Lord Of Bones

I took my seat with Zake next to me at the long table, food quickly arriving to feed us. We both were given bowls of chicken stew with carrots as we fed ourselves. The Stew had bits of chicken with chopped carrots and potatoes. It also was given some spices, bring life to the flavors and it had some green grains of what looked like a plant. I asked what it was and told me it was a home made medicine. It helped fight illnesses and also helps in healing and strengthening bones. Anyway, we politely ate with clean, non rusted utensils as rook had slowly got out of his wooden throne, using his polished wooden staff for balance. He walked at a crawling pace as he eventually reached the table and sat down in his main end chair. He was then given a clean wooden bowl of the Chicken Stew and a big spoon to use. He then surprised me as he began slurping with each spoonful of the soop.

"Breaker Bolderson, didn't you say there were others with them?" He asked, slowly raising his spoon to his lips, slurping the stew. I looked to he was talking to, gaining my to raise my eyebrow. The Pitbull on Steroids has a very fitting yet realistic name! Unlike the sugar addicted ponies, his was at least reasonable to logic. I thought.

"Yes Alpha Rook. Four Diamond dogs in... Um... Silver armor?" he asked, looking at me with less anger and in a more calmer manner, but still keeping his gaze fixed on my movements. Breaker was Rook's loyal second in command as I expected.

"It is not Silver Armor. If it was, my pets would be screaming with pain as silver is a toxic substance to all dark magic beings and it's users." I answered, gaining raised brows from both Breaker and Rook.

"You have a pet demon? What kind may I ask?" Rook said with pure interest as he seemed scared yet excited about the subject.

"Not exactly, while they are animals of demonic magics, they were not originally born from Tartarus's horde or with Dark Magic."

"Hybrids then? Why I never knew that could happen between... What are they?" He asked, slurping another spoonful of soup and chewing some meat.

"They are Hybrids in some sense. I just fused them with my pools of magic to manipulate and change their mind to serve me. The dark corrupting magics in my alterations had strong side effects, turning them in demonic versions of Manticores-" At the mention of Manticore, he somehow spewed stew all over my masked face. Before I could complain, he began to hack and cough up a storm, his age showing as his body cursed with the sickness. Breaker was quick at his side, helping the dog stay upright. After his hacking and choking on a small chunk of meat, he began to breath in and out, gaining his composure.

"As you can see, I am not gifted like you, Malus- Breaker! Stop it. The wounds of the past will always come back to haunt us. Mostly in our older years as we get ready to part away from the living. So stop huddling me like a sick pup and let me go! If it isn't my time, I will live. But until then, stop it." he said, lecturing his second in command.

"Yes Alpha Rook." He said in sadness but still submissive, bowing and walking away from the slim and shaggy furred dog.

"As I was saying, did you really did say that you own a Manticore? A demonic hybrid of all! Or am I hearing the spirits again?" He asked me with a smile, drinking some more water. A smile the grew under my masked face as I could feel the excitement radiating off of him.

"I have four of them. All directly obedient and loyal to me." I answered, shocking the old dog to the core as he zoned out. Before me or Breaker could ask if he was okay, he suddenly bounced back out of his thought with glee on his face.

"My ears must deceive me! I must seem them at once!" he said, standing up and then given his walking staff by a housekeeper. He slowly rushed out the door, wanting to see what he had hard time believing. I quickly caught up with him as he speed walked through the village. He seemed like he was determined to see my manticores as he passed by his citizens without care, one goal on his mind. He reached the the wall and walked up the wooden steps, soon leaning over the wall and looking at my magically altered beasts. He was smiling with childish glee as he saw the huge monstrosity of a Demonic Manticore standing on all fours and giving out a silent yawn in boredom.

"By the Grands.... What a creature!" He said, he then noticed one of my armored Diamond Dogs sitting atop one of the black lions like a horse.

"You can ride them!" he gasped dryly, his eye widen like that of a child in a super mall of toys. His thoughts were plastered on his face like a open book as he was filled with wonder.

"And we flew on them. Thanks to my magics, they could drag a tree around all day. I'm planning to use them in all forms in helping the Empire, weather it be in times of war or simply building a house, they will become a major asset to the Draugr Empire." I started, increasing amount of joy radiating off of him. He then, in a glimpsing moment, looked like a child on Christmas morning. Rook then demeaned he be allowed to pet them and get a 'closer look'. I obliged as he instantly opened the gates and walked to the tall black and white Manticores. Now I don't know if he lost his mind or simply wants a death wish, but the first thing he did was hug the Demonic Alpha Manticore. He had buried his face deep within his huge bone white mane. The Manticore in turn looked at me for answers, but I quickly ordered my pet to do what all fluffy cats do. The Alpha Manticore purred as he too embraced the old Alpha, rubbing his huge head with the old dog's smaller head. He brought his head out of the soft mane and looked back at us.

