Predilection: Eye of the Storm

Chapters

Predilection :CH2*: Stays On The Boat?
Predilection :CH3: Parley
Predilection :CH4*: Operation Dick In A Box
Predilection :CH5: Lionsblood
Predilection :CH6*: Sexcapades
Predilection :CH7: Fight and Flight
Predilection :CH8: Nestking
Predilection :*: Discord and Pals
Predilection :CH9: Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind.
Predilection :CH10: The Pillar
Predilection :CH11: Shadows of Sacrifice
Predilection :CH12: Aftermath
Predilection :CH13: Cast Aside
Predilection :CH14: Fetch Quest
Predilection :CH15: Rebirth?
Predilection :CH17: Raeleth's Fire
Predilection :CH18: Fate Unshackled
Predilection :CH 1: What Happens On The Boat
Predilection :*: A Simple Discordance
Predilection :CH16: Fate of the Damned

Predilection :CH2*: Stays On The Boat?

Night 1: Ike

I awoke to the sound of rapid knocking on my chamber door. Drowsily stumbling from my bed I unlatched it to find Flash Sentry. He squeezed past me, pulling the door shut and latching it. "Hide me!" He sharply whispered and dove behind my bed, pulling some luggage in front of himself.

I stood there in a tired daze, hearing another nock on the door. I slid back the latch and opened it to see Twilight. My tired mind registered enough that I didn't immediately give Sentry away.

"It's the middle of the night Twi."

"I know, but Flash Sentry was supposed to have night watch. Have you seen him, I need to talk with him."

I could almost feel his urge for me to lie about it. "No, I haven't. Can I go back to sleep now?"

Twilight gave one suspicious glance over me to view the room. "Yeah, sure." She sounded disappointed.

I closed the door as she nearly galloped away to continue her search. After a minute I turned my drowsy self back around, observing Flash extricating himself from hiding.

"Thank you so much, I am forever in your debt." Sentry spoke, receiving my full attention.

"Do you mind telling me what that was about?" I slowly rubbed my temple in an effort to remove the mild headache that had come upon me from being so abruptly awakened.

He opened his mouth like he was going to speak but noting came out. He paused to think for a few seconds before continuing. "Its a tricky thing... Did you know there's such a thing as a magically binding oath? Well all guards swear one, making it so they must protect royalty at all costs. It leaves us susceptible... Any other things we swear to an Alicorn must be upheld."

"Wait, did Twilight make you swear something?" I could tell by his roundabout way of speaking that this was more than it seemed.

Sentry opened his mouth as if to give affirmation but yet again nothing came out. He frowned. "Let's just say that if any guard swore to keep an event or conversation secret they would be physically unable to share it." His speach confirmed my suspicion; any attempts to directly tell me would be struck down.

"Is there a way to break it?"

"I am not privy to that knowledge, but thank you for your understanding. I need to be kept away from T-" he stopped as if struck mute, the one syllable uttered enough for me to know perfectly. "Kept away from an unnamed Alicorn unless in a public setting."

"Does whatever she made you promise effect the capability to perform your duty?"

"I am fit for duty in all ways, you have my deepest gratitude Ike." Sentry bowed and went to the door, opening it and peering both ways to see if the hall was clear.

"I'll just have to ask Twilight myself... Not tonight though."

~~~
The next morning:

"Kira, come with me." I spoke as I saw her. I led her to an empty portion of the ship, not hard with how little the number of ponies aboard was.

"What is it?"

"When you became an official guard did they make you swear an oath?"

"Yeah, it was part of some long pointless ceremony. Something about protecting the Alicorn royals."

"Hit me."

Kira obliged lightly giving my shoulder a hoof.

"Again, but with the intent to harm."

"What?"

"Just do it."

"Like good old times, huh." Kira shook her head and wound up for a punch. She paused with a quizzical look on her face, lowering her hoof. "I can't..."

I looked around the room, seeing a rusty old nail protruding from a beam. "I'm going to cut myself on this." I bluffed, reaching out.

"Your funeral, I hear lockjaw is a b-" As I got closer my hoof was blasted away from the rusted tip by a burst of wind.

I looked over to Kira, she looked at me with a confusion in her eyes. " I didn't choose to do that. It happened on its own."

I growled out in anger. "This has gone too far. You can't just put a compulsion on somepony like this!"

I noticed Flash Sentry peeking around a nearby corner to see if Twilight was anywhere near. I grabbed his attention and whispered in his ear. "Pretend you're going to attack me. I know you can't but I need to test something."

Kira looked at us quizzically, a glaze covering her eyes as Flash Sentry pulled a dagger and halfheartedly swung it.

Kira's magic flared up again and he was sent flying against a nearby wall.

"Shit, are you ok?" I rushed to his side, helping him up.

He shook himself off and gave a small wince. "Nothing broken, but I think its my turn for an explanation..."

"Its the oath we swore." Kira apologetically passed him the dagger he had dropped. "You couldn't have harmed him, but the compulsion as Ike calls it forced me to stop your attack."

"Is there a mirror on the ship?"

"I believe there was one on the wall of Twilight's chamber." Sentry spoke.

I immediately headed that way, the two trailing behind me.

"Why do you need a mirror? I'm pretty sure the tests you have done so far are good enough to show how screwed up this is." Kira spoke sounding irked by the theft of her free will.

"For a spell." I replied pushing my way into Twilight's unlocked room, she nearly dropped the book she was holding.

"Ike? What is it?" Her expression became uneasy when she saw Sentry enter behind me.

"Not now Twilight!" I looked around and found the mirror, launching a spell I had adapted at its surface.

In Canterlot a similarly enchanted mirror sparked to life, giving me a view of the royal throne room. “Celestia!" I gave a shout that reverberated through the ship, traveling through the scrying conduit I had opened.

Discord flew over and looked quizzically at my Image on his end. "Celestia isn't in at the moment, please leave a message after the tone."

"Where is she Discord? I need to speak to her."

"I think she's upstairs talking with Luna. By the way, I do like your adaptation of this spell." Discord placed a clawed hand on the mirror. "It's just needs a little chaos..." Discord have a quick snap and his arm shot forward, grabbing onto me through the mirror and pulling.

His taloned grasp pulled me towards the reflective surface. Instead of a collision I found myself in a quiet and lightless void, my only sense that could register anything was touch as I felt the steady pull of Discord. Suddenly it was all over, my perception returned in an instant as I fell.

Discord stepped aside and allowed me to fall to the floor beside him. He waved to the three on the other end with a mischievous grin. "Message delivered." He snapped and the connection between the ship and castle faded out. I pushed myself up, looking back in mild disbelief.

"Out the doors, turn left, second staircase in the third corridor of the north wing." Discord pointed, his arm bending at impossible degrees to illustrate. “The sisters should be there." He grabbed his arm and pulled it off, offering it to me.

"Um... Thanks?" I replied, grabbing hold of it and taking my first few awkward steps back on solid ground. I dashed out the doors and took a left, following Discord's claws wherever they pointed.

I quickly arrived at the top of the staircase, and Discord's limb flopped away. A guard quizzically watched as it tumbled down the stairs behind me. I quickly composed myself before opening the door.

Luna and Celestia stopped their conversation to look over. "Ike? How?"

"That doesn't matter. There's something that you've done that’s very wrong."

"Ike?" Luna sounded surprised at the way I was addressing Celestia.

"You're not free from blame either Luna, you let it continue without challenge!" I growled out, slowly loosing what little composure I had.

"What are you talking about Ike?"

"Guard!" I yelled and the guard from the doorway entered. "Give me your blade."

"As you wish prince." He passed his concealed knife.

I looked him in the eye. "I'm going to stab myself, do not interfere."

"You can't be serious?" He nearly gasped. I looked over to Celestia seeing by the expression on her face she now knew what I meant.

I turned the dagger and pushed it towards my chest, certain of what was coming. The guard did the unexpected, he was an earth pony so instead of trying to push the blade away with magic he went to intercept its path, leaping between me and the point.

"Enough!" Celestia called, halting the blade with magic. I let it fall to the ground, thankful that she had reacted quickly to the guard's sacrificial dive.

"This is wrong!" I yelled as the guard scrambled away, grabbing his blade and distancing himself to assess the situation.

"I did it for the survival of the kingdom."

"No, you did it because you're a coward!"

"I need to be able to trust my servants."

"By taking away their free will? By forcing them to sacrifice their lives?" I pointed to the guard who was still in the chamber to make my point.

"I made my choice."

"I have half a mind to stop you myself." I growled.

"Ike, please." Luna pleaded for me to calm down.

"I won't stand for this. Ruler or not you have no right to control ponies."

"I told you, Ike. I made my choice, and you will accept it." There was a warning in Celestia's voice.

"No."

"What?"

"I said no."

Celestia's eyes lit with a fire I had never seen before as her horn glowed out. I squared off against her, my body cloaking itself in a translucent blue flame as I reached deeply for my magic.

The guard held his head, seemingly in pain at the conundrum, who to protect?

"Stop!" Luna threw herself between us. "Sister, you must realize the truth. What you have decided and kept as tradition is indeed wrong. My bat ponies are free from the compulsion already, nothing bad has befallen from it."

"The people of Equestria love and trust you Celestia," as I spoke my flames died down. "You must show them your trust as well... Now, tell me how to remove this oath from my companions.

"I have ruled Equestria for over one thousand years... You are but a child in my eyes, yet you expect me to change the land to your every whim?

I looked away from her dismissively. "Luna, you said your night guards were free from any compulsions?"

Luna walked over to my side and faced Celestia. "Yes, and today sister I do not agree with your judgment. If you do not tell him how to remove the oath I will."

"Fine." Celestia nearly growled out, looking back to me. "But you will refrain from further questioning my leadership!"

"Only if I don't find anything else on par with this..."

~~~

I stood in front of the six assembled guardsponies on the boat, Discord having sent me back in a similar fashion. Much to Celestia's anger I had departed with a promise, more of a threat. I told her that if she didn't remove the compulsion from every guard by the time I returned that I would do it myself. Even Discord, who had been listening in, seemed surprised at my blatancy.

"By the might of Alicorn I free you from your oaths." Magic flowed from my horn as I spoke the words in conjunction with a special spell, my magic washed over the assembly. "You deserve better than what Celestia has granted. Trust, free will."

Kira walked over and swung a hoof at me, I swiftly blocked her motion.
"Its good to have my punching bag back!" She took a few more swings that I continued to dodge or block.

The other guards at first seemed surprised but then amused by her antics. It was a new and happy time until everything stopped dead the moment Flash Sentry tested his ability to speak freely.

"Twilight tried to rape me."

"What?" My vision blacked out, one of Kira's unchecked blows knocking me flat.

Twilight turned and galloped away, a terrible embarrassment thrown upon her.

"Well that's the first time I've punched out royalty..." Kira spoke as I got up, holding my head.

"What happened?"

"Not my fault fumblehooves, you completely dropped your guard."

"I could have sworn somepony said something about Twilight trying to rape them?"

"Yeah... That's me..." Sentry came into view, awkwardly pulling a hoof through his mane. "It didn't go anywhere, but she tried to order me to sleep with her."

"She ordered y- why?"

"She is obsessed with an alternate version of me from her time through the portal, she thinks that because she fell in love with that version that we are destined to be..."

"Dammit Twilight, Is everything involving romance about fate with you?" I shook my head. "When we first met she took it as fate, except I let her have what she wanted..."

"You had sex with Twilight?" Sentry asked.

"Yeah, plenty of times."

"If she has a mate then why is she after me?"

"She strongly believes in sharing..." I thought back to one of my earlier conversations in Equestria. " And I severely underestimated what I was getting into at the time."

"Wait!" Kira interrupted. "I thought you were with that pink one?"

" And Twilight, and most of her friends... Sometimes I didn't even have much choice in the matter, sometimes I gave in pretty easily.."

"Well, I guess I didn't give you much choice either, but it's not like you even tried to resist..."

"Trust me, by then I had given up all hopes on a slow paced relationship."

"Well, I guess I can't complain. It's pretty common knowledge that mares outnumber colts five to one here. I bet even Sentry over here has a lineup of candidates." Kira gently nudged him.

"Actually, mares don't... Um, catch my attention."

Kira looked stunned for a moment then stuttered out a huge laugh. "Wait, wait, wait, you're telling me that Twilight... Princess Twilight is after a gay colt?"

"I can only assume the alternate version of me didn't let Twilight know... Or shared a differing opinion than I."

"She knows now though?"

"Yes, but I don't believe it will stop her."

"Hey Kira, I'm going to switch you and Sentry. Twilight just got publicly shamed in front of everypony, so try and keep the others off her back. And, make sure this issue stays as contained as possible..."

"Cleanup duty, Really?"

"Sorry..."

~~
Night 2: Flash Sentry's quarters

Sentry looked up from the novel he was reading as his door creaked open. Funny, he was sure it had been latched. He got up and looked into the hall briefly before closing it again, pulling the latch to lock it.

A dark shadow danced across the corner of his vision and he wheeled around, instinctively grabbing for where his hidden dagger would be if only he was wearing armor.

Twilight emerged from the shadowy fog on the floor, eyes and horn streaming with purple and green energy. When her form had solidified she dropped the magic.

"Twilight? Did you just use dark magic?"

"Yeah, Celestia told me that I needed to understand every side of the equation. But I came here for a reason, something specific."

"Ah, I see. I give my sincerest apologies for shaming you in front of the guards, I wasn't thinking."

"That's a start, but not all that I had in mind." A magical glow accented the door, letting Flash Sentry know he was trapped once again.

"Twilight, you know we can't do-" Flash stopped, his gaze upon Twilight. A very particular part...

"I've been doing a little research with dark and chaotic magics... Do you like what you see?"

Twilight had leaned back against the wall and was absentmindedly stroking herself. Whatever magic she had performed had not only given her the member of a stallion, but a massive sack to match its amazingly thick girth.

"I... Um..." Sentry stuttered for words in his shocked state. Did Twilight really have it in her head that he would fall for her just because she had the parts? Sizable, scrumptious looking... No, he had to keep his mind clear.

"Come on over big boy, I know you want a taste."

Well she was quite persistent, that was one thing Sentry liked in his mate... "I... I can't do this." He stumbled backwards and his flank touched the door.

As suddenly as he had made contact he was thrown forward by the magic Twilight had placed on the door. As he pulled himself from the ground his mane rubbed against something. He opened his eyes to see that he had slid beneath Twilight, his head gently lifting her sagging balls.

"Mmm." Twilight gave a light moan as he accidentally stroked her shaft through his soft mane as he pulled away.

Sentry's gaze was filled by the massive tip as it slid down his face, a line of pre sticking to his cheek. Sentry crouched there beneath Twilight for nearly a minute, his gaze locked on the limb sized member as it pulsed lightly before him, practically daring a touch.

"So are you going to leave me hanging," Twilight spoke with a giggle as she wiggled her hips, making her member sway lightly.

Flash tentatively knelt below her and placed his other two hooves underneath as he inched closer, bringing the wide tip towards his maw. Sentry opened wide, his tongue rasping along the underside of the thick purple member as he attempted to take it inside. Due to its sheer size his jaw nearly couldn't take it, but somehow he managed. Twilight's eyes closed in pleasure as she felt the warm embrace around the tip of her freshly constructed girth, involuntarily giving a small push forward.

Sentry nearly gagged as the first third of Twilight's massive member rammed its way into his throat, adjusting his angle to better accommodate. Sentry gently bobbed his head, wishing in vain that he could handle even an inch more of this monstrous beauty. He gently stoked a hoof against the remaining two thirds of her shaft as his other free hoof glided across his own.

As Sentry bobbed his head a light sense of embarrassment came across him, not from what he was doing, but the fact that Twilight could so easily outclass him. The mere fact that a mare could have a member that put even the most virile of colts to shame.

As if she knew his very thoughts Twilight pulled herself from his maw, forcing him to his back with magic. As Sentry lay there a dark aura flowed around Twilight once more, focusing itself around the thick girth. Sentry's eyes widened as it not only grew thicker, but even longer.

When the magic was complete Twilight shuffled forward and draped her now gargantuan member across his body, the unsubtle weight pressing against him. Twilight stood at his hind legs and Sentry was surprised to find the head sized tip nearly in reach as it rested on his chest.

"Just maybe if I-" Sentry wrapped his legs around the massive girth, pulling it forward slightly and reaching his head forward to lap at the lightly gaping hole in the tip.

Twilight gave a surprised cry and her member squirted a glob of pre that spattered across his maw. As Sentry savored the watery goo his member pulsed, reminding him of his own need.

Twilight felt the light push on the underside of her member, grinning as she thought up a plot. Her massive girth pinned him on the ground, holding his erect member between his stomach and her girth. So just a little friction then... Twilight pulled her hips lightly back, savoring the feeling of his short smooth hair rubbing against her underside, his limbs stroking against the rest.

Sentry gasped out as her impossibly large member slid down his own, drowning him in a sea of seemingly endless pleasure as she slowly inched back. When her hips could move no further Twilight reversed her motions, feeling every single inch as it slid over him. As she slowly neared his maw again her massive sack slapped against his flank, causing him to give his own surprised cry of pleasure.

"You... Have some strange... Fetishes." Twilight managed a few words as she pulled back again.

"So... Do y- Aaahh." Flash was interrupted as her thrust went faster this time, distracting him with her member's stroke and the anticipation of the next blow he was about to strike to his- "Twilight..." He accidentally moaned out as her massive sack slapped against his flank roughly.

Twilight smirked and repeated the actions, savoring his cries. A few thrusts later Twilight felt him go rigid as a warm trickle of his wet sperm lubricated the bottom of her shaft as she smeared it through his coat.

Twilight hilted herself against him one last time as he cried out, his limbs grasping tightly against her. As his eyes opened he was greeted with Twilight's tip once again. He tightened his grasp and buried his tongue into her sensitive hole, not allowing her to pull back as he lashed his tongue around forcing her to cry out in unprecedented pleasure.

Her member spasmed in his grasp, a thick flood of hot viscous fluid pumped forth, blasting his tongue out of the way. Flash closed his eyes as the first blast filled his open maw and splashed over his face, loosening his grasp on Twilight.

The raw force behind each barrage of sperm slid Twilight back, her hooves scraping against the ground. Another blast coated his chest, the next stomach. Another slashed against his flank as Twilight lost her hoofing, sliding to the floor as the pulsations slowly died away.

The hot goo soaked slowly into his coat as Flash slowly swallowed the load he had captured, swishing Twilight's potent seed around. He looked longingly over to the exhausted looking Twilight as her member slowly shrank away, it's task completed. Twilight inched back over to him, laying her head down on his cum soaked chest and kissing his cheek.

"You should have given in sooner." She whispered.

"Mmm, I'll have to remember that..."

"I really enjoyed that, too bad it's not real."

"What do you mean?"

Sentry's head shot up as he awoke, unloading his seed into Twilight's hot center.

"Did you enjoy the dream? I learned how to enter and alter them from Luna."

"That was all fake? But it... It felt so real."

"I had to get you aroused somehow." Twilight giggled and pulled away from his quickly deflating member. "In the end I always get what I want."

"The dream almost makes up for this... almost." He looked down to the mess that was slowly leaking from Twilight, who had actually managed to rape him in his sleep.

"Maybe it can be more than a dream..." Twilight gazed at Sentry with a twinkle in her eye.

"Wait? Such spells exist?"

"I could figure it out, you dirty colt. But only if you promise to keep this our little secret."

"Hmm, I might just be able to do that..."

Author's Note

There has to be somepony out there with a massive cock growth fetish. This chapter is just for them ;) Not my usual thing, but it was an interesting writing experience for me.

Thanks for reading!
And as always feel free to comment!

Next up will be a side chapter with little to do with story, plenty to do with clop.

Predilection :CH3: Parley

"Hey, Twilight?" I knocked upon her door, bearing a tray of food.

I waited for a good ten seconds for a response, continuing in the silence."You've been hiding out or sneaking around ever since... Things were said. I brought you some food."

I listened as Twilight walked over, unlatching the door. She left it open and returned to her seat, picking a book up. For lack of a better place on the swaying ship I placed the tray on the floor.

"I've been putting this off but we nee-"

"You won't hear any more complaints from Sentry, we settled things."

"Oh, alright then. Glad I don't have to confront yet another Alicorn about their actions. But you know what you were trying to do was terrib-"

"I take it Celestia didn't like you questioning her?" Twilight quickly changed the subject.

"Yeah," I begrudgingly allowed her to change the subject, we would talk about it when she was ready. "I've been doing a little too much of it for her liking. This oath thing was a big deal to her and if Luna hadn't sided with me I don't know what would have happened. What's done is done, but I have a bad feeling that I just made a nearly immortal enemy."

"She'll cool off."

"You didn't see how close we came to blows... Anyways, if everything is cleared up with Sentry I guess I should finally get to reading one of those books you brought on Gryphon culture."

"I didn't bring any books on the gryphons."

"What? But you brought a whole crate filled with books!"

"Just some light reading."

"Oh gods I'm screwed... I told her I couldn't be a diplomat, what if I insult them somehow?"

"So you stand against your own imminent doom with a straight face but as soon as it comes to politics you crumble? You make for one strange pony." Twilight stifled a laugh while levitating a book over to me.

"Not funny." I snatched the book and looked at the cover. "Thank goodness, it’s a historical text. My flank is saved... Even though I don't usually read non-fiction."

"For your information I am reading some very intriguing historical texts Celestia gave me. Who knows, you might even write an autobiography some day."

"Riiiight, and who's ever going to read that?" I skeptically replied.

...

~
A loud pounding was heard at the door, Flash Sentry's voice bleeding through. "Princess, Prince we have a situation."

"What is it?" Twilight sounded alarmed as I opened the door for him.

"We have a ship on intercept, bearing the black flag."

"Wait wait wait... Pirates? Really?" I spoke in disbelief.

"Yes, headed right for us."

I peeked out the porthole, getting a perfect view of the ship in the distance. "Fucking hell." I bolted from the room, sprinting to the upper deck, where every pony was quickly assembling.

"Our ship is unarmed and we don't have the numbers to rebuff them if they manage to board." The captain spoke to the assembled guards, specifically looking at me as if to put full blame of the pirate’s arrival on my back.

"What about the Gryphon mainland? We have to be close." One of the guards spoke.

"We are still an hour away and the wind has gone dead, their vessel will surely catch us."

"We are wasting what little time we have," I began unloading my thoughts on the manner. "Twilight, your brother is good with shielding magics, did Shining teach you any basics?"

"Not much, but I think I can manage something."

"Captain, full sail."

"There is no wind, it won't d-"

"Kira, give us all you got."

"Now we're talking."

"Everypony else prepare for damage control..."

I heard a single boom echo out over the water, the noise barely registering until a single cannonball splashed down a few yards away from the hull as a warning shot.

"Kira, go!"

Our ship lurched forward, gliding along the water at a renewed pace. I could hear the cannons of the pirate vessel over the humid ocean waters as they sent out a volley. Our ship was traveling faster than expected and their aim was untrue, most of the shots splashing behind us. I could see Twilight give a wince as her magic stopped a luckily aimed cannonball dead in its tracks.

"You don't have to stop them, just slow them down or divert the momentum." I spoke to Twilight before joining Kira.

"They are turning to pursue!" Somepony shouted out amidst the noise as I forced wind into the creaking sails.

"Ha, we'll get out of this one easy. No chance they can keep up." Kira boasted as our ship glided ahead during the unwieldy turning process of the other vessel.

"First of all, why the hell are there pirates out here in the first place? Don't the Gryphons patrol the waters this close to the coast?

Second of all, why the fucking fuck does your world still even have piracy?

Third, if there are fucking pirates why didn't anyone tell me? I might just have argued against bringing a boat with no god damned cannons!"

"The answer to most of that is simple, your kind doesn't leave the boundaries of Equestria much." An unfamiliar voice spoke from behind me. "As for the lack of patrols, a portion of our fleet should be on the way.

I wheeled around, leaving Kira to power the sails alone. A grey gryphon descended into view, he wore a soaked and torn naval uniform.

"Who are you?”

"Private Xane, fresh from the wreck of the Archrest. He briefly announced, giving a quick clawed salute. "Some other survivors sent for help."

"Did the pirates chasing us do it?"

"No, that's a new ship. You're sailing right into a trap." He gave a light stumble, showing how bad his condition actually was. "I hope you don't mind if I faint now sir..." She nearly slurred as he collapsed from her wounds and exhaustion.

"Someone, look after him!" I shouted over the noise, not caring who did the task. "Twilight, do you know a spell for enhanced vision?" I asked her.

"No, but I did being a telescope for stargazing, that is how normal ponies do it." Her horn flared up and she lifted a small tube from her bag.

"Oh, that works too..." I took it and scanned the horizon, looking towards where we were headed. I'm the distance I could see three ships, one partially engulfed by flames and riding dangerously low in the water. "That must be the Archrest, but that means..." I moved the scope to check the flag on one of the other vessels, getting a full view of a white equine skull on the black banner.

"We need to change course!" I shouted to the captain.

He turned the massive wheel, straining against the ship for a moment. Everything went silent as Kira stopped putting wind in the sails.

"We're caught in a riptide, it's no use."

"But if there's a riptide..." I pointed Twilight's telescope at the waters ahead, seeing the dark shape of a jagged and rocky reef just below the surface, some of the wet shards poked from the surface, hinting at the dangers beneath. The coastline was nearly in reach but these shallows were hazardous. "Damn it, we've sailed into a reef."

I turned to the captain and was about to warn him as our ship shuddered. We slid across one of the first hidden obstacles, the hull groaning as the ship lurched past.

"Any plan, now? The captain looked to me, hoping for some insight.

"We have to abandon ship, I think I have enough magic to send everypony through the mirror if Discord helps. We are outgunned and outnumbered, and we don't know if the Gryphons will show up in time."

"Then we should start now, normally mirrors on board are considered bad luck, but for once I'm glad we furnished Twilight with one. All hooves, abandon ship!" The Captain called out, staying at the wheel to keep the ship steady and avoid as many obstacles as he could. "I'll be down in a minute," he reassured us as everypony began to swarm below decks, following my charge through the halls.

I launched a bolt of magic, "Discord!" I shouted as an image began to take form.

"You should really tone down the shouting you're starting to sound like Celestia... So what i-"

"No time, work your magic!"

"I have to warn you, she is st-"

"Just do it!"

"Sheesh, more than one pony is in a mood..." Discord placed his clawed hand on the mirror and snapped once, nodding his head.

"Twilight, go get help I'll send the injured Gryphon in after you."

Twilight leapt through the strange portal just as all hell broke loose, a cannon ball blasting its way through the hull. The ship shuddered out as countless others struck the hull, the fragile mirror forming a spider web of cracks as it was struck by debris.

Twilight, now on the other side with Discord looked back just as the image fell away into a thousand tinkling shards, the mirror on Ike's side unusable.

I stood there for a silent ten seconds as the chaos around me died away, the sound of our main mast splintering away reverberated through the hull. "Damn it!" I punched the wall and sank to the floor in defeat. A crippled ship, only seven ponies on board to protect the rest of the non-combat crew. Everyone was going to die, and it would be my fault.

"What are we going to do?" Kira questioned.

"I don't know, I've failed you. That's how it goes, in the end I'll always fail..."

"You stubborn ass... Get up before I kick you. You haven't failed anypony, we couldn't have known this was coming."

"You're right, I haven't failed any pony... But I failed my sister; I wasn't good enough to save her. And now I'm still not good enough to save you."

A hoof flew to my side, Kira making true on her threats. "Shut your damn mouth and do something then! You can't save anything wallowing on the floor!"

Flash sentry walked over and held out a hoof. "No matter if your reasons were due to past guilt or not you have already saved Equestria once, and as you have fought for our sake so shall we fight for yours." I took his hoof, pulling myself up. "Your orders?" Sentry asked.

I shook my head, running a hoof through my mane. "First the gryphon... Somepony make sure she is tended to."

"That won't matter if we can't fight them off."

I frantically searched my mind, trying to come up with some sort of plan. "Come on... Think Ike."

"The pirates will be upon us any minute."

"No, they have to sail through the reef to get us, if they don't want to end up stuck they are going to have to take it slow."

"Why would they even bother, they could just sink us?"

"Unarmed, large vessel... We look like a cargo ship, and they stopped firing after one successful volley. What's a pirate want? Money."

"Not to be harsh, but we still need a plan. Can we just abandon ship and let them have it?"

"No, the currents here would drown any earth or unicorn ponies... There has to be another way. Money... money is the key. I'll let them sate their greed by surrendering myself as a bargaining chip. I'll let them know Equestria will pay a ransom for me as long as they let everyone else go."

"Ike, there has to be a better way!" Sentry objected to my planning.

"No, this is the only plan I have with the smallest possible casualties."

"You ass, you're an Alicorn! You should be flying away already, it's the duty of the guard to prote-"

"No, not this time Kira. As a friend... I ask you to allow me this. Let me save as many lives as I can, I wouldn't want to live forever as a monster willing to leave his friends to die."

I flew my way from the deck of our ship, heading towards the slowly approaching pirate ship.

"I demand an audience with your captain!" I shouted in the royal voice, the noise echoing off the water.

"Bloody hell, he's an Alicorn." The captain looked through his telescope at the rapidly approaching Ike. His crew was a strange mix of mostly earth ponies, but there were a few unicorns and pegasi, even a few gryphons.

"No, e' can't be an Alicorn, I hears Equestria only as' females." Another pirate mumbled.

"Clear the deck!" The captain shouted and a semicircle appeared for Ike to land in.

I alighted on the dirty wooden boards, the foul smell of filth and disease wafted to my nose. "Captain, have you heard of the power an Alicorn can wield? Stronger than any magic known to a unicorn..." As I spoke I allowed magic to bleed out of me, lighting the signature silver and blue flames around my form.

"Ayed' be ready to put an end to the myth that yer' kind be immortals..." The captain spat, and grabbed a sword from one of his men.

"Ah, ah, ah. You haven't even given me a chance for negotiations... A captain should be more astute when money is on the line."

"What money do ye speak?"

"My vessel is not a trade ship as you seemed to believe, it was a diplomatic vessel. You won't find much other than supplies for the journey. But, I can promise you a grand ransom if you allow the crew safe passage to land."

"What say ye' to us taking the money now!" The captain approached one step and the circle lightly constricted.

"We don't have any money now, the ransom is for me. I will allow you to take me prisoner on the condition that every single member of my crew lives."

"Kira, we can't just let him do this!" Sentry hissed as he saw Ike land on the enemy ship...

"It's too late for second guessing now, but do you remember the story of Ike and the hydra?"

"Yes, it hasn't been that long since the event."

"He dove into that fight, knowing it would be his last. He was so willing to sacrifice himself, even if it was just a distraction to allow the people of Ponyville time to flee, but those who cared for him came back to help."

"But by the time help arrives it could be too late."

"Come with me." Kira spoke to him. "I have my own plan."

Author's Note

As always, thanks for reading!

Quick little plot moving chapter, I can personally say next chapter will be a lot more 'fun'... if you know what I mean.

Predilection :CH4*: Operation Dick In A Box

And so there I sat, a heavy chain around my neck to prevent flight, a metal sheath over my horn to block out any magic. The gryphons indeed hadn't showed up in time, but strangely enough the pirates stayed true to their word.

After relieving the mostly crippled ship of its supplies they allowed it to slink away, the ponies on board unharmed. The gryphons would find them adrift and help.

But as for me... I doubted the pirates would have the patience to wait for a ransom, even if one was coming. I had quite frankly alienated Celestia, my only contact who could possibly have the means to pay. In a week I would likely be dead if I couldn't find some way to escape.

Oh well, at least I could take the small victory as it was. I protected them, I kept them all alive. There would be no further regret weighing me down.

~
Meanwhile:

"Gods you fat oaf, can't you stay on your half of the crate?" Kira complained as Flash Sentry pressed up against her.

"I can't help it that they ignored the label and put us on our sides." Sentry hissed back in their tight enclosure.

"Alright, I think they finished moving all the stolen goods. Crack the lid."

Sentry pushed on the wooden surface to his side, "I could have sworn that was the right one... He pushed again and the box gave a light groan."

"Maybe it's the other side?"

Sentry gave a shove, receiving the same result. "No, we must be lodged between other crates."

"You have to be fucking kidding me... If were stuck here until someone moves us again can you at least take your damn balls off my face?!"

"Sorry..."

~
Ike:

"Wakey, wakey, we be makin port." The captain of the ship splashed a bucket of briny water at me to bring me from my slumber.

"You could have just said something, no use for the fish water bath."

"Ye smell too pretty to be in pirate company, gotta stink ye up a little or the riffraff might get ideas." He cackled to himself. "Now get up."

"Where are we?" I spoke as he unlatched my cell, grabbing my chain like a leash and pulling me along.

"The Galloping Isles, we pirates seized this place fer ourselves about a hundred years back. Nopony would dare sail near this port without hoisting the black. Ah, but alas ye won't be seein much more of this fine cap'n, the pirate queen erself wants ye in her care."

~
K & S

"Can't we try another position? This one makes me feel strange." Sentry complained as he lay atop of Kira, nearly face to face.

"You have a better suggestion? I think we've tried out every position we can manage in this god’s forsaken box, and you've complained about most. Besides, I don't feel like you're crushing me this way."

"I'm sorry, I'm just not used to being close like this with... You know." Sentry paused feeling their bodies pressed together, his head just above hers.

"Ha, I'm the one lying in my back in a compromising position and you still find something to complain about? Just imagine that I'm not a mare, maybe that will make you more comfortable."

"If only it were that easy..."

"Its so warm in here, I feel like I'm boiling."

"Really? The walls of the crate feel cold to me."

"Oh no... Not now."

"What is it?" Sentry asked, somewhat alarmed.

"I forgot what time it was... It's my heat."

"Great... Now I'm locked in a crate with a soon to be heat crazed mare. Remind me why we didn't take separate containers?"

"It was to lower the chance of being detected and keep us from getting separated." Kira panted out as the fire of her need slowly began spreading.

~
Ike:

"Who is this pirate queen?"

"Zandria Lionsblood, the fiercest and most deviously beautiful gryphon to ever sail the seas. The tales say her grand vessel, the Haast, can even take to the skies. I says I'll believe it if I see it."

"It’s within the realm of possibility, especially if you take into account the availability of m-"

"I didn't ask ye, now did I?" The pirate spoke and yanked on my chains, speeding along my pace as we headed through the boisterous and crowded streets of leering pirates and stumbling drunkards.

~
K & S

"Can you push yourself up a little?" Kira asked as she wormed a hoof between them.

"Sure."

"Thanks." Kira gave a light gasp and moan, biting her lip as she tried not to make eye contact with Flash.

"Wait are you? That's just wrong, so wrong."

"A mare’s got- ahh, do what a mares gotta do." Kira rubbed lightly against her swollen clit, her hips pressing upwards.

"I can't believe this..." Sentry gave a desperate shove on the container wall, praying that maybe something would budge.

All of Kira's squirming lightly rubbed against his member, not enough on its own to do much for him. No, what really began to work against Flash Sentry were instincts... The smell of her heated arousal filled the air so thickly he could almost taste it, his body betraying his mind as it began to accelerate his heart rate despite his urge against it.

"Mmm..." Kira moaned out as she stroked herself, beginning to feel another warmth growing between them.

"Could you please stop, its hardly the proper time for something like this. If there even is such a thing as proper time for public masturbation."

"Oh, I can bet you've done worse. Ahh, all those looong and boring shifts standing guard at a door nopony ever enters, a strong young colt by your side wondering why you haven't offered some sort of distraction yet." Kira stopped her stroking, grabbing hold of Sentry's semi erect member.

"Please don't..."

Kira continued with her imaginary tale, slowly tricking Sentry's mind into accepting what was about to happen. "The colt 'accidentally' drops something and you stare at his cute flank as it gently shakes."

"Kira..." Sentry gave a desperate plea as his member surged in her grasp, coming to full attention.

"You stare a little too long, realizing he has stopped. The colt is looking back at you, a bored and lonely guard, the look on his face speaks of mischievous play." Kira squirmed and lined up his tip with her wet desire, a devious sparkle in her eye.

"You can't help yourself as you move towards him on your own, brushing his tail aside. You can see his puckering hole, and you can tell by the shudder of anticipation that he wants you. He wants to be your bitch, he wants you to dominate him."

Sentry gave a shallow gasp as he envisioned the scene, his control slipping away.

"You know one thing, you want to show this colt who the master is. You want him to cry out past his silent demeanor, you want to hear this colt cry out your name. It would be so easy, your body already positioning over his, your firm rod pressed against him."

"Aaahh." Sentry gasped out, blindly thrusting forward into Kira's awaiting entrance, envisioning the strong young stallion beneath him.

"Yes! Oh, yes!"

"You're my little bitch, I'll have you limping for a week when I'm done with you." Sentry growled out, slipping into character.

"Aaahh!" Kira cried out as he attempted to make true on he promise to the imaginary colt, his hips slamming down against hers in the tight enclosure. Kira clenched herself down around him, allowing him to feel the tightness he desired.

"Yes, moan for me. Let me hear it." Sentry roughly grated his member against her insides, taking in the gasps of pleasure and converting the voice in his head.

"Oh sweet Celestia!"

"Oh Sentry, take me harder." His mind interpreted, his hips smacking against the colt's tender flank. He finally began to form a full image of the guard in his head... The dark blue coat and brown mane similar to that of the Alicorn Ike, wait this wasn't a guard it was Ike!

"I've always wanted this sentry." His mind toyed with him as he grabbed against the flowing brown mane, yanking it back as he thrust into the new prince.

"Oh, Ike." Sentry gasped as he hilted himself; Kira's face took on an even darker shade as she realized he was getting off to the thought of Ike. Oh well, she wasn't about to stop Sentry's fun, maybe she would envision it was Ike she was trapped with too.

Kira snapped her gaping maw shut as she heard voices outside. She held back her moans as Sentry continued to wreck her passage with his raw force.

"Sentry, quiet down." Her words slipped into Sentry's vivid imagination as "I think I hear someone."

Sentry listened intently as voices echoed from the other side of the door they had been guarding, rapidly growing louder as they approached. He was about to pull away when Ike looked at him daringly. "Keep going."

The voices paused at the other side of the door, talking about something unimportant. Ike braced himself as Sentry doubled the speed, thrusting into him at an alarming rate. Both of the pair could barely hold back their pleasured noises as they clenched their jaws shut.

Kira could hear crates shifting around as she stifled a moan, why did he have to start going at it faster when she told him to quiet down? Her tender walls quaked around him and her maw flew open in a silent cry, wet pleasure helping to cool down her raging heat.

Sentry moved his head closer, whispering out. "Your master is getting close, where do you want it?" He whispered into what he was imagining as Ike's ear.

"Pull out you oaf!" Kira hissed as she felt the crate they were in lift up.

