Choices

by Jaycren

Rating: mature
Tags: Original Character, Suicide / Self Harm, Profanity, Non-consensual, Adventure, Violence, Sex, Anthro, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Death, Sad
Length: 24706

An anti-hero is just a villian that kills who they are supposed to.

What happens when all is taken away? When all that was wanted was to work, have a special somepony and foals, then die in obscurity, and not even that is allowed. What happens when a good stallion, with all other things taken from him, decides that if others want a villian, that if that is all he his allowed to be, that he will never get a chance to be anything else, decides to give them exactly that, a Villian. What happens when he wanted love, but only got fear, wanted respect, only to have hatred. If those are the only options, if no other goals are attainable, what dies and what is reborn?

Published 2018-01-21 14:30:06 UTC
Last updated 2019-08-19 02:06:33 UTC

Choices are made (edited)

Author's Note

Well I have completely redone this chapter. The next chapter will be clop as I describe in detail how Toy eases her Master's stress. One of the main complaints about this fic was that I never delivered on my promises of awfulness. And they were completely and totally justified complaints. Well, I am now going to go as far into the depths of awfulness as I can. If you do not wish to view Clop skip the next chapter as it is in no way important to the plot (Heh Heh).

Choices are made (edited)

Jack Trades sat on his bed tears streaming down his face. A massive stallion, well muscled and tall. Sobs shook his 8’9” frame. He'd done everything right. He'd caused no trouble, he's broken no laws. Yet, on suspicion, the royal guard banged on his door. He could hear them.

“Open up Trades, or we’re coming in.”

Jack didn't move, he was paralyzed. He knew who had Alla, knew and could do nothing. The words that had long kept the bad thoughts away, taught to him by Princess Celestia, tumbled from his mouth.

"Must get her back, but I'd have to hurt others, but hurting others is bad, must not be bad. Must always be Good." The words echoed through his mind. Their familiar comfort, now a shackle preventing action.

“Last warning, hybrid, or we come get you.”

"That's right, I'm a Hybrid. Descendant of King Sombra, a Descendant of the Discordians. This is just what a thing like me deserves."

”She’s scared.” A voice from within muttered.

Jack's eyes widened, ”Savage, my own personal Monster.” He replied.

”The Mare we love is scared, her family hurt, OUR FAMILY, and you sit on the floor. Pathetic. They all had a better option. They had you. It is time we show them what the consequences of their actions are.
It is time we introduce them to ME! Savage Snarled the words, causing Jack to let loose another sob.

Yes, they did. But I know what you will do. Those actions will hurt Alla more. We will lose the only mare that could see beyond what we are. That could Love us both. That we could both love, cherish and protect.

Savage couldn’t lie to him. They both loved Alla and her family equally and Jack was just as ANGRY. But letting Savage out was a mistake. He'd lose everything, he'd lose Alla.

The Guards are not here to take you in. This is a hit. You know what the protocols for dealing with a Hybrid gone bad are. Where is the Alicorn Back up? The Earth Pony Negotiator? How about the fact that they are clearly here for violence? If you allow yourself to be killed, who will save our Alla then? That Bitch Celestia's guards will get her killed. The one that took her is like us, one of those untouched by the Sun.

Jack tried to refute Savage's reasoning, but his inner monster was correct on all accounts. These Guards were her to kill, not capture him. Their own violation of protocol had exposed that fact. Alla would then be as good as dead, for she would serve no more purpose to the one that took her. She would just be an inconvientant witness. Both Jack and Savage knew what happened to those.

It's time for the Mask to fall Jack. Time to show the world what we have always been, what Celesta created in her fear. It's time to be true to who and what we are. We were never going to get what we wanted. With Alla we might have. She was strong enough to be our Wife. We had found work to support the family we wanted. Work that left us time to both spend with her and to indulge our Hobbies. Maybe even write that book we have been dreaming about forever. It was a nice dream while it lasted. But like all dreams there comes a time to wake up, a time to deal with the world as it is, not as we want it to be. It is time to show them the Monster they have created. It is time to give them exactly what they always wanted us to be.

Jack fell to the floor one more time, the last words he would ever say upon his lips.

Sometimes for others to be safe, others have to give something up.

Slowly Jack's sobs were silenced and as the mask fell, Jack Trades was no more. Jack had fallen, and in his place Savage Grimm rose from the floor. Dry of eye and an arrogant smile on his lips, he eagerly anticipated what was to come. Joyous of the carnage that would befall all in his way.

Time to start my coming out party. Time to give everyone what they have wanted all these years. A Monster to hate.

Looking around the bedroom, Savage Grimm saw the shovel Jack had been modifying for his cousins, the Apples, he picked it up. A short, well balanced wooden handle, reinforced with a solid metal cylinder, the Square blade perfect for what he needed

I do good work. Savage snarked

Twirling it a few times to get a feel for the weight of it, he waited just inside the open doorway of his bedroom. Savage and Jack had made their choice. This world wanted a Monster, so be it. It would get one. He was going to go get his Alla, these guards were in his way. Soon they would not be.

From down the hall the sound of his door splintering was heard, voices talking as the Guards entered his and Alla’s place.

“This one’s Shadow-tainted, he can’t survive to go to jail”

"Well that is just racist!" Savage thought to himself

“Yeah Sarge, can’t trust one of those brood once they go bad”

"Well I would not have gone bad if you idiots had done your job." Savage thought as he continued his running internal commentary.

“All of ‘em just rabid things waiting to turn.”

Alright, what is Celestia teaching her guard these days.? My father was a sadistic pychopath its true but her would have beaten these cretinous idiots into the ground for this kind of behavior. Which is kinda sad to think about really. Savage snarked internally.

"Swift Shield take point, Stiff Wind, back him up. Me and Argent Dagger will hang back, in case he tries to get out another way."

"Yes, sir!" they replied

Savage pursed his lips, "Now I'm just insulted, I'm a Hybrid, not deaf." Shaking his head he added And only a four guard team? Really these Flankholes deserve what they are about to receive. He quietly whispered to himself.

Waiting just inside the open door, just far enough back to not be readily seen, Savage took his position. Soon a unicorn, Swift Shield he remembered, stepped in front of the doorway. Swift Shield continued scanning further down the narrow hallway before noticing what was right next to him. Savage slapped him with the flat part of the shovel, then drove him into the opposite wall of the hallway, pulling back he used the flat front end of the shovel to remove the unicorns horn. As the unicorn screamed Savage laughed maniacally. Throwing Swift Shield to the ground, he smiled at the guards, then place the blade of the shovel against Swift Shield's knee and used a sharp blow to the back of the shovel blade to perform an amputation. The former Unicorn shrieked in agony only to have Savage silence the crippled guard with a Hoof to the temple. Still smiling upon the guards he lifted Swift Shield up with his free hand and shouted out to the panic paralyzed guards.

"Here, catch!" He shouted joyously.

Laughing at his joke, Savage threw the dehorned unicorn into the cluster of guards as he charged into the room. Grabbing the stunned Stiff Wind, he spun her around, lifting her off the ground by her wings. The other guards watched in stunned horror as he wish boned her, then kicking her in the center of her vertebrae, sending her airmail to Argent Dagger. They both went down, the crippled ex-pegasi screaming from atop her female comrade. Taking a bite out of one of the wings Savage chewed thoughtfully.

It's been a while since I had meat, and I have always been a fan of chicken. He looked up and saw the last Guard standing.

Savage looked absolutely mortified for a moment, then spoke, Oh, I'm so sorry for being rude. You are my guests and here I am eating. He held the Pegasai wing out to the last Guard standing.

So, Sarge, care for a Bite, it's nice and tender. Or would you prefer a Leg?

Turning Sarge tried to flee out the open doorway, only to be greeted by a wall of red crystal.

”Aww, leaving so soon. You really must stay. The Fun is just beginning” Savage snarled.

Shaking Sarge turned to face the Hybrid before him, his uniform pants stained where he had befouled himself. Sarge watched as the monster before him began to change. The stain of the blood on Savage's coat began to expand, turning the formerly light brown stallion, a dark red. Savage's dark brown mane bleached itself white, as his eyes turned black as pitch. Teeth and Fingernails fell to the floor, replaced by fangs and talons respectively. Savage let loose a triumphant howl as for the first time since kindergarten he was allowed to take his true form.

