To the Point of No Return

by ZachTheBrony

Rating: mature
Tags: Princess Luna, Comedy, Adventure, Princess Celestia, Crossover, Human, Main 6, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe
Length: 10941

SEQUEL TO TURNING POINT! When you take a leap of faith, what do you think of on the way down?

THIS IS THE SECOND PART TO A SERIES.
FIRST PART = http://www.fimfiction.net/story/57187/turning-point

- - - -

You may give something your best. If not, your all.

But what if everything you've got, each and every trick up your sleeve- fails?

What if you were forced to drastic measures, even having to steal from others?

Will you live knowing that pain once more? Or will you try again, given the chance?

She has regrets. He has awoken. Do you even need to think of an answer?

- - - -

"All of my stories run on my theories, and my ideas. If you have a problem with them, move on, and have a good day. If you don't like it, don't read it. It's as simple as that.

"If you spot any grammatical problems, tell me. If you spot any punctuation problems, tell me. If you have a problem with the plot, I'll give you this and this only: It's my story. Not yours. If you want <insert your idea here> to happen, write it yourself, or stop bugging authors to make a story that they enjoy writing, into something that you would enjoy. In other words, your ideas are your ideas, and my ideas are my ideas. Don't try to force anything down my throat, or another's. Write it yourself, or it isn't going to happen."

This message will be posted in every chapter's author's notes.

Published 2013-06-04 19:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-06-05 20:04:53 UTC

Prologue

Many, many generations ago...

Princess Celestia, the ever-wise and kind ruler of Equestria, stood on her room's balcony. She let out a sigh. It had been a long day, working with some of the leaders of other countries. They were being difficult. The gryphons wanted a new currency to be made. They said that trading goods was becoming rather hazardous, even though the gryphons were generally a brash colony.

Her worries set aside, Celestia glanced up at the beautiful night sky. Her sister was asleep- she had went to bed after raising the moon. Luna tended to get tired easier than her sister, every few months or so. Unfortunately, this was one of those months. She was the little sister, after all. Painting the night sky took much more imagination than just illuminating the sky with rays of the sun.

While stargazing, a shadowy figure caught the alicorn's eye. She turned her head to look at it, and jumped back, startled at what she saw. There, sitting on the railing to her balcony, was a bipedal monstrosity. The entirety of its demonic presence was black, save for the robe it wore. The robe itself was tattered, torn and gray, flowing past the figure’s bare feet.

Fangs which dripped blood were visible through the robe’s hideously torn hood, crimson droplets staining the marble stone below it. It had a rasped breathing- the wheeze was emphasized when its chest moved up and down. This hellish creature was the stuff of nightmares. The thing reached out with one of its ugly, deformed hands, stained in blood as well. One of the three ‘fingers’ was a mass of disgusting flesh, almost a foot long, and quarter of a foot wide. The others were like claws.

The most strikingly terrifying feature on this hellish abomination, though, were its eyes. They glowed a nightmarish red, the screams of a thousand souls begging for release in them. The creature collapsed to the ground, letting its legs drag as it began to slowly crawl towards the alicorness.

Celestia’s heart jumped out of her chest, and her form went pale as she rushed into her room. Watching the thing crawl, as though it needed help. But, the creature’s jaw snapping at her said otherwise. She yelled for a guard, who came rushing in. “By Starswirl’s beard!” He exclaimed, before he rushed at the creature, spear in his magical embrace.

That was the last which was seen of him. The creature was stabbed repeatedly with vigor, but the hellish being effortlessly grabbed one of his hooves, and tore off his leg. Blood sprayed all over the creature as the guard screamed in agony. Devouring the leg whole as it sunk its teeth into the guard’s neck, the beast killed him slowly.

After feasting, the monster disappeared.

Terrified for her subject’s lives, and her own, Celestia rushed- like a bat out of hell -to get someone she knew that could help.

She banged on his door very worriedly, glancing over her shoulder.

The famed, bearded wizard opened the door. “Oh my, Princess Celestia... what brings you here? Come, come, come in.” He said calmly. Without hesitation, Celestia came into his home, where she was offered tea. She accepted, glancing over her shoulders as she sipped the hot beverage. Now sitting on the couch beside her, Starswirl asked, “I can see paranoia on your face, Princess. What troubles you? Has something happened?” Knowing the Princess well since she was younger, Starswirl was much like a father-figure to Celestia.

The Princess exhaled. “Yes... yes something is wrong, Starswirl...” She sniffled. “A monster...”

The bearded stallion smiled. “Oh, come now, you’re a big girl. You know it was a nightma--”

“This isn’t a joke, Starswirl!” Celestia barked sternly. “This... thing was slender. It had fangs, a robe... dear me, i-it was terrifying... it devoured one of my guards... I-I just couldn’t do anything.” She shut her eyes, taking a moment to mourn over her brave guard. “It paralyzed me with fear... I’ve never seen something more terrifying than... than that monstrosity in the entirety of my lifetime...” Celestia said, tears in her eyes, stinging like a bee’s stinger. Even that mischief maker Discord was a naughty comparison. Least he never killed a pony.

“What do you suppose I could do about it?”

“... Trap it.” Celestia decided. The tears continued to flow, though now behind narrowed eyes.

Starswirl’s eyes widened at the idea. “But Princess, I do not know the nature of said creature. It would be for naught, without any study!”

“It doesn’t matter, Starswirl.” The alicorness said, forcing the tears to stop. “What matters is that thing never seeing the light of day... I will pay you generously. This, I, Princess Celestia, vow to you. The protection of my citizens is far more important than my life itself.” She said, finishing her tea. The Princess stood, and walked to the door.

“Wait a moment, please?” Starswirl called to her.

“Yes, Starswirl?”

Approaching the alicorn, Starswirl wore a look of concern on his face. “I do not need to be paid to do this.” He replied. “Although, your decision is your decision. But if you’re really sure I am capable of trapping a nightmare like that, I will do my best.” He nodded. “One question, if I may? Why not you and your royal sister do it? You have the Elements...”

“Discord was only set in stone only so recently,” Celestia explained. “The Elements are not like a candle. These...” She stopped there, moving her left hoof up to wipe the remaining tears from her face. “Jewels, are physical manifestations of harmony. The reason Discord was turned to stone was to create harmony of the land- at the least, I think so. But this creature did not want to disrupt harmony like Discord did. It just wanted something more...” He frowned now, not wanting to hear the word. “... natural.”

“Natural? I was thinking menacing or destructive...” Starswirl raised his eyebrows.

“In nature, there is a prey for everything. A manticore hunting a hare, or a timberwolf hunting a small creature is not disharmony. It’s natural.” Celestia responded.

“Are you telling me... that this thing is your natural hunter?!”

“I can think of no other reason to know such fear...” The Princess spoke, her voice low. “Make haste, Starswirl. I know not how many lives are on the line with that monstrosity loose.” She said.

Starswirl nodded, and began to work after the Princess had left. It was going to be a hard task nonetheless. Creating a spell wasn’t just a jump, skip and a hop. These things took time- but time was Starswirl’s enemy this occasion!

- - - Two Weeks Later...