"Oh look, whatever idiot placed this here put it sideways."

"Damn pirates... Half of them can't read."

"It's an arrow mate, how do you misread an arrow?"

Kira could feel the container being tipped over, and Sentry took a tumble back, Kira's hips on top of his. Her hooves were trapped beneath Sentry as his hips continued to thrust despite the sudden upset.

"Oh please no..." Kira panted out as the container jolted with each step the carriers took, her hips slamming down upon his erect member.

"Fill me up..." Sentry imagined the voice of Ike moan. "I want to feel it leaking out all night."

Sentry obliged, his thick girth spurting away as the voices on the other side of the door ceased. He fired his seed deeply into his conquest, taking pleasure in the look of bliss upon his face.

"No..." Kira nearly gasped in panic as Sentry's member jumped inside of her. She could feel as the first strand of his warm sticky spunk painted her insides. The first was followed by another as the crate jolted, causing her to hilt against him. A third blast tickled against her cervix as she tried in vain to pull away. Kira already knew it was too late, she just didn't want to believe it. His member continued to pulse as a full dose of his fertile seed shot into her awaiting cavity.

Kira collapsed in shame, quickly forgetting the driving heat behind her actions. She knew what this meant, her hasty actions had most likely fertilized the fresh egg inside of her...

"Put the crate on the cart. This load is going to her."

"Her, as in Lionsblood?"

"Yeah, I hear she paid off the captain and claimed the Alicorn and cargo for herself a few hours back."

We'll be there soon Ike...

Author's Note

Thanks for reading!

Got called in for an extra 13 hour shift, posting this up now so I don't have to stay up super late to get it done... Problem with that is I didn't give it anything other than a quick spell check.

Predilection :CH5: Lionsblood

"Here ye go." My leash holder passed the chain to well dressed pony at the doors to a mansion. "Now where's me money?"

"Zandria always settles ze debts." The pony spoke in an oddly French sounding accent, giving my wings and horn a pull to check if they were real before nodding to another who brought forth the payment.

Wait, not French... Sometimes I forget to use equestrian names that seem eerily similar at times... From his accent this pony was likely from Prance, a shared pony-gryphon territory. I was urged to enter the mansion by his pointing hoof as he let go of my chain and retrieved the key.

Once the doors had closed behind us he spoke directly to me. "Zer is no place for you to flee, zis island is under ze masters rule. Zer is one law you must follow if you desire your stay to remain pleasant, do not anger Zandria." He unlocked the heavy chain entwined around my neck and over my wings, removing the oppressive weight and allowing me the freedom to fly if I so wished, but he left the awkward metal sheath secured over my horn.

"What about my horn?" I asked, hoping that just maybe he was dumb enough to give in.

"Despite ze fact zer is no place to run zis one believes it unwise to allow an Alicorn ze use of magic."

"Can't blame me for trying?"

"No, but I can place blame for ze incredible stank of pirate filth... Zandria would never allow her houseguests to smell so poorly. First let me show you to ze bath before you converse any further."

I followed him willingly. Hey, if your captors offer a bath you should take it. I hated the smell just as much as him. From the corner of my vision I noticed a unicorn stalking our progress through the mansion; I got the picture, no funny business.

One amazingly needed soak later I found myself exiting the tub, toweling off with the freshly warmed towels a servant had brought in.

The pony from Prance, was nowhere in sight but I caught a glimpse of my unicorn shadow hanging around outside the room.

Another servant entered the room, giving a light giggle as she watched me dry myself, junk included. "Ze master of ze house likes to extend every courtesy to her guests. Would you like ze massage?"

"I can't help but feel I'm being treated too well for a prisoner." I spoke to another servant with a similar accent.

"No, no, no. You are ze guest here, ze misses insists you relax. Lay down." The mare motioned to a pillow-coated mat.

"So does everypony around here have your accent?"

"Only ze few civilized ones." The mare gave a light giggle, dripping some sort of warm oil over my back. "To you ze accent may seem silly, but to me you sound just as strange, no?"

I took a deep breath as the hooves gently stroked over me, spreading the rosy fragrance though my coat. A thought drifted through my mind. This would be my second day at the spa if I counted my reluctant trip with Rarity and Twilight some time ago. This time was much more relaxing, as all the recent stress had taken a toll on me.

The mare's hooves gently teased through my fur as she followed my spine down my back.

"I'm not usually one for this kind of thing, but you have a touch."

"Ze misses hires only ze best."

"About ze misses," I jokingly tried on the accent, receiving another giggle from the mare. "I was told she was a fearsome pirate, it seems to me she lives more like a queen."

"Ze misses fought hard to get here, but it is not my job to speak on her behalf, no?"

"You're a smart one, definitely a keeper." A silky voice called out from behind me, I could feel the mare give a slightly startled squeeze. "You can go now." The voice continued, ordering the servant to leave mid massage.

I started to get my hooves under me but a firm push pressed me back down, forcing back into the pillows.

"So, what brings an illusive Alicorn to these waters?" Grasping talons wrapped around my shoulders, squeezing them gently but with a determination.

"It was supposed to be for diplomatic relations, but I've become a little sidetracked as you can see."

"Yes, very sidetracked." She drew a claw gently down my spine as she spoke, giving me the shivers. "Last I heard, there weren't any male Alicorn, just three snobbish princess nobles."

"It's four princesses now, and in my opinion Celestia is the only snobbish one."

"Hmm, it seems I need more contacts, word of foreign events doesn't spread to secluded pirate ports very often."

"Wouldn't be a problem if every pirate were this friendly, Zandria." I spoke, relatively sure my deduction was right.

"Ah, yes that is the problem... A nation cannot become a nation if it only consists of pirates. I am slowly bringing civilization here once more but for now the fleet keeps our port safe from attack."

"So then, what is it you need from an Alicorn?" I questioned as she moved slowly down my back, hitting every spot of tension perfectly.

"The nestking of the gryphon tribes is amassing his own fleet, he plans to retake this port and wipe away pirate kind for good. While I am fine with the latter I would rather keep my position of power. What better way to do that than have you?"

"So I'm your shield?"

"For lack of a better word, yes. The Gryphons would not risk conflict with Equestria and the old realms, so as long as I have you I have control." Her words should have worried me, but her mere presence seemed intoxicating. I had trouble just keeping my mind clear whenever her smooth voice spoke.

"You know as an Alicorn I'll probably outlive you, right?"

"Gryphons are long lived creatures, I'll be around for a few centuries more."

"Any chance of me leaving in the next week? I've got some friends who won't live that long."

"Not likely, but maybe in a few years when my nation has reached stability they will be allowed to visit." Something in her voice urged me to help make all her wishes come true, despite what it would mean giving up in exchange.

"What if I talked with this nestking, you haven't personally wronged me yet. I could let him know of your desires, we could work out an arrangement."

"Ha, the gryphon kingdom has always been stubborn. They would not suffer a female queen invading on their territory, thus why I need you as leverage."

"Equestria is run by queens."

"And the gryphons suffer them at a distance. The only way they would fully respect Equestria is with a male on the throne. The only way they could be forced to accept me is if I was paired with you." Her talons lightly pricked at me as she squeezed down upon my flanks.

"I... I see." I coughed out; a little surprised, pulling further out of the trance her voice had me in.

"Oh, don't act like you didn't see this coming. Do you think I would have even bothered to purchase you if there weren't something else in it for me?"

"I see you still are a crafty pirate underneath all fancy airs you put on."

I could feel her move over me, brining her beak closer to my ear. "One can only change so much, and taking whatever I please is so much fun."

Having her so close felt right, but I fought against it. "And if I refuse to be your willing pawn?"

"I don't think you see the situation clearly, you owe me quite a debt... Think on this for a moment, you can either choose to be my slave and prisoner or to stand beside me." She pulled away, swiftly exiting the room.

I sighed and lay there a minute more, the lack of her presence making me feel empty. It was strange how Zandria had me hanging on her every word. It was subtle but there was some strange power emanating from her very being, and I doubted my ability to further withstand whatever it was.

~
Zandria:

"He is strong willed, that is for sure... Lesser stallions and Gryphons quake at my presence." Lionsblood paced the floor of her chambers.

/Our presence/

"Yes, yes..."

/Sigh*/

"What is it now?"

/ What I wouldn't give to be back in a changeling body... I feel so weak in this form. /

"You complain about this so often I could swear it was yesterday! It's been what, one thousand years since the hybrid Lilith 'broke' the rules binding you to only changeling forms? Frankly I don't even care who this Lilith is. You are stuck with me until I die, and until that time comes I will use whatever powers you have as my own."

/ The Seven deadly Sins were never meant to be playthings! /

"Anger is unbecoming of you Lust, now quiet down."

/ If I had but half of my old might my lovely... You would not be the one calling the shots. /

~
Kira Zephyr and Flash Sentry: Still in a crate...

"You bastard!" Kira hissed out, smacking the blissfully unaware Flash Sentry from his pleasured daze. "Oh, shit... I better not get pregnant from this."

"What happened... Did I?" Sentry looked down to where her back legs were pinned underneath him, his rapidly dwindling member still birdied inside of her. "Oh gods, why me?"

"Why me? Why me! If you weren't stuck in your little fantasy land this wouldn't have happened."

"Well if you hadn't decided getting all rapey was a good idea I wouldn't have needed to go to a happy place!"

"Oh Celestia, this IS my fault."

"So we gonna do something about the angrily whispering crate?"

"Does it look like my fucking job to open Zandria's goods? As soon as the cargo leaves this cart it's their problem."

~
Ike:

"Monsieur, if you are ready I would show you to ze quarters?" The fist Prancian pony I had seen upon arriving to the house spoke, having returned as I was swept up in thought.

"Sure..." I got up and followed, trying to silently take note of any possible escape routes if I needed them. If Zandria was truly serious about all of this I doubted I would ever be allowed to leave normally.

My apparent personal shadow, a forest green unicorn purposefully shut a window I was eying, giving a smirk. He tauntingly raised a key hanging on a light chain, the key to my magical freedom, swinging it invitingly.

Screw it... I had to at least try.

I bolted over to him and his grin became ever wider. As I was mere inches from diving atop of him a magical chain and collar formed around my neck. My hooves flew from under me as the chain pulled taut, halting my progress.

I stood back up sorely and stared him in the eyes as the chains dissipated into nothingness, his challenging smirk just asking me to try again. I growled lightly under my breath and walked back over to my guide, pretending like it hadn't happened. The forest green unicorn slipped the key over his head, wearing it as a token of victory.

Let him show off, if I ever managed to get that key he would be outclassed. Most unicorns knew only basic spells but if they applied themselves could learn a few more. The conjured chains were likely his best trick.

The fact that I was able to so easily acquire new spells rivaled the learning capacity of Twilight. For some reason I just understood the flow and ebb of magic better than most, surprising coming from a world where it had been unavailable. If I could get him to show off his little trick a few more times I might be able to figure it out the inner workings myself, but none of that would help with my magic blocked.

"If ze messing about is complete?" My guide questioned and continued walking, but not before giving both of us a stern glance.

K & S

"I think we've stopped moving for now. Check the lid, quietly."

"Alright." Sentry pushed on the wooden boards above him; they gave a light creak as the lid popped free. "Alright, I don't see anypony... No wait, they are coming back with more crates."

Sentry let the lid down gently to avoid being spotted, moments later hearing several thuds as the crates were set down.

"All right, we should get of here before they come back with another load."

Sentry pushed back up on the lid, receiving no response. He pushed a little harder, bracing his hooves. "I think they stacked something on top of us?"

"You're kidding me right? You have to be kidding... If I have to spend another minute in here I swear only one pony is coming out alive."

"Then help me push! We might be able to slide the other crate to the floor if we slant the lid."

"Ready? One, Two, Three!" The two pushed with all their might, and the front half of the lid slowly lifted up, the rough grain of the other crate beginning to slide away could be heard.

"Alright, one more push. Ready, go!" A tremendous noise echoed out as the other crate shattered against the ground, spilling out some of its contents.

Sentry nearly threw the lid aside, scrambling from the tight confines.
"Fresh air!" He panted out as he was finally able to take a gasp not infused with a mare's heat and the smell of sex.

"Oh thank Celestia... I'm never doing that again." Kira started to stretch out her limbs but stopped as she looked around. "Oh, hi. Don't mind us?"

Sentry took a glance around as well, his eyes setting upon several workers, pony and gryphon, standing with shocked expressions as they carried in the next batch of crates. "Fuck... Well there goes the surprise. Kira?"

"Time to kick some flank." Kira sent out a blast of wind at the nearest two, knocking the hooves out from from the pony tag teaming a larger crate with a gryphon. The gryphon frantically scrambled to prevent the crate from tipping upon her, failing miserably as Sentry shoved into the wooden surface while rushing another set of workers.

"Not your job, huh?" Two ponies further back set down their crate.

"How was I supposed to know they'd make us help move em?" The two scrambled away, not wanting any part in the shitfest.

Sentry bucked another pony against the wall, knocking them from the action before wheeling around and lashing out at another, scoring a direct blow to his temple.

Kira chased after the fleeing ponies, putting on a burst of speed with her magic.

Sentry finished off the tripped up pony and began to follow Kira. As he was about to leave he heard an angry screech as the gryphon below the crate threw it away, showing just how strong their kind were. She angrily glared at him as he turned.

"You don't have to get involved with this, we're just here for our friend." Sentry pulled his blade, focusing on the enraged gryphon.

"Lionsblood doesn't pay me to make nice." She flared her wings and dashed forward, swiping her talons at Sentry.

Sentry dove out of the way, wishing Kira were there to help. The gryphon continued her advance, forcing sentry to stop her talons with his cold steel. The Gryphon grasped the sharp metal with her terrifying claws, pulling it from his grasp and throwing it away with little effort.

"Please continue scurrying about, I like to see the hope drain from the eyes of my prey before they die."

Sentry dodged back again as she took another swipe, finding himself backed into a corner.

"Is the little rat trapped?" The gryphon taunted him, placing a single razor sharp talon on his chest.

"It's called royal guard, you fucking bitch!" Kira shouted, smashing a thick board into the gryphon's head. "And we look out for our own." Kira shoved the unconscious gryphon aside. "You ok?"

"Yeah, thanks."

"I ran back fast as I could, I thought for sure she was down when the crate landed on her..."

"Did you get the runners?"

Kira walked over to a shelf of wine, uncorking a bottle and taking a quick swig to wet her maw after the countless hours in the box. "Yeah, you should have seen them scramble... It looks like we're in some sort of cellar beneath the house, hopefully nopony heard the commotion."

"We have to do this quick, best to get out of here before any of them wake up." Sentry took the bottle and swished some around in his mouth before spitting it out. "By the way, you picked a shit year." Sentry tossed the nearly full bottle aside and it shattered, Kira glancing at it mournfully as it seeped into the floorboards.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading!

I didn't get any writing done this week (at all) , thank goodness for reserve chapters... Yes I am holding out on you, but only to make it less likely that I have to skip a weekly posting due to having no content. (CH 6* isn't quite done yet so I'm not holding out on you too badly, just attempting to keep a buffer.)

Predilection :CH6*: Sexcapades

"Just at ze end of the hall, ze only door." My guide stopped and pointed, our trek through the large mansion near completion.

I walked down the hall, half expecting to be followed by my personal stalker, the green Unicorn who had taken to fiddling with the key of the metal sheath around my horn whenever he caught my glance. When I arrived at the door I looked back, seeing him pause at the entrance to the hall. He appeared reluctant to follow, almost as if he weren't allowed.

"The dog has its own leash, huh?" I questioned to test my theory. He stepped one hoof into the hall before pausing, his ridiculous grin falling away entirely as the Prancian pony who was the first face I had seen in the mansion placed a warning hoof on his back.

Well, there was no going back so I turned to the door. What could possibly wait on the other side to make him so unwilling to approach? I took a breath and swung it open.

The view that greeted me was underwhelming, it was just as I had been told, a bedroom. I closed the door and looked around, the glow of the moon providing enough light for me to see all but the darkest corners of the sizable chamber. I walked over to the window, feeling around the large frame for any sort of latch. Finding none I lightly tapped on the pane, the vibrating hum coming back not encouraging. Hexiglass, a magically infused glass as I remember Twilight telling me, no way of easily breaking it.

I sighed and took a glance outside, already beginning to wonder if escape wasn't an option. The moon reflected off the nearby lake perfectly, its light landing on a ship. This wasn't exactly close to the ocean, had Zandria really commissioned a ship to be built as an ornament?

No, wait. I looked at the massive eagle like visage that adorned the front portion of the ship. Was this the Haast, her personal ship that I had heard of earlier? I looked along the gleaming polish of the well-maintained vessel, seeing several concealed signs of battle scars. If the ship truly could fly, as the rumors told, a lake would be a relatively safe place to dock.

"Admiring the view?" I nearly jumped upon hearing the voice, the door not having opened again after my entrance. I peered over seeing it was still closed and quickly scanned the room once more. After peering into the darkest corner for a few seconds my eyes moved over to the bed. The large frame was concealed by a set of partially see-through drapes.

I took a few steps closer and peered through them, seeing the outline of stretching wings. The wings closed back in as I grasped the curtain with one hoof.

"I thought I was being led to personal quarters." I pulled aside the drape to reveal the gryphon form propped up on the pillow.

"I could convert the cellar into a dungeon if you prefer?"

"I see your point..." My thoughts trailed off as I looked at the amber eyes and turquoise plumage that covered her avian front. The turquoise took on a slow fade into a near back wherever feather gave way to fur on this amazing creature.

"It seems even the greatest of pony kind are not immune to my charms... Come closer."

At her command I blinked and diverted my eyes for a moment, helping me to reclaim control. She put off an aura of confidence that was nearly tangible, even her voice seemed to draw me in. And looking at her... Gods did it make my head light and my heart flutter. "What power is this? I thought gryphons couldn't use magic."

" You can call it a blessing, or a curse. When it manifested I retired from my old life and moved into relative seclusion. No longer did I need to take what I wanted, it was willingly given, for every gryphon or pony to lay eyes on me becomes mad with Lust."

"And you think I'll just give you what you want?" I found myself studying her gaze more intently than I intended.

"It's not a matter of thinking, but knowing. What I want now is to test the mettle of an Alicorn." She leaned towards me as she spoke, coming closer and closer with each word until she was whispering into my ear. "So? Do you think yourself strong enough to tame the beast inside of me, strong enough to resist Lust? Or will you be tamed in the process?"

"No pony ever tells you no, do they?"

"They are all too weak to be bothered with, but you... You are different. Stronger." Zandria referred not to physical strength with her comment but strength of spirit.

"What I've been through would change anyone, regardless of the circumstances." I briefly mused over the idea of telling her what I was before being pulled into Equestria, thinking otherwise. "I've faced death willingly and been spared, I've fought to protect those I care for."

"You talk of fighting yet you so willingly surrendered yourself? If you are truly powerful why did you not fight for your freedom?"

"Because I've taken a life before, it's not something I want to repeat." I closed my eyes and shuddered as I was greeted with the image of a crystal spike pinning Sombra to the wall, blood dripping from his maw... "I could have let him go free, he no longer had the power to threaten me. It was a shameful decision, one I won't easily forget."

Her hold on me began to slip away as I lost myself in thought, but she was quick to pull me back. "So you think yourself some sort of savior, giving yourself up to save a few lives? Pathetic, look where it's gotten you. Only those willing to seize victory at any cost will find it."

"I'm sorry, I just can't accept that."

"So you are weak, just like the rest of pony kind. But maybe I can train you to be useful, a companion to live as long as I."

"Train? I'm not some pet."

"Oh? To me you are. Come, join your master." The tone of her voice commanded my obedience as she tapped a claw on the bed. I hesitantly raised a hoof to the edge, but forced myself to stop partway. "Now." She commanded yet again and I pulled myself up. She gave a knowing smirk at my obedience, knowing my resistance to her powers was steadily failing.

"Now, was that so hard?" She gave me a gentle caress before closing the curtains. “Get some rest." She commanded, laying her head back upon the pillows.

I was confused at her new command; sure she had wanted something else... My mind was in a haze as I lay down beside her, my eyes gazing over.

She shifted her head to get comfortable, her turquoise feathers ruffling with allure. Was this another test of my will? I forced myself to look away, closing my eyes in a halfhearted attempt at sleep to foil her plans of controlling me.

In the silence of what felt like an hour my heart raced, each pounding beat seeming to be overwhelmingly loud. There was nothing I could do to calm it, not a solitary thought that could put me at ease. My gaze drifted back over to Zandria and to the peaceful expression on her face, she couldn't be asleep already? It had really only been ten minutes, my struggle to resist her aura making time seem so unbearably slow.

I tried to pull my eyes away again but found myself lacking the will. Continuing to stare I propped myself back up. Zandria's form was powerful and terrifying but held me entranced by its beauty, my eyes played along her ruffled feathers once again before dropping lower. I gazed down to the panther black fur lower down her body, my eyes tracing down her sides. She was one of the very few gryphons I had ever laid eyes on but I could swear she was the best looking, even without the assistance of whatever power she held Zandria would likely draw lusty gazes from other gryphons.

Speaking of gazes I found myself gazing upon her shapely legs gently crossed as if to hide what was between. I thought I understood her game now, she wanted to know how long it was until I dared break this thick tension, how long until she she could stop pretending to be asleep.

I found the will to tear my gaze away one last time, laying back down on my side of the bed and closing my eyes for another few minutes.

Just as I thought I would be able to calm my desires and heart I heard Zandria shifting beside me. When she came to rest she was gently draped over my chest her head resting upon my shoulder, an adventurous leg entwining with mine.

I could hardly expect her to play fair when she held all the cards, but my mind started to drift to the idea that giving in wouldn't be all that bad. Besides maybe if I allowed this I could trick her into trusting me. It was more of a question than statement as I was having trouble deciding if I was just fooling myself instead.

"I know you're not sleeping."

Zandria gave no response, causing me to sigh.

"Do I really have to say it?"

Zandria lightly nuzzled my neck in her 'sleep'.

"Fine. I give up, just take what you want."

Zandria still gave no response; I wondered what else it was that she could possibly want? She used to be a fearsome pirate, there was no chance she would fall asleep next to somepony who she didn't know well enough to trust. Not that I would try to harm her, but somepony else might.

Well, looked like it would end up being a sleepless night... I slowly tried to inch myself free, wiggling to the edge of the bed. Zandria flexed her talons, pricking me lightly. It wasn't enough proof to show if she was truly still awake as I suspected, but it was enough to deter me from leaving.

Her presence over the past few minutes has slowly seeped into me and being unable to distance myself was driving me mad, pushing away rational thoughts as this goddess of a gryphon nestled next to me. I tentatively reached over to her head, giving her cheek a soft caress.

Wait, what was I doing?

It was already too late, I had given in to the temptation, and there was no going back.

When my soft caress continued I could almost swear that she cracked a tiny devious smirk, my hoof gently running down her back and to a folded wing. I played through the feathers, feeling the sturdy yet lightweight avian bones below.

As I traced the curves of her supple form she gently furrowed her talons down my chest, leaving tiny lines in the fur and giving me an exited chill.

~
Kira and Sentry

"So Kira, how tired are you of this shit?"

"Pretty fucking tired, I say if this twat doesn't start giving locations in about three seconds I start stomping"

The ridiculous grin had entirely faded from the verdant unicorn's maw shortly after discovering the pair wandering the halls at random. Nopony had ever broken his magical chains before and the unicorn above him had seemingly cut them invisibly and effortlessly.

Kira instead had stolen his triumphant grin, and was now standing over him, her hoof forcing his horn painfully against the ground. She looked into his shocked eyes, pressing down a little harder when he didn't immediately respond.

"Th- the Alicorn is in the penthouse. T- top floor, hall off of the lounge."

"Now was that so hard?" Kira pulled her hoof off his horn and kicked him in the temple, causing the unicorn to back out into unconsciousness. "You heard him Sentry, our damsel in distress in in the highest room of the tallest tower."

"Please don't besmirch his name like that."

"Says the pony who moans it while fucking me..."

~
Ike

"Zandria..." I accidentally gasped out as her roving hand descended closer and closer to my groin. I could hardly contain my anticipation as she gently teased around the area. Moving my own hoof down her belly I could feel Zandria give her own shiver of anticipation; yet she remained closed to me, her luscious thighs gently crossed to deny my access.

She wanted me to do more than just give her what she wanted, Zandria wanted my every action to be filled with need and desire.

"Please." I spoke and her motions stopped, her maw showing the smallest smirk.

"Please what?" She teased, her eyes still closed.

"Let me fuck you."

"Mmm, that's better." Zandria opened her eyes. "Show me what a proper stallion can do."

"I'm no proper stallion." I pulled out from under her, grasping into her legs and forcing them apart. She gave no resistance to my actions, knowing she had beaten me.

I immediately delved down, thrusting my tongue forcefully into her damp entrance, eliciting a shocked gasp at my suddenness. I gave no respite, not allowing her to become acclimated to the sudden treatment. My tongue lashed against her clit for a few short strokes before roughly scraping against her vulva. Zandria squirmed below me, placing her clawed hands upon my head in an attempt to slow me down.

As her hands pushed I obeyed, thrusting my tongue as deep as it could go into her slick passage. I made sure to grind my snout against her clit as my tongue thrust down, making her gasp out yet again as she was toyed with.

I heard a clamoring smash behind me, but was unable to check what it was due to the fact my maw was buried in Zandria’s heated entrance. Her claws pricked into my scalp as she observed what was occurring, forcing me to continue.

"Its rude to barge in unannounced." I could hear the pleasure tinting her voice, but she held it back addressing the intruder.

"Ike?" My eyes shot wide as I recognized the voice, how did Kira get here?

"He's a little busy at the moment my lovelies..." In my proximity to Zandria I could feel her power surge forth, reaching out through the room and enveloping two others. Two? Who else was here?

"I can't a see much through those curtains but it looks like he has the situation handled Kira..."

Sentry...

Against my better judgment I continued to violate Zandria’s sodden entrance, making her fight to keep her noises in check as the two wide eyed observers slowly fell under her trance.

"Don't be so shy, now that you're here you might as well join in."

Kira took an involuntary step forward at the command, Sentry watching in disbelief. "Aren't we supposed to be rescuing him?"

"What's wrong with a little fun first?"

"I don't know... Maybe the fact that all the ponies we knocked out to get here will be angry when they wake up?"

"They know the rules, they will not so rudely enter my chamber... But I might be inclined to forgive this trespass if you provide enough entertainment."

"I'm not interested."

"Oh?" I could feel her talons prick further I to my scalp at Sentry's denial. I remembered what the pony had told me when I arrived... Not to anger Zandria. "Would you prefer death?" Zandria grabbed my mane and lifted me away from her glistening folds with ease, dropping me back onto the bed.

She leapt off the bed and through the transparent curtains gracefully, spreading her wings to show her fearsome size. A single wing alone was easily as long as Sentry's body. "Do you really think you stand a chance?"

Now that Zandria was fully visible to the two her powers of seduction were raised tenfold but Sentry fearlessly took a step forward, drawing his blade once again.

"Wait!" I called out through my own haze. "He'll do it, he'll join."

Both Zandria and Sentry looked at me questioningly. "Please Sentry, you can't fight her alone." I touched the metal sheath upon my horn to show my lack of magic.

"Kira?" Sentry looked over to her, but received no response. Kira had given in to Zandria's power quickly, but Sentry seemed resilient. Was it because Zandria just wasn't appetizing to him?

Sentry sighed and tossed his blade away, Kira already ditching her armor with haste.

"Since you have taken my offer I will tell you the final condition... If you three fail to bring me the enjoyment I desire you will all be kept as my slaves and taught the proper way. If you succeed I will free both of you and only keep Ike."

"We aren't leaving here without him." Argued Sentry

"Your acceptance matters little." Zandria motioned to the large bed, a perfect size for so many ponies at once.

Kira was the first to join hopping up next to me on the bed with a glazed look upon her eyes; Zandria had done quite a number on her. Sentry finished ditching his armor and weapons and was grabbed up in Zandria’s clawed hand, not so gently thrown to join us.

"Ike what is going on?" He nearly hissed.

"Other than sex with a power crazed gryphon wanting to either enslave or marry me as political leverage? Not much, so how are you?" I joked at the situation, knowing very well that Zandria's attention would soon return to me and I would be swept back into the lustful tide.

"Well, other than Kira violating me in a confined wooden box during her heat? Not much..." Sentry didn't sound like he was joking but I had no time to consider the matter.

"Enough whispering," Zandria joined us, her voice alone enough to remind me of my throbbing need. Zandria gave a seductively wicked smirk before motioning over to Kira, "You first, I can smell your need."

Kira wordlessly obeyed, allowing the gryphon to position her body so they both had access to each other's glistening mounds. Zandria could smell Kira's pungent heat but also a hint of something more, moving her tongue out to test. As she opened her avian maw her beak roughly nudged past Kira's clit, causing her to give breathy gasp into Zandria's folds before beginning her end of the treatment.

Zandria lapped against Kira's heat swollen folds, allowing her sharp senses to pick up the smells and taste. She caught a small hint in the flavor, her hips pulsing at the thought. This naughty mare had already found somepony to help cool her desire.

Zandria thrust her tongue deeply into Kira, delving into more of the musty taste of pony seed. It was all Kira could do to bury her maw into Zandria and moan out as the expert treatment, barely able to think past the raw pleasure flooding her system.

Multitasking Zandria brought up a clawed hand, motioning over to where Sentry was.

Looking once over to Ike, who seemed almost disappointed he wasn't chosen, Sentry obeyed. When he was within reach Zandria felt around beneath his body expecting to find him already aroused by the scene. When she found his flaccid length she nearly frowned, but continued to pleasure Kira who attempted to do her best in return.

Zandria gently dragged a single claw around Sentry's pelvis planning to simply excite him by teasing touch. Sentry, on the other hoof still wanted nothing to do with this, remaining un effected by her slow teasing.

Kira suddenly went rigid over Zandria, a spray of wet juices coating Zandria's maw. Kira continued her work between her gasps of pleasure and moans as she rode the wave of pleasure. Zandria lightly clamped down upon her clit and gave a pull, Kira's maw pulling away as her cries of pleasure rose to a higher level than her voice could manage.

As Kira collapsed panting Zandria licked the fluids away from her beak, gently sliding the tired out mare away. "Not good enough, you had best try harder if you wish to be freed." Zandria now had a better view of Sentry, seeing that her treatment thus far had done nothing, an un-amused look upon his face. The Alicorn had surprised Zandria earlier with his resistance but this simple Pegasus seemed all together immune to her charms. Normally any colt would beg for her attentions.

Furthering her efforts Zandria cupped his balls in her hand and lightly massaged them. With her other hand she pushed herself up, questioningly locking her eyes with the glaring Sentry's.

On a whim she reached past his dangling sack, a single claw tracing a line back to his tail-hole. Sentry's eyes showed all she needed to know as his tail flicked away, Zandria gently traced around the puckering hole as his heartbeat accelerated.

Sentry closed his eyes and blushed, realizing who was behind him... Ike likely had a perfect view of his unavoidably flagged tail and Zandria's roving claw. Sentry couldn't help but imagine what it would be like if the Alicorn Ike happened to share his emerging desires.

Zandria gave a victorious smirk at his rapidly engorging member, pushing Lust to reformat her strategies to bring even this colt under her control.

"Lay back." She commanded. Sentry feeling for the first time the pressing force of her power descend upon him. He couldn't disobey at this point, even if he wanted to, Zandria had figured him out.

I had observed everything up to this point with a throbbing arousal, Zandria seemingly having forgotten me to deal with the others. But now she was staring at me as she lined up Sentry's member with her heated entrance. She teased his tip along her lips as she prepared to ride him in reverse cowgirl, letting me see everything.

I felt like she was teasing me, showing me what I was missing out on. The problem was my body and mind didn't feel like being teased, having been left waiting so long already.

She smirked at me as I closed the distance, my actions going along perfectly with her plans. Zandria repositioned Sentry's dampened tip to her tail hole just as I forced her back so she was lying atop Sentry with her face to the ceiling.

I could hear Sentry give a light moan as his tip stretched her tight pucker, my own member coming into place at her nethers as I positioned my body over both of them. I didn't bother taking it slow, my need driving me past a point of any restraint. I hilted myself inside of her on my first thrust, able to feel an internal bulge as Sentry slowly stretched her to fit over him.

Zandria gave sharp cry as she was stuffed full; it wasn't often that she found herself more than one partner to sate her desires with. Maybe she would keep these other two around after all.
-

As I buried myself in her glorious depths I couldn't help but feel that I had somehow lost... A feeling that was quickly swept away faster than it had arrived as Zandria shifted, arching her back with the pleasure.

"Ah... Aaahh, you please your master well."

Sentry grunted out his displeasure at her statement, pulling back and thrusting his length as deep as it could go without giving Zandria a chance to cope.

A piercing caw tore its way from her throat in surprise. "Yes!"

Our minds reveled in the flooding bliss emanating from her pleasure, each thrust into her tightly stuffed body unleashing exuberant thoughts from Lust and her host. Sentry still resisted the influence but by now it had nearly enveloped him, just as it had Kira.

Time ebbed around us as I held by a thin line to my remaining control, using it only to further my cause. Zandria squirmed below as I synchronized with Sentry, ensuring she was always filled from at least one end.

A caress from Lust drifted across the mental shackles we were held in, the eldritch presence of the sin filled with unending desire. It demanded more from us, to lead its host to the ultimate release she desired.

As we continued I could tell our efforts weren't enough. Both Sentry and I would not be able to tame her desires with our efforts. I could feel myself building up, an inevitable release that was coming far too soon. I had to do something... I had to give her what she wanted if I Kira and Sentry were to go free. A dark idea floated into my mind, presented by the Sin Lust.

"Cum you bitch." This time I was giving the order, my hooves moving to her throat as I rutted her with everything I had. I put pressure on her neck, limiting the airflow that she desperately needed for her cries. Her claws tore the sheets beneath her to shreds as she scrambled for a grip, the euphoric lightheadedness driving her to new heights. She let out a barely audible cry as her body was sent into spasms, pleasure too much to handle as she was granted release for the first time in years.

Sentry, still beneath her grunted as he gave a final thrust, allowing himself to release into her depths. Zandria's walls clenched down around me as I gave my last unsteady thrust as well, blasting my pent up excitement deep into her tight insides. She gave one final gasping cry before passing out, the excitement and partial asphyxiation too much to handle.

I collapsed on top of her as my member finished draining its thick seed into her, giving a few lasts pulses as I closed my eyes and lay my head down upon her feathered chest.

"Don't you dare!" I head Kira hiss, smacking me back into wakefulness. "She's out cold, time to leave." Kira pulled me away from the beautiful gryphon's body, my mind still laced with lusty thoughts. My member slid out and into the cold air, rapidly shrinking away as cum seeped from both of Zandria's entrances.

Sentry slid Zandria off of him as gently as possible to avoid waking her; he seemed fine with departing as well. I felt like I could almost hear a voice inside of my head, urging me to stay. I even wanted to obey...

"Stop zoning out!" Kira smacked me across the face before grabbing me and forcing us into a kiss. Like a shattering pane of glass Zandria's hold on me fell away, I found myself opening up to Kira's kiss, sensing the deep meaning behind it.

It ended far too soon. "Kira..." I gasped out.

"Not now," she placed a hoof over my mouth. "We can talk when you're safe. Right now we need to get out of here...

Author's Note

~~
Thanks for reading!

(Shameless Plug Explanation)
The Sin Lust and the name Lilith should be recognizable to those of you who have read Hybrid: Child of time.

In other matters:

I could make all the excuses in the world as to why I haven't been writing or updating, but I'm just going to drop the truth on you. I never have quite recovered from something that happened, even though it's almost been a year now. My heart no longer hurts but I admit it is because I have turned it into stone, hard to feel emotion or motivation when you are avoiding feeling anything. I'll try to find a way to get both my heart and my muse back, but in the meantime my writing is probably going to come pretty slow. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Predilection :CH7: Fight and Flight

"Shit." Kira cursed as she peeked out the door of Zandria's chambers, seeing an assembled mass of irate ponies at the end of the hall, which opened into a larger living space. We had managed, through team effort, to exhaust and incapacitate Zandria but still needed to make our escape.

"Is that green dushicorn out there?" I asked.

"Yeah, along with about fifteen others... We kicked some major flank on the way up." Kira looked over to me, her face a little flushed. I couldn't quite tell if it was from the kiss we had just shared or the heated activity beforehoof.

"He has the key." I touched my horn for emphasis.

"Oh... Knowing that earlier could have saved some trouble. Guess I'll just have to kick his sorry flank again."

"Well, let's get this over with." Sentry seemed a little downtrodden at being taken advantage of once again but we didn't have time to address it.

I swung open the door charging out with my metal clad horn lowered, daring anypony to stay in the way. I caught a glimpse of several ponies moving away as I neared the end of the hall; Kira and Sentry following close behind.

I sensed a surge of magic coming from ahead, something I had become surprisingly good at lately as long as I wasn't too distracted. A web of magical chains shot up milliseconds later at the exit to the hall, forcing me to come to a dead stop to avoid a painful collision.

Kira leapt over me, a near invisible blade of wind cutting the chains right down the middle. She dove through the gap and sprinted towards the green unicorn as he attempted to flee, a disheartened cringe upon his face at seeing Kira once again.

Sentry and I brushed past the dangling links, exiting the hall to join the fray.

Kira dove upon and grappled with the verdant unicorn, stopping his magic from ensnaring her at every tumble while attempting to subdue him once again to retrieve the key.

Regaining the use of magic was a top priority so I tried to move over to help but found my path quickly blocked by the two foreign ponies I had met earlier. The colt spoke up, "We must insist zat you return to Zandria."

The masseuse gave her little giggle, which sounded disturbingly threatening compared to her earlier demeanor, procuring a satchel of acupuncture needles. "Ze misses would not appreciate it if we had to damage her goods, no?" She flicked one out with alarming accuracy, my front leg going completely numb.

I forced myself to remain upright, pulling the pin with my teeth. I looked back to her as the feeling seeped back into to my limb, watching as she threateningly grabbed at another needle.

I took a single step back before diving to the side, this time feeling a painful prick as the needle missed its intended target but still managed to find its way into my flesh. I grabbed a pony about to sneak up on Sentry, dragging them along as a body shield as I advanced towards the mare.

The mare threw two more needles and my pony hostage went completely limp in my grasp. I pushed the paralyzed weight into her before trying to run past to help Kira get the key.

Somehow I had forgotten about the other pony that now stood over me as I shook my head in a daze. What were these two, Zandria's personal Prancian hit squad? I hadn't even seen him or the blow coming.

I fake swept at his leg before pushing off the ground with my back hooves, sliding out from under him. As I moved this time I felt a needle bounce off my skull.