Ah, it feels so good to finally walk around as myself, not that drab boring Jack Trades persona.
Tell me all of you, and give me your honest opinion, don't I look so much better? Smiling nastily at his victims, Savage posed. Crying and low moans of pain were all that were heard.

"Oh, You are All So kind, but I do believe Sarge it is time for a few party games, so please take a seat"

A red spike shot from the wall behind Sarge and embedded itself into the base of his neck. Savage watched as the Earth pony fell, paralyzed permanently from the neck down. Walking over to Sarge, Savage force fed the pegasi wing to him.

"There, now isn't that delicious. It's the perfect age, not too tender, but hasn't gotten too tough and stringy yet. I wish I had more time to prepare. I can do so much better than raw. For instance there are quite a few marinades that I enjoy that I know that all of you would absolutely love!"

As Sarge gulped down the last of the grisly meal Savage turned to the guard pinned by her comrade.

"Ah, another Pegasus! But, don't worry dear, I have another use in mind for you."

A gleam in his eye, Savage stalked towards the last unharmed member of the squad that had come to kill him. Terrified beyond belief the pegasi mare tried to retreat as he advanced, but was unable as the weight of her comrade was to much to get out from under. Kneeling down next to the panicking mare, Savage pressed one finger to the center of her forehead, a red glow flowing down into her head. Her mouth fell open in a silent scream as Savage systematically removed all thought, all free will. Turning her into his doll, to be used for his purpose.

Standing, Savage turned to the rest of them, extending his hands in a grand gesture he announced to them all and through them the world.

"This world wanted a Villain. This final act has proven it. Jack Trades has died. I am the one that killed him. All others not involved with my retrieving Alla Round shall be given a chance to step aside and stay out of my way. If not then they shall be broken in mind or broken in body, some will even be turned for my purpose. I am the one that chooses and all those that actively seek to harm Alla and her family will know death most painful. Savage Grimm has arisen, remember, this is what all of you have chosen. The Monster you wanted is the Monster you shall have."

Pulling the crippled pegasi off his new Doll, "Get to your knees, Toy" He commanded.

The Pegasi mare once known as Argent Dagger, now only Toy got to her knees, gleefully awaiting her master's orders, eager to please him in any way she could. With a horrible grin at his new playthings enthusiasm, Savage dropped his pants and informed Toy of her new purpose.

"Now, then be a good Toy and ease my stress."

Understanding perfectly, Toy gladly did her master's bidding.

Stress Relief (CLOP!!!!!)

Toy stared at the wonderment before her. Looking upward she took hold of her Masters ponderous sack, watching his face for approval she began fondling the large Stallion with her left hand. Still maintaining eye contact she leaned forward and licked the cock before her, rewarded with a moan from her master. Encouraged she continued to fondle the beautiful treasure she held in her hand as she worshiped her master's rod with her mouth. Watching her master's expression of bliss and hearing his ever increasing moans, made her moan herself. Feeling dampness, she lowered her free hand to her marehood as she finally took his nob into her mouth. Feeling his hardness withing her mouth and seeing her master close his eyes in bliss made her over eager. Seeking to get more of his massive 10in into her mouth, she choked as the girth of his nob triggered her gag reflex. Choking she still attempted to deal with her master's large cock, trying to force the massive Nob into her throat. Feeling a gentle pressure on her forehead, Toy looked upward.

"Relax, we have time. There's no need to be overeager and rush things. You will become accustomed to me over time." Her master gently admonished.

Toy withdrew and proceeded to more properly worship her master's cock, bobbing her head, she shifted her left hand from his balls to his shaft, speeding the rubbing of her right hand upon her clit, she began stroking her Master's shaft in time the increased bobbing of her head. Feeling the swell of her Master's nob in her mouth she paused in her bobbing, sealed her lips upon his shaft and continued stroking with her left, quickly stimulating her own climax. Her master crying out as he filled her mouth with his blessed cream, sent her over the edge as she convulsed through her own orgasim. Keeping her mouth clamped around her master's magnificent cock she rode her own organism as she swallowed the entirety of his load, quickly gulping as her master gave her the treat she had worked so hard for. Finally, his spasms stopped and her last mouthful of his divine seed was within her. Feeling his gentle touch upon her forehead, she released his phallus from her mouth and smiled up at her master.

"I think you have earned a treat for being such a good Toy."

Humming in contentment Toy grasped her Master's hand and rose at his command. Her Master smiled indulgently upon Toy, releasing her hand he stepped back and looked her over. Smiling approvingly upon what he saw, her Master gave Toy her next commandment.

Remove all of your clothing. I wish to see all of you.

Unbuckling her armor and removing the clothing underneath she was soon bare of form before her Master. Her eyes looked down as she realized that the scars that covered her body might not meet with her Master's approval. When she was Argent Dagger she had never been completely nude with another, even showering when no other Guard were present. The scars and wounds she had acquired as she had risen in rank of the Royal Guard, she long had thought them hideous, maring her beauty. Silently she waited her Master's judgement.

Beautiful. Her Master's words came to her on a wave of desire.

Raising her eyes she saw first that her master was again hardening as he gazed upon her nude form. Looking up to behold her Master's countenance she saw his appreciation of her form. Smiling she squeed at the attraction she saw.

Go and sit on the edge of the couch.

Quickly obeying, she sat straight with her hands upon her knees, and looked eagerly to Her Master for her next order.

Lean back and spread your legs. Relax into a comfortable position.

Doing so, she was startled when her Master kneeled before her. Looking at him questioningly, she gasped as he placed his thumbs upon her already hardened clit.

Do you know that most Females have no idea that their Clit is not just that which is visible, it also includes a line of nerves that runs between the second and third folds of a Mare's vagina. It is often a neglected area and as such can be excessively sensitive. Running his thumbs along the sides of her Pussy, her master demonstrated his lesson, Causing Toy to squeal in pleasure. Keeping his hands stimulating her pussy her master rose up and suckled gently upon her nipple. Pausing every few minutes to flick the hardened tips as he switched from one to another. Soon Toy was gasping as inarticulate moans were drawn from her lips. Gradually, her Master began working his way down her stomach, kissing and knuzzling her, eliciting giggles where his whiskers tickle her skin. As he reached the top of her Marehood, she at first moaned disappointedly as he moved first to the side, leaving her Pussy under the administrations of his thumbs alone, only to gasp in surprise as he ran his tongue alongside the inside joint of her hip, soon doing the same to the other side. Looking up to her, he smiled wolfishly.

"I am about to give you your treat. After all you did such a good job for me, I would be a poor master if I did not reciprocate appropriately. As I continue, do whatever comes naturally, you need not fear injuring me in anyway.

Lowering his muzzle into her inner core, Her master slide his tongue deep inside of her, gasping she grabbed the back of his head and locked her powerful legs around his head, her Master giving a hum of approval and rewarding her by going ever deeper within. His hands dropped to her legs to prevent her from falling, she gasped again as she beheld a red cloud clustered around the top of her Pussy, stimulating the entirety of her clit as her master's tongue reached deep inside of her. The roughness, length and thickness of his tongue continued to stimulate her, filling her tunnel and reaching almost all the way to her womb. Soon his skills had Toy riding first one, then another Organism. It was on her 4rth organism that she unlocked her Legs and lost hold of his head, completely spent. Withdrawing his Muzzle, her Master smiled at her. Reaching up she held his cheek a moment, pure bliss and contentment filling her heart. There was only one thing to make her happiness complete.

"Fuck Me, Master." She pleaded. "I want your cock deep inside of me, I want you to Cum inside of me. Use me as your Whore. Make my pussy yours and only yours. Claim me, Please." She begged the stallion before her. Her happiness only grew as he smiled upon her. His divine being consenting to her selfish request.

"Rise, face away from me, bend over and place your hands upon the couch. I will make you my whore right here and now, before all of these witnesses. After all such a momentous occasion requires an audience.

