When you start to question what is fantasy and what is reality, it is then you reach the point of insanity. Which world you choose to believe is real and is not, is how you determine which future is brought…

Everything just seemed wrong about the situation. The skies overhead were a gunpowder grey, and there was an ominous silence that draped over the area like a death grip. Nothing moved… not the trees, flowers, or the tiniest of grass blades as the three fugitive alicorns continued to march on with their captive comrade on their minds.

Celestia, Princess of the Sun

Daybreaker, Goddess of the Eternal Flame

Nightmare Moon, Keeper of Eternal Night

Each had come from different paths, one from light and two from darkness, and although their experiences were similar they diverged greatly. Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon, since they were the personification of the Royal Sisters’ darkest desires, knew that Luna’s well being was troubling Celestia. As bitter of enemies as the two sides were, there was a mutual peace treaty amongst themselves to ensure that their foe was vanquished, for their survival instincts had kicked in.

“I can't believe Lulu did that…” Celestia said trying to break the silence, but her thoughts betrayed her, her voice so low it was barely above a murmur.

“Well you did buck up pretty bad Celly…” Nightmare Moon had less than a second to react, for Celestia swung a hoof but was intercepted by Daybreaker.

“First of all Novi,” Daybreaker said while holding back the enraged Princess of the Sun. “due to current circumstances that shot was uncalled for. Yes, Tia and Lulu may be our enemies, but we need to focus on a way to beat Va’lor. Second of all, with strength in numbers we can hopefully win and then we can go back to being the enemies we naturally are. There is no telling what that psychotic mare is doing to Luna…”

That got both Novi and Celestia ticked off, but Novi struck first. “Oh really now… I think we all know since you had that “psychotic mare”’s cock buried so far in your plot that I could not tell where one of you began and the other ended!”

“Oh is that so?! Perhaps you were simply jealous that you didn't get your turn?” Daybreaker fired back with a heated glare. “After all you know I like it rough and she was going faster than you normally do.”

Novi’s cheeks turned a tomato red, not only from anger but also embarrassment. “Y-you know that I bruise easily Corona… sorry if I can't hit the stride you want me to go, but I have to look after my own health as well. Besides, I thought we had an understanding about that issue.”

Before the two could continue their spat, they both flinched, for Celestia had smacked both of them in the back of the head. “Will you two lovebirds PLEASE SHUT THE BUCK UP!?!? The longer I stand here listening to your petty squabbling, the longer my dear sister is the poor captive of that evil mare. We each Pinkie Promised to put everything aside to defeat Va’lor, and despite me not believing you two will honor it, we need to get out of this nightmarescape in one piece and as a unit. So, do you two want to live or literally have the free will rutted out of you?”

The nightmare sisters shuffled a hoof, looking at the ground in shame and not saying a word as they resumed their trotting through the desolate landscape, which seemed to become harsher as the trio pressed on. The dirt dulled and became more fine, like ash, each step sending a small cloud of it upwards and sticking to their coats. Eventually, they came across sharp, jagged spears of polished obsidian that rose up like nightmarish shark teeth.

The pillars were few at first, but as the three mares aimlessly pushed on, they became more numerous and bigger. Some were as tall as Canterlot Castle, others as round as the table that held the Cutie Map, but one thing was clear: the pillars were closing in like a hunter circling its prey.

“I got a bad feeling about this…” Celestia said once her calm mask fell, showing just how nervous she was as she stopped in front of a rather craggily pillar. Her coat, like Daybreaker’s, had become a mottled grey from the ash; and it only served to make her look like one of the Legendary Four that once kept Eques at peace and will one day return.

“You think so huh…” Corona said with a small huff, instantly regretting it when she started coughing due to the dust content in the air. It took several minutes, but she managed to catch her breath. “this place seems like we are walking into a death cage.”

“Glad we are all thinking on the same page,” Novi said looking at their predicament, realizing they were running out of opportunities to take off and fly. “now I think we should fly up and survey our surroundings, see if there is a way around this baited trap.”

