A Master of Deceit

From the darkest reaches of his soul Remiel vowed that should he return to earth and live to see the destruction of the council that his first decree would be forbidding anyone from naming their child 'Murphy'. It would be punishable by death.

Powers that be, when I die may my place in Hell be right beside that bastard. Not an hour after they had fled from their makeshift camp they had come across a forest. Ten minutes later they hit a particularly bad pothole and broke the front right wheel. Fortunately Heavy Axe kept a spare in the back but Remiel soon learned that changing the wheel on a wagon was much harder than changing a wheel on car. Not that he would have any experience with the latter anyway. First they had to unload everything from the back of the wagon to make it at least a little lighter. Heavy Axe and Remiel then held the wagon up, mostly it was Heavy Axe holding the wagon, while Healing Touch carefully removed the wheel and put the new one on. Healing Touch worked as quickly as she could but Remiel's weak muscles wished she could have worked faster. After the wheel had finally been replaced and everything was loaded Heavy Axe announced that they would be taking a short break.

"Are you certain that's wise?" Remiel asked. Heavy Axe gave him a small grin.

"We'll be fine," the large stallion assured him. "We've got more than enough distance on them to take a small break." Heavy Axe tried to hide it, but Remiel could see his slouched shoulders, hear his quiet, labored breaths. Heavy Axe must have all but burnt himself out while he was operating the wagon. He tried to put on a brave face, but Remiel could tell he was ready to keel over at any moment. Remiel gave him a bright smile and nodded his head.

"I'll defer to your judgement, my friend," he said with a light tone.

"Don't you worry none, Rem. We left those foals way behind us." Remiel continued to smile and slowly approached the back of the wagon. He reached inside the back and grabbed the axe that lay just inside. He had no grand vision of him holding off bandits, but at least he would be able to get it to Heavy Axe quickly. Remiel shook his head to rid himself of the paranoia. Heavy Axe was most likely correct. They had put a pretty good amount of distance between themselves and the bandits. It would surely be impossible for them to catch up on foot. Remiel regretted that thought immediately.

In the blink of an eye what seemed like a dozen figures leapt from the treeline. Remiel's mind went blank for a moment in shock, more than enough time for one pony with a blue coat and mane to hit him hard across the face. Remiel's body fell to the ground as his world became a series of dots and lights. He lay motionless for a moment, his mind still processing what was happening, when he began to hear the screams of alarm.

No, he thought desperately. It was almost exactly like his nightmares. Those he cared for screaming in horror while he was powerless to do anything about it. Anger and despair waged war in his mind, battling for supremacy. It took less than a second for Remiel to regain his senses and latch on to the anger. No. I am the Grey King. I won't just lay here and accept this. Fueled by rage, he forced his body to a kneeling position. He looked to his right and saw the axe. It was stupid, he was weak, but he didn't care. He got to his feet and grabbed the axe. He looked around the corner of the wagon and saw the family of three surrounded by at least eight ponies.

There aren't as many as I thought, he thought, planning. Heavy Axe did his best to act as a shield for his family, but protecting them meant he couldn't go on the offensive. If he moved to strike it would open Healing Touch and Tinker to an attack from the rest of the bandits. He needed a distraction, and Remiel could provide one.

Or, a dark thought called to him, I could take this chance and run. Their focus is on them. If I head into the treeline I can escape. He didn't like the thought, but it was his best choice. He had bigger things to worry about than one family that wasn't even his. The annoying piece of his humanity roared in protest of the plan, but Remiel silenced it with little effort. Or so he had thought. Then again, they caught us even when we had the wagon. It wouldn't be so hard to believe that they would catch me on foot. And I need them to escort me to this Canterlot to find a way home.

Whatever he decided it had to be quick, the circle was closing in on the three. This is the dumbest thing I've ever done. Remiel ran past the corner of the wagon and towards the closing ring of bandits. Before their allies could warn them Remiel  his shoulder into one pony knocking him off balance, then spun and buried the blade of the axe in the chest of another. At least that's what he was trying to do, unfortunately he had the axe turned the wrong way and instead hit them with the hard, wooden side. Still, it was enough to knock the wind out of them and the sudden attack caught the others off guard.

Heavy Axe capitalized on the shock and Remiel felt a powerful pulse of...something knock him and the bandits off their feet. All Remiel could saw was a bright light and his ears were ringing while his head began pounding. Disoriented Remiel felt something grab him and pick him up. The next thing he remembered was being thrown and landing on something hard before feeling the sensation of something moving.