Quickly obeying her Master's orders, Toy was soon bent over, her waiting pussy moist, her tail flagged to ease access for her Master's prodigious member. Feeling her Master's hand grasping her tail, she moaned her eagerness.

You want me inside of you? Teased her Master.

"Yes!" She cried. "Slam your cock deep inside of me. Fuck me until your done. Fill me completely with your cum, I am your whore, nothing more than your personal cumdumpster. Plunge yourself... AHH!"

Screaming her pleasure as her Master finally gave her all she wanted. His cock plunged hard into her, giving no thought to her own pleasure as she had requested.

"Oh good yes!" She screamed. "Fuck me hard. Make me Your mare. Form my Pussy to your Cock. Leave no doubt who I belong to."

Her Master increased his pace, causing her to convulse as her orgaism took her. Pulling her tail tightly, her Master continued to dominate her. A resounding slap echoed out as her Master struck her flank. Crying out again, Toy began pushing herself back against her Master, eagerly meeting each of his quick powerful thrusts. Again her master slapped her flank, feeling her tunnel convulse and grasp her Master's divine rod tightly she could feel him swell inside her.

"I am going to Cum soon. Her Master shouted.

"Inside me. Paint My Insides With Your Cum, Give It All To Me." Toy demanded.

"Are you sure you want that? Her Master Teased. I could get you pregnant. Would you like that? To carry my Foal deep inside you? You do happen to be in heat. I cum inside you that is something that might happen. Her Master continued to tease her, this time withdrawing until he was almost outside of her.

Slamming herself hard back on his cock, Toy leaned her weight forward and lifted her legs behind her. Locking her legs behind his back she prevented his escape. "DON"T YOU DARE PULL OUT!!!!! I AM YOUR WHORE!!!!! THAT INCLUDES BEING YOUR BROODMARE!!!!! NOW GIVE ME ALL YOU GOT!!!!!" She demanded in her maddened state of desire.

Thrusting forward, her Master emptied himself deep within her. Warmth flooded her eager womb, and began to spread outwards. Not stopping at her womb, her entire body became solid warmth as her master entered into her. Collapsing unto the floor as her legs lost the strength to hold him to her, his divine words to her ringing inside of her.

A guard will come. Do as she says, I will reclaim you soon. You are a part of my purpose now, and I do not give up that which is mine. However, say nothing, answer no questions. Be unto them a mute. I will tell you when to speak. Until Tempest Shadow comes, sleep and recover.

Passing into sleep, Toy hummed contentedly, peacefully knowing that all would be well. After all, Master would handle everything.

Gathering Darkness

Author's Note

Sorry more exposition. Next chapter should be the last of it then nothing but gratuitous sex and violence all the way to the end. Yay Sex and Violence!!!!! Alright I hope these are the final edits. In either case I am moving on to the next chapter, called Memories of the Sun and will be placed between this one and Tempest Gives Her Report. Which for those not in the now is that I am going through and finishing/fixing all of my old unfinished stories. I will be updating this until it is complete. I will not be updating anything else until choices is done.

Gathering Darkness

Savage moved through Ponyville, the herd parted before him, fish before a shark. Walking in a straight line, unconcerned about further guard interference, the Guards would either get the message or not. He had set his terms, he would hold to them, if others sought to test his resolve than they would face the consequences. After finishing with Toy, he'd removed himself from her and produced one red amaranth. Making sure Toy was comfortable, Savage then calmly placed the Red Amaranth down upon the ground. It had immediately begun to pulse. As he exited his and Alla's apartment those broken guards had watched in fear of the mysterious Jem. He smirked again, it was a distress beacon cued to the royal guard's frequency. Letting Loose a Dark Chuckle that sent three nearby mares to fainting spells he remarked,

"If they think I'm bad news wait until Tempest gets a hold of them. Besides them trying to kill me, they were out of their jurisdiction as well. Captain Tempest Shadow of the Friendship Guard is going to be Livid."

Strolling off towards his destination, he whistled a lively tune as he knew those that had come to kill him were about to get exactly what they deserved.

Fizzlepop Berrytwist had been closest when she heard the distress beacon. So, cutting her business short, she tracked the beacon to its source. Upon arriving Captain Tempest Shadow of Twilight's Friendship guard had been greeted by a splintered door. Glancing around at the carnage, she beheld the brutalized royal guards.

"What are a squad of Celestia's pretty ponies doing in my jurisdiction? EH?" She queried

The one that wore Sergeant's stripes made as if to speak, but Captain Shadow cut him off.

"Don't talk. As far as I am concerned this an unsanctioned Op gone bad. You obviously confronted an individual you were ill prepared for. You followed no protocol that I know of and you are violating half a dozen procedures by even bleeding on the floor. If you say one word to justify this I will make sure that Celestia herself will hear you screaming. So Shut up, lay there, and bleed."

Tempest Shadow shook her head. Upon accepting the position as Twilight's Guard Captain, She'd made dossiers on all of the residents of Ponyville. The individuals that lived in this apartment were one Jack Trades and one Alla Round. He worked doing odd jobs around town, a have tools will travel kind of individual. Fizzlepop had used him on occasion to repair some of her more complex weaponry. He'd always done a superb job and always been friendly. Alla Round was the clerical and financial version of Jack. There was no one in Ponyville that didn't owe Alla big time during tax season, as the rather plump pegasi usually single handedly did most, if not all, the taxes of everyone in town. Alla had also helped Fizzlepop get her finances in line, as well as begin to establish a financial history. Fizzlepop had liked the overly friendly Mare. As far as Tempest knew so did everyone else. It had been a complete surprise when Alla had been taken, her family brutally beaten. Now this mess.

"I need to find the connections. I know exactly who I need."

Pulling a scroll of blank parchment of the military jumpsuit she wore, Captain Shadow scribbled a quick note, then ignited it and watched as twin green flames shot from her hand. Tempest then proceeded to examine the room, snarling in disgust at the Royal Guards in various states of pain. It was then she notice the Mare, sitting, unharmed, not saying a word, upon the only couch. The mare had been so quiet Tempest had not noticed her despite the small size of the room.

Trying to smile in a friendly manner, Tempest asked. "I'm Fizzlepop. What would your name be?"

The Mare remained Silent.

"Do you understand me?" Tempest Tried again.

A wonderfully innocent smile and a amazingly enthusiastic nod were Tempest's only reply.

"Ah, so you can't speak."

Another enthusiastic nod.

"Okay, make yourself comfortable on the couch and I or someone else will tend to you in a moment, okay?"

Again came the innocent smile and a slower nod. Leaning back, the silent mare revealed that she was quite nude, certain markings also revealing that the silent one before her had been intimate with another within the last 30 minutes. Seemingly not caring about her nudity the Silent Mare just waited for Tempest's next order.

Shaking her head Tempest went back to examining the rest of the room. She made no motion to help those that still groaned in pain on the flour. Occasionally the low groaning of the ones in pain would turn into pleas for medical attention. But one look from Tempest was enough to silence even these pained individuals.

"I see no reason that I should rush your medical attention. You all have broken the oath we took as Guards, you can suffer a little longer. None of your wounds are life threatening. After all what is a little loss of Limb. My horn happens to be just the visible scar of what I have dealt with. Some of the others are.... less obvious."

The former royal guards shuddered as they stared into the Captain's face, quickly understanding why this pony was still feared, even after her reformation.

"Reporting for duty as required, Dear Captain, My Captain." a mustachioed unicorn began.

Captain Shadow turned to face the door, as two red maned Unicorns stepped into the room. They were tall of build and had the identical body type and coloration, the only difference being that one bore a mustache and the other did not.

"Agents Flim and Flam, we are here to help." The other replied.

"Only because you don't want to see what jail looks like. We wait for one other." Captain Shadow again glanced around the room. This time subtly watching the reaction of the two stallions. "We wait for her, then we can begin."

"We have a partner, dear brother?! Oh the lack of trust our beloved Captain places on us." Flam exclaimed.

"Indeed, Brother, The captain must not place much confidence on our abilities or seriousness in walking upon that path of angels that we hath decided to tread. Oh how will we ever survive such indignities." Flim sympathized.