If only she would cut that out, I briefly wondered how many of the needles she had as I regained my hoofing. My thoughts were quickly interrupted as I dove to the side again, this time to avoid the attack of her counterpart. They seemed so much nicer before... When they weren't trying to incapacitate me.

But it made even more sense now that one of them had been with me nearly every step I had taken through the mansion. Another pin struck my side, leaving one wing entirely numb. She really wasn't pulling any shots but thinking of my wings gave me an idea. I unfurled my good wing, curving it as a shield between the next dart and me. My plan worked, her needles needing to strike critical spots to be effective.

Trapped between the two I opted to rush the mare, my wing unfurled to take the brunt of her needles. When I was close enough I lowered my quilled up wing, several needles falling to the floor as I swung out to strike her throwing arm.

As expected she blocked my swing so I grabbed hold of her hoof, twisting it roughly. I cringed as I heard her cry out but continued twisting, knocking her hooves out from under her to finish the job as I heard her limb give a sickening snap.

I suddenly felt woozy, not from what I had just done but something different. Looking down to her satchel and unused needles I could see several of them in a side pouch were tinted orange, having been dipped in some sort of drug. Great, just what I needed, more mental haziness.

I felt a hoof wrap around my neck from behind, cutting off my air as its owner attempted to pacify me. I kicked at my attacker and desperately struggled unable to break the steely grasp. The drugs and lack of oxygen were quickly getting to me, my vision starting to pulse with darkness.

My hooves scrambled around for anything I could use, anything that could help me break free. Bumping into the satchel I reached in, grabbing a hoof full of needles. I could barely tell how many I had grabbed with my rapidly worsening vision but it was a quite a few of the tiny things. I took the bundle of pointed metal and jabbed it sharply into the limb restricting my airflow, giving an extra push for good measure before snapping the tips off inside of him.

My throat was released in a hiss of pain, the stab enough to distract the damned pony from task. I dropped the bundle of shattered metal, the needles cascading to the floor as I gasped for air. I barely registered Kira as she rushed over and levitated my key to its latch, tearing away the metal sheath and allowing me the ability to use magic once again... If only I could focus my mind enough for the task.

My world was in a fog as I blasted the injured Prancian away and roughly into the wall, preventing an attack on Kira. I looked around the room in a single blurry motion, sending an entire group sprawling with an uncontrolled blast, one jumping out of the way just in time.

My horn glowed out as I prepared to finish the job of taking the last of our foes down, a voice interrupting. "Ike, wait!" Kira gave my horn a thump to stop my magic from incapacitating Sentry, looking into my hazy eyes. "Ah great," she spoke pulling out a needle from my side and examining it "Just what we need, a drugged up Alicorn... Sentry, we have to move quick, any plan to get off this island?"

"This was your mission, I thought you would have the plan?"

"Boat... Out back..." I barely managed the words as Kira kept me from slumping over.

"Ike, you sure?" She asked, to which I gave a short nod.

Kira began to descend the nearest staircase, taking the lead should we run into anypony else. As I neared the steps I stumbled and fell, the mind and body numbing drugs taking their toll.

Sentry took notice, looking at me with concern before helping me back to my hooves. He helped me down each step one at a time as Kira looked back impatiently. "Can we speed that up? We don't have all night."

As we reached the bottom Sentry hoisted me up over his back, laying me sideways across it. "Sorry about this..." He apologized as he took off after Kira at a trot; the jolting motions the only thing keeping me awake.

Being carried with such relative ease gave me an appreciation of Sentry's strength; one side of his family must have been earth pony. I don't think Kira could have managed this pace had she been the one carrying me.

Having taken out nearly every combat capable servant in the mansion during the last fight our progress went uninterrupted, only a barebones crew of ponies that didn't give us any more than a questioning stare or startled shouts were there to greet us.

Kira thrust open a set of doors, entering into the silvery moonlight. I couldn't see much from my position but I could tell by the yells throughout the mansion that some ponies had recovered enough to give chase.

"There's the ship!" Exclaimed Kira, running the remaining distance and up the gangplank. She immediately ran to the anchor and started hauling it up, Sentry setting me down to help. Looking back to the mansion I could see several ponies exit the door, running full sprint towards the ship.

I stumbled hazily back over to the gangplank and lifted it with magic, attempting to drag it on board before anypony could reach it. I got it halfway up before I lost focus, my magic sputtering out. The plank tipped back over the edge, splashing into the water below. One pony immediately dove in, working to pull it back to the shore where they could set it up.

Kira finished with the anchor, running over to unfurl the sails. As she did she seemed to notice something. "Ike, you didn't tell me the ship was on a lake! How are we supposed to escape on this?"

"It's supposed to be able to fly." I spoke as I tried to walk over, my legs failing.

"Supposed to be? That isn't very assuring." She came over and dragged me back to my hooves again. The ship slowly pulled away from the assembled ponies attempting to re-set the boarding ramp, causing then to give up. A few of them jumped into the water in an attempt to climb the ship instead.

"I heard it did..."

"So you based our escape plan on rumors?" Kira looked to the opposing bank, " All right, change of plans, we sail to the other bank, fight off any climbers, and make a run for it."

"Wait." Sentry spoke, standing at the helm. "He may be right. I say we give it a try, if we can't figure it out by the time we reach the other shore we abandon ship." Sentry stared at the complex bank of levers to both sides of the wheel, trying to move one but finding it locked in place. "I don't exactly know what I'm doing though..."

"Need some help?" A voice spoke from behind me, Kira dropping me to wheel around to see the speaker.

"Xane?" She spoke to the gryphon who seemed to have a penchant for showing up without being noticed. "When did you get here?"

"When I woke up to find Ike had been taken hostage I put things together and headed here, I can't afford to shirk my duties."

"But you were unconscious from injuries!"

"I can handle," Xane spoke, removing a clawed hand from an evidently bloodied bandage. "Now, move aside." He lightly pushed Sentry to the side, inserting his claws into some sort of lock at the very center of the wheel and twisting. A solid click was heard as the ship gave a minor lurch, the same lever Sentry had been unable to move kicking into position. "Sister won't be happy..." He mumbled under his breath, adjusting several other levers.

The waters around the hull slowly receded as the ship began to lift, a magical furnace somewhere below decks kicking into full gear as a giant internal air bladder expanded. The ponies clambering up the sides of the vessel let go in fright as the ship began to lift from the water.

"You know how to fly this?" Sentry asked a little surprised.

"It is a one of a kind vessel, a prototype stolen by Zandria about a century ago. But to my people it is a well known vessel."

"A century? Why haven't we ever seen something like this then?"

"The architect is a stubborn old bird... After the Haast was stolen he refused to craft another or give up his designs." As the ship finished leaving the water Xane slowly pulled back another lever.

The ship gave a groan as two compartments that ran lengthwise on the ship's sides opened up, two gigantic wings designed in the style of an eagle's slowly unfurled from the ship's innards. "Hmm, it sounds like this bird needs a little work herself."

"You seem to know an awful lot about this ship for, what was it, a private stationed on a regular vessel?" Kira questioned skeptically.

"Are those acupuncture needles sticking out of your Alicorn friend's wing?" Xane peered over to me, as I lay upon the deck nearly passed out. By now the ship has raised well above the height of Zandria's mansion, swiftly gliding along on the wind.

"I can tell a blatant evasion when I hear it..." Kira unfurled my wing looking it over and pulling out several of the metal quills before stabbing them into the deck

"Fine, but you must swear to treat me no differently when you learn the truth." Xane reluctantly agreed to give the full truth under one condition.

"As long as the truth does not make you an enemy I can agree." Kira finished combing through my wing and put it back down, slowly looking over the rest of my body for more.

"From our first meeting I wasn't very truthful..." Xane held his bandaged side and leaned against the wheel. "I was no private aboard the Archrest, I was captain. It is quite dishonorable for a gryphon to lose his ship, especially when his first has already been stolen... The Haast was my ship, commissioned as a gift by my father the Nestking. If I am even worthy enough to name him as my lineage..." Xane trailed off for a moment.

"So, that makes you prince?" Sentry asked.

"Yes, but I am a second child. Zandria is my sister."

Kira looked up from me as her hoof reached for a blade.

"Hold for moment while I clarify," Xane scolded. "I have no intentions of returning you to her."

Kira lowered her hoof and plucked the last needle from my coat, stopping any more of the drugs from entering my system.

"She was raised from birth to be successor, but became displaced by my hatching... I remind you that Gryphons are very long lived; when I was birthed she was nearly a century old. She always resented me, even though I did not desire my father's place. Had she waited until my coronation I would have abdicated to her but she had other plans...

Father wanted me to prove myself capable before I could take full command so he commissioned the Haast, a powerful vessel just for me. Zandria was always better than me at everything and her bitterness at being displaced had not faded over the years. She chose to publicly shame me by challenging me to a duel, taking my ship, my crew, and nearly my life before heading out to sea. When father sailed out and insisted she apologize and return my ship instead of giving into her demands for power granting she denied him, sinking his inferior vessel. Afterwards she fled from gryphon territory as traitor.

I've never blamed her for her hatred, I only wish things could have gone differently..."

I could almost swear upon hearing an angry gryphon's cry drifting along the air behind us, Zandria waking to find her captive and prized vessel gone.

I could see sadness in Xane's eyes; he still cared for his older sister, despite her apparent hatred for him or her criminal actions over the years. Xane also gave another pained wince and pulled his talons away from the bandage, which was soaked through with blood.

"Let me see that wound, I don't think its bound properly." Sentry walked over.

"Its fine... Accepting further help just emphasizes how much of a failure I already am."

There was a brief pause as Sentry thought out how to proceed. "You said you didn't want to be treated any differently that before, yes?" Sentry asked, receiving a nod from Xane. "Then let me re-bandage your wound, Private..." He paused to check if his statement had offended Xane before continuing. "As a member of hoof picked royal guard I outrank you." Sentry twisted the meaning of Xane's command, using it to ignore the fact he was royalty and a captain.

"Ha," Xane gave a pained laugh. "You pick your companions well, Ike. Very well Sentry, do your worst." He spoke, sitting down and allowing the Pegasus access to his side.

Sentry prepared another bandage while speaking with Xane. "Well at least one good thing has come out of this for you."

"And what is that?" He asked.

"You have your ship back."

"In a hardly honorable way. The gryphons are a very straightforward people, it would have been preferred that I destroy the Haast in open battle or redeem it through a second duel rather than steal it back. But as you can see I'm not exactly a capable commander, losing the Archrest to the depths.

"I'm sure somepony, some gryphon." Sentry corrected himself, "will be glad to see you return with the Haast."

"If you mean the architect, yes and no. He will be quite dismayed by its lack of proper maintenance."

"No, I’m sure your father will be glad to see you safe." Sentry finished rebinding Xane's wound, sufficiently tightening the cloth to keep pressure on the right areas.

"Thank you." Xane returned to the helm and lightly nudged a few levers before mildly adjusting their heading, the giant wings mimicking the majestic gliding turn of a bird of prey.
"The winds are gentle, so it should be smooth flying from here. Go get some rest, it looks like you all need it."

~~~
Elsewhere:

A sinister light flickered upon archaic pillars, a guttural chant echoed from an assembly of creatures cloaked in black. A blood red sliver of moon shone down upon the open-air temple, casting an unholy light upon the altar at its apex.

"Welcome acolyte, are you prepared to join our order?" A voice snaked its way above the chant, its unicorn speaker pulling back his hood as the initiate finished climbing the ancient stone steps.

"Yes my lord, this is what I was born for." The Pegasus spoke, staring into the blood red eyes of his abyssal master.

"Good, the stronger your will the greater the power you shall be blessed with. Come forth."

The Pegasus walked forward onto a blood stained dais, standing in wait of his blessing.

The dark priest pulled out a dagger and sliced it across his own hoof, letting the blood begin to pool. Joining the acolyte he placed his hoof above the pony's maw, allowing a single drop to fall.

The guttural chant rose to new heights, the words indecipherable. The Pegasus went rigid; the blood in his very veins searing. Pain swept through him and he collapsed, unable to think of anything else while writhing on the altar.

After a minute his thrashing died down, a hush coming upon the assembly.

"Stand."

The Pegasus shakily stood, his eyes filled with bloodlust. A snarl rippled from his throat.

"Do you speak?"

The Pegasus lunged forward, magic enveloping him as his snarling maw came within inches of its target.

"Worthless beast." The robed priest plunged the dagger into the creature's heart casting it aside with ease. "Bring the next initiate, perhaps they will make for a more capable vessel." He spat upon the rapidly forming pile of corpses, only the strong would survive.

I don't know when I had drifted off, but the strange events sat at the forefront of my mind as I awoke in a cold sweat. I hadn't had a nightmare for a while now. Perhaps Luna's reach for guiding dreams did not span this far away from Equestria.

"You ok, Ike?" Kira walked over, feeling my head. " It feels like your body has cleared out the drugs, is it something else?"

"Yeah, it was just a bad dream."

"Oh... I've been getting them too, old memories of when Sombra was in power. It makes me realize that Luna must really have her hooves full at night, helping everypony dream peacefully back in Equestria, especially my people."

"I guess that's what you get for wielding a band of power... A boatload of responsibilities. She is the Keeper of Dreams, Celestia the Heavenly Sentinel, Twilight the Guardian of Knowledge.

All of their bands of power seem to emphasize traits already present in the bearer. It almost seems like each one of them was predestined to receive their specific band. But how is it possible that the shackle was truly meant for me? I came from another world. These bands of power have an importance to this land beyond what can be seen, what if my presence here has stolen it from the true bearer?

Bearing the Shackle of Dawn makes me Vanquisher of Darkness, a task that nearly undid me once before.

"You are wise to understand the weight of your responsibility." Xane spoke, appearing unannounced as normal. "The bands are part of a greater power entirely, one that makes up the very seam of this world. To disobey its calling, your calling, would be to pull at the very thread holding our reality together."

"How do you always do that?" I asked.

"Do what?" Xane replied.

"Show up randomly without anypony seeing you."

"I've been here five minutes, I was beginning to think Kira was ignoring me."

"What? No you weren't, I would have noticed you." Kira argued.

He shrugged dismissively. "Perhaps your senses are not as sharp as you believe?" Xane joked, mumbling to himself. "Or perhaps there's a certain magical artifact to blame..."

"What was that?" Kira questioned him.

"Nothing, just reminiscing."

"Don't you have some piloting to do?"

"Oh, yes, what was I thinking? We might crash into all of this nothing floating around up here."

"Go check our heading or something wiseass." Kira looked back to me and smirked, already pushing the boundaries of her station by mouthing off to foreign royalty.

"For what it is worth Ike, the things I have heard make me believe you indeed are the correct bearer." Xane got in a few last words before slipping off.

"So, um... How are you handling all the randomness going on?" Kira started talking to me again.

"Well, I'm doing the best I can to keep up, but I feel like I'm always one step behind."

"Yeah..." She trailed off, obviously distracted by something running through her head.

"Kira?"

"What is it?"

"What happened back at the mansion...That kiss meant something to you, didn't it?"

Kira shuffled her hooves and looked away. "I don't feel like its the right time for this conversation, I've got some fresh mistakes to live down first."

~~~

Author's Note

Thanks For Reading!

Well crap, would have had this posted a week ago if not for the shitstorm that passed through my town. No joke baseball through softball sized hail and winds in excess of 90mph. Luckily no tornado but the other factors caused enough damage. When I say damage imagine having a window shatter so hard it embeds glass shards into the wall on the other side of the room. Cars, houses, trees… not much got spared, to add insult to injury it was 5 or so inches more of rain after all the hail… And I was on my shift the whole time, knowing my car sitting out in the lot would be utterly trashed. So, yeah, fun week.

As for the cryptic note last chapter... Digging up the poorly covered pain then casting it away appropriately seems to have worked, we will see how things go and if I can get back into the grove of things writing wise now.

Predilection :CH8: Nestking

"Ike, we're here." Sentry shook me from yet another nap. I would have preferred to remain asleep as I had plenty of rest to catch up on, but if we were arriving I should at least make the effort to look awake.

I followed Sentry out into the chilly air top deck where I was instantly greeted with the sight of sheer and stony walls all around us. I peered over the edge of the ship, instinctually tightening my grasp as I viewed a mist obscured river far below. "Are we going down?" I asked.

"No, up." Xane adjusted one lever to its furthest setting, our ship slowly ascending even further.

The eagle's visage split through the clouds as we flew through them, our ascent brining us to view the sun poking over the mountaintop.

"Welcome to the Nest." Xane mentioned as I first laid eyes on the sprawling city bridged between three grand peaks of stone with another jutting through its very heart.

I stood in awe of the marvel, the mountainous monolith in the center draped in golden light as we drew ever closer. The grandiose architecture was stunning, each stone support suspending the city over the vast drop below.

Xane smirked at our awestruck wonder at his home. "The Nest has been the capitol of gryphon territory for thirteen millennia."

"Thirteen? How can a city so large last that long? Even stone crumbles eventually."

"Our ancestors had an allegiance with the elder dragon, he blessed the rock with his fire to never wear away as long as the gryphons protected the..." He paused, rethinking his statement. "Protected something dear to him." He revised. "The city is still warm from his age old flame, despite the frigid mountain air."

"The elder dragon?" Kira questioned Xane.

"As a crystal pony I am surprised you do not know, perhaps the gryphons need to work harder to restore relations... He is Raeleth, the first dragon, a beast rumored to be as old as the world itself. In his ancient age he awakens only once every fifteen thousand years, a shame I will not get to see it in my life."

"How old do gryphons get?"

"It depends on their bloodline, but on average gryphons live to be around 600, the dragon's next awakening will not be for approximately another two thousand." Xane paused, peering into the distance. "It seems we have company."

I looked ahead, seeing a massive ripple in the cloud layer. Moments later a battalion of gryphons clad in armor punctured through, rocketing skywards before tucking their wings and barreling towards the deck at alarming speeds. They slowed at the last possible second their simultaneous impact causing the entire vessel to shudder. The soldiers formed a defensive perimeter on deck with surprising haste, an honor guard for the gryphon in the center. This avian appeared larger than any of the others, his chipped beak showed a history of fighting, streaks of silver feathers cresting his head.

"Father," Xane spoke and bowed his head low as the armor clad gryphons parted, deeming it safe. Their motions were fluid and trained, each snapping to position then standing alert and perfectly still, save their piercing gazes.

"For a moment I was surprised to see you at the helm, nestling. It seems you have finally grown into your talons. The tale of how you bested that letch will be shared in revelry and song." Xane's father, the Nestking, congratulated.

"I... I didn't confront her. My efforts were spent on escorting the Equestrian diplomat away from danger."

"I see..." The nestking's visage now sat at the verge of a displeased frown, a frankly frightening appearance combined with his battle scars. "A partial victory is still better than none, take your vessel to the skydock and reunite our equestrian guests with their crew."

He barely gave me a second glance before leaping from the deck, his massive wings nearly brushing the wood as he launched away. In coordinated unison his troops followed suit, the gust noticeable from where I was standing.

"Not one for long conversations, huh?" Sentry broke the silence.

"Not when they can be avoided. He would rather speak with beak and claw than words even though he has proven a wise king, and as his son I am expected to act in the same manner. " Xane sighed and returned to the helm once again.

"But that's not what you want, is it?" Sentry questioned.

Xane looked to his most evident wound, wrapped in Sentry's bandages. "I'm not much of a fighter... Zandria would have made the stronger choice had things been different."

"Leadership isn't about physical strength. It's the strength of this." Sentry placed his hoof over Xane's chest, pinpointing his beating heart. "Choose to have strength of heart, if you have that alone you already make for a better leader than your sister."

"Laaaame..." Kira lightly mumbled and shouldered up to me, avoiding being overheard by the others. "I'll bet you twenty bits they screw before the end of the week."

I opened my mouth to respond but couldn't find the words.

"You in or not?"

~~~

"How long are we going to have to wait? This is getting ridiculous." Kira paced my chambers, just as bored as the rest of the crew.

"It's only been three days, besides the city is huge how can you be bored already?"

"Huge and relatively inaccessible to somepony without wings. Some of the shops have doors built halfway up the walls, no steps." Kira flopped over on the floor with a sigh and a grumble, "Asshat architects."

"I guess that's what happens when your entire population can fly. They probably don't even give it a second thought." I myself hadn't managed to make it outside very often in the last few days, and when I did I was toting around a book for my delayed gryphon history cram session.

"They don't even take bits here, which you owe me twenty of by the way." Kira referenced her proposed wager from a few days prior.

"I really shouldn't take your bets. When it comes to this kind of thing you are strangely accurate..."

"Kira, shipping expert extraordinaire. No denying it." She joked.

"Oh? Any other pairings you want to declare before they happen?"

"Well..." Kira reluctantly started. "I think that if a few things happened just maybe there could be one between-"

A knock at the chamber door cut off her train of thought, a familiar voice coming through. "Ike, its Sentry. Xane says the nestking is growing impatient that you haven't sought audience with him yet."

"What?" I looked questioningly over to Kira as I pulled open the door. "Sentry, we thought we were supposed to wait for his invitation."

"Well, apparently that isn't how it works here." He spoke as he walked in, looking briefly around the room.

I sighed and rubbed my head, "It would have been nice to know this, I don't know, three days ago? At least I had a chance to read up on how things work around here though."

"Come on Sentry," Kira jostled him and put a hoof around his shoulder. "You do have a gryphon you're inside... Oops, I meant gryphon on the inside. You should be more... On Top of the situation?"

Sentry seemed at a loss for words for a moment before clearing his throat and sliding away from Kira. "Our personal matters have nothing to do with- I... I mean... I don't know what you're talking about."

"Smooth." Kira continued to tease him. "Don't worry, I can keep a secret." She turned back to me, "Well, what are we waiting for? Don't want to keep him waiting any longer.

"A single solitary fucking bridge would be nice for once." Kira grumbled as she looked at the gap between the mountainside, and us where a large keep was built into the stone. "Screw this, I'm out." Kira stormed off before I could get in a word, mumbling something to her.

"Hey Sentry."

"Yes?"

"Kira needs a punching bag to relieve some stress, you got this right?"

"Ha, I think I'll leave that for you. She's already managed more than enough harm for my liking."

"Coming?" Xane spoke, letting his presence be known before leaping from the edge and unfurling his wings. He looked much healthier in the mountainous air, his wounds having healed surprisingly fast. Almost fast enough to make me wonder if it was physically possible. The real question though, was he there when Kira was prodding Sentry about their relations? For the life of me I couldn't remember.

I leapt from the stone into the empty air, an almost immediate chill coming over me as my hooves left the dragon fire blessed stone. The winds were harsher than I thought but it was easy enough to fly after getting over the sudden shock. The cold mountain air almost seemed to have its own magic, each chilled intake invigorating to the senses. I caught up with Xane and glided beside him, Sentry choosing the same.

"Anything else I should know?" I half shouted over the distance between us.

"I don't believe so, as long as you show civility and respect father shall grant you the same."

"What about the Alicorn sisters? I was told that their leadership is only tolerated by distance."

"That is why you are here, father is a renowned warrior to our people not some benevolent figurehead. He believes they do not have what it takes to rally their own nation should a crisis rise. That is why they were wise to send you, one who has proven capable against the darkest of foes, one who could call Equestria to action through example."

"I'm not a warrior, I never was. So far I have just done what seemed right."

"And that is all that matters, you will be-" Xane suddenly paused, an ear perking up.

"Suck it bitches!" A voice shouted in an exaggerated fashion as it swooped down from above us, a glimmering aura of reflected sunlight temporarily blinding us as the speaker landed on our destination platform.

Sentry gawked for a moment as we neared. "Is that? No, it can't be Kira."

We alighted on the ledge and the crystalline pony turned to face us, the nearly blinding light assailing our eyes once again. It was nearly impossible to see until Kira stepped into the shade, a smirk accenting her maw.

"Wait? Are those butterfly wings?" I began to chuckle at the effeminate display of the sparkling crystal wings.

Kira lifted them once more and stepped back into the light, immediately punishing my chortle. The wings were works of art but the fact that she was a crystal pony turned the light streaming through the multifaceted and colorful wings into death beams. "You trying to blind me?" I said with a cringe as a particularly bright beam from the temporary magic wings flashed across my eyes.

"If you keep laughing I might have to... The spell wore me out just enough to not feel like kicking your flank."

"I think we can work some form of transportation out if the eyesight of the whole nest is in such peril..." Xane joked. "But might I suggest heading inside for now? Somewhere with less sun." He spoke, working in vain at blocking some of the glare with his talons.

"Yeah yeah, quit your whining."

Entering into the great stone keep it was surprising how much activity there was. Going from the serenity of whispering mountain winds into a boisterous and full banquet hall was an unexpected change.

We hovered around in the back, realizing we came at a bad time in our haste. The gryphon king sat at the head of the table, his advisors and guests to his left and right spaced out along a decorative span of tables. He was draped in kingly finery, a royal purple cloak lined with fur.

The gryphon king paused, looking our way, his powerful voice silencing all individual conversation and activity in an instant. "So, the Alicorn prince finally chooses to appear? I was beginning to wonder if you intended to speak with me at all."

From the silence that fell upon the room I could tell that my response would be heavily weighed. This was nothing but a political game and I needed to show that I could play on his level.

I tapped into the strange and commanding force that came with being an Alicorn, the Royal voice. My words were softly spoken but carried a volume and edge to suitably reach every ear in attendance. "For one who has lived so long you seem to be lacking in patience." I diverted full attention back upon him as our unwitting audience waited for a reaction.

"That is only because I intimately know its value. It is not something to be squandered, even with my many years."

"Then shall we discuss the future of our peoples now, or would you have that wait until after all of this-" I looked around to the bards, the servants with wine, and even across the tables laden with food to emphasize my point. "Squandering?"

For several tense seconds you could hear a breathless silence, if he agreed to take council with me the revelry would come to an abrupt end, causing much dissatisfaction. But if the King refused it would refute his last conversation point, derailing his momentum. I couldn't help but crack the smallest of smiles at my minor victory.

"Bahahaha! The warrior has wits to match his accomplishments." The nestking laughed out, dispelling the tension. "Come join us Otherworlder, our city is graced by your presence."

Otherworlder... Is that what the gryphons had taken to calling me? The name felt strange, yet bitingly accurate in a way I didn't like. I was used to being grouped with pony kind by now and being separated made me feel something akin to a deep longing.

"I know you grant the title as a friend, but it is one I cannot accept. I would hope your people see me as a part of this world, not separate from it."

"Very well, Ike. That is in fact pleasing for these old ears to hear." The Nestking stood and motioned to several servants who lifted his chair and moved it back, providing room for another table. I noticed immediately that this showed a very uncharacteristic respect compared to the common idea of kings. He not only went out of his way to make room for us but also did so without disturbing the guests in attendance.

As we took our places a gryphon whispered something into the Nestking's ear, passing him a scroll with the Canterlot royal seal upon its surface. The king set it upon the table next to his plate and took a seat once again, the majority of the gryphons in attendance only giving the occasional glance our way now that the excitement was over.

A strange smell wafted over me, making my mouth water at the scent alone even though I couldn't seem to place what it was.

"Ah, good. Here comes the main course." I heard one of the table guests speak."

"Finally, I just can't seem to palate these greens, time to move on to something more." Spoke another.

It was then that it hit me, the smell... Fresh meat. I looked across the table to the stark contrast of expressions between Xane and Sentry as they both set eyes on the platters entering the hall pilled with medium rare slabs of seasoned beef and several smaller trays that were uncooked entirely. Sentry seemed practically mortified at this turn, meats being almost taboo in pony culture, while Xane looked outwards with a longing. I looked over to Kira and her ridiculous looking wings receiving a kick at my unpreventable exhale of laughter. Even though she pretended not to care I could tell the smell of meat was putting even her on edge.

Are you going to be ok? My eyes questioned both her and Sentry in turn, receiving short nods from both.

In a surprising short amount of time each of us found a plate before us, the steaming slabs of meat mortifying to some while succulently appetizing to the rest... And I was part of the rest.

I watched as the nest King disregarded all etiquette, snatching up a sizeable steak in his talons and tearing into it with his beak, blood from the uncooked meat splashing back down upon his plate. The way he attacked the food was like watching a beast tear into its prey; I looked down the table to similar sights everywhere. It made perfect sense to me, they were predatory creatures, but the eyes of Kira and Sentry showed hints of fear despite the fact Gryphons only consumed non-intelligent beings.

I knew I shouldn't in front of them but I had to know what it tasted like... It had been so long since I had had anything except plants and the occasional fish if I was in the right company so I hastily sliced a portion of meat, levitating the bite of once living tissue to my maw.

As the meat graced my senses with its unparalleled flavor my eyes nearly rolled back with pleasure. I had been missing out for so long... As I slowly chewed, prolonging the flavor I thought to take a peek around once more.

As I glanced over to Sentry he pushed away from the table with haste, a thoughtful servant intercepting him with an empty pitcher. Sentry heaved what little he had inside of him into the container, leaning on the gryphon for support.

Before I could react thunderous laughter echoed through the hall, gryphons banging on the table or clutching their sides in laughter.

"You already know your crew arrived before you... But not of the events when we first offered to feed them." The Nestking chuckled. "We thought we knew what to expect of you, but yet again you surprise me Ike. I see you have a hunter's tastes."

I wasn't quite sure whether to be offended that I had played an unwitting role in his joke or accomplished at the fact that I had yet again gained another modicum of respect from the nestking. In any case he wasn't entirely to blame, we were intruding on a court of carnivores mid meal.

"By the way, this was for you." The Nestking motioned to the sealed scroll, saving me from having to respond to the jest. It was quickly ushered over and I lifted the scroll with magic.

Removing the seal and opening the scroll I immediately recognized Twilight's writing, despite its apparently rushed sloppiness.

"Ike, I don't have much time so I'm going to keep this short. The princesses have both gone missing and it's up to me to find out what happened. Please, if you don't hear from me again by-" the scroll had a smeared splash of ink obscuring several lines, covering the words.

"Damned black vines, if I stay still too long they get all grabby, I'm sure they connect all of this somehow. Just come back to Equestria soon, hopefully I can fix all this before you get back."

Stay safe.
~Tw-"

There was an uncharacteristic fade in the ink where she had run out, presumably from the earlier spill. Her name was barely legible, scratched into the parchment by the dry quill.

I rolled the scroll back up and set it down, receiving inquisitive glances from more than a few ponies and gryphons. There was no reason for me to share that Equestria might be in some sort of danger, especially in such a public setting.

"Perhaps there is a dish available that is more suitable to an Equestrian diet? My friends here, if they have much appetite left, would appreciate the hospitality." I deflected the questioning stares, letting them think the message wasn't important enough to worry about.

"Very well, let it not be said that the gryphons are unwelcoming to their guests."

Author's Note

Apologies for taking so long of late. It is surprising how much 12.5 hour shifts interrupt the flow of doing anything else. (not really, I have pretty much accepted the fact that they suck for creativity.) What I have been writing has been in small spurts on the weekends when things slow down at work. I think I'm going to work up a side chapter next for those of you who need a bit more Discord. After that its back to the story.

Predilection :*: Discord and Pals

"We interrupt this scheduled programming to bring you something much, much, more important." A certain Draconequus spoke, pulling all attention away from the "lame" story that didn't have him as the starring role.

What are you doing Discord? I didn't say you could have another chapter. And why in the name of Celestia did I just narrate for you?

"Because, petty fool, I am taking the reigns. No more poison joke, no more comedy at my expense. Its Discord Time now, and you are my puppet. Dance for me puppet, fly the quill over the parchment to declare my majesty." The awe-inspiring creature spoke, wresting full control of his fate. The Lord of chaos could do whatever he so desired, as was his nature. His servant briefly wondered how Discord would use him, drooling in antici-

Damn it Discord! I am not-

"Shhhhh." The divine Draconequus hushed. "Now go ahead, do whatever it is you do."

~~~
P1

Discord could feel something in the thick Everfree air, a weakness, a corruption. The forest hadn't always been this wild and untamed, and for some reason it was growing worse each day. Or as he would like to think, better.

It amused him how even the princesses had their chariots avoid flying over the seemingly cursed place, but that meant they knew something... A secret he wasn't privy to and that fact alone was indeed quite irksome.

Discord traversed swiftly through the trees, vines writhing like snakes as the corruption fed his chaotic power. Further, he needed to go further into the dank forest. Something deep within held the full flood at bay, but that something was drawing oh so close to giving up. The very thought made him giddy with excitement at how close a flood of disharmony was to being unleashed across all of Equestria.

The trees gave sudden way to a barren and rocky cleft, the ground appearing to have been split to reveal a secret and pristine grove, a white glow emanating from its very center. A set of ancient stone steps were carved into the stone, showing that this place had been discovered long before the nation of Equestria was even formed.

"A fine example of pony kind meddling with powers beyond their understanding." A whisper of a voice drifted across Discord's ears, causing him to wheel about. Nothing but dark forest graced his wary sight and no matter how hard he peered no shape made itself clear to him.

Discord gave up on finding the mysterious speaker, choosing instead to traverse the long steps down into the chasm.

"They needed power... So they plucked it from the branches like fruit ripe for the taking." The voice drifted by on the wind, growing stronger as he descended. It was soft and motherly, yet filled with sadness.

"Took what?" Discord asked, unconsciously speaking in a quiet whisper as he gazed at a shining tree from the remaining distance.

"The embodiments of harmony, fragments of my very being..."

"The Elements? You mean to say the method of my defeat came from a tree?"

"I am no simple tree Draconequus," the voice reverberated, causing the ground to convulse in fit of anger. Discord was sent tumbling down the remaining steps as the voice continued, swiftly calming. "I am the embodiment of all virtue, without me this world would fall from balance. Without me true chaos would be unleashed."

"Is that so?" Discord picked himself up and cracked his knuckles, advancing on the shining white form in the center of the glade. "Then it's as simple as destroying you and all my desires come true..."

"Yes, your reign of disharmony is within grasp, but do you really want to rule over a barren world with no life? Besides I can sense you have loyalties that prevent you from doing so."

Discord knew the voice spoke honestly, and how could he possibly betray his friends or even betray his love by destroying all hope of this world's survival?

"You must aid me Discord, it is what must be done to save this world from a slow death, and somewhere deep inside you also feel that it is the right thing to do. The Elements of Harmony must be returned."

"Why me? They won't willingly give the elements up, especially if it was I who asked them."

"You are the only one who can hear my plea Discord, the minds of pony kind are not yet ready."

"How then am I to convince them when I haven't fully gained their trust?"

"I might have something for that, something you have forgotten. Do you swear to aid me?"

Discord paused, mulling it over. "Yes, I'll help you" at the completion of his promise several black vines burst from the ground around the base of the tree, growing at alarming rates.

"My seeds of Disharmony?!" Discord's eyes widened in genuine surprise. "I thought that plan had failed before it even began. So much of my power went into those seeds, and I can sense it still lingers."

"The seeds did fail, until the Alicorn sisters took a majority of my strength... I have been holding them at bay for so long, but it seems they may be of use under the proper control. If you cannot simply ask that the Elements be returned then you will have to fool or even force the new bearers into returning them, something I believe you are quite capable of."

"Why yes, I am quite good at deception." Discord gave a chuckle. With a quick snap the black tendrils sprouted verdant thorns shooting up around the base of the shining tree, winding their way through its branches. "Thank you for returning a portion of my strength, I haven't felt so alive since the last time I ruled Equestria."

"You swore to me!" The voice cried as the thorns pierced into its bark, infusing it with chaotic energy.

"I'm not very good at keeping promises, especially once I have such tempting leverage." Discord smirked, walking away. With every step seed after seed burst forth around him, swiftly spreading his influence outwards like a blaze. "Don't worry, I'll keep you alive, I like my variety of chaos too much to let this world be destroyed."

"Discord, please." The spirit of harmony begged for Discord to change his cruel twisted heart as he stormed away, her cries ignored.

"I feel like you are getting a bit slanderous here..." Discord accused.

What do you mean?

"Well, the way you are putting this across is making me sound like a bad guy."

Discord... You are a bad guy.

"Am not."

Yes, you are.

"I'm doing that ghost shrub thing a favor, it should thank me for keeping it alive."

It's the Tree of Harmony, a crucial extension of the very soul of this world. Also, stabbing it with spikes hardly sounds like a favor. And please, explain to me how unleashing seeds of chaos to spread across all of Equestria isn't evil?

"I like to think of it as morally questionable rather than evil. It's all in the name of fun anyways. Who doesn't like a little fun?"

Sigh* there's no reasoning with you is there?

"Not when everything you say is wrong. Now, onward to Canterlot for phase five!"

I'm not even going to bother asking why you skipped two through four...

"I'm skipping the boring parts, now continue your work peon."

Discord, I don't even know what phase five is.

"Bugger... Can't find good slaves these days." Discord scribbled out a prompt, flipping the card for me to read. "Go on, and you better make this good."

*sigh
I welcome you to Discord and Pals, Sex Dungeon Edition...

