The King of the Dovah

3rd Person Pov

As the Equestrian's were lead through the Empire's gates in chains they quickly saw Shining being carried away in a different direction via levitation by two Guards. Almost immediately Twilight and Cadence began to struggle in their binds forcing the Guards to hold on tighter lest their new prisoners break free.

"Where are you taking him!?" demanded Cadence as she was yanked back by the Guards. Before one of them could answer however Raddin had returned and decided to answer for them.

"They are taking him to the hospital to make sure there is no lasting damage from our so called 'duel'." explained Raddin with a bit of sarcasm when he said duel, which they all noticed but no one called him on it.

Without another word Raddin proceeded to walk directly to the castle while the Equestrian's were hustled along by his Guards. Yet while they walked Raddin could feel the ponies staring at him with varying emotions of fear, anger, suspicion and even curiosity. Years as a thief and assassin had given him great awareness to such things. Eventually said stares began to grate on the Dragonborn's nerves all the way up until he had finally had enough and looked back at them.

"Can I help you?" he asked suddenly, startling the ponies.

"What?" asked Twilight suddenly very nervous under the strange King's stare. In her mind she had every right to be afraid since he had easily defeated her brother who was said to be the best Captain of the guard in the last century.

"I asked if I can help you since you all seem to being staring at me for one reason or another and it's starting to annoy me." he stated plainly getting a few of the mares to blush in embarrassment while some just hardened their glares hoping to burn a hole through his very being.

"Well you can help us by taking these damn chains off and handing the throne over to Cadence!" demanded Dash and was nearly slapped by one of the Guards but a raised hand from Raddin stopped it.

"Sorry but that is not possible. We had an agreement and I won so now 'Cadence' doesn't get squat and instead you all get chains until I say otherwise. Anything else?" says Raddin in a bored tone angering the mare even more.

"Actually I have something, how about you let the citizens of the Empire free from your spell!" demanded Twilight as she glared at Raddin who now glared right back making her flinch.

"...you actually think they are under a spell? Some sort of magical influence that makes them obey my will?" the Nord asked coldly.

"W-w-well yea-" began Twilight timidly only to be cut off by Raddin as his eye's turned slit for a moment as his anger brought out some traits from his draconic blood. Something Spike instantly noticed with his instincts screaming at him to bow before this superior drake while his draconic pride wanted to challenge Raddin right on the spot. All Spike knew was that despite his alien appearance he was staring down a true dragon that put all others to shame.

"Wrong! They serve me willingly you stupid girl! Look around you! Does this look like a tyrant rules here!? Does this Empire look anything less than what it was always meant to be!?" roared Raddin as he gestured all around them and it was only then that the ponies actually took in there surroundings and were stunned at what they saw.

They expected the Empire to be a shambling mess of broken structures and statues of the lands ruler while malnourished ponies wallowed in despair and sadness. What they were seeing was the exact opposite to their previous delusions.

At the moment they were in the main square of the Empire and said Empire shined with life as immaculate crystal buildings gleamed in the suns rays, and dead center was a tall statue of Raddin donned in his armor with the Jagged crown upon his head and standing over the fallen form of Sombra. Meanwhile crystal ponies walked to and fro about their day talking, laughing and smiling as if they couldn't be happier. Occasionally there was a Dwarven Spider seen carrying some grain, pulling a cart or even having a little filly or colt riding happily on their backs.

The Equestrian's could only stare in shock at the feeling of peace that came from seeing such happiness from what they had assumed were brainwashed slaves of the so called tyrant. It was then they also noticed how many ponies had started to stare at them not too kindly. In fact some were outright glaring hatefully at them!

"Why are the so frowny wowny? Did we do something wrong?" asked Pinkie Pie sadly as she never liked seeing frowns on other ponies faces but being the cause of said frowns was way worse for her.

"You want to know why? Let me show you." said Raddin as he walked up to a street vendor selling some books, especially one in particular. Giving the old pony a bag of bits way more than what the book was worth and taking said book back to the group where he tossed it to Twilight who caught it despite her surprise when she saw the title of the book.

"The Journal of Sombra? What is this supposed to tell me?" she asked suspiciously.

