If You Don't Draw First

More than a week had passed since the attack on the bank of Ponyville and the news had spread like wildfire to several corners of Equestria. Descriptions of a strange bipedal creature capable of use magic with only his hands and as deadly as a soldier trained in combat not seemed to be very well received for the many races of the land, with this scenery starting to cause some concern, Celestia and Luna had to assure to the leaders of several regions that the attack had only been a local incident,  also, they were sure announce to the public that the assailants only work on their own and that they were not part of any criminal organization, something that the only survivor confessed as soon as he was questioned.

But more importantly, that "the human" known as Booker DeWitt was already under strict surveillance and that despite having shown what he was capable of, he did not represent any threat to the population, in the contrary, he had protected the citizens of the small town and that due to this, Celestia herself said she would give Booker the right to become a citizen of Equestria if he wished.

Celestia landed gently over the grass just a few meters away from Twilight's house, she knew that somehow she had to amend things with the newest resident of Equestria and although she still felt some resentment and fear towards him, she also knew that it was for the better and that the best way to start anew was to apologize with him for the way she had acted.

Several ponies that were in the surroundings and that saw her arrive bowed their heads in reverence for their ruler who gave them a motherly smile before they continue with their daily routine. Celestia didn't want to show it, but her legs were shaking at each step she took towards the house, she felt an emptiness in her stomach, mostly because there was no way to know what would DeWitt's reaction be when he saw her again, in that moment, the sun goddess really wished to have her sister at her side, but Luna was very clear and told her it was something she had to face and solve alone.

She finally stopped in front of the wooden door, Celestia raised a shaky hoof and took a deep breath to calm her nerves before knocking on it. There was no answer and she knocked three more times, again there was no reply and for a moment she sighed in relief thinking that perhaps Twilight wasn't at home, however, there was no sign at the door and knowing her student she scrapped that idea and knocked again.

"Just a moment please! I'm coming! I'm coming!"

The somewhat annoyed voice of Spike was heard from the other side of the door, the dragon opened it and after seeing that Celestia was standing on the other side he screamed and closed it immediately leaving to the sun goddess more than surprised.

"Spike, could you open the door please?"

She told him in motherly tone, the door opened again and Spike stood under its frame.

"P-Princess, what a surprise to see you here." He said shakily. "We didn't know that you were coming."

"I decided to come and visit." Celestia smiled and bowed her head to nuzzle his cheek. "Also, I need to talk with Twilight and with Mr. DeWitt."

Spike felt as if something cold had fell into his stomach. "R-really... well you see... about that..." The dragon began to stutter. "C-could you r-repeat the q-question?"

It was at tha moment that Celestia knew there was something wrong, very, very wrong.

"Spike... where is Twilight?... Where is DeWitt?"

***---***---***

The day was coming to an end, with the last rays of the sun painting the sky with orange tones that contrasted against the darker blue of the night. Kriket was in the command room taking care of the controls of the airship while in another room, Twilight was busy healing the wounds on Booker's back. The claws and beak of the griffin had caused deep gashes on his skin, but the unicorn once more had showed her medical knowledge and the bleeding had stopped. Twilight placed the last clean gauze over the wound and then took a syringe filled with a clear liquid in her magical aura.

"This will help to ease the pain." She said before injecting the fluid into his arm

"Thank you, although I must say, a gunshot wound hurts more than this." He told her.

Twilight remained in silence, in her mind she still could see the face of the griffin, the fear in his eyes before she pulled the trigger of the gun,  the unicorn also knew that if she had not done it, Booker would have died, however, she felt guilty, she had killed him and nothing would change that.

"Booker... how do you do it?" She asked.

"How do I do what?"

"Forget, how do you wash away the things that you've done?"

Booker looked at her with understanding, he knew that what had happened was something she never expected to experience, he wanted with all his heart to delete the memory from her mind, but that was impossible.

He sighed. "You don't. You just learn to live with it."

Twilight began to mourn in silence, "I think... I want to be alone... for a while..."

She climbed onto the bed and lay over it facing at the wall, Booker nodded, rose from his chair and left the room. He walked to the bridge of the ship where Kriket was looking at a map on one of the walls.

She turned around to look at him "What an adventure we had in Helios, don't you think?"

"Is there any way to send them back home?" Booker asked.

Kriket knew this would happen, but now that she had Twilight on her hooves, she couldn't risk to lose her.

"Before that pair joined our crusade, I warned you this wouldn't be easy."

"I know, but didn't think they would be exposed to so much danger."

Kriket rolled her eyes. "All right, if it makes you feel better, once we reach the land of fire, we will give them this airship for them to return to home safely, okay?"

Booker nodded. "That's enough for me."

Without another word, he left the bridge leaving Kriket alone, the eyes of the pegasus turned green for a moment before she smiled.

"You're such an idiot DeWitt."

Booker walked down the aisle looking for a place to rest, he passed in front of a door and stopped, he opened it and could see Trixie resting on the bed, she had awakened and looked at the gauze she had around her leg, more gauzes were over her body covering her minor injuries.

"Hi." She told him after seeing him standing at the door. "How are you?"

"Not as well as you." He said, "I thought you were a goner."

"It will take more than that to end the great and powerful Trixie." The unicorn said with that boasting tone of hers.

He smiled. "Good to see you've got your good mood again, I'll let you rest."