Both brothers flung their arms around each other and wept piteously, only to have Fizzlepop begin clapping her hands.

"Bravo! Bravo! Do you do Encores? A first class performance." Tempest snarked.

"That would have fooled anyone from inside Equestria, even the Element of Honesty. Would have made them doubt their own opinion of you two. Would have made them empathize, sympathize, and laid the groundwork for them to trust you. To bad for you two professional performance liars, I come from outside of Equestria. If anything think of it as I am well aware of how good you two really are. Therefore, I don't trust you at all. Oh, and before I forget, both of you are going to empty all your pockets when she gets here or I'm going to strip search the both of you, then force you both to run all the way to Canterlot, by way of the Everfree, completely naked and on Hoof. Am I Clear?"

"Crystal" Came the united reply.

"Good, then put those con man eyes of yours to good use and look over the room."

It was not long after that a well built mare walked into the room. She was purple of mane and grey of coat and utterly unremarkable in every way, even her expression was one of pure neutrality. Her voice when she spoke was monotone and betrayed no emotion.

"Maud Pie reporting for duty Captain. Hello Flim, Hello Flam."

The brothers started eyeing the door. "Why hello Maud, haven't seen you in a while." Flam started.

"Indeed, it is so nice to see you after all this time, but......" Flim continued

"We really must be going." Flam interjected.

"The two of you will not be going anywhere," Tempest watched as the two brothers flinched.

Maud turned to the brothers, "Marble was really hurt when you two left. She honestly thought you two were her friends. Limestone too, though she won't show it."

Flim and Flam both had the decency to look ashamed. "Friends aren't for ponies like us, Maud." Flim stated.

"Indeed, Ms Pie, your sisters are well rid of us. But is the machine we installed still running well?" Flam finished.

"Yes." Maud laconicly replied.

Tempest glanced between the three, then sighed.

"Maud we won't have any problems with you three working together, will we?" She asked.

"No, I can wait till afterwards." Maud Deadpanned

"Good, Flim, Flam turn out your pockets, all of them."

Glancing at each other, then at Maud, the brothers very carefully turned out all of their pockets, when they got to the end, Captain Shadow put them both against the wall and frisked them, both brothers uncharacteristically quiet.

Upon finishing Tempest turned and asked, "Alright Maud, that red stone you pocketed while my back was turned after they dropped it, what is it and why are you helping them conceal this? The red dust is all over the place, why do either of you want to conceal that one peice of stone?" Maud glanced at the two brothers, then sighed.

"Do you know whose house this is?" She asked.

"Yes, His name is Jack Trades, his special somepony is a unicorn named Alla Round. He is an Earth pony that has familial and business ties to both the Apples and the Pies, as well as having to many jobs, official and/or otherwise to count, both in the past and in the present. He is literally the biggest Earth Pony I have ever seen at 8"9' and weighs in at over 300 pds, solid. Recently, Alla Rounds was taken from her family's home. None of her family have been able to give any statements as all three of them are still in intensive care."

"Oh is that all? Then how about that these Royal Guards came here to assassinate him?" Flim snarled, the usually jovial unicorn shaking in anger.

"Don't either of you tell us you didn't notice that none of these Guardsman followed Procedure for apprehension of a Hybrid." Flam continued, disgust on his face. "They came here to put Jack down. Not apprehend him." Flam spat on the floor, his revulsion at the guardpoines written on his face. "It's always the same story. A crime is committed so blame the scary looking Hybrid. This time at least the bullies had the decency to confront Jack directly instead of whispering behind his back."

"Wait, what Hybrid? Since when is Jack Trades any sort of Hybrid? What do you mean same old story?" Tempest paused and glanced around the room, examining it again with the new information. "It all adds up now. The procedure for securing a Hybrid are to have an Earth Pony negotiator backed by an Alicorn with a squad of said alicorn's personal guard on hand. Above all else a peaceful resolution is sought lest the Hybrid take more..... drastic measures. These Guards did none of that. You are right this was a hit and now I know in part why."

Gesturing to the Silently Nude Mare, Tempest Continued her query, "But what of her, and why would these guards come for him now? What has this to do with the taking of Alla Rounds and the brutalization of her family?"

"All three of us know Jack, he's family." Maud said. "Jack was able to utilize these red Amaranths from a young age, as well as being a Tactile Telepath. The Amaranths give him the ability to absorb magic and redirect it as he sees fit. If he wishes to he can introduce them into a living being and rewrite magical pathways throughout and organism. He can then change the organism as he sees fit. It is generally only something he does to himself."

"Why would he do such a thing to himself?" Captain Shadow interjected.

"To change the way his body utilizes magic for one." Flim began.

"So that he can make himself stronger, or to use specialized earth pony techniques, say the Pie's rock breaking skills, or the Apple family's talent for Applebucking. Things like that." Flam finished.

All three of the Tempest's agents looked at each other. Maud was the one that continued the briefing.

"His most dangerous ability is his Tactile Telepathy. It means that if he touches any being with a mind he can read, modify or otherwise influence the mind of said being. I have never seen him use it for anything other than to scare someone off or to help a family member. Several times he used it to calm Marble when she was an infant. Although I doubt she remembers."

"But how did he attain this kind of power?" Tempest queried her three subordinates. "Few Hybrids can manage one of those things let alone be powerful enough for all of it. What makes him so special?"

Maud glanced at the Brothers for a moment, seeing that the both would be unable to say this next part, Maud took the responsibility.

"He is a direct descendant of Sombra and, according to Trades family legend, comes from the last line of ponies known as the Discordians. Whom supposedly lived in these lands during the reign of Discord and made deals with him to exist within the chaos. When the Equestrians moved in and defeated Discord they vanished. Again, according to Trades family lore, the Equestrians killed them off while the princesses looked the other way." Maud finished.

Flim and Flam both snorted. "Although we doubt that Celestia ordered these guards here to take Jack out, that does not resolve our benevolent Princess from all authority." Flim began.

"Indeed brother, Jack first utilized these powers during a schoolyard brawl, he never liked to talk about it much. But the end result was Celestia herself warping his very Cutie Mark and using Alchemical Potions to make the enchantments stick. Including of course a plethora of post-hypnotic suggestions and Mnemonic devices to keep those safety measures in check. All in the name of the greater good."

Both Brothers, and to Tempest's surprise Maud as well, spat onto the floor. Their distaste for the phrase unifying the three for a moment.

"Yet with all this stacked against him, Jack never complained." Maud interjected. "He worked excessively hard, before my younger sisters where able to work the Rock Farm, Jack often worked for us as a hired hand. His abilities making him great at whatever we needed him to do. He babysat Marble, Pinkie and Limestone, and would often sing them to sleep. He drifted away after we no longer needed nor could afford the help."

"Indeed, Jack was very useful to us as well. You see, although we are distantly related to the Apples, our cousins want very little to do with us. Something about us not doing honest work. Jack was a Cousin we could count on to be able to do any work we needed. Hell, the Cider Squeezy 2000 was built in part by Jack. Even if he did caution us to not take it past a certain speed."

"Jack's connection to both the Apple's and the Pie's complicates things. If it were known that a cousin of both families was attacked by Royal Guards with little to no evidence, without procedure, their would be problems. So I called in what I had. I called in you three. But what about that stone. Amaranths are Black not red. Why would someone take Alla? And how did one Earth Pony do all of this?"

The Flim Flam brothers looked at each other and sighed. "Jack has rules he does not violate." Flim said. He looked at his brother who nodded but stayed silent. "He works very hard to restrain his power, so that he does not scare others. He does this because he seeks a dream. It's not really a big one. He wants to have a place to live, a job that covers his expenses, time to pursue his hobbies, a mare to be his partner, and then to be able to live the remainder of his life quietly producing children with said mare."