Wait, what!?
~~~

P 5

Discord's plan had nearly come to fruition. His seeds of chaos spreading far and wide, lying in wait of his command. Luna's seemingly prophetic dreams may have been an issue for a simple mortal to bypass but were nothing compared to Discord's cunning. In ways devious, maniacal, and secret he worked around her vision, preventing the Alicorn sister of night from discovering his plans.

Discord... You've just been sitting outside Luna's window making assorted and obnoxious animal noises every ten minutes to keep her from reaching deep sleep. I'm actually certain of the fact she already knows its one of your pranks. Don't quote me on this, but I'm decently sure an elephant cannot scale an entire tower to trumpet at its highest window.

"Caw caw caaawww!" Discord coughed end held out a finger. "You wouldn't understand."

A disgruntled Luna thrust open the curtains, a steely gaze falling upon Discord. "A single peep, another yowl, one more infernal noise from thine maw and I swear upon the moon thou shalt share the selfsame torment in thy dreams for eternity Draconequus." She growled with an unusual intensity before closing the curtains with a force that nearly tore them down, retreating back to bed.

"Sheesh, moon butt woke up on the wrong side of the bed." Discord complained.

Hmm, I wonder why?

"Well I guess if she wants to sleep so badly I'll just have to assist her." Discord snapped, the chaos ridden vines bursting up from the ground below to climb the tower wall at an alarming rate. Like a ripple the other black vines spread throughout the grounds of Canterlot began to sprout forth, an infusion of disharmony to improve these ponies oh so boring lives.

One dark tendril, seemingly larger than the others, paused by Discord's hovering form as if awaiting his command. He reached out, gracing his mindless creation with power and a purpose, a bulbous bud rapidly growing forth. Terrifying limbs and a maw that spewed noxious fumes tore their way from the previously harmless flower bud, the plantlike abomination easily as large as a pony.

Discord's creation stalked its way up to the curtained window as he sang a lullaby loud enough for the princess to hear. "Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep princess moon butt...." Noxious gas pumped into the chambers, Luna's closed eyes and deep irritated breathing causing her lungs to rapidly absorb the fumes, forcing Luna into a state of unconsciousness as Discord sprung his plan into action.

Discord dismissed the mutated vine and it shriveled away, reverting form to something more simple. Under his command it snaked into cloudy room, wrapping itself around the sleeping princess. Several other tendrils joined in to entwine the princess of night, slipping around her supple form to bring her into the daylight.

"This is going to be too easy..." Discord chortled, motioning the vines to bring Luna over. "Just a simple memory spell will do..." Discord pried open Luna's eyes, hypnotically staring into them to enact his magic. "Now even if something should go wrong you won't remember a single part from now until the spell wears off."

One princess down, now Discord just had to deal with Celestia and his plot would hav- "Celestia's royal kiss marks upon it." Discord interrupted.

What is it now?

"You said plot, it had to be done. Carry on."

Discord's... plan would have a much higher success rate if he held both Alicorn sisters prisoner. Twilight was nowhere near ready to take up rulership; Cadence was in the Crystal Kingdom and his wondrous creation Ike was away on business in the Gryphon territories. There would be nothing to stop him from gaining complete control over the- " hot threesome."

Damn it Discord, is there a single clean thought drifting around in that head right now? You know what don't even answer; I'm skipping ahead to phase seven.

But then you would be skipping the heart wrenching part where I betray Celestia's trust.

Discord, I'm fairly convinced you don't have a heart. And this memory spell stuff is kinda crap; it's like a freebie failure with no repercussions.

"Oh, look! " Discord snapped behind his back before pointing to a speck in the distance. "Is that a flying fuck?"

What?

"Oh wait, that can't possibly exist, I don't give one." He spoke as the distant object spontaneously combusted.

*Wiseass

P 7 *

With a snap the antiquated candelabra of the sisters' castle deep in the Everfree sparked to life, revealing the cold and age worn innards within one of its deepest chambers. Luna stirred into wakefulness, her confused gaze falling upon the once familiar architecture of her old home.

"I must still dream..." She mumbled, attempting to lift herself from the floor. Luna paused as she felt a tug accompanied by a metallic clink, a shackle and chain restricting movement.

Any drowsiness fled from Luna in an instant, her eyes darting to the chain and then around the room to assess her situation. The candlelight first revealed another form sleeping beside her, instantly recognizable as Celestia before she took notice of the other figure.

"Discord." Luna vehemently spat out the name. "I wanted to believe you were truly reformed, but I see now how blind we were." Luna began to cast a spell to remove her chains but found herself unable.

"Do you think I would allow you even the slightest chance of escape? Most of Equestria is already feeling the effects of my control, their unwitting fall into disharmony is quite an influx of power." Discord smirked as Luna passed a shackled hoof straight through where her horn had previously been, removed by Discord's unnatural powers.

"Then what do you intend for us if you are to conquer Equestria?"

"A king's harem needs... concubines." Discord approached and ran a paw along Luna's cheek, lowering his face to look into her eyes. "So, how do you want to play your cards on this? I see two options; fold or keep on playing until you wish you had surrendered.

Luna spat in Discord's face causing him to slightly back away. "The sister of night, as innocent and pure as the moon, so pure that her secret darkness manifested as an entirely separate being. Where then does such defiance stem? Have you been communing with Nightmare Moon?" He questioned while wiping his face, flicking the saliva away.

"I have reconciled with my darkness, as even Nightmare has redeemed herself, unlike the pathetic creature that stands before me. We have learned that extremes either way only cause strife, therefore we work now to return to a state of peace as we were before the divide was ever formed."

"So you've welcomed her back, tsk tsk. What would Celestia think? Oh well, it doesn't matter in the end. But now that you consider yourself whole it's going to be just that much more fun to see you break."

"I'll see you pay for this."

"Luna," Discord spoke with mock disappointment. "You could be using that mouth for much better things than empty threats."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Oh?" Discord snapped and an open mouth gag appeared in his hand. Discord grabbed Luna's cheeks, forcing her mouth open before slamming the piece in. Adjusting the straps he quickly latched it as Luna tried in vain to wrench her head away from his steely grasp. "You'd best mind yourself when telling me what I can and can't do."

Discord stood, ensuring Luna's gaze fell directly at his waistline, showing her that he intended to make good with his threat. There was no way she could stop him, the open centered gag providing entrance and preventing retaliation.

Luna tried to look away as Discord slowly stroked himself to readiness, unable to do so as she stood there shocked by what was about to happen.

"Any apologies before we start?" Discord teased Luna, knowing very well she wouldn't even if she could."

"Uck oo" Luna attempted a slurred curse past the gag, not achieving the desired effect.

"Not quite." Discord spoke, teasing his thick girth along her cheek.

Luna flinched away but instantly was made to regret it, Discord forgoing any gentleness by entwining Luna's mane in his grasp and yanking her back into position.

Discord hefted his member, pressing the tip just inside her gaping maw, watching her defiant eyes lose a portion of their vigor as she gave a helpless struggle.

"Now that's a good girl." Discord demeaningly taunted as his girth slid into her warm maw, forcing her insides wide. Not wasting a moment he thrust deeply, feeling her gag around him, her eyes responsively watering. Discord held her there enjoying the warm depths as Luna tried to pull away, unable to in Discord's firm grasp.

Nearly a minute passed as the princess of night helplessly spasmed, her airway completely blocked with Discord's girth. Discord absentmindedly stroked a lock of her mane as Luna's convulsions lost their energy, her mind numbing as the lack of oxygen began to take its toll.

Discord yanked her head away from his groin as quickly as he had thrust in, allowing Luna to gasp for air. The degraded princess coughed and sputtered as best she could past the gag, looking at Discord with scornful distaste as soon as she had decently recovered.

"Not enough yet?" Discord pressed her down upon his girth once more, holding Luna aloft by her mane as her legs trembled and gave out.

Luna could feel every pulse as her heart raced to deliver what little oxygen was left in her blood, but it didn't scare her like it should... No, instead it was strangely euphoric. A tingly bliss as she slowly went numb.

Discord pulled out again, Luna automatically gasping for air once more. As she recovered Discord teased his claws across her neck, causing her to shiver with excitement.

Luna was smart enough to know what was happening here, but her body was reacting just as Discord had intended. Luna felt a drop of fluid streaming down her leg, coming from her aroused nethers. She wanted to curse him, to scream at him, anything but sit here and feel her body and mind's slow betrayal.

"Is that a one more time I see in those eyes?" Discord slowly thrust back into her maw, giving Luna a chance for one last inhale. Her spasms stopped much quicker this time, Luna's anger pushed aside by rush of pleasure rippling through her. Giving an accidental groan that vibrated around the invading girth Luna froze, Discord pulling away upon hearing and feeling it.

"Well, well..." He chuckled "Can't have you enjoying this too much, can we?"

Discord loosened his grasp on Luna stroking himself in front of her face. "Unless... You really do want to enjoy it?" Discord questioned, letting go entirely.

Luna tried to look away from the massive girth bobbing inches from her face but couldn't manage to do so, captivated by the hormones and arousal rippling through her flesh. With a snap of his fingers Discord's gag dispersed into nothingness, allowing Luna the chance she had wanted just a little while ago to scream and curse the wretched beast... But she didn't, Luna just sat there on the edge of a decision, one that she never would have thought herself making just a minute ago.

Luna tipped her head forward ever so slightly, her closed lips bumping against his massive tip. Discord didn't say a word as Luna sampled his musk with a deep inhale, watching as her free hoof unconsciously drifted its way towards her engorged nethers to feel the damp fluids collecting there.

The breath from her nostrils teased against his shaft as Luna battled between desire twisted into shape by Discord and her own dwindling senses. Discord shifted back, barely a noticeable distance but enough for Luna to notice. She followed the move, getting the hint that the time she had left for freedom of choice was limited. As much as it pained her to admit, Discord had the upper hoof, she may as well accept this if it would be forced upon her regardless. Besides, if he was already rutting with Celestia it must be enjoyable in some fashion.

Luna parted her lips slowly, her tongue poking out ever so slightly to give a gentle lap at the tip lightly pulsing in front of her. A strand of pre from Discord's earlier escapades graced her taste buds, subconsciously twisting her to desire more as Discord tampered with her inhibitions. She opened her maw wide, staining to fit his pulsing tip inside of her warm maw. This stretch drove her imagination wild as she thought about how such a massive girth could manage its way into other entrances. Before even managing to take any more of Discord in her maw she pulled away, her quaking legs dripping with an arousal she didn't care was wrong.

Discord cocked his head to the side, wondering why Luna had so suddenly stopped when she had just seemed so willing moments before. Looking at her longing expression Discord watched as she bit her lip, a question in the back of her mind. "Speak, my pet." Discord stroked Luna's cheek, smiling when she didn't flinch away.

"I- I want more."

"I'm sorry could you rephrase that?" Discord toyed.

"I need- you...

"For what purpose?" Discord played with her mane, knowing very well now what she was trying to get across. He just wanted to hear Luna say it.

"I want to feel you- inside."

"Closer, now ask nicely." Discord grinned as she squirmed,

"Please, show me why Celestia moans so gracelessly while I wander the castle halls at night."

"Now that is something I can arrange." Discord snapped and Luna's chains fell free.

Discord swept Luna up before she even had a chance to use the newfound mobility, his serpentine body coiling once around her middle. His powerful muscles rippled as Discord shifted, allowing Luna to feel his frightening strength and the thrum of eldritch power that flowed through his veins.

Luna's mind went hazy as she met his hypnotic and impassioned eyes, wanting nothing more than what her primal desires cried for. She felt the warm pressure as Discord pressed her captive body down, his girth slowly inching inside of her tight tunnel.

Luna arched her back under Discord's twisted grasp, her body begging for him to fill it completely. Discord reminded her of a constrictor, she was helpless in his powerful grasp and wouldn't be released until she was limp with exhaustion or unconscious. He was a dangerous creature, but for some reason the fear only drove Luna's desire further.

Discord didn't even give Luna the courtesy of adjusting to his girth inside of her, his coiled body shifting to pull her back up for another thrust. Already Discord's deliberate motions were driving Luna wild, and she attempted to muffle her heated breaths against his neck. Noticing he smirked, lifting her chin up to plant a kiss upon her quivering lips. Luna allowed him to muffle her cries, opening her self fully to the lustful exchange as the Draconequus continued to press onwards into her depths.

The kiss was slowly forgotten as the flood of pleasure began to build up, leaving Luna's moans to spill out into the room with every motion Discord made.

Luna froze as she heard Celestia groan out beside her. Looking over Luna found an unchained and magic capable Celestia furiously rubbing at her nethers.

"S- sister?!" Luna cried, blushing at the predicament she was being observed in. Her eyes rolled back as she reached climax, Discord unceasing in his assault upon her quaking insides.

Celestia paused her frantic motions, realizing she had been found out.
"What? I couldn't let you two have all the fun without me."

~
Wait, what? The confused narrator asked.

"See? Now that’s what you get for skipping phases I don't tell you too. Celestia was totally in on this. Now if you would excuse us, I have about 6 hours of fun to have before giving Twilight a hint on how to solve this 'vine problem'."

Wait, so you weren't betraying anypony?

"What did I just say numbskull, Celestia made me a deal. Having my way with her and Luna for a day or two equals me not taking over Equestria."

She sold her own sister's body to keep the throne? Wow...

"Now shoo. I'm the lord of disharmony, not the lord of exhibitionism. What's about to happen here is private." Discord waved his hand, causing the invasive writer to be cast forward to another scene. Left only to wonder about the rest of what unfolded in that candlelit dungeon.

P.10

Discord sighed in his sleep and adjusted his head on the pillow. It had been an interesting couple of days, but now things should be going back to old regular boring. He wasn't even allowed to dream about the many times and ways he had defiled Luna's body, for fear that she was wandering his dreams.

"Discord..."

"Go away Luna." Discord mumbled drearily.

"You really thought you could get away with it, didn't you?"

"Wait, you... You remember?" Discord's mind retreated inward, pulling up harmless thoughts to cover up the ones he didn't want showing in the dream and hoping that she didn't remember much.

"Of course I remember all the sleepless days when you thought it funny to keep me awake. And you need to learn that I keep my oaths."

Suddenly Discord's dream shifted, a thunderous hoard of crows flew around him. Earsplitting caw's drowned out his every thought, forcing him awake in seconds.

Discord rubbed the sleep from his eyes and smirked, "I guess she gets her vengeance after all."

Author's Note

Thanks for reading!

To my old readers:
Shiiiiiiit... I just abandoned you guys for the better part of a year, didn't I?
Taking this long of a break has got me thinking... Which is a bad thing by the way. Thinking why am I even writing this in the first place and how is this a good use of my life/time? I guess I just have to find a way to push past that. I'll be trying to get some more writing done, and also trying to finish this series before pulling another long ass disappearing act. I don't want to leave matters unfinished, even if I never write a yiff/clop fiction ever again.
So sorry for those who have waited this long for a new chapter, and sorry if it was lackluster, I have the write my way back into the groove and have not been feeling up to the challenge of writing clop in the slightest.
The fimfic system purges unread notifications (and possibly messages?) after a month (I think it's a month), so apologies to any of you who have asked questions or sent me a message in the 8 months (holy hell) I vanished.

To the new readers:
If you are new, welcome! I hope you had fun reading the prequel! You did read the story before this, right?

Predilection :CH9: Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind.

The rest of our mealtime went off without too much awkwardness, except the fact that Sentry refused to look anywhere but his green filled plate. He managed to keep from retching his guts out again though so it wasn't too bad. At least I knew for future reference that if I was ever to eat meat again I should avoid the public eye. Personally I didn't see anything wrong with it, but rumors about an Alicorn royal having a taste for flesh could easily get blown out of proportion.

Thankfully the desert course of the meal contained nothing that could be seen as offensive. At its completion, with some words from the Nestking, the crowd slowly dispersed and the tables were cleared. We stuck around until the last of the prying eyes and ears had left, Xane clearing his throat and standing from his seat.

"Father, if it would please you I would make formal introductions?"

Xane received a curt nod as we stood.

"I present Ike, Prince and savior of the Equestrian territories, the colt formerly of Earth."

It seemed the correct thing to do so I gave a bow, showing my respect.

"The royal guards Kira Zephyr and Flash Sentry of the Crystal Kingdom and Canterlot." The two also gave their respects.

Xane turned to us. "And for you I would introduce Aeolus Lionsblood, Sovereign of the Nest, High General of th-"

"Zephyr. Could it be?" The Nestking interrupted, peering towards Kira. "My father believed the last of your line fell to the Deceiver Sombra. Were you incapable of living up to your heritage?"

Kira's eyes took on a displeased glare at her capability coming into question, a harsher look than I had ever seen her give before. "Sombra got what he deserved in the end, I don't regret that my life spent training to implement his destruction was interrupted by the Alicorn sisters. In the end my knowledge helped Ike Destroy Sombra, not just banish or disperse him like the previous attempts."

I was slightly confused at hearing this from Kira only now. She had told me she was born during Sombra's rule, but not that her expanse of combat knowledge had been for the sole purpose of sacrificing her own life to stop him. It made sense but it made me grateful that the Alicorn sisters had managed to stop him, even if it was temporary. Kira was possibly the only remaining crystal pony that knew the hidden location of the bands of power before the Alicorn sisters had found them, and that meant she would have given her life for the power to kill Sombra, just as I almost had.

"Yes, I suppose that is a sufficient excuse. The Crystal Kingdom proved themselves long before the factions of the old realm found their way to peace in a united Equestria, and we would be glad to re-forge our alliance with them. But you, Ike. You call yourself an Equestrian, do you truly believe in them?"

"The people of Equestria may have different cultures and customs, some that even I still find strange at times, but haven't they proven themselves already? I don't claim to know even half of Equestria's history but they have proven their resilience against hardship time and again."

"Your testimony will have to do." Aeolus pulled a single feather from his wing holding it out expectantly. "Let our people be friends in peace and allies in strife."

I stepped forward to accept it but paused, taking the time to pluck out one of my own wing feathers as I remembered a line that I had found in one of the many books I had rushed through these past few days. "May Raeleth's Fire shield your heart," I spoke, praying I remembered correctly. I extended the token out to Aeolus, my feather alighting in his clawed hand.

He gave an accepting nod as I took hold of his feather, completing the symbolic trade. "And the radiance of truth guide your step." He completed.

"Forgive my asking, but what is the current status our vessel?" My stomach made a light gurgle as it churned, unfortunately displeased at the morsel I had enjoyed. Luckily it settled quickly, as I had barely eaten any of the meat to avoid further disgusting Sentry or Kira.

Aeolus chuckled, I wasn't sure if he had heard the noise or if it was about my question. "Straight to business I see. Your feeble hulled Equestrian ship took crippling damage from a single salvo, it is unfit to sail these waters, and as so we have condemned it. I will send some of my best shipwrights to Equestria as a token of our alliance to teach pony kind the proper way of shipbuilding. As for you, a new vessel is being constructed."

I had been hoping to get the crew returned to Equestria as early as possible with the strange note Twilight had written, but this put a wrench in the plans. There was always the possibility of using Discord's power to return but when I had tried to contact Canterlot yesterday there hadn't been an answer. "Is there any way to leave sooner? I have duties to attend to." I spoke. Hopefully Twilight could handle whatever was happening in Equestria a few days longer.

"If it pleases you father I could take the equestrians on the Haast to avoid any further pirate confrontation?" Xane jumped in.

"Very well, it has not been re accounted in our assets as of yet and shall not be missed in our current plans. But before they can leave I must ask several favors of our new allies, the first being to stay just a while longer." The nestking looked over Sentry and then to me. "Have you entrusted your secrets to this Flash Sentry?" The Nestking discretely tapped his foreleg, mirroring where the band of power was first placed upon me.

I briefly mused over the fact that the only one present who didn't know about the bands of power was Sentry. It surprised me how all of it was still a secret to Equestrians. Had the Gryphon and Crystal Kingdoms kept it shrouded in mystery to all but a select few as well?

"He has not been made aware. But given the choice, yes, I would trust him to keep them." Sentry looked at me questioningly, his mind likely racing to conclusions as to what secret I could have.

"Very well, follow me if you wish to understand even more about your power." Aeolus walked over to stone pillar at the edge of the room, shoving it aside on an invisible track. The stone ground to a halt and Aeolus pushed upon three different segments of wall, a hidden doorway making itself visible as it opened.

"Secret passageways, if that isn't a bit cliché for ancient stone castles." Kira scoffed. "Let me guess, it leads conveniently right to where we need to go?"

"Actually, no." Xane spoke. "Its just an escape tunnel, father just prefers its convenience over explaining to the guards he wants to go somewhere alone. If you haven't noticed he can be a little eccentric at times."

"Oh."

As we wended our way through the stuffy tunnel lit only by mine and Kira's magic I worked on explaining the full truths of my story to Sentry. I filled in the gaps that were not common knowledge, namely the bands of power and how I had received one. In doing so I knew I was also partially divulging the secrets of Luna, Celestia, and even the mysterious Dr. Whooves but I believed Sentry could handle them.

We came to a halt nearing a dead end. Aeolus felt along the wall as I spoke. "The sheer power granted by the Shackle of Dawn was incompatible with my unicorn form, causing the magic to become so volatile that it could have leveled the entirety of castle Canterlot had I not fled.

But somehow at the very moment of my seemingly inevitable death fate deemed me worthy of becoming an Alicorn. Luna and Celestia took this glimmer of a chance and were able to forge my rebirth form the flames.

Now I can safely wield my band of power, but only at a fraction of its previous capabilities."

"Only a fraction?" Sentry questioned. "But from what I've seen Alicorn have much greater power than unicorns."

"When I fought Sombra I unleashed so much energy that for a moment I transcended past the physical world and was able to meet the demon possessing him on its own plane of existence. My Alicorn magic and the shackle combined still give me plenty of power, but such unrealistic feats are beyond my ability."

The Nestking paused, "Ah, here it is." He placed his talons into an impression on the wall, the stone pushing away to reveal natural light once more. "Follow." He spoke before dropping like stone from the entrance.

I peered after him as he plummeted down, wings tucked in close, seeing the mountain widen out below us.
"Aww, what th-" Was all heard from Kira as I followed his lead, jumping after, the winds cutting past blocking out any more.

Aeolus lightly adjusted his fall, preventing gravity from having complete control by increasing air resistance. My ears popped from the pressure change as we rapidly descended towards the widening mountainside.

Just as I thought Aeolus would reach a distance too small to avoid colliding with the snow laden mountainside he began to level out, arcing his path in an effort to slow, slightly banking to change his course. I took my flight with a little less risk, pulling up from the dive earlier and using my altitude to try and slowly close the distance to Aeolus from above.

A curious rumble emitted from somewhere in the distance, prompting me to check on how the others were. I looked back as best as one could while flying to the sight of Sentry and Xane seemingly racing neck and neck to catch up, stern competition plastered on their faces. Kira, the last to jump, trailed behind them.

I looked back to my current task as they slowly gained, bringing our group closer together. Aeolus paused, hovering in place to listen as another rumble sounded, this time the noise coming from even closer as what appeared to be several miniature avalanches happened at once.

He looked to us and slowly made to turn about, prompting even the racing duo of Sentry and Xane to come to a halt beside me. Gale-force winds kicked into gear as he slowly flew towards us, his speed made it almost seem as if he were prey trying to avoid detection from a predator. Gryphons were a natural predator though, what could the great nestking possibly fear? Aeolus began to fly faster as the magic driving the storm reached my senses, catching up to him. Who or what could make a storm of such magnitude with magic?

The answer came to me in an obscured glint of white through the stormy curtain, a shining form barreling across my vision and into the Nestking. Aeolus fell from sight into the storm along with the shrouded creature, which from a glance was larger than even the hydra I had once fought.

"A storm Wyvern?! Raeleth protect us." Xane invoked the name of the elder Dragon almost as one would a deity.

"We need to help him!" I yelled out in an attempt to jar everyone to action as I began flying towards the wall of the storm.

"Wait." Xane called, gabbing hold of me. "Wyverns may slightly resemble Dragons but they cannot be reasoned with. They are fearsome and unforgiving hunters of all, yet prey to none. That storm is the Wyvern's killing ground, and if... If my father isn't gone already he will be if he doesn't escape it soon."

"I still have to do something." I shook off his grip, continuing forward. "What kind of ally, what kind of friend could stand by and do nothing?"

"Then I'm with you Ike, I can't have the Equestrian diplomat, or a friend, dying alone on gryphon snow."

"Are you all going to shut up now? We've got some scale breaking to do." Kira blew past us as best as she could with the limitations of her false wings, piercing into the storm wall followed quickly by the rest of us.

The wind was frigid and icy, tiny shards stung at me, pricking my skin and melting away in an instant. I could hardly see a meter ahead, my eyes nearly clenched in response to the whipping gale. I flew for at least a minute, the harsh wind battering me about to the point where I became unsure of which way I had come from. If not for gravity I would have even forgotten which way was up with how badly my flight was going.

"Kira? Xane? Sentry?" I spoke loudly but avoided shouting over the winds. I received no response, the others could be anywhere in this storm. Why was I stupid enough to rush into this without a decent plan?

I crashed with a soft thump into a bank of snow, my impaired vision making it impossible to pull up in time. There had to be a better way to do this, the cold was sapping my strength and the longer it took the less chance we had of finding Aeolus, dead or alive. It had been a huge mistake coming into this storm unprepared and I needed to work smarter to succeed.

I unburied myself from the frigid cold, haphazardly forming the snow into walls around me with magic to shield myself from the gale. That was it! If this creature’s storm was fueled by magic then I should be able to sense its origin.

I forwent my useless eyes, closing them to better concentrate as I let my consciousness probe outwards. Met with a curtain of magical force I allowed myself to disregard it, searching instead for greater concentrations of power. By mere chance I found myself stumbling across a small tendril of energy, not what I had been hoping but at least a hint. I expanded my search and began to follow the tendril to its source.

At first it withdrew from my touch, but soon began to search in a similar fashion for my location. Did Kira have the same idea as me? Finally tracking down the source I felt out mentally to examine it, a deep and rumbling growl emanating from far too close.

Instead of finding Kira as I had expected I had stumbled upon a far greater source of power, the Wyvern itself. I swiftly pulled back my search, but knew it was too late, it knew where I was now.

I opened my eyes as I felt a warm gust blow across my mane, how could I have known the beast hunted in this way? Remove the vision of its prey and search them out with magic. The wind nearby had cut away almost entirely, enormous wings caging me in. Two stormy silver irises slid away in front of me, each eye revealed larger than my head. The Wyvern balanced on one leg, the limp form of Aeolus hung loosely in the creatures massive claws. He would be a quick snack for the massive creature, and I could see it wanted more than just one mouthful of flesh and feathers.

I took a step back, the creature menacingly shifting its body to cage me in even further. No, I couldn't give it any more ground. I had to show it I wasn't afraid or I would be dead in an instant. Despite the pounding of my chest and the instantly freezing drops forming on my brow I had to show I wasn't afraid.

I took a step forward, the Wyvern inquisitively tilting its head. The respite didn't last long as it rumbled out a throaty growl, closing in on me a little more. It wanted me to try and escape; it wanted the thrill of the capture.

I tapped in to the Alicorn voice, giving the best impression of its growl I could muster. The sound came out of my bone dry throat cracked and broken but still had the desired effect, causing the Wyvern to lower its wings to a slightly less imposing position for just a moment before raising them back up threateningly once more.

I let out as loud of a shout as I could, combining the noise with a shuffle forward. The imposing creature took a thoroughly confused back step, its grasp upon the Nestking loosening.

I was buying time, nothing more was being achieved with these tactics. It wouldn't be long now until the creature decided my challenge was worth a fight. I was imposing on its territory, meaning I was either prey or competition. Either choice meant I would soon have to protect myself, if that were even possible against such a raw force of nature.

"Come on..." I mumbled, praying that Kira would show up. Despite the calmed winds around me they still whipped away everywhere else, anyone finding where these noises originated from was a long shot. I was alone in this, just like they would be when the creature finished with me...

I caught a stifled groan over the creature's rumbling breath, my eyes flicking down to Aeolus who appeared to be waking. My lapse in contention was all the creature needed for its decision, energy crackling from deep in its maw.

A force flared up within me, creating a spectral barrier as the ball of charged energy spewed from the Wyvern's throat. The barrier shattered away under the raw power of the magnificent creature, even the innate protection from the band of power not enough to turn away a single blast.

My body launched several feet away, my limbs responsive as jelly from the electrical jolt I had just taken. I forced myself up, allowing the Shackle of Dawn to surge within me. I haphazardly flung a bolt of fire, harmlessly striking the Wyvern on a thick portion of scales.

The magic still surprised the creature, causing it to drop Aeolus to the ground in exchange for better footing. I scrambled back, firing bolt after bolt of fire against the creature's impenetrable hide as it stalked its way towards me step by step.

Come on, what was wrong with me? I needed to put out more power than that, if only to hold it back a little longer. I rooted myself and tried to shake off the stunning effect that the earlier electrical shock had done, focusing on bringing forth my powers. It was all or nothing and I only had a few seconds to get this right.

As if an invisible barrier had broken away a flood of power poured through me, inviting the silver and blue flames to dance across my form once again. Just as the great Wyvern was upon me, his maw ready to tear into my flesh, I loosed everything I could.

A deafening burst echoed out, the flash blinding me for a second, as the expulsion of power flew forth not from my horn but my entire body. I waited in a shocked silence as it echoed back several times throughout the mountainous valley before my vision returned.

The sun glared off of the glassy and bare rock, a molten crater in what used to be snow covered mountain beneath my levitating form as I quickly gained control of my wings to prevent falling. The great creature lay a distance away; it's once silvery white scales scarred with black, half of its majestic face a smoldering mess.

The weather had come to an eerie rest, the creature's power either dispelled by my blast or it's own incapability to continue.

Having been just as lost as I was, the others gave disoriented glances around before their gazes landed on my work. The magic fled from my form and I found a spot to land, panting out to slow my adrenaline infused heart.

Sentry and Xane rushed over to the Nestking's shifting figure, helping him to stand as Kira sped over to me as best she could with the false wings.

"You good?" She questioned, receiving only a delayed and shaky nod. "You really know how to give a bitch a proper smiting." Kira looked back between me and the prone form of the Wyvern, disappointed when I didn't respond. "Come on, that had to be epic. High hoof, right here." Kira raised a hoof in expectation.

I didn't take any pride in taking down the beast, I was just glad to be alive, but I halfheartedly accepted Kira's version of a high five anyways. I was just tired... That had to be why I felt so strangely. But why was there a whisper in my mind trying to tell me that risking myself for the Nestking's sake hadn't been worth it, even if I had succeeded? Barely succeeded...

While Kira had been prompting celebrations Aeolus had recovered enough to test his wings, giving several quick flaps to check if they were undamaged. He appeared pleased with the results, despite whatever else was likely injured. He had been slammed into by the massive Wyvern at high speed, it would be surprising to find out he had less than three breaks or fractures elsewhere.

Kira continued to say something, a strange shiver creeping over me as I grew even more exhausted. I surveyed the scene once more, seeing a dark mist creep over the Wyvern's form causing it give a growling shudder.

"Fly!" The Nestking commanded upon hearing the noise, causing the creature's eyes to snap wide open before adjusting to the light and focusing in on us. Its eyes shone now a pitch black, giving me the feeling something was terribly wrong.

Aeolus took the lead once more, continuing away from The Nest in favor of flying low to the mountainsides. His full out dash either showed the destination was close or that he was desperate enough to use all his energy in a futile escape. Personally I was hoping for the first, I didn't think I had it in me to repel the Wyvern again. An enraged roar came from behind as we fled with all haste, the labored clap of the Wyvern's wings as it lifted its injured body for the chase barely registered over our own frenzied attempts at speed.

Despite its wounds I could tell the Wyvern was closing in, nature having given this predator more than its fair share of tools with which to hunt. We couldn't keep up this speed forever but we would be run down even faster if we slowed. I pulled at my remaining magical energies; enveloping myself in a cocoon of wind which I spread out as best I could to aid the others.

I felt hollow, my magic barely able to stretch itself far enough to help everyone, the whispering voice in the back of my mind telling me not to waste my time with them. It told me to abandon them and save myself...

I could sense another surge of magic, our speed increasing yet again. “Kira, thank you." I whispered, the voice in my mind fleeing with the hope she had granted so simply.

The Wyvern gave a labored pant and one last angry growl, loosing its will to chase us as we proved faster than it could handle with injuries. Its altitude slowly dropped away as it circled back, likely retreating to its current den.

We kept up our speed for a little while longer, slowing only when the great beast was far behind. "Not far now." Aeolus assured as we began one more arc around a snowy outcropping.

We finally came to a halt behind Aeolus as he hovered in front of a small crevasse, nearly indistinguishable from any other and, barely large enough to squeeze a hoof into. "I know you see me, open the door you rotting sack of bones."

There was a brief silence before a muffled response was heard. "Open it yourself, you old crow."

"I would if I could you incompetent gasbag, but I don't think I can pry it open with a broken foreleg."

"Broken?" Some scuffling could be heard inside as the speaker moved about. "Don't you go getting all brittle on me, you still have a good hundred years left."

The stone crevasse shifted, gaping wider as the slab of un-carved and previously unassuming rock opened itself on invisible seams. A layer of powdery snow lifted away, blown by the warm gust from inside.

The Nestking flew inside, and we all followed suit, entering into a warm fire lit cavern. I promptly scooted as close as I could handle to the fire, trying to eliminate the deep chill the Ice storm had left me with.

The Gryphon speaker who had let us inside looked over Aeolus briefly. "Well you look like shit."

"No more than you on an average day." Aeolus retorted.

"That's Echelon " Xane whispered to us. "He's an Uncle of sorts."

A stare down ensued, both sides holding a firm scowl upon their faces. As the seconds quickly passed the mock scowls turned into discrete grins as they both held out as long as they could.

Echelon broke out in a hearty laugh, breaking what little fake tension had been created. "Come here you."

The two shared a quick embrace, the Nestking coughing out, "Ribs," as Echelon jostled him.

"We'll get you patched up and send a message to your guards, by now they are likely searching the entire city."

"You know me too well Echelon." Aeolus looked to Xane. "We are going to be here longer than I expected with a Storm Wyvern on the rampage, show the Equestrians where they can stay."

"A Storm Wyvern!?" Echelon sounded surprised as he led Aeolus down a torch lit tunnel. "You really need to work on telling me the important things sooner, I'll make sure no one goes outside until it's dealt with."

The Nestking paused and turned to me. "Thank you." Was all he said, but I could read the full meaning in his eyes before he turned away once more.

"For all records this place doesn't exist." Xane sounded serious as he spoke, leading us down a separate fork in the tunnel. "My father entrusts this knowledge and anything you learn in this place to you and expects you share it with no other soul save any who know of the bands of power."

"So this place connects them somehow?" Kira questioned.

"More than just a simple connection, but you will learn the truth later. For now welcome to Fate's Keep, built into the natural mountain caverns that have existed longer than history recalls."

The tunnel came to an end, opening abruptly into a massive cavern basked in a white light from deep below. Stonework bridges and platforms spanned the gaps, casting dancing shadows on the distant cave ceiling. From such a distance away it was impossible to tell what the light came from but it seemed to convey a sense of purpose.

"What is it?" I asked, knowing Xane would realize what I meant.

"It is both the reason you persist and the reason you have been brought here."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm sorry. It's not for me to say, but you will know in time." Xane continued walking, not giving a chance for more questions. "There's an empty house kept ready for when Father visits, it only has two rooms but I believe Echelon will insist he spend the night at the hospital."

"Psst, Sentry." Kira whispered. " All this cryptic shit is bugging me. See if you can't get him to loosen that beak of his."

"I'm not going to press him for information he doesn't want to give."

"You sure you can't just... Make him squeal a little? You seemed so good at it before." Kira nudged Sentry suggestively causing him to redden.

"Are you done plotting back there?" Xane spoke loudly enough to grab our attention. "This is the place. The beds are large enough for two but if need be I can sleep in the living area to give Kira a room to herself."

Before we could make any of our own arrangements Kira interrupted. "I'm fine with sharing, besides you and Sentry have plenty to 'talk about', right?" She grinned.

Xane stopped, not quite sure how to respond. "I, umm. I'm not sure what there is to talk about."

"You two are so hopeless..." Kira moved past and into the house and I followed suit, leaving Sentry to explain how Kira's three-day boredom led to their blossoming and not so secret relationship being proven fact.

"Hey, Kira. I'm sorry for putting everyone in danger earlier... I got cocky and underestimated how dangerous the Wyvern actually was."

"Neither of us knew, I was just as willing to rush in. When my magic couldn't part the storm and we got separated I thought it would be the end, but you still managed to pull us through." Kira responded, watching my expression.

"Not without your help, I almost thought we wouldn't escape..." I trailed off.

Kira snapped me back into reality by putting a limb around me. "Well it just goes to show that we should always stick together, you and I versus the world. And I bet you a million bits that we come out on top."

"I know not to gamble with you," I chuckled, "You always seem to win."

Hours later, a meal and plenty of friendly banter we started winding down for the night. Before my turn to wash away the events of today came around I heard a knock at the door.

Questioningly getting up and opening it I saw Echelon.

"Prince," he gave a bow. "Is Xane available?"

"He just went to wash up, it shouldn't be long. Come in." I closed the door behind him and took a seat on the couch across from him.

Kira peeked around the corner, her mane wrapped up in a towel to dry. "Those pesky wings kinda just disappeared when I showered... Remind me to never use that spell if it’s going to rain." She spoke, taking a seat next to me.

"Ah, the member of house Zephyr the Nestking spoke of." Echelon spoke, standing rapidly and bowing yet again.

"Sit down, it's not like I'm important." Kira spoke.

"But... I..." Echelon sounded both surprised and flustered. "Do you not know of your heritage? I assumed you had at least some knowledge of it!"

"All I know is that it was my parent's job to stop Sombra... From my lack of a family you can see how well that went." Kira sounded a bit bitter at the subject, and she had every right to be. She had spent her life training day and night from a young age to keep her mind off what had happened to them.

"Sombra had them publicly executed when they refused to deliver the Bands of Power into his hooves. I was barely old enough to even understand what had happened."

Kira's voice had now lowered to an angered growl. "So ask me the most efficient way to crush an opponent's windpipes or snap their wings and I could tell you. Ask me how to sever crystal with a blade of wind or sense a spell before it's even completed and I might be able to teach you. But I wasn't about to waste precious time to learn about why I was the one who the task had fallen upon when all of the Crystal Kingdom had no other known hope of salvation." Kira got up from the couch and started to storm away.

"In no way did I mean to offend, I will let the matter rest and allow you to seek your own answers if you so desire." Echelon spoke to her departing form. When she had cleared the room Echelon sighed. "She reminds me of a certain king in his younger years."

"What do you know about Kira?" I asked him, hungry to learn even more about her.

"Only that which is written about her lineage. If titles and nobility had survived past Sombra's rule lets just say it would make Kira a very important member of society."

"How important?"

"The last of her line and the only documented living Crystal Unicorn from any of the royal houses... Through the old laws of succession Kira is the rightful Queen of the Crystal Empire. Celestia may believe she has the right to grant the weakened empire to Cadence, but in truth it does not belong under Equestrian rule."

"What do the Crystal Ponies have to say about this?"

"They lost much of their history during Sombra's rule. Over half of the books in their grand library were destroyed and even their memories were somehow tampered with under Sombra's influence. The gryphons fared slightly better in the Imperium wars, thus we have retained some of the Crystal Kingdom's knowledge through our own records. It seems they are as oblivious to this realization as your mate. It is a sad fact to find such a powerful race brought low. But had Sombra not sacrificed his own people for power we would have suffered a worse fate along with the newly founded Equestria."

"The Imperium was powerful enough to wipe everyone out? What about the- Wait did you just call Kira my mate?"

"I apologize again, I had assumed from the twinkle in her eye when she looks at you... Never mind, it seems my old senses are finally beginning to fail me."

"Well," I paused, changing the subject. "I'm going to go check if Xane is ready, just... Make yourself at home.

"Kira?" I knocked upon the open door as I entered. Seeing she was faced away and her horn was glowing I silently approached to see what she was doing.

Invisible currents of air drafted through the room, more so than what should be normal. Kira either was too busy in thought of had ignored my entrance, a moat of dust forming before her. She seemed to have calmed down since storming off but I could still sense a tension held within.

The tiny particles of dust slowly took shape in the currents of air, vivid images flashed forth in full color for brief instants before fading away like the memories they were. In the dust Kira formed a face, kind and warm, silently mouthing words that only she knew. A quiet pat could be heard on the floor as a single drop cascaded off her cheek as the image faded, replaced by yet another memory.

Images flew by as I silently stared, realizing I was intruding upon Kira's most vulnerable moment. Slowly backing away I couldn't help but watch as her life sped by in front of me, tears in my own eyes as the final memories of her family played out.

I stepped back into the hall, sliding leaning against the wall as I wiped my eyes. She had been formed by hardship and though it may still pain Kira it had never destroyed her and I doubt anything could.

I composed myself and got up walking by the open door once more on my way to go wash up, not being able to help myself as I looked in. Kira's mind had wandered to more recent events, the images playing themselves out softening her mood.

Hearing Kira give an unusual exhale, I realized it was a laugh. I watched the image of myself from her own eyes and the look of dumb surprise on my face as she took me down in a single move; she wasn't going to forget that was she?

The next few images were similar, highlighting my mostly bruise filled time with her when she had trained me.

I shook my head and moved on, missing the next image. A memory that placed a smile upon her face for a different reason.

By the time I returned Kira's flow of memories had carried through to dream. She sat slumped over her eyes closed and breathing steady. I gently lifted her to the bed, a much more comfortable place to sleep than the floor.

Giving a small squirm she adjusted to the new location, a peaceful smile rested in place of her recently troubled looks.

"Sleep well." I spoke, taking a seat on a sofa across the room. As I sat there taking in the stillness my eyes grew heavy and I drifted quickly away, swept off to dream. Unfortunately the same stillness and peace would not be found in the realm of sleep...

~
I dreamt again a similar scene to before, trapped as an observer to the dark events at hoof.

The dark chant died away yet again in the ancient theater of sacrifice, candles that offered only a pittance of light under the bloodied moon flaring up.

"Massster" an earth pony bowed her head before the robed unicorn priest. Something was different about this pony; her eyes an empty black, devoid of color. The color of her coat slowly darkening to leave only a silvery grey.

"You are kin now, welcome, daughter of blood." The unicorn's dark voice made me shudder."

"Your dessire my lord?"

The thoughts and words of the dark unicorn echoed through my mind, filling me with unease.

"Patience, our time of reckoning will come." The priest looked over his new subject; she had taken to the transformation well. Her teeth had come to sharpened tips, ready to tear into any flesh. Her devoid eyes matched her soul and concealed the ancient knowledge just below the surface. And her body... He nearly shuddered in delight gazing upon her. Her sleek yet toned form was covered in blood from the alter, and she wore the blood of those weaker than her like a badge of honor. She would make a fine addition to the ranks.

"Perhaps then my great lord seeks indulgence to pass the time?"

A fine addition indeed, he took a whiff of the pungent blood his groin surging. "If you insist." He circled behind and mounted her, showing his dominance to all in assembly.

Yanking roughly upon her mane he thrust into her, breaking in her young body for the first time. He savored the naive cry that escaped her lips; she would soon learn that pain was a blessing, something to be embraced.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading!

No promises but I am going to try and get this back on at least once a week posting schedule so I don’t fall off the earth until its finished. For those of you who have been here before that means more than 1 a week if I have enough content ready and just one if I feel behind. It is greedy of me but I usually keep some of my writing in reserve just in case I want to retcon some story element. Doing this keeps you less confused and allows me to polish the plot so it comes out better for you in the end.

Predilection :CH10: The Pillar

"The balance of power in the world is not what it once was... The gryphons have stepped down from their former glory to be replaced by pony kind. And as such we must entrust you with this world's greatest secrets." Echelon spoke to us, as we neared the bottom of a winding stone stairway carved into the cavern walls. The light far below shone brighter at every step, promising that there was something even more amazing to be seen than the complex subterranean architecture.
"To allow you quick understanding I will simply say that this world has several sites of power, each an extension of health and vitality made tangible. Equestria is home to the tree of harmony, which the elements you have heard of come from, and the mirror pool, the full extent of it's secrets still lie outside of our knowledge..." Echelon's eyes met with Xane's for a single moment before flicking away.
"What lies below is another one of these secret sites of power. Some call it the pillar of Fate, others know it as the pillar of Truth.

When I say these sites are tied to the vitality of our world I say so in all seriousness. When the ponies you now know as the changelings defiled their site of power it changed them irreversibly, making them into what they are today and turning their land into vast desert wastes.

The day that it occurred, the world trembled. The mirror pool became undrinkable and it’s powers altered, the tree of harmony splintered and leaked out its sap to create the elements. And from the pillar four fragments of the purest essence, each unique, crumbled away. Ever since that weakening of our world, evil has found it much easier to slip into our lands and even into the people's hearts.

During the imperium invasion our greatest blacksmith crafted the bands of power from the four fragments that had fallen from the pillar. In this way the pillar of fate has shaped history up until the present, the Alicorns currently wielding its power."

As we left the final step my eyes slowly adjusted to the intense light shining from the center of the cavern floor. I bathed in the light surrounding the monolithic spire in quiet reverence, drawn towards it like a moth to flame. Looking towards the foundation I was instantly filled with remorse, seeing that the seemingly happy light that spewed forth actually seeped from pitted holes along its otherwise smooth circumference.

I could hear a muddled voice speaking to me, but I ignored it, the overwhelming purity of the pillar's light masking the brokenness. I lifted a hoof to touch the unknown surface, as if I could will the pillar to be whole again...

"Stop!" Xane cried, crashing into me, his wingtip lightly brushing against the pillar.

The light wavered for a moment and Echelon and Kira rushed over to my side, Sentry to Xane's.

"My deepest apologies, I did not know you would react so strongly to the presence of the pillar." Echelon stumbled quickly through the words. "Did you touch it, even for an instant?" His voice was nearly frantic.

"No... But I think-"

"Xane, please, wake up!" Sentry's cry cut us off.

Xane's head shot up, his beak hung open in a silent call as his eyes swirled with white light. His voice spoke, devoid of inflection or emotion.

"The ancient evil has returned to power, none shall be spared from the end unless fate is rewritten. A trail in blood leads to the shadowed isles."

The light left his eyes and Xane went limp in Sentry's grasp.

"Xane?!" I called rushing over as sentry held his limp form. I placed my hoof on his neck, feeling checking his pulse. I let out a sigh of relief, feeling the blood pump gently below the surface of his otherwise unmoving form.

"He's... Alive?" Echelon sounded surprised. "The last gryphon to touch the pillar... No, let's not dwell on that. Quickly, let's get him to the hospital."

Echelon whispered to the King in hushed tones, causing a pallor to fall across Aeoulus's regal features. "It can't be... Are you certain those were the exact words of the prophecy? And what of Xane, is he..."

"Resting and it looks like he should wake shortly. Somehow his... condition saved him." Echelon looked back at me, obviously hiding some secret about Xane.