Even with Starswirl and his top students working at full-speed, Celestia was growing more and more concerned with every day that passed. If she kept it up, she’d drive herself to the brink of insanity. Twelve. Twelve of her subjects had gone missing since that one night, and the numbers were slowly, agonizingly slowly, going up. She was terrified. This dark thing did deliberate actions to try and call her out. Away from the castle and guards, support, and her family.

Luna was concerned for her sister’s state of mind. The guards were paranoid, at any moment another pony could go missing. There was no set pattern, no reason why these ponies had been picked, or even anything to connect the missing ponies to each other. Word got across Equestria though rumors, letters, and newspapers. Families locked themselves in their homes, refusing to come out.

You couldn’t blame them. They were terrified. It was normal to be afraid of something that wanted to kill you, after all. Day or night, it didn’t matter. Whatever was hunting the ponies struck at both day and night, clearly not caring if they got caught.

It was three in the afternoon, on a Thursday. The sound of hooves rushing could be heard, as a familiar, bearded spellmaker rushed up the castle steps. Scrolls levitated alongside him, and saddlebags filled with writing tools and books under his cape. “I have business with the Princess!” He said, exhausted. The guards at the front nodded, and let him pass.

Starswirl rushed to Celestia’s quarters, practically bucking the door in as he made his entry, panting.

Jumping out of her skin, the Princess of the Sun was now clinging to her bed, enveloped in the silken sheets.

“Princess, don’t worry, it’s me...” The wizard panted. “... I... think I may have something!” A thought did wander in his mind. Was she still in bed? Why did it look so sexy?

Celestia poked her head out from under the blankets. “Y-you do? Sorry about this, that thing has... really gotten to me over the past few weeks.” She stepped out of the blankets, and stretched out her hooves. She had been pacing for quite a few hours. Her celestial mane reached out to settle against her frame.

“Of... course, I understand,” Star fought back a blush. He had a wife, Celestia dammi- oh wait, nevermind! “It just seemed like you were... still asleep.”

“No no, you just startled me. It’s fine though. What did you figure out?” The Princess asked, approaching him. She smiled, a bit hopeful of the news. Oh, if ‘Swirl was not married, she would’ve broken him right here and now...

“Oh, oh yes, one moment please.” The aged wizard levitated a scroll out of his right saddlebag. He rolled it out to reveal a blueprint, more like a beigeprint, of a prison. “I’ve formulated a barrier spell, and an automated, sliding wall-type device. The creature, or, the prisoner, will be contained here,” He pointed to a chamber on the far end of the hallway on the parchment.

“Hm. I also see crystals being used. Are they there to amplify magic?” Celestia leaned her head down to look at the plans.

“Indeed. There are precisely sixteen walls of one-meter thick stone and crystal that will rise up, magically encased with said barrier spell.” He pulled out another scroll, and unrolled it. It was a new barrier spell. “There is also a stasis spell that I have been working on that may prove useful to us, if we subdue the creature. Aside from that, the barrier spell is permanent. Extremely powerful, I originally made it for Discord, that rascal. But this... demon, dare I say, is much more a threat to the citizens of Equestria.”

“And how in the name of your beard are we to get the creature to this prison?” The Princess asked with a raised brow.

“It will not be easy... but I have an idea.” He leaned his neck out, moving to stare at Celestia’s derriere. “You did say he was your natural hunter...”

Waaait for iiit...

“You can NOT be serious.” She looked at him in shock.

“Unfortunately, I am serious, Celestia. Since you have shown the most signs of fear and paranoia to the creature, I only assume you will attract this abomination better than any other. For my theory is that it feeds off of fear. And you will... act as bait.” He said. “Even if I’m wrong. We will have all the other ponies sequestered in their homes, leaving you as the only one the creature can hunt.”

“If it must be done, then it must be done...” Celestia was shaking on the inside. “When do we start?”

“After we construct the prison, of course! Get a construction crew working on it as fast as possible, and as soon as possible!”

“Stop staring at my rear...” Shake, shake, shake what your daddy gave 'ya! Celestia, you tease!

- - - One Month Later...

It was time.

Forty-two subjects had disappeared. Forty.Two. Celestia couldn’t stand for it anymore. She had her blacksmith make her a weapon, in case everything went to hell. It was a blade, its hilt gilded in fine materials. The blade was a greatsword- the hilt was enveloped in gold. The metal was colored in alabaster, as if it were made from ore mined from the moon. The base of the blade had a purple gem on it, much like the one on her bridle. The Princess had been training as much as she could. She wasn’t skilled in weapon-based combat, but she was getting the hang of it. The creature’s attacks, from what she saw, were slow and purely offensive. So she practiced countering, parrying and blocking. Defensive techniques, all that jazz.

When the metal smith was asked why he made her a sword, he replied, “The Princess needs a long, hard weapon in her hooves. It was that or metal glaives, but I thought it would be hard to... wait, this was supposed to be a weapon? Oh no, I got Princess Luna’s order mixed with Celestia’s!”

“Celestia, it is time-AH!” Starswirl walked into her quarters, only to have his signature hat swept from his head. He yelped, his hat was now on the tip of the blade. “What is... wh... what is this?” He levitated his hat back onto his head, staring the blade down.

Encased in her magical grasp, Celestia placed the sword by the wall to her right. “A sword. I figured that if anything were to go wrong, it would be best to learn how to defend myself.”

“I... see. A-anyhow, it’s time for... the baiting.”

“Debating? Over what?” Celestia cocked her head at him.

“The baiting.” He said slower, so she could understand.

“... Oh, silly me.” She chuckled. “Well then, I suppose we should... get to it.”

- - - Half an hour later...

“Why did you put me in a maid outfit?!” Celestia frowned.

“Dear lord, there’s spunk everywhere!” Starswirl panted.

“What happens in Canterlot... stays in Canterlot.” Starswirl’s wife said, lying under the sheets with Celestia and Swirl.

“Sister! I managed to capture the...” Luna stopped a moment, looking in the room. “I... I want in. Move over.”

“Unce Unce Unce--”

“Celestia, stop daydreaming!” ‘Swirl snapped the Princess out of it.

The alicorness practically had toaster wires on her face. “Oh, what? Oh yes, the... baiting,” She sighed. “How am I supposed to look... more appetizing? Do I seduce it? Or just...” Celestia turned to the wizard.

“Well, I have this maid outfit...”

“No.” She immediately responded. “I’m... going to let my fear get the best of me.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure, Starswirl.”

- - - One hour later...

Celestia was now standing in the abandoned streets. They decided to do this just before sunset, in order to give the creature another advantage and try to lure it out. She had a summoning spell at the ready, to summon her sword.

A sharp growl could be heard in the darkness of an alley. Celestia’s coat, although white as snow, went pale.

“Ce... le... sti... a...” A demonic whisper sung out to her in a serenade of temptation. She averted her eyes, as she could feel an invisible hand reaching out to her. She turned around, and began to run for her life. “Do... not... run...” Its voice projected, cackling maniacally. Had this thing picked up the ability to speak as well?

She looked over her shoulder.

And was scarred for life.

