The Return of Doctor Whooves

Targoviste Castle: Lord’s Quarters

Galaxy tensed as he heard the shotgun cock and went for the First Blade strapped to his foreleg but then felt the barrels touch his neck. The box he had found he was clutching with his left wing.

“Make another move like that, bug, and we’re all going to see what the inside of a changeling’s brain looks like when it’s splattered clean across the wall,” The female voice continued, with a distinct Romaneian accent. “You’ve got a lot of nerve, impersonating my dead son. Sure, he may look about twenty years older and he may have lost the accent but I’d know him anywhere.”

“M-Mamei…?” Galaxy asked as his head took a slow turn to face his mother and reached out to stroke her aged white coated face, unable to believe his own eyes. Her dark blue hair may have had streaks of gray in it, but it was her alright. However, his mom flinched and snarled out “Nu ma atingeti!”

“It’s me mamei, why can’t you believe that? N-am facut nimic rau!” Galaxy asked putting the box on his bed with a simple move of his wing letting it softly fall to the sheets. The box’s contents rolled off the bed and fell onto the wooden floor with a clinking sound like crystal.

“How… How dare you!” Galaxy’s mother screeched with a fury, slapping him soundly across the face. “You claim to be him, but I know Chrysalis, the bitch, she took him and his whole family to her hive in the Badlands! Slaughtered them all!”

“They dumped me, left me to die.” Galaxy argued. “I almost did!”

“Well, if you really are him I’d say you probably should have died!” Galaxy’s mother snarled out and he flinched as if she’d struck him again. “This whole country, without its leader… It’s fallen into ruin! Chaos runs amuck in the streets, no Royal Guards to keep the peace!”

“DON’T YOU THINK I KNOW THAT!?!” Galaxy roared out, his mom taking a step back as his eyes flashed demonic yellow and his fangs bared themselves in his fury. Galaxy, noting how scared his Mamei was of him took at once felt a great guilt hit him and he felt like he should have been struck again. He was going into his “Reaper of Canterlot” mood and if he didn’t calm himself he would strike down the very last member of his family that he had left. “I… I was a coward! I stayed in Canterlot as a member of it’s Royal Guard and then eventually rose to the ranks of the Captain of the Night Guard… I may have left the Guard under the pretenses of “Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome” after the Windigo invasion but… But honestly? I was scared of what had become of this country, and I wanted to come back. At first, it was only to retrieve that,” Galaxy confessed, pointing to the small shard of gleaming blue and red crystal that had fallen to the floor. “As I knew it would be one of the only things that could kill Queen Chrysalis, but now…”

Galaxy’s tone took a firmer tone, one of pure outright rage.

“Show me what’s become of my country.” He growled out and his mom gave him a look.

“Why should I? How do I know you’re not Queen Chrysalis herself in disguise come to finish the job and take that shard for yourself?” His mom accused, her blood red eyes flaring like hellfire not too dissimilar to how Galaxy’s own did when he was enraged.

“Please,” Galaxy scoffed. “If I was that bitch of a bug, I would have taken that shard and shattered it, and you would be lying dead at my hooves with your blood pooling out all over the floor,” he remarked.

“We both know what that shard is, and who it was once a part of, so we both know what it could do to Queen Chrysalis if I even got a single blow in with it melded into Blood Moon.” Galaxy continued. His mother finally sighed and then pulled Galaxy into a crushing hug sobbing all the while about how her little scorpion had come home at last.

“Alright… I’ll show you what’s happened. But first, you need to tell me your side of the story. All of it.” Galaxy's mother requested. No, not a request Galaxy realized, a demand.

Galaxy sighed and motioned for his mother to sit down on his bed.

“Okay, this will be one of those long stories…”

Galaxy’s POV:

The Badlands certainly earned their name, that was for sure. Nothing for miles but rocks and sand and creatures that I can’t even name ready to rip you limb from limb. You’d be officially considered insane for even thinking of taking a trip out there willingly, even prepared for what’s out there. How Queen Chrysalis and her band survive out there… Well, that’s beyond me.