"Come, we haven't finished supper as you all looked starved!" And with that order out of his snout, we were treated as long lost friends as my four guards, Zake, and I feasted like kings. Rook had snuggled up with the Alpha Manticore next to his throne, enjoying the mere presence of the dark blooded monster. He had strangely allowed the huge beast into his home, surprising and scaring off the villagers and some of his own guards too. But there was nothing to worry about as I had complete control over the Manticores. Yet it was very strange how he had acted around the number one killing machine in the Everfree. But I mentally commended the demonic animals to treat Rook like a fragile cup, loving him like their own. This had instantly warmed up his opinions towards us, making us honored guest for merely bringing my pets. As my dogs and I dined, Rook was telling a tale of his younger years travailing Equestria.

"And right as I thought I was doomed to burn by dragon fire... WHAM! The Manticore Cub had came to save me! I saw that he had tackled onto his head, digging his small claws into the damn dragon's eyes. Thanks to little red fuzzball, Danger and I made it out of Ghastly Gorge alive. Though, a month later he did pass away by falling ill... Without his mother's natural milk, he was at the mercy to sickness... *Sniffing* He was the first person to lay down their life for me..." He then ended his tale there as he silently cried into the Manticore's mane. After a long awkward moment of us staring and him collecting himself once again, he stood up with staff in paw.

"I've had good times and bad time in my life, but I think that's enough talk of stories. You came here to talk business with me, your doing a good job in pleasing me." he said, sending the fed guards and lions out as the four of us began to discuss. Zake and Breaker Bolderson stayed in the sideline through most of the talk, only partaking in or being asked a question. I first started on the subjects on food and supplies for my dogs as we were having to steal from ponies just to keep fed. We both had our needs as we talked about trading with each other to fit our different needs. He was very interest in our guards armor as I explained it's pros and cons with different types of Steel. He also was willing to accept Bits as they were accepted equally as being a worldwide used currency. I told him our situation with our fort and that we needed clothes and tools to help rebuild and keep my dogs living. I kept honest as I told him my situation with the ponies and that I would deal with them latter. I didn't tell him my plan because it was long and complicated, but worked because ponies were so damn predictable in my cold, undead hands. After two hours in with our meeting and negotiations, it soon came down to the final agreements.

The Draugr Empire would be given basic clothes and tools for the people as a show his friendship between us. But I did buy 1,000 Bits worth of food and seeds to grow and harvest crops. But he really wanted us to make some Steel Armor as it was the strongest armor he had ever heard of. I excepted with my own terms added. He would supply the ores and materials I needed and he would allow the Draugr Empire to keep a quarter of all ores they sent for us to make as payment. But I demanded more coin on shipping to be paid if he want us to bring it to him. The payments varied on the size of each shipment and their quantity of value as we made working and agreeable numbers. He also agreed to make a temporary alliance with us as he wanted that armor for his Guards. For they were poorly armored and terribly equipped to fend-off monsters.

With this temporary helping alliance, he would send 20 of his warriors with Breaker Bolderson to help bring the supplies and tools immediately. Until we got our crops and safety secure, we both would help each other with our needs. But until then, their people will grow our food and I would be forging for them. We also agreed after we are stable and self sustaining, we would start paying and trading like normal. There also was a guarantee of no hostilities or demands while in the alliance as my people would be supplied with basic need for living and that's it. With both of us in agreement, we shook our aged appendages, sealing the deal. But I was not done yet, for I had brought some special scroll paper that had a unique quality. Why did I want document to prove our agreement? I found out that this old paper is from a Sin Preach Pine Trees. What is important about this paper is that whoever signs their names in their own blood on this paper will be vulnerable to having their sins show. How is this even done? I just blame magic in the wood.

The way it works is very complicated but yet simple at the same time. Let's say that if the "A" did something wrong ageist "B" (in the agreement on that paper and knowingly knew what he had done) it would magically alert all other blood-bound names on that paper of "A" betraying the deal with "B". The blood-bounds would see the that name blinding their vision and seeing the signature that "A" gave. The only way this could be stopped is that if the paper was burned into ashes. But if that did, happen, all blood-bound names would feel like they were burning alive for a good 30 seconds. This way, if one of us was going to betray one another, this document would keep us honest and strong in context within the deal. But the most powerful thing about the deal is that it stays forever with you until the deal is complete or destroyed by flame or the other(s) betrays the deal.

