Author's Note

Blame my brother for the title... It's all his fault.

Something of the Something Else

“Who brought them here?” I demanded, stampeding into the delivery room with carts of boxes still being unloaded. “Where are my stones?” I added, my glaring eyes reaching every face in the room one by one.

“Uhm…” A pony stammered, stepping forward with a box of unassuming and rather bland looking stones set into red velvet. “Here, sire.”

“Give them to me!” I demanded, tearing the box from the pony’s grasp with my magic before I summoned up my scythe and gave it a single flourish above my head. “Who helped you?”

“We- we did, sire.” A group of ponies replied, stepping forth from the crowd of terrified onlookers.

“Step forward!” I ordered. The ponies complied and stood side by side in low bows, their faces so low they could’ve licked the floors if I hadn’t had other plans for them. “I do believe I wanted to get them myself, did I not say that?”

“You- you did, s-sire.” The first pony replied, trembling as my scythe blade lowered to inches above his neck.

“Then why, why did you touch them and bring them here without me?” I was on the verge of foaming at the mouth I was so livid.

“Sire, we received word that another group wanted to get their hands on the stones before you. We moved them and brought them here to keep them in your control, I swear!” The pony reported, looking about ready to piss himself like a pony a little down the line already had.

“You mean to tell me that you didn’t believe I had the power to retrieve the stones myself, even from the grasp of some other group? You think me weak?” I screamed and swung the scythe, creating a dark red crescent moon as the blade cleanly severed the heads of the first and second ponies in one go.

“No, sire! We wished to save you the grievances of tracking them down again!” the third, now first in line, pony exclaimed; as though doing so would assure his life. He was wrong.

“I don’t give a flying fuck what you wished!” I seethed, bringing the blade down so that the edge cradled the stallion’s neck ever so gracefully. “I wanted to get those stones myself! You denied me my wish and for that, you will all compensate me!” I ordered and brought the scythe up just quickly enough to be able to cut through the flesh of the stallion, but slowly enough to make it last before his head toppled to the floor next to the new corpses.

“We will! We will do anything to compensate you! Please, show mercy and spare us!” The last three ponies, all mares, bawled as they rested on their stomachs, pleading for their lives.

I took a moment to consider their suggestion, my face contorting with the thoughts. This seemed to give the mares some glimmer of hope, at least until I had an idea.

“Fine. I will spare you.” I decided once I’d calmed down a bit. “But,” The mare’s thankful smiles suddenly went sour as their rays of hope withered and died. “You will only keep life if you can survive the trip back here.” I grinned and fired up my horn, teleporting the three mares to the top of the mountain on which the castle resided.

With it as late as it was, the mountain tops should be lethally cold without proper gear and it would take them at least three days to descend the mountain safely and get back here.

“Let this be a warning to the rest of you!” I shouted, flourishing the scythe behind my head to remove the blood that remained on the black steel. “Do not think! Do as you’re told or you will be removed!” I shouted, my voice echoing through the rather large warehouse of a room to reach all ears.

Turning from the room with the box of stones in my magical grasp, I stepped ahead of Georgia and exited the room with my rage somewhat quelled.

“So, what next my lord?” Georgia inquired as she followed after me. My response was cut off prematurely by the sound of hunger pangs rumbling in both our bellies.

“Apparently dinner.” I mumbled, redirecting my course towards the kitchen. I hadn’t even realised just how hungry I had become over the course of my frivolous activities with Vera and then all that fury just then. The draining power of hungry sapped just enough of my strength that my Nightmare form dissolved into a puff of smoke, leaving me as Eclissi and as small as I was before.

“Aww...” I groaned, looking over my less imposing self in disappointment. “Disappointments abound…”

“I don’t mind the change, my lord.” Georgia replied casually walking behind me as we both entered into the kitchen where a buffet had already been set up for everyone in the castle. Obviously they were all waiting for me to go first, so there were very hungry eyes anxiously awaiting the chance to eat.

“Yeah, I know. I was more disappointed in the fact that the size spell was also removed. I rather liked being that big.” I sighed and grabbed myself a plate, Georgia doing the same on the opposite side of the table from me; ensuring that she didn’t reach the end of the table before me.