The ground was getting stained with a dark red, blood reflecting the orange sun. She could smell metal in the air- iron. Blood fell from its- changed form!? What used to be two arms turned into five arms. Sun-dried pony skulls were implanted in its tainted flesh, gore hanging from every limb. Its hood was torn off, exposing the head. It looked to be a snake’s head, or something serpent-like. It was strange though. Although it’s mouth was open to expose a snake’s forked tongue, it had no scales. It suddenly got onto its feet, and began to run after her. Every millisecond she stared at it, she was becoming paralyzed.

She forced herself to turn her head away, and run. She dared not look back. While she could not hear any hoovesteps behind her, she could hear it chasing her. She turned to look, and her eyes went into small dots. That demon was jumping from roof to roof! No wonder no one could find a trail of blood in it’s wake! About ten minutes of fat-burning cardio later, Celestia made her way to the underground hallway, which was pitch-black.

“Your soul... will be mine...”

Celestia dove into the chamber, and backed into a corner. The creature was forced to approach her on the ground. ‘Starswirl... hurry!’ She panicked. The creature cackled.

“Your fear is so... delicious. Your subjects... were merely my appetizer. Your world... is my banquet...”

Something inside of Celestia snapped at that very moment. She stood up, and her horn ignited. “This is the last part of the plan Princess. To keep you alive as a back-up, I am placing a hypnosis spell on you. When your fear reaches its peak, as it is now, this will keep you from succumbing.” Star’s words whispered in her mind.

The invader suddenly found its appetite killed.

A howl of pain was heard as Celestia sent the creature flying back with a blast of magic, into the center of the chamber.

Suddenly, blinding lights came on, and the creature was snapped into place. Its arms were held in by chains, magically reinforced. The legs were done no differently. The creature was immobilized. “YOU WORTHLESS MORTAL!” It screamed.

“Now now,” Starswirl walked into the chamber. “You’ve been a very bad colt. Murder isn’t something that happens here in Equestria. And for that, I am placing you in containment, until you yourself perish!”

The creature laughed. “I am... immortal... age will not rid you of me.”

“Then you will die of torture!” Celestia yelled, thrusting her sword through the creature’s chest. Fueled by her rage, the Princess said, “This is for the forty-two of my subject’s lives stolen! I will bring you pain that will make you beg for your own death!”

Starswirl’s ears flopped down as he heard the revolting wail of the creature. He slowly backed away as Celestia turned her head to him, releasing her grip on the blade as the creature shrieked in pain. That hypnosis spell worked a little too well.

“Starswirl! You saved me!” Celestia spoke, a smile forming on her lips. “Your hypnosis spell was perfect!”

“It was just a much-needed precaution. I’m glad to be of-... why are you looking at me like that?” The wizard raised his eyebrows, slowly taking steps back from the alicorn.

“Oh, you were so brave! So smart! Mama is so proud!”

“Mama?”

“Sexy mamacita...” Celestia purred.

“Uh.”

“Let me give you a reward...”

“Rape! Rape I say!”

“Is it rape if it’s consensual?”

“What?” Swirl raised his eyebrows even further.

“Star, I love you. Divorce your wife! Or better yet, I shall send her away. You will be the royal consort, and I will make you my lover...”

“Damn... fine. I will marry yo-”

“Woah woah woah... marry?” Celestia opened her eyes wide.

"Unce Unce Unce--"

"... Wha... hu-... AUUUGH- DEAR MERCIFUL SATAN, WHAT AM I WITNESSING!?!?!? I CAN SEE FOREVER! GOD! SATAN! SOMEBODY, PLEEEAAASE, END MY TORMEEENT!!!"

- - - Many, Many Generations Later...

“And that’s how your ancestors were born, Blueblood.” Celestia finished the story, leaving Blueblood shaking in disgust.

“I... no, no, just... just NO!” Blueblood charged out of the room. “THAT’S DISGUSTING!”

Celestia had been trying to forget about Kratos, ever since he was subdued and locked away. Not for another second would she think about that ash-skinned monstrosity, which reminded her of the 'Black Death' as she called it.

But unfortunately, and as fate would have it, her peace would be disturbed on this day. “Princess Celestia.” Twilight Sparkle’s voice called as the unicorn walked through the door.

“Twilight? What are you doing here?” Celestia asked curiously, her left brow raising.

Twilight sighed, and walked to her mentor hesitantly. “I am here on the count of Kratos.”

“You mustn’t be serious.” The alicorness's facial expression dropped.

“I am serious, Princess. For you see, over the past few months, I have been communing with Kratos through telepathy. And I know you don’t agree with it... but I want Kratos to get back to his own world. His destiny lies there, not here.” Twilight said.

It was Celestia’s turn to sigh. She replied, “Twilight, I know you want to make it up to Kratos, for what me and you did to him. But until I see proof that he will not harm a single one of my subjects, he will remain contained.”

“That’s the thing, Princess. I do have proof.”

Author's Note

JUST FOR YOUR INFORMATION, this section:

“Starswirl! You saved me!” Celestia spoke, a smile forming on her lips. “Your hypnosis spell was perfect!”

“It was just a much-needed precaution. I’m glad to be of-... why are you looking at me like that?” The wizard raised his eyebrows, slowly taking steps back from the alicorn.

“Oh, you were so brave! So smart! Mama is so proud!”

“Mama?”

“Sexy mamacita...” Celestia purred.

“Uh.”

“Let me give you a reward...”

“Rape! Rape I say!”

“Is it rape if it’s consensual?”

“What?” Swirl raised his eyebrows even further.

“Star, I love you. Divorce your wife! Or better yet, I shall send her away. You will be the royal consort, and I will make you my lover...”

“Damn... fine. I will marry yo-”

“Woah woah woah... marry?” Celestia opened her eyes wide.

"Unce Unce Unce--"

"... Wha... hu-... AUUUGH- DEAR MERCIFUL SATAN, WHAT AM I WITNESSING!?!?!? I CAN SEE FOREVER! GOD! SATAN! SOMEBODY, PLEEEAAASE, END MY TORMEEENT!!!"

- - - Many, Many Generations Later...

“And that’s how your ancestors were born, Blueblood.” Celestia finished the story, leaving Blueblood shaking in disgust.

“I... no, no, just... just NO!” Blueblood charged out of the room. “THAT’S DISGUSTING!”

That entire thing was a joke just to kinda take the edge off.

But you can take it literally.

... at your own discretion.

"HEY! If you don't like it... hey, hey hey, lemme tell you something... don't read it."

"EEEY! I LOVE feedback! Any feedback's appreciated, y'know. Hell, even, 'Ey breh dis be goin' good an' ting', it's still feedback."

"YO! I don't do well with demands regarding the story in question. Requests, I'll get back to you when I can, but outright demanding... don't count on it."

ZTB

Chapter 1 - Ascension

It was nearing nightfall over Equestria, the sun’s crimson descent cascading the land in a sea of vibrant oranges and reds. The Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters glistened in the colors of autumn, as Princess Luna prepared to usher her job as the deity of the night.

The mentor to Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia was looking at her student. She had come in with a claim to prove that Kratos, the Ghost of Sparta, would not harm anypony.

Celestia, at first, was hesitant to continue with the conversation. “Twilight, if you really do have proof, what is it?” She asked.

