Luna and Twilight exited the room, exhausted beyond belief.

“I didn’t think it would take that much work to fix a horn, usually you just have to keep it in place and the magic would reattach itself. Two days of healing, and she still hasn’t woken up.” Twilight said, nodding to Ares as they walked by. He moved back in front of the door, since they had asked he only let them in.

“Alicorn magic is unique. The fact that her horn had been disconnected for so long did not help.” Luna said, suddenly feeling very light headed. She tried to put a hand out to catch herself, as she started falling.

Her fall was suddenly halted, as she was picked up by a very large hand. She turned her head to see that Ares had grabbed her before she hit.

“Are you truly willing to throw away your own health for the sake of another?” He asked, setting her back on her feet.

“She is my sister, there are not many things I wouldst not do for her.” Luna replied, running her hands down her dress to remove the wrinkles. “We are surprised and thankful that you caught us. That took more out of us than we expected.”

“It would be rude to watch someone fall if you can catch them.” He said, as he turned and walked back in front of the door. “What exactly of my actions would deem that I am incapable of such actions though?”

Twilight and Luna both gulped, afraid of giving him an answer that would aggravate him. After a few seconds of awkward silence, Twilight decided to take one for the team.

“This is actually the longest conversation any of us have had with you, and after the incident at the funeral it just doesn’t seem appropriate that anything that revels in so much blood would be capable of gentleness.” She said, her hands shaking as he locked eyes with her.

“I see. Isn’t it rather wrong to assume that because I fight, I am incapable of being gentle.” He said, leaning back against the door frame. It creaked slightly as it took part of his weight.

“It’s because you enjoy fighting so much that we assumed so. It is unnatural here for anything to fight on a battlefield as you do, then act like you are off the field.” Twilight said, letting out a breath she wasn’t aware she had been holding.

“I am a very unique individual.” Ares replied.

“How do you stand the bloodshed, if thou art gentle in thine heart?” Luna asked.

“What would you do to guarantee the future survival of your entire world?” Ares asked.

“I would give my life to protect our subjects.” Luna replied quickly.

“I have to agree with Luna. For the sake of this world, I would willingly give my life protecting it.” Twilight said, relaxing as they talked.

“Exactly. I traded my life in servitude for the protection of my world.” Ares replied.

“I hear a story behind that. Is it one you wish to share?” Twilight asked.

“It isn’t one that you could stand hearing. An end to a war that was destroying my home.” Ares said.

“A very somber agreement if ever one existed.” Luna said, a little depressed at what little he actually said.

“It is one I made to prevent the genocide of my people, by our own hands. One I would make again every time if I was asked.” He said, effectively ending the conversation.

“I hope our own world never gets to the point that such a deal is necessary.” Luna said, turning to leave.

Twilight stayed behind a few seconds, before moving to follow after.

“Do not forget that Prophet arrives tomorrow. The trial will happen, regardless whether or not she is awake to defend herself. If it comes to it, you will have to defend her in her place.” Ares said, reminding her that the end is almost here.

“I remember. Let’s hope she recovers by then, since her magic is healing her now.” Twilight said before leaving.

I said might. I’ve been gone from his side for a year, so I can’t exactly guess what his choice will be. And it’ll be influenced by the rest of the tribunal as well.

“So thou hopes you will be able to affect the final judgement.” Luna said as the light floated in front of her.

“He has been very forthcoming so far about everything, even in roundabout ways. We just have to trust that what he says will happen.” Twilight said, following Luna through the cavern. Just a week ago she had been down here with Celestia, and life had gone to Tartarus since then.

You opening the door is just a formality, and to save a few of your guard’s being injured when I leave.

“See, forthcoming.” Twilight said, an awkward laugh echoing down the tunnels.

I was going to get out of here anyways, either by you bringing me out or by Prophet destroying this mountain to get to me.

“We understood thee the first time. You are valuable, and our lives are nothing compared to thy recovery.” Luna said sighing.

“How about we just get him out before something worse happens.” Twilight said, stepping between them in the conversation.

“Very well then.” Luna said, turning the last corner to the door. The guards all came to attention as they approached.

The same two captains walked up and saluted.

“We are going in to retrieve something. When we come back, we will have a third member. You are not to do anything towards it. Understood?” Luna said.