"...me." Remiel thought he heard someone say. The world slowly came back into focus and he saw Healing Touch hovering over him, her lips moving. "Can you hear me?" Remiel nodded his head. "Good." She then proceeded to slap him. "You ever do something that reckless again and I'll beat the hay out of you." The first thing Remiel felt was shock, then indignation and finally humor.

"Worked though," he responded, smirking. Remiel began to sit up but she kept him down.

"Not so fast," she said. Remiel was going to protest, but a sudden, cold feeling washed over him. He couldn't explain it, but it felt like something was happening. He pushed past Healing Touch and crawled to the back of the wagon. He opened the flaps and saw a unicorn with its horn glowing. Then a bright, blue beam shot out of the horn and raced towards the wagon. Remiel watched on in horror as the beam neared the wagon, apparently aiming for one of the rear wheels. Suddenly Remiel's left hand jerked up as if it had a mind of its own and the beam redirected in mid-flight, coming directly for him. His eyes went wide as the beam neared him and his left arm began to tingle. Suddenly the beam struck his extended hand...and nothing. He watched in confusion and fascination as his arm seemingly nullified the attack. No, it didn't nullify it. He could feel his arm beginning to burn. It was painful, but almost pleasantly so. It felt exhilarating, like lightning was shooting through his body. The black tendrils that now covered his arm suddenly began pulsating with a strange, white light. When the last of the beam disappeared into his palm he instinctively clenched it into a fist and stared at it in wonder. How could he have done this?

Could this be because of the relic? He had little time to ponder as a second beam was launched. He narrowed his eyes and raised his hand again, once more the beam was redirected to his hand and all the power was absorbed into it. But this time the pain outweighed the pleasure. A hiss of agony escaped his lips as his arm dropped lifeless to the wagon, but the moment his hand dropped down to the wagon the lines in his arm flashed a bright white and he felt all that power leave him in an instant. Remiel gasped for air as the power left him, as if it was taking his very life with it. The next thing he knew he felt the wagon lurch forward underneath him and he was sent toppling out the back.

Remiel collided face first with the unforgiving dirt road and bounced off before coming back down and rolling a couple times. His body came to rest with him lying face down in the road, his head cocked to the side. When he opened his eyes he saw a thick dirt cloud as if something had gone by at great speed.

What, what happened? His mind was in a haze and his body refused to obey his commands. Muffled sounds made their way to his ear. He worked up the strength to turn his head to try and see to source, praying that it was Heavy Axe or Healing Touch, but just as he lifted his head something hard hit him and the world became dark.

Remiel hovered in complete darkness,deprived of all his senses. In an odd way it was almost serene. He felt no pain in his body, no fatigue or worry in his mind. He felt at peace. But this darkness seemed familiar as if he had been here before.

You have made it through your first trial. This voice. It sounded familiar, he had heard it before. You have passed, but the outcome was tainted by your apathy and self-serving goals. Remiel felt rage surge through him at the voice's judgment.

"And who are you to pass judgement on me?" Remiel demanded.

Answering you would serve no purpose. You think of yourself as a king but act as a spoiled child. You seek only what is beneficial to you and what you find is never enough. You are but an infant trying to wear the shoes of an adult. Remiel's rage only grew with each word the voice said. Your second trial is upon you, do not continue down the path you tread lest you bring another world to ruin. Those last words struck Remiel.

"Explain yourself," Remiel demanded. "Has something happened on earth?"

Giving you this knowledge will not serve to aid you in your trial. You must now awake, your second trial begins now. Remiel refused the voice's dismissal and roared in outrage.

"To hell with your trial! Answer my question! What happened to earth?!"

Only what was inevitable. With that the darkness was replaced with a blinding, white light as Remiel's senses came back to him. The first thing to make its presence known was the pain that seemed to radiate from everywhere on his body. The second thing he became aware of was the chain that was wrapped around his neck, arms and legs.

What, what the hell? he thought as he tried to move his head to see better.

"Looks like it's awake," a female voice said. Remiel tried to see who had spoken, but the pain kept him from moving too much. All he could see was two sets of worn, brown boots. One of the boots approached him. "Go get the boss, he'll want to see this."

"It a good idea to leave you with it?" a second voice asked. "It did get you pretty good with that axe." Remiel was silently hoping that the second voice wouldn't leave because he didn't want to be left alone with the first.