As for me, well… I didn’t have the luxury of being there willingly. The wind hit my face and sent granules of sand cutting into my fur as I stumbled through one of Equestria’s harshest terrains, the blood of my family still covering my face. What little water I found, I took for myself. I used the rib bones of a fallen creature as a blade to fend off anything that was stupid enough to try and take me out and have my flesh as it’s next meal. How many days I spent out there, I couldn’t count. Time loses all sense of meaning in that particular slice of Tartarus. On one day, I heard a howl cut through a canyon I was passing through. Sand Coyotes, even I’d heard of their ruthlessness and how once they got to you, they never stopped hunting and when you tired out you were theirs. I ran, not caring for food nor water as I was far too frightened of the coyotes to care about those things.

Eventually, they caught up with me, and the leader of the pack blindsided me from my left and pounced sending me smacking into a rock. I clutched my chest in pain and went for my weapon. I staggered to my hooves and swung at the beast, it's eyes glowing red and it smacked me aside with one huge paw. It’s maw dripped with drool as it closed in for the kill. But I wasn’t going down without a fight. I knew I was done for, but I intended to take this creature with me and do Equestria a very large favor. I lunged and plunged my weapon into its neck and true to the creature’s name sand began to pour out of the wound before it dissolved back into the sand from whence it was born. I fell to the ground bleeding heavily as the rest of the pack, intent on avenging their leader closed in. I closed my eyes and braced for death, happy on knowing I was about to see my family again. But death didn’t come for me on that day. There was a flurry of arrows and I looked up to see a platoon of Royal Guards led by the stallion whom I would later curse the very name of Thaddeus Boltstrike, his golden and purple adorned armor glinting in the sun. As my eyes closed, I felt soft feathered wings wrap around me and a warm glowing presence all around me as the entire area was turned to ash…

Years passed, and I rose through the ranks of the Royal Guard and when Princess Luna returned from her thousand year banishment, I was the first to be selected to lead the newly reborn Night Guard. By then, I’d gained a reputation as the Reaper of Canterlot for my sheer ferocity in battle and never leaving a single opponent alive. I was cruel, sadistic in my ways. O enjoyed the thrill of a battle, and although I hated to admit it, me and Boltstrike weren’t so different. All throughout it all, I kept one thought in my mind, Queen Chrysalis. I thought of how unpleasant it would be for the bitch when I finally met with her again. I would make sure that rats devouring her mane and head as she felt every second and every nibble would be merciful compared to what I planned to do. I would prolong her pain, and enjoy every second of it leaving her begging for mercy although I would have none before I finally granted her death’s sweet release and making sure that she knew I was the one to topple her from her throne. There was no denying it, I was almost completely insane and I knew it. The only thing that made me different from Boltstrike, the ONLY thing, was that I on the other hoof, would never betray Equestria or hurt a child. I would never do that, not after what Chrysalis did to me or how I betrayed my own country for running to Equestria’s open arms.

Might not even believe this, but I even took on a student, a young bat-pony mare named Ender Knight. Taught her everything I knew, she became like an adopted daughter to me. When the time came for me to retire, I knew there was only one possible successor.

As I handed her my helmet and shield, I said this to her. “Now, what’s the personal creed for the Night Guard?”

“United we stand, together we thrive,” Ender repeated and I asked her this. “Now what’s my personal creed in leading the Night Guard?

At that moment, I knew Ender remembered what I had told her long ago when she was just a guard in training and I was showing her my helmet. “Now remember the responsibilities of putting on this helmet. Protecting the Kingdom and it's allies, helping those who can't help themselves, and kicking ass and looking damn good doing it. Remember those words, okay? Might save your life someday.” was what I had said.

“Fight strong, fight swift and don’t let them know you’re coming. Also,” she began and I smiled as she placed my helmet on her head and her armor gained the distinct golden adornments of a Captain as my ex-troops saluted us both. “Kick ass and look good doing it.”

