Walking down the spiral stairs, we ended up in a room. Looking around, I noticed that it was basically a large library, but a very old one by the appearance of the books. The room was under the pool and had more than one entrance. Al walked over to a large, comfortable chair, motioning for us to sit on a nearby sofa. We went and sat down, and he started taking off his tie, setting it on a table next to him.

“What is this place?” I asked.

“The mansion’s library. Often times I come here to rest, but as you can see it has many doors. Each one leads to a different part of the mansion, that is how I get around. Sig and the other maids will often use this as well.”

“So why did you take us here?” Sweetie asked.

“This entire place is sound proofed by powerful magic, outside these walls the world flows and never stops. Inside them however, time holds itself still long enough for you to rest your eyes and mind.”

“As in it slows down time?”

“It’s not that, it’s...” Al smiled as I understood.

“I don’t feel that pain right now.” His smile was kind.

“Pain? Wait you’re in pain?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Yeah, my spirals feel like the only real thing hurting right now, I’ve been able to ignore them, but they burn pretty badly.” Not that every part of my body didn’t also hurt, they just stood out. However, that made me realize what I had just said in front of Sweetie Belle. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that,” I said, turning to Sweetie. “They’re nothing to worry about. After a while I’ll get used to it.”

Al cleared his throat lightly. “The room’s magic only affects those whose minds are causing them pain.” We turned to him. “Scootaloo has tasted sorrow. I’m truly sad to know that you feel the effects. I now know the answer to my question.”

“What question?” Sweetie asked.

“Where is Balai? It is a disappointment that she was not fated to come home upon your return.”

“She won’t be returning,” I said, looking down.

“This is not the first time that has happen to a maid over the years, but the first time with Jerard.” Alfred let out a heavy sigh. “But one day we must all pass on.”

“What about Celestia and Luna?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“One day, maybe in a hundred or a million days. One day they will know that their day has come, whether it be in battle or of letting go. Anyway, do not think of death. Memories of such will only make you depressed. While guilt and other things are taken, this room only takes the bad emotions, not the necessary ones.”

“So, is this room why we’re here? To make me feel better?” I asked, hoping dearly that would be the case.

“This room is a temporary home for you, once you leave your emotions will creep back into your heart. You must learn to deal with them and make peace with your actions, ones that you have made and will make.”

“How?”

“All ponies are different, but tell me this first. What do you wish?” His question caught me slightly off guard. “That was not the right question, what is your goal? Being free, free of pain, free of everything, even life? What is your goal in this life? Is it to leave your Master and fly for the Wonder Bolts?”

“Not in a million years would I ever leave—Master. As much as I’m his, he is mine as well.”

“Then?”

“I couldn’t answer that.”

“Couldn’t?” He thought about that word for a few seconds before clearing his throat. “I see, then what about having a foal?” That thought had never even crossed my mind. Actually, that was a horrific thought. If Master made me have a foal, then... The ways he could torture me would be endless, truly endless.

“I never thought about it, but why would it matter?”

“Your life has meaning, Ms. High Blood. You need to set yourself a goal. Once you have achieved that, this life will fall into place.”

“I guess my goal right now is to go to Ponyville without being punished.”

“And what would you even do there once you arrived?”

“Wing it, I guess.”

“I’m sure that, Master will allow it sooner or later.”

“Really?”

“Of course, his intent is not to shame you, cut you into pieces, or even break your fragile heart. His goal is to make you into the perfect mare in his eyes, and there are plenty of things in Ponyville he could use to help to archive his goal.”

Things in Ponyville, what things—my ears folded back at the scary thought. “Wait, so you know how I could become perfect?”

“Yes, but it is quite complex. To become perfect in the eyes of your master requires a lot of things and time. But what is the current step you’re working on?”

“Controlling others.”

“That is quite the task to learn on your own.”

“The books he had me read didn’t really help me much.” A book in a weird style of cover floated over and laid next to me. “What is this?” Picking it up, I looked at the nameless cover, the book felt weird.

“That is a skin bound book, there are very few that exist.” Shock went across Sweetie Belle, but I looked at her for a moment. This wasn’t that gross, but I guess I would have acted the same before Master.