"Just do what I tell you," the first voice snapped.

"Fine, just don't hurt it too bad, boss will be ticked." With that the second voice left. Remiel watched in silence as the second pair of boots walked down towards his stomach.

Well, at least this won't be the first time I'm tortured, Remiel thought grimly. He braced himself and seconds later felt something hard collide with his stomach. Remiel gasped in pain as the boot hit him again and again. After the boot had finally stopped the voice spoke up again.

"That's for making me look like a foal," the voice said. Remiel couldn't help but put on a small smirk.

"My apologies," Remiel said weakly. "It wasn't my intent to make you look foolish in front of the others." Something grabbed his shirt and Remiel was lifted off the ground. He then came face to face with a unicorn that had a light blue coat and a mane that was a darker shade of blue. Powers that be, even her eyes were blue, though they were a very light, cold shade of blue.

"Oh? Then what was your intent?"

"To make you look like a corpse," Remiel said smugly. It didn't take long for the unicorn to get what he meant. Her response was a fist to Remiel's face. Remiel could feel his nose break and the inside of his lips rip against his teeth. Remiel ignored the pain and gave the pony a bloody smile as he bled from both his lips and his nose. To most it seemed idiotic to antagonize someone who was more than eager to torture you, but Remiel had a plan.

"You think you're funny, freak?" she asked.

"I found it humorous." The pony drew back and hit him again and again. Remiel soon became worried about losing his teeth or brain damage. How long was that other pony going to take? After several blows Remiel's saving grace arrived at last.

"What the buck are you doing?" a deep, powerful voice asked.

"Just putting this, monkey in its place," the unicorn answered.

"'Monkey'?" Remiel asked, still smirking. "Is that because I resemble a monkey or because that's the best insult your feeble mind can come up with?" The unicorn narrowed her eyes at his words, but Remiel only continued to smile. She hit him again.

"It's because you're funny like a little monkey," she answered.

"Ah, so you did think I was funny." She was going to hit him again, but something grabbed her fist.

"That's enough," the new voice said. The unicorn glared at Remiel, but finally dropped him and he began coughing the moment he hit the ground. "Get out." Remiel heard her footsteps retreating and smiled at his small victory. It may not have seemed like a victory, but if Remiel played this right he wouldn't have to ever fear being alone with her again. "I don't know if you're stupid or suicidal."

"I like to think of it as a healthy mix of both," Remiel replied. The newcomer laughed softly at that.

"You're strange, there's no doubt about that. I can't think of many ponies who'd act so calm in such a situation." Remiel chuckled softly, but inside he didn't have a good feeling about this stallion. He couldn't see him, but Remiel could tell by his tone and how he spoke he wasn't just some common thug. Moreover, if his group of bandits actually had some kind of base of operation than it meant they were good enough to avoid being found.

"Than it is a good thing I'm not a pony."

"And what are you?"

"A businessman."

"That's not the answer I was expecting, but you've piqued my interest."

"This conversation would go much smoother if my face wasn't pressed against the floor." The voice was silent for a moment, then Remiel felt something grab the chains holding him and lifted him off the ground before sitting him against the wall. In front of him was a familiar green pegasus. "Thank you." The pegasus didn't respond in any way but backed away to reveal another pegasus with crimson fur and an orange mane with sharp green eyes. Unlike the other bandits Remiel had seen this one wore a fine black shirt and pants with spotless black shoes. There was no doubt about it, this pony was not some mere bandit.

"Forgive me, but the chains must remain." Remiel nodded his head in understanding.

"I also take it that I will remain seeing as I've seen your face now." The pegasus smiled at him.

"Very observant, yet I was hoping you'd at least beg for your freedom for a time before I let you in on it."

"And what would I have to barter with? False promises of a wealthy family that will happily pay my ransom? Alas I have no great wealth or relations that would buy my freedom." The stallion cocked his head to the side in mild entertainment.

"You are making your life less valuable with each word you say."

"Instead I seek my freedom by offering you my services." The stallion's eyes shone with amusement and fascination.

"And just what services could you possibly have that would interest me?"

"My mind."

"Oh?"

"I can see even from my current position that you and those you command are no ordinary bandits. You are organized, strategic. I can help you in both of those regards."

"Continue." Remiel gave him a small smile.

"I'm not so foolish as to reveal the only card I have when my life is at stake."