“I personally think that your size as it is is rather adorable.” Georgia chuckled as I shot her a death glare.

“Adorable is not appropriate for ruling the world!” I protested angrily as I piled a caesar salad onto my plate with plenty of cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices and lots of cheese. Georgia dropped a slab of some kind of meat onto her plate; a staple for griffons and dragons alike so the kitchen was forced to serve such things up despite the vegetarian natures of the pony staff.

“I understand, sire. I apologise for antagonizing you. It was unbecoming of your servant.” Georgia bowed with a quick salute before continuing down the line after me.

With plate in grasp I moved to the head of the table to eat with Georgia standing nearby to eat as she stood. Meanwhile the rest of the staff all began to file down the line, piling their own plates with food of their own choosing and took up places down the impressively large table with three seats nearest me remaining empty for Camber, Vera and Gerald.

A drink of some kind appeared before me from the bartender before she scurried off back to her bar with a plate of her own food to eat while she served drinks.

~~~

“Good evening, your highness.” Gerald nodded a bow as both his hands were full with food and drink as he sat down next to Camber, Vera appearing a short while later with her own sustenance to take up her place opposite the griffon and near to me.

“Evening.” I replied once my mouth was empty of crunchy salad. “Vera.” I tipped my horn to the dragon as she sat down with what appeared to be a bit of difficulty. “Are you alright?”

“Yes, sire. Just sore, is all.” Vera smirked as she lowered her large body down to settle in at the table. “Thank you for your concern.”

“Alright then.” I shrugged and pushed my empty plate away from myself. Clearing everything that remained out of my mouth with a swig of my fourth ale, I addressed my staff directly. “Something we need to talk about.”

“Yes, sire?” Camber was the only one who had an empty mouth to respond as Gerald and Vera lent me their attention.

“Since your asshats brought me all the remaining stones, I have no further need to remain here in the mountains.” I replied, glaring at Camber in particular. “I plan to take the remaining stones back to Equestria to prepare for my ascension soon. I need you all to prepare your own staff for the move. We’ll be taking up residence in Everfree Castle so prepare accordingly.”

“But sire, as we’ve spoken about this before, it is illegal to own indentured servants in Equestria’s provinces.” Gerald pointed out with his fork, meat juices dripping from his cracked beak.

“I’m aware. And since we don’t want to raise any attention before we’re ready, we can’t have the entire legion filling up the Castle. Gerald and Camber, you will select ten of your best and most loyal servants to accompany us while the rest work at moving all our resources into Equestria under cover.” I replied, sitting back against the large chair in which I sat.

“What about me and mine?” Vera inquired with a swallow.

“Vera, I appreciate your service that you’ve given me this last week or so. I want you to stay behind with the rest of Camber’s staff to tear down the castle entirely once we’ve left. After that I will no longer require your services. You are free to do as you please.”

“I-” Vera began to object, but I held my hoof up to silence her. “Yes… my king.” she sighed, looking completely destroyed. “It has been a pleasure serving and servicing you.”

“Likewise.” I nodded as I stood from my seat with the entire room rising upon me doing so. “I want to head back to Equestria as soon as possible, so get me transport as soon as possible.”

“It will be done.” Gerald saluted with a fisted claw to his chest as Georgia and I exited the room.