Twilight closed her eyes, and opened them again as she spoke, “Kratos and I talked through telepathy, as I already told you. I figured that since you put him to sleep, he would be conscious inside his mind. As if having a long, lucid dream. So I put my theory to the test, and fortunately, I could commune with him.”

‘Smart girl,’ Celestia’s lips curled into a small smile. “Very efficient use of telepathy. Carry on though, my faithful student.”

The unicorn looked reluctant to continue, but quickly shoved down any sense of hesitation. “Now, before this all happened, I looked through Kratos’s past by using a spell on his blades... after taking them without his permission,” She winced. “But, I figured that he is very ruthless. He will stop at nothing to get to his goal, even if it means killing the innocent. And, I understand that you needed to defend yourself, Princess, but Kratos was angered. And it was his rage that began his thirst for vengeance.”

“Why does he want vengeance?” The Princess asked.

“The God of War, Ares, tricked him into doing the unthinkable... and he... killed his wife and daughter.” She replied, ears folded down against her head. Even now, it was a slightly touchy subject.

Celestia looked a bit appalled at this set of news. Sympathy, perhaps? “And why do you bring this information to me? You’re not making things look better for Kratos...”

“That’s just it,” Twilight said. “I spoke with him recently. We came to an agreement, that in turn for his hands not being laid upon any pony violently without good motives, I would give him both his freedom, and work on a spell to return him to Olympus.” She was being careful with her words. Thank her mentor that she waited before confronting her. Twilight was practically a wreck after what happened- now, she regained herself. Got a sense of optimism going, a lot of confidence.

The Princess thought for a moment. “I’m not sure, Twilight. You’re talking about someone who could have greatly injured me, or even worse, ended my life. And what then? You’re planning on making a spell to teleport him back to his own world, which, is impossible. And I do not mean to underestimate your abilities, Twilight. You are an amazing student, but doing such a feat would require an astounding amount of information. And given how much magical power would be required, both you, I and Luna wouldn’t be enough.” The solar Princess closed her eyes a bit. The emotion displayed by Twilight was a bit worrying. “Not to mention- this is not proof. It is merely a promise.”

“And this is where the proof comes in. Kratos gave me his word.” The unicorn’s horn lit up. This was her trump card.

A projection of the white warrior standing in nothingness, along with Twilight sitting on her bed, came into view. “Kratos, you’re putting a lot at risk here. I hope you understand that.” Twilight’s projection said.

“I already know this. What is it you want from me?” The ashen Spartan’s ghostly figure asked. Kratos looked the same as ever to the Princess. Eyes narrowed, almost as if a permanent scowl was on his face. But, he did not seem angry. His voice certainly did not have an edge or angry tone to it.

“In return for your agreement to the terms, I will work as hard as I can to put together a spell that will be capable of returning you to Olympus.” Twilight’s figure said.

“What are these... terms...?” The figure of the Spartan wondered.

The figure which represented Twilight in the dream spoke, “Number one. You shall not bring harm to anypony, under any circumstances that have bad motives. Number two. If I manage to have Princess Celestia free you, you must NOT, and I repeat, NOT make an attempt on her life! Number three. Your blades will be given back to you if you are freed, but remember, using them in a negative manner will make you guilty of breaking the first term. And finally, number four. You must apologize to both Princess Celestia and Rainbow Dash for your actions.”

Kratos’s left eye twitched. “What!? You want me to apologize? Your friend was in my way. It was her fault for causing me to get her out of the way!” The apparition of Kratos raised his hands, the scowl now replaced with frustration. “And furthermore, your ruler is a worthless, patheti-”

“KRATOS!” The physical manifestation of Twilight interrupted the former God of War. “Do you want to be free or not? Princess Celestia is more than deserving of your apology. You tried to kill her, for pony’s sake! Not to mention the guards, who were just doing their job!”

The Spartan looked so angry, that Twilight thought he’d explode. But, he growled, gritting his teeth as he somehow managed to calm down. “... Fine! But don’t expect me to be happy about it...” He then thought, ‘I’d sooner be raped by a chimera than apologize to those undeserving-’

“Kratos, I know it’s a lot. But you know, this is a negotiation. Is there anything we can do to offer and maybe make things easier? A home? Maybe a chance to date a pony? I know it’s been-”

“WHAT?!”

“Well, I did study things,” Twilight’s manifestation retreated back a bit. “I found out that stallions do get cranky when they don’t release tension...”

“HAVE YOU GONE MAD?!”

“Well, you’re not married, and I know that there are other ways to release rage than just violence. Shouting into a pillow, pottery-”

“Are you offering yourself?”

“Of course not! Okay, maybe...”

“Why?! Is it that you have feelings for me?”

“Not romantic ones! I just said date!” Twilight opened her eyes wide, the look on Kratos’ face was one she thought she would never see. His eyes had opened wide, and his mouth was open in a cringe. “Well, from the stories from your world, satyrs, centaurs, and other half-human half-beast things exist. I figured...”

“Back to the negotiations!” Kratos insisted. The hurt look on Twilight’s face made him release a sigh. “I can see about the other... rage-releasing methods.” She was still pouting. “I still love my wife and daughter. Until my vengeance is obtained,” Kratos lowered his head to look at his arms. “This ash remains.”

“I understand... but, do you agree to the terms?” The unicorn asked, obviously hiding her emotions (as best as she could). The poor unicorn had formed an emotional attachment, one she had yet to acknowledge. Witness to his pain and plight, she had placed much of herself into his life.

“I do ask for a few things. I do require a-” Kratos stopped himself from saying home. ”- place to rest. I eat meat and drink wine. I am a soldier, a Spartan. I need to train, and be left in peace as well.” Kratos raised his head, relaxing his posture. “But keep me away from your so-called rulers."

Twilight’s apparition nodded. “I... I’ll see what I can do for you. You may have to follow our other laws as well. Though I think they will make Fluttershy your caretaker.”

“Who?” Kratos asked.

“Fluttershy... she’s a friend of mine. I say this because she lives close to a dangerous forest. You should be able to hunt there, if I’m not mistaken. But... one thing to keep in mind,” Twilight’s expression turned to one of slight reluctance.

“What?”

“Have you met her? Yellow pegasus? She is incredibly shy, hence her name.”

He shook his head. “Oh, great...” Kratos facepalmed. “Caretaker?”

“Yes, but I said think. I don’t know that. But, she would be your caretaker because she’s, well, in my opinion, great with animals.”

“Are you calling me an animal?”

“Oh, n-no! I just--”

Kratos stared Twilight down. “... Okay, that may have been what was implied, but I didn’t mean for it to come out that way, h-honest!” ‘I also think you could use a bit of kindness, more than any other...’ She thought to herself.

“... I’ll let it pass.” Kratos made a hand gesture. The realization that ‘ponies’ would want to date him almost broke his mind. Especially Twilight, given what they've been through 'together'. Though, an odd thought did occur to him. Why did she help? What was her sake in this? If he had to get down and dirty with a pony... screw it, he’s done worse things for blood orbs.

“Now, down to the conclusion... do you agree?” She asked finally.

“As long as I get what I need in return, or, a majority of it, then yes... I do.” What choice did he have?

The images faded, and Twilight’s cheeks were basically on fire.