"As the title implies it is the personal journal of Sombra, or a copy of the original really that I had published so that the entire Empire may learn the truth behind your Princesses." explained Raddin making the Equestrian's all the more suspicious. Even so Twilight opened the book and quickly began to red it's contents with her eyes widening with every line read making her friends worry.

"But.. t-this can't be true! The Princesses would never do something like this!" declared Twilight as she quickly snapped the book shut and glared at Raddin with utmost hatred, "lies! It's all a pack of lies you made up!" she accused but Raddin was unfazed.

"I do not lie woman. Bend the truth? Maybe, but I never lie. Everything in that book was directly from the twisted mind of the former tyrant of this Empire. Now if you asked Celestia than she would most likely lie in order to save face but Sombra had no reason to lie especially since it was in his own journal which more likely than not was meant for his eyes only. Better an honest foe than a dishonest friend." said Raddin and he looked on curiously as Twilight turned to Applejack with an almost pleading expression.

"Please tell me he's lying. Please!" asked Twilight hoping what she had read in that book was all just fabricated lies to turn the ponies of the Crystal Empire to his side. Yet her pleading only made the farm mare feel even worse for what she was about to say.

"I...I'm sorry Twi. Everything he has said since the beginning has been true." she finished with her head lowered and making all the other's gasp in shock at the revelation while Twilight was nearly in tears. Her mentor and second mother figure was responsible for the Empire disappearing all that time ago and for Sombra having reign over it.

Raddin could only watch on with pity as it seemed that the purple mares entire world had come crashing down at the sudden revelation. She was now being held in the pink alicorns arms as she sobbed and while he did feel bad for being the cause of her current state he knew it had to be done. Too long had Celestia been given the credit she doesn't deserve at the expense of others and now it was time to pay the price. With a sigh Raddin knelt in front of Twilight.

Cadence pulled her closer protectively while she glared at Raddin but the Nord ignored it in favor of staring at Twilight who now looked at him with teary eyes. She reminded him of a sad pup in that moment.

"What is your name?" he asked kindly.

"T-*sniff* Twilight S-Sparkle." answered as she pushed back another sob that threatened to escape.

"Pleasure to meet you Twilight. My name is Raddin. I know we may not have had such a good start but I hope that in time we can learn more about each-other. Maybe even become friends. I know this is a difficult thing to hear especially from a stranger but I only wanted you to know the truth." said Raddin and with a quick gesture to one of the Guard's the chains around the Equestrian's came free and clattered to the ground surprising them all. Standing up Raddin held a hand out to Twilight.

"I know you may not trust me now Twilight Sparkle but please allow me to earn that trust." he asked as he patiently awaited her answer.

Twilight meanwhile was a whirlwind of emotions as she took in Raddin's offer. For one she was beyond angry at him for showing her what her mentor had done, while on the other hand she was happy that he was honest with her and not some mad tyrant like Sombra was. She wanted to trust him but could she after he had shattered her whole view on the one that meant the most to her? Looking at his outstretched hand and then up into his sad yet hopeful eyes she made her decision.

Hesitantly she reached up and laid her hand in his much larger one which he then used to effortlessly pull her up despite the protests from Cadence. This simple action alone eased her friends but angered Cadence which Raddin noticed and was suspicious of the pink alicorn instantly, but he hid it with a kind smile towards Twilight as he began to speak once more to the still emotionally fragile mare.

"Now Twilight since you were kind enough to give me your name can you give me the names of your companions? It would seem rude to keep reffering to you all simply as 'Equestrians.'" asked Raddin which Twilight nodded to and gestured for her friends to introduce themselves.

The first one to step up to the plate was the ever friendly Pinkie Pie who appeared in front of Raddin in an instant which nearly had the Guards trying to impale her as they thought she may be trying to assault their King.

"HiI'mPinkiePieDoyoulikepartiesIneedtothrowyoua"I'mNotanEvilTyrant"partysoonandeventhoughyoumadeTwilightcryIknowyouragoodponyandIhopewecanbethebestestfriends!" she said so rapidly Raddin was having a miniature panic attack as he remembered one of the times he had encountered Sheogorath and he could have sworn Pinkie was one of his spawns of madness.