Maud again interrupted the Con ponies, "But when those he loves are attacked, when the chips are down, Jack will annihilate everything that is a threat to the ones he loves. Alla was the perfect mare for Jack. She was tolerant of his eccentricities, patient loving and kind. With the current contracts to do all of the repair work on both the Pie and Apple farms, he had finally attained the beginnings of his dream. Now, all that is ash. Look around us Fizzlepop," Maud held her hand up to her Capitan to forestall the rebuke for using Tempet's off duty name on the job. "These Guards are a sign of two things. One that he no longer cares about obtaining that dream of his and two, that all the limitations have come off. He is going to get Alla and this is what awaits all those that stand in his way."

Flim and Flam pointed to the silent naked mare, "This one is a sign of Jack leaving his rules behind especially." Flim began.

"Indeed this mare has had her mind wiped and modified to Jack's purpose. She is his, whoever she was before is dead. The proof is in that if one was to look at her cutie mark you would notice it still bears the marks of being new. If I had to geuss, her 'name' is Toy and that is her purpose. A purpose given by Jack."

"But why try and keep this from me? Why hide that bit of Amaranth. Hell I have one in my pocket that was transmitting a Guard distress signal. I am assuming he did that to broadcast his intent to the world." Tempest questioned

Maud looked Fizzlepop in the eye. "Because one does not stop an avalanche, you just get out of its way and you make sure that others stay out of its way as well. If we'd given you this blank Amaranth then you could've tracked it back to Jack. You would've tried to confront him. Jack can shatter Diamond one handed. I have seen him do awful things in the name of protecting family. He once ripped the arm off of another stallion that had slapped Marble when she was young. The fact Jack beat the stallion nigh unto death with his own arm is irrelevant. You will not be able to stop him. You will not be able to contain him. When dealing with something like Jack the best thing to do is let him pass on by and hope to Celestia that you get IGNORED.

Memories of The Sun

Celestia sat upon her throne, the noble before her not aware that his princess had long stopped listening. Two minutes into his request, she had decided to deny what he was asking. But it seemed so important to him that he finish his rant on the implications of the rising non-pony races among upper tier citizens that she didn't have the heart to crush him immediately. She could wait to embarrass him and crush his spirit utterly until he had tired himself out. Honestly, she was curious how much utter and complete horseshit the noble could spew before running out of steam, currently they were working on hour two. Her and Luna had an ongoing bet, and if this bigoted, inbred, ass went on for a full 4 before Celestia lost her patience Luna would have to go out as Nighmare Woona next Nightmare Night, footy pajamas and all. Celestia allowed herself a smirk, she had this in the bag, after the first 100 years of not being able to defenstrate wastes of sperm like this, she had long gained the ability to tune them out. A familiar feeling started at the back of her throat, one she knew from extensive experience. Belching forth Green flame, she smiled as the beloved green flame of her favorite Granddragon formed in front of her. Laughing internally at the noble's look of disgust, her breath caught and her look turned serious as she saw the seal of Twilight's Guard Captain upon the scroll.

Dismissively, she said, "Request Deinied, only return to court when you have something of actual importance instead of the speciesist horsecrap you just wasted my time with."

Turning to Kibbutz she ordered, "Clear the Day Court and have Raven meet me in my private chambers."

Rising amid the gasps of the shocked Nobles, she exited quickly, the scroll clasped tightly in the golden aura of her magic. Tempest Shadow, Fizzlepop Berrytwist when she was off duty, was not a mare to interrupt Day Court without an extremely good reason. Celestia's heart rate skyrocketed as she considered the possibilities of why Tempest would do so. None of them where good.

Arriving in her chambers to find Raven already waiting, Celestia quickly sat and opening the scroll, began reading aloud as Raven took notes.

Dear Princess Celestia,

I would like to complement you on your complete incompetence in managing and training your day guard. Not only did they confront a known Hybrid while completely ignoring protocol, they did so while within my jurisdiction. I was neither notified nor read in on this particular OP, so I can hope to safely assume that you were just to idiotic and/or eating cake to keep track of the models you hire for your guard. Honestly, I completely understand now how I was able to take over Equestria so easily while working under the Storm King. I would recommend they be ejected from the guard for what was basically an assassination attempt and interfering in an ongoing investigation, but the Hybrid, one Jack Trades, successfully defended himself. He left the guardsmen, utterly and completely broken, one of them only answers to the name Toy now, the rest are going to be crippled for the rest of their miserable, worthless, pathetic lives.

Which brings us to another point, you chose to neither inform me nor princess Twilight of a Hybrid with a known past of violence that was living in ponyvile, in violation of every legal procedure. I can only assume, after finding out about the warping of said Hybrid's Cutie Mark and the direct violation of everything we are all supposed to hold dear, that you did so to cover your own prodigious flank. What was done to Trades was disgusting and foul. I will be finding a way to bring you personally up on charges for this. What you did to him when he was a foal because of your own fear and idiocy is unforgivable and I will see you pay for it. You have gotten away with this for far to long. It must be really good to be the queen, huh?

Jack Trades is now in the wind, another of my investigations is shot to horseshit and I have to waste time and resources I don't have cleaning up this mess. I will also be sending a copy of this letter to Princesses Luna and Cadence. I will also have to tell Princess Twilight Sparkle that her mentor is a foul hypocritical pile of horseshit. I sincerely hope you have an answer for all of this. Stay out of Ponyville, Trades is likely to not react well to seeing one of his former abusers and I wish to end this incident as peacefully as possible. I can not do that with you here. Finally, the next time I see you I will be bucking you hard enough in the face to break your jaw and you know I am well able to do so.

Sincerly, Captain of Princess Twilight's Friendship Guard.

Captain Tempest Shadow.

P.S. I hope you are happy, you are forcing me to break the heart of the mare that saved my soul. I will never forgive you for this.

Celestia let the letter fall to the floor. Falling from her chair, the immortal Princess, leader of all Equestria, one half of the twin Diarchs, began to sob.

This the worst of her sins was finally coming to light. It was clear that Tempest only had part of the story, she needed the rest.

Turning to a rather shocked Raven, she uttered what was perhaps the last orders of her rule.

"Raven, send all files we have, pertaining to Jack Trades, Savage Grimm, Back Room Trades, and my personal files on each. I am going to be damned to Tarturus for what I have done, but send it all to The Good Captain Tempest Shadow, she and Twilight need to have everything. Make sure it gets to them immediately. I do not care how much bits it costs."

Raven nodded then ran to fulfill her Princesses demands, soon all the dark things would be brought to light.

Tempest makes her Report

Author's Note

Welp, here is the rewrite and reedit of this chapter, it took me awhile but it is now done. I actually forgot about this chapter and caught it when I reviewed the whole thing. But, it is done and now we have eight chapters of nothing but new. They will be going up soon and then I will be moving on to the next story.

Tempest makes her Report

Tempest Shadow approached Princess Twilight Sparkle. The Princess, as usual, was in her library reorganizing, Spike assisting as best he could, as she threw books to him. Tempest cleared her throat politely. Startled, the Princess missed the growing pile Spike was carrying. Spike in trying to catch the errant book, slipped, his feet shooting out from under him, he hit the ground, as a pile of books followed him down.

"Fizzlepop, is everything okay?" The Princess asked, ignoring the Drake as he wobbly got to his feet.

"Your Highness I am afraid I'm here as your Captain, Not as your friend."

Princess Twilight pursed her lips, but then nodded. "Take a break Spike we'll continue later." A thumbs up was Spike's only answer as he regained his senses.

Princess Twilight led her Captain into the office, Tempest standing at attention, till Princess Twilight settled into her chair.

"Very Well, Captain Shadow, what have you to report?"

Tempest took a breath, this was not a briefing that she wanted to give. Nevertheless, it was her duty to do so.

As you know I have been investigating the kidnapping of Alla Rounds and the brutal Attack on her family. I was following a lead earlier today, when I received a Royal Guard Distress signal from the apartment she shared with her special somepony, one Jack Trades. When I arrived there I found the Royal guard squad shattered and broken. Three of the four are completely crippled for life, the fourth was unharmed physically. However on closer examination it was clear the the fourth had suffered a complete removal of her old personality and the insertion of a new one. She answers only to the name Toy now."

Seeing Princess Sparkle's eyes widen, Tempest held up her hand.