"Wait... Booker... please... come here." She called him before he left and her hoof patted the empty space next to her in bed.

He shrugged and entered the room closing the door behind him and leaving his weapons and other things on a small table.

"What's on your mind, Trixie?" He asked once he sat on the bed.

"I want to apology with you for what happened this morning." She said without looking up.

"... Trixie..."

"No, please, let me finish." She saw him straight in the eye. "I know it was wrong, but I couldn't help it, you're the first one with whom I feel I can really be myself, the one that complements me, is it really wrong that I feel something for you?"

He looked at her intently. "Trixie, you're a beautiful girl, but you must understand that this cannot be, even if I had feelings for you, I could not give you the love you need, I only will cause you pain, everyone around me gets hurt, I don't want to see you suffer."

Trixie launched herself against him hugging him tightly, "I don't care, I know you can find a space in your heart for me, I don't want to let you go."

Booker took her by the shoulders and separated himself from her body. "Trixie, that's enough! Stop this nonsense at once!"

She shook her head and once more lunged at him, only this time she wrapped her forelegs around his neck and joined her lips to him in a forced but intense kiss. Booker's eyes opened wide, the warmth and softness of her lips plus the feel of her soft fur against his skin were enough for him to forget his inhibitions completely, and after all, they both needed some kind of release.

Trixie parted from him and looked into his deep green eyes, the next thing she knew was that he had pinned her to the bed and that now he was kissing her passionately, she could feel his hands roaming through her body and she couldn't avoid let out moans of pleasure that gradually increased in intensity as she gave herself entirely to DeWitt.

Meanwhile, outside the room, Kriket was sitting on her hind legs while gently caressing her stomach. "Hmmm, it's been a while since the last time I had a meal so plentiful and tasty, those two certainly share something more than just a friendship." She said licking her lips.

***---***---***

Celestia walked down a narrow corridor of solid rock surrounded by hot lava, the heat in the place was unbearable, but she didn't seem to be bothered by it in the least. At the end of the corridor she came to a large rock platform, in its center stood a cell which was surrounded by a beam of golden light, a figure covered by a black cloak moved within the cell.

"The sands of fate move violently and the sun goddess stands before me once again." A deep voice came from the lips of the being. "You must be truly desperate to come to me for help."

Celestia felt a chill go through her body, she knew that what she was doing could backfire at her, but it was a risk she was willing to take.

"What makes you think I seek your help?" She said.

The being laughed sinisterly: "The fact that you brought the key that will release me from my prison.

Celestia closed her eyes. "You're locked up in this place for the crimes you committed in the past, but now I need your talents, that's why I'm offering you a truce, do this for me, and I will reward you."

"Interesting." Yellow eyes seemed to glow within the darkness of the cell. "But tell me, what makes you think that I will not betray you?"

Celestia's horn shone with a golden aura, the key at her side floated and slammed into the lock, the cell opened and with impressive speed, Celestia ended in front of the creature with her horn embedded into its chest, an energy explosion shook the place and she backed away from the being who started to stand up.

"A soul reaper spell? Fascinating, you're more sadistic than I thought, Celestia."

"If you try to betray me or if you try to hurt my subjects, this time there will be no compassion, you will end up dead."

The being never stopped smiling. "Okay, I understand and accept the terms, now tell me, what you need from me."

***---***---***

Booker watched the sunrise from the balcony of the airship, the ship moved slowly over the sands of the desert that seemed to be endless while the sunlight drew its shadow over it, he gave a quick check at his weapons to ensure that they were loaded and ready to face whatever challenge that were waiting for him. At his back, he heard hoof steps and soon Kriket, Twilight and Trixie stood at his side.

"Well, we've finally reached it, welcome to the land of fire." Kriket said almost with relief.

Booker looked at Twilight and Trixie, his eyes remained for a short time over the blue mare. "Okay, a deal is a deal, here is where we part." He said to the unicorns causing both to look at him incredulously.

"What?! What are you talking about?!" Twilight said in shock.

"Oh yes, I almost forgot, Booker asked me to hand over the airship to you, you know, for you to return home." Kriket rose into the air and floated in front of the dirigible. "However, I'm afraid that's not possible."

"What the hell is wrong with you? We made a deal!" Booker took his rifle and pointed it towards Kriket who started to laugh.

"Oh c'mon DeWitt, I can't let Sparkle go, after all, that would let us without an important advantage over Celestia."

"Booker... what does she means by that?" Twilight was afraid.

"What I mean is that..." Kriket's body was engulfed by a green flame that gave way to her true nature. "Someone will be very glad to see you."

Twilight couldn't believe what she was seeing, Kriket had turned into a changeling. In just a moment the airship was surrounded by dozens of changelings more, all with their eyes fixed on the mares and the human, Booker took his rifle ready to finish with the major number of them, but another voice was heard behind them stopping his intention.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, I don't want to have to explain to Ridley that I had to kill our most valuable tool because you attempted to kill my children."

The three turned round to face the cold gaze of the Queen of the changelings.

"... C-Chrysalis..." The purple mare gave two steps back.

The queen smiled showing her long fangs. "Hello, Twilight Sparkle, is a pleasant surprise to see you again."

"And who the hell are you?" Booker pointed his rifle at her.

"Mr. DeWitt, I presume, is a pleasure to finally meet you, I am Queen Chrysalis and you and I have much to talk about."