"See that our guests find their way back to their rooms," the Nestking spoke. "There's nothing we can do until the regiment of soldiers I sent can corral the storm wyvern into new hunting grounds. I can only pray that we have misinterpreted the meaning of his prophecy."

"You and I both know what it means."

"That is what I am afraid of."

"Come on!" I nearly cursed as I stared at the mirror, looking upon an empty throne room. "Where could they be?" I wondered aloud, watching as an ominous black and green thorned vine writhed across its surface. Whatever was happening in Equestria couldn't happen at a worse time. The prophecy had even the fierce Nestking worried, and if Twilight couldn't solve things fast Equestria would be unable to send aid.

"Kira?" I asked, dropping the magic connecting me with Equestria.

"Yeah?" She replied, jumping off the bed and walking over to me.

"Do you have any idea what this prophecy even means? Aeolus knows but he seems right beaked for now."

"I'm the last one to ask, any ancient evil I know about has had its ass kicked to the curb. I mean, you took care of Sombra, Luna's whole nightmare moon phase is over, that crazy changeling bitch chrysalis hasn't been seen around, and Discord has supposedly decided not to be a dick for a while. And really at this point even if any of them do go rouge there are measures in place to stop them." Kira tried to reassure me.

"I know, but there's something unnerving about it all. The ancient evil has returned to power, none shall be spared from the end unless fate is rewritten. A trail in blood leads to the shadowed isles." I shivered, I had checked the gryphon libraries and hadn't found a single island under that ominous name. I had asked about it as well, only to receive misdirection from gryphons who obviously knew the answers.

"Hey, I bet whatever it is lasts fifteen seconds tops against us two. What do you say? Double or nothing on the bits you already owe me?"

"If only things could be that easy, I don't even know what I'm fighting, or what this End is."

"The prophecy did say fate could be rewritten, and who better to do that than you? I trained you better than to doubt yourself." Kira gave me one of her not so gentle punches to the shoulder, her words making me roll my eyes.

"Kira?" A thought popped into my head. " I.. I didn't mean to intrude, but last night I walked in on a spell you were using. Is there any way you could show me that one again so I could learn it?"

Kira took a step away, blushing. "You... Um. You saw that?"

"Well not all of it, just a bit, I was just wondering if you could show me how?"

"Sure... It shouldn't be difficult for you, you always seem to catch the intricacies of a spell astoundingly fast. That's something about you I envy." Kira paused, letting out a sigh. "I'm sorry, I've had a lot on my mind lately."

"We don't have to do this now if you want." I assured. "Was it anything you wanted to talk about?"

"No, it will be nice to teach you something that isn't combat applicable for once. Let's just... Close your eyes."

"What?"

"Close your eyes. Now find something, be it a picture, a place, or even a person in your mind. The details may be hazy at first but keep concentrating."

I clenched my eyes and looked through my mind, Kira's words guiding me to search out a specific thought.

"Now remember not only the image but any emotions tied to the moment."

I couldn't help but remember all the other training Kira had put me through, from my lowest moments to my highest... I found what I was looking for.

"Now, imagine your magic is interlaced with those feelings and memories. Use the dust and air as your canvas, lift the image from your mind and place it th....

I... What? I definitely don't remember things happening quite like that. I am decently sure that I won that sparring session. Umm... Ike. I'm flattered, but I think you are putting too much emotion and not enough memory.”

I opened my eyes to look at the scene before me, the magic wavering as I realized I had allowed my mind to wander. The mote of dust fell away as I caught an uncharacteristic blush on Kira's cheeks.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to-"

"Close your eyes."

"Are you-"

"Close them, try again."

I tried clearing the embarrassed and heated thoughts from my mind, attempting to draw upon magic once again.

"Sometimes unconscious desires can slip their way into what you see," I could tell that Kira had drawn closer by the subtle currents of air tampering with the dust. " I'll have to show you how to avoid that... But that is a lesson for another time."

Sensing how close she was my eyes began to stir open. "Keep them closed," was Kira's demand yet again as a hoof slipped into my mane, guiding my head forward.

Her lips met mine and I blindly reached around to pull her closer, savoring the moment. But before I could get a hold of her Kira backed away, breaking off the kiss. "I'm sorry." She spoke, looking away as I opened my eyes.

"What for?" I asked a little surprised, it wasn't like Kira to apologize or regret things.

"For what I'm about to ask you..." She replied, sighing. "I know you have been with a fair number of mares, and that's fine. I'm not exactly the best example of celibacy myself, but can you promise to stop seeing them? I.. What I really mean is, will you be MY stallion and Nopony else’s? Would you live the rest of your life with me?" Kira finished tumbling through the words, taking a deep breath at the end.

"Wait, are you proposing to me?" I questioned.

"I know It's asking a lot, and even though I hate to admit it I don't know what I would do without you in my life. I feel like we have been growing closer to-" Kira continued to ramble.

"Yes."

"And ever since- Wait what?" Kira paused, unsure of what she had just heard.

"Yes, I'll marry you." I spoke. "Kind of imagined I would be the one doing the asking when the time came."

"You would have botched it fumblehooves." Kira gave a joking love tap and pulled me into a hug.

"Oh really?" I grappled with Kira, trying to get the upper hoof

"Now how about we celebrate and give Sentry and Xane a run for their money in the 'from the noises, its obvious those two are banging" category." Kira propositioned.

"I'll lock the door." I replied.

"Don't bother." Kira playfully pushed me onto my back. "No force in all the world can stop what I've been waiting to give you."

Author's Note

Thanks for reading!

This is a shorter chapter than average. And there might be some short ones to follow, but they are going to be packed with information and plot advancement.

Predilection :CH11: Shadows of Sacrifice

"I’m sorry Sentry, but I really need a favor and you aren't going to like it." I caught him as he was leaving our temporary housing within the hidden mountain cavern. "I haven't been able to get in contact with Equestria at all since Twilight sent me that strange message. I really need someone I can trust to take the trip back and check on them. You should probably take the rest of the crew with you for backup. Don't worry about the Wyvern, Echelon said after what I did to the creature it was easy to relocate it to a new hunting ground."

"If it were anypony else asking I wouldn't, but I trust you. If I make the flight instead of going by boat I can get there a day in advance of the rest of the crew and scout the area. Just make sure you don't surrender yourself to any more Pirates while I’m gone."

"I'll keep that in mind. You should be careful too, the Alicorn sisters are missing and for all I know Discord is too."

"I will, just let me talk with Xane before I head out."

"How is he?" I asked, remembering our ordeal at the Pillar of Fate.

"It’s already like it never happened, they are letting him out of the hospital today with a clean bill of health." Sentry unconsciously smiled as he thought about Xane.

"That's good to hear, I should get Kira and go see what Aeolus and the Nestking want. And thanks for doing this for me, I just wish I could be in two places at once..."

"We have decided it is unwise to keep you unaware of the situation," Echelon spoke to Kira and I, apparently speaking on the Nestking's behalf, who sat silently. "The location the prophecy speaks of is quite exact for a scholar, it is a cursed place that saw much bloodshed during the war. Up until now I had believed it uninhabited.

Nevertheless, there have been reports of missing ships and kidnappings from surrounding gryphon and pony islands. It is likely to be Zandria building her fleet, as these reports have been quite common in territories outside of our protection."

"Why don't you send your own fleet to stop this? Did you summon me because you need equestrian aid?" I directed my questions to the king.

"Moving out the army and fleet at this time is unadvisable. It would leave the Nest vulnerable to attack from my daughter, and trust me she has enough spies to know even now where I am. The prophecy speaks of an ancient evil, it could quite easily be that the ancient spirit of sin that possesses her has finally pushed her to act.
No, what I ask is a simple scouting mission to the shadowed isles to determine the truth behind the prophecy. You should be more than capable of handling any trouble encountered. If a war is what is needed then I might yet call upon our new alliance.
Oh, and take Xane. If Zandria is no longer in control of her own actions then he knows what must be done."

~To sea

We flew high above the tumultuous waves, but the weather had begun taking a turn for the worse. Winds buffeted us as we searched for anywhere to land. The crew we had sailed in with had dropped us off an hour's flight from land, promising to circle back to the same location at noon the next day. The dark clouds seemed to circle the distant islands, obscuring all sight of it in darkness and mist.

The light trickle of the sky was already enough for Kira to fear for the magic binding her false wings and the skies just a head seemed even worse. Spotting a large sandbar with a single palm tree for cover we all descended in unison to rest.

"I don't think we should try and reach the islands tonight, the storm and fog around the island feel… off." I spoke, huddling closer to the base of the lone palm as a gust of wind blew a cold spray my direction.

"This isn't something Zandria is capable of, perhaps it is part of an old curse placed upon these lands?" Xane spoke. "But it is strange that I do not sense her presence at all."

"Sense her??" Kira questioned, receiving no answer from Xane who seemed lost in thought. "Cryptic as usual," Kira sighed, looking back to me. "We should get some sort of shelter set up, fly up and pull a couple of the palm fronds. I'll gather up some driftwood.

With a little magic to cheat the system our lean-to shelter and a small fire were set up, the sloped structure hiding most of the light from the land and keeping the fire safe from the winds. Xane insisted on the first watch, as the darker it got the less his avian eyes would see.

The second watch of the night had been uneventful, and I found myself nearly bored to sleep. I paced through the sand, keeping my body moving as I looked out into the impenetrable fog that had crept ever closer to our sheltered sandbar.
Looking over to the fire I contemplated taking a break and adding a few pieces of driftwood. As I looked back into the fog I caught sight of a single halo of light. It slowly drew closer and brighter as it cut through the fog, headed towards the isles.

The shadowy outline of a ship made itself clear as a gust of wind shifted the fog away for a mere second. A single lantern glowing ever brighter as the vessel changed its course.

I realized, too late, that just as I could see the lantern, whoever was on the ship could likely see our fire. It was concealed from the land, not by way of sea. I ran over and kicked sand across the flames, causing them to sputter out. Hopefully the vessel would miss the tiny sandbar in the fog.

"Kira, Xane. Wake up." I hissed. The noise of the fire sputtering out and my voice causing them to stir.

As the ship was almost upon us I recognized it as the vessel we had arrived in. Why would they have sailed this close when this was supposed to be a stealth mission?

"Stay here with Kira," I told Xane as he stretched his wings. " I'm going to fly out there to see what is going on."
I darted out across the water before they could respond, using the fog to stay out of sight. My large arc slowly lead me around the vessel as it continued to approach. As I arrived at my destination, the spot where anyone on the ship was least likely to be looking, I flew up as quietly as I could and peered over the ship's rail.
Nothing. The deck was entirely empty, as if the crew had jumped ship or simply vanished. I scanned upwards to the masts, still not a soul to be seen. An empty cup rolled noisily on the wooden planks as I decided it was safe to land.
Something other that ocean currents has to be behind brining the seemingly empty ship here, especially with the recent change of course. Perhaps the crew was hiding below decks?? It didn't make sense, but an entire crew just doesn't up and vanish.

I walked over to a hatch that lead below deck, preparing myself to attack as I pulled it open and quickly leapt back.
It was then that I heard Kira call out, the light of her magic pulsing once before complete silence.

I ran to the bow and leapt off, racing back to the sandbar to see what was happening. Arriving I skidded to a rough halt, finding only a scattered lean-to and freshly disturbed sand. Looking into the mist gave no further clue as to what was happening.

I jumped as the empty vessel beached itself in the shallows around the sandbar, obviously entirely abandoned now.

There was only one place Kira and Sentry could have gone, or been taken to... And that was the shadowed isles themselves.

I didn't bother searching any longer, flying headfirst towards the storm that seemed to perpetually surround the isles.

A blood moon gleamed its unnatural red light upon the exotic jungle of the island. But I didn't care about the scenery, I had my eyes fixed on a well trodden dirt path that disappeared into the jungle depths. The fact that the ground hadn't been overrun by the flora was testament that this island was definitely not uninhabited.

I could feel eyes upon me as I descended, even though I couldn't see Anypony. As soon as I touched the path I was greeted by an Erie silence, even the jungle creatures too quiet. I couldn't be too far behind whoever had captured Kira and Xane so I forged on despite the sense of danger flaring up inside of me.
By now I had come to accept that the two had somehow been overwhelmed and carried off, Kira wasn't one to run away from a fight. Would I have been captured too if I hadn’t gone to investigate, or would I have been able to stop this?
The dirt slowly gave way to stones, sparsely placed at first but soon forming a pathway. A slow chill crept up my spine, something was strangely familiar feeling about this...

The path took a turn and suddenly the jungle trees stopped, giving way to decrepit looking buildings of roughly hewn stone. I looked back, catching a single glimpse of a shadowed figure ducking to avoid my gaze.

I could hear noises up ahead, shadows dancing on the ground down the stone path. I felt like I somehow knew this place... I continued on, ignoring the fact that I was being stalked.

As I approached the noise everything suddenly made sense... The strange dreams I had been having for over a week now, they were a warning... I stumbled around one more building in a haze, knowing too well what was coming next.

A hush fell upon the hundreds of clamoring nightmares as I stepped into view. The dreams had been real, these corrupted ponies and gryphons. The bloodied altar of sacrifice up the thirty cold steps.
The mass of dark and twisted creatures began to advance, their hateful gazes and darkened coats distinguishing them from normal ponies or gryphons. A few let out animalistic snarls.

"Hold! Let us properly invite our guest before tearing him to pieces." A voice echoed down from the summit of the altar. It was him, I could feel it. The priest in dark robes that I had dreamt killing and twisting countless creatures to his will.

The snarling crowd parted, allowing me a straight path to the dark stone steps. I stiffly walked into the midst of danger, my hoof falling upon the first step. I could hear my pathway back being blocked off by countless possible enemies.
The sacrificial structure seemed ancient, it's angular build reminiscent of some Mayan temple. A few steps further and I froze, not because of the darkly clad priest or the blood slowly trickling down the top stairs, but because of who was with him.

Kira and Xane floated just off the bloodied stone, suspended as if by some sort of magic. A glow from beneath the priest's hood confirmed my guess. My dreams letting me know exactly what was intended for them.

"Ah ah ah." He threateningly pulled his dagger up, teasing it along Kira's immobilized form as I took another step.

"Let them go, this doesn't have to end in violence." I half commanded, half begged. I knew what happened in either outcome of drinking the tainted blood, they would either become monsters or be cast aside as mindless animals.

“I’m feeling generous, so I’ll give you a choice.” The priest spoke out, his voce eerily familiar. “A classical hero's conundrum. Who do you choose to keep alive?" He moved away from Kira and pointed the blade at Xane, questioning as if I would actually pick.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked him. "You have no quarrel with me or my friends."

"Tick tock, time is running thin. Choose who lives and who dies." The words flew from his maw, a seriousness to match his threat concealed in the tone.

"Please, let's just talk about this. Just let them go, nopony needs to get hurt." I advanced up one more worn stone stair, only fourteen from the top now. In response the madpony shuffled over to Xane, placing the blade at his throat.

"Hahaha." The robed priest gave a wretched chortle. "There is so much you will never understand Alicorn."

"Explain to me then." I took another step up the cracked stone steps, the robed unicorn tightening his grip on the blade and giving a half growl.

"I'll start off simple. You are no hero, there is no such thing." He grinned, his mouth folding up in a wicked smile as he drew the dagger across Xane's throat. It was all I could do to watch in horror as the blade swept through his flesh, far too great a distance away to prevent it.

Xane was released from the magic, his eyes wide with shock as his life swiftly trickled away along with the bloody flow . The priest held his limp form like a broken doll, taking a long lick over the wound before casting Xane away. His body was discarded to the side without remorse, like so many corpses before.

"No!" I cried out, sprinting up the steps as soon as I got over the immediate shock. I needed to reach Kira before this murderous scum did any more harm.

The unicorn cut himself, allowing several drops of blood to flow free. "Tick-tock, are you quick enough to even save those dear to you?" He made the point of slow motions, taking each step deliberately slow as if to taunt me.

Raising his hoof above Kira's maw as she stood there frozen his eyes stared into mine, cruel and reveling in my suffering. As I neared the top a chant arose from the dark followers below.

Reaching the altar I leapt, launching both myself and a magical gust meant to knock the priest away from Kira.

My motions stopped dead, my magic failing as I gasped for the nearly non existent air. He had anticipated my every move, thinning the air to prevent wind magic and halting my jump with a levitation spell. His grasp on magic must be immense if he could maintain both labor intensive spells at once.

"You were this close," he taunted, his bloody maw twisted in a grotesque grin. "But it seems in the end you really can't save anypony. Or even a helpless eight year old human girl who's last moments were wasted believing her brother could save her..." His words drifted to me over the thin air, my vision nearly going dark as I watched a single drop of tainted blood splash into Kira's maw.

I splashed against the blood soaked stone as he released me, air rushing back into my aching lungs. "How dare you!" I shakily pressed myself up, splashing a wave of blood towards him as a distraction as I attempted to recover enough for a real attack.

"I wouldn't waste what precious time Kira has remaining." He spoke, the flow parting around him on an invisible barrier. "I would say you have about a minute to say goodbye before her light is snuffed forever."

"You know her, and you know me enough to predict my every move, how?" I asked as he took a step back to allow me room to see after Kira.

"How could I not?" The dark priest ripped away his robe, revealing the true color of his coat. It wasn't pure black at is had first seemed but held a small tinge of blue. His flank was accented with a blood crest, a near identical match to mine save the coloration. "Tick-tock." My unicorn doppelgänger spoke, reminding me of Kira's limited time.

Kira had been released from his magic, instantly collapsing to the floor in convulsions. "Kira!" I stood by her protectively, as if my will alone could keep her safe.

"K- kick his ass for me... alright?" She sputtered.

"Kira, come on, you can fight this." I tried to assure her.

"Ike, kill me." She spoke those words clearly with a resolve that nearly broke my heart.

"Kira?!"I gasped in shock.

"Kill me!" She grasped my head between two bloodied hooves as pain plastered its way across her face. "If y- you love me you won't let me live as a damned abomination." She gave a shudder.

A blade splashed down in the blood beside her, the same one that had been used to slaughter Xane just before. "Do it, I'd love to watch."

"No," I spoke in defiance of both requests. "We fight this together!" In a spur of the moment decision I pulled her trembling lips to mine, stilling their movement. Before she could object I thrust my tongue into her maw, feeling the burning sear of the remaining blood from my doppelgänger. If I was to stop the process I had to understand it.

"Idiot." Kira gasped as I pulled away.

"This is priceless. Do you really think you can accomplish anything? We both are destined to be broken, crushed, and now you are just one step closer to realizing everything you have done to aid this land was meaningless." My dark copy chuckled to himself, drinking in the pain plastered on our faces.

I closed my eyes as I collapsed in front of her, my world going dark with agony. I forced myself to remain fully conscious, knowing that a single mistake could be my end. The pain was intense but it was nothing that I hadn't gone through before. One would imagine after containing a volatile power attempting to destroy you from within that other discomforts wouldn't match up.

The burning in my blood was just a distraction, a primer to for what was to come.

I forced myself past the distraction of my searing heart, opening my mind and allowing magic to reach out as my vision. I could sense everything going on around me, wisps of energy streaming from the countless dark worshipers in attendance. The power in their guttural chant was something beyond conventional magic, it funneled up to the sky as a dark vortex of power.

I followed the path up to its apex, feeling an immense surge ripple through the air. Time and space were ripped open for a mere instant as two malevolent entities shot through before it slammed shut.

The two dark creatures shot towards our prone forms at lightning speed, I barely had time to extend my consciousness over Kira's like a blanket before they were upon us. I did my best to shield both of us from the malevolent forces trying to find their way inside.

I knew this feeling, it was something that had swept through me once before... A demonic presence. "Stay away from her!" I didn't know anymore if my voice was out loud or just in my head but I could feel one dark presence give a questioning pause.

Exerting my will upon the demons I pulled at their very essence, slowly tearing one away from Kira before it could take root. These two were already here, there was no banishing them. If I wanted to survive this I would have to destroy them.

I forced every ounce of power that I could into rebuffing both of the forces, the only real signs of battle my glowing horn and the determination plastered across my face.

A cleansing fire burned through me, driving both of them back. Before they could regroup I grabbed at both, pulling them into my flux of power. I would not play the fool again; my band of power was pure enough to destroy a demon if I could directly interact with it, and these two presences combined were weaker than the demon that had taken me before.

I didn't know what happens to a demon when they die, but I really didn’t care. Pure energy ripped through what was supposed to be our possessors, rapidly dispersing their dark auras as I destroyed them.

The energy burning inside me seared away the impurities of the tainted blood, removing all of its effects. As I opened my eyes once more I could sense everything had gone quiet, the initiates and even the dark priest silently awaiting their results.

I stood, looking back to Kira who shakily took to her hooves, still under the effects of the blood.

"At least you can now bask in our glory, a perfect blend of flesh and darkness." My doppelgänger spoke. "You may still wish to kill me but the demon within you is already whispering away, telling the great secrets of this infernal universe. Do you understand enough now to see your error?"

I had no idea of what truth he spoke of, so I diverted the question. "Who are you?"

"You should already know me, I am you. We may have different demons residing within but we are still the same. Be glad you are one of the elect, as Sombra and a majority of the original Imperium were, able to retain control and sanity under possession without having your soul consumed.”

The Imperium? How blind I had been. I should have told Kira or even Aeoulus the details of my dreams, I could have prevented all of this. I had just assumed Sombra's possession was unique, not that every member of the imperium was a demonic abomination.

But I was supposed to have full control, yet not try to escape or fight? What lies did the demons whisper that could be so compelling? I couldn't dare ask without revealing my bluff. "How are there two of us?" I milked for information, my eyes scanning for any hints of suspicion.

"Ah, that is a strange thing. I do not belong here, but you know better than any you do not belong to this world either. That fact alone helped to drive a wedge in reality diverging as two different timelines: One where you failed to destroy the Alicorn princesses, and one where I succeeded.

When the destruction of my world was complete our world lines collapsed; forcing me, the successful version, into your failed world to fix your mistake.

So, that is why you share a duplicate form... It just happens to be the disgusting Alicorn version."

"A failure?" I looked to Kira, seeing she was barely holding it together. She seemed to be on the verge of collapsing once again. I had to keep up the subterfuge or find us a quick escape or she would be doomed.

"Yes, but you have a chance to redeem yourself, anointed. Go to Equestria, finish the mission or die trying. And bring back their bands of power; I have some candidates who would love to die for me. Now that you have been awakened to the truth you know it must be done so our plans can go unhindered, the bands of power will be very useful once properly corrupted."

"As you wish." I gave a short bow and turned, frantically motioning with my eyes for Kira to follow. When she remained unresponsive I grabbed her, starting to pull her along.

"Leave Kira, from her lack of an immediate physical change it seems she may be one of the elect as well. I never did get a chance to thank her properly for the training, without it I would never have been able to crush Celestia's skull beneath my hooves so... Efficiently."

There was no way she could fake being alright enough for that freak to sexually use her body, and I wouldn’t allow it anyways. I had to get us out... I closed my eyes as he approached, listening to the sound of his hooves slosh upon the bloody altar. "Damnit..." I grumbled quietly, spinning around and launching a blow.

My copy didn't see this one coming, barely able to defend in time and off balance a second attack knocked him down. I could hear angered growls at my actions from behind. There was no easy escape that way and it looked like the altar rested on a precipice the cliff side dropping abruptly into dark waters.

The moon on the horizon seemed to flicker with a beckoning light, dispelling the bloody haze that had obscured it in my previous visions. Could Luna sense I was in trouble and was guiding me, or was it just a trick of the light?

I yanked Kira along with me, headed towards the side of the altar where the light shone brightest. I could hear the wet slosh as my dark counterpart recovered from the blow, regaining his hoofing. Coming to the edge with Kira I could sense a surge of magic behind us. I yanked Kira off the precipice and spread my wings just as the stone where our hooves had been exploded in a shower of debris.

The weight of toting Kira below me was too much and it was all I could do to lock into a descending glide, looking below to see where I could land.

Beneath us spanned a dark lake, the moon shining brightly upon the surface, what was I going I do? I could hear the angered cries from behind us as the demon possessed me commanded his flyers to follow. There was no way I could outrun them, and no way Kira could handle a fight. The tainted blood which I was able to self purge was wreaking havoc on her body, the process left incomplete by me slaying the demon meant for her.

My wings strained as the wind battered at us, loosing altitude quickly. I would likely be able to make it to the shallows at best, but then I would have to carry her into the dark woods under pursuit. This wasn't going to end well...

The sky gave a bright flash, my eyes drawn up to see a gleaming moon. It seemed to give out a beam of light, pointing my eyes to follow.

I looked down, the surface of the lake gleaming with a sharp circular outline. The light glossed over the waters surface, causing a near perfect reflection... A mirror!

"Luna, thank you." I angled myself towards the pale disk on the calm waters, launching a familiar burst of magic ahead of me.

"Discord!!" I shouted as I descended towards the calm reflective surface, praying he was prepared. I held Kira's unconscious form close, tucking my strained wings in for a full dive.

A wavering image of the Canterlot throne room took form in the perfect disk, Discord giving me a wink right as I splashed against the surface.

A cold darkness enveloped me, I held Kira close as I drifted through the nothingness between, waiting for the light to appear.

As suddenly as we had entered we shot back out, I turned my body to avoid landing on Kira as we splashed onto the flooded stone floor, water pouring through the imperfect portal at an alarming rate.

"Talk about an entrance." Discord quickly closed it behind us, preventing us from being followed or further flooding this mountainside castle town. "Things sure have been strange around here."

"Get Celestia!" I called to Discord. "Kira needs help!"

"No need we're right he-" Celestia opened the doors to the hall, a torrent of water rushing through. Celestia gave one sour glance at Discord as the throne, floating on its side, drifted by.

Luna, making sure Celestia wasn't looking, gave the plush seat a good shove, assuring that It would be swept away by the current. The water rushed through the halls out to an open balcony, the chair catching momentarily on the rail before tumbling over the edge, Luna's personal vendetta against the desecrated sex throne accomplished.

"Celestia, please." I begged, Kira in near convulsions again, "Do you know any magic that can help?"

"I don't know child, but I will do my best." Celestia lifted Kira, ushering her away.

"Luna, thank you. Without your help I don't think either of us would have survived."

"I could sense the danger and did what seemed appropriate. While I can sometimes see the ongoings of the land at night, I could not tell whom you were escaping from. What is this foul force that clouds my vision and taints the land?"

"In a sense, me..."

Meanwhile:

"Our presence is unveiled, we must strike." Ike's demon possessed copy stood in front of a sizable collection of converted ponies and gryphons. "Your way of life goes back centuries, a fusion of flesh and spirit powerful beyond measure. We may have fallen from history, but today we rise anew and unstoppable. Creatures like us once had a name; a name gifted in fear by those conquered, a name that caused the mighty to tremble, a name to end all hope. Let us teach this land the reason for that fear once more.

For the Imperium!"

A dark cry of affirmation arose, all in assembly joining as the cogs of war were put to motion. Their power would only grow with each soul devoured, each bloody sacrifice.

As the demonic hoard scattered to make preparations the dark harbinger of the new imperium winced, grasping at his foreleg, muttering to himself. "I fear I have little time left to complete my task… No, I can not give in before he is set upon the path to despair." He walked to the edge of the altar and let loose a raging inferno of energy, bleeding away the built up energy from the shackle of dawn.

Author's Note

~
Thanks for reading!

I had this separated into two installments for some reason. One was a bit too short so I just combined them.

Predilection :CH12: Aftermath

"You bastard!" Sentry's blow landed unhindered against my jaw. I let him unleash his anger upon me. It was the least I could do, and I deserved it.

Grabbing me and shoving me into a wall Sentry continued to strike away. "You sent me away on a pointless mission. I could have... I could have been there. I might have been able to-" Sentry collapsed against me, tears running down his face as his blows dwindled away into weak taps.

There was nothing I could say to make this up. People say time is a remedy to all ailments... But I knew from experience that time only turns loss into a lasting scar. "I know what he meant to you, Sentry. To lose those you care the most about is-"

"I can't do it anymore... This pain, make it end." Sentry begged. I shuddered at his words, they reminded me of the agony Kira was still in.

"This is my fault." I pushed Sentry away and stared into his red, tear stained, eyes. "You can hate me. Hold me responsible for my copy's actions, let that keep you going. But don't you dare give up on life that easily. Got it Flash?"

Sentry nodded, wiping pointlessly at the tears that would continue until he ran himself dry. He took a shaky breath and stood up a little straighter. He began to walk away, his slogging steps betraying the brave facade he was putting up.

I continued on the way to my original goal which Sentry had interrupted, Xane's death was fresh in my memory, and even though my heart ached I couldn't find the tears.

"Halt" I stopped upon hearing one of the castle guardsponies. Realizing I had arrived at the room Celestia had taken Kira to I took another step.

"I am going to have to ask you to stand back," spoke the guardspony.

"Why? What's going on!?" I asked, somewhat panicked.

"The princesses say there are to be no interruptions, even in an emergency. The magic they are working with needs every ounce of concentration. Even Discord seemed unusually... Worried."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Luna told me you should go rest. You will be notified of any change in Kira's condition."

Luna entered my room, silently watching for a time as I gazed lifelessly out at the moonlit gardens. "Ike, I need to ask you something." She spoke, pulling me out of my stupor.

"What is it? Is it about Kira?" I frantically peered into Luna's eyes, praying for some glimmer of hope, finding only sorrow.

"Have you and Kira been... Intimate?" Luna asked.

"Yes, but I don't see what that has to do with any of this. Is she's doing any better, can I see her?" I begged.

"Kira lives, and looks to make a full recovery with time. But the trauma... It was nearly too much for her, let alone her developing child."

"Kira was- she was pregnant?"

"It brings me great sorrow to say that she indeed was. Though in such early stages life is fragile, the child is lost."

"Oh god..." My mind sped with emotion, my heart aching in torment. "I..." My mind flew to the dark altar, sanguine ichor flowing from its sides. His mocking form stood in the bloody pool, eyes taunting.

A dark rage swept over me, silver flames tinged with a blackness that seemed to absorb the light burst forth from my skin. "I'll kill him!" I growled out, my rage spewing forth, manifesting itself as raw energy.

"Ike you must calm down!" Luna cried out, her royal voice barely carrying its way past the din. She stood her ground as my rage tore the room to pieces, cracks forming in the masonry.

"I'll strangle him with my own hooves!" I snarled, taking a step towards the window as a chunk of the ceiling fell down, smashing into my back. Lashing out wildly I launched a shockwave of energy, the entire roof of the tower shattering away and tumbling towards the courtyard below.

"Ike! Please rethink this." Luna stepped in front of me, staggering before the maelstrom of my wrath. "You must not let your emotions rule you, I know very well that is a path that leads to darkness."

"Move." I growled taking a threatening step closer.

"You must see reaso-"

"I said move!" I growled as I focused my energies, Luna's hooves scrambling for a better grip as her own protective shielding began to falter. Her face screwed up in pain just before the barrier collapsed, allowing the dark energies to flow through her unprotected form.

A cry of pain shattered my vision as Luna simply disappeared from sight. Shards of images cascaded down around me, the shining fragments falling away into a empty void before dissolving into nothingness, their destruction leaving me in absolute darkness.

I floated, utterly alone in the maddening silence.

Unable to move.
Unable to breathe.
Lifeless except for the burning rage.

That too slowly subsided as I realized there was nothing I could do.

What had I done???

"Ike, wake up." A small glimmer in the distance peaked my attention, suddenly I was able to move once again, my hooves grabbing at nothingness as I made my way towards the light.

I awoke with a gasp, nearly falling from the chair by the window. It was all a dream? I looked around the undamaged room, my eyes falling quickly on Luna. She let out a ragged sigh, the toll of my actions in the dream having affected her even in the real world.

"Luna... I- I'm sorry. I didn't mean to, I just lost control."

"I had thought myself invincible in the realm of dreams, it seems no place is truly safe. Your actions are deeply concerning Ike, you have a darkness within you. I pray for all of us that it never creeps forth into the waking realm."

"Are you going to be ok?" I asked.

"I will be all right child, I just need rest. The process of healing Kira is taxing.”

"What about the elements of harmony, can they do anything to help? Even if they can't we still might need them to fight the Imperium."

"I forgot you were not here... The elements have been returned to the Tree of Harmony to restore balance to Equestria. They will not be of use, even though it is the easiest way I know to cure a possession. Ike, please take time to reflect on what you have witnessed tonight. Such outbursts should be avoided in the future." Luna shakily went to the door, opening it with unsteady hooves.

"Luna..." My voice begged for the forgiveness I knew I couldn't receive. Whatever trust she had for me had been broken.

"You should rest, you can check Kira's progress in the morning."

My dreams were not peaceful, as Luna didn't dare set hoof in my mind again to quell the uneasy tide. I was scared, and never before had I felt so alone. Monstrous visions of my shadowy counterpart taunted my sight with blood and death. I could only hope they were nightmares rather than visions.

"Ike." Celestia's voice coldly woke me from sleep, my drowsy eyes lifting slowly. "You are permitted to see Kira, but we must speak on an important matter afterwards." Celestia left as fast as she had awoken me, several guards accompanying her. That was strange, she normally didn't bother having guards escort her when inside the castle.

I wandered down from my personal spire, the winding stairs taking what seemed like ages to come to a stop. The hallways of the Alicorn Sisters' castle seemed to narrow in on me as I walked, giving me the dreaded sense that I was no longer welcome to roam them freely.

I turned a corner, the way leading to another flight of steps partially blocked off by Discord. I gave him a questioning glance but he seemed to ignore me as I walked past.

"Celestia is plotting something, I would suggest a hasty retreat." Discord spoke, skulking along behind me.

"What?"

"She believes you too great a threat to Equestria in your state."

"I am a threat... I've seen that first hoof and I don't just mean my possessed copy. Luna could be dead right now if my actions weren't just a dream. I'll accept whatever she has planned after I get a chance to see Kira, even if that means somepony else will have to face my trials. I- I'm afraid of what will happen if I have to face him again... Face myself."

Discord put his paw on my shoulder, bringing me to a halt. "I'm not the best at this sort of thing, but I believe you need to reconsider. I may take great pride in my action of bringing you to this world but your accomplishments are your own. Do not fool yourself into believing that anypony else has a solitary hope of stopping the evil that will soon spread across the land."

“But none of this would have happened if I had never arrived." I turned to look into his ancient and knowing eyes for answers.

"You belittle fate, Ike. There is always some form of darkness lurking. Your arrival may have sped its coming, but it would have reared up in a different form given a little more time. So far you have managed to keep it at bay, a feat I believe no other could have accomplished in your hooves. "

"Discord, thank you." I paused, thinking aloud. "I think this is the first serious conversation I've gotten to have with you."

"I have my moments." Discord let out a chuckle. "Feel better?"

"I think so, but I still need to accept whatever Celestia has in store."

"Ike, do you trust me?" Discord looked at me with a dead seriousness.

"For the supposed master of trickery you've done nothing but help me, why is that?"

"Maybe I'm going soft, or maybe the secret of the trick is to wisely choose those whom it effects." Discord snapped, a doorway materializing on the wall to my right. "Take this door and don't look back. Despite their newfound fears Celestia and Luna will still do everything in their power to help Kira make a full recovery."

"And what if I don't go?"

"It's your choice, I can't force it upon you. Just know this decision holds far more weight than it appears, the consequences of either path-"

"He has to be here somewhere, find him!" Celestia's voice harshly cut across my hearing, interrupting Discord.

"Choose now, while you still have that freedom."

...

What was I supposed to do, stay and accept punishment from an Alicorn notorious for the millennium long banishment of her own sister? I had wanted no more than for this to be out of my hooves, but Discord had given me the option to dive right back in.

Then why did I choose the door, why did I choose to continue fighting at every step? Was it because I would always feel guilty if I walked away from my responsibility to this world, or was it the burning desire for vengeance against the bastard who would dare kill one friend and harm another? My mind was befuddled, even I didn't know the answer...

All Discord's doorway really did was throw off any pursuers, but now that I had taken it I knew my life would be different. I was no longer an Equestrian Prince, despite any intentions I was now likely this land's most wanted criminal. It was time to say farewell to these lands, at least until everything was set straight… If things could even be fixed at this point.

Author's Note

~ Thanks for reading.

Crunch time here for the end of semester. A short hiatus of 2-3 weeks is possible if I don't have time to write. Otherwise there will probably be one more chapter in that time frame before I get some free time.

Other news, I apparently have a severe vitamin D deficiency. And holy hell I forgot what being a human was like... My brain was in zombie mode for so long because of it. Getting the daily D has helped immensely. And I mean a massive load of D (alright, thats enough with the dick jokes). It comes in 500IU (International Units) aka get more sun you dumb fuck, 1000IU aka get out of the damn cave you filthy pigmy, and 5000IU aka wtf dude are you a walking corpse? I happen to be in the latter category 0.o. Final Verdict - Fuck You Genetics.

Predilection :CH13: Cast Aside

Ponyville grew in size as I swiftly descended; it's populace unaware of my arrival. Well mostly unaware...

"What's with the hurry? No time to stop and say hello?" Rainbow Dash stopped in front of me, forcing me veer aside to avoid a collision. "Too important for us now that you are a prince?" She asked as I stopped and looked back at her.

"I- uh." I thought about my current predicament. I needed supplies to make it back to the Gryphons, and I doubted Discord had been able to stall Celestia's command to have me found very long.

"Pfffff, if you could see your face!" Rainbow laughed, moving out of the way to fly along with me. "I thought you were still chilling with the Gryphons, what gives?
"I was, but something bad happened. Rainbow, can you do something for me?" I asked.

"Yeah, anything for a friend."

"I'm going to need some basics for a trip, and I don't have any time to spare. Can you help me get some supplies for a two-day flight? Just the basics." I thought about how suspicious that sounded before making up a lie to tell her. "I don't want to disappoint Anypony, considering I have to leave right away."

"All right...” It looked like she wanted to pry further, but accepted my excuse for the moment. “But you are gonna owe me one, big-time."

"Sure thing Dash, but I can't promise you I'll be able to ever return the favor. To be honest, I'm not sure how I am going to fix things over in gryphon kingdoms."

"Uh oh. Something big? You sure you won't need us to save your flank?" Rainbow joked, even though they actually had saved me at least twice.

"This time it's too dangerous. I've already lost too many people I care about, and I don't want any of you on that list." I cleared my head of those thoughts and cleared my throat." I still need those supplies. Sorry I can't talk more."

"Yup," Rainbow mock saluted and sped off in search of what I needed.

Just seeing Ponyville, even from a distance, brought back memories. I hadn't been away for that long, but I realized I would miss it and all the ponies there. Damn Celestia, she never did like me, and one mistake was all it took...

Hiding above the clouds I impatiently waited. If I had to I would fight anypony who wanted to take me back to Canterlot, but I would rather just stay ahead of any word or pursuit. Let's be honest, Ponyville was predictably the first place I would go and it wouldn't be long until someone checked.

"Hey, I'm back." I heard Rainbow Dash's voice calling out. Coming out from hiding I flew over looking questioningly at her lack of the supplies I asked for.

"You got them right?"

"Yeah, pfff. Like I would forget. I just, uh. Had to hide them somewhere to avoid suspicion." Rainbow seemed edgy, like she was hiding something. Why would she need to hide anything, unless...

"Who knows?" I questioned

"Knows what?" Rainbow evaded.

"Dash." I spoke condescendingly, "You never were a good liar."

"Yeah," Rainbow laughed looking a bit embarrassed. "AJ said the same thing when I tried to get the stuff from her. I kinda spilled the beans but she says you can have the it if you come down to the barn and say hello. She should be getting a saddlebag together right now."

"Fine," I sighed, glad it was only AJ and that my flimsy cover story hadn’t been broken by advanced word that I might show up here. “But it has to be quick, the longer I stay here the more danger the Gryphons could be in."

"Yup, you'll be on your way faster than a Wonderbolt's 200km dash. Not quite as fast as mine though." Rainbow assured me.

I pushed open the door to Applejack's barn, the sudden spray of confetti nearly causing me to flail back. On instinct I prepared for attack.

"Surprise!!!!" I heard the distinct and joyous declaration of Pinky Pie. "Happy super secret super short super-duper spectacular surprise party!"

My eyes focused past the falling confetti, the barn full of many more familiar faces than I expected. I quickly dropped my guard after the initial surprise. "Ummm, hello everyone..." I spoke giving Applejack a questioning glance.

"I know yall didn't want to stir up a commotion. But I couldn't find a saddlebag that wasn't falling apart at the seams. I needed Rarity's help to fix one up." Applejack trailed off.

Rarity continued where Applejack left off." And it was a travesty, I was entirely out of the proper color thread. I knew I had borrowed a spool to Fluttershy and I couldn't just go ask for it back without letting her in on things."

"I. Um." Fluttershy mumbled something shyly, too quiet to make out.

"What was that?" I asked.

"Fluttershy wanted to hide some sweets to your bag to remind you of us, silly. So she came by the shop." Pinky exclaimed, "But all I had was cupcakes. Frosting and bags don't mix, so I decided you would have to have dessert before you left! And when is a great time for dessert? A party of course! But it isn't a real party without everypony here, so I hoofed it over to Twilight's. She was reading some scroll thingy, but she should show up any minute. Ooh, I know what we can do in the meantime! Group hug!!!"

I had barely finished processing but I was swiftly tackled, jostled about, and squeezed to near breathlessness by the five pony mob.

I had quickly gotten to the point where the happy atmosphere had begun to rub off. At this point I didn't actually mind being surprised like this. It was actually kind of nice to see all of their friendly faces again.

But everything good comes to an end...

With a blinding flash the doors of Applejack's barn flew open, slamming against the hinges with a groan. Hay flew through the air as the light subsided, the owner of the magic coming into view. "Step away from him, now!" Twilight spoke in the Royal voice, the wooden building shaking from the force.

Twilight stared at me, trembling. My thoughts flew to the scroll Pinky had mentioned. It must be Celestia's handiwork, transported by dragons fire to send a warning. Sometimes I hated magic...

"Whoa there Twi, what ya gettin all rilled up for?" Applejack half scolded as she tenderly rubbed at her ear like she could massage away the irritation from Twilight's reverberating shout.

"He knows exactly what." She spoke in a normal, yet accusing voice.

"Twilig-" I wanted to at least try and explain this somehow but I was interrupted.

"You need Celestia's help Ike. Come with me to Canterlot and we will see about fixing this." Twilight spoke, obviously knowing very little of the situation.

"It's not that simple Twilight, things never are. Please, you have to trust me on this one. Besides I have no time to deal with Celestia's bullcrap, the Gryphons could be wiped out if I don't help."

The moment I insulted Celestia I knew I had lost all chance of convincing anypony but I continued regardless. "You all treat her like a god, but she's not. For fucks sake Twilight you of all people should know that being an Alicorn doesn't just put you on a shelf above Everypony else."

I continued to stare down Twilight in the silence that followed my outburst, she trembled. I couldn't tell if it was fear, anger, confusion, or any combination of the three that caused it.

"Everything I know, everything I am is because of Celestia. And you want me to just throw that away?" Twilight's voice which had started at almost a low whisper rose in intensity with each word. "You want me to betray my mentor and Queen?" Twilight looked to the scroll in her hoof, the parchment crumpled by her steely grasp. “A real friend wouldn't force me to make that choice." She quieted down once again. "So please, come with me."

"You know I can't Twilight." I reached out and grabbed the pack of supplies that had been assembled for me, sliding the straps to the base of my wings so they wouldn't get in the way of flight.

"I can't let you leave." Twilight barred my path as I took a step towards the doors.

"You know the right thing to do." I spoke, slipping past her.

As I prepared to leap into the air just outside a strange sense of danger washed over me. Ignoring it I took flight, planning to leave five of the six ponies without an explanation as to what was going on. Only two meters from the ground did I realize I should have trusted my instincts, a painful surge of electricity jolting through my body, causing me to plummet downwards.

I struck the ground like a rock, dazed by the sudden magic. Did Twilight just-?

"I- i warned you." Twilight stammered, struggling internally. "By Celestia's command I have to stop you, friend or not. Twilight dropped the crumpled scroll, letting it tumble away in the breeze.

I shakily got up, her surprise attack more powerful than I had thought her capable of. Shaking the numbness off I remembered why. Twilight had put on the fourth band of power the fateful day I became an Alicorn. It gave her a greater power than any unicorn could hope to muster.

All four of the bands of power were accounted for...

Celestia- The Heavenly Sentinel wielding the Solar Bracer.

Twilight- The Guardian of Knowledge equipped with Dusk Armlet.

Luna- The Keeper of Dreams and bearer of the Greave of Night.

And it was the Shackle of Dawn that showed me my fate, Vanquisher of Darkness.

"Twilight... Don't try that again." I warned her.

"I've been practicing, and I will fight you if I have to. Last chance, give up."

I sighed mournfully as I let the familiar and nearly endless flow of power course through me. "If it's between what I think is the right course of action and my place in Equestria, then I'm sorry Twilight. You can try and stop me, but you will fail."
Twilight gave a somber nod, squaring off against me. I could only wonder what she felt right now, having to turn against a friend. Was she just as worried as I was about taking things too far and doing irreversible harm?

Twilight blinked out of existence, leaving me to wonder where she had gone. As suddenly as she had disappeared there was a bright flash behind me. I spun around to face where her short range teleport had gone, throwing up a quick barrier.

Twilight's spell fizzled out as it made contact with my own. I replied with a quick blast aimed high, channeling my magic afterwards into the ground.

As Twilight's eyes flicked to the wayward spell the earth erupted around her, mud encasing and drying around her hooves.

Twilight might lack practical combat training but that didn't mean she was a pushover, as I rushed towards her she didn't hesitate or panic. Instead Twilight was coldly calculating, treating the fight like a game of chess, not wanting to be tricked again.

I could sense something off as I prepped for the running takedown I had planned. Twilight's cold, almost lifeless looking stare, off-putting. Sensing the danger I slid to a halt, unleashing a small energy blast that emanated in every direction.
I heard a grunt of mixed surprise and pain, the image of a trapped Twilight falling away with a shimmer. Twilight, who had covered over another teleport with the illusion fell to the ground beside me.

"Stay down Twilight." I warned looking over as she started to stand. "I don't want to hurt you."

"You are going to have to, unless you give up." Twilight attempted to appeal to me. She pushed herself up, facing me with determination.

"Damn it Twi." I muttered, preparing a spell to finish the fight. I was holding back, and so was she. Deep down Twilight wanted to believe me, even join me but that would mean loosing her place in Eqestria just like me. I had to cut ties to keep her safe, and I knew just the way to do it.

Using this magic felt wrong as I thought of where I had seen and experienced it. Twilight's hooves were pulled from the ground with a levitation spell, the air around her thinning until there was almost nothing left.

Her small opportunity for a counter spell fell away as her body's desire for air quickly distracted from any magic. Twilight’s eyes glazed over as she gasped for air, getting barely enough to maintain consciousness. She was helpless, unable to fight back or even cry for mercy. All she could do was look at me in desperate fear, Twilights eyes questioning if I would kill her. The fear that I had actually gone dark would keep her from joining me, it would keep her in Equestria and on Celestia’s good side.

It would be easy if I felt like stealing the life from her very lungs. So easy to get carried away and cause irreparable harm. But I couldn't, not to Somepony I cared about.

I dropped Twilight, letting her gasp and sputter for breath. She wasn't trained like I was, she would be too unfocused at this point to cast even a simple spell for a minute.

Leaping from the ground in a magically accelerated burst I left the other five ponies to rush in to care for Twilight. No words of apology, no farewells.
I had a mission to complete, even if it was suicide, I had to stop my copy no matter the cost. Even if that meant turning my back on friends.