“Yes ma’am.” They both responded, before the day guard captain walked off.

“Off the record ma’am.” The night captain said, dropping his salute.

“You can talk to me about anything.” Luna said, a smile on her face.

“There isn’t anything alive in there. Where could you possibly get another pony from, when everything in there is inanimate.” He said.

“You should know that appearances can be deceiving captain, and I never said we were bringing a pony back out.” Luna said, stepping around him. She walked up to the door, her magic flowing around her. She placed her hands against the door like Celestia had, but it glowed with a deep blue rather than gold this time. The door creaked open slower, since Luna was already exhausted.

“About time you opened the door. I was starting to get impatient.” A deep voice echoed out through the door crack. All of the guards snapped into battle positions, spears and spells at the ready.

“Now now, I’ve been courteous enough to not drive you insane this past year. The least you can do is not threaten me.” The voice said, tutting at the soldiers.

As the doors finished opening, it revealed a slim, but very tall creature in what appeared to be a black three piece suit with a red tie. Looking up at its face, the first thing noticeable was a complete lack of it. Although it did have small horns growing outward from where its temples would be and a flowing silver skin.

“Stand down soldiers. This is the being we are retrieving.” Luna said, walking up to it. “You are Seed, are you not?”

“Of course I am. What else is down here that could pull off a three piece and horns?” He replied, bowing. The guards slowly returned to their normal spots, although they all kept an eye towards Seed.

“I would ask how you got out of Celestia’s shield, but I already know the answer. Are you ready to head to the surface?” Twilight asked, walking around the guards to stand next to Luna.

“It would be nice to see the actual sun, yes.” Seed said, pulling a fedora from behind his back and putting it on his head.

“Princess, I must voice my disagreement. This thing survived down here, and we have no idea what it’s capable of.” The day guard captain said, approaching them with his sword pointed at Seed.

“We are perfectly aware of his capabilities. The least of which would be the massacre of everyone in this room, save myself and Twilight most likely.” Luna said as she and Twilight turned to the captain. The moment they weren’t looking at Seed, a seam formed across the lower portion of his face.

It grew more defined, until Seed opened it like a mouth to reveal shark like teeth in a grin. The captain’s blood ran cold as a voice spoke in his head.

Ah, poor Gilded Shield. How would your wife and daughter’s cope with the fact that daddy died a preventable death, had he kept his mouth shut? Actually, they wouldn’t find a trace of you left to say whether you had died or just disappeared. The rumors would get out that you abandoned them. Poor Lotus Bloom would fall into a deep depression, eventually taking her life and leaving both Lily and Rose all alone in the world.

Captain Gilded Shield found he was incapable of speaking, as the image of exactly that went through his head. Over and over, he watched it happen a thousand times over the course of a few seconds. He watched his Lotus kill herself, changing with each vision. One time she hung herself, the next she was in the bathtub with her wrists slit, and the next something even worse.

Would you rather I stay, and that lie become truth, or let me leave and never have to deal with me in your lifetime?

“I’m sorry I spoke up Princess. I would like to retract my previous statement.” Gilded Shield said, doing his best to keep his hands from shaking.

“Your opinion is important, it is simply that the circumstances surrounding Seed here are very special.” Luna said. “We will be taking him up to the castle now. If you wish to check on him later, you are free to do so before you leave for home.”

Yes, we can have a nice talk about your children. Little Rose is going to be very proficient in color changing magic, and Lily is going to be quite capable with shields. You would do well to get them accepted to Celestia’s school.

“For now though, we should get him back upstairs for the tribunal. If Princess Celestia isn’t awake by the time he arrives, it’ll be up to me and you to defend her.” Twilight said as she started heading back for the cavern exit.

“It is easiest to hide in darkness, when the light is so bright.” Seed said, as he followed after her. The doors creaked closed as the threads of magic flowed out of them into him.

Author's Note

Sorry this one took so long to get out. The next few chapters won't be uploaded quite as fast as the previous ones though, so be prepared to wait a few days between them.

This is for quality reasons, and cause life likes kicking me while I'm down.

Oh, and if I have any artistic people reading this I would greatly enjoy seeing you guys draw Seed in his suit. I want to see how you guys visualized him.