallions were waiting in the room and Master nodded to them. They got up from their chairs, and their horns lit up. A portal opened, showing Master’s manor’s front steps. He walked through the portal into the other side.

Blinking, I looked around, we were on the other side. It was a bit odd to see the sun gone instead of setting, having been replaced by the lovely moon. A brisk wind swept over me, making me shiver. Even with my clothes, tonight was a cold night. The portal closed and Master started walking towards the manor. Al opened the door as Master reached it, allowing him to walk into the warm air.

“Any letters?”

Al closed the door. “None. However Duke Silver Tip did send a servant to alert you that he would be dropping by some time tomorrow with a pet. Miss Rarity finished her decorations and left shortly after. She said she had business elsewhere and will not be back, but that Scootaloo should go to the ballroom when she had the chance.”

“Oh?” Master looked around the room. The main entrance hadn’t really been worked on all that much. It was mostly untouched except for a long white drape covering certain parts of the walls. They were nicely lit up though, causing the room feel warmer. “That’s disappointing. I had hoped to speak to her about clothes. I'll send her the designs later on. Though I suppose it is time for bed for this little filly.” I kissed his neck, making him smile.

Master started back to his room, and my eyes went wide seeing the walls. They hadn’t just been covered by sheets of fabric, they had been painted with gold and silver. Each wall had a different setting. Rather it be a silver forest or a golden desert, the scenery was simply stunning. It was beyond words.

Even Master was stunned by the appearance. The walls were unimaginably beautiful, and he knew it. He walked along the hallway and where there were once expensive paintings or statues; a mural of a landscape was painted. Ruby red, gold, silver, sapphire blue, and emerald green drapes separated each new and beautiful murals. Everything was simply stunning beyond what I could have hoped.

He stopped at his bedroom door, golden spirals were all over it. He opened the door and looked around. His bedroom had been untouched. Master closed the door and turned starting back toward the front doors, ending up in the entrance area.

Al turned as Master went over to the stairs. His horn lit up, and the red velvet stairs started lowering, revealing a short hallway. I hadn’t thought about it, but all the rooms were away from the center of the manor. The rooms were always either all to the right or all to the left. We went down the small corridor, and my heart nearly stopped.

Every beautiful color I could imagine had been used in a mass painting of Ponyville across all three walls. Master walked inside and looked around in awe, like me. The ceiling at the end of the room had an odd curvature to it, as if it was made to be like an auditorium. A stage was at the far end, but looked like it could be lowered down into the floor to make the whole room flat.

His hooves clopped against polished wooden floors as he went to the center of the room, turning to see the exit. Tears streamed down my face seeing two sonic rainbooms with a single rainbow going between them. It was over a mural of Canterlot.

I moved, getting off Master’s back, surprising him as I sat down. He stared at me as I stared at it crying without a sound. It was without a doubt the most beautiful thing I had ever seen in my small little pointless life.

My whole body shook, noticing Dash’s cutie mark cleverly hidden in the center of the sonic rainbooms. In fact at closer appearance, I could see everypony’s cutie’s marks. Even the sun over Ponyville had Princess Celestia’s cutie mark with Princess Luna’s moon clearly in the center of it.

Then everything gave out as I saw it. I finally noticed it. My cutie mark in the center of Canterlot with hearts of gold around it in a circle. I covered my face falling down as I weep loudly, not caring about being quiet anymore. Master could punish me all he wanted.

“It’s alright, Scootaloo,” Master said, and I turned to him, utterly shocked. He had his forelegs opened. I moved forward hugging him and crying into him. This muffling my sobs just barely as he held me tightly. “You can cry as much as you want.” I shook harder.

A long time passed, I don’t know how long, but I cried till I ran out of tears and passed out in Master’s embrace. No dreams came to me, like so many nights before. This time, I just woke up, without clothes, next to Master, who was also disrobed in bed. Moonlight shone through his large bedroom windows with the curtains pulled to the side.

Finally, I was back home, away from that hell.

Author's Note

Editing done by Refro check him out!