Princess Celestia’s face was absolutely priceless- jaw slacked in shock and slight revulsion as to what she just heard.

“You... heard him?”

“Sister?” Luna, who came into the room recently, raised her eyebrows, waving a hoof in front of Celestia's face. Not a flinch. “Twilight?” Luna asked.

“Yes princess?” Twilight tried to figure out what was wrong.

“What kind of dreams do you two share?”

“Nothing strange! I swear! I just learned about his world!”

- - - About 10 minutes later...

Princess Celestia finally snapped out of whatever trance-like state she succumbed to. “Huh? That was... very... strange,” She said. “I didn’t know you had feelings for... him.”

“So... what do you say? Y-you got enough proof, right?” Twilight asked with puppy-dog eyes.

Wait. Feelings? Of course she did! He was her friend, right?

Riiight?

The Princess of the Sun sighed. “I suppose I can let him free...” Dark thoughts plagued her mind momentarily, reminders of the Black Death. “... as long as he follows your conditions, and our laws.”

“When can we set him free?” Twilight asked eagerly.

“Whenever you are ready. Luna, did you have anything to say?” Celestia looked to her younger sister.

“Oh, no. We were merely intrigued by... I mean, I was merely intrigued by this illusion put forth. I wanted to... investigate, if you would.” She said with a nod.

The elder sister nodded. “I see... well then, let us go. Luna, would you like to come?”

The younger sister bobbed her head up and down excitedly. “Yes yes yes!” She then got some strange looks from both ponies. “I... mean, of course.”

So, the trio began their descent down to the depths of the castle. Where the prison was located. “This place,” Luna said. “You never told me about it... why?” She asked as the walls of reinforced stone lowered themselves, one by one, until the dark chamber at the long end of the hallway was visible. In it, hung Kratos. His motionless form was still covered in the bandages, which were slightly ‘soaked’ with dried-up blood.

Using her magic, Celestia peeled off the bandages. She winced as she saw Kratos’s insanely scarred skin - practically every inch of him was covered in scars, save for his hands and feet. Somehow, the bandages kept his body from dehydrating or losing too much muscle mass. The Princess looked to the two of them. “Are you sure about this, Twilight?”

“I am most certainly sure about this.” The unicorn replied. She sported a smile that went beyond squee.

“If you say so.” Celestia hesitantly lit-up her horn, and cast the awakening spell. Kratos’s form shot up, and relaxed, head hanging down.

Both Luna and Celestia released the restraints, and Kratos fell to his knees. Before he hit the ground, he was caught by a familiar golden glow, and softly rested on the ground.

The Spartan slowly opened his eyes, and looked up to see three faces. One was blue, and excited as a child on Nightmare Night. The second was purple, and happier than ever. And the third one was white, and full of concern, maybe even slight fear and uncertainty.

“Are you okay, Kratos?” Was the first thing he heard Twilight say.

“Twilight? Yes... I’m... fine.” He choked out, coughing a bit. While in the bandages, he could breath just fine. But shit, his throat was dry! “Though... I... could use a glass of water.” The Spartan demigod said as he stood up, stumbling around a bit. The smell of this musty place did not help. Still, it was better than Tartarus at the very least.

Twilight let him place a hand on her back for support. “Come on, let’s get you out of here...” She said, helping him walk. “Are you sure you’re okay, after all the damage you took?”

Celestia finally chimed in. “And, Kratos, I am sorry for what I had to do.”

The unicorn nudged Kratos, who rolled his eyes. “... And I... am sorry as well...” He mumbled lowly.

“Pardon?” Celestia cocked her head at him.

“He’ll tell you when he’s abl-” Twilight was interrupted by the white warrior.

“I’m not... repeating myself. I said it once, that’s all I promised.”

“I see. What did he say, Twilight?” The unicorn’s mentor asked.

“He apologized for making an attempt on your life, Princess Celestia.” Twilight explained.

- - - Soon After...

Kratos, the God of War. Ghost of Sparta. Champion of the Titans. God Slayer. Lord of Vengeance, has returned to Equestria.

The first thing on his mind: “What is a date?”

He thought they were those dried fruits at first. Then he thought she was referring to the date as in, today, tomorrow, etc.

“You don’t know what a date is?” Twilight asked. Kratos was sent back to Ponyville with his blades, which had a special little adjustment put to them, for ‘extra precautions’ as said by Celestia.

Now, he was drinking a glass of wine, supplied in crates by a pony named ‘Berry Punch’. Bless that pony, bless her. He was sitting on a disproportional couch, in Twilight’s living room. The lower floor of the library to be exact, watching the unicorn read books. “No...” He picked up a book, looking at it momentarily, clearly showing he wasn’t really paying attention.

“Kratos, a date is where two ponies or more, go out together in a social event to find out if they are compatible in a romantic relationship. Typically they go to a restaurant, a theatre, maybe set up a picnic.” She explained.

The Ghost of Sparta raised a brow. “Oh? So now the word has three meanings...” He rolled his eyes.

Twilight giggled as she studied teleportation magic. Kratos was going to be staying at her home until everything got figured out, with where he was going to actually stay. “So... I was wondering. How does death work back in your world? You’ve clearly managed to escape it more than once.” She asked.

“The Hands of Death rise up to claim you as their prize, and pull you down to Tartarus. You can escape by fighting your way through the hundreds of arms... climbing to the top. It’s not that it isn’t a challenge. But, the Titans resurrected me. That is how I managed to escape.” Kratos answered.

“Ah...” Twilight wondered if she was not drunk enough for that answer to make sense.

“Is there anything else?” Kratos asked, before taking a sip of his wine again.

“No, not right now. It’s... getting late.” Twilight turned to look at the night sky. Luna’s moon was already overhead. “We should sleep.”

“I’m not tired. You can sleep if you wish... I need to walk.” Kratos said, taking a bottle of wine from a crate which was beside the couch, and standing up.

“Okay... just, be back before midnight, please?” She asked.

“I won’t promise anything...” The Ghost of Sparta walked out of the door.

Twilight sighed, and walked upstairs, to her bed. She laid down on it, and closed her eyes after snuggling up in the covers. A smile appeared on her lips. A good deed had been done this day.

Kratos began his small journey after shutting the door, taking a swig of wine. He looked at the moon. Luna had done an impressive job, decorating the sky with stars. He sighed, and continued on. His body was much better now- he recovered, for the most part. One would think that with broken spine bones, he would be paralyzed. But miraculously, he wasn’t.

Just dumb luck, I guess. Or how long had he’d been under that spell?

And so, he continued to walk. Through Ponyville he went, looking at the still-open shops. Some of the shop owners’ jaws dropped when they saw Kratos walking by. He ignored them, for the most part. They gave him weird looks, when they were still open in the middle of the night. Weirdos.

When Kratos left Ponyville, he walked to the top of a hill, where an apple tree was. The hill overlooked a massive orchard, a farmhouse just barely in sight. ‘They must harvest apples...’ Kratos thought rhetorically. The memory of him running across this land to reach Celestia still fresh, he could not recall seeing the sheer amount of tranquility this land had.

Boring.

His stomach suddenly growled. The Spartan sighed, leaning against the tree. He took another long swig of the wine. He was enjoying it- it wasn’t like what he was used to. It wasn't too strong, not too weak. Not too bitter, not too sweet either. It was balanced.

