“Master.”

His eyes stared into mine. “Yes?”

“When’s the honeymoon?”

“We’ll go anywhere in the world you want to tomorrow.” He smiled. “But we have a movie to get to and dinner.”

“Jerard, we have a small issue.” Kila walked in front of the desk appearing out of near thin air. He was in his traditional black outfit.

“Yes?” Master asked.

A folder floated onto his desk, and he opened it. I blinked a few times trying to see inside, but I couldn’t read the words. It was like it was blurred to me. Master’s body tensed, and he growled deeply.

“I verified all the information myself.”

“This is distasteful.”

“What is?” I asked.

“It looks as though I need to have a discussion with Silver Tip.” Master sighed rubbing his forehead. “And we won’t be able to have our honeymoon so soon.”

“Wait, what?”

“When I talk to Silver Tip you’ll be there, but he seems to have done something very bad, and he knows very well what he did.” Paper went in front of Master with a quill, and he started writing. Like the folder, this letter seemed blurred to me. Master held out the paper and Kila took it, looking through it for a moment. “Ready that for dinner please. Also please move those assets around for me. This will get messy if I don’t deal with this tonight, and here I was hoping for a quiet night.”

“Also on page five, I did a bit of extra recon, and I found something you might be interested in.”

“Yes, I saw that, you were right. This little tid-bit is very nice. He really should keep his foal from doing stupid things like wasting his money like that. I mean wow, he just gave us it wrapped in gold.” Master wrote down a few things and wrote out a check for a lot of bits. “Bank run it and make sure to replace the amount in that account to buy out the corporation. Then, once it falls through, go and get the contracts signed. My new wife needs a new pet. So please make sure that the smaller issue is put through.”

“I’ll make sure it all gets done.”

“New pet?” I asked.

“Ah yes, somepony did something very bad, so I’m going to get that pony’s foal to become your new pet.”

“And who’s the pony?”

“You’ll meet that pony later, it’ll be fun I’m sure. Anyway, we’re going to be having a lot of fun tonight.”

“It’s already the greatest day of my life. I can’t wait for more.”

Master got up, and I looked around the room, noticing that Kila had disappeared. We left the study and went down the hall before going upstairs, and to the right before going to a room with a large wooden door.

As he opened it, Sweetie Belle and Silver Tip turned to us. “Hey!” Silver shouted, waving happily. He had a bucket of popcorn and soda in a cup holder. The room was like a small theater, it had four red velvet seats in the middle with a walkway that separated two more seats against the wall.

“Sir,” Sig said, walking over. “Should I start the movie?”

“Yes.” Master went and sat down on the end on the left near the exit. I sat next to him which was also next to Sweetie Belle. Silver was on the right end. She hugged me and smiled widely.

“So, get anything good at the toy store?” I asked.

“Silver got a bunch of toys, but we didn’t really have much time to play around, so I don’t know.”

“That’s cool.”

“What about you?”

“Just got a teddy bear.”

“That’s—really nice.” She had a sympathetic look.

“I could have gotten more, but I didn’t want to. What movie are we watching by the way?” I looked up as the lights dimmed.

“It’s an adaption on JK Yearling’s third book, the Evil Crystal Eye!” Silver Tip said, grinning. “It is supposed to come out in three days! I can’t believe Jerard got a copy for his own theater! They say the movie is going to be one of the best flicks of all time!” All three of us looked at Silver as he vibrated, really excited.

“I own a sizable portion of the company which produces the movies,” Master said, not hiding his happiness. “They send me copies of all the movies they plan on sending to the big screen before it becomes public.”

“Oh I can’t wait!” Silver Tip said.

“Start the movie!” Master called, and the movie started. It was great, part way through I leaned into Master, making him look down, and I snuggled into him. Today was rounding out nicely, no matter how badly it had started. A few hours later, the movie ended and quite spectacular I might add.

Silver hugged Sweetie Belle almost like she was a doll as the lights came back on, and she grunted. “You enjoyed the movie I see.”

“It was epic,” Silver said, smiling with a dizzy Sweetie Belle in his forelegs. “Though there were a few problems with it that I could see, whether it was from a few bad actors to just over all scene creation, it lacked a few basic things. I’d give it a seven of ten. Other than that, I loved it a lot.” I stared at Silver, that was probably the smartest thing I had ever really heard come from his mouth.