“Okay, so why are you showing me it?”

“First, this library is special because it holds very dark spell books. Jerard’s mother was obsessed with dark knowledge, we have a book here from every powerful demonic creature for the last thousand or so years. This library is known to few, and only those whom are allowed by High Blood family members may enter here. Normally it would be impossible to get to otherwise. This place is hidden in a place between space. So unless one has the keys, you cannot open the door no matter what.”

“Then how did Sweetie Belle come down here?”

“You allowed her to come by wanting her to follow; so she was granted access to this place. However, you can refuse to let them in and it will reject them. But since I was given access by Jerard’s grandfather. Neither Jerard nor you could force me to leave. I say that because Jerard has more than once been unhappy with me and tried. Though, while I work for your family name, I am allowed to stay here.”

“I wasn’t even thinking that.”

“Yes, but since you are Jerard’s wife, you may revoke any that he has allowed to enter here. Should you both die, then those whom you have allowed will still have access forever since there are no other High Bloods alive.”

“Then I’ll be careful who I allow in.”

“You understood, good. Now, let’s move this back to the topic. That book there.” He motioned and I looked down. “Was written by a mass murder. That pony was never captured. It describes how to control others. If you read it you’ll notice that Jerard used a few of the lessons on you.”

“I see.”

“If you read this book fully and understand all of its lessons, you will be able to easily control other ponies. Many of the lessons you probably already have an idea of. They are natural, but this killer refined them to perfection. He named the book, The Book of Slaves. It is one of the only books in existence, which if used, can make ponies slaves. Though, since Master wants you perfect and not a slave, he won’t use all of the lessons written. You’ll have to learn from them though if you wish to archive this step.”

“Does being perfect turn me into a worse monster?”

“When you reach that stage, you’ll understand more than simple ponies. What you see as a monster is not needlessly true, just the words of what others have told you in a way to control you. Once you learn how to reject the control of those whom you do not wish to have control over you. You’ll see who the true monsters are.”

“Thank you, I’ll read this later.”

“The books in this library cannot leave physically, you can only write down what is inside them. If you want to read it, it has to be here. This library protects these books from ever being taken or destroyed. The magic is extremely powerful.”

“Right.”

“You can always come back later if you want to. These books will be here for you when you need them.”

“Sweetie, will you go and keep Diamond Tiara company, there are a few more things I want to ask in private.”

“I don’t want to leave you.”

“Please, there are some things I don’t want to tell you yet.”

Sweetie flinched as if she was hit. The notion that I was sharing things with another pony even after all she had done for me probably wasn’t sitting well. “If, that’s how you feel.” She got up and left without another word.

“Wait till you hear that door close before you speak, you’ll know that she has left at that point.” I nodded and a door closed. “There, now what did you want to ask?”

“I don’t want to rape Diamond Tiara, but, it’s the only thing I can think of, and even then I don’t understand what he means by get Sweetie Belle ready for sex. How do you even get ready for sex?”

Looking down, he chuckled scratching his hoof with his teeth. “Ah, the real tasks of Jerard. I’ll ask this in return, what could you gain by completing this?” He looked up with a sly smirk.

“I don’t know.”

“Take a moment. Don’t just give the first thing off the top of your head. Think deeply about it.

“To learn to control ponies.”

“Think deeper. What will you gain? He is a stallion of business, not once has his action ever been a loss.”

“To make me feel alone, to lose a friend, to show that I’m not worth anything to anypony but him.”

“One answer is a loving slave and an extremely close friend. One that will stand by you forever.”

“What? How could raping Diamond Tiara make her do anything but hate me even more than she already does? And how does having Silver Tip rape Sweetie Belle, make her more of my friend?” Tears started down my cheeks.

“I’ll tell you this. From what I see, Sweetie Belle is very close to you and wants dearly to protect you. By subjecting her to that, you could make it so she will be able to stay close to you for the rest of her life. Once she matures, she’ll stay close to you easily, knowing full well what to expect in life.”

“But—”

“You might even get her to sleep in the same bed. Just because you have a bad situation does not mean you can’t have fun. Use Sweetie Belle to have fun, you’re still a filly no matter how mature you’ve become. Play around, and enjoy yourself. Controlling Sweetie Belle won’t be hard if you work her right.”