Deciding that taking one apple couldn’t hurt, he reached his hand up, and plucked one of the plump fruits from the tree. He took quite a generous bite of it, it was crisp, juicy. Juice from the apple ran down his face, onto his neck. He smirked.

“Now what in the name’a tarnation d’ya think you’re doin’ out here at this time’a night, pickin’ my family’s crops?” A female voice suddenly called out.

Kratos looked around, and finally spotted the mare in question. She wore a stetson hat, having an orange coat. A trio of apples were on her flank. “Wait ah second...” She almost went pale as she recognized him.

“Sweet Aphrodite...” Kratos moved to stand straight, looking down at the pony. “You’re wearing a hat!”

“Uh... yeah, Ah am.” Applejack said, rather confused. “Ah thought that you would’a been banished from Equestria or somethin’.” Her face twisted a bit, her eyes narrowing at him.

“What is your name? You know of me...” Kratos raised an eyebrow, trying to remember if he met her. He recognized the voice. The voice, the voice...

“Uh... i-it’s Applejack. And what’re ya’ doin’ on my family’s orchard?” She asked, trying to get down to business.

“Dear Applejack, your fruit is the food served to Gods of Olympus. They are succulent, and their color is astounding.” He looked down at the fruit. It was truly one of the best things he ever tasted. “Their juices are a match for any wine.” He turned to look at her, taking yet another bite out of the apple. “Almost as intoxicating as yourself.” Kratos had to stop, the wine was starting to get to him.

The look on Applejack’s face.

Bazinga! Way to play it with your words, Mr. Kratos!

“Well shucks, thank ‘ya... Car-Toes, was it? What’s your name?” She cocked her head at him.

“... It’s Kratos.” He pronounced his name slowly, so that she could understand.

“Ah see. Well’en, for takin’ my family’s product, y’all earned yourself ah bit’a work.” Well, there goes getting yourself out of it, Kratos! “You best be comin’ ‘round here tomorrow, ‘ya two-legged rascal...” She then walked off, towards the farmhouse in the distance.

“Why was she up at midnight in a-...” He then sniffed the air. Both eyes opened wide at the smell of... oranges? Pears? A lot of fruits that were not apples. “I’m too drunk, I’m smelling things...” He groaned. His nose was burning for some reason.

Kratos decided to go back 'home'. He was drunk, after all. At least, though, he could stand. And see fairly clear.

As Kratos walked back into Ponyville, he saw something bipedal standing beside him. His vision blurred, he looked over to it. Staring at the blurred, black and robed figure for quite a few seconds, he dismissed it with, “I’m seeing things...” Before walking off. He could feel eyes on him, but he ignored them.

A small echo of a deep, growly cackle made him look over his shoulder. The figure was gone. Kratos took his blades out, trying to stay as alert as possible, even though he was intoxicated. “Strange...” He continued on. No smells, no tracks, no sign that anything had been there.

Once he returned to Twilight’s home, he opened the door. Bracers removed, which held his blade’s chains, setting them on the end table to look around. This was his second time here, though Twilight had shown him her place many times in dream speak. He laid down awkwardly on the couch, and shut his eyes.

‘How long... will it be. How long... will it take, before my thirst for vengeance returns?’

Bonus:

“Bonbon!” Lyra pointed with a hoof. “It’s a human!”

“We know Lyra. Big deal.”

“But ponies...”

“Let it go Lyra, no one likes a ‘I told you so’.”

“But--”

“Look, if I help him bang you later, will you feel better?”

Squee.

Author's Note

"All of my stories run on my theories, and my ideas. If you have a problem with them, move on, and have a good day. If you don't like it, don't read it. It's as simple as that.

"If you spot any grammatical problems, tell me. If you spot any punctuation problems, tell me. If you have a problem with the plot, I'll give you this and this only: It's my story. Not yours. If you want to happen, write it yourself, or stop bugging authors to make a story that they enjoy writing, into something that you would enjoy. In other words, your ideas are your ideas, and my ideas are my ideas. Don't try to force anything down my throat, or another's. Write it yourself, or it isn't going to happen."

ZTB

Chapter 2: First Impressions are Always the Worst

Dreams.

They are funny things at times. They are ways to remember. A bridge to the unconscious mind. Inhibitions are lost, the true self revealed. But also, they are terrible nightmares, plaguing a person by their guilt or past failures.

Kratos woke up, looking around. Apparently he’s not tormented by dreams, being caught in a dream state for days on end. In fact, he’s had the best sleep in years. Was that due to the wine? “I lust for flesh,” he mumbled. “Tender and soft flesh,” he mumbled. Twilight’s eyes narrowed into dots, looking at his face. “I would lick it clean, and use my bare hands to tenderize it...”

“Stop talking!” Twilight shouted. “Wake up!”

At the sudden yell, Kratos fell off of the couch he laid on. Smacking his head off of the floor. He held his head in his hands, groaning. “Ugggh...”

“Sorry! Sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry!” Twilight rushed to help him up, but he shooed her away. Clumsily, he got back to his feet, now sitting on the couch.

Who knew that you could get a hangover from wine? Drink responsibly, Kratos.

“What...” Kratos moved to sit up, his left hand moving to rest on his bald head. After looking around and remembering where he was, he looked back down at Twilight. “Were you looking at me sleep?”

“Like I haven’t been doing that in your dreams the last few days...” Twilight rolled her eyes. “You need to wake up. It’s morning, and there is much to do before we can get your new home.”

“Truly? Such as?” Kratos relaxed his eyes and stood up. The sooner he could give Twilight time to search for a spell, the better. And some real food. Spartans rarely ate fruits and vegetables. Already, he could tell his muscle mass had shrunken somewhat.

“As you recall, part of the deal was that you tried some anger reducing techniques. My research indicated that a good way to relieve rage was work.” Twilight found herself calming down, glad Kratos was at least trying to listen to her words.

“I’m not dating you.”

“That’s not work!”

“It should be...”

“Kratos!”

“What work could I possibly do? I refuse to work under Celestia’s pathetic guards.”

“My brother was a guard!” Twilight pouted, her cheeks puffing out a bit. Kratos wondered what was making Twilight so angry. She already knew his stance on the issue. “I was talking about a job in Ponyville. While we agreed to grant you a resident status and land to live in, you still need a form of income.”

“Then that is even more embarrassing.” He retorted, before remembering last night. Applejack, that worker mare. She told him to come around today for something.

“I got breakfast ready!” Spike called out from the kitchen. “Oh hey, Kratos is up. Hope you like haystacks.”

“I know not what those are. Tell me, am I free to find my own employment?” The Spartan asked. He looked away from the kitchen entrance and back down to Twilight.

“Really? You already thought that far ahead?” Twilight asked. “Where did you have in mind?”

“Some strange pony with a hat told me to come to her farm, if I can recall it correctly.”

“Applejack? Why would she ask for you?” Twilight questioned.

Kratos shrugged. “I doubt I can remember, but it was something important.”

The unicorn looked to the door. “Well maybe you can just... ask her...?”

“What?”