"Please Hold any questions till the end, your highness. This is going to be bad enough to get through the first time, let alone if I pause to answer all your questions.

Twilight paled, the Princess had looked into some of the things her Captain had been through, if Tempest was finding this disturbing, then Twilight could honor Tempest request.

Taking a pause to straighten her thoughts, Tempest continued. "After surveying the area, I noticed several things were wrong. One, why were the Royal Guards even on the scene and interfering with my investigation. Ponyville is your jurisdiction and by extension I am the one in charge of security and the coordination of all peacekeeping efforts. Neither you nor I were notified of any such OP being run in town. Two, the distress signal was being given off by a Red gem, not any of the guard. Three, the brutality of the Guards wounds was severe. The squad Unicorn, Swift shield, lost both his horn and left leg, both wounds caused by the same improvised weapon. A shovel that Jack Trades had been modifying and repairing for the Apples. Stiff Wind suffered both her wings being torn off and her spine was crushed. Argent Dagger no longer exists as an individual and is now only Toy, which is what the perpetrator used her as. The leader of the Squad, one Back Alley Trades, had a gem, similar to the one that was giving off the Distress call, lodged between his vertebrae. He is a complete paraplegic and the Gem cannot be removed as it appears to be the only thing allowing the involuntary functions of his body to continue. Sargeant Trades was also force fed the wings of Stiff Wind, all while his assailant talked of "missing the taste of chicken" and "how if he had been given notice he had some marinades he was sure all of them would have loved."

Captain Tempest Shadow then paused in her briefing, turning her head, she pretended not to see Princess Twilight Sparkle empty her stomach into a garbage can. Tempest then also did not see the Alicorn breath into a paper bag in order to get herself under control. Captain Shadow waited until Twilight was doing all the thing that Tempest most assuredly did not see and then continued the briefing.

"In addition, I was able to determine, that Jack Trades was the perpetrator of these acts. I was also able to determine that he was a powerful Hybrid. One that we had not been notified of. Sergeant Trades had gathered his squad together after getting an anonymous tip that Jack had been responsible for the disappearance of Alla Rounds. This is preposterous, I myself cleared Jack Trades after talking to both Applejack and Pinkie, both of whom confirmed that he had been doing work for them the entirety of that day. It seems Sargent Trades was a cousin of Jacks, and not one that Jack had ever gotten along with. So acting on the tip, he went to, in his own words, put the rabid thing down."

Tempest's eyes became very cold, even Twilight pulled back as the sheer rage caused the Unicorn to snarl out her next statement.

"It was an assassination attempt, made against a unreported Hybrid. One that is a cousin to both the Apple's and the Pies. It was done with little to no evidence of planning. Right under the nose of Princess Celestia."

Tempest's eyes softened. Fizzlepop looked at the Mare that had saved her, gave her a job, a home, gave all of her suffering a purpose. But Tempest had a duty, unfortunately it was one Fizzlepop Berrytwist could not be a part of. Tempest's eyes once again hardened as she continued, her tone flat and emotionless.

"In addition I found out that prior to you becoming Celestia's student, Celestia herself had warped Jack Trades cutie mark. She did so because Jack gained his Cutie Mark after defending his best friend from a rather nasty bully. Jack sent the bully to the emergency room. Princess Celestia further reinforced this warping with Alchemical potions and post hypnotic conditioning to further hold the bindings in place. That friend he defended was your brother Shining Armor. For a while Jack and Shining were inseparable, at least until High School. Which is when Prince Armor met Princess Cadence. Jack and Cadence did not get along. Because of Jack's precious experiences he saw Princess Cadence's love spell as just another form of Mind control and an abuse of the elite. Princess Cadence saw an angry individual, seemingly incapable of love. It was shortly before their High School Graduation that the three had a major falling out. Jack had a rather explosive break up with his own Girlfriend, a unicorn by the name of Heart Breaker, and accused Cadence of using her Love spell to blind him to what Heart Breaker was really like. Shining made the mistake of defending Princess Cadence. A Mistake that put your Brother in a full body cast."

A knocking on the door caused both mares to glance at the door. Twilight looked to Tempest and then lit her horn. The door swung open to reveal a Grey Coated, Yellow Maned, cross eyed mailmare, she bore a clipboard and a two thick envelopes.

"Certified Mail for Princess Twilight Sparkle and Captain Tempest Shadow." She said. Pulling a pen out of her breast pocket, she brandished both to the two mares before her.

"Sign here please." She said.

Twilight looked confused for a moment, then took the pen in her magic signed for her envelope. Tempest soon did the same.

The bubbly mailmare smiled and said, "Thank you, have a good day!" and then was gone before either Tempest or Twilight could ask her any questions.

Both mares examined the envelopes and were suprise to see Princess Celestia's stamp on both. Placing both envelopes unto Twilight's desk they withdrew two thick identical files. They were simply labeled "The Curious case of Jack O' Trades." It had Celestia's official seal and was registered to the Canterlot archives. They Glanced at each other, completely confused.

Both mares turned to the first page of the file, Tempest beginning to narrate.

"Jack O'Malley Trades, Mother Artistic Trades, Father Backroom Trades. Only Child. Mr. Trades is descended from ponies that worshiped and entered into mutual beneficial agreements with Discord on his mother's side and the lone child of Sombra on his father's. Furthermore he has familial ties to both the Pie's and the Apple's, neither family really knows how. His cutie mark manifested after a schoolyard brawl sent his opponent to the emergency room. See attached pictures"

Both Mares had to pause as they saw the damage Jack did to the other foal. Twilight having to have another round with the bucket. Tempest looked further and found a written description of Jack's original Cutie mark. Rather suspiciously there was no picture. It was described to consist of eight arrows, one green, one blue, one red, one black, one white, one green, one purple, and one Yellow. The radiated outward equidistant from a central point and were constrained by a grey circle. At the center was a single grey dot.

"Due to Jack awakening to his Hybrid nature Princess Celestia was called to the scene. After an examination of all involved it was determined the best solution was to rededicate the Cutie Mark. Further treatment will include suppression and mood stabilization potions, as well as post hypnotic failsafes to be continued for the rest of Jack's life."

Twilight's eyes narrowed. Anger shook through her voice as she took control of the narration.

"Jack's home life is unstable. His father, a Royal guard of some distinction, is overly stern with Jack and often has high expectations of his wife, Artistic Trades. Inclosed are records of the punishments Jack has underwent at the hands of Sargent Backroom Trades. Also enclosed are the consequences of Artistic Trades not living up to Backroom's high expectations."

Twilight began to smolder as she read over the records. Nothing was outright stated nor proven, but her next project was going to be introducing Backroom to her special room for 'incurables.' Tempest then took up the narration.

"Artistic divorced Back Room, several years after Jack's incident, when Backroom found a Mare that lived up to his expectations. She retook her maiden name License. During this time, Jack's was released from Princess Celestia's care. His care was taken up by a Doctor Whooves. He was taken off the suppression and mood stabilization potions and switched to Clarity potions. It was at this point that the Post-hypnotic treatments were halted as well. He has been enrolled in Canterlot High and is a well rounded student with a rather interesting sense of humor. Once rigging a self firing Arbalest, loaded with his own mixture of stink juice, to get back at another student. Jack has acquired a Girlfriend, one Heart Breaker, although it is the opinion of his doctor that the relationship is in no way healthy. Dr. Whooves has even lodged a suspicion that Princess Cadence has misused her Love Spell to encourage the relationship to continue. There is no evidence to support this conclusion, it is recommended that Dr. Whooves be removed from giving care to Jack and that Jack be reassigned to someone more responsible and objective."

"Cadence, how could you?" Twilight uttered, the idea of the second of her idols to have abused Jack breaking her heart.

Twilight then took up narrating the next section.