“But Master wouldn’t allow it.”

“He wants you happy to be alive, not on the edge. Think of it like this, Master sees you as an investment, not as a pony. Something which will give him comfort, foals, and even be there to give him reason. You don’t see all the good he does, the lives he saves, and the blessings he creates.”

“I’ve heard about it, but I’ve never seen it.”

“Everypony has a dark side Scootaloo, whether it be Celestia or Twilight Sparkle. You just need to look deep enough. Even your hero Rainbow Dash has a dark side which would make you cry to know.”

“What?”

“It’s not for me to tell you, the next time you see Rainbow Dash ask her about her past, and why she understands royals.”

A memory of Dash flashed in my mind. “He’s a royal, we can’t do this carelessly, you know very well what that means!” I shouted at Dash as she pinned me down.

Rainbow Dash looked down. “I know what it means better than most.” The memory made me scratch my neck.

“Tell me, please.”

“No, perhaps that will keep you alive just a bit longer to find the answer. I have just as much interest as Master in seeing what you’ll do if you live.”

Al was making a good point, I couldn’t deny it and that wasn’t important right now. “And Diamond Tiara?”

“Make her fall in love with you. I’m not sure if you realize how bad her situation has become.” A screen appeared showing Filthy Rich yelling at Diamond Tiara. The screen had no sound, but it was clear that she was crying. It sped up to him almost forcing her to sign the contract. “It was not a good moment she had. She’s been completely disowned, and her father is on the run from debt collectors.” The screen disappeared.

“That’s—harsh.”

“Not really, after what she did, she led everything his family has ever worked for into ruin. Most would be furious.”

“But I don’t want to rape her, if that really happen, she must be—dead inside. Her daddy was everything to her. She always leaned on him to give and help her with everything. She must be so alone.”

“Remember, you do not have to be evil to control others. The wisest ponies control entire governments. Learning how she’ll react is important. Fillies are no different than adults, they just have the ability to have foals more. You’re all just as vain and heartless as foals bickering on a play yard.”

“Then this book will help me?”

“Without a doubt.”

Opening the book, I stopped for a moment. It was written in blood, or something that gave that appearance. The letters had a kind of gloss to them. The Book of Slaves. Turning the page it had an index.

This book was very detailed. It had everything from how to control behavior to predicting what ponies will do in almost every situation. It had a part on autonomy and many other parts. I hadn’t realized it, but the book was probably a thousand or so pages of typed print. It wasn’t written like the first page suggested.

“This is a very detailed book.” It was scary to think of how this murderer had come across all this information.

“That book’s author had a very large amount of victims. They were of every age, sex and race. There’s not much to controlling ponies if you know how. Once you learn it, you’ll get everything you want and more.”

“Let’s see then.” Slowly I read its pages taking in every shred of knowledge it had to offer. Every word was useful in describing and somehow, every little thing made sense. It was hard to stop reading, but I had only read a few chapters.

“Making sense?” I looked up at Al as he wiped his eyes from sleep. “You’ve been reading for a while, and we missed lunch.”

“It makes too much sense to me.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I’ll be reading this book later, but I understand so much now.”

“Good, now go and do what you must, and try to answer my question. What goal do you want to complete?”

“I still don’t know, but thank you.” Carefully I set the book down. “If I need help, is it alright that I come to you?”

“Of course. While I’m not helping, I’m normally here.” I got up and left, walking out the same way I came, stretching a bit from sitting so long. My wounds were no longer really bothering me. At least not too much since walking didn’t hurt excessively.

“Scoots!” Sweetie Belle ran over hugging me. A bit of surprise went across me, but it was a good surprise.

“Sweetie Belle, you waited for me?”

“Of course.” She moved back. “I was worried when you wanted to be left alone with that unicorn.”

“His name is Al, he’s a very smart and kind stallion. He helped me to figure out what was wrong and how to solve my problem. I’m much happier now.”

“Oh, that’s great!”