The front door opened, revealing a perky Applejack. “There y’are, Kratos. Ah was lookin’ all over for ‘ya. Now get up off’a your flank, ‘ya got some work ‘ta help me with.” The cowpony said, smiling. Kratos raised an eyebrow at his possible employer. If she was looking for him, why did she look so happy? Reminded him of a predator.

The Spartan sighed. “Well then, I’ll be going...” He said, before standing up and walking out of the door with Applejack. “So. This work,” Kratos started. “Will I be payed for it?” He asked.

Applejack looked to him. “Well, if’n ‘ya work hard enough, Ah can slip ‘ya ah few bits an’ such. Ya only took one apple from what Ah saw. A day’s work for just an apple is barely enough to pay me back.”

“No, I am actually looking for a source of income. You mean to tell me a single apple is equal to one days worth?!”

“Now ‘ya see, ‘ya can handle business...” Applejack smirked. “Now we haggle.”

“For pay?” Kratos begun to growl a bit. “So be it, farm mare. Do I get gold from the amount of work, or the same for a whole day?”

“Huh. ‘Yer actually civilized? You are jus’ confusing me...” Applejack confessed. “Thought ‘ya were just some barbarian.” Applejack chuckled, walking along the road with the Spartan. Ponies were giving them weird looks.

“I ran an army. They were paid. But some soldiers were paid by kills, and others like cooks for the day. To not know how to pay an army would be stupid,” Kratos explained. He wasn’t the God of War for nothing. Kratos turned to study the town as they walked, getting a better view now that the sun was out. Was this really how a land could look without war?

“Is that so?” AJ raised a brow, and Kratos nodded. “Well. Ah hope ‘yer up for some physical labor. ‘Ya look like ‘ya could be ah great help, with all of the muscle ‘yer packin’.” She chuckled.

The Ghost of Sparta merely raised a brow, saying, “It depends on what you mean by physical labor.”

“Buckin’ apple trees.” She replied.

“... What?” Kratos misheard her. “You fornicate with apple trees!? That’s disgusting!”

“Huh?! No! What in th’ name’a Celestia makes ‘ya think that!?” She exclaimed, slightly baffled. She stopped walking, lifting her head to frown at the ‘man’. Sweet Celestia! Was buck a word for rut to this human?

“Well, either I must have misheard you, or you said that you had sex with apple trees.” Kratos argued.

“We do not have sex with apple trees, for the love’a Celestia. We buck the apple trees,” AJ made a demonstration by bucking the air. “So that the apples can come down.”

“Wouldn’t that bruise them?” The Spartan asked.

“Please don’t talk like that around mah family...” The mare requested.

“What? The sex or the bruising?”

“What d’ya think? The sex, ‘ya rascal!”

“Shameful, how they flirt,” Time Turner said. He and Ditzy Doo were walking side by side when they heard the Spartan and the mare. A few other ponies started to look at the two.

“That’s flirting?” Ditzy asked. “They sound like an old married couple...”

“Maybe... maybe we should speak about this at the farm.” Kratos decided.

“Ya think?”

The God of War rolled his eyes, and they continued to walk to the farm.

- - - Twenty Minutes of Walking Later...

“Now behave yerself, you understand me?” Applejack whispered to Kratos sternly.

“Yes, yes, I understand you...” The Spartan sighed in annoyance. Today was going to be a long day. “Show me to your plentiful orchard, so that I may get started with this... apple-bucking...” He requested.

AJ nodded, and walked into the beautiful orchard. Well, to Kratos, it was nothing more than boring, two-dimensional scenery, but still. The Spartan followed along.

“Alrigh’, here’s yer first test. Just ‘ta see if’n ‘ya can knock down ah few apples.” She smirked, tapping her hoof against a tree. “Ah want y’all ‘ta kick this here tree, and make some apples fall outta it.”

Kratos nodded. “Simple enough,” He then kicked the tree. Nothing happened, just a few leaves shook in place. He furrowed his brow.

“Just ah bit harder, there.”

So Kratos complied. Nothing happened yet again, save for the rattling of the branches.

“Harder.”

Whack. Nothing.

“Harder.”

Crack! Nothing again.

Kratos was starting to get a little bit agitated.

“C’mon there, Kratos. Ah know ‘ya can do better than that, ‘fer pony’s sake! Harder!”

His left eye twitched. “I’ll show you ‘harder’!” He replied angrily, smashing his foot into the tree.

Breaking it in goddamn half! The top of the tree, heavy with fruit, fell down. This in turn made the splintered part of the tree snap and cause even more splintering. Wood chips exploded from the impact, and the sound of the tree falling resembled more of a sickening thud than a tree being chopped down.

Clap... clap... clap... clap. That’s one way to do it, Kratos! Woo! Way to go, you blundering IDIOT!

Applejack just stared at him, absolutely dumbfounded by what just happened. Her face twisted into one of anger as Kratos walked over to another one. “Don’t you even think about--”

‘Twas too late. The tree was already in half, apples and branches and wood chips going everywhere.

“Ah oughta tan ‘yer darn hide! That was Zeus! The mightiest of the trees in the whole orchard! ‘Ya might as well’ve kicked him in the apples!” She rushed over to the fallen tree, inspecting the damage. “Zeus! Talk to me!”

Kratos shot Applejack a look, that could only say; ‘The hell are you talking about?!’.

“‘Yer gonna pay! Believe you me! Suck ‘ya dry! Ya hear me!? Ah’m gonna take all’a ‘yer bits!”

“Oh...” Kratos looked left and right, having misunderstood what suck meant. Ponies had a lot of definitions for one word, that much was for sure. And it was funny, considering he had no bits in the first place. “How am I supposed to pay you back, without having any money in the first place!?” Kratos demanded.

“Well Ah don’t know, git lost’r somethin’! Ah sure as hay can’t have ‘ya wreckin’ mah orchard like y’all jus’ did!” AJ yelled. “Zeus was our pride an’ joy! He was as old as Granny Smith!”

“So how then, shall I be expected to repay this? You are the one that told me harder!”

“AH DIDN’T MEAN THAT HARD!”

- - - Meanwhile, at the farmhouse...

“Oh mah gosh! Bic Mac, ya hear that? Applejack’s in heat!” Granny Smith said.

“Eeyup.”

“About time Ah get great grandkids!”

- - - Dear Christ, back to the story.

“If'n Ah didn’t wanna break mah hooves against 'yer thick skull, Ah’d buck 'ya 'inna next week!”

Kratos couldn’t help but laugh, his arms crossed. He hadn’t laughed in a long, long while. It was strange.

“What’s so darn funny!!?” AJ demanded.

“I can’t take you seriously with that damned hat on!” Kratos smacked his knee, bending over as his laughs died down to a chuckle.

A crimson blush shot across Applejack’s face, and she looked away from him. Taking her hat off, she said, “Alright! Can ‘ya take me seriously now!?” She asked, looking back to him.

The Ghost of Sparta stared her dead in the eyes. Applejack stared up at him, refusing to back down. The frown and anger in her face was apparent.

“Kratos!”

“Twilight?” Applejack asked. Both turned to look at the purple unicorn as she called out his name. “Why brings ‘ya by sugarcube?”