As she hopped away back to her friends Raddin quickly snapped out of his haze while making sure to remember to hide the Wabbajack from her at all cost.

"Sorry about her dearie but she is who she is. My name is Rarity your highness." said Rarity as she stepped forward to introduce herself. Raddin noticed that while she was polite and refined she was subtly looking him over for what reason he did not know but was not unfamiliar with such actions. In truth she sort of reminded him of Elesif in a way.

"It is alright she just surprised me is all. And it is a pleasure to meet you as well Rarity." replied back Raddin as he gently kissed the back of her hand making the posh mare blush.

"Well aren't you a gentlecolt." she said while fanning herself with her hand.

"I may be a warrior above all else ma'am but that doesn't mean I can't be civilized as well." said Raddin now thankful for those lessons from Delphine. He wouldn't have been able to sneak into the Thalmor Embassy so easily otherwise, yet she never told him where she herself had learned such things.

As Rarity stepped back Applejack took her chance to formally introduce herself to the not so evil King. Holding out her hand in a familiar gesture Raddin quickly clasped hands with her and instantly regretted it when she started shaking his arm so fast he was afraid it would fly off.

"Well howdy there Raddin! Names Applejack and it's nice ta' meetcha! Between us though I'm glad at whatcha did fur Twilight. Your a good apple in ma book fur that." she said the last part quietly and he gave a small smile and nod in thanks. He could already tell these mares cared a great deal for each-other and he respected that. Such bonds were rare to come by in his world.

As Applejack stepped back however he was met with the glare of the mare he already didn't like at first glance. The rainbow maned mare practically oozed hostility and arrogance as she stood before him.

"Names Rainbow Dash bub, the fastest flier in Equestria and the one whose gonna kick your flank if you dare hurt my friends again like you did Twilight." she said as she huffed up at him while he just stared down at her unamused.

"All I did was tell her the truth that her mentor denied her. As for your 'title', is it official or just something you gave yourself?" asked Raddin all of a sudden startling Dash as well as the others while the pegasus mare flushed in both anger and embarrassment.

"S-so what if I did! It's true!" she declared stubbornly. She didn't like this guy from the get go but now she was starting to hate him more and more. Who was he to challenge her title!?

"Because it is not true until you are officially given that title. If not then it just shows you are arrogant and how undeserving you really are of such a title." states Raddin simply making Rainbow gain a dumbfounded look while all of the others wince at the jab to their friend.

Dash meanwhile looked like the top of her head was about to blow off with how red she was. Her breathing got heavy and her fists tightened to the point she nearly drew blood. Her friends took a few steps back while the Guard's got ready to draw their weapons as they waited for Dash's oncoming outburst. Then all of a sudden Rainbow seemed to deflate as she looked down at the ground with a frustrated sigh escaping her.

"Fair enough. I guess it was kind of stupid to just call myself the fastest even when I haven't proven so yet." she said a bit sadly making her friends look at her in so much shock that their jaws might as well have been apart of the ground. Then Raddin surprised them even more with his next words.

"Yes it is, however that doesn't mean you can't prove yourself worthy of that title. Just don't calling yourself that without any proof alright." said Raddin with a smirk that Dash returned before giving him a slug in the arm.

"Yeah whatever. You know you aren't half bad man."

"Same to you Dash." responded Raddin as he to was seeing the mare in a different light after a few words. Maybe she wasn't as bad as he had originally thought?

"What the hay just happened?" asked Twilight.

"I think they became friends dear. Or at least they now respect each-other in some way." answered Rarity a little unsure as this was a new one even for her.

All that left was Fluttershy and Spike but Raddin already knew that the yellow mare wouldn't say a word out of some base fear of him, which was somewhat understandable. So he decided to just try and earn her trust so she would tell him her name when she felt comfortable. He was never really comfortable forcing answers out of others unless it was necessary. So before she could speak, or at least attempt to, he held up his hand silencing her.

"I can clearly see that you do not want to speak to me miss. So until you are comfortable enough around me I will leave you be for now." said Raddin as he then turned to address the sole drake in the group but was stopped when he felt a hand on his arm. Turning towards the owner of said limb he was surprised to see Fluttershy looking up at him still fearfully but also with a determined fire in her eyes.