“It isn’t just that which he helped me clear up.” She instantly became nervous as I hugged her tightly and kissed her, pinning her to the ground. Sweetie didn’t really struggle against me, in fact she closed her eyes and enjoyed the kiss. The parting from her felt cold, somehow with her pressed against me, I was slowly warming again. “It also made me realize how I can have fun living here.” My hoof slid down her side making her gasp a tiny bit.

“What are you doing? That feels weird.”

“I’m going to ask you something, but it’s going to sound bad.” Her eyes watched me intently as I moved my hooves to the side allowing me to stand up, hovering over her. “Can I rape you tonight?” It was almost like she froze into ice. “Um, hello?” I waved my hoof in front of her, making Sweetie blink.

“WHAT?!” she shouted.

“OW!” I shouted back folding my ears. She blushed, her ears and face turned red, it was so cute. When she moaned, I bet it was a squeak. “Have sex with me, it doesn’t have to be against your will.”

“Wait, wait, wait.” She held up her hooves in defense. “I don’t... we’re... I’m.” She started to panic.

“I’m not going to give you a choice.” She giggled lightly as I kissed her neck, tickling her coat. “I want to hear you moan.”

“Wait, but, we can’t. You’re married and I’m engaged, and I don’t, you know. Like mares like that.” She let out a hot breath.

“Master is going to come back tomorrow, and he wants Silver to get you pregnant.” Her eyes went wide. “He told me to get you ready and want to have sex. I don’t think Silver Tip wants to, so he’s relying on you to help convince him.”

“So, if you don’t, he’ll hurt you won’t he?”

“I don’t want to hurt or force you, I’d rather take the punishment.” I sighed. “But that wouldn’t be fair if you didn’t know.” Fair, that’s some word. This wasn’t about being fair, my life was anything but fair.

“Do we need to have to have sex to get me ready?”

“No, he left that up to me, but if the first time having sex is anything like what I felt, then yes. It’s the only way I know you’ll enjoy it and not end up bleeding.” Moving to the side, I sat down, letting her get up.

“Oh.” We looked down, and she started to think, answering after a minute. “Fine, let’s do it.”

“Why?” Tear started to brim over, and she looked up at me. “Why would you give into that?” Her look was of sadness, but it was steady. “Tell me, why are you my friend? I’ve already hurt you and even caused you to get engaged to somepony you don’t know. How do you not hate me?”

“Because you’re my friend.”

“But, what does that even mean anymore?”

“If we switched places.” I went ridged. “What would you have done?” The question caught me off guard. Sweetie Belle moved forward and kissed my forehead with her warm soft lips.

“I’d have stopped at nothing to save you, even burn Equestria to the ground. And not a single pony would ever get in my way to save you. Even if it killed me.” My voice cracked as my lip started to quiver.

That was truly how I felt, I’d have done the same for Apple Bloom. They were more than friends—they were my family. Family, it wasn’t just limited to my parents, it was everypony. Twilight, Fluttershy, even Pinkie. All of them were my friends, but they loved and cared for me enough to risk everything to save me.

“Then why would you expect me to do anything less?”

Opening my mouth, I stopped and closed it for a moment. I’d have done the exact same thing to try and save Sweetie Belle if Master had taken her instead of me. “I’m not having sex with you.”

“What?” she asked confused, and I got up walking. “Wait, but you’ll get punished if you don’t.”

“And? I’m done.” She followed behind me. “I’m not going to do this. If Master is mad at me, then so be it, but I’m done.”

“Wait, stop.” I stopped and looked at her. “But—”

“I’m not going to hurt you, I’d rather suffer from that choice than make a choice that is worse than anything that monster could do.” Everything froze, I had just called Master a monster without thinking.

“Still.”

My heart twisted painfully making me sit down. “Go away, please,” I whispered. She went to talk, but sighed instead. “I’ll come to talk to you, I need to think about things.” Sweetie hesitated for a moment, but nodded and left.

It took me a little to calm down. Tonight was, tonight was going to be heaven compared to when Master got back. But did I want this punishment? Would it be worth it? That wasn’t something I could answer yet, but I knew I could find at least some relief with a pink pony that was waiting for me.

Author's Note

Editing done by Refro check him out!