“How about you, Sweetie Belle?” Master asked.

“It was great.” She smiled.

“And you, Scootaloo?” Master looked at me as I looked up.

“I liked it a lot.”

“Now that’s over, how about dinner?”

Silver put Sweetie on his back and smirked getting up. “That sounds wonderful right about now. What’s on the menu?”

“Something special, I think Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle will enjoy it a lot. In fact, I got a really good griffin chef to come over just for tonight.” Master put me onto his back and we all started for the dining room.

“That sounds like fun, what’s the meal?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Ragout De Lapin. Of course it’s a specialty stew in the Griffin Kingdoms. You won’t find it anywhere in Equestria. But the best of the meal will be second age wine and a bit of elixir leaf bread with apple spread.”

“Wait, really?!” Silver shouted, running next to Master. “But, but those only grow once every five years! How did you get some?”

“I have my ways.”

“What’s elixir leaf?” Sweetie asked.

“It’s like your zap apples,” Master said as he went down the stairs. “But much rarer and harder to grow. A single bush of it is worth a few thousands gold bits. Of course I bought four of them.”

“Wow, a little pricey for just a simple dinner,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Don’t slap a pony in the face when they offer you a gift,” Silver scolded Sweetie. “Do you really want to go over the books again?”

“I’m sorry,” Sweetie Belle said to Master.

“It’s fine, I had actually bought them for when Scootaloo and I finally got married. The paperwork came through, she is finally my wife.” Silver stopped. Master stopped as well and turning to Silver Tip. He was frozen with a look of pure horror for some reason. “Something wrong?”

Something went through him, I didn’t understand it, something was missing that I couldn’t see. “Oh, no, sorry.” Silver started walking again and Master smiled. He had just won something, but I couldn’t tell what. “Congratulations, I hope you and your bride have a happy and prosperous life.”

“Thank you.” We made it to the dining room going inside. I froze for a moment, Kila was standing by the table in a waiter outfit. It kind of messed with his black coat considering that he was wearing a black outfit.

“Ah, Silver, I believe you haven’t met Kila yet.”

“It is an honor, Duke Silver Tip,” Kila said, bowing.

“Thank you.” Silver went and sat down, setting Sweetie down next to him. Master set me to his left next to Sweetie Belle which was on the corner. Kila went into the kitchen coming back out with a silver cart which he pushed over to the table. His magic set the table, placing plates and other things down along with the food. A yellowish-red loaf of bread was put on each of our plates, with different types of apple dishes around it.

Clear apple wine bottles from Sweet Apple Acres were set around the table. A bowl floated into the air, and Kila poured a stew with brown chunks of something into them, setting the bowl in front of me, then in front of everypony else.

“This looks amazing,” Sweetie said.

“Yes, the chef is a true master in the kitchen,” Master commented, picking up a piece of bread. “Scootaloo, why don’t you try the stew first, I have a feeling you’ll love it.” I looked at the bowl in front of me for a moment, and swallowed.

The brown chunks looked oddly familiar, but I couldn’t place it. Though the stew was thick, it had carrots potatoes, broccoli and other vegetables were intermixed. It actually looked very tasty.

“What’s in it?” I asked.

“You never ask that before you eat a meal. It is an insult to the chef. Now take a bite and tell me how you like it.”

“Sorry.” I blushed a bit, and picked up a hoof spoon. It wrapped around my hoof holding it in place. Everypony watched me, making me a bit nervous, as I dipped the spoon into it and scooped out some of the brown chucks. Those were the only ingredients I didn’t really know about.

A smile spread across Master as I lifted the spoon up to my mouth and took a bite of it, savoring the flavor for a moment. Everything was soft boiled so it has an easy chew to it. In fact, it turned some of the foods I didn’t like into something tasty, or maybe that was the seasoning or something else.

My tongue played around with a rather big brown chunk. It had a very unique flavor to it, it was odd. Juicy came to mind at first, tender and silky. It felt almost layered, I couldn’t describe what this—oh Celestia. This flavor, it had touched my palate before. A tear started going down my face as I understood.

“Now, swallow.” At his command, I swallowed it. “How did you like it?” It took me a moment to gather my thoughts.