~~~

The mutual pact between gryphons and pony kind prevented sea and sky three miles from a shoreline from being claimed by either side. That meant was out of Equestria and out of Celestia's grasp.

There were plenty of islands between the two factions, but most were populated by a mix of species and allowed governing freedom. The day drew to a close and I kept on flying, wanting to make the trip as fast as possible to make up for lost time. With that in mind I passed the tourist island that marked the halfway point, choosing instead to fly onwards.

The moon seemed to weigh down heavily upon me, or maybe it was just my imagination. I felt like I was being judged for my failure and shortcomings, and damn were there plenty. My wings grew tired and began to ache as the night dragged on.

Midnight found me flying closer to an island just large enough to have a port to service the small fishing village. Tired to the bone I decided it was best to finish the night here and start again tomorrow.

Rest? Well, I was sorely mistaken if I thought rest was what I would find there...

I winced as I placed a hoof over my side, attempting to stem the bleeding. The twisted creatures were nearly all that was left of this island and every last one of them was ravenous and bestial. I had seen this before in dream when my dark copy put one down… These poor husks of creatures were the end result of a failed possession, brutally strong but uncontrollable. Was this an advancement of my doppelgänger’s plans, to sow chaos in his wake?

I had only intended to stay for a night, my journey back into gryphon territory nearly complete. But upon arrival I had been beset by at least ten of the snarling abominations. Whoever else had been to this island was gone, taking nearly the entire population with. I barely managed to escape, but only due to the fact that just one of the creatures could fly. The supplies I had scrounged up for the trip had been lost in the fight, and I had sustained a nasty injury in my aerial fight. From my encounter it seemed these creatures were both incredibly strong and could shrug off injury as if it were nothing. They might not even feel pain, as one of them kept coming at me even while coated in fire. It was evident that these creatures were no longer intelligent gryphons or ponies, unlike the walking talking variety I had met and dreamed of created by demon possession. And if the abominations were this powerful it meant the successful versions must be terrifying.

I tore the cleanest strip of fabric I could find, tying it tight with magic. It was the best I could find in the abandoned hut I had taken refuge in; I would just have to hope my wound wouldn't get infected. I might have fought better if I hadn't been so exhausted, but sleep is a luxury when on the run.

The place was hardly damaged except for an upturned table with half eaten scraps of now inedible food littering the floor. It was as if a storm of locusts had swept through the village, but instead of crops they had reaped inhabitants.
Knowing what had likely happened to the villagers made me shudder. Was the Imperium even something that could be stopped? From the stories he only thing that held them at bay were the bands of power. Sombra's convenient sacrifice of the entire race only postponed the inevitable swarm.

I stepped on a pile of Palm fronds and nearly stumbled into a small hole in the dirt floor. Pulling them aside I found a clay jar resting inside, cool to the touch despite the humid climate. The familiar sting of alcohol wafted up my nose from the opening. There were even some various leaf wrapped shapes that were likely food.

I pulled the clay jar up, instantly regretting not using magic to do it as my side throbbed. Bracing myself I tipped the jar back, knowing this was probably the safest thing I could drink considering the water from the village's well was a diluted red. I nearly choked on the foul liquid, somehow bitter along with the overwhelming burn as the alcohol traced its way down my bone-dry throat.

I shook my head and let out a cough, taking another, and far less painful, gulp. I pulled my bandage aside, soaking another rag with the jar's contents. Clenching my teeth as I placed it up to deep gashes I had received from the twisted gryphon's claws was all I could do to silence the hiss. I let the stinging pain seep in, knowing it would help in the long run, as I tenderly felt my around the wound as I wiped it clean.

Finishing, I placed the makeshift bandage back over in an attempt to keep the wound clean. I had to keep moving, there was nothing for me here. I transferred some of the alcohol into a hollowed gourd that my gracious but likely dead or possessed host had left me, grabbing as much of the food as I needed in a tattered cloth bag. I couldn't help but wonder how long the twisted creatures would persist after I had left.

I would stay and finish the fight, but this island was already lost. I didn't have the time to waste mopping up my doppelgänger's reject soldiers when he was out there recruiting.

Flying the rest of the way to the Nest wasn't the brightest plan while injured and low on sleep, but I didn't want to risk staying here or on any other island along the way. For all I knew none of them were safe from assault.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading!

Lazy mode activated, motivation cell set to trickle charge. Average fucks given per day: 0.

Translation.
Done with the semester but I feel so drained and unmotivated to do anything now. Uploads whenever I get around to it / write things. Kappa

Predilection :CH14: Fetch Quest

After hours of flying with hazy and spinning vision I nearly collided with something in the air. Stopping in place I looked in confusion upon a metallic sheen that reflected my tired eyes back to me.

"Halt, by order of the Nestki-"

I looked up to where the shouting voice was coming from, seeing an avian beak and head atop the shining plate armor.
"The Alicorn Prince?!" The gryphon sounded surprised, but my world was quickly fading. My eyes drifted shut and I felt myself drifting lower, though I was too faded to realize what that meant.

Through the mental shadows I could hear the sound of wings as the stress upon my tired body seemed to lessen. I continued to flap a bit longer, not even realizing I was being carried. The mindless haze eventually took me and my eyes closed once more.

A distinct, rhythmic, beeping in the background caught my waking attention as my brain caught up. Hospital? I must have made it then. Gently lifting my head I found a glass of water being presented, held by some gryphon.

My vision focused as I took the glass and began to drink, wetting my throat. "Echelon?" I croaked out at the face that took form from the blurry vision.

"If only one good thing could offset all the bad." Echelon sighed." It is good to see you alive, but I am afraid you haven't come back to our lands at the best time. Your reports of the reborn Imperium are all too accurate; we have already lost contact with the territories in our outermost range of control. Their forces run rampant through many of our islands. The Nest and the gryphon mainland are untouched for the time being."

"They are demons, each one of them is possessed. Any place that isn't protected will only serve to increase the numbers of the enemy." I warned.

"Aeolus found that part of your message the most disturbing. We were all fooled into believing Sombra was an isolated case, but in fact he once sacrificed the entire imperium to summon the most powerful demon this land has ever seen, they were likely willing to be sacrificed as well. The fell power he pulled into this land so long ago is the same demon you destroyed before becoming an Alicorn. It is only now that the pieces fall together. Somehow we missed them this whole time."

"How can they be stopped?" I asked, wishing for an easy answer even though I knew there wasn't.

"The only way for survival is to eradicate them first. A task that is easier to propose than to enact. It seems the Imperium's attention is upon the nest, but we have also evacuated as many citizens as possible from vulnerable islands to stem their growth. Our scouts say they are moving inwards, towards us, instead of towards the Crystal Kingdom, Equestria, Prance, or the other gryphon territories. So it seems we will be the first to fall unless we can stop them here.

"I think he wants the pillar..."

"What makes you say that? And who is He, their leader?" Echelon questioned.

"There was a reason Sombra- Sombra's demon," I corrected, not wanting to believe my copy, who was possessed by the same demon, was still in control of his own actions. "Wanted the bands of power so badly. And for some twisted reason fate has dropped one right into its hooves."

"What do you mean? The four bands of power are all bound to Alicorn, has one of the princesses been killed?"

"No, there's five bands of power now. Somehow the shackle of dawn has slipped over from an alternate reality. Don't ask me how. But a possessed version of myself wields it. The same demon I destroyed possesses him, and he is the leader of the new Imperium."

"I understand why you didn't write this in the missive, it could be easily confused if things got out to the public. This demon possessed copy; you met him face to face didn't you? I can see it in your eyes, the hope that once resided there has fled."

"He beat me, read my every move like a book. And I was powerless to stop him as he took Xane’s life. I even let him bring Kira to death's door with my weakness. How can you fight yourself?"

"I'm sorry, that is an answer you will have to find in your own. Rest for now, the hasty journey into our lands seems to have taken a toll on you.

~ Sovereign Throne of the Nest

I stood in the great hall of the gryphon king's keep. There were no sounds of merriment or food adorned tables this time, only solemn and silence. I dared break the silence with an apology to the elder gryphon who stood before me.
"I am mournful of the loss of your son." I bowed my head in shame before the Nestking, Aeolus. "You entrusted his safety to me and I failed you, I failed everyone." There was nothing I could say to make this hurt him less; I knew the anger and sorrow he felt.

"I accept whatever punishment your law dictates for the sake of continued peace with your people. I only ask that you forbear judgment until our lands are safe again."

Things seemed bleak, an army of hell spawn on the loose, and the heir to the Gryphon kingdom dead. I was on the run from the Alicorn sisters and even Kira was...

No, I had to stay strong. No use mourning when it could end up costing everything. The corrupted version of myself held a disturbing power and whenever he resurfaced I needed to be ready.

I was startled by a talon that had thrust its way under my chin, forcing my head back up to look into the Gryphon kings eyes. What confused me most was the lack of anger in them, but instead a gentle calm. "There is more magic in this world that you have yet to discover young one. Seek out but a drop of Zandria's blood along with one feather and return them here. You will find an explanation and my forgiveness then." The Gryphon king released me and strode away.

"Do you not need me to help fight? What if my dark copy shows up?

Echelon butted in. "My pardon, but we know a damaged soul when we see one, you must first tend to yourself if you desire to win your battles. This journey and time should help with that."

"Whatever you desire." I bowed my head once more, the King speaking as I departed.

"Sometimes it takes losing something to realize how lucky you were to have it in the first place..."

"I know." I muttered back. I had lost so much, in so little time, so recently.

~ The Galloping Isles aka, Pirate's Paradise

I stood in front of a building I had never thought to see again, Zandria's mansion looming over me once again. Although this time I wasn't in chains, or expected. I grasped the knocker with magic, slamming it against the door with a resounding thud. I did this two more times for good measure, preparing myself for whoever might greet me.

The door pulled open and I found myself staring into eyes full of surprise mixed with fear. I took a step forward and the Prancian doorman skidded back, swiftly remembering the countless shattered tips of acupuncture needles that he had gotten removed from his foreleg, not to mention the still un-repaired indent where I cast him into the wall with magic. I could see past him to another familiar Prancian, this one with a bulky cast. She reached instinctively towards her satchel then realized she couldn't reach with the cast, resigning herself to just watch.

"One w-would question why ze esteemed gentlecolt should- uh... R- return?" The Prancian questioned, barely hiding his fear that I might be here for vengeance.

"I'm going to see Zandria, don't bother getting in my way." If it wasn't the tinge of malice in my voice, my piercing glare was enough to gain his compliance. I couldn't be the pristine hero of my story, and if getting my hooves dirty is what it took to win then I would do it.

"As ze late Prince wishes." The doorman gave a quick now before scurrying away, not even bothering to shut the door behind me as I walked away.

I somehow knew things would never go back to normal. The dream I had shared with Luna showed me that my pain and anger could be harnessed, and maybe that's what I needed to stop my doppelgänger. He expected me to play by the rules, to be the good guy. But I needed to cheat a little if I wanted to win with this hand I had been dealt.

My thoughts were interrupted as I heard the metallic jangle of chains. I reflexively dodged away, finding one more familiar face. This verdant unicorn didn't show the same fear to attack, even though he should.

More chains burst from the floor, a pathetic attempt to ensnare me. Deep silver flame flared up around me as his conjured chains dissipated, unable to survive the raw magic surrounding me. I rushed forward as another chain sailed forward, meeting the same fate as the others.

In a single strike I halted the green unicorn's magic, his aching jaw more important.

"You shouldn't have done that." I shook my head, levitating and heating the metal of a nearby silver candelabrum. The melted wax fell away to the floor as I held the unicorn in place, letting the hot metal flow around his horn. "I'll call this payback." I taunted as a few molten drops fell into his scalp. The metal quickly cooled around his horn, ensuring that he was unable to use it to channel his magic. I jokingly fashioned a small silver key hanging from the tip of his horn by a link of chain, the useless metal resting between his eyes as a reminder that I was still irate at the occurrences of my last visit.

I threw the useless unicorn aside and continued on my way to the penthouse to find Zandria. I could hear him writhing in pain behind me, any guilt burned away by my current anger.

"Now, now, what's with the rude commotion?" Zandria smirked as I burst through her door, the nearly see-through curtains around her bed pushed aside in preparation for my noisy arrival. "Good servants are hard to come by, and you seem intent on maiming all of them."

I could already feel the influence of Zandria's ancient spirit of sin, Lust, battering away at my inhibitions. I tried to focus my mind, continuing to talk as a distraction. "He was worthless, and so are the others. I'm here for you."

"Oooh. So demanding." Zandria gave a slow stretch, flashing her voluptuous body for my eyes to gaze upon. "It looks like you have changed since we last met, and for the better." She gave a fake yawn and flopped down upon her bed, her plumage ruffling ever so slightly. "Come and have a seat, I won't bite, unless you beg me to."

I obeyed her demands, but not because she had control. I needed her compliance, even if it cost me. I sat down, keeping her only in my peripheral vision to make sure she didn't try anything.

"Now what was it you wanted my darling? Did you come back for a thrill or for business?"

"Business." I curtly replied, gulping and taking a deep breath in an attempt to calm my nerves. I didn't want to feel this way, but Zandria's 'curse' made it impossible to hold composure.

"Rest your head and stay a while. I find business much more bothersome than pleasure, so relax." Zandria motioned towards her lap, smirking as my head sunk towards it. Zandria was sure she had me where she wanted, and in record time too.

"I'm not worth the hunt Zandria, keeping me around would be more trouble than it's worth."

"Oh yes, I know all about your newfound lack of a royal title. Doesn't mean you can't do a favor for me in exchange for whatever you came here for." Zandria gently stroked my mane as she spoke, each pass making me tremble with anticipation despite my plans for this to end abruptly.

"The Imperium is back, I need you to put aside your family disputes."

“I know about the Imperium as well, but do you truly think that I would willingly work alongside my worm of a brother or my pompous fool of a father? Ha!" Zandria snorted.

"If you don't help now you will be alone when the Imperium turns its gaze to you." I warned. "He is too proud to admit it, but your father needs your help.” I tried to convince her. My words were true, even if my intent wasn't. I could tell the Nestking needed all the aid possible to fight off the Imperium even if it wasn't my mission to get it.

"If you want my fleet it's going to cost you." Zandria leaned over and whispered in my ear.

"Cost what?" I questioned my face beginning to flush ever so slightly.

"Something I plan on taking anyways." I could tell from her tone what she meant.

Zandria attempted to guide me into a suitable position, causing my hoof to graze gently across her wing, reminding me of my actual mission. Grasping a single feather I pulled it from her wing, quickly jabbing the pointed quill into her thigh. Her blood filled the quill like ink as Zandria cried out in surprise, her spell and physical grasp upon me lifting long enough for me to spring away, taking the bloodied feather with me.

Zandria looked to the dimple of blood welling up on her thigh and then to the feather in my hoof. “Its not often that I’m the one being used…” She stood, anger in her avian eyes, looking ready to spring. My horn let out its usual glow as I prepared to stop her, but her anger swiftly subsided and she slumped back down wearily to the bed.

"You win this round.” She sighed, knowing that fighting an Alicorn was futile.

I lowered my guard, a little surprised that she would give up this easily. I could tell she wasn’t even actively trying to seduce me.

“I will arrive with my fleet as quickly as possible, there is a gryphon I know that needs to repay me for what you just took… And don’t think you are off the hook, I’ll have plenty of time to get what I want from you once I get there.” Zandria winked and motioned for me to leave, a conflicted expression falling across her brow.

I was still confused at how easily Zandria was letting me go, and how easily she had offered the aid that was my fake reason for coming. But now wasn’t the time to question those sorts of things, I had to get back to The Nest before my copy decided to attack.

Author's Note

~ Thanks for reading!

It seems I'm always apologizing for being so slow to update chapters :p
If I wasn't a lazy shite this story (technically) would have been finished last year (according to my own predictions).

Anyways, no promises but I will try to update again in a decent amount of time. Just hope I can finally get back into a grove and sit and write for more than 5 minutes at a time without zoning out or getting distracted.

Predilection :CH15: Rebirth?

The gryphon kingdoms were expansive, so much so that it was hard for one Gryphon to rule everything within, just like how the old realms from long before Equestria’s founding were not under Celesta’s banner. Aeolus was working to re-unite the kingdoms whose alliances had dissolved when King Guto stepped down as ruler of Gryphonstone, the old capital, leaving no successor and leading to the once great capitol’s fall to ruin and disrepair. The Far East and oldest gryphon territories were of little help due to this, but leaderless or not the looming threat was enough to get some reaction out of them. I now understood what I had been told, the time of the Gryphons was long past and they might never reclaim their old glory.

I had been back at The Nest for a day now, being constantly exposed to the politics between the king of the new gryphon realms, Aeolus, and the other minor factions whom thus far had remained kingless and independent. But despite the constant bustle of war preparations and diplomatic meetings I was invited to attend and pretend to understand things had been mostly uneventful. Zandria’s arrival with her fleet had temporarily shredded that calm, but when her intentions were announced as friendly things calmed back down. She hadn’t made many demands, at least many that I heard about, but she did insist on having her luggage moved into the room I had been given.

At the moment I was outside, trying to clear my head of her influence. And speaking of crazy bitches, Celestia had sent a lovely message to Aeolus insisting that I be turned over to her immediately. Instead of giving into her demands he sent back another letter.

“Ike has been an invaluable resource to the Gryphon kingdom, I see no reason that he should be returned to a society that does not fully appreciate him. With Ike's recent change in status, I speak to the removal of his royal title; it is no longer a conflict of interest if he were to become a servant for My kingdom. Therefore as long as relations between our people stand I trust he will receive full diplomatic immunity if he should set hoof upon Equestrian soil. This land is in more danger than you can comprehend, put aside your petty squabble and assemble your armies. If The Nest falls, the rest of our world follows."

I was glad Aeolus was defending me, even if I didn’t deserve it. I watched as a cartload of raw metal upturned on the street, rushing over to help. I received a quick thanks as I quickly cleaned things up with my magic, the gryphon continuing on his way.

I thought back to the mission I had just been sent on. Apparently it was supposed to make me feel better, but now that it was over I was left with too much time on my hooves to think. I had watched a friend die, how was bringing Zandria back to The Nest supposed to help me in any way? Did Aeolus and Echelon think her spirit of lust would ease my mind and help me forget? If that was it they were sorely mistaken. Every time Zandria took a pass at me my mind flew to Kira and Lust's hold was shattered. I couldn't stop worrying about if she was recovering or not.

Looking over the city I skittered back as my gaze fell on the impossible. "Xane?! You died, I saw!” I exclaimed, at the gryphon who had appeared just feet away from me. I had never believed in ghosts, but this shook my beliefs right to the core.

"I... Uh… Its good to see you made it out alive." Zane stopped and sighed. "I suppose I should finally start giving more than partial truths. But first, does Sentry know about what happened on the isles? I was able to hide the last death, from when I stopped you from touching the pillar of fate, but this one was a little quicker and public…"

Last death? His words were a little confusing but I was going to give him a chance to explain before asking any of my own questions. “Sentry wasn't speaking to anypony, especially me.” I replied, "He feels like I am to blame for your death since I sent him back to Equestria instead of letting him come on the mission. You meant a lot to him…"

"I'm glad he didn't come. You weren't deceived; I did die on that island. I can still almost feel the blade sliding across my neck." Sentry shuddered, rubbing his throat as if to check if it was still all right. ”But I am alive and well, could you touch a ghost? Xane extended a clawed hand.

"Then, how?" I trailed off as I felt the proof of life in the warmth of his touch.

"I have alluded to strange 'artifacts' and my strained familial ties, yes?”

"You have told the story and muttered some things before.”

"Of course not all of that was truth. I... I am an abomination of magic, never meant to exist." Xane quickly unloaded.

"You can't mean that, n-" I tried to console him but was cut off.

"No, let me finish my explanation." Xane insisted. "Zandria was sent on her first mission by my father. She was meant to simply visit the sites of power in Equestria to ensure all was well. But an ancient and malignant spirit had also been drawn to the power. When she arrived at the mirror pool Zandria was enticed by the charms of the spirit. Lust is what it calls itself, the embodiment of one of the seven deadly sins.

Lust told her that to bathe in the waters of the mirror pool was to gain infinite knowledge. Lust seduced Zandria to do so, the temptation too great to resist. Touching the waters of the mirror pool changes you; it fragments a soul and creates a copy... But Lust's presence had altered the rules. When Zandria's soul split Lust took hold of the empty space, worming its way into Zandria as its new host.

Now the mirror pool is supposed to make copies, it does not have power over intangible beings. What came out of the pool was something unexpected, not a copy but a refraction. The polar opposite of what Zandria had become.

I was created, a frail, weak being, barely capable protecting myself. What was done could not be reversed, Zandria's half of a soul has nowhere to return to as long as Lust fills her. So even if I die I cannot ever rest, not until Zandria's time comes. I suppose I have you to thank for returning me to life by brining the items required from Zandria, father has kept a sample of the mirror pool's water ever since the... Incident.”

"I- Uh, I don't know how to respond. But how did your father know that you could be brought back?” So he wasn’t a ghost, but it was still one of the strangest tales I had been told.

"I thought that if I could free the part of Zandria trapped inside of me that it might fix her." Xane paused, shedding a tear. "I- did it to myself, and it was only a side effect of research that forced me back into the world. I would have given anything for her, even my life. I was finally accepted into the family fully when it became evident Lust had begun to take control of Zandria. Aeolus needed a successor, but was sadly infertile.”

"You killed yourself in the off chance it might have saved her? That's..." I cleared my head of the thought. "You may think yourself weak, but you are noble and kind to a fault. I don't know what my decision would be in that situation."

So that's what my quest had truly been about, to resurrect Xane. I understood what the Nestking wanted, for me to stop feeling like I had failed everyone because of a death I couldn't have stopped. It just so happened Xane was a unique situation, but if Kira had been the one to take the knife...

"You are too kind to that abomination." Zandria spoke, striding into view. Xane cringed in fear.

I took a deep breath and steeled my thoughts before looking her dead in the eye to speak. "You are far greater an abomination than him, Lust."

Xane gulped. "It's still Zandria in there somewhere, just broken and twisted beyond recognition.”

"Not as broken as your spine the time I snapped your wings and threw you off the roof. What were your last words again?” Zandria taunted.

"No matter what, I will always remember what you were before." Xane reminded her, looking to me. "Father used to send me to check up on her, but that was before Lust had twisted her to this point.”

"I'm sorry... I convinced her to help, she is lending the kingdom her fleet for protection against the new Imperium.”

"Help, Ha, it won't help. My ships, my men, they are nothing but kindling for the fire as I watch the world burn. Lust knows who is destined to win.”

"We will see, the Imperium army must first go through our navy before even attempting to attack the city." Xane assured me.

Zandria snorted and waltzed off, likely to go terrorize some poor, or lucky depending on how you looked at it, gryphon to pass the time.

“Xane,” A thought came to my head, “I know somepony who could use cheering up, lets find something reflective.”

“Oh dear, I’ll most likely be punished for this one.” Discord mumbled as he used his magic to form a barrier between himself and a pissed off looking Celestia as Sentry stared dumbly at Xane through the mirror. “Oh go on lovebird, go to him. Discord picked up Sentry and slotted him in a big pink bow adorned with golden hearts, drawing back before shooting him as the arrow into the portal, causing him to come tumbling out on our end moments later.

“How is Kira doing Discord?” I asked coming back into view after avoiding the pony projectile that he had just launched.