"Jack's care has been taken over by Dr. Missy Lord. Shortly thereafter, Jack made public accusations that Princess Cadance had indeed done what Dr. Whooves had accused her of. This public disagreement turned violent when Shining Armor stepped up to defend Princess Cadance against these baseless accusations. Jack's responded with an uncalled for level of brutality and it is hoped that Shining Armor will make a total and complete recovery.
Of Jack's former Marefriend, Heart Breaker, there has been no sign as she suspiciously left town after her and Jack publicly broke up. Both Shining Armor and Princess Cadence have decided to mercifully not press charges.
On a follow up it has been revealed by Ms License that Jack has disappeared after arguing with her about the incident. She did not report him missing because he left of his own accord and has long been able to earn his own keep and she has complete faith in his ability to look after himself. He has gone of by himself before this but has always returned once he gets his head straight."

Tempest snorted as she took up the next section.

"Reports of Jack have filtered around, he refers to himself as Savage Grimm and, if rumor is to be true is a founding member of a group of Hybrids calling themselves 'Those The Sun Does Not Touch', or the Sunless for short. Jack and the Sunless have been tied to a number of mysterious happenings, no wrongdoing has been documented but all four are Ponies of interest in multiple cases of Kidnapping, Assault, Murder, and Theft. However, the Group seems to be falling apart and will soon dissolve itself. Returning home Jack once more took up his treatment, willingly taking the Clarity Potions as prescribed by both Dr Whooves and Dr Lord. He has also began another short relationship with one Starlight Glimmer although both parted amicably. He has since took up a position of stage hand to one Trixie Lulamoon, a dropout from Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, their relationship is casual and neither will confirm or deny any reports of intimacy."

"Wait, Jack was stupping both Starlight and Trixie?" Twilight stammered. Tempest smiled at the jealousy she heard in the Princesses voice, but continued reading the file.

"Mr. Trades has disappeared once again, his mother upon being questioned why she never reported him missing stated, 'I am under no circumstances my son's Jailer, warden, or probation officer. If he wants to go out on his own for a bit, I will not stop him. It is his right as an individual and if or when he wants to come home I will welcome him with a well cooked meal, a hug, and a lecture on being an idiot. He makes his own choices, I will always be proud of him for that."

Tempest and Twilight both smiled, they would have liked to have met Artistic, she sounded like an interesting mare. Twilight then took up the narration, this time shock in her voice.

"Jack has reappeared as the Janitor at the Golden Oaks Library. Spike Sparkle hired him to perform night time cleaning and sorting in order to alleviate the overall load during the day. Jack has once again started his treatment and is joined in Ponyville by his mother. Artistic has found work as a consulting seamstress connected to the Carousel Boutique. The proprietor, a Miss Rarity Belle sends clients of an unusual nature to Artistic for alterations when Ms Belle is either has to much of a work load or does not know the anatomy involved. She has also utilized Jack as a babysitter for her little sister Sweetie Belle and as an over all handyman. Neither she nor Jack seem interested in each other, keeping things strictly professional"

"Alright, when the buck did this happen and How was I not aware of a Stallion performing these duties where I was living?" Twilight asked exasperated. Smiling, Tempest once again took over.

"After the Insane Centaur Lord Tirek destroyed the Old Library and the subsequent rise of the Crystal Castle of Friendship, Jack decided not to return to work. Afterwards, he had an ever changing list of jobs, both on and off the books. During this time he was connected to a number of questionable events. He worked for the notorious con men, The Flim Flam Brothers, helping to build some of their more elaborate mechanical devices. He also assisted his former employer, Trixie Lulamoon, in repairing her image and worked for a time as her head roady. He was employed by Sugar Cube Corner on occasion to clean up one or more of Ms. Pie's more explosive mistakes. Ms Pie herself has employed Jack to help with many of her parties. Jack was also connected to a certain Cheese Sandwich, being employed to both problem solve Mr. Sandwich's more technical problems and to clean up messes that required specialized knowledge."

"How is he exactly where he's supposed to be to help others?" Tempest wondered.

Twilight's eyes lit up. "Do we have a picture of his false Cutie Mark?"

Tempest flipped through the file a moment, then replied, "We have a description. Eight Bisecting circles, the same colors as his original, orbiting a a lynchpin, constrained by a grey chain."

Twilight smiled, "Whatever his talent was before, it changed to Serendipity."

Tempest quirked an Eyebrow, "Seren-what-ity"

"It's always being exactly where you're supposed to be exactly when you're supposed to be there. It's a very rare talent and one that encourages a wide variety of skill sets. Which is utterly terrifying, because if that's what you get when you seal his talent, I'm not really sure that I want to know what his actual talent is." Twilight shuddered at the implications, but took up her turn as narrator.

"Since Dr. Whooves is the only doctor within Ponyville that has any experience with anyone like Jack, Jack has once more been given over to his care. Dr. Whooves has reported to the crown of several events that have happened within the last several years.

He met a mare named Alla Round, Dr. Whooves reports that the relationship is an amazingly healthy one.

It was discovered that his mother had developed cancer, she was dead within two years.

Jack discovered that his long absent father is still alive and retired, on a guards pension. Backroom has reconnected with a previous wife and is living happily in Manehatten.

Dr. Whooves has also reported that under the urging of Alla, Jack has stopped all treatment. As Jack is of legal age he is well in his right to do so. Dr. Whooves last report consisted of one sentence. "The poor Stallion is Happy you over stuffed Git, leave the boy alone, he's making his own life at last." This Administrator admits to his doubts but has no legal recourse. So, Jack's file will be closed and all within sealed."

Setting the file down, Twilight shook her head. Jack had never done anything to deserve what he got, and then to have all he had taken away. Tempest took up again her briefing, filling in any information the overview didn't mention.

"Jack has the ability to create Red Amaranths that can absorb and redirect all magical energy. These Red Amaranths can also be used to change the structure of any living thing he infects with them. To top it all off he is a Tactile Telepath, capable of reading and affecting the mind of whomever he touches." Tempest sighed, this was going to be the part that was the hard sell.

"All three of my Agents recommended stepping aside. That Jack isn't evil or even a Pony so much as an oncoming cataclysm, a natural disaster, something you don't oppose, just get out of its way. He is going to get that which is his, once that happens he will stop. We should let this one go. What he did to those guards was a warning, "Stand in my way and be Broken in Body or Mind and he gets to choose which. Hell, I'm more than prepared to call it self defense. None of those guards was innocent, they abandoned their duty to follow their Sergeant on a personal vendetta. They paid the penalty for that. My recommendation as your Captain is to let Jack go and get Alla, only stepping in if he endangers anyone not involved. Which, I might add, he has not done. "

Tempest sighed, then continued. "Add on top of all that, he is connected to both the Pie's and the Apples, not to mention being a former employee of yours. I also have a sneaking suspicion who Heart Breaker actually was. Every Alicorn besides you this guy has met has abused him in some way, hell even you were guilty of not remembering him. Then we have the assassination attempt. If all of that gets out, the Apples and the Pies may decide to not do business with the court of day and love anymore, restricting their business to the courts of friendship and night. Doing so would destabilize the balance of power. Not to mention making a lot of nobles angry as they lose their biggest suppliers. It wouldn't be long before someone did something stupid. Let Jack take care of his own business. He steps out of line, then we handle it. Let's just not go looking for trouble."

Princess Twilight Sparkle stared at the Captain of her Guard. Looking down at the files before her, she considered her options. Soon she had made her decision, scooping up the file she went to make her preparations, her ever loyal Captain by her side.

A Door Opens (an Interlude)

Author's Note

This is only an interlude, nothing more, nothing less. I always planned on choices being part of an even bigger tapestry. One I will begin once I have completed several other projects. But the Sunless will rise, What they will do afterwards is anyone's geuss.

A Door Opens (an Interlude)

Deep within the Crystal Castle, within the Crystal kingdom, a door that had been forgotten opened. Inside was a circular table, four chairs sat equidistant from the others. Upon the back of each chair, was a cutie mark. Four Cutie Marks that matched four ponies, four ponies that were the masters of this room. The room had waited since before Sombra, but soon the Sunless ones would be coming home. Once more to make the powerful tremble, once more to do as they desired. The Room had waited, it would be content to wait longer. It's masters would not be rushed in their business, when they were done they would gather here, the room knew this, the masters new this. The Room had waited a long time, it could wait a little longer.

The Masters themselves began to stir, their slumber disturbed by one of their own. A mare, long confined too a straight jacket spoke her first words in years.