"You helped Twilight so I'll trust you, if that's okay. My name is Fluttershy mr. Raddin sir." she said barely loud enough to be heard but still Raddin heard her and was honestly surprised she managed to push past her fear of him. Maybe she wasn't so helpless after all. These mares were just full of surprises.

With a smile and nod of thanks Raddin turned to stare down at the one who dared call himself a dragon. He was obviously nothing impressive looking but if Raddin had to guess then this one must be a mere hatchling. He had never seen a dragon hatchling before but Raddin felt it was a pretty good guess considering how young the drake looked as well as how small he was.

"And who might you be?" asked Raddin with a raised brow.

"I'm Spike and I'm a-" began Spike only for Raddin to cut him off.

"Dragon? Trust me kid I've slain dragons and even have the blood and soul of a dragon. As far as I'm concerned you haven't earned the right to be called a dragon. Your name isn't even that of a dragon but more of what one would name their pet, and until you show the true makings of a dragon I won't acknowledge you as one." said Raddin plainly. Spike's friends were about to protest Raddin's claim but before they could Spike spoke up with a serious tone that none of them had heard before including Twilight.

"I know. I don't understand why or how but I can just feel that what you say is true. I've been raised by ponies my whole life so I don't have any knowledge on how to be a dragon aside from the very few books about them in Twilight's library. So what I'm asking is...can you teach me how to really be a dragon?" asked Spike hopefully as he and Raddin stared at each-other intensely.

Then all of a sudden Raddin smiled and slapped Spike in the back hard enough to make the small drake face plant all the while Raddin gave a hardy laugh. The Nord man than yanked a stunned Spike back to his feet while laying a hand on the young drake's shoulder.

"That's the spirit kid! If you want to learn than I'll teach you what it means to be a real dragon." said Raddin happy that the kid had some balls and wasn't too proud to ask for help. Kind of reminded Raddin of himself in his younger years. Still if the kid wanted to learn to be a real dragon then he would teach him the same way Parthunaax taught him. Only with a lot less burns and broken bones...hopefully.

With all the introductions done Raddin sent the mares off along with most of his Guards save for Cadence as he still had some questions for the pink alicorn. While the others were nervous at what he wanted with the princess of love they trusted him enough to know he wouldn't do anything to harm her. He had a feeling she knew more about Celestia's actions than she let on and he was going to figure out how much.

"So Cadence-"

"That's Princess." interrupted Cadence as she glared at him which he happily glared right back with an added draconic growl that actually made Cadence take a step back.

"Not here. You have no title here. Now how much do you really know about Celestia's actions for the Crystal Empire? I can tell from your reaction earlier when I revealed it to Twilight that you were already well informed of Celestia's actions regarding the Empire." said Raddin simply.

Cadence remained silent for a while in order to take a minute so as to gather what she would say. Her skill at hiding her emotions was no where near as good as her aunt's. Yet she had some skill at reading people and she could plainly see that Raddin wouldn't be fooled by any simple lie she could come up with so half truth's would be her only way out of this situation.

"Auntie made sure I was well informed about the Empire since I was meant to rule over it. Twilight had no need for such knowledge at this time and I was assured that she would be told when the time was right." she answered confident that he would accept her answer and leave it at that. Sadly that would not be the case.

"You mean until she started to think more like you and that pitiful excuse of a ruler? You were basically brainwashing her to follow the status quo! Sombra may have been a monster but at least he was open about it! You and that tavern whore are just as bad, if not worse than Sombra and as long as I draw breath you, nor Celestia will ever rule this Empire. Guard's get this... princess out of my sight." growled Raddin as a fuming Cadence was lead away by the remainder of his Guards leaving Raddin to cool off.

It took a few minutes for Raddin to collect himself but in the end it was well worth it. It seemed that Celestia's corruption ran far deeper than he had previously thought. Was she so desperate to maintain her public image that she would brainwash her own pupil to fit her mentality? At this point Raddin wouldn't put it past her yet now wasn't the time for such thoughts. After all, he had a letter to send and some guest to entertain with his Nordic charm!