“Kratos left without eating, so I brought some lunch! I know it’s early, but I figured better deliver it at least so I can study later,” Twilight trotted up to them with a smile. ‘And to keep Kratos from destroying everypony.’ She thought to herself. “What happened to the tree?”

“Kratos happened to the tree.” Applejack rolled her eyes.

“Applejack, what did you do?” Twilight narrowed her eyes a bit.

“What?! Why is this mah fault?”

“Kratos doesn’t just break stuff without a reason...” Twilight frowned. She knew that much at least.

“Why are ‘ya takin’ his side!?”

“I’m not taking sides! I’m just getting your story side first. You must have done something to egg him on, or else he wouldn’t have... did he really just do that with a buck?”

Kratos sighed. “It was my fault for striking the trees that hard.” He admitted.

Applejack smiled, though she was still upset. “‘Ya see? Ah told ‘ya so.”

“AJ, nopony likes an ‘I told you so’, but I see... I think I have a solution.”

“Truly?”

Twilight nodded. “Kratos can compensate for the damage by taking your shift. Does that not seem fair?”

Applejack grew a devilish smirk on her face. “That seems more than jus’ fair, sugarcube.” She chuckled. “He’ll take my shift for washin’ Granny Smith!”

“Gross...”

“She has hot flashes, Ah should warn ‘ya!” AJ chuckled.

“Fine. I shall do this,” Kratos walked off, not caring it seems. Though they didn’t know, Kratos had taken care of animals before. Many times in fact, in war he had ridden horses.

“That Kratos sure has ah long way to go, sugarcube...”

“At least he’s trying, AJ. So, what do you think?”

“Ah'd let him work here more if he could get some darn anger management.”

“Why?”

“Are ‘ya kidding me? He can kick that hard when he’s sick?"

"How'd you know that he was sick?" Twilight asked.

"Jus' look at 'im." Applejack gestured to the man who was walking away, eyeing him up and down.

"Applejack, he damaged your--"

"Imagine him when he’s healthy!”

“... I can see that...” But Twilight really didn't want to.

“Jus' imagine all'a that muscle an' energy directed at buckin' an apple tree. Ah bet he'd clear the whole dang orchard in ah week!” Both mares shared a laugh. "He'd make ah good farmhand, but until he learns not 'ta... destroy property, Ah'd recommend keepin' him away." Applejack recommended.

"Good idea... I am keeping an eye on him, after all. Fluttershy was a bit too... terrified when I asked her if she'd watch over Kratos, unfortunately." Twilight sighed.

To say Kratos was fine would be a lie. Now, he may have looked as though he was absolutely fine, but think about it. He slept for almost a year without moving- this caused muscle reduction. Stacked up with the lack of protein, he was sick. The lack of exercise, everything.

He walked along the dirt road back to Ponyville. Maybe he should try to get a job away from the crazy mares. This ‘Fluttershy’ sounded like she could be a good fuck.

Kratos had been wondering about things on his walk. How long it would take before he could return to Olympus was one thought. And another was, did he really want to go? Of course he did. He wanted nothing more than to drive his blades through Zeus’s heart. But he wasn’t thinking that at the time. What if it took Twilight a few years to develop the spell? What if he went, and ended up dying? What if he never went back?

Would the relationships he could have built up in Equestria be for naught? Would denying said relations be worth it? If that was so, he would have to guarantee someone - or somepony - that he’d come back alive. And he couldn’t make a promise. He couldn’t.

He let out a sigh. He was thinking about it too much. Kratos would just have to trust Twilight with this. In the meantime, maybe Twilight was right- maybe he should find a way to get rid of his anger.

Once he reached Ponyville, he was followed by this white-coated mare, with a frou-frou mane and tail which were purple in coloration. Kratos looked to the mare. “Is there something bothering you?” He asked in annoyance.

“Oh my, no no no, darling. It’s merely that... piece of dingy cloth you’re wearing.” She seemed to pay more attention to his skirt than the man himself.

“Why not hire an artist to paint you a portrait? It shall last longer, wench.” Kratos spat.

The mare gasped. “How dare you! I was merely going to offer my assistance in refurbishing that dreadful excuse for a piece of clothing, but since you are so rude, you are undeserving of my time!” She walked ahead of him with a humph.

Kratos ignored this, and continued on with his day. What was he doing anyway? What was he going to do? That much, he did not know. With a sigh, he sat down on a chair, which was in front of a small table. Both belonged to a cafe, but Kratos merely wanted to relax.

A stallion with a moustache, a slicked-back mane and a tuxedo walked up to him. “What is your order, sir?” He asked.

“Hmm?” The demigod looked to him. “If the water is free, I will take a glass of it.” He replied.

“Of course sir.” This stallion wasn’t like the other ponies- he was mature, obviously professional. In the sense that he could get over the fact that you were an entirely different race, yet still treat you as a customer. He walked away, and soon came back with Kratos’s requested glass of water. He levitated it onto the table. “There you are.” He said, before walking off.

The Spartan idly sipped from the glass, thinking over what he should do today. Least he could get drunk tonight. This ‘work’ Applejack did not suit him at all. If he did stay, what would be his place in this realm? He briefly considered multiple things, but none really suited him. There were no wars going on, no true outlet for his bloodlust, which he knew would return eventually. All of this thinking was really working him up. He never had to think over and over and over like this.

Well, he could masturbate to relieve some of the stress. Like it’d do much.

That would be like shaving a cube of ice off of the iceberg that sunk the Titanic.

“What if... just maybe.” He mumbled something to himself. What if they turned him into a pony? Or one of their women changed into a human? One trained in oral pleasure?

He didn’t know. The idle thought that it would be interesting dwindled in his head, but he quickly dismissed it as a temporary fit of insanity. Continuing on with drinking his water, he found himself continuing to think. He gripped the glass, harder and harder, until finally, it cracked.

Water spilled all over his skirt and chest, glass shards hitting but not damaging his rough skin. Snapping out of it from the noise, Kratos realized what he had done. He just sighed. What else could go wrong today? What in the name of Tartarus else could go wrong?!

He didn’t know. Oh, he just didn’t know.

- - - Meanwhile, at ze Castle...

Princess Celestia chuckled a bit, lifting her head up from the crystal ball she used to inspect Kratos’s progress. She had been nervous, this could honestly be called Kratos’s first real day in Equestria as a citizen, and he had yet so much to learn-

“Who’s there?” She called out, looking left and right quickly. She felt as though somepony was watching her. “Hello?” Soon, peace returned. The Princess didn’t need to worry.

For now, at least.

A smile cracked across her face as she returned to her work; writing a letter to Mayor Mare.

‘I hope Kratos likes this gift...’

Author's Note

"All of my stories run on my theories, and my ideas. If you have a problem with them, move on, and have a good day. If you don't like it, don't read it. It's as simple as that.

"If you spot any grammatical problems, tell me. If you spot any punctuation problems, tell me. If you have a problem with the plot, I'll give you this and this only: It's my story. Not yours. If you want to happen, write it yourself, or stop bugging authors to make a story that they enjoy writing, into something that you would enjoy. In other words, your ideas are your ideas, and my ideas are my ideas. Don't try to force anything down my throat, or another's. Write it yourself, or it isn't going to happen."

ZTB