"So, Savage is the first of us to awaken. Why am I not surprised."

Her Nurse heard the mare's words and was lost to them, forever bound to her charge.

A pile of cloth shivered in a cave, far from all. Raising his head, the Male underneath smiled, despite the cold.

"It appears it is time for me to go home. I will have to properly thank Savage for ending my exile."

The Male rose, his masculine shape obvious even through the layers of rags, as he did, the inhabitants of Hollow Shades tossed fitfully in their sleep. Nightmares driving many to cry out in fear of the shape they all knew approached.

Others, too, felt the opening of the door, a goddess masquerading as a princess shivered and cried, the embodiment of love and her companion held each other tighter to drive back the darkness that clutched their hearts, a former Queen laughed maniacally as she felt the reckoning begin.

Finally a stallion of purest white, his eyes a palest blue, smiled through his coughing. All his plans were coming to fruition, and the best part was that Savage Grimm was the one that had started it all. The one that had made the sunless ones put down their power, manipulated into being the first to pick it back up again. Wiping the blood from his mouth, he spoke, his voice a quiet rasp.

Savage will come to kill me, and thus will be his greatest defeat. After all, a pony that has no tomorrow is the most dangerous villian of all.

Letting loose a wheezing laugh, one that deteriorated to more coughing and more blood, he glanced once more to a locked box. He couldn't wait for it to open.

Savage himself merely chuckled, joyously anticipating the fun he had planned for one and all.

Oh, they had best be prepared, for what is to come. Many things will be different once I am done. he said out into the night.

Handing a letter to a cross-eyed mailmare, he then went to prepare the first of his many surprises. Whistling a cheerful tune, he strutted off into the night.

An Example Is Made

A box stood open within a darkened warehouse. Near the box was one Alla Round. She was currently shackled to a chair, but she seemed unconcerned at her predicament. She was a well built Pegasi with a blue coat and brown hair, her well built body tending toward a certain roundness. She gave off a kind of understanding cheerfulness, as if being shackled and confined was all part of a massive misunderstanding that could be cleared up if you just told her what you needed. There were no guards and for all intents and purposes Alla was alone.

"Where, Oh, Where has my Little Jack Gone
Oh, Where, Oh Where Can He Be?"

She sang to herself, her calm clear voice echoing out into the empty room.

"Oh, Where can that Stallion Be?
With Me All Tied Up
And My Family Harmed
Oh, Why Won't He Come Get Me?"

Still her voice echoed into the room, still nothing but silence greeted her. But Alla Round knew she was not alone. So, she sang another verse, her voice ringing out clear and strong.

"I Think My Jack Is Sobbing Tonight
That's why he can't come for Me
However My Jack May Let Loose A Terror Tonight
I Think Savage Grimm Will Be Coming For Me"

Hearing movement she smiled, the reaction was to her Special Someponies other name, the face behind the mask.

"Well, Let's see what kind of reaction a new verse will bring." She thought.

Taking a breath she continued her song.

"Oh, Savage, My Savage, Come At A Run
Oh, Come, Come And Retrieve Me
With A Scream And A Shout
Brutality About
How Much Blood Am I Going To See?"

The temperature in the warehouse began to drop, Alla Round smiled despite the chill. Continuing her song, she watched the area around her, waiting for the one that hurt her family to show themselves.

"I Last Saw Savage when he tore apart
a pony that meant me harm.
But He swore never to kill anymore
Savage will Come For His Alla Round
Perhaps Those Here Will Let Me Go
I'm Sure They Don't want to Cry
Who Knows What Savage will Decide to do
Now that he's not allowed to let others die."

Again she heard movement, louder and closer. Smiling again she sang the last verse, her voice clear against the darkness of the place.

"Oh When, Oh When Will My Savage Come?
Oh When, Oh When Will That Be?
When He Gathers All Of His Strength.
That Is When He Will Come For Me."

Her song Finished, she once again listened and watched, she did not have a long wait. Clapping was heard, followed by a horrible cough, both echoing out of the darkness. A slender white stallion in a rather beat up wheelchair, pushed himself into the room. Going over to the open box he snarked to Alla.

"I am counting on it. I didn't go to all the trouble to bait him out into the open just to lose my shit at the end. Tell me Ms. Round do you know what this box is?"

Alla turned her head, recognizing the design, she said. "It is just like the one Jack has. The one that all the Sunless have."

The Stallion smiled. "Exactly right, Ms Round. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Winter's Gale. I am descended from those ponies that laid with the Windigo all those years ago. I was indeed one of the Sunless. Tell me did 'Jack' ever tell you or our time together."

Alla looked quizzically at Gale. "No Mr. Gale, neither Jack nor Savage ever liked to talk about them. But sharing his bed meant I had to quiet more than one of his Nightmares, both when he was Savage and when he was Jack. So I know that the group did not end on the friendliest of terms and that he hated every single one of you, both as Jack and as Savage."

Winter Gale smirked, pausing to reply as another cough wracked his small frame, he continued. "What Savage failed to mention to you was he was the one that got us to lay aside our power. You see each of us had created powerful items and gathered extensive knowledge about the world around us. Savage was the same as all of us. Hell, he was often the enforcer. We discovered much about out Hybrid nature and what it meant. We delved into what made us different, what gave us such terrible strength. However Savage grew a conscience, he decided nobeing should have the powers we did. So he convinced the others to set aside their tools, he convinced me too. Everyone of us set aside our tools, ones that we had invested our own selves into. Then locked the boxes."

"So, why do all this now, Mr Gale? Why kidnap me if you set aside this all willingly? Why all the cloak and dagger?"

Winter Gale Smiled, "Because I am dying Ms. Round and I want to see the rise of the Sunless once more. More importantly I want to punish Savage for being the one to get us to set aside who we are. For insisting that because he wanted to pursue his dream, we had to stop pursuing our own. I am dying because I set the greater part of my power down. My step-sister is currently hiding in a mental institution, her Special Somepony can never go home. All because Savage wanted to play at being Jack, because he decided he prefered the mask."

Winter Gale smiled at Alla, "I have no intention to take what is in this box, it will be left for any that find it. Anypony can use what is in here. I will be dead soon, either by Savage's hand or by this disorder that destroys my body. Either way, what I leave behind will be picked up by the one with the will to take it and the strength to keep it. You, Ms Round are all it took for Savage to discard Jack and be Savage once again. His Mask is gone and he will never place it back on upon his face. As a parting thank you for that service, I will show you the Savage I know, not the lie you have been made to believe."

Taking a remote out of a pocket of his chair, Winter Gale pointed it to one end of the cavernous warehouse. In front of Alla a large screen descended from the ceiling to the floor, placed exactly far enough away so that she could see it from top to bottom. Another Click of Winter Gale's Remote and a projector activated, playing a prerecorded movie. In it she saw Jack crying on the floor of their bedroom, the Royal Guards breaking in. As Alla watched, her heart broke at the acts Savage committed in her name and shattered upon witnessing his infidelity.

Winter Gale smiled, placing the projector on repeat, he wheeled himself out, his absence neither noticed nor cared about.

Author's Note

Here it is the first of the new chapters. I also started cutting down on the chapters I was planning. Most of the material I was planning on can better go into their own stories. When I get around to writing them. So I believe the count is down to three chapters left. I doubt that will change and it may go up depending on how this story continues to devolop. So, Have a good time all and I hope everyone had a happy thanksgiving.

Savage Grimms Introduction To Polite Society

Savage stepped out into the Ponyville afternoon. Breathing deeply of the air, he sighed in contentment. Turning once more in the direction of Alla, he viciously smiled at what barred his path. Two full units of Royal Guards, six each, in full battle gear stood in front of him. He was cornered with his back to the house. From the rear, a female Earth Pony addressed him.

"Jack O'Malley Trades, you are under arrest for the attempted murder of the Rounds family, the kidnapping of Alla Rounds, using Dark Magic, and assault on members of the Royal Guard. Please Come Quietly."

The Mare fell silent, seemingly content with herself. She should of in no way been surprised when Savage laughed in her face.

"Oