The New Steed

      The celebration in Ponyville's town square was now in full swing. Pinkie Pie had gone all out in decorating, and placing up banners to commemorate the event that was now being called: 'The Miracle in the Mines.' All the ponies that were part of the rescue effort were there, now letting go of their fatigue and lament that had struck them earlier. Drinks from Sweet Apple Acres private cellars were being passed around freely, and laughter echoed from both near and far. There were however a few fillies that did not seem to be completely caught up in the festivities. Even though they were the guests of honor, the Cutie Mark Crusaders seemed a bit more down trodden, despite their close call.

   "I'm an idiot," Apple Bloom scoffed at herself. Her head hung low, looking down into the still liquid that filled her untouched drink.

   "How many times are you going to say that?" Sweetie Belle asked as she placed her own now empty mug to the table. She then waved at a pony who was carrying a drink platter on his back, signaling that she needed a refill.

   "As many times as it takes me to realize what a truly dumb idea that was I reckon," the little bow wearing filly responded.

   "Yeah well." Sweetie Belle interrupted herself as she took the mug of fresh cider that was sat in front of her, and she quickly took it up to take a large swig. "You can keep saying it all you want to. We all knew what you had with you. We all knew what you were going to do with it. It's in the past now, just let it go, and be happy we made it out alive."

   Apple Bloom was about to say something to counter her unicorn friend's point. Scootaloo was the one to speak however, and what she said made both of the others get a wide eyed grimace. "I, I don't think we did make it.," The Pegasus said, all the while looking up into the sky. She didn't notice the looks her friends wore, she wasn't sure she cared. "I could fly," she continued as she followed a few clouds across the sky with her gaze. "Where I was, I could fly. And I mean not just fly like a normal pegasus either. I was fast, way fast. I was the fastest in history." She took in a big sigh, then exhaled as her eyes started to gloss over just a small amount. "Rainbow Dash was there too. She was so proud of me," she then let out a giggle, though it was not one of happiness. "It's fading away now, but I think I remember her saying that she was glad I was an orphan. She was happy that I didn't have a mom. Cause if I did, then she wouldn't be able to raise me like a daughter." She then looked at her two stone silent partners, revealing that a single tear had managed to run down her cheek. "I was happy."

   Both Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom just sat there for a moment. Each of them were trying to comprehend what their forlorn little friend was trying to convey to them. In a way they knew what she was saying, in their own minds they could remember only clouded images of places that seemed to wonderful to explain in detail. However, neither of them for some odd reason thought it relevant to bring it up. "Didn't you two feel something? Anything at all?" Scootaloo asked in a quivering tone.

   "It was just a dream Scoot," Apple Bloom said as she finally took up the mug with the cider in it, and made a long pull from it.

   "Yeah. You took a pretty big bump on the noggin when the cavern came down. Bet it scrambled your brain up pretty good. It was just a dream, like Apple Bloom said." Even though Sweetie Belle was trying to lighten the mood to the best of her ability. It didn't seem to have quite the effect that she was hoping for.

   "It wasn't!" Scootaloo yelled as she slammed her hoof to the table. The out burst not only knocked her own mug over, but  made others shake in their places. It very much drew the attention of all those around them. It was Apple Bloom that was going to take the head of the conversation, and try her best to calm Scootaloo down. She did not get a chance however, as Pinkie Pie was quick to recognize a possible flaw in her perfect, and largest party to date, and was quick to intervene.

   "Hey, hey, hey!" the pink Earth Pony shouted as she dashed quickly to the table the three were sitting at, coming to an abrupt halt so fast that it caused a dust cloud to form behind her. "What's with all the frowning fillies? This is one of Ponyville's most super duper, ultra bombastic parties ever! And it's all in your guy's honor! So let's quit the frownin, and get to downin. Lot's of free cider that is!" She gave the trio a large wink, hoping that her somewhat amatuer play on words would get the smiles she was hoping for. Though much to her dismay, none of the fillies let their muzzles show a sign of cheer. Scootaloo even rolled her eyes, then pushed her chair away from the table with a sound of annoyance before trotting off. "Oh," Pinkie huffed as she watched Scootaloo walk away. "Guess I shouldn't have said bomb huh?"

*****

      Hiding in a dim shadow of a building, Dinky stood. She didn't know why she was trying to conceal herself from all the ponies that were dancing, singing, all in all having a good time. Perhaps it was more of her just wanting to be left alone for a while. Ever since she and Samael had saved the three fillies from the cave in, she had been accosted continuously by pony after pony on how he did it; or how she did it, the kind of magic she used. Add onto the fact that Samael had left just as soon as the girls were safe did not help matters either. She just figured it was another one of his odd lessons on how she would have to deal with situations by herself.

   She tried to move to him; like the way she had moved before off of that mountain top. It wasn't working now however, and no matter how much she tried, she couldn't get to him. She felt as if she could go any where she wanted to, even to places she had never seen, or heard of before. She just felt like with a simple thought she could be any where she wanted, but she really only wanted to be in one place, and that was with Samael. That's when she saw her three friends arguing over something at their table. She saw Pinkie Pie try to console them, and she saw Scootaloo race off away from them. She was about to step out of the shadows to try to find out what was wrong, but something quickly froze her in her tracks.

   "Hey D," Samael said as he stepped up beside his pony companion.

   "Sammy!" Dinky shouted as she turned around, letting her large golden eyes go wide with excitement, and joy. With a quick bound, Dinky raised herself up on her back hooves, while at the same time, wrapping her front legs around his waist in a tight embrace. It was a move that caught Samael off guard to be sure. However, he did return the gesture by gently placing both his gloved hands on the tiny fillies head and neck.

   "What brought this on?" he asked with a chuckle as he gave the top of her head a fast scratch.

   "Oh nothing. I just missed you is all." Dinky then stepped away from her friend by returning to all fours so she could look up at him. "I tried to come to you. You know, like I did in the cave? It's not working like it did then though."

   "Ah," Samael said with a laugh. "Well, that's because I was in a place you're not really ready to go to just yet. Not now anyway, but soon enough." This made Dinky contort her snout into a slight grimace at the thought of him not letting her go somewhere. After the mountain, and being able to move from there all the way to Ponyville, she was getting used to the idea of being able to go where ever she wanted. "So anyway," Samael said as he placed his hands in his pockets, all the while looking out into the town before them. "How's the party going?"

   "It's fine I suppose," Dinky answered, taking on a pseudo serious demeanor like he would carry sometimes. "Everypony is having a good time. They are all really happy about what happened today. Well, some of them are." This made Samael raise an eyebrow at her last comment.

   "Oh? There are Ponies that don't like what we did?" He asked with an odd looking, and twisted grin.

   "Well no, it's not that really. I mean," Dinky just sighed as she tried to explain, though she got the notion that he knew all to well what was going on. That's when she looked at the two remaining fillies at the table. "I thought they would be happier you know? Now they just look really sad for some reason. Why aren't they happy Sammy?"

   Samael just looked to where Dinky was focusing her gaze; seeing both Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle there at their table. He took one of his hands out of his pockets, and slowly rubbed his chin. "Ah I see. Well that's too bad. I was hoping they wouldn't remember."