“That’s my girl,” I said with a wink. The times had changed, and now it was up to her to finish what I had started in leading the Night Guard to a new age and defending Equestria.

Galaxy’s mom took in his story and swallowed hard before pulling him into another hug.

“Oh, my little Scorpion, I never knew you’d gone through so much… Tell me, in that other life of yours, besides a daughter, did you find somepony to make you...Happy?” She asked.

“To be honest, yes,” Galaxy said sadly.

“Then why do you not seem pleased about it?” His mom asked.

“Well, I think he isn’t interested in my advances, might swing for the fairer sex, or if he does swing my way he’s too oblivious to my flirting. I mean, I’ve offered to take small sips of his blood! Galaxy shouted, throwing his hooves up in the air in frustration. “I mean, how much more obvious can I get? What, do I need a neon sign floating above my damn head that says “Sunburst, I want to have sex with you!”

His mother actually threw back her head and laughed.

“Oh, that’s what stallions are like. Faust knows your father-” Galaxy’s mom laughed and Galaxy threw up a rude gesture with his wing at the mere mention of his father and received a sound slap to the back of the head and a “Show a little respect for the dead!” from his mom before she continued. “As I was saying, Faust knows your father was pretty much oblivious to whenever I was trying to flirt with him, about the only good trait you received from him I thi-”

“And here you were lecturing me on showing disrespect to the dead,” Galaxy smirked. “Oh, the hypocrisy.”

“Oh no, in this country you remember it’s the son who must show respect. Anypony else is fair game.” his mom gracefully reminded him. “Now, it’s time to see what’s happened to your kingdom since you left, Scorpius.”

As Galaxy walked through the cobblestone streets, everywhere he looked he felt as if he was continuingly punched in the gut. Houses lay in ruins, mares of the night just sat on street corners whoring themselves out to any stallion (Or mare) who was up for a good time. A gunshot rang out from somewhere in the once proud city.

“Now you see, my son?” His mother asked him.

“Yeah… Now I see.” Galaxy snarled in fury before he ground to a halt.

There he saw it, the church where he used to pray every night. Its tall spire that held the church bell had been completely blown off and the remnants of the brassed iron bell lay in two pieces in front of him with the rest of the spire being scattered around. Graffiti had been drawn on the sides of the church walls, and the once beautiful age old stain glass windows depicting various events from Equestria’s history now lay shattered. As he walked towards the doors, remembering every time they creaked when he entered and how the bell sang when it rang he left out a short sob.

“I caused this. Faust above, I caused this by running and hiding like a coward.” Galaxy thought to himself as he walked past the doors laying in front of him as if they’d been blown outwards by some great force. A hole in the roof allowed the rain to fall in as Galaxy walked between overturned church pews. Then, he heard laughter and a whimpering sound. Galaxy broke off into a gallop and saw three rough and scarred looking stallions pointing a gun at the priest, his white robes stained with blood and a hoof clutching his chest.

“Not so tough are you now, old man?” One laughed while another cackled “Faust isn’t going to protect you now, is she?”

The priest crossed himself with a hoof. “No matter, for She is with me. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Lady Faust is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1, you might want to read it.”

“Please, I stopped praying long ago, you might want to start though old man.” The leader remarked.

The priest continued quoting. “Samuel 22:3-4: my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. I call upon the LADY, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

Then everyone present felt a hoof step from behind them and turned to see Galaxy Swirls, Blood Moon in his mouth as if summoned by sheer thought.

“Trust me father, Faust was watching,” Galaxy snarled. “As for these poor fools, I really suggest they pray to whatever deity they believe in and hope he or she shows mercy, as I don’t.”

“Get ‘im!” One of the stallions roared and all three charged at him. Galaxy tripped one up with a hoof before kicking him right into one of the confessionals before grabbing another in the mouth with the blade end of his scythe and tossing him into a pew. The final stallion threw a punch, but Galaxy caught it and knocked him to the ground with the butt of his weapon and into unconsciousness.