~~~

Three Days Later

~~~

“Sire, everything is packed up and we’re ready to launch.” Georgia reported as she stepped into my cabin. I was sat at a desk, looking over the maps that indicated our trip that would take place over the next couple of days.

“Excellent, I’ll be up momentarily.” I replied, still looking over the maps as Georgia stepped back out of the room. The entire vessel gave a rather loud creaking and shifted sideways, making me a bit dizzy. “Ugh, if we were meant to fly on vehicles, we wouldn’t have been given wings.” I sighed and worked to steady my internal gyroscopes and regain my balance.

Hoping down from my seat, I set forth unsteadily towards the main deck and collapsed against the doorframe. With a deep breath I collected myself as best I could and pulled the door to the deck open and stepped out into the sunlight.

Climbing up the few steps, I was greeted with the crew and castle staff that Gerald and Camber had chosen to accompany me to Equestria with salutes and bows. Passing down between the rows of creatures, I hopped up onto the bow of the ship to address everyone on and off the ship.

“Creatures and members of Dark Eclipse!” I began, amplifying my voice with the “Royal Voice” as my mother had taught me. “Over the last week or so you have mostly obediently served me in my goals to take Equestria! Today, we set forth towards that goal! To those of us remaining behind, we who will go on will not forget your services or your sacrifices!” I looked directly at Vera and her dragons as they stood below on the launch pad. “You have your final orders and upon completing them, you will find yourselves free creatures! You will be free to do as you please, but I ask that you do not come to Equestria to interfere with the rest of us!”

I took a second to regain my breath and consider my next words, but I was otherwise out of them. “Thank you for your help!” I grinned and gave a wave. The creatures below either bowed or saluted as I stepped down from the bow to address the captain in the wheel house. “Fire up the engines and let's cast off!” I ordered, the crew and staff on board shouting and cheering in reply.

Below, the whine of enormous magic engines -complimentary of Vera’s magical team- rose to a crescendo and we slowly rose into the air. A set of canopy wings on the sides of the ship swung forwards, pushing the ship backwards away from it’s moorings before turning Eastward towards Equestria.

“I’m coming, Octavia.” I mumbled with a grin, my mane sweeping back as I watched our progression from the bow and I felt us gain speed.

~*~*~

“Achoo!” Octavia suddenly sneezed, pressing a hoof to her muzzle to try and cover her mouth. “Oh, excuse me.”

“No worries.” Twilight replied from behind her teacup. “You know, there are some eastern cultures who believe that you sneeze when someone important to you says your name.” she added with a smirk.

Octavia looked up from her book to Twilight and rolled her eyes. “If that was the case, then I’d start to think that no one who loves me ever says my name. I hardly ever sneeze.”

“Oh come on, i’m sure he’s thinking about you.” Twilight replied with concern, setting her own leather bound book and teacup down on the table between her and Octavia. The two mares had gradually grown accustomed to each other and had taken to reading in each other’s company every now and then.

“Then why hasn’t he tried to reach me? I check the seal page six times a day in case he left me a message, nothing! Nothing for the last week!” Octavia replied sorrowfully as she too set her own romance novel down.

“It could be he’s somewhere where there’s no magic so he’s not able to charge his black magic and contact you.” Twilight suggested helpfully and with a smile.

“But, doesn’t Equestria’s magic spread out over the entire country and its territories? How far away would he have to be to be unable to reach our magic?” Octavia remarked with a sigh, setting her muzzle down on her crossed hooves which rested on the table before her.

“That… Is true. Equestria’s magic does spread out for quite a ways. The possible places he could be beyond our borders… It’s immense.” Twilight replied, mentally examining a map of the world.

“If he’s even alive…” Octavia whimpered to herself. “He just up and disappears one night with no trace left to be found of him. He doesn’t call, he doesn’t write, he could be dead in some ditch!” Octavia added with fresh tears forming in her eyes. This wasn’t the first time her mind had begun to spiral into depressing thoughts like this.

“Tavia, I’m sure he’s-” Twilight began to protest, but Octavia cut her off frantically.

“What if he’s met another mare?” Octavia looked up at Twilight frantically. “What if he’s gotten involved with somepony else and has forgotten about me completely, aiming to stay with her for the rest of his life? What if they’ve had a kid already? Would he be forced to stay with her now? What if he’s married?”

“Octavia!” Twilight shouted, startling and pausing the grey mare’s ramblings. “It’s only been a week, give or take! I highly doubt he’s met somepony new and I highly doubt he’s married. Plus, it’s scientifically impossible for him to have a kid after so little time! A mare’s pregnancy lasts for eleven months, remember?”

“Ri- right, of course. Silly me, heh heh.” Octavia gave a half hearted laugh as she settled back down again. “Eclissi loves me and I have to believe that he’ll come back to me in good health.”

“Exactly. Eclissi will be back and he’ll be in good health and you’ll love each other unconditionally. Eventually you two will get married and start a life together. Maybe you’ll have foals of your own.” Twilight replied, visibly cheering Octavia up a bit. “Who knows, maybe Eclissi will be recognized as royalty by Luna and Celestia and you’ll end up a princess when you do marry him?”

“Yeah, wouldn’t that be something?” Octavia chuckled, her mind calm and already imagining her perfect life with Eclissi. “Thanks, Twilight, for calming me down again. I know how I can get.”

“Hey, I’ve dealt with Pinkie’s behaviour for the last five years. I think I could settle down a schizophrenic patient.” Twilight grinned, picking her tea up to take a sip and return to her book.

“So, how’s things going with Starlight Glimmer?” Octavia inquired, shifting topics entirely.

“She’s…” Twilight stared off into space as she attempted to find the proper words. “Trying.” Twilight decided with a sheepish grin. “She’s having troubles recovering her relationship with people in her old town and no one here seems to like talking to her here in Ponyville.”

“That’s a shame. She seems like such a nice mare.” Tavia replied with a sigh.

“Well, why don’t you meet her? Maybe you two have something you share in common?” Twilight suggested eagerly.

“As much as i’d love to, I have too much on my plate as it is already. With Vinyl’s concerts here in town and beyond, my own performances in Equestria and Eclissi’s disappearance always on the back of my mind… I don’t know if I could handle meeting somepony new.”

“That’s fine.” Twilight replied earnestly as she rolled around in her chair within the Friendship Castle library. “No pony said you had to go and meet her.”

“I know, but now I kind of feel a bit bad for rejecting her without even formally making her acquaintance.” Octavia admitted softly, uneasily. “Is she in town so I could at least introduce myself?”

“No…” Twilight replied, looking away. “She’s out in Canterlot trying to make amends with her foalhood friend. The one who caused her to… well… you remember the story.”

“Right, the time magic thing…” Octavia remarked with a heavy breath she hadn’t realised she’d held. With a sigh, “I wonder how Eclissi is doing.”