Discord frowned at the question, knowing his answer was less than I desired. “She is recovering, but slowly. I think the only reason you did so well was because you could technically hold the exact same power if you became possessed. I can tell she misses you, which makes this next part harder… Celestia has learned how to reliably ‘borrow’ my powers, and she could easily do something regretful if she manages to get through the portal in the state it leaves her. I’m going to have to sever the spell on this end and wait for her to calm down.

If you need to contact us in the meantime you are going to have to work something else out. There is some good news at least; the renewed gryphon ties with the crystal kingdom have altered the balance of power. It seems without the oath of allegiance binding them; the equestrian troops are more loyal to their commanders than their royalty.

Shining Armor stole half of the Equestrian military with a single speech and has combined them with Crystal Kingdom troops. It looks like Cadence is preparing to re-establish the old crystal empire separate from Celestia's rule. The reinforcements from them might be able to help if the gryphons can hold out long enough.

Celestia let out a powerful blast, Discord's barrier wavering for a moment. “ Sorry, I've been a little tired lately and I'm going to have to cut this short. Ill see what I can do here, you worry about your end.”

“Thanks Discord, do what you have to do.” I spoke, watching as Discord nodded before reaching out with his chaos magic, the image on my end going dark.

I had missed most of the happy reunion between Sentry and Xane in my talk with Discord; but what was left of it made me wish I had been able to see Kira’s face, if only for a moment. I could only hope she was recovering quickly.

A chill crept up my spine and I looked back to the mirror, a cloudy image shuddering to life on the surface. I would have been convinced the face I looked upon was a reflection had it not smirked tauntingly at me. No one seemed to notice as I stared at the darkened reflection, it's eyes boring into mine. This was the reflection of a monster, the demon possessed copy of myself. I wasn't surprised that he could tap into and understand my magic; he shared my mind and most of my experiences except for recent ones.

I severed the spell to banish his image, the unique magic needing both ends to function. My own hate filled glare replaced his smirking image, but I could hardly see the difference.

Author's Note

~Thanks for reading!

Finally had the time to watch the newest season's episodes. What were they smoking when they wrote up S5 E9 and can I have some please? (laughed so hard during parts of it.) It is always great when they cater to the fans. The only thing I didn't like is that if I ever write any continuation with Dr. Whooves (10% probability) I will have to explain away his behavior in the episode with his classic john smith forget I am a timelord thing he has done in the past (I'm not really a Derpy x Dr. kind of fan either).

Take mind that everything in this story does happen, and will conclude, before the Tirek portion of last season. Although the new information about the Gryphons in one of those new episodes was slotted in for a bit of explanation in the first paragraph this chapter.

Probably 4-5 more chapters before I wrap things up for good. Sorry, but I need to move on to something different so I'll be heading full steam to the end rather than drag things out much longer. Need to either find something new to write or give writing up for a while as I have not had 'the muse' with me for quite some time. As I keep promising, I will finish this story, unless I die or something before hand :rainbowderp:

Predilection :CH17: Raeleth's Fire

"Just let him rest, his body and mind have taken on a great deal of stress. He will wake when he is ready." I heard a familiar voice, though muddled as if not nearby.

Upon hearing those words I shot up, remembering the last time I heard something similar. But that had been back when I was first acclimating to the Shackle of Dawn, I had been put in a coma like state for a time after first using its power and a few other times after as well. Without a thought I pulled away the IV and heart monitors and jumped out of the bed, it was a bad habit of mine.

I could sleep when I was dead. "How long?" I half shouted half asked as I nearly pulled the door off its hinges with how quickly I opened it. I was met by four surprised Alicorn, the other three bearers of the bands of power and Cadence.

"Not as long as you would think, compared to some of your other bouts." Cadence reassured. "Just two days."

"You really shouldn't push yourself that hard." Twilight sounded halfway scolding but otherwise glad I was all right. She must have been the one asking about me, I hope she had forgiven me for what I had to do when I escaped Equestria.

“I’m sorry everyone, I felt like I needed to face my copy to resolve things. Now I understand it didn’t really make a difference in the end, he died on his own and would have died regardless of our meeting.

“Not all was in vain. In a way you have faced your own darkness by standing resolute in the face of your copy. The ease at which you apparently renounced his ways has proven that again I have been too quick to judge." Celestia did something unexpected, lowering herself in a bow. "I am sorry."

"Its fine, you were just looking out for Equestria." I replied and looked to Luna, having only heard her speak through the wall. "Luna, I-"

"All is forgiven, young one. Though there is a certain Crystal mare who might think otherwise of us leaving her behind."

"Kira, she's-"

"Safe, and recovering." Celestia continued." She wanted to join the other troops but we made her stay and rest to fully recover her strength. It has become a dangerous world to live in of late, I had hoped to spare Twilight from such things..."

"I- I'll be fine." Twilight sounded a little shaken at being reminded of the battle.

"So reinforcements showed?" I asked. “Did we win or lose?"

“It was a victory but not entirely,” Celestia answered. "Much was lost and our nations will take time to recover. We are combing every last Island in search of Imperium remnants. Your copy didn't keep tabs on all of them and some made it as far as the Equestrian coast. But his death cast the high-demon out of Equestria, and without its power it will be difficult for any remnants to summon even the lowliest of demons into this world. The imperium will fade away once more, as even this one was but a shadow of the last."

"There is still one problem though," Twilight took off when Celestia stopped. "This Raeleth the gryphons talk about, I read up on him. And if he is even a fourth as large and powerful as depicted there is nothing we can do to stop him from fulfilling his promise."

"Oh, so you know about that…” I sighed. “My copy finished his mission before his death, and I didn’t see it coming. I expected him to lead his army into battle, its what I would have done. But I guess he knew that, and managed to find the Pillar of Fate. If what he said is true, Raeleth’s fire or no, our world is doomed. One thousand years is the specific number he gave …”

“It is as I feared,” Cadence mourned. “ Since the changeling attack on the kingdom and disruption of my wedding I have deeply studied everything about their nature. They were more or less normal, turned into the creatures they are now just by tainting their site of power. They didn’t even destroy it and the ramifications were so severe they were felt around the world. These sites are tied to our very existence, and without even one we are doomed to destruction.”

“But it’s one thousand years!” Twilight objected. “There is so much that could be done in that time, maybe even find a way to stop the end from coming.”

“Then we stop Raeleth.” My voice didn’t hold an offer, it was a demand. “If that scaly bastard wants to finish us off, he is going to have to work for it. I’m going to stop being stubborn and ask for help just this once, but that means things are going to get dangerous for everypony involved. Get Discord and Shining Armor, we take the fight to Raeleth.

“You are going to need directions,” Zandria walked around a corner, having eavesdropped on the conversation. “My spy network has the information you need, for a simple price.”

“Damn it Lust, I will not-“

“Step back,” Commanded Celestia as she took a spot between Zandria and I. “I heard about you, and find it hard to believe your intentions are anything but wicked. The name Lilith ring a bell? She helped me realize something long ago, and I thought she had banished the Sins for good.”

“There are still ways for the Sins to take a host.” Xane suddenly made his presence known, having been there the entire time, his condition leaving him hard to notice at times. “They are just few and far between. Zandria is half of a soul, and Lust can’t touch the other half. The only thing that keeps Lust from taking over is a product of its own schemes."

“He speaks the truth,” Zandria acknowledged. “Lust may influence me greatly, but in the end it is nothing but a second voice in my mind. The sins do desire the end of all things, just as the demons, but they no longer have the power to enact it due to what they call Lilith’s treachery. I on the other claw wish to live out the remainder of my years, rather than have them destroyed by some creature’s wrath. And as for my price, I only wish to observe the battle that will decide if I get to die sooner rather than later. The lovemaking is optional, and open to all of you.” Zandria winked before turning to leave. "Assemble whoever you may and board my flagship, I will take that as your acceptance.” She walked off with a sense of finality, knowing her offer was the best we would receive.

Looking troubled Xane looked to me, waiting until everypony else had left before speaking. “When I touched the pillar of fate I received more than one prophecy. There wasn’t time for me to give you both then, but this one might make a little more sense now.” Xane paused to remember the exact words. “ When the consuming fire devours, a great burden will be placed upon the fated one. Though all may seem lost, know that a shattered fate can be re-written.” Xane left me to wonder what the prophecy actually meant, unable to interpret it himself. But I knew I would find out soon.

~~~

The unfortunate destruction of the Haast left us ocean-bound, fighting against the waves in Zandria’s new flagship. The further we sailed the worse our vessel fared; the Haast wouldn’t have survived these winds anyways. In all our crew was small; five Alicorn, one unicorn, one pegasi, two gryphons, and one draconequus. I would have preferred to leave Sentry behind, confident that everyone else was mandatory for the trip or could protect themselves in some way, but he refused to leave Xane’s side again.

"Three degrees to port!” I had to use the royal voice just for Xane to hear me at the helm. I wiped the lens of Twilight’s telescope off and continued to stare at the darkened waters ahead. Our ship narrowly avoiding the wet rocky spine jutting from the water. The vessel occasionally scraped against the shallow bottom, as we had hit the strangest patch of ocean I had ever seen. We were knocked about by colossal waves that should be impossible, some sort of irregular bottom that should be causing the waves to break just out of reach. We sailed by another jagged outcropping; this one larger than the first, the boiling heat from around it filled the nearby air with fog.

Looking ahead as the fog parted I stopped in wonder, watching as a wave that seemed to reach for the very clouds blotted out the light. Shaking the stunned wonder I realized what it meant to our ship. “Rouge Wave!!! Shining Armor, Shield, now! Brace for impact!”

We could have survived a normal wave by riding the swell, but this one was too much to risk. A protective barrier expanded out and away from Shining Armor, covering the entire vessel. The dark wall of boiling water crashed against the barrier, the impact staggering, fighting against the barrier for just a moment before beginning to part around us. We watched in wonder as the oceans flowed above, below, and around us. The air inside of our barrier was the only thing keeping us from being suffocated beneath the waves. It was over in an instant, we bobbed back to the surface and Shining Armor collapsed. I might have the strength to do something similar, but he was the only one who could have pulled it off so well. His magic was spent though; we needed to reach where we were going before we lost the capability to fight.

The deadly wave had left the sky and waters eerily calm in its wake, an orange and fiery glow coming from in the distance. A mountainous circle of the same black-ridged spikes stuck out of the water each larger than the last they seemed to surround an island of stone where the glow was emitting from. With the light and heat I would have guessed a volcano, but the black tinted rock seemed too barren to be a fertile volcanic isle. It was as I noticed one of the dark spines gently sway that their significance hit me. “We’re here.” It wasn’t sharp stone or irregular sea floor, but a coiled up body belonging to the dragon supposedly as old as the world itself. And if just the smallest spines of Raeleth's tail were this large the legends had under judged his size… “Head to the center!” I shouted to be heard. I didn’t want to dishearten everyone with what I had just realized, but I knew they would come to the same conclusion eventually if they already hadn’t.

Xane nodded and adjusted our course.

“Discord, you and I should fly ahead. I have something to ask you about.” I spoke quietly, knowing Discord would hear me anyways. “Twilight, take over.” I passed her back the telescope.

Getting away from prying ears I looked to Discord. “ Tell me the truth, what are our odds on beating Raeleth.”

“Just being near to this creature I can feel his archaic might. Chaos magic might help, but enough to hurt him will leave me vulnerable. Not much could level this playing field. One thousand years is but a short nap to this creature, he will not bother sparing the world so a few short-lived moments can be had by lesser creatures. He can feel the world suffering, and will snuff out its light forever to let it rest in peace. He has already begun. The glow you see is Raeleth burning his way to the planet’s core. He is holding back the oceans with his body, and when he reaches the core Raeleth will let the waters flood into the gap.”

“Bearing this band of power I always expected to die by fire, but if he smothers the core it looks like its going to be ice… Its not much comfort, but thanks for the truth Discord.” I replied. “Ill just have to find a way to make this work. If not… yeah, how about we just say ill figure this out. Anyways, I think its time to let this asshole know we are here.” Gathering my magic I let loose a large blast, shattering one of the stone like spines that was one of Raeleth’s tail spikes. Small shards and boulder sized chunks dropped away into the waves.

The ambient noise of his flames immediately cut away, a low growl replacing them. His coiled shape shifted, with the thunderous sound of a rockslide gaps appeared in the mountainous structure as Raeleth slowly uncoiled to see what had struck him. The ship almost tipped over as his tail slipped through the water past it, his colossal size causing waves with just small motions.

“Hey fucker, you know how much I’ve done to keep my friends safe? Do you even know how much shit I’ve dealt with, how many times I’ve put my life on the line?” I blasted away another one of his spines, a larger one this time. “Way too much to let some asshole like you take them away from me just because he feels like it.”

Celestia flew up to join me, “ Equestria will not fall on my watch. My kingdom… Our kingdom,” Celestia amended as Luna and Twilight joined her. “ Will thrive until the end.

"The crystal Empire will fight until its last breath, it will not accept defeat!” Cadence assured.

“We can find a way to save this world, if you only give us the chance.” Twilight tried a different, less hostile, approach.

A deep and rumbling voice spoke as a gargantuan head swung into view, a giant eye squinting to look upon the insignificant specks floating in before it. “ I knew from the beginning of creation that I would see its end, this world grows tiresome in its demands. I have razed everything more times than I can count. New life springs forth from the ashes every time, always sprinting headfirst towards demise. In the last hundred thousand years the creatures have even begun trying to bargain with me to spare them, but this is the true end. If I spare you or not the world will crumble, everything you know to be true will betray you, and everything will die agonizingly slow.”

As Raeleth spoke heat bled from his maw, the hot sulfurous drafts washing over us. Just his gentle breath was enough to push us through the air; we fought to stay in place as he continued. "My pity for your kind has caused this, I should have wiped the world clean again the moment you learned to lust after power. The demons once banished stalk the land once more, one of the Sins counts itself among you, and the Pillar of Fate lies in ruin. There is no bargain, no plea you can make to change my mind. If you dare oppose me, this hour will be the time of your death.” Raeleth didn't appear sorrowful, even though his choice had been weighty, I could tell his mind was made up.

“I kind of like it here, so I’m going to put this nicely.” Discord began radiating chaos magic, the great dragon rearing back faster than I thought possible for something of his size. “DIE!”

“What- what is this?” Raeleth growled out through gritted fangs.

“The tree of harmony has plans to live a little longer," Discord grinned maniacally, vines exploding from the clefts between Raeleth’s scales.

“Discord has some explaining to do… Twilight muttered with a full-faced blush.

“Agreed.” Luna spoke, “Though I feel like I am missing part of my memory, a certain sister is also in question.” She glared at Celestia who did her best to avoid eye contact and look blameless, failing miserably at the latter.

The vines began to shrivel from the heat emanating from the dragon’s body, but they continued their task, multiplying rapidly. With a life of their own the vines began tearing into the ancient dragon’s scales, causing the time worn and massive slabs to crack and crumble. Time had been a harsh foe for the beast, his once gleaming scales now brittle and grey; they shattered away under the effort of Discord’s magic. Realizing the danger Raeleth opened his maw, a hissing rush emitting forth. In moments flame was jetting forth to burn away the clinging vines. As his flames danced over bare, scaleless, flesh he stopped to cry out. Gripping at some of the vines with his fore-claws he tore them away and resumed his jet of flame, this time far more intense, burning away the thorny vines before they could do more than strip him of his scales.

Flames rushed down around us as Raeleth spewed them haphazardly, each of us throwing up a magical barrier to protect ourselves, but down on the waters below we watched in horror as Shining Armor’s shield sputtered out moments after it was made…

Author's Note

~ Thanks for reading!
One more chapter left!

Predilection :CH18: Fate Unshackled

"Valour is the contempt of death and pain."
- Tacitus

The gryphons had always considered fire a sacred thing, as dragon fire had been used to make their mountaintop cities habitable, but uncontrolled fire has a destructive side… The vessel we had journeyed here in still carried four members of our crew, Xane, Shining Armor, Zandria, and Flash Sentry. The horrifying moment that the fire swept over the deck played over and over in my mind. I would have thought it was magic, a simple teleport, if there weren’t a cloud of ashes billowing through the air. They were gone, vanished with barely a trace save the acrid smell.

"S- Shining?” Cadence stared blankly, “You promised… You promised me!” Cadence paused, turning her head towards Raeleth. As if a spark inside of her died the light left her eyes, replaced by hatred and detest for the creature that so carelessly killed her husband. With a chilling shriek she rushed towards Raeleth, darkness consuming her once pure soul in an instant. Stunned by what had just happened we watched as Raeleth focused his gaze towards her.

Dark shards of crystal launched from the sea, lancing into the Dragon’s unprotected flesh. Swiping at her like a fly Raeleth received a crystal shard through his grasping hand, like a needle stabbing through cloth. The crystals glowed a sickly hue, the once vitreous substance bubbling into dark goo that seeped in through the wounds. Feeling the poison seep into his veins Raeleth growled, unleashing a stream of fire in Cadence’s direction.

“You can make him hurt him now,” Discord spoke. “My magic is spent, so it falls to you to help cadence now.”

“But if Cadence goes on…” Luna trailed off.

“Cadence doesn’t have a band of power, darkness is the only way to enact the destruction she desires, don’t let her fall be in vain.” Discord spoke, knowing that today such things would have to be allowed in the name of victory.

Looking between Luna, Celestia, and Twilight I could see the fear inhabiting their eyes. The task before them seemed insurmountable, the dragon far more potent than any of them. Getting their attention I began to speak, turning away from Cadence as she continued to assault the great beast in vain, his sheer size making the wounds negligible. “Its now or never, if we fail everything any of us has ever accomplished will have been in vain. The gryphons, ponies, and every other creature that inhabits this world are counting on us to give them one last chance. Will you join me?”

“Once more it is time for me to follow the lead of someone other than myself,” Celestia spoke, “I trust you.”

“Ill do this for Cadence, she will not be lost to darkness this day.” Luna affirmed.

“This is for my brother, Shining Armor. If he had just protected himself his shield would have held… but he always wanted to try and protect everyone. Today I fight for his memory and his purpose.”

“Hurry, Cadence can’t keep this up alone.” I warned, flying off to join her. The others followed before me, each drawing upon the strength granted by their bands of power and mentally preparing themselves for the fight of their lives. Despite everything I felt like the odds were on our side for once, with all of us together how could this ancient beast hope to succeed?

Cadence and Luna flew straight towards Raeleth, Twilight and I each flying to a separate side. All at once we unleashed our magic, beams of raw energy struck at the dragon’s body, causing him to swing out his tail. Dodging away forced me to stop my attack long enough for Raeleth to unfurl one of his massive wings, with a single flap that crashed with the sound of thunder all of us were thrown away from him.

“I am the flame that has burned since the dawn of time, a light shining though the ages. Do you truly believe such a holy thing can be extinguished?”

“Only a creature base and vile in nature would fight so fervently to bring an end the world. There is naught holy about you.” Luna began to glow with a pale light, calm and pensive as the moon. “Return to slumber, and be lost in the realm of dream for all time.” She commanded, a cloud of silver dust enveloping the great dragon’s head.

The great beast’s eyes began to drift shut, Luna’s magic at work. But with a bone-rattling roar Raeleth shook off her spell, dragging a claw over his other palm and cutting it open.

“Your Impudence has forced my wrath, did you really think a simple spell like that had a solitary chance at stopping me? Compared to the Chaos magic that is now spent, the rest of you are nothing. I will eradicate you in an instant before you can bother me further, including the chaotic creature, even if I must resort to the old magics.” The dragon started chanting in a language foreign to my ears, the air seemingly growing heavy as if thick with power, but somehow each word made sense. "By the bones of the world and the wellspring of life I curse thee. Feel the pain of the land!” A drop of his blood dripped off his hand into the waves, a testament of his fortitude.

All of us stopped in our tracks as the eldritch magic took a hold of us, Raeleth immobilizing us with a simple taste of the pain the world was in after loosing the Pillar of Fate. Taking the opportunity the beast’s hand reached out, swiping through the air to grasp Cadence. “Bite no more, little gnat.” He gave a quick squeeze, discarding the broken princess.

Fighting against the immobilizing pain, I could only watch as Raeleth continued to exploit the moment. Turning to Celestia and Luna his jaw parted, flame rumbling towards them. In an instinctual teleport Twilight appeared in front of them throwing up a barrier. With the pain it would be impossible for her to concentrate on maintaining a barrier over so many, let alone herself. She hadn’t had the same experiences with pain as I did.

By now I had collected myself enough, blocking out the pain, but with the flames blocking my vision it was too late to give any help. I heard a cry that broke my heart as Twilight’s magic failed, even more painful than watching three tiny glinting objects fall from the cloud of smoke and out of view, I didn’t want to believe either had just happened. As the flames ceased I looked in vain hope, knowing his fire was too powerful, they were gone just like the others.

“And now for the last of these bothersome worms,” Raeleth grumbled, unfazed by the death he had just caused. “The two that do not belong in this world shall both leave it on the same day, how fitting.” Raeleth reared his head back in preparation for another blast of fire.

“Ike, over here!” Discord called throwing the three metallic bands into the air. As I had watched in horror Discord had the mind to collect the tools needed for victory. I dove towards them, Raeleth’s fire arcing along behind me as I left its path.

These bands were all that was left of the many who had died today, the Shackle of Dawn thrummed with power as I neared the other three bands of power. Reaching out I snatched them from the air, placing the Greave of Night, Solar Bracer, and Dusk Armlet on my forelegs. “I know I am not worthy, but grant me your power.” I begged of them.

The Bands latched and faded out of sight, a greater power than I had ever known ripped through me. I was barely able to get it under enough control to prevent my own destruction, but through sheer force of will I managed. I knew this kind of power; it was the same as when the Shackle threatened to destroy me, the kind of power that comes at a cost. The only power strong enough for what I needed to do.

Raeleth’s flames caught up to me, bathing over my unprotected form. But I didn’t feel pain, I didn’t feel heat, only the flow of magic. And compared to my new power the magic in his flame was weak.

“This is your last breath, spend it wisely.” I warned, launching myself forward at a speed his eyes couldn’t even track.

Raeleth began to laugh, certain that my threat was meaningless. “Hahahahaha-“ His rumbling laugh was cut off abruptly as I made contact with his chest, my magic propelling me straight through and out the other side, leaving a ragged and gaping hole through his massive heart. Raeleth tried to gasp in a shocked breath, but only managed a choked gurgle his clawed hand coming up to feel the gaping wound. He collapsed face first into the water, his fire and light extinguished once and for all.

Breathing deeply to calm my pounding heart I pulled the overwhelming and destructive power back in, preventing it from going out of control. I had avenged the deaths Raeleth had caused, and the world was free to live its last thousand years in peace. But without the princesses who could possibly guide the inhabitants of this land? Who could they look up to when the world I had only temporarily saved began to crumble around them? I wasn’t up to the task and would probably be consumed by the bands of power before I had the chance to learn.

“Discord, what can I do? I rewrote fate, the world doesn’t die today. But even if I could, I don’t think I can bear to live in this new world."

“I saved just enough energy for a one person, one way trip.” Discord spoke, tearing open a hole in reality.

“Where does it go?” I asked.

“Wherever you need to be the most.” Discord replied. “Xane let me know his second prophecy, and I was able to figure out what it all meant. You haven’t rewritten fate yet, just lived through it. It is a great burden to bear, and a choice must be made… But this choice and burden are yours alone, I can only wait here and hope for a world happier than this.
“You aren’t done yet, go.

Flying into Discord’s tear the world ceased to make sense, there were no rules in this place but Discord’s magic and my will guided me towards my unknown goal. If minutes or days had passed I couldn’t tell, but I came out on the other side in a sudden rush of light and noise.

Looking around I could see the inside of the cavern where the Pillar of fate used to reside. I stood upon the crumbled base of the shattered pillar in the center of the room, its once glowing surface shattered and strewn about. I could feel a flow of power, though much different than before. It felt like the world itself was slowly bleeding out from the wound that had been inflicted by the destruction of the pillar of fate. I understood now why I was brought here.

The bands of power thrummed with life, my life, but they still bent to my will for the time being. I had changed them, broken the rules by sheer willpower, and I would soon pay the ultimate price for my choice. No power came free, and what I wanted now might cost even more than I had to give…

“By the bones of the world and the wellspring of life,” I began, the words slipping out in the same tongue the dragon used, the power flowing through me just as old as the world I wished to save. "By shackled power now unbound.” I paused momentarily, to unleash the flood of power and emotion, my words a command to the very universe.

"I Demand A New Fate!”

My defiant cry fell silent, the cavern refusing to even echo it back. I slumped down, certain that I had failed. They were all gone, and my final task a failure. Who did I think I was to command the universe to serve my will? I was even more insignificant to the great cosmos than I was in the eyes of the dragon, but I thought I could prove both wrong. I slammed my hoof angrily onto the ground, a shard of the once magnificent pillar slicing into me. Blood welled from the gash, dripping down unto the scattered remnants of fate.

I struck the ground again and again, blinded by the anger and sorrow. I almost didn’t notice as the ground cracked open, but the sudden rumbling made me pause. Crumbling all around me the floor fell away, leaving me to lie on the shattered base of the pillar. The walls crumbled away as well, a chunk hurtling right towards me. Reaching out with my magic I tried to stop it but had no effect, the rock slipping right through me as I If had become immaterial. The world all around me crumbled into nothingness the only thing left were the broken shards of fate, each floating in the empty void, glowing just dimly enough to show the faint life that still resided within.

The shard wet with my blood glowed brightly; I pushed it out amongst the others, the light spreading between them. Of course, the old magics required more than just power, they demanded blood. So was this it, would I get my chance to change fate?

As if to acknowledge my silent question the shards rushed together, forming a cracked but reflective surface. Random colors and shapes danced around the surface, as if waiting to be commanded to form a picture.

“Show me, what can be done to re-forge a shattered Fate?”

The image swirled to a gravestone; one I hated myself for nearly forgetting in my time here. It was from my old life, my little sister’s.

“I can change this? I could prevent my failure to protect her?”

As if in response the cracked mirror began a new image, showing a young girl at a birthday party. She blew out the candles as I stood behind with my beaming mother, another face I had almost forgotten.

“That’s her, but older, is that how she would have looked?” I asked.

The image shifted, ignoring my question. It showed Discord as he carried my unconscious form, laying me down in the grass. "This was how I was brought to Equestria, what does that have to do with my sister?”

The image faded to gray, and I began to understand. “ I would have been in a different place, Discord wouldn’t have found me passed out drunk with sorrow on what would have been that birthday. So that means everything here would change, that to them I would never have existed.” I paused to think things over. “Show me what happens if I never arrive.” It was always something I wanted to know, as I had blamed myself for the problems Equestria faced due to my arrival.

The shards re-assembled the picture, Flashing quickly to Discord holding a different person. “So fate demanded Discord find someone that day, even if it wasn’t me?" That meant everything that happened starting with the tear in space-time in the Everfree, the Hydra, the demon, and Sombra’s reincarnation… Could this new person do the same in my position, would they manage to protect everyone?

As if to show me the answer the shards showed Ponyville in ruins, changing immediately to the Canterlot throne room. Sombra sat upon a new throne, a dark acolyte of the Imperium standing beside him.

“I think I understand, if I change my fate in this way I doom Equestria, making things worse than ever. But in exchange I get to live out my old life like I never was here.”

A new set of shards assembled, I looked over as they began showing a different outcome. It began with Discord, rapidly showing me everything I had done in my time here. The highs and lows, the happiness and sorrows. The good far outweighed the bad, and I knew these experiences had changed me for the better. The images slowed as they reached recent events pausing upon the image of my dark copy entering into the chamber containing the Pillar of fate.

“I have the chance to change things here too?”

The shards rushed together, smoothing themselves into a perfect unmarred surface. The other set of shards did the same forming an image of a parking garage on the day a drugged up car thief’s finger slipped, pulling the trigger and ending my sister’s life. Magic flared up and the images became real, tangible things. But there was a problem, choice. I knew I could only change one, forever abandoning the other.

Should I jump in and fight myself moments before the pillar was destroyed, avoiding waking Raeleth from his slumber and averting death and disaster? Or should I choose to rewind time and fix my life’s biggest regret? I had fought so long with my grief over not being able to save her that day, so the decision I had to make weighed heavily on my heart. I wanted nothing more than to see my sister alive and well, to not watch her life drain away in my very arms… But that would mean abandoning everyone I cared about and had grown close to in my time in Equestria.

I made my decision, leaping from the pedestal to change my fate.

As I landed on the floor I launched a wave of magic at my enemy, the overwhelming power of my magic knocking them against the wall with a sickening crunch as bones shattered. I could hear a metallic clatter as something struck the ground as they slumped down. “H- how?” They gasped with a final breath, eyes closing for the last time.

My world spun as I grew accustomed to my surroundings, a white pulsing glow around me. I could feel the path back close, letting me know my choice was final.

Looking to the body I saw the case of the metallic clunk, the unhinged shackle of dawn made tangible once more, I had made my choice. My copy was dead, released from the demon’s hold by death. I could sense no foul presence or power, my overcharged magic having achieved both the task of destroying him and stopping my copy in one blow.

Another pulse of light drew my attention back to the pillar. It was whole, just as it should be, but something else was wrong. The pillar pulsed again, its light nearly fading entirely. The pillar of fate was still dying; changing fate had been too much to ask. It had no power to continue on…

The four bands of power suddenly became visible on my forelegs; maybe returning their power to the pillar would be enough? I desperately pulled on the shackle of dawn, it was stuck. I tried the Celestia’s Solar Bracer, Twilight’s Dusk Armlet, and even Luna’s Greave of Night. All of them refused to budge.

Maybe just one would be enough? I rushed over to my copy’s Shackle, carefully lifting it with magic. Brining it back to the pillar I touched it to the pulsing light, nothing… This shackle belonged to the Pillar of fate from another world; it was foolish of me to think it would work to repair this one. I knew what had to be done, although I didn’t want to believe it. After everything I has survived, after every time I had cheated death things had to end like this? The bands of power only came off in one circumstance, imminent death whether it was caused by their power or an outside force.

The pillar pulsed again, this time remaining dark for an alarming few seconds. “I don’t even have time to say goodbye.” Reaching out I grabbed hold of the pillar, feeling my life drain into it. “Let them know somehow,” I asked the pillar. “Let them know ill miss them and I’m sorry I couldn’t come back to them. Tell them- Tell them I would do it all again in a heartbeat. ” My eyes drifted shut as I felt the bands of power leave me, returning to where they belonged after so many years apart.

Author's Note

~Thanks for reading!

Predilection :CH 1: What Happens On The Boat

Nothing lasts forever.

Ike sighed as he looked from his Canterlot window. He was an Alicorn now, considered nobility. It hadn't been more than a week since his battle with darkness had nearly cost him everything, but already he was questioning himself.

"I was nothing before, but here I became a warrior, Defender of the Dawn. Fate brought me here to fight for my friends, to protect them... But that's all finished and Equestria is safer than ever. So what am I now? A warrior with no battle, an eternal guardian with nothing to protect?"

"You are far too young to be thinking these things Ike." Luna, who had overheard him from his doorway, stepped inside. "You are one of our kin now. That means the Alicorn lifespan as well... You still have the duty of protecting the kingdom, just in different ways."

"I know. But how am I supposed to live thousands of years with the knowledge that everyone I know will be gone before one hundred of them pass?"

"One day at a time little one." Luna softly rubbed Ike's mane as she passed to look out the same window. "I came for a reason though. For too long pony kind has stood alone. There are other kingdoms out there besides our own. The Gryphons, for example. They are a strong-headed people with a male centered society. But with your help I think we can ally ourselves with them."

"Diplomacy? I'm hardly the best choice."

"Word of your deeds have spread far, the Gryphons will respect you; that's the most important part."

"Well, at this point I'd do just about anything to get out of this stuffy castle. If anyone else calls me prince or your majesty tonight I might just scream."

"Twilight shares your sentiments. Celestia is sending her with you, along with a small force of guards."

~~~
The next day:

"Small force?" I mumbled under my breath as I looked upon the garrison that was posted on the ocean's edge.

"Celestia said that the Gryphons needed to be shown our strength and commitment." Twilight whispered in my ear.

"This is too much, half of this would still be too much. A force this size could easily be considered an invasion!"

The captain noticed our arrival and stepped forward to greet us. "Princess, prince." He bowed in turn. "We are ready to set sail for the Gryphon kingdom whenever you wish to depart."

"Actually, I need to send a message to Celestia. Her, choice on the number of guards is... Lacking in thought."

The captain took a step back in shock. "You would question Celestia's judgment?"

"My world... My old world," I corrected. "Worked a little differently than this one. But I think they have enough in common that brining a force this size is a bad plan. I know we are royalty... But we need ten guards at most, as few as six if possible."

"Six?" He asked incredulously. "We were prepared to send fifty."

"Then chose five of those and whoever is needed to man the boat."

"As you wish Lord Ike." The commander bowed once again. "Did you still wish to send a message to Celestia?"

"Yes, I'll explain my reasoning to her."

The commander walked off, shaking his head at Ike's demands.

"Are you sure about this?" Twilight asked, starting off towards the boarding ramp to one of the ships.

"Yeah, fifty ponies would at best show that we were worried about looking weak... At worst, it would be a taken as sign of hostility. Taking the minimal amount shows trust and a confidence in the ability of our forces."

"All right, just... Um. Try not to countermand Celestia's orders too often."

I paused, realizing that this captain had just taken my word over Celestia's. I knew I was revered for my recent accomplishments, but I hadn't realized how much until now. Wait, he didn't even call me Prince. He said Lord...

The guard commander quickly found us again and placed two scrolls in front of me along with a pot of ink and a quill.

"The first is blank, the second is the list of the guards under my command. I have taken the liberty of marking the ones I think best suited."

"Thank you." I replied, quickly scratched out my message, the quill flying across the page engulfed in a magical aura. When I was done I joined Twilight in looking at the other scroll.

"Ike, is it ok if I pick someone different than the suggestions?" She asked.

I nodded, allowing her to take the quill and put a mark next to the name Flash Sentry. I browsed through the list until I found my way to the bottom of the last name alphabetical list, a name catching my attention. "Kira Zephyr is under your command?"

The guard captain nodded. "A new addition from the crystal kingdom. The position of guardspony is traditionally a male role, but I was urged to accept her application by none other than Shining Armor. Why do you ask?"

"I noticed you didn't have her as a recommended candidate. She helped train me."

The commanders eyes shot wide open and his mouth fell agape. "I.. I didn't know. Why isn't she in a higher ranked position?"

"Beats me, she could likely hold her own against three of your best guards any day, and in a straight fight no magic she would still trounce me." I marked her name and handed him both scrolls. "Sentry, Zephyr, yourself and your choices for the remaining three."

"As you wish Lord I-"

"Just Ike is fine." I interrupted.

He nodded and walked away, leaving us on the deck of the ship with a calming view of the watery horizon.

"So how far is it to get to the Gryphon kingdom?"

"According to sea charts, approximately three days travel with a favorable wind, and a speed of 12 knots. Though there are some islands about halfway between, allow the distance to be flown in two days."

"So, other than the fact that we supposedly 'need' guards. Why not fly?"

"Well... I, um... Twilight tucked her wings in closer to her body. I'm not very good at flying yet."

"Oh, sorry. I didn't know." I had just assumed that she would be able to fly as easily as I had. "Hey, maybe I can teach you a thing or two?"

"No, its fine. It will come to me eventually." Twilight spoke somewhat bitterly at the touchy subject.

"Sorry Twi, I didn't mean to-"

"I said its fine!" She half growled at me, stomping away to somewhere below decks.

"Trouble with the Princess?" A familiar voice varied its way over the sound of waves.

I looked over to see the silver crystal unicorn who had spoken the words, my mood quickly recovering. "Hey Zephyr, it's been a while."

"Well, if you can call less than a week a while." The crystal mare replied.

"It's felt longer, all this royalty nonsense is wearing me down."

"Hey, just be glad you aren't about to explode anymore, take your victories where you can. Too bad you didn't tell me your plans, I would have loved to see you kick Sombra's reincarnated flank. And a demon too! I swear your trying to show me up."

I chuckled at her jest. "You know I couldn't have done it without your training. Besides, if I died you would still find some way to torment me."

"Don't you forget it fumble-hooves."

"Hey! I though we were past that!"

"And I thought we were going to have some fun once, but that fell through..." She referenced my last night in the Crystal Kingdom, when Shining Armor had interrupted us.

"You’re really going to pull that? It was your fault for deciding an open air arena was a good place to 'get it on'."

"All right, all right. I'll give you that one, but royalty or not you still owe me."

"That's exactly why I chose you for my personal guard."

"Wait, your personal guard? The captain wont let that fly, he has his favorites, besides there's fifty of us."

"Try six." I said, pointing to the captain who was dismissing a majority of his confused colts.