"And if I had Crystal Clear return and loosen your tongue?"

"Then the next time we speak I may not have much to say as she'll likely cave my skull in before I can tell you what you want to know." The stallion smiled wickedly at him. Remiel wasn't sure if it was because he had earned some slight respect from the stallion or if it was because the stallion was enjoying some morbid game of his own devising.

"It has been so long since I've last had such an...enjoyable conversation with somepony. I will think on what you said, but for now you will remain in this room." The stallion turned and approached a solid brown door. "I shall have somepony deliver you dinner shortly." With that the stallion and his henchman left the room,and Remiel's mind began a flurry of thinking and planning. By the time the stallion returned he would have a plan to back up his talk, and another to set him free. At this point only one thing was clear, time was not his ally. He smirked before a coughing fit caused him to spill more of his blood. Since when hadn't time been working against him?

Time seemed to crawl at a snail's pace as Remiel's ceaseless thinking came up with innumerable different plans and scenarios. In that time he had managed to divine two facts. First was that the stallion in charge had no intention of letting him live. Even if Remiel proved himself to be a valuable asset the stallion would get as much out of him as he could then kill Remiel. Remiel would prove himself valuable and intelligent, and that would make him a threat to the stallion's power.

That conclusion brought Remiel to the second fact: He was going to kill the stallion. There was no other solution. If Remiel was going to survive than that stallion had to die. Even if he was released from these chains and this room he would be put under guard and allowed no freedom so running was impossible. And where would he run to? He had no idea where he was or where the nearest town was. Now all that remained was how to go about killing the stallion. He supposed he could manage to hide a knife on his person, but he wasn't a trained killer. The only places he knew to stab were the eyes, the throat or the heart. More importantly he needed to convert at least a few of the bandits to his side. Even if he killed their leader he would still be surrounded by enemies, he needed to have someone to watch his back or at least distract the guards so he could escape. Hopefully the ensuing chaos would prevent any chase and he could find help. If he played it right he might even get one of them to kill the stallion for him.

Despite the situation he found himself in, Remiel couldn't help but feel a little exhilarated by these events. His whole life before now depended on plotting and scheming, but he had always been in the background pulling the strings. Now he was on the front lines, but at least the stakes weren't as high here. After all, he was only gambling with the life of a dead man. With his mind made up and his plans set, Remiel decided to pass the time by examining the room.

Not surprising, the room was vacant of any furnishings save for a small wooden table. What was surprising though was the room itself. It may not look like much with the plain walls and Remiel's blood covering a small section of the floor, but Remiel could see past that. The room was spotless, save for Remiel's life giving blood. The paint was fresh and the room showed no sign of age so it was either well maintained or newly constructed. That told Remiel a lot. It told him that he wasn't in some rundown abandoned shack in the middle of the forest. It would be more likely that he was in some sort of manor on the edge of a town.

But if that was the case than the stallion was intelligent and crafty enough to keep his thugs from being noticed by the authorities, or he owned the authorities. Remiel found that the latter was more likely, he would even venture to guess that his thugs were the authorities. If that was the case than Remiel grossly underestimated the stallion's influence and power, but it also gave Remiel more to work with. If he had an entire town under his thumb then he was sure to have enemies that would love to see him fall, and Remiel could use that. Even if these assumptions proved wrong, it was best to prepare for the worst case scenario and be ready to exploit any vulnerability to his advantage.

Suddenly the door to the room began to slowly creep open. Remiel forcefully ripped himself from his thoughts. The mare that entered through the door made his heart stop. It was the blue mare from before. Making sure that his face didn't show any fear, Remiel smiled at the mare.

"So you return. Tell me, have you found a better insult than monkey? If not than I fear it will get old very quickly." The mare only glared at him and stepped aside while another mare, a light pink unicorn with a silvery mane and light golden eyes, who slowly entered the room. In her hands she carried a small tray with a small bowl of stew, some bread, and a few apples as well as a glass of what appeared to be wine. "Ah, so you brought a friend and she brings the gift of food. Splendid! I already like her more than you." The blue mare, Remiel believed the stallion called her Crystal Clear, only intensified her glare as she approached him, a key in her hands.

"Move so much as a muscle and I'll break your leg," she threatened.