Galaxy slammed the blade of his scythe into the ground and as his mother picked up the priest and helped him up. The priest’s eyes widened in recognition and he let out a small gasp.

“Tell everypony… That Lord Scorpius-Tepes has come home and he’s here to stay.” Galaxy snarled as thunder cracked in the background and lightning flashed illuminating the thestral’s form making him look like some sort of hellish angel. The Reaper of Canterlot had arrived, and anypony who dared go against him and his kingdom’s laws was about to get a VERY rude awakening.

Somewhere in Equestria:

Nighttime, the perfect time for ancient rituals. It had always been this way since the days of Spell Nexus and his Cult of the Night. Hooves galloped through the forest and eventually arrived at a long abandoned crossroads. A shovel, enveloped in a lavender glow began to dig a hole and a box was tossed in.

“Well well well, this I was not expecting to see. Twilight Sparkle, making a deal with the devil. Well, one of us anyways. Loads of us in our line of business. Bloody surprising I must say,” The Crossroads Demon remarked cheerfully. Twilight knew his form, it was exactly the same as she remembered it. Golden mane, dark blue fur. The only difference now were the pure red eyes,

“Honestly, horseshoe’s on the other hoof now. You hated me after I tried to kill your brother when he was just a young colt, and yet now you’re coming to me for help. Oh, I can hear him now,” The Crossroads Demon commented before taking on a mocking tone of Shining’s voice.

"You couldn't have possibly brought Spike back from the dead, "Captain". You're just a punk-ass Crossroads Demon. You don't have that kind of power." Boltstrike said in a near-spot on imitation of Shining's voice.

'Ah, bup-bup-bup. Was a punk-ass Crossroads Demon. Now, King of Tartarus baby. Going to try and kill me now, Shiny?’

“You know what I want Boltstrike, so stop beating around the bush. I want my son back.” Twilight growled out, tired of Boltstrike's jokes.

“Ah, but there’s a catch. I’m not Boltstrike, not anymore. When he nearly killed your dear teacher and adopted mummy dearest, he gave himself up to me.”

“W-Who are you?” Twilight asked, taking a step back in fear as “Boltstrike” stroked her chin with a hoof.

“You know my name.”

Twilight’s eyes narrowed.

“Abaddon.” She growled out and the King of Tartarus clapped his hooves in triumph.

“Give the pony a prize! Golden cupie doll, I think. Suits her well, might impress her marefriend with it. Now, shall we seal this deal with a kiss?” Abaddon asked, quite amused.

“I shall never make a deal with you,” Twilight growled, her horn flaring up with magic.

“Ah, but you will. Think about it, if you back out on this deal, you’ll just have to wallow in misery and sob to yourself knowing that there was a way to bring your dear Spiky back, and yet you backed out of it.” Abaddon commented. He knew exactly how to get to ponies, close deals. He was a businessman at heart and he knew all the tricks of the trade. When Twilight choked back a sob, Abaddon smirked. He knew he had her.

“Now, about that kiss?”

Twilight sighed before quickly kissing Abaddon on the lips, but he didn’t smile.

“See this smile? It’s my “I’m very disappointed in you smile.” I want the full thing, tongue and all. See, go big or go home is my motto.”

Twilight was then grabbed by Abaddon and he slammed his lips onto hers, throwing his tongue into her mouth and letting it dance. Twilight quickly pulled away and felt disgusted with herself from the sheer vileness of the actions she had just committed. Moreso, she sobbed as she realized what she had done. There was no backing out now, Abaddon would come for her and she knew it. He knew it as well.

“Now, I’ll see you, along with my personal dogs in ten years time,” Abaddon smirked. “I do have mercy with my deals, this isn’t Wall Street after all. A stallion’s got to have standards after all.”

With that, he vanished into thin air letting Twilight sob quietly to herself.

END