   "Remember what?" Dinky asked with dipped eye ridges.

   "Well, it is an odd thing. You see, sometimes when a Denizen is about to go to, That Place. They are over whelmed with an uncontrollable sense of joy, love, peace. Just a way of properly moving them from where they used to exist, to where they are going to exist," he stopped for a moment to take in a small breath, then let out a large exhale." But sometimes, sometimes they are not ready to go, and they come back to exist here. Now this next part is rare, but I have seen it happen. Sometimes they will retain just a small amount of where they were. And when they realize that they aren't there any more, they can go into a depression I call: Paradise's Lament. Unfortunately the girls there are going through it now."

   "Aww," Dinky moaned out as her bottom lip jutted out from her jaw. "That's so sad Sammy. Will they get over it? Or have I like really messed up their lives?" This made Samael let out an amused laugh, and clap his hands together.

   "Don't worry D. They are in a bad place now. But just like a hazy dream, they will forget all about That Place. They'll be just fine, trust me." He gave the little Unicorn a quick wink, one that made her smile.

   "I do you know," Dinky said with a suddenly deliberate tone. "I trust you Sammy." The two exchanged a warm smile after that. Then a small silence before Dinky spoke up again. "So umm, That Place. have you seen it? What's it like?"

   "Have I seen it?" Samael repeated with a slight laugh. "No, no I have never seen That Place. Well, not yet anyway. It is something that is only reserved for those that have spent all the time they were allowed here to go to," he paused for a moment, as if a thought suddenly popped into his head. "That reminds me D," Before continuing, he knelt down to one knee, and even leaned over further so he could look the small filly directly in her massive eyes. "What we, what I did today. You have to promise me that from now on, no matter how hard it is, no matter how much you want to. You will never do what I did today, okay? The balance must be maintained, the price for breaking it." This made him pause again, only for a second. "It is just to high. And I never want to think of you having to be the one that pays it. Will you promise me this?"

   "Well sure Sammy!" Dinky quickly agreed with a long smile on her muzzle. As if she were doing nothing more but saying she would clean her room, or do some other menial house hold chore. "Besides. I won't have to worry about it to much. I mean, you'll be here with me to make sure I don't mess up." After hearing this, Samael had to do something that he thought he would never have to do; swallow hard. It was the kind of swallow one would have to make to choke down a sudden outburst of emotion, like the ones he was feeling now. He knew he should tell her, he knew she deserved to know what that price was he mentioned. However, he knew today had been rough on her, and very soon it was only going to get worse. So against his better judgement, he remained silent on the matter.

   "Hey!" he said with an overly cheerful tone. "That looks like a fun party going on out there. You want to maybe join in? Perhaps try to cheer your friends up a bit?" This made Dinky turn her head away from him, and look out into the town for a few moments. She then turned back around, wearing a big smile as she did, as she nodded her head up and down.

   "Sure!" she said as she turned quickly on her hooves to make her way out into the crowds. She came to a sudden halt while looking over her shoulder. "You're coming too right?" she asked with the slightest hint of concern.

   "Why of course," Samael said as he grinned down at her. "If I remember correctly. I am the one who saved those little ponies from certain doom. I think I deserve some credit!" This made Dinky just let out a small giggle as she rolled her eyes at his words. The two then strode out together into view of any pony that was looking their way. This number was rather large to both their surprise, as their arrival was greeted with cheers, and the stomping of dozens of hooves on the ground.

*****

      "So, without further adieu," Mayor Mane said as she looked to the side of the stage. She had been giving her grand speech for well over an hour now, and many of the Ponies that were still there had been annoyed to the point of forgetting what the point of the speech was to begin with. "I give you: The Miracle worker himself, Saviour of our little Cutie Mark Crusaders; Samael!" A thunderous sound of dozens of hooves came as all the town ponies heard Samael's name being called. even the vocal cheers became greater as they saw the tall, and lanky black clad man come walking up onto the stage. As he took his place, Samael simply raised his hand, a gesture that brought the crowd to a sudden silence.

   "Thank you," he started with a happy grin on his lips. He looked out into the sea of multicolored Ponies before him, and couldn't help but laugh a little to himself. It was the thought of all these creatures giving him thanks, cheering his name, and wanting to be in his presence. It was comical to him as he knew how and when each one of them would come to their ends, and he wondered that if he just stood up there on the stage and told them their fates if they would react the same. Never the less, he shook off the morbid comedy that was playing out in his mind, doing so by just making his smile bigger.

   "It's odd you know?" he started again. "I have been around for much, much longer than many of you could comprehend. And yet, very few times have I been celebrated, or even asked to come forward and address a crowd. I think that is why I ultimately chose this place," He paused for a moment to look over at Dinky, who was now standing with her mother, and even the three fillies he had rescued from before. "Doing what I do, making the decisions I have to make. It is good to have some one, or some Pony with you that has what this world has an abundance of," he paused again, looking out into the crowds as all of his listeners stood wide eyed, with open mouthed smiles, waiting for his answer. "Heart, you have heart. There are many other Denizens of Creation that act like you, move like you, even look like you. But none of them I can say have the hearts you do. And for a thing such as me. It is good to be reminded that hearts like yours exist; at least every once in a while. Thank you."

   The roaring sounds of hoof beats and cheers bellowed out once again from the ponies. Pinkie Pie through what ever means had the fore thought to place several bundles of balloons hidden away; ones that she now let loose. She even had several party cannons stashed to the side where as soon as the cheering began, the cannons exploded, placing many buckets of confetti into the air. Samael gave one more final wave to the crowd, then started to walk towards the side. Something came over him then; a feeling that made him stop dead in his tracks. It was a dark presence, a kind of foreboding that washed over him like a titanic tsunami. It made his face contort into one of both shock as he snapped his head towards the still cheering Ponies, looking for what it was that made him feel in such a way. Then a sound came from the back that confirmed all that he had felt.

   It started slow at first; a deep intentional cackle. One that easily blended in with the crowds hollering, and applause. It then began to pick up speed, and started to over power the continuous cheers. It was then many of the Ponies started to take notice of the insidious sound, their cheers starting to fade as an ominous feeling of lament weaved itself through the unsuspecting party goers. Soon enough, the tormenting laugh was now all that could be heard at. All those in attendance had completely stopped their celebrations, and looked to the back of the crowds to see what, or who could be making such a horrendous sound. What they saw made many of them turn around quickly, and dash backwards at the laughing stallion sitting there on his haunches, slowly clapping his hooves together.

   "Bravo! Bravo indeed," Pestilence laughed out as he gave his hooves one more clap before returning to all fours. "Such lovely, heartfelt words. The passion, the conviction!" He gave a sarcastic snort after saying this, stepping forward into the crowd that had now started to all back away, creating a clear path to the stage. "It almost made me physically ill." The sinister smile left his face as he spoke these last words, turning into a long frown to state his true displeasure at Samael's speech.

   "You?" Samael said, his face still very much showing the disbelief at what he was seeing.

