Bite Down, Don't let Go

Chapter Five: Fighting between the Royals

Twilight POV

Twilight wasn't sure that she completely trusted this hyena, Oberus(she got his name from Fluttershy). From books she read about them they were said to be cruel, mean, and vicious. When Gilda had flown to Rainbow Dash and said that a hyena had saved her and Zecora from a manticore, was poisoned and needed help, Rainbow almost called her a liar. she then noticed flecks of blood on Gilda's coat.Rainbow immediately came to her. He'd been taken to Fluttershy who had bandaged him up while Zecora made antivenom to help slow the poison increasing his chance of survival.

For the most part, he seemed not to stir, though Zecora had told them that the amount of venom that had been forced into him should have caused a great amount of pain and even convulsing due to his body trying to reject it, yet he had laid there so still.

After making sure he was okay and that he would live she had spike take letter to the Princess stating what had occurred with the details she had been given which didn't seem much to her.

               Almost immediately, she received a letter back stating the Princess would be at the library at noon and she wanted to see the rest of the bearers and the hyena at the library. To say she was quick to get this accomplished was the understament of the century. She had trampled over Spike to rush and see if the Hyena was awakened and alright to travel. Upon arrival she had been knocked down and spooned just as she opened the door. Heat rushed to her face thinking of that. Maybe he hadn't meant to do so, and was probably stiff from not moving for so long. Yet the time it took Oberus some time, stiff or not to get off of her seem...unnecessary. Twilight's ears perked up as a low snicker entered into her ear, beating playfully against her drums.

Turning to Fluttershy who was traveling next to her, Oberus a few paces behind, took note of the confusion etched on the quiet mares face. They both revolved towards their third companion, only to become acquainted with a stony cold face. Eyes lidded, level jaw pulled taut. Fluttershy shivered, not use to such coldness. Reversing forward ,her pace turning to a light trot. Oberus gave a quick wink, closing the green eye his purple shining with playful glee. Face heating up again the unicorn tried to concentrate on the path to Sweet Apple Acres.

Time Skip, Sweet Apple Acres

Oberus POV

Oberus had to keep a tight jaw at the sight of hundreds perhaps thousands of apple trees. Considering he's had nothing to eat but the creatures of the Everfree, apples were a rather nice reprieve. Variety in a diet never hurt. Usually.He also took notice of a large red farm house. Still he was having second thoughts regarding ripping out his two escorts throat. The talk with Celestia was not something he was looking forward to. Gazing out into the orchard he wondered if he could make a run for it. Oberus fantasies of freedom ended prematurely with the arrival of a new mare. An earth pony golden fur with blonde mane and tail both tied in a pony tail. 'Wearing a cowboy hat' Oberus thought wistfully  'Why is it so-' his thoughts became lost on him when the cowmare spoke.

"Howdy Twilight,Fluttershy-" she paused, eyes of scrutiny passed over him, Oberus glared for a second max. He hated being ocularly dissected. Putting on a friendly face Obe put his left paw out.

" Names Oberus ma'am" she seemed bewildered by the way he used his left and not his right. "You are?"

"Applejack ma friends call me AJ"  she shook(somehow) his paw and pondered a thought. " Oberus?" She said " no other name?" Even Twilight and Fluttershy were shocked by this question, they hadn't considered that he was only giving part of his name.

"Its the only name that matters" he spoke confidently. Applejack's eyes furrowed. Turning to twilight her Countenance morphed to a smile.

"So Twi we fixin ta head to the library?" She drawled  Correcting the angle of her hat.

"Yes, we only need to get Rarity, Rainbow Dash and  pinkie will meet us there along with Spike" she finished.

"Um.. wait" Fluttershy sputtered. All eyes turned on her, she faced the ground drawing small circles with her hoof. " we need to check Oberus' bandage." Ending with a little bit more confidence in her voice. ' all the way out here and only now my injury being addressed' he criticized mental, most hyenas have rather high pain tolerance. He could be missing a whole layer of skin, bleeding out with knives in his torso and still feel only slight discomfort.

" I'm fine, no worries" His words speaking volumes.

" Are yo-"

" positive " he interrupted Twilight. Padding back to the front gate he squared his body toward ponyville. " let's not keep the Princess waiting." Twilight and Applejack sounded an "of course not" and " you bet" respectively. Fluttershy mumbled a "mmhm" heading off again they left for Ponyville, Oberus still not pleased at the development.

In Ponyville near the library

Cont Oberus POV

Much to every ponies shock, and Oberus' chagrin The one known as Rarity was all ready at the library, her look of scrutiny worse than Applejack because seemed to be stripping off his fur wondering how to recolor it and stylize his hair. Along with her was a cyan blue Pegasus with a rainbow mane her cutie mark a cloud and rainbow lightning. She looked rather ready to buck his block off. Oh! Oberus had missed the detail of cutie marks on his escorts. OK let's see ,butterflys(gag), apples(no shit), and a star pattern(sparkle,sparkle). Back at the library there seemed to be a hyperactive to pink pony.Pinkie pie he guessed, she was bouncing up and down chatting happily with, with.... Princess Celestia. He flowing rainbow tail and mane not to hard to miss. Or the fact she was taller than the ponies that surrounded her. When her gaze hit him , her smile faded to something sterner. Oberus felt his ears droop. He was going to be scolded, he just knew it. Twilight rushed over to Celestia quickly nuzzling her. She whispered something to the lavender unicorn. Said unicorn frowned but nodded. She shifted back toward him.

" Please follow me" She said but her tone left no room for arguments as she entered the library, the elements appeared to be staying outside. Trudging after her, he glanced around to She all of the books that surrounded him. The door behind closed with a golden aura.

"Princess Celestia solara Nova" Oberus said truly not caring for this reunion.

"Prince Oberus Spiritus Vermilion" Celestia countered a coy smile gracing her lips. Oberus flinched. He hated that name.

" I'm not a prince anymore" he stated glancing around everywhere but her direction.

" So I've heard." Celestia stated. "Your sistered denounced the crown, your brother heavily injured, and you the surprise alpha male just like Ade was, banished." She ended in finality. Oberus stared at her annoyed with the listing.

"I'm not so sure about the alpha comment, I mean other than Ade himself, all alphas are female, my mother and sister perfect examples" he droned roboticly.

" I'm sure Queen Sapphire fang, and Princess  Gem Flower could not deny such claims though the Queen did not disagree when I told her so". Oberus recoiled as if physically hit.

" You told her?" He asked. His tone conveyed hurt beyond belief. Celestia became concerned. She tried to come closer be Oberus only stepped back. " your the reason this stupid bracelet was placed on me?" His fur changed to a reddish brown while his spots glowed orange. "I was torched for days-" he started " my whole right side was burned beyond repair" Celestia gazed in confusion.

"But how..." She trailed off.

"I met a made very good at illusions, had to do a couple favors in return, though I had to tweak it myself so others could feel through it" tears leak from his left eye but not his right.

"I'm so sorry" her tone got motherly "if there's anything I-"

" you can have your ponies let me go with no issues or question." He demanded. Celestia nodded,

"Alright then follow me" she said lowly. He watched as she cantered to the door opening the door with her magic calling out as she went "Spike take letter." Oberus sighed slowly to himself thinking finally something went right to a part of the speech reached his ear.

Wide eyes and a slack jaw was all he could muster.