“What’s wrong?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“It—tasted good.” I cleared my throat. “I’m just, not sure if most ponies will like this stew.” I was a monster. Not only did I kill ponies, but now—apparently I ate cute animals as well, Fluttershy would be ashamed of me.

“Enjoy,” Master said. Sweetie Belle and Silver Tip tried the stew. Silver almost threw up spitting the meat back into the bowl. Sweetie savored the flavor for a moment, she didn’t recognize it, but she swallowed anyway. “Oh my, it looks like you both didn’t enjoy the stew like Scootaloo.”

“Apparently not,” Sweetie said, wiping her tongue a bit. “I’ve tasted it before, I just don’t know where.”

“It was very cold the last time we ate it,” I said grimly. She stared at me for a moment before her eyes went wide. Kila took a picture of Sweetie Belle surprising us. Master let out a hearty laugh.

“You did not just feed us rabbit!” Sweetie shouted, standing up.

Master took a bite of the stew and frowned, spitting it out. “You can take the stew away now,” Master said. I held my hoof over the bowl, shocking them all but Master, which smiled happily. “Hers can stay, but clean up the others please.” The three other bowls floated to the lower cart.

“What is the meaning of this,” Silver asked calmly, making Sweetie look at him. He was looking at the table.

“This dinner is a meal for my wife, she enjoys the flavor of meat on her palate. It is quite rare for a pony to enjoy meat. Wouldn’t you agree, Scootaloo?”

“Yes, Master.” I started to eat the stew. What Kila had told me on the train was true, I would become worse than him. Of course with the wine to help wash it down and an oddly delicious piece of bread, it went down easily.

“You could have told us that,” Sweetie growled.

“Don’t worry, I’m sure the rest of the meal will make up for it.” Silver Tip and Master started eating and Sweetie Belle looked confused at Silver. “Try it before you get mad about eating rabbit. At least it was cooked this time.” Master chuckled, and she blushed looking at me as I ate without a sound.

She started eating after a moment and was a bit surprised at the taste. Overall the meal was delicious, but the wine really brought it together, warming me so well. It was almost like being embraced by Master, save for the horror of living with him. The wine was a veritable comfort.

“How is everypony enjoying their meal?” We turned to a griffin as he walked into the room.

“Everything is just splendid,” Silver said, his voice played something of a sad note, but he tried to make it sound happy.

“It really was a fine meal,” Master said. The chef nodded thankfully, but looked around for a moment. “Is something wrong?”

“Where are the griffins?”

“It is just the four ponies you see here at the table,” Master answered.

The chef chuckled. “This must be a joke. Ponies don’t eat meat, your stomachs can’t digest it.”

“Mine can,” I said, and he looked at me. “The stew tasted wonderful, I just hope you put the rabbit down quickly.”

His stance became unsteady. “Of course, my staff always makes sure our meat is of the highest quality and-and cruelty free. Though, Kila, he was the one which supplied the rabbit to cook.”

“That reminds me,” Master said, waving a hoof. “Kila, the movie if you would.” He nodded picking up a projector and setting it onto the table. “Chef you may clean up and take your leave now.” The chef nodded getting up and leaving.

“Movie? But we just watched one,” Silver said, the nervousness was clear in his voice, and the way his body tensed.

“Ah, but you see, this movie has a point to it. Earlier today, six ponies broke into my house and assaulted me.” What did that have to do with a movie? I questioned in my mind, not that I would ever say that out loud. “One pony really got on my nerves of the six, and I dare say it wasn’t Rainbow Dash, although she’ll get her due soon enough. I assure you of that.”

“And?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“This yellow pegasus had the nerve to tell me to stew in my own filth.” Dread washed down me as Sweetie and Silver tensed up. “So, I made a stew of her favorite rabbit.” Master chuckled, smirking. We turned as a movie started playing.

My heart nearly stopped as a silent movie played of Kila snatching away Angel, Fluttershy’s favorite rabbit. He broke every bone in the rabbit before slowly skinning him, it screamed to death. Tears went down Sweetie Belle’s face. I started to shake, whatever this was leading up to wasn’t good.

“Why are you showing us this?” Silver asked, picking up Sweetie and moving away from the table.