Celestia and her counterpart couldn’t agree more, and with a powerful flap of their wings, took off. Another thing was instantly noticeable, the further up they flew, the less room they had to maneuver. Relying on aerial training normally reserved for combat runs, each of the alicorns had to do a series of twists and loops to clear the gaping maw that had been threatening to consume them alive.

It was dicy work, just one wrong flap would have sent the unlucky alicorn careening into one of the pillars, which would have guaranteed a broken wing at the minimum. Thankfully, each of them managed to get out safely, but both Daybreaker and Celestia noticed Nightmare flapping hers a little slower.

“Are you ok Novi?” Daybreaker asked concerned. “I hope that you didn’t get hurt too badly.”

That seemed to snap the eclipsal alicorn out of her stupor,even the stars in her mane and tail briefly appeared dimmed. “Yes I am fine, but one thing just struck me as odd. Each of us just flew, but yet we still have the inhibitors Va’lor put on us…”

“About time one of you got it…” An all-too-familiar voice said as the landscape vanished, leaving them floating in empty void as Va’lor appeared in front of them wearing a smug grin. “I have to give each of you credit, I thought you would succumb to insanity before figuring out it was just a ruse. This game of Lulu’s is quite enjoyable, and frankly I am glad she suggested it.”

”WHERE IS SHE?!?!” Celestia roared at full Canterlot Voice levels as she galloped towards Va’lor. It was fruitless however, quickly giving up when she realized that no matter how close it seemed like she was getting, the distance remained the same as the void made her gallop in place.

“Such pure emotion,” Va’lor chuckled as she circled the enraged Celestia out of striking distance. “you are going to be the most fun to rein in.”

“You have me bound…” Celestia stated in a calm, even tone that showed just how depressed she was. “you have me bridled, and trapped. You have my sister held as a voluntary bargaining chip, and swear to Faust that I will get her back and defeat you. Sometimes I feel like I am in a styrofoam cell, unable to fully defend my little ponies due to the true power I wield…”

The alabaster alicorn paused for a moment, and when she was not interrupted by Va’lor, she continued. “That is the main reason I had the Element Bearers do so much, it wasn’t because I am incompetent, but because they could do the same job as me without the unnecessary collateral damage. I love my ponies, and until my dying breath I will strive to protect them and do whatever is required, even if it means personal sacrifice. Go ahead and break me, because where will be the fun in it? I would be your... quote unquote “favorite to rein in”, but would it really be satisfying? I would obey your every command and desire, unquestionably loyal. On the other hoof, you could just rut me by force and I would eternally suffer and be miserable. As long as my subjects and sister are fine, it will be worth the price.”

Va’lor, who was now sitting, slowly clapped her forehooves together. “What a marvelous speech Tia, you defend your subjects even when you have no chance of victory, that I must respect you for. However, you overlooked one tiny detail that I think you would like to know…”

Celestia did not like the tone that Va’lor used, nor the glimmer in her eyes. Suppressing a nervous gulp, she finally caught her voice. “W-what did I overlook?”

Va’lor smiled and gave a soft chuckle as she trapped Corona and NovI where they stood. Thick ropes kept them from helping Celestia as Va’lor turned her attention back to her primary target.. “Why… you were monologuing my dear Tia, I suggest you look down.”

Celestia froze when she realized what she had been doing, every muscle locking at once as she forced her neck to move her head downwards. She instantly regretted it, for not only did she get a neck cramp from jerking her head, but there was a glowing ring around her. The ring was the same shade as Va’lor’s magic, and Celestia could feel herself getting more aroused the longer she was in it. She strongly resisted it at first, but the stronger she resisted the stronger the pulses that came from the ring.

Unable to support her weight any longer, her legs buckled and she went down onto her belly as soft moans started to come from her muzzle. What made things strange was that the more pleasure she felt, the more sleepy she became. Soon, her eyelids started to droop and she dozed off, the last thing she heard was Va’lor’s taunting.

“Sorry Tia, but the game has only… begun.” Va’lor purred in Celestia’s ear as the spell fully took effect, knocking the fallen Princess of the Sun out.

Author's Note

Time for a little journey arc to the Dark Side, bonus points if you catch the parody of a famous superhero speech in this chapter.

As always, thanks to my editor Penalt for dusting things off.

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