   "Yes, me," Pestilence slowly responded as the smile returned once more telling Samael just how happy he was to have taken him by surprise.

   In a sudden blink of an eye, Samael had vanished completely from the stage, only to reappear just as quickly only a few feet away from where Pestilence was standing. This movement made many of the Ponies watching in slack jawed wonderment let out quick gasps at the show of power. It was however a trick that left Pestilence unimpressed, and unmoving. It was now Samael's turn to let out a small chuckle of his own as he placed his hands into his coat pockets. "Well, I am surprised. You must have expended quite a bit of energy to keep yourself hidden away like this from me for so long. Just how long have you been lurking around this world?"

   "Long enough to make a few friends," Pestilence said with a boisterous snicker. He then let a corner of his mouth curl up into a vicious looking half grin. Another series of gasps came flowing out from the crowd, as without warning; Celestia, Luna, Cadance and Twilight Sparkle were now standing several feet behind Pestilence. They were also accompanied by a long table, one that was filled with the many items Pestilence had collected.

   "Twilight?" Applejack shouted as she; Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and even Fluttershy came rushing to the scene.

      "Stay back girls!" Twilight commanded, causing all her friends to come to a sudden halt. Each of the elements of Harmony looked bewildered at one another. Each of them looking back to Twilight for some kind of explanation. "This, thing is not what he says he is. He is dangerous!" Twilight said as she pointed one of her hooves at Samael, while at the same time giving him a stern glare.

   "That's not true!" Dinky's voice rang out as she darted from behind several ponies from the crowd to come right up to Samael's side. she was followed quickly by Derpy who had tried her best to stop her daughter from getting involved, but Dinky's resolve proved to be to strong for her. "Sammy is the one who saved the girls from the cave in. He even helped my Mommy with mean Mister Nails." She looked up at Samael, who in turn was looking down at her. The two exchanged a sincere smile, though it was abruptly brought to an end as the warming moment was interrupted by Pestilence's nails on a chalk board like laugh.

   "Oh you truly must be joking," Pestilence said in between his vicious sounding whinnies. "This is what you plan to replace me with? This, this child thing?" Once more he tossed his head back, and let a wave of gut churning sounds come from his throat that made all those in attendance save for Samael recoil.

   "I didn't want to you know," Samael said in a soft voice, one that made Pestilence come to a quick silence. "I had chosen you to be my partner. One that I planed to keep with me forever, and beyond that." He paused for a moment, only to look at the face Pestilence was making. He sighed out as he could see that even in this form, the malice shown through so well. "It really is sad just how old you have become. You let it all go to your head, the knowledge, the power. It has turned you into a corrupted vision of what all the Denizens think me to be. I remember when your laugh didn't strike fear into the hearts of any living thing that heard it. I remember when you weren't so cruel. And I am sorry for letting you fall so far."

   "Enough!" Pestilence screamed at the top of his lungs causing many of the ponies to have to cover their ears from the sudden boom of sound that just assaulted them. "Don't you dare try to speak down to me! I am not corrupt, nor am I old. You are just soft! You have let yourself start to feel compassion, and remorse for the souls we have to take. You let their constant whines, pleas and tears sink into you like a disease. One that tainted what you truly were." Pestilence let out a low chuckle as his mouth twisted into a tooth bearing grin. "You're just an impotent spirit now. You stopped being Death a long time ago."

   A crowd wide gasp rang out as Pestilence revealed Samael's true nature to the gathered onlookers. Even the five mares behind him started to look at him in a new light. Applejack the most however, as she now began to realize, and understand the unexplainable feelings of dread she had to fight off from the first time they had met. "This true Sammy?" Applejack asked, stepping forward as a stone hard glare came over her face. "Are you what this here Pony says you to be?"

   "Oh indeed it is Applejack," Samael answered, not once removing his gaze from Pestilence. "I am that, I am Death itself. I have been such since the beginning of all things." He couldn't see them, but he could feel several of the ponies in the crowd start to shiver in place as they let the concept of what he was finally set into their minds. Some stronger ones even found the courage to slowly start to back away from the scene at hand. Using whatever willpower they could to grab onto loved ones and start to remove them from the gathering as well. Even Derpy tried to scoop up Dinky, but the little gold eyed filly was having none of it.

   "No!" Dinky shouted as she once again wrestled herself from Derpy's grip. "Okay look! It's true alright," she said moving to the middle of the still remaining ponies. "Sammy is what you would call Death I guess. But he has taught me so much in just a short time.. He doesn't want to hurt anypony, he never did. He was just doing what he was supposed to do so those of us still here could be happy. I know that sounds weird, but it's the truth." Dinky could see that she had their attentions. She could see that they were listening to her. There was just nothing else she could think of to say at that moment to really make them understand.

   "And besides," a voice came from behind the rest of the crowd, causing all to look in the direction the little voice came from to see; Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo come walking up towards Dinky. "I know we sure were in a pretty big mess down there in those caves," Apple Bloom continued as she gave Dinky a quick wink. "I don't rightly think we would be here now if it weren't Sammy helping us out and all."

   "Totally!" Scootaloo added in, placing her leg over Dinky's neck. "I mean it is pretty cool for some pony who barely knows any of us to go down into a dark dangerous cave to help out some stupid kids."

   "Risking life and limb to save the day!" Sweetie Belle sang out with a small crack in her voice, standing up on her hind legs, and throwing her front hooves over her head to accent her shout. The four fillies all gave each other a long smile before Dinky spoke up again.

   "So please everypony. Don't judge him because of what he is. I know my Mommy, and even many of the other Ponies I have looked up to," she said this while looking at the five Elements of Harmony, and the four Princesses still standing behind Pestilence. "Have taught me differently," she finished, looking over to Samael who gave her a simple nod.

      "You're right about one thing though," Samael said as he turned back around to look at Pestilence. " I am not who I used to be, not by a long shot. Maybe that's a good thing, maybe it's bad." His own smile turned from heart felt and warm, to cold and vindictive in a blink of an eye. "Maybe I have become just as old as you. Maybe, just maybe, it's time for both of us to see what lies beyond. To finally go, to That Place."

   This made Pestilence's eyes go wide as he snapped his head back towards the four Alicorns behind him. "Now, now, start casting it now!" he shouted making the Princesses jump in place before scrambling towards the table. Pestilence then tried to whip his head back to catch what Samael was planing on doing, but it was far to late for that. Before the sickly looking stallion could react, samael was standing just mere inches from him, all the while wearing a long gnarled grin. Samael's hand came forward, and grabbed a hold of Pestilence's head in a crushing grip. Pestilence cried out as he felt the icy fingers of his former friend dig into his skull with a strength that could only be obtained by something as ancient as Samael. Though Pestilence's own power proved strong enough to stop his head from being crushed like a melon right there, he was not anywhere near close enough in tune with those strengths to make Samael let go.

   Like a tornado playing with a single feather, Samael raised Pestilence high into the air while still keeping a solid grip on the stallion's head. Pestilence tried to do all he could to free himself from Death's unbreakable hold, but he found himself as helpless as a mouse in a steel trap. Samael then let out a single chuckle before driving Pestilence into the ground with as much might as he could without causing the planet shattering earthquake that would have occurred if he had put everything into it. However, it was enough to cause the ground to shake, and a large billow of dust and dirt to spew forth as Pestilence's limp body made contact with the ground.