"Throwing your weigh around, huh. You’re moving up in the world." Kira winked, prodding my side.

~~~

"All... remaining guards accounted for. And with the mandatory crew it brings us to a total of eighteen heads." The captain spoke. "Princess Celestia has sent her approval of your changes."

"Good, you can set sail whenever you’re ready."

~
Below Decks:

Equestrian culture is strange... Every time I think I've learned it all something new gets thrown in the mix. And I was expected to read what little material there was on Gryphon culture to learn its intricacies in three days?

Best of all Twilight had, for some unknown reason, taken offense at my offer to help her learn to use her wings? So the library materials stashed in her cabin were definitely off limits for the day.

"Hey Zephy!" I made up a nickname on the fly as Kira walked by.

"Yes?"

"What are you up to?"

"I was just about to go polish my armor, the captain is a stickler for that kind of thing."

"We have three days, does it really need to gleam before we get there? Come on. Sit, enjoy the queasy rocking motions."

"You've got that right. I've never been on a boat before, the floor feels... wrong."

"It's something you get used to. I've been on boats before."

"When?"

"Back before Equestria."

"Ah. You never did tell me anything about your life before you arrived here."

"It would make for a dull history compared to everything I have accomplished here, and there are parts I would rather forget."

"Just pick one thing that's different and start from there."

"Well, there are a million of those. Equestria is so much... Kinder."

"Ha, you weren't around when I was a child. When the crystal kingdom vanished it took its inhabitants with it. We were basically frozen in time."

"I heard about that, I guess I forgot that this world has its own dark times. How bad were things before?"

"Well it all started long before I was even born.

One day the crystal ponies came across the Imperium. They looked a little like us, but were actually something different. Every single one of them harboring darkness in their hearts.

In their prime the Imperium was a force to be reckoned with, they had even conquered the changelings and kept them as pets, or twisted them…

We still don't know exactly what they wanted from us, one day they just attacked. No talks of peace were accepted, no prisoners returned alive… They didn’t even want a surrender, just death.

We lost our cities and territories one by one, piece by piece. The gryphons did what they could to help, but even their best warriors weren’t enough to make a difference.

In the darkest hours of conflict the gryphon's forged four magic weapons for us to use against our foes. These gifts came with a warning. 'All power comes at a price.'

You have come into contact will these weapons; you know them as the bands of power.

The endless magic inside of each band was so powerful that only an Alicorn could safely harness it. But our people knew nothing of Alicorns. The bands were volatile, granting tremendous boosts in and Strength for Earth Ponies, Speed for Pegasi, and Magic for Unicorn but at a great price. Every pony that wore one would die. Now being an Alicorn you are safe, but you have probably noticed by now that in your new form the band does not provide even one fourth of its previous power.”

“Yeah, but its better this way, less threat of exploding and killing everypony.”

“We witnessed such fiery demises time and time again as we used their powers to push back the imperium. It seemed none but Time and Death could stand against the divine might the Gryphons had graced us with.

The fighting stopped when the imperium's king mysteriously died, by then hundreds had sacrificed their lives for power; and thousands more in combat. Realizing that the bands were unsafe for continued use we hid them away with a warning, praying to never need them again.

But then a new king rose to power, Sombra. He renewed the conflict, swiftly bringing the remains of our once great empire to its knees. But we had one city left, and we wouldn't give up so easily. What you know as the crystal kingdom used to have walls. Large, impenetrable. We hid behind them and fought with a determination to protect those who remained. Families, friends, children.

It seemed like the fighting would finally be tipped in our favor but then everything went silent, the calm before the storm. Sombra had made an unspeakable deal with darkness, sacrificing his entire people to the void for the sake of power. A terrifying power

He destroyed our walls and killed anypony who stood in his way, demanding utter servitude from those who remained. Those who had hidden away the bands of power were slain and without the knowledge of how to find them the remaining ponies were unable to fight back. Instead they were forced to wait for this monster, the last of his kind, to die. But it seemed fate was cruel and his powers also included immortality. I was alive for most of the last two decades of his 130-year reign.

Something had happened in Equestria in the meantime. We don't have many actual records of the events but the Alicorn sisters were brought into existence. Sombra had somehow grown weaker over the years and was almost entirely defeated by them.

The battle ended with Sombra being banished, but in his last moments he pulled the city into the void with him. Time was frozen for us, and when we returned and awoke we could hardly remember what had happened."

"I've heard the rest of the story from there but you said the Gryphons created the bands of power?"

"Yes, they may not use magic but they guard its sanctity."

"Will they take offense to my likely permanent connection to the Shackle of Dawn?" I absentmindedly touched my foreleg where it had fist been attached."

"They gave them to the crystal ponies to be used, I doubt they will take offense to you saving Equestria. Besides, Celestia and Luna have had theirs for over a thousand years, I don't think the gryphons have said anything yet."

"I hope your right."

That Night:

"Princess? You sent for me?"

"You know you don't have to call me that Flash Sentry."

"Yes your majesty."

Twilight sighed. "I specifically requested to have you protect me, but... there's a reason."

"Not this again, princess. I already told you, whatever happened through the portal has no effect on this world."

"But-"

"No Twilight! I asked to be taken off this assignment when I heard you asked for me specifically. We have to stop running into each other like this, it only makes you feel worse each time."

"But I love you!" Twilight blurted.

"No, you loved him, a parallel version from a different world. My duties come before emotion, he may have had feelings for you but I don't share them. Tomorrow I will be trading places with one of prince Ike's guards, you will not countermand the order."

"Oh, but I will." Twilight spoke defiantly.

"Princess, you cannot act so childishly! I'm sure Ike will have a clear head on the matter."

"No, you stay here."

"I'm sorry, but I fear I cannot comply." Flash Sentry took a step towards the door, only to have it slam shut in his face. He pulled against the handle, getting thrown back by a mild electric shock.

"Princess, cease at once." He spoke brushing himself off. "I will use force if necessary."

"That's a lie, you swore an oath. The same one all of the guards are forced to swear."

"Celestia taught you too much..." Flash sighed, "Fine, what is it that I must say to be freed?"

"Promise that you won't trade places with another guard."

"Fine, agreed. May I go now?"

"No, you must also swear that all of our conversations and interactions be kept unspoken to any other pony."

"I see, you don't want me telling Ike either. I swear this. Now please release the door from your magics."

"One more thing..." Twilight bit her lip. "I want you to. No I order you to bed me."

"I could never do such a thing!"

"Obey your princess." Twilight exerted her magic, levitating him away from the door and over to her bed. Twilight's exposure to the Dusk Armlet, the band of power she had fused with in an effort to help Ike, had enhanced her magical powers. The magic required to hold Flash captive, which would normally take all of her concentration and strength, was now easier than ever.

"This is a mistake."

"Don't worry, you'll learn soon enough that it's your fate to love me."

"I'm gay." Sentry spoke with a dead seriousness in his tone.

"What!?" Twilight's hold on the magic sputtered out and he dropped to the ground.

Flash quickly bolted to the door and threw it open. "Goodnight Princess," he spoke, swiftly shutting it behind him.

Author's Note

Hope you got a small chuckle out of the resolution to that.

Twilight is stubborn, and quite pervy, she won't give up this easily...

Thanks for reading!

I am in the process of writing this story but I am also quite busy with other matters. I will try to aim for updates once every two weeks or every single week if I can manage. The first clop will be found in chapter 2, and then on average half of the chapters.(give or take)

Predilection :*: A Simple Discordance

A continuation of the Discord-Celestia ‘stuff’ from Penchant CH 5, 5-2 (won’t make much sense unless you have read that)

"Oh good, a side chapter. I was beginning to think everypony had forgotten about dear old me."

Quiet Discord, I'm trying to write here.

Celestia sat, fuming to herself upon the royal throne. Light shone in to the grand hall through the many eclectic works upon the stained glass windows. She had been alive for so long now, each representing different portions of her and Luna's lives. Even Twilight had a place among the glasswork, but the pane Celestia was observing only managed to fuel her rage. "That impertinent whelp, how dare he question me? If not for my choice he wouldn't be alive."

"Wait, wait, wait. This chapter was supposed to be about me, right? Why are we talking about Celestia's problems?"

What have we learned about interrupting Discord?

"I believe the answer to that is nothing, it's not like I pay much attention to you."

Sigh*

"It was our choice," Luna corrected. "It would have been wrong to let him die after everything he went through, besides if he were unworthy of being an Alicorn it wouldn't have worked."

"I don't want to speak of this now. Go get some rest, it’s the time of the sun."

Luna departed, but not before taking one last glance at the glasswork Celestia was fuming over. Luna remembered the last piece that was displayed there, but it had been shattered in the fighting. No longer did it show a unicorn version of Ike but an Alicorn engulfed in the flames of rebirth, spreading his newfound wings.

Celestia looked away from the glasswork to the mirror Ike had set up for communication purposes. He shouldn't have even been here, how in the world could he have instantly traveled from so far away to confront her here? The spell was already the near pinnacle of magical research, and Ike had picked up on it amazingly fast but teleportation using it? That should be beyond even the most powerful Alicorn, it was almost as if... "DISCORD!" Celestia yelled at the top of her lungs, the very air quaking at the force.

"Oh goody, it's finally my part."

Quiet Discord

Discord, The ultimate and 'reformed' lord of chaos, appeared behind Celestia's throne, placing his taloned and clawed hands upon Celestia's shoulders. Celestia gave a small jump of fright but quickly relaxed as Discord massaged the tension away. In the nearly magical relaxation she began to forget why she had summoned him in the first place.

As suddenly as he had appeared Discord vanished in a vaporous cloud.

"Wait... Get back here!" Celestia shouted once again, realizing his tactic.

Discord grumbled something and stuffed a wad of cotton in each ear before peeking at Celestia from behind a nearby pillar.

"You should hear how loud she can get when she's angry, it's like an unholy banshee with a megaphone."

Discord, no more commentary it's interrupting the story.

"Not even one more?"

No, keep this up and bad things will happen.

"Buzzkill"

"What is it that you wanted my illustrious princess sun butt?"

Celestia's eyes narrowed at his comment. "I'm going to ignore what I just heard..."

"I'm sorry what was that?" Discord pulled the plugs from his ears, tossing them aside. As they landed the cotton turned into stone, the clattering fall muffled by the royal red carpet that ran down the center of the hall. "I was expecting more yelling, maybe I should keep the new tactic," he mumbled.

"Tell me, did you have anything to do with Ike's sudden arrival?"

"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."

"So you didn't use your chaos magic to temporarily alter the rules of magic to allow long distance teleportation?"

"What would be the fun in that? I don't use my powers for such petty things."

"Don't lie to me Discord!"

Discord snapped and an orange jumpsuit appeared over him, a ball and chain connected to his leg. "This Draconequus would like to bring to the court's attention that there is no evidence to support the case and humbly requests to be acquitted."
Discord proceeded to turn around, dragging the ball and chain across the rug, wrinkling it up in several places.

"Can't you write me out of there faster? I have so many other things to do. There's the flying eyeball storm at twelve and sending them to stalk Fluttershy at twelve o five. Not to mention the lime jello hail at three."
-

"Well if you are so innocent why don't you Pinkie swear it?"

Discord noticeably gulped, his appearance returning to normal as he turned back around to face Celestia. He remembered the last time he misused the Pinkie promise, it had resulted in a lightly traumatizing series of events. But had it really been the promise? He had already begun the sequence of events before hand by dosing himself with poison joke while lacing a cake for Celestia, so perhaps there really was no strange curse behind using Pinkie's oath to cover a lie.

"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."

Immediately after the last word passed his lips the grand doors and the back of the hall slammed open, a prolonged gust of chilling winds entering. Discord felt the pressing urge to confess but pushed it aside, giving an alarmed Celestia one last glance.

"Discord... Is that what I think it is?"

"What?" Discord turned to see what she was staring at, an exotic blue flower drifting in on the current. As it passed over his head it sprinkled a finite pollen, causing Discord to sneeze. In an uncontrolled burst of chaos ice spread around his hooves, snap freezing a portion of the rug.

“That can't be... Poison joke is an Everfree flower, why would it even be in Canterlot? What are you trying to pull here?"
-

Celestia's horn glowed out as she encased herself and the throne in a magical dome, protecting herself from the flower that was rapidly drifting over. She gave a sigh as it landed on top of the shield, unable to pass through. "Discord, could you ple-"

"Oh dear, I am so sorry!" A scraggly unicorn bolted into the throne room, a glass jar floating above him. " I have no clue how the specimen jar got knocked over.

As the unicorn ran past Discord he slid over the ice, scrambling to avoid falling over. He slid safely to the other side of the ice patch and continued his dash, bent on re obtaining the specimen before it could touch Celestia. Noticing the folds in the carpet he jumped over, avoiding an obstacle that would have likely caused a tragic fall. Nearly to Celestia he slowed down.

"Just stay still as I- whoa!" The unicorn tripped over the minuscule stones Discord had left lying there, falling face first onto the royal rug, his glass jar sailing towards Celestia as he lost his magical grasp upon it.

Celestia reacted instinctually, reaching out with her own magic to prevent it from shattering upon the floor. Celestia gave a light sigh as she saved it from demise, bringing it within reach. She felt a light fluttering touch as something alighted on her brow, looking up Celestia caught a glimpse of the majestic blue flower, suddenly realizing that in her haste to save the glass jar she had neglected to save herself.

Celestia mustered all the calmness she could, placing the flower in its container and sealing it. "Please summon Zecora immediately, and alert the guards to seal this room until she arrives."

The unicorn sheepishly dusted himself off and took the jar. “My apologies princess."

"I highly doubt it is your fault..." Celestia glared at Discord, who avoided eye contact.

The unicorn quickly departed, Discord not so stealthily attempting to follow. Celestia hunched over as the doors closed in Discord's face preventing him from escape. Celestia could already feel the effects of the poison joke running through her, this must have been an extra potent batch. She clutched at the arms of her throne as a painful wave rushed through her, beginning the transformation yet again. It seemed that this would be similar to last time...

"This must be some joke, I'm perfectly fine... Let me out." Discord pulled upon the large doors, unable to bypass the magical seal. Discord wasn't fine; the minuscule dose of pollen was all that was needed for him to become infected as well. His chaotic powers slowly bled away, leaving him unable to escape. Discord turned his back to the doors, slumping against them in defeat.

Celestia could feel a steady transfer of power as the flower's magic bled Discord of his power, delivering it to her. As a ripple of discomfort shot through one wing she flared it out, pure and shining white scales taking the place of her feathers.

Discord stared longingly as Celestia's form changed before his very eyes. Chaos suited her, the golden outline of each scale glinting in the light. Her pupils narrowed into slits as her eyes lit with a dark fire, showing a depth of cruelty and passion. "Come here." Her voice drifted to Discord smoothly through the hall, barley a whisper yet overpowering.

Celestia grinned, feeling the pointed tips of her fangs with her forked tongue. It had been far too long since she had taken this form; she had begun to forget what chaos tasted like. It was exhilarating to feel this pulse of life, to hold the laws of the universe in on one hoof and the ability to bend them to her will in the other.

Discord took one step towards Celestia upon her command, chaos bleeding through the room, distorting it. His single step brought him halfway through the hall as even reality itself bent. Discord knew what such power meant, and with Celestia wielding his chaos magic Discord was powerless to stand against her. All he could do was obey... He took another step forward, instantly at the foot of her throne.

"Princess Sun Butt?!" Celestia growled out, raising a hoof to strike Discord's face. The blow hit home, sending Discord reeling. He steadied himself, remaining silent to avoid angering Celestia further.
She raised her hoof again, but gently brought it to caress his face instead. "I know a naughty Draconequus who needs to be taught a lesson." She grinned cruelly, grabbing him from the ground with magic.

Discord briefly struggled, flapping his wings to escape but found it to be useless. Giving up he went limp, allowing Celestia to position him over her lap. Discord blushed as he realized what punishment she was thinking of, having received it from her before.

Discord, left with only a view of the floor gave a surprised yelp as Celestia's hoof came flying down, slapping down upon his flanks. The blow was harder than he had expected, Celestia having been much gentler in her previous punishments.

Without giving him a chance to recover Celestia brought her hoof down heavily again, the heavy blow echoing out. Discord's heartbeat accelerated rapidly as Celestia continued to tenderize him, unrelenting in her assault.

A light moan slipped through Discord's maw as he began to realize that instead of dreading the next blow he was awaiting it. His back arched as the next smack of her heated hoof sunk deeply into his flanks, causing a spike of pleasure.

"How dare you enjoy this you little slut." Celestia whispered to Discord, making him shudder in anticipation for the next blow.

Instead of continuing Celestia stopped, brutally ripping the wooden arm off of the throne with her chaotic strength. She purposefully waved it in front of his eyes, allowing him to see as she fashioned the wood into a large smooth paddle.

Celestia removed the board from sight, leaving Discord yet again with only a sight of the floor. Discord flinched in surprise as the paddle came down, the stinging slap of wood raising a welt upon his already sore flanks

Discord focused on a single point below him as he heard the swish of wood cutting through the air again, Celestia refusing to hold back. Despite the abuse Discord found it oddly arousing, endorphins flooding his system at every smack to counteract the pain.

Celestia vented all her anger on Discord's rear, releasing all the pent up feelings that she was normally unable to. Each blow representing a problem that she was forgetting, little did she know she was feeding another 'problem'.

Discord grunted out as his member began flooding with blood, showing his excitement in another way. Celestia continuing to flog him, making sure he would be unable to sit properly for a week. Discord groaned out as his draconic growth lightly rubbed across her thigh.

Celestia swung the paddle again, hearing the creaking snap as the wood shattered, breaking it into pieces. She could feel the hot growth pulsing against her leg, devious ideas driving their way into her mind. Seeing him punished had been quite arousing already, and now she needed something more.

"Get up." Celestia commanded, allowing Discord free.

Discord stood in front of her, giving a wince as his backside throbbed away. Celestia had done quite a number on him.

Celestia stood and circled him, giving a glance at his dangling member. "Sit." She commanded.

"But-"

"Sit!" Celestia turned him around by force and pushed him down onto the throne, even the thick cushion unable to keep his tender flank from feeling the impact.

Celestia straddled his lap, running her tongue along his jaw line as she roughly pressed her hips down, grinding her wet center against him. Discord winced as the added weight pressed him further down, his abused flanks throbbing.

Celestia opened her mouth and placed her fangs at Discord's neck, which went tense, he had been paralyzed by her venom before. Celestia teasingly dragged her fangs across his neck, leaving two tiny red lines before pulling away. "Be a good boy and I won't have to."

Celestia peeked down at his throbbing draconic gift, lightly stroking it before lining it up with her sodden entrance. "You want this, don't you?"

"Yes, I've been waiting for this far too long."

"Beg."

"Please."

"Try harder." Celestia commanded.

" Please, show me who holds the power."

"Better."

"Show me what it means to please a goddess." Discord pleaded with Celestia, praying for her mercy.

"Mmm, yes." Celestia inserted his tip, parting her divine folds. Discord's thick member stretched her wide as she slowly lowered herself down upon it.

Discord raised his arms to her sides, lightly encouraging her to continue. Celestia stopped, giving a light hiss "Strike one." She lightly pierced the surface of his skin, drawing two thin dimples of blood as Discord took back his action and put his arms back down.

Celestia, too tight to take him any further pulled back away. Her walls teasingly grasped against him as she moved painfully slow, Discord resisting the urge to make her go faster.

Celestia noticed his trembling restraint, pressing her hips back down along his thick spear. "It seems you are taking to obedience training nicely."

"T- training?" Discord fought the urge to thrust his hips upwards, grasping the cushion below.

"You didn't think this would end when I changed back did you? I represent Celestia's darkest desires, and despite the fact that she may be embarrassed by this later it is what she secretly craves." As she spoke Celestia managed to press even more of him into her tight tunnel, rocking her hips.

"Oh Celestia..." Discord moaned out, thrusting his claws deep into the seat to restrain himself, his tail flicking wildly.

Celestia pressed her face against his chest opening her maw in a breathy gasp as she rocked against his length, steadily driving his immense girth deeper.

Discord was quite larger than she had imagined, his tip pressing against her cervix before she could even take all of it.

Discord's length gave an anticipating spurt of pre as his tip bumped against the entrance to her womb, Celestia felt amazing. Discord understood her restraint though; if he was in control he might have injured her in his earlier haste.

Celestia dared delve even further, forcing her nethers to stretch over the thickest part of his girth. She muffled her cry into his shoulder as his tip forced her cervix open, slipping into her womb.

Celestia panted out from the exertion, nearly collapsing upon him as their groins finally met. Her insides slowly adjusted to the massive intrusion, her tiny body stretched to its limits. "Discord..." A muffled gasp came from his shoulder as she lightly ground her clit down upon him.

Celestia couldn't handle the intensity of the stimuli, her overly stretched walls quaked in pleasure as fluids gushed from the connection. "Please... Mate me." Celestia's harsh demeanor of command dropped away as she begged Discord take over.

Past the teasing pleasure Discord became aware of the different voice, giving a happy smile. That was Celestia's normal voice, she had somehow slipped through.

"As you wish." Discord brought his tail up, wrapping it around her waist. He could feel the bulge of his member deep inside of her, giving a teasing squeeze against it.

"Aahh!" Celestia gasped, gently clamping down on his shoulder while retracting her fangs to avoid dosing him with paralytic venom.

Discord's powerful tail pulled Celestia upwards, slowly vacating her depths, leaving her passage aching with the desire to be stretched full once again. His ribbed surface tugged along her clenching walls until only the tip remained.

Just as her passage began to close back down Discord gave a mild squeeze and lowered her back down, his member delving back into her warm silky depths. With a little effort he hilted within Celestia once again, popping past her stretched wide cervix once again.

The feeling of being so far inside of her drove him wild, a feeling he previously thought unobtainable. He had imagined similar events but never believed them possible.

Celestia continued to moan into his shoulder, each purposefully slow thrust driving her wild. Her body was quickly growing accustomed to the massive girth inside, almost as if this was meant to be regardless of the fact Discord was another species. Celestia pressed down against his tail during another thrust, urging him to go faster.

Discord obliged, their hips meeting with a jolt as Celestia squealed out. Their noises could likely be heard outside, but Discord was beyond caring as he began to ravish her beautiful form.

Discord quickly lost himself in the motions, his grasping tail pushing and pulling at Celestia who cried her pleasure to the heavens as his massive girth nearly split her in two. Discord opened his maw in a gasp as her tight insides drove him ever closer to release.

Celestia too was lost in bliss, never before having felt such intense passion. Every time her hips smashed into his a pleasure laced with the perfect amount of pain coursed through her, the pleasurable tide building rapidly.

"Celestia..." Discord cried out, growing ever closer to his own release.

She could almost envision what it would be like for him to pump his glorious seed into her depths, the thought pushed her over the edge.
Celestia's wings shot out, rigid as the rest of her trembled with so much pleasure it nearly hurt.

Discord held Celestia firmly in place as his member blasted into her like a cannon, each pulse causing her to convulse in pleasure, as she was pumped full. Her belly bulged out even further as all the available space in her womb became stuffed with his sticky seed.

The chamber doors flew open with a blast of magic, Luna entering despite several warning from the guards.

"Sister I heard noises, are yo-" Luna stopped dead in her tracks, witnessing the end of their act. Her eyes were wide open as she stared, completely stunned by what she was seeing yet again. Discord's seed sprayed out of Celestia's stuffed body with each twitch, a blissful expression on his face.

Luna ran out, a confused blush upon her face. Gods, she would never be able to look at the throne without that image in her head...

Author's Note

Thanks for reading!

I type lots of my stuff up on an iPod touch and send it over to a computer later, but accidentally managed to delete this whole chapter somehow. So I remade parts of it from memory but it majorly changed in the process, I'm sure the first version was better but it got irreversibly deleted thanks to shitty programming and me falling asleep while typing and exploiting said programming with my sleeping fingers/face?

... Lesson learned, manual backups.

Predilection :CH16: Fate of the Damned

Tension bled through the air as we floated above the open oceans. Nearly every able-bodied gryphon had been loaded unto the warships in preparation for the upcoming battle. After our preparations and several days of chilling silence from our scouts, word had come that the Imperium's fleet had made its final preparations and was headed towards The Nest.

In an effort to keep them away from the city, which harbored countless refugees and citizens, the Nestking had elected to take the fight to the enemy.

Zandria had even elected to accept the gryphon kingdom's banner to adorn the mast of every pirate ship, nearly doubling the size of the fleet.

The odds wouldn't seem so bad if these were normal enemies, but I knew better. As much as I hated to admit it, magic would play a large part of this fight and the gryphons were lacking in that department.

"What's wrong?" Xane asked from the helm of the Haast, the flying ship surveying the entire ocean bound fleet below.

"I have a bad feeling that we aren't prepared for this battle. Zandria has a few unicorns, but overall the gryphon forces lack the means to deal with the Imperium mages." I had even freed the horn of Zandria's servant, who I had dubbed the green dushicorn in lieu of actually learning his name.

"We are a resourceful people," Xane tapped a claw on the metal plating he was adorned in for battle, oddly reminiscent of an armored knight. "We may not have mages, but our smiths can work miracles. This armor can stop or at least prevent most spells from being fatal. All of our front line and strike troops have a set, but we don't have enough to equip the infantry with. There is a set that should fit you in the hold." Xane offered.

"Thanks, but no. I'm no knight in shining armor," I joked. "Besides it looks a little too heavy and restricting compared to the Equestrian guard armor. It would go against the fighting style Kira taught me. Otherwise, what's the plan for this fight?" I asked Xane.

"The Haast will serve as forward command, our eye in the sky to overview how the battle is going. The fight will inevitably become drawn out, and if their leader shows you know your duty. Otherwise help wherever you deem necessary."

"Xane, you seem different. More confident."

"Having Zandria here, and all the support from you and Sentry helped me come to terms with things. I am my own gryphon, no matter my origin."

"That's good to hear, where is Sentry by the way?" I questioned, not seeing him on board.

"He joined up with one of the strike forces. Dangerous, but I think he can handle. We all have to do our part."

"Yeah…"

~~~ The beginning of the end.

"I'm headed down," I shouted to Xane over the noise, diving off the side of the airship Haast.

The battle had begun, the sun high and sweltering over the calm seas. It was almost like nature refused to accept the turmoil that us gryphons and ponies were causing on its pristine palate.

It had all started fairly well, the superior might of the combined Gryphon fleet sinking more than a few Imperium vessels before any retaliation was possible. In the distance though a massive fleet could be seen, each ship filled to the brim with freshly culled troops.

The problems had started when the demon spawn refused to die, clambering out of the wreckage and aboard gryphon vessels. In the confusion the real battle began, converted Gryphon and Pegasi flooding into the air while the Imperium ships docked alongside our pirate vessels to board.

If they were boarding that meant they wanted more ships and prisoners, it also meant that the Imperium forces felt so secure in the outcome of this battle that they would take the risk over just sinking the gryphon ships.

The Nestking fought alongside his men in the air, and Zandria's aura drove her crew to a berserk frenzy, but it was evident that the ferocity of the Imperium assault was hurting the morale of those outside of commanding influence.

I made my decision of where our line and morale was the weakest, two transports pulled up alongside a single gryphon ship right in the center of he fight. Heading down I prepared myself mentally. It was kill or be killed, none of the Imperium soldiers would think twice about ending a life so I had to be just as cold.

My escort of gryphon flyers broke away to intercept some attackers as I drastically slowed down, landing on one of the transport's decks with a blast of wind magic to break my fall.

Every head turned to me, the boarding of the gryphon ship forgotten. I could hear the snarls and grunts of the twisted and possessed creatures all around me as my magic flared to life, cloaking me in silver and blue flame.

"Master says the Alicorn is free game, bleed him dry!" One of the creatures shouted, causing the others to surge forward.

I immediately regretted my location of entry, finding that being entirely surrounded was a shit plan. Dodging the violent swing of a blade I rolled to the side, swiping my enemies away with wind to clear a path. Weaving a stronger spell I caught the next attacker's arm, freeing a cutlass for my use. Moments later I let the torrent of energy go, a wave of flames shooting outwards from around me.

I could hear cries of agony as flesh and fur burned away; good these ones still felt pain. Unfortunately that didn't mean they couldn't overcome it...

Several of the severely burned victims returned to their hooves, pressing towards me once more. I backed off to the edge of the ship, deflecting countless blows from the horde.

My earlier attack had started some nearby rigging alight, causing flames to start creeping along the ropes. I cut down an imperium pony who had come too close, grimacing as the spray of his blood hit me in the face.

Feeling confident I let out another explosion of magic, blasting back more of my attackers. Remembering my training I diverted a little energy, letting a current of wind flow around me, moving a blade that would have hit me just off course.

As I fought off the flightless imperium soldiers the corrupted Gryphon and Pegasi fought above. I just wondered where all the mages were as I had only spotted one or two in all the ships I had passed over.

My question was answered with a hail of fireballs flying overhead. Their origin was from a new fleet that had just arrived at the battle, fifteen ships at least. The fireballs swiftly crashed into of one of Zandria’s ships, the hull splintering. The ponies quickly abandoned the flaming ship, their situation dire.

I leapt from the deck of the Imperium ship, their flaming mast crashing down onto the adjacent enemy ship. It seemed like a good enough chance to leave, and the newly arrived artillery ships full of mages were a bigger problem.

I flew up, spotting a formation of Gryphons heading towards the ships. They meant well, knowing that taking out the artillery would help, but they would be obliterated if they tried to fight so many imperium mages alone.

Gathering the wind around me as I flew I created a magical gale, focusing the energy all towards one ship.

Sensing the power behind the spell I was crafting the Imperium unicorns let loose another salvo of fireballs, this time aimed towards me.

Tapping deep into the shackle's power my eyes began to glow. Their magic was extinguished as water from the ocean below swirled up to join my rapidly growing storm.

The gryphons banked away as they began to feel the air pressure change, a small hurricane forming in my wake as I rocketed past the first vessel.

There was nothing the mages aboard could do to match the power of my magic, and as the storm crashed into them their flimsy wooden vessel was enveloped by the waves. Wooden planks swirled thorough my storm as it gorged itself, continuing on its course through the entire line of artillery ships as it ramped up in both speed and force.

I broke away and shielded myself with magic, the storm tossing me aside like a rag doll. Trembling in exhaustion I watched my storm obscure the enemy vessels. After a minute I released the colossal amount of energy, allowing the storm to slowly die out. As the air cleared enough for sight the number of survivors drifting amongst the wreckage was less than the ships I had just destroyed.

Locking into a slow glide, too tired from the massive power I had just unleashed, I let the armored gryphon strike team swoop in to finish off the few survivors. This was an eradication mission, the Imperium needed to go extinct once again.

The troops had seen what just happened, and those that hadn't could instantly tell it was something good. There were a few sparse cheers from those able to do so, shouted words of encouragement from captains, and a redoubled effort from every fighter.

Something none of them wanted to see lurked in the distance though, the fight they thought was going well hadn't even truly begun. I shuddered to think how quickly my doppelgänger had grown his forces; with that growth he must not be the only one able to cause possession.

An Imperium fleet the same size as the one we were currently in combat with was swiftly closing distance. The battle had been possible if everything went well before... But now it would take a miracle.

Still it was strange that their forces were so unorganized. At first I had thought it was some strange strategy but I began to realize as things dragged on that the Imperium forces had no clear command structure in this battle. That was the only thing keeping us alive, but that meant I had no clue where my dark copy was.

Could he be off depopulating another island, just planning to send armies at us until we couldn't fight any more? Or was he somewhere near, waiting for his time to strike?

I recovered enough to fly back up to the Haast, relaying what I had discovered for the messengers to spread to our commanders. Maybe we would be able to use their lack of strategy to our advantage. Taking a break to overview the battle I worked on regaining my strength and calming my nerves.

Our battle with the Imperium forces had become spread out and messy, ships from both sides littered around the ocean with no noticeable order. It had proven difficult but worthwhile to take advantage of their lack of command early on, but now the fighting was entirely out of control.

I had been down to the fight two more times, unleashing as much carnage upon the enemy as I could muster, but each time I flew down there was less and less force behind my attacks. At this point I would soon be only as helpful as a normal unicorn, an exhausted unicorn.

About to fly down once more I was stopped in my tracks. A piercing white light flashed all around, covering the whole breath of the battlefield and as far as the eye could see before fading away.

The light was followed by reverberating hum in the distance that caused me to cringe, covering my ears to try and keep the pervasive noise out. As the ringing died away it left me with the strangest feeling of despair.

It was nowhere in sight, leagues away actually, but somehow I knew the noise and light had come from The Nest. More specifically from the hollow mountain containing the Pillar of Fate

The ocean suddenly began roiling beneath me, an unnatural breeze overhead. The fighting has come to a temporary standstill and in the silence that followed a terrifying roar echoed out, an eldritch force behind it powerful enough to be heard and felt around the world. My blood felt chilled, as I stood paralyzed, my limbs refusing the commands of my mind.

"Raeleth..." Echelon gasped. "If he has woken so soon that can only mean one thing. Our agreement has been annulled; we have failed to protect the Pillar. Sound the retreat."

Another distant roar shook the air like thunder as our fleet fled battle. The Imperium let us go, content in their victory. My doppelgänger hadn't been in this battle for a reason, and he had achieved his dark task. Somehow he had found the secret cavern and done the unspeakable, destroyed the Pillar of Fate.

Echelon spoke to me, his tone assuring me that the situation was as bad as I thought. “Raeleth swore to wipe clean all the inhabitants of this world if a second site of power was tainted, and from his evident rage I can safely assume the Pillar has been more than tainted. Ike, you hold a portion of the Pillar's power, what do you feel?"

"I don't feel that the Shackle or its power has changed... But I feel an empty hole deep in my chest, like a part of me was torn out. My dark copy will pay for this, I need to deal with him before I can even begin to worry about some dragon."

"That is an acceptable course of action. It will still take Raeleth some time to fully shake off his slumber, even in his enraged state. His life runs on a much slower pace than ours. But if we want a solitary chance at convincing him not to cull the world the Imperium must be defeated."

The Imperium fleet skulked along behind us, out of combat range, slowly corralling us towards what would be our final stand. We might have stood a chance earlier, but everyone had been hit hard by the loss of the Pillar. Even the few ponies who had no clue what had happened seemed lacking in purpose.

It was a struggle keeping my mind clear of the uncertainties that plagued it. But I had enough purpose left to know what had to be done, even if it was just vengeance for everything my malefic copy had done so far. As if my thoughts had summoned him I sensed the magic of the shackle, but not coming from within myself. I looked to the clouds, seeing his tainted form rocketing towards the Haast on black wings that bled with magic.

I had almost forgotten I could do that, not that I needed to anymore with the real wings that came from my transformation. We were basically the same, but instead of fighting the demon he gave in, so the Luna and Celestia of his world-

Wait, I was transformed to prevent the shackle's power from destroying me... Did that mean? The power had overtaken me the day I fought with the demon, but only because he forced it upon me. But maybe it had been so long a time since then that even the fell power couldn’t hold back the self-destructive might of the shackle?

My dark copy crashed to the deck with a sickening thud, his body smoking as if an inferno raged inside just beneath his skin.

I was right... The shackle was rejecting him. The cost of body and life to hold it’s endless flow for a even a short while.

My doppelgänger shrugged off the impact, grimacing as he took to his hooves. His eyes locked unto me and he took a staggering step forward.

"Fly!" I commanded the crew of the Haast to leave as I let power from the shackle flow through me in preparation for a fight. I had a little time to rest, it would just have to be enough.

"Oh Ike, you really aren't saving anypony this way." He smirked, " There is a reason other than anger Raeleth is going to purge the world, want to know what?"

I advanced on my dark copy ready for anything, but he made no attempt to use magic or defend himself as I lashed out, my hoof striking out in a jab right to his face.

The blow connected and my copy staggered back, beginning to laugh.
"Mercy, hahhaah. Raeleth feels pity for your kind. He would rather cause death than sit idly and watch every living creature in existence suffer. With the Pillar of fate gone this world will die, it is only a matter of time."

I swung out again, this blow causing my doppelgänger to tumble to the deck, a bit of blood drooling from his mouth.

He stood to his hooves once again and wiped his chin, chuckling to himself. "This place is the focal point, the only world in the great cosmos where space, time, reality, and so much more converge. One small push was all it took begin the unraveling of all of creation. Do you see now why such a weak and pathetic existence should not be allowed? We will return to the nothingness from which we were born, no gods, no creatures, no man; the limitless void."

"You twisted fuck!" I lashed out again, but this time my blow was deflected. My copy shoved me back with a blast of magic that I barely shielded myself from in time due to the surprise

"I only wish I had more time to finish the task, I wanted things to go out with a bang. If the other sites of power are left intact it will take a thousand years before my work sees its fruition. That's why I'm here; help me finish what I started... No, what we started."

“Return to hell, and take my pathetic excuse of a doppelgänger with you!" I drew deep within the stores of magic, unleashing a torrent of energy directed at my copy. I continued to hold the energy, focusing the power down upon him. I threw my anger and hatred in to the inferno, wishing this bastard to feel the agony he caused me. He had unleashed hell upon this world, the darkness of the Imperium to snuff out the light. He killed Xane in front of my very eyes and tried to convert Kira in an attempt to break me, luckily in the end both had failed, and I could only hope his Imperium would do the same without him to lead it. I drained every ounce of the loathing and hatred I had for this monster into the magic, I needed every ounce of power. I held the magic for what felt like an eternity, at least it felt longer than I had ever dared use the power from the shackle of dawn without rest.

Sweat dripped from my brow as the energy cut down to a trickle, my body unable to carry on in supporting the magic. I let the power drop away, certain that my view would fall upon a charred corpse.

Instead I was met with bold laughter before the smoke even cleared, my copy stepping away from the charred portion of hull. He looked in even worse shape than before, his mane burned mostly away and coat charred entirely black.

"That barely hurt compared to the pain the shackle brings. You forget that it's power is meant to come with a price. Without a life to eat away as its kindling the band of power just doesn't burn quite as bright. It really is the perfect tool for destruction, taking both the lives of its bearer and everything he manages to kill is his allowed time."

"I can only hope it takes yours soon. I don't want to hear another fucking word of your end the universe shit."

The charred unicorn snorted, shaking his head at me like I was a child who didn't know any better "No matter how much you run from it Alicorn you will eventually become me. No, greater than I. The darkness inside of you will chip away until one day you see the truth.

Be it when Raeleth slaughters your loved ones, or those who survive his wrath die while you live for eternity, or even when this world slowly begins to crumble and the faces and names you don’t even know look to you to ease their suffering.

You will take my place and mission given time. Best yet you will do it of your own free will. Creation was born from nothingness, and in the end nothing shall remain." A surge of energy rippled from my demonic copy, causing it to cringe and hold back a cry of pain.

"Do you even pretend to be in control of your own thoughts or have you just become a monster? It doesn't matter, soon the band of power will fully reject you, and I'll wait to make certain it does."

“You will never escape your true purpose." My copy taunted with the last words he could form past the pain.

“ I could never become you. You might think you and I are essentially the same, but we are not. How you could ever give into a demon’s will I don’t know, and how you could ever hurt the ones you love I cannot fathom. There is nothing in common between us other than a name. Time to burn, you bastard."

I left him on the deck as he collapsed, the power from the shackle of dawn beginning to tear its way through his very being. Despite the agony he must have felt, he only continued his twisted chuckle.

I dropped like a stone towards the water, trying to get as far away from the coming magical onslaught as possible. The sound of the ocean seemed to die away in the instant before I sensed a massive surge. The volatile power of the shackle hadn’t been lessened by the Pillar’s destruction, and it was surprising how long he had held out before it consumed him.

My power was nothing compared to his, Alicorn magic stabilizing the destructive force of the shackle, so my last bit of magic before my tired body slipped into unconsciousness went into a shield as my fall was rocked by the blast.
Debris from the Haast rained down from the sky, the flying ship utterly destroyed. I lay in the water oblivious as Aeolus flew down and plucked me from the water, his keen eyes spotting me amongst the wreckage. He gently lowered me down unto the nearest boat.

"Aeolus," Echelon brought hopeful news. " Our scouts say there are Crystal Kingdom and Equestrian forces just minutes from here. If we turn about now we can act as a both a distraction and fixing force as the ponies flank the enemy."
Looking back to me and seeing that I appeared physically fine he flew off, busy with trying to re organize the fleet for one final stand.

Author's Note

~Thanks for Reading!

So Microsoft auto update decided to steal my spell check, again. This has happened once before and I will just have to wait until they realize the error and fix it in the next update. In the meantime, forgive any heinous spelling/grammatical blunders.

This was going to be two shitty short chapters so I mashed them together (poorly) and posted them here. The remaining chapter estimate is now a solid 2.