~~~

“You fucking dumbasses!” I screamed, slapping one of Gerald’s staff members with my magic. “How did you forget to bring a change of clothes for the trip! What the hell am I supposed to wear when we land?”

“I’m sorry sire, it was a mistake!” the griffon replied, wincing backwards even despite his larger size than me.

“No fucking shit!” I screamed back and retreated into my cabin once more.

~~~

“I’m sure he’s just fine.” Twilight replied helpfully, hopping down from her leather chair to place a hoof on Octavia’s shoulder comfortingly. “Who knows, maybe he’s made some friends while he’s away?”

“Maybe. I wonder who he would’ve met…” Octavia wondered, staring into space.

~~~

“And you, how did you not think to check for clothes while packing?” I threw a couple books at Georgia, the books bouncing off her wings as she tried to protect her vital body parts. “What in Tartarus were you thinking?” I demanded, pausing my throwing to let Georgia speak for herself.

“I wasn’t, sire. I sincerely apologize.” Georgia replied with her head bowed low. A book flew over and bounced off her head before landing on the floor on a random page.

“Fucking dammit, i’m surrounded by idiots!” I exclaimed, disappearing into the ensuite bathroom to soak in a shower. “Clean this up by the time I get out and find me something to wear when we land!”

~~~

“Maybe he found some friends in other creatures? Perhaps a griffon?” Octavia chuckled at the idea of Eclissi standing next to such a large creature as friends. “Oh, what about a dragon?” she grinned as the mental image of a huge, looming dragon appeared next to Eclissi’s tiny body.

“That would be very interesting to see.” Twilight agreed. “What if he learned new magics?”

“I dunno…” Octavia replied, scratching her mane with her hoof. “He seemed to know all the magics he needed when we met.”

“Maybe, but that doesn't mean he should stop learning new magics. You never know what may come up that a strange spell would help with.” Twilight remarked, returning to her seat to go back to reading. “Maybe he learned something to use in the bedroom.” Twilight grinned maliciously at Octavia, who’s grey face became reddened at the thought.

“Heh, no… I think we’re fine without magical intervention.” Octavia coughed nervously a couple times. “Still, it’d be great if he was back already.”

“I know, Tavi, I know.” Twilight sighed and the mares returned to their books.