   Many Ponies started to flee at the sudden out break of violence before them. Many went slack jawed at the Human's abundance of strength as they saw him pick up a full grown stallion effortlessly with one hand. It was something they were not meant to understand, nor should they. While in these forms, it looked as if it was a normal stallion fighting with a Human. In reality however, this was just two extensions of a greater force coming to a clash with one another. It was only those that looked on that could simply not comprehend the larger picture of the two entities thrusting themselves at one another at this moment. Their minds would be safer if they just allowed themselves to see the Human, the stallion, and nothing more than that.

   "Just another sign of you getting old my friend," Samael said with a laughing exhale. "They say the mind is the first thing to go, you start to forget things. This must be true, cause you obviously have forgotten just what I am, and who you are dealing with." Pestilence was about to say something against the words Samael had just spoken. He did not get the chance however as he felt Samael's foot make solid contact with his rib cage. He let out a pained gasp as he turned into a living rag doll, one that had now just achieved the power of flight. Samael, the Alicorns, even the town before him started to rush away in a blur as Pestilence realized that he was now soaring uncontrollably through the air. Being propelled by Samael's simple kick, and trying to forget about the massive amounts of pain that was coursing through his entire being now. He realized that Samael was trying to get him away from the town, and that was something he could not let happen.

   Another cry of pain came out as Pestilence finally hit the ground. More rock, and earth came with him as he finally skidded to a halt, leaving a pony sized scar in the terrain hundreds of yards long to show just how much force was behind him when he hit. He was quick to his hooves however, and tried to start a run that would bring him back to his starting location. He found himself incapable of moving, making him look back to see that Samael had moved to his back side, and now had a large handful of Pestilence's tail in his hand.

   "Going somewhere?" Samael asked with a long, and narrow smile. Once again Pestilence was about to say something, but all that came out was a panicked yelp as he felt himself being pulled backwards, and into the air. Samael threw Pestilence in a high arch over his head, only to bring him down to the ground with force equal to what he had used the first time he slammed him to the ground. This time however, he did not let go of him. Using the stallion's tail as a lever, Samael lifted him up into the same arching slam as before, driving him into the ground again on the opposite side. This continual punishment happened over and over again; Pestilence being brought high into the air over Samael's head, only to be driven back down in an explosion of dirt around them. Then Samael made the simple gesture of extending his arm fully, and letting go of Pestilence's tail.

   Pestilence once again found himself air born. Flying away from the last location of his current beating, and even being at such an angle to see Samael waving as the black clad man faded into the horizon. The speeding bullet that was Pestilence now found himself in a forest. He knew it was a forest from the first tree that he smashed through that offered no help in slowing him down. Another tree fell, then another, then several more, each one easily being taken down by his great speed. Even large boulders, and small to medium sized hills had to give way as he passed through them. Much to his relief, he finally came to a pain inducing thud into the ground again. He felt his consciousness starting to slip away, and he knew that was the last thing he wanted. If he slipped away now, Samael would have full reign over him. At least in this form, with what power he had, he could keep his opponent at bay.

   With a loud determined shout, Pestilence jumped up to his hooves again. This time however he looked quickly behind him to see if Samael was there to launch another surprise attack. He wasn't there though, and Pestilence knew all to well what that meant. Without looking the stallion lunged forth, extending his hoof outward in a blind punch in front of him. while he was correct on where Samael was going to be, the only thing his attack served was to give Samael something to grab onto. Pestilence screamed out as Samael took hold of his hoof, and tried to make a fist while crushing the pony's hoof in his palm. Out of sheer desperation, Pestilence kicked his back leg upwards. His hoof made solid contact right in between Samael's legs, landing squarely into his groin area.

   With a coughing exhale that wanted to be an actual shout, Samael had no choice but to release Pestilence's hoof as he doubled over in pain from being kicked in a place he was not very accustomed to feeling pain. This was all the opportunity that Pestilence needed to take advantage of the situation. With a flurry of wild blows, the lanky stallion turned his front hooves into a whirlwind of punches, kicks, and bashes that eventually overpowered Samael, driving him into the ground. He had to fight off the urge to gloat over his fallen mentor, as he knew all to well he was not down permanently. That's when Pestilence mustered all the power he could, and vanished into thin air as Samael let out a slow moan.

*****

      As soon as Princess Celestia saw Pestilence get kicked into the air, and Samael simply vanish in chase, she knew that she had to do something. With a determined glare in her eyes, she turned to her fellow princesses and gave a quick nod. "Come my Ponies. We are going to bring this to an end," she said as she went walking up to the table, her horn starting to glow as several of the objects were lifted from their resting positions. Following her older sisters example; Princess Luna did the same. This was in turn followed by Cadance, and Twilight Sparkle.

   "Wait!" The Alicorns heard as Dinky came running up to the group, followed quickly by Derpy, and even the other Elements of Harmony that ran up beside Twilight. Dinky was about to go into a long speech that she had planned out in her head on what to say to Celestia when she had arrived here. Now however, as the four great Ponies looked down on her, all she could do was just revert back to asking a question that would have come along with her age. "Umm, P-Princess? You aren't going to do anything to hurt Sammy are you?"

   "Hush child!" Luna snapped, making Dinky recoil away from the dark Princess. "These are not matters that concern you. The well being of that, menace will be seen soon enough." Luna was about to add her own magic to the spell being cast. However, Twilight could not ignore the silent glares she was getting from her five friends.

   "Luna, I'm sorry," Twilight said, making the Alicorn of the Moon give her an odd narrow eyed look. "But I know these Ponies. I know Derpy, and Dinky. I know that she is a good mom, and if Dinky is involved with this Sammy. We should listen to her." This made all of Twilight's friends give her a series of smiles. Even Applejack gave her a friendly nuzzle to show her approval.

   "I see," Princess Celestia said. Her eyes staring blankly at the table before her, and the assortment of knick knacks hovering in the air. She let out a long sigh, then let her magic fade as she gently placed each item back into the place it had started from before turning to look at the tiny wide eyed filly beneath her. "Very well. What is it you would like to say little pony?"

   "Well umm, I just. Oh wait!" Dinky quickly stopped talking, then bowed down in a very formal manner like she had seen many other Ponies do when in the presence of the Alicorn of the Sun. Dinky then opened one of her eyes, and looked over to her mother while at the same time giving a quick kick with her back hoof to her mom's flank to show that she wanted her to do the same.

   "Hmm? Oh!" Derpy shouted as she too bowed in the same fashion as her daughter was. Celestia tried not to smile, as she knew the situation at hand was one of dire importance. She just couldn't help herself in seeing the small Pony before her try to act accordingly to whatever royal law she may have heard of in passing. Then making her own mother do the same was something that the Sun Goddess could not ignore as absolute adorableness.

   "Yeah, so anyway," Dinky started while coming back to all fours. "I really don't know what to say except, you know, I'm sorry." This made all the Alicorns get confused looks on their muzzles, and even look to one another for some kind of an explanation.

   "Why are you apologizing?" Celestia asked with a raised eye ridge.

   "Well, I'm just sorry that you didn't meet Sammy the way I did. If you had, then maybe this wouldn't be going on. I am sorry you had to meet that mean sounding Pony first." The little filly looked down at the ground for a moment while at the same time kicking at the ground with her hoof. "I know it's not nice to call somepony mean if you don't know them. But it's just, Sammy never asked any of us to attack any pony before. And it just kinda seems like that's what this guy is asking you to do." This caused a long silence to wash over the group. Each Alicorn getting more, and more frustrated at the realization that they had been manipulated.

   "I, I think we have made a terrible mistake!" Cadance said, being the first to break the silence.

   "I think so too," Twilight added, stepping up to her sister in law's side. Celestia looked at the two younger princesses, taking note of the determination that was now all to present on their faces. She then turned to look at her sibling, Luna, who too had a look of deep contemplation in her eyes. Luna looked as if she was about to speak, though instead she just gave Celestia a long nod.

   "Very well," Celestia said bringing the some what silent debate to a close. "It seems that we have been unfortunate, and blinded enough to choose the wrong ally. It is a mistake I take full responsibility for, and one I plan to remedy!" Each of the Alicorns, and all the other Ponies in the group got a refreshed smile on their muzzles as they all felt now banded together for a single purpose.

      With a primal yell that shook the very ground, Pestilence appeared directly in front of the plotting group of Ponies. This unearthly sound startled them to be sure, but it wasn't enough to make them give away ground on the new found purpose of helping Samael remove this creature from their lands. "You useless, pathetic mortals!" Pestilence shouted as he saw the Alicorns not working on the spell that he had instructed them to cast while he was being beaten half to death by Samael. "How dare you defy me!"

   "We are not your puppets Pestilence!" Celestia yelled as her horn became a blinding flare of light, and her wings extended to their full length.

   "We are the true rulers of this land cur!" Luna said, stepping up to her sister's side with her horn and wings mimicking the Sun Alicorn's actions. Following quickly behind Luna, and taking their place at each of the Moon Goddess's side; Twilight, and Cadance, each of them showing the same amount of anger and determination.

   "Now villain!" Celestia shouted, rearing up on her back legs. "Begone!" With these words, all four of the Princesses horns came to life with mind bending powers that seemed to warp the very fabric of the air they touched. All the Ponies that could stand to keep their eyes open at the display were stuck in awe at the four fold explosion of god like power that birthed itself at Pestilence's location. The essence of the Sun; the Moon, the power of Love, and the unbridled potency of Magic all came together in a swirling amalgam of unstoppable force that tore the area it spawned in asunder with ease. The Princesses all at once let their attack spells come to a halt, each one letting out long huffs from the expenditure of strength.

   After the effects died down, the only thing left in its wake was barren earth, and a crater that would make one think a meteor had just crashed. A satisfied smile came over Celestia's lips as she looked over the scene, seeing that Pestilence was no where to be seen. She could have only hoped that their spells resulted in triumph, and that he was very much gone. This sense of hope was dashed quickly however, as the sound of that infectious, and insidious laugh started to fill the air around them.

   "Godling magic," Pestilence said as he reappeared just on the outer edge of the epicenter of the Alicorn's attack. "Do not make me laugh." He then gave out a quick snort at the expressions of surprise and fear that had now rolled onto each of the Princesses faces. The sickly looking stallion gave out a quick exhale, as if he was trying to blow a tiny insect out from his face. The result of this was each of the Alicorns being hit by an unfathomable straight wind. Each of them let out a shocked scream as they were tossed like weightless dolls backwards yards away from where they were standing. Hitting the ground with a pained grunt. Each Princess was quick back up to her hooves, taking up a strong defensive stance to prepare themselves for the next assault; one launched either by them, or their enemy.

   "Leave them alone!" Dinky cried out as she started running in a dead flash towards the smirking pony who just let a long, and very malicious grin creep over his muzzle. Dinky got right up underneath Pestilence, and with all her might, jumped up with her front leg fully extended. Her little attack had all the power that a filly her size would allow, and caught her target perfectly right in his chest. The effect she was hoping for however did not occur, as Pestilence just stood there, looking down at the little purple foal. Dinky suddenly felt herself being grabbed a hold of, and lifted off the ground to where she was brought eye to eye with the now cackling Pestilence.

   "How very adorable," he laughed out in Dinky's face. "And very stupid. Here little thing, allow me to show just a taste of the power you thought you were going to obtain." Right after his words were spoken, Dinky let out a cry of pain as she felt her whole body being squeezed by a giant unseen, and all surrounding force. Pestilence was all to much taking pleasure in the cries of the little filly that would be his replacement. However, his personal delight was brought to a quick halt as he heard an enraged growl come from the distance. He turned his head just in time to see a pure grey cock eyed pegasus come flying at him.

   Derpy used everything she had in her, and plowed herself into the offending pony, committing herself to a full blown head butt into Pestilence's skull. The sheer force of the mare's attack knocked Pestilence into a daze strong enough that his attention on Dinky was abruptly stopped, and she was dropped to the ground. Derpy not letting the pain of her barrage affect her placed each of her front hooves into each other, lifting them high over her head, then throwing herself into him once again. "Don't," she yelled as her hooves came into solid contact with his snout. "You," she yelled again, this time bringing her hooves up to catch him right under the chin. "Ever," she continued, this time letting her back leg swing wide to make contact directly into Pestilence's head. "Touch," she shouted as she lept high into the air, and came down onto the back of his neck, driving him to the ground. "Her," she now screamed while she landed, and drove her hoof directly into the side of his now prone head. "Again!" One last hoof pound did the defending mother deliver into the foul creature that just made her child cry out in agony.

   Derpy stood triumphant over the cruel stallion that dared attack her foal. Her face contorted with a rage that she had never felt before, and her chest heaving from the massive amount of energy she just unleashed. Her face then suddenly shifted to shock as she saw Pestilence's eyes pop open. He lifted only his head, then let out a roar that nothing on this world would have the vocabulary, or mental state to describe. Derpy knew all to well that this was her queue to leave, so she lept backwards, while turning just in time to scoop up Dinky in her hooves. It was then, Derpy suddenly felt her body become wracked with pain she had never had the displeasure of feeling. She let out a tear filled cry as she felt herself being thrown mercilessly to the ground, but never once letting go of Dinky as she rolled to a stop.

   "Get used to that sound you little spec of worthlessness!" Pestilence growled out in a voice that seemed to have hundreds of other tormented screams hidden within its under tones. "After I am done with all of you. It will be the only thing you know." A sinister dark glow started to appear around the stallion's body now, and all those watching in horror could start to feel every fear they had ever dreamed of start to rise to the surface of their being. All but The Elements of Harmony who forced themselves through their own drowning feelings of dread, and jumped with threatening whinnies in front of Dinky and Derpy. Pestilence just let out a laugh, and was about to unleash an attack that would have been the end of all of them. He had to stop however, as he saw a look of both surprise, and relief come to their muzzles. He knew all to well who was behind him now, and as quickly as he tried to defend himself, he felt Samael's arm come around his neck like a crushing steel press. He was quickly yanked upwards, to where he was forced to stand on his hind legs, as every last bit of air was crushed from his body.