"My goodness, isn't breaking one of my bones a day good enough? Though I think the part you broke is just cartilage so maybe it doesn't count. Either way I'd hate to lose more blood, I'm barely staying conscious as it is." Remiel wasn't entirely sure what to call this mask, but he was going for more brains and smart remarks than sense. He wanted them to underestimate him, but needed to show he wasn't completely stupid. He'd be treading a thin line but he'd be lying if he said he had ever felt more alive than he did right now.

"Stop talking," she growled.

"What? I was merely thinking a little conversation would go wonderful with food. Keep this up and I won't be sharing any with you." Now Remiel was beginning to think he was coming across as crazy, but that wasn't entirely a bad thing. The mare looked like she wanted to hit him but for some reason held herself back. Remiel smiled inwardly at that. It would seem the stallion had given the order to cause him no further harm, and that was a good sign. He had been pushing her buttons just to test that. "If you're still sore about me saying I wanted to make-" The mare hastily cut him off by leaning in close and threatening him.

"Don't talk like that in front of my sister or I'll break your bones," she hissed. "I don't care if Red Hoof said not to touch you." Remiel had to keep from smiling at her mistake. Now not only did she reveal the name of his captor, but she also told him exactly what he needed to control her. Also he may have found some dissension in the ranks. If only people knew what secrets they revealed with minor slips of the tongue. Now all Remiel had to do was find a way to exploit them, and he didn't think it would be hard.

"Very well," Remiel sighed. "You really do have a talent for spoiling my fun." The mare gave him one more glare and finally undid the locks on the chain holding him. "Ah, that feels so much better." Remiel took a moment to stretch his stiff limbs. Once he finished the pink mare slowly approached him, almost as if she was afraid. Remiel merely put a bright smile on his face, which probably did little to comfort her with all the blood. She set the tray down in front of him. "Thank you for the meal, it looks absolutely divine." The mare didn't even reply. Did he really look that bad? Remiel brushed it off and immediately went for the wine. He took a small sip of it and swished it around in his mouth, trying to get all the blood then turned his head to the side and spit it out, making another small crimson pool of liquid on the floor. Truly, Remiel felt bad for whomever had to clean this mess, but he couldn't let that show. "That is much better. Honestly, blood has an absolutely horrid taste." The pink mare seemed to shiver at that. Remiel didn't like to see her tremble at him. "Worry not, my dear, I mean you no harm. And if it is my appearance that frightens you, blame your temperamental sister. She is the one who did this to me." The pink mare looked to her sister in horror. Crystal Clear's eyes went wide and took a step towards Remiel.

"Ah ah ah," Remiel chided. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." He leveled a cold, wicked look at the mare. "You've made it clear to me that this Red Hoof wants me unharmed. I hate to imagine what the punishment for disobedience is. And what would happen to your dear sister if you weren't there to protect her?" Crystal Clear's eyes looked like they could set a forest on fire with just a glance. She thought Remiel meant it as a threat, and he did, but he also wanted the mare to think before she acted. He could potentially use her but not if she earned the ire of her boss. He calmly bit into the apple, savoring the taste as well as his victory over the mare.

"U-um," the pink mare stuttered.

"Yes?" Remiel asked sweetly.

"M-Mr. Red Hoof wants you to join him after you finish eating and had a bath," she said. Remiel smiled inside.

"I see, than I shan't keep him waiting longer than necessary." Remiel quickly devoured his meal but left the wine untouched. He was unlikely to become intoxicated by just the one glass, but he wanted his mind to be as clear as he could manage. Once the meal was finished he wiped his mouth with a napkin and looked to the mare. "The food was exquisite, my compliments." The pink mare almost seemed to blush, and Crystal Clear glared.

"T-The bath is this way," the pink mare said. Remiel pulled himself to his feet, his legs slightly unsteady beneath him. He then proceeded to follow the mare out of the room, but Crystal Clear stopped him.

"Yes?" Remiel asked kindly. She then grabbed his nose and roughly snapped it so it was straight again. A loud 'pop!' and much pain followed. Remiel inhaled sharply and winced, but otherwise showed no sign of pain.

"Can't let you see Red Hoof looking like that," she said smugly.

"My thanks," Remiel replied. He let the offense show by him, soon he would have her under his thumb. She smiled smugly and walked out the door behind her sister. Remiel followed behind, a slight smile on his face. Soon he would be free. He wished to be free now, but there was a time and place for haste and it wasn't now and not this place. Patience was key. In the meantime he could amuse himself by thinking of ways to kill this 'Red Hoof'. Remiel would make his death more painful for everyday he spent trapped here.