“You see, she said five little words, and this is how I reacted. Now tell me Duke Silver Tip Rosemetal. What do you think I would do to a pony which used his family’s influence and solum name in an attempt to get me arrested for raping a filly and trying to freeze all of my assets?” Master said like ice.

“What?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“I’m sorry,” Silver tip said, sitting down and hugging Sweetie noticing Kila standing by the door. “I tried to remove his wealth. I thought I had covered all of my tracks, but apparently I was wrong.”

“You had,” Kila interjected.

“Then how did you find out?”

“I watch all gold transaction,” Master said, getting up. “Moving million of bits, no matter how good you are, is going to be noticed. You can’t cover that up. If you had given up your company, you would have had me.”

“Damn.”

“Plus, with your little mare trying to foalnap my wife, do you honestly think I wouldn’t notice?” Silver flinched. “Both of you are here to stay.”

“Please, Sweetie Belle is innocent, she’s just a filly, she doesn’t understand. Please let her go.”

“Tell me, how long do you think it would take for your bodies to be found?” Silver looked up, and Kila held a magic sword to his throat making Silver Tip lock up. “Answer me, I will not ask a question twice.”

“Never.”

“That’s right, I’d grind your bodies up and they’d never be found. I’d just claim you left here, I’d have more than a few witnesses confirm it.”

“Please, spare us.” Kila floated out papers and set them down with a quill in front of Silver.

“Sign, this will give me control of your accounts, the Rosemetal company and everything you own. If you do, you have my word, I will not kill you both. In fact, you’ll be my house guests for the rest of your lives.”

Silver looked up. “Why would you—keep us?”

“You are like a brother.” Master went up to Silver Tip’s face. “I would weep for years if I had to kill you. Scootaloo would cry over her friend.”

“But, what about my family name?”

“You’ll stand beside Scootaloo and I. You’ll get married and even have foals. That way, Scootaloo won’t get lonely. Plus, I know you won’t say anything, you love Sweetie Belle far too much to kill her.”

Silver Tip set Sweetie to the side and took the quill in his mouth. Kila put a hoof on Sweetie holding her in place, not that she struggled. The quill quaked slightly as Silver signed the contracts and Kila took them leaving the room.

“Is that all?”

“Tell me you’re sorry.” Silver looked up confused. “Tell me you’re sorry!” Master pinned Silver to the ground. “TELL ME!”

“I’m sorry!”

Tears went down Master’s face as he got off, making Silver get up. “You are forgiven for your act.” Master went over to the table and wiping his face. I gave a concerned look, I was confused more than ever before. “But from now on, you and your soon-to-be wife are my slaves for the rest of your lives. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Prince Jerard High Blood,” Silver said, looking down.

“My name is Jerard, I’m still your friend and bloodless brother you dolt. I’m just surprised that you would go so far to try and stab me. I thought our bond was deeper than just appearances.”

“It is, but, what you’re doing is wrong. You can’t see it, but countless ponies weep for Scootaloo every night. Mothers whimper as they pass your gates and fathers curse in whispers in anger.”

“She’s mine!” Master growled, stomping.

“AND?!” Silver shouted, standing up. “You’ve done something that Equestria can’t stomach, that it won’t stomach. Hell, I’ve even accepted a marriage which was based solely on the prospect of saving your wife.”

“Silver, no!” Sweetie Belle shouted too late, Silver gave her a stern look, and she looked away.

“Do you have any idea what you’ve done, and how far you’ve pushed this country over one pony?!”

“I do, but why would you accept a marriage like that?”

“MY SISTER DIED! I’d accept just about any mare that came to my door begging for me to save their friend!” Master looked down a bit. “I have been broken for so long. First, most of my friends die horribly, one way or another, then my sister in foal birth, my nephew, my parents, my other sister. Every pony I love has died in a horrid way. No matter how I act, no matter what I say, that pain doesn’t go away. You can hate me, you can kill me, but it pains me the most to see the last pony I love hurt another because he’s just as alone as me.”

Master sighed sitting down, Silver Tip sat down as well. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know that’s how you felt.”

“Please, stop this, let Scootaloo go. Send her back to her family, her friends, and end all of this, because if you don’t, sooner or later, it’s not going to be a choice. There are whispers, it won’t end well for anypony.”

“I’ll never let her go,” Master said, his voice dead set.

Author's Note

Editing done by Refro check him out!