      "Whatever chance of redemption you may have had. I swear to you it has all just been washed away," Samael said in a voice much like the one Pestilence had just used to threaten the Ponies before hand. "Now you suffer!" Samael placed his hand on Pestilence's back. It was a simple action to those not knowing what was about to occur, but the soundless scream that Pestilence tried to emit showed that it's effects were unknown, but devastating none the less. Samael then started to slowly pull his hand away; what followed was the start of a dark, and thrashing energy, one that seemed to make Pestilence preform the same actions, trying desperately to free himself from the fate he was about to be given. "Not since the earliest of times have I 'Reaped' a soul," Samael spoke as he pulled his hand further, and further away. "I will enjoy casting you into eternal torment. I will laugh as you writhe in agony for the rest of existence, and beyond that. Among all the tortured souls that dwell with you. Each will take comfort in knowing that they do not suffer as you. Your screams of hellish torture, and pleas for forgiveness and release will drown out all those along side you."

   Pestilence felt it, he felt himself being removed slowly from this plane that he had existed in for countless eons. His former friend, and mentor was personally pulling his soul out from the balance, and placing it in the one place where the most evil of things dwell when they have been dealt with. He knew he could not move, as while it looked as if Samael was just holding him in place with just one arm; he knew all to well that what stopped him from moving was a power even greater than all the knowledge, and ancient wisdoms he had accumulated through out his being. He would not let this come to pass; he could not. With one last expenditure of strength, he called out to the one object that could give him any chance of being saved.

   Suddenly, the small metal flask on the table came to life. It sprung into the air, and zipped towards Pestilence with blinding speed. As soon as the small, mundane looking object came into contact with Pestilences heaving chest, a massive white explosion occurred. Both Samael, and Pestilence were tossed from one another; each one hitting the ground with pained exhales. Pestilence knew he could not allow a moment of rest to take place after being given this second chance. He jumped to his hooves, and located Samael who was just as quickly coming up to his feet. The flask was risen up into the air again, then was brought to where Pestilence was standing.

   Samael looked at the flask, then to Pestilence, and he knew all to well what was contained in the everyday looking item. "Life," he mumbled to himself as he snapped his head towards the Alicorns who were looking on in both shock, and awe.

   "I'm, I'm sorry," Celestia said in a whimper. "We, I didn't know. Please forgive us." Her plea was as heart felt as she could make it, and she was some what pleased when Samael just gave her a quick smile while shaking his head.

   "I am the one who should be sorry Sun Goddess. When we first met, I acted a fool. Even in my eternal pompousness did I think I could bring such troubles here. You have my apologizes." His attention was now brought back to Pestilence, who was now fully regaining his faculties. "Well Pest," he said with a laugh at the old nickname, now being used as an insult. You gathered the items I see. Just what were you planning on doing with them?"

   "Destroy you!" Pestilence cried out with a cough. "This right here is all I need. The spell I was going to have those pathetic Godlings cast was just to assure that I obtained all your power once you were gone."

   "Well then," Samael said as he lifted his arms to his side as a gesture for Pestilence to release his magic. 'You have one shot Old Steed of mine. Do you think for one second you have what it takes to destroy Death itself?"

   "Oh, I think we have already made clear you are not Death anymore," Pestilence said with a cruel sudden laugh. His head turned, followed by his eyes that were set in a dead glare at Dinky. Once more he let out his ear shattering scream, as the top of the flask was torn away. With the magic of the flask released, a brilliant white beam of energy came rushing forth, its target was the small filly who just went wide eyed as the speeding bolt raced towards her with threats to crush everything she was.

   Samael clinched his teeth as hard as he could to not scream out in the Ponies faces as he appeared right in front of Dinky. His arms wrapped around her, and his coat draped over her tiny body to further extend his protection. For a moment, Dinky thought all was well, but all she had to do was look behind Samael to see the long silvery beam of energy impaled deeply into his back. The energy finished its purpose, driving itself completely into Samael's body. He winched out in pain as his being took in the attack, making his whole body shimmer in the same color for a moment, then fade away. After this, his strength left him, and he fell to his hands and knees with a loud grunt.

   "Sammy!" Dinky cried out, tears already forming in her eyes from seeing what he had just done for her. She jumped up to her back legs, and wrapped herself around him in a tight embrace. Placing her head on his shoulders, she could see behind him, and see Pestilence now starting a slow walk towards the pair.

   "Now, where were we?" Pestilence said with a low foreboding chuckle. "Oh yes, your long, slow, and very painful destruction!" This made Dinky just squeeze her eyes tight, as she tried to think of anything that she could do to stop this from happening.

*****

      "Open your eyes D." This was the voice that Dinky heard. A soft and smiling command that made her golden eyes pop open, then widen in astonishment at what she saw. She was in a place of an ever expanding nothingness. There were no lights, no sounds save for her own breathing. Yet, she could see perfectly, and with a growing smile, she saw Samael looking down at her.

   "Oh Sammy!" she cried out as she leaped into his body, wrapping her front hooves around his waist in a strong, and powerful embrace. "I, I didn't know what to do! You fell to the ground. Then that mean Pony started talking. What happened?" Samael just let out a quiet laugh as he gently stepped away from her, and pushed up his glasses with his fingers.

   "I think we have a friend of mine to thank for that," Samael said as he made a nodding gesture with his head. Dinky turned around quickly, and saw a man that looked somewhat like Samael . His face was thin it its features, but his skin was soft, and full of life. He had bright blue eyes, and a full head of almost white blonde hair that was long enough to reach down to the middle of his back; though it was pulled completely back in a smooth pony tail. His suit was completely identical to what Samael wore, but his colors were of absolute white, with just a few highlights of light grey.

   "Who, who are you?" the filly asked with a tone of wonder. "Are you are a Human?" This made the two laugh out, as Samael reached down, and patted her on the head.

   "Well, he looks like one. Like me, he has many names. Now I call him 'Sore Loser' a lot. But you should probably just call him The First One. At least for starters." Samael then looked to The First One, and gave him a smile. "You helped us. Thank you."

   "Well with you down there breaking every rule in the book. Pestilence is using ancient procedures that should never be viewed by any mortal thing ever. I thought; 'Well, I might as well throw my hat into the ring too.' "

   "Umm, Sammy," Dinky interrupted. "Where are we exactly?" This made Samael, and The First One exchange a look, and a smile with each other before Samael knelt done to one knee to look Dinky in the eyes.

   "This place? Well, it's the beginning, it's the end. It's everything, and nothing. It's here, it's there, it's everywhere. And it is all these things all at the same time. This is a very special place that exists in between every place else. It was here even before Him and I. It will be here long after we are all gone." He paused for only a moment, looking up to The First One who just gave a small nod. "Now in this place, something very special exists. Something that is only here, and no where else." With that, he made a gesture by extending his arm outwards to where a single pillar of light shown down on a simple looking, glowing board.

   "What's that?" Dinky asked as she felt herself compelled to walk over to the hovering board. Upon reaching it, she saw the lines of color flowing through the top, and the many pieces that were moving seemingly by their own accord.

   "A game," Samael said as he joined the Pony's side. "But this game is like no other. It looks simple at first, but when you start to play you will realize that the things that happen here will reflect in all aspects of everything that ever was, is, or even will be. And not just in this Universe, but in ones already gone, and even the ones not yet born." Dinky blinked several times as what Samael was telling her tried to sink into her mind.

   "That's umm, pretty intense Sammy," she said, thinking that was the only thing she could say to express her thoughts on the matter.

   "Now," Samael continued. "This game doesn't have a lot of rules. What you have to understand is that you are not the player. You are not controlling the pieces themselves. You are only reacting to the choices they make within their own existences, and personal perceptions. What the real neat thing is about this game is: you cannot ever break the rules. The pieces can never be controlled. But you can kinda bend the rules, just a little bit. In doing so, you will set about a series of events and consequences that may take billions of years to come to pass. Or instantly," he shrugged at this last part, speaking as if it was just something to be passed over.

   Samael then let out a rather sad sigh, while at the same time lowering to both his knees, and taking the side of Dinky's head into both his hands. "Now listen D. I really wanted to be here and teach you how to play. But certain circumstances will stop me from doing that. So just take this advice: it is all about the heart you have, and pure common sense. You have both of those in abundance." Dinky's eyes immediately started to well up, and then a strong stream of tears started to flow down both her cheeks.

   "You have to leave now huh?" she said in a wobbling voice. "It's because of what you did for me in the cave. And stopping that Pestilence from hitting me with that magic. You have to leave because of that."

   "The balance has to be maintained. At all costs, you have to remember that Dinky." He then gave her a long smile, and opened up his arms as an invite to receive one of her hugs. It was something she could not do fast enough. Throwing herself into his chest, her front legs wrapped around as tightly as they could on his back, while placing her head hard onto his shoulder.

   "I love you Sammy!" she cried out, not once trying to stop the ever flowing tears from cascading down her face, and onto his suit.

   "I love you too kid," Samael said with a small laugh as he wrapped his arms around the tiny fillies back, squeezing her tight into him. "Remember D, you are everything I am, but you are everything you are as well. Be better than me."

   "Sammy?" Dinky said as she felt herself fall down to all fours once more. She painfully opened her eyes to see that what she suspected was true, he was gone; vanished away. For a few short moments, she let her self start to weep silently. Long tears falling from her muzzle to drift away into the void she now dwelled in.

   "Dinky," The First One said in a soft tone, making the filly open her eyes to see him standing at one side of the board. He pointed an open palm to the other side of the board, suggesting that she take her place at the opposing side.

   "Call me D please," She said as she took in a deep inhale, walking over to the side of the board, getting ready to accept the responsibilities it would now impose on her.

   "Very well," The First One said. "Now D. Do you see?" The question he asked seemed very vague to her at first, but as she looked down at the board, she could suddenly start to feel an overflowing feeling of understanding. The board expanded in her mind. It became any thought she let come to the top of her being. Every action that was taking place anywhere in all of Creation was suddenly hers to comprehend, manipulate, and foresee as she saw fit.

   "This is a very, very special day D," The First One said as the board started to shift its form, and several new pieces appeared suddenly onto its surface. "This is something that even I did not know would happen. A brand new player has stepped up to the game. So, I would like to celebrate this momentous occasion, by letting you make the first move. Now this move is very special, as it can be anything you want."

   "Anything?" Dinky asked as her glossy eyes got a kind of happiness to them.

   "Well," The First One quickly said in a calm panic. Realizing that he should not have just told a child she could change all of Creation in anyway she wanted. "Let's just try to keep things in check shall we? But, I don't see why a few rules can be twisted, just for a little while." He then got a long smile, and extended his hand once more towards the board. "Your move."

   Dinky got a very serious look on her muzzle as her eyes narrowed. She looked down at the board, all the pieces waiting for her actions, and what they would alter within the Universes they controlled. The look then became much less serious as her eyes began to dart from side to side, and her tongue suddenly popped out of the side of her mouth to show her intense concentration. Her horn began to softly glow, and one of the pieces slid around the board, following one of the prismatic lines.

   "Oh?" The First One said, placing his hand up to his chin. "That's very risky, but interesting as well. I like it. Let's see how it plays out shall we?"

*****

      "Now, where were we?" Pestilence said with a low foreboding chuckle. "Oh yes, your long-" He suddenly had to stop dead in his tracks, as his threat came to an abrupt halt. His eyes raced all over the scene in front of him. His head became a swivel, looking all around him in a complete circle. "Where are they!" he screamed, his demand directed at the remaining ponies, as Dinky, and Samael were now no where to be seen. "Answer me!" he commanded, pointing his attention now to Princess Celestia who just lowered her head, pointing her horn at him.

   "Right here Pestilence!" Dinky shouted, appearing mere feet behind him. This made the stallion spin on his hooves, and look at the purple pony who was giving him a rather intense glare. At first he started to smile, but the gesture turned into a straight lipped look of understanding as he gave the little filly a good looking over.

   "I see," Pestilence said with a low somber tone. "Went to that place did he? Well, I am just sorry I didn't get to watch him fade away. I am sure it would have been exhilarating."

   "Dinky!" Derpy yelled, she forced herself into a limping run to try to get to her daughter. Her actions were blocked though. Applejack, and Pinkie Pie were quick to hold her back as a way so that she would not get into Pestilence's line of sight, and get hurt worse than she already was. "Dinky, get away, run!"

   "Child, heed your mother's pleas! Flee from this place. Let us deal with this foul devil!" Luna shouted as she too tried to persuade Dinky to seek a safe haven.

   "Oh Dinky is it?" Pestilence said with a snide half grin on his lips. "Are you Dinky? Are you going to run and hide, sit back and watch me crush everything you hold dear?"

   "Call me D," the little filly said with a smooth voice, using her own smile to mock the one Pestilence was showing her. "And I will have you know it doesn't stand for Dinky. At least not anymore. Honestly, now that I think about it, I don't think it ever did." This made her smile grow to a more pleasant one. She thought back to when Samael first called her D, and now, it really did seem he knew why he picked that one letter to address her by. "Oh and to answer your question. No, I do not think I will just watch you crush anything at all."

   "Really?" Pestilence said with a blood curdling laugh. "And I suppose you and all that new found power that should rightfully be mine is going to stop me?"

   "Yes," D said in such a way it made Pestilence stop laughing all together.

   "Well very well little D. After I dispose of you. I will take my place where I should have been since the beginning!"

   "Then come. Let me take you to your fate," D said rising up onto her back legs, and holding out her front legs as if to accept him in an embrace.

   "Don't act so sure you little wretch!" Pestilence said as he turned into a flash. He raced towards her with all intentions of completely annihilating her where she stood. Every Pony there could only watch in horror as they saw the tiny little filly just close her eyes, and wait for the speeding stallion to collide with her.