Anyhow, after I explained the paper's properties and how it worked, he agreed as it would show both character in each other. With both of our names signed in blood, we were bound to fulfill our ends of the bargain until they were met. With that finally finished, he happily announced to the village of our alliance, sealed with blood in the scrolled document. He called for his strongest dogs, for they were to bring the first of my tools and clothes. After packing the wearable fabrics and equipment in carts pulled by my Manticores, we set off to my fort. The Everfree Forest was thick with trees and brush, that was a major problem as it was impossible getting through with all of this vegetation in the way. So with my powerful magics, I easily uprooted them out of the way and burned the trees into ashes.

With crisp ashes and magic, I flattened the bumpy ground, making a clean path between my home and the Everfree Village. Sadly though, doing this process is slow as it took the rest of the day clearing and making the path to my home. Traveling on foot was also slow as we took breaks to replenish my Magica. But we finally reach Fort Everfree as I have now named it. It was around 10:00 PM and the sun was already gone from the sky, now replaced with a full moon and twinkling stars. Upon reaching my fort, my dogs quickly came to aid as they helped brought the supplies. Not even clearly thinking, I walked away from my dogs and sluggishly made my way through the old castle. I flopped onto my throne without care, giving one last glance around the empty throne room. I then shut my eyes, welcoming slumber to take hold, as I was falling into the wonderful darkness of my subconscious.

I sat on my throne in my dreamworld. I was in a Gothic castle of black stone. I was just in my dream throne room, perfect to every detail. I was doing nothing as of yet, just sitting in my throne while I waiting for my body to recover and fill back my depleted magica reserves. As I sat in my throne, I glanced through my memories in this world, what I had accomplished and gained. Future plans began to develop while mixing with ideas with using my magics. But all of this had come to a sudden halt as I sensed a presence. It was like someone was walking to my door and trying to unlock it. Who would be trying to enter my mind? Then I remembered my sister saying that there were two Princesses. One ruling the day while the other governed the night.... Oh shit! The are trying to get into my mind! Oh no! What the hell do I do!? I thought as I had no knowledge on dreaming magic. And then I began to feel the presence enter my mind. Shit. Then, a dark blue alicorn burst through an invisible wall and fell on her side. She moaned in pain as she grumbled to herself.

"By Mother! It is impossible into this monster's mind! Tia, this is absolutely pointless-" She cut herself off as she gazed up at me in my dark overlord throne.

"Hi." I simply answered, unamused.

"YOU!" She shouted, getting on a four and pointer her hoof at me with pure hate. I just raised my eyebrow

"You are the evil being that brings death upon our ponies and crippled The Element of Loyalty!" She shouted with all of her might.

"No." I answered calmly, unaffected by her shouting.

"YOU LIE!" She shouted as she was seething with anger.

"I am no liar." I relied, calm and collective as can be.

"You are the monster that burned families down in their own homes and nearly killed Rainbow Dash!" She said, lowering the volume in her voice and lowered her head down. She then began charging her horn and blasted a beam of pure blue magic at me.

"Your magic has no domain in my realm." I said, rising off of my throne and walked down to the stunned alicorn.

"H-how?! My dream magic has no effect on you! You should be suffering your worst fears!" She stated as walked up to her.

"You forget that nothing here is truly real. We are in the subconsciousness of imagination and dreams. Unlike the physical world, some rules can be bent while others... Can be broken. Only thing stopping is your mind." I started, waving my hand as the world around us changed into a peaceful forest with a full sun up in the cloudless sky.

"And you have trapped yourself into a mind far superior than your own." I finished as the world became ablaze in Hellfire. The world then shifted into a dark wasteland of war. The land turned into burning ashes of the what was once life as the air reeked of death. The world around us was an empty field of barren land as the sky darkened the sun by clouds of ash and burning embers. Lightning stuck the beaten earth ever so often, landing in random spots, leaving more scorch marks on the dead earth. A low storm of mist holding grain sized pebbles passed by in the background as it alone seemed to be the only thing moving on the cursed soil. Music began to play in the area as it set a hunted feel as we could taste the damnation in the air. All hope of life was gone, no signs of Earth's beauty to ever return again. Luna looked around the sacred land of death, confused as of why she was seeing such a voided place of nightmares.

"Princess Luna, this is the Valley of the Devoid. Welcome to the Equestrian future."