   "No!" Derpy cried out as she shook off Applejack and Pinkie Pie. She took to the air as fast as she could, racing desperately to get to her foal before that evil creature could. She was to late however, she skidded onto the ground and let out a tear filled cry as she saw Pestilence smash into her daughter. Then, in a mere blink of an eye, both were gone.

*****

      On the same mountain top where Samael First took Dinky; Pestilence, and D stood. The clenched toothed, and heaving stallion looked around to survey his surroundings. He did not recognize where he was, but he did not care either. For it was soon after did he realize that he could not move, save for his head. That's when he noticed that the little filly that he had just tried to run down, was latched securely against his chest. Her front legs were wrapped tightly up onto his shoulders, as her head was snuggled into his coat.

   "What, what do you think you are doing?" Pestilence said with a shaken, and confused tone. "Let me go this instant!"

   "Shhh," D whispered out, only pulling herself harder into the embrace she had him in. The two just stood there in silence for long minutes, the high mountain winds whipping through their manes and tails. Knocking up long clouds of snow that drifted away into the horizon. Pestilence had no idea what this was all about, he just was using this quiet time to try to muster enough energy to break free from the hold he was in. "I bet it was hard huh?" D said, finally breaking the silence.

   "What are you talking about?" Pestilence snapped out, truly wondering what it was she was getting on about.

   "You know, you and Sammy. It must have been hard having to go what you two went through. I bet you two had lots of fun adventures together." After saying this, the little unicorn looked up and gave him a long closed eyed smile.

   "You haven't a single clue what we went through together!" he snapped again. Though he noticed that his harsh voice no longer had the effect on her like it did before. All she did was just stare up at him blankly, letting her massive golden eyes let him know that she wanted to know more. "Fine!" he shouted, once more trying to get a rise out of her, but in some way yielding to her unspoken request. "Yes, many grand deeds did we do together. we traveled to places that even the most divine mind could not begin to comprehend. We learned every secret of every Universe, keeping them in our pockets like trinkets. Every Denizen, every creature, mortal or God was ours to know and manipulate as we saw fit!"

   "That sounds pretty intense. What happened next?" The child like charm in her voice was palpable to say the least. Though in a way, it seemed to be getting through to this opponent of hers.

   "What do you think happened? He became soft, weak! We had opportunities to rule anything that we saw. I tried to explain it to him, but he just wouldn't understand!"

   "You think it was Sammy that changed?" she asked with a slight head turn.

   "Of course it was!" he snapped, giving her an accusing glare before letting out a frustrated sigh. "He couldn't see how things in creation worked like I could. All he saw was the duty of what it was he was, and that cursed balance. Him and that First One were just so content on just going on day after day, life after life, eternity after eternity. Never once wanting to know what else there was out there. Never wanting to see what else might have been if just one small thing might have changed."

   "So it was them that changed?" She asked as her eye ridges dropped a little with a smirk forming on her muzzle.

   "Well it definitely wasn't me!" he laughed out. "I didn't change, I wasn't the one that just sat there for countless ages watching that dumb board go through its motions over, and over, and over again."

   "Sounds to me like you got bored," she said, and then realized what she said as she noticed Pestilence giving her a contorted look of annoyance. "No pun intended," she added with a smile.

   "What are you getting at child?" Pestilence asked in a much calmer tone than what she was used to hearing.

   "Well, I mean, it just sounds like you weren't very happy with what you were doing anymore. And you just kinda started seeing all the bad things in your life. You couldn't change them, not the way you wanted to. And that made you angry."

   "Oh I see now what you are doing," the stallion said, then let out an amused chuckle. "That is clever, you are trying to get me to pass over aren't you?" The laugh he was using slowly started to turn back into the nightmarish sounds that she was trying to avoid. She knew at that point she had to try as hard as she could to make him see just what it was he had become.

   "Were you ever like me?" she asked, making him slap his mouth shut with an abrupt silence. "I mean not like me, me, not a Pony. But were you ever just a-"

   "Mortal?" Pestilence finished, who now had a morbid curiosity on what she was driving at. "Yes, I was mortal once, there were only ever two entities like The First One, and The Second One."

   "That's kinda neat." she said with the largest smile she could put on her tiny muzzle. "What's your name?"

   "My name?" Pestilence repeated. He tried to think on the subject for a moment, but D blocked his train of thought.

   "Yeah you know, your name. What was your name before Sammy showed up? You know your name don't you?"

   "Of course I do!" He snapped down at her. "It has just been so long. I know I still know it." He hadn't noticed yet, but D had let him go now. She was standing on all of her hooves, and was just looking up at him with large unblinking eyes.

   "What race were you?" she asked, making the gears in his mind turn even faster now. "What was your mother's name? Who was your father? What was your world called? Friends, brothers, sisters? Were you a boy, a girl?" Once again, he did not take notice of the fact that with every question that she asked him, she took a step forward, while he took a step backwards. Soon, he found himself on the edge of a cliff, where he had no choice but to stop and fight for what little ground he had left.

   "I don't know!" he cried out. A sudden, forlorn and defeated look came over his muzzle now, as he just slumped down on to his haunches. "I don't know," he whispered to himself as he raised his front hooves off the ground, and looked at them with his cold, and sunken in eyes.

   "Hrm," D moaned out as one side of her mouth twisted upwards. "I'm not very old or anything. But I would kinda think it would be hard to tell if somepony else had changed, if I didn't know who I was to begin with." The pair once again sat in silence for a few long moments, and it was finally Pestilence that broke it by letting out a long sigh.

   "I, I want to know who I was again. I want to remember why it was The Second One picked me to be his companion. I think we were friends once, a long time ago. At least I think I was." D let a smile come over her face as she looked up into his deep eyes, and saw a single tear start to form. "Oh no," he continued as that one tear was pushed down to his cheek. "I don't think I would have done these things before. I think I have done something terribly wrong. Where's The Second One? Where's my friend? I need him here now."

   "Shh," D said in a comforting tone as she stood up once again, and leaned into Pestilence to give him another long hug. "He's gone now," she whispered. "He is far away, but if you want, I can let you go see him. I am sure you two will have lots to talk about. All you have to do, is let me tell you your name." After saying this to him, it did not take Pestilence long to give her a simple nod.

   "Please, tell me my name," he said as he lowered his head to strengthen the embrace they were now sharing. D clinched her front legs around him tighter, as she leaned up and placed her lips as close as she could to his ear. She mumbled a small word to him, one that made him just take in a long inhale, then smile at what he heard.

   A long cold wind blew over the mountain top, and D found herself standing on the cliff now, alone. "They're not all going to be easy," she said to herself as she looked into the far distance, watching the snow drifts from the ever expanding mountains mingle effortlessly into the clouds that formed a flowing sea of white and silver. "You were wrong about that Sammy," she whispered out to the mountains and clouds. She did let a smile grow on her muzzle however, as she came to realize something that Samael probably did not want to tell her. "None of them are going to be easy." A sharp wind blew over the mountain top again, though now no one was there to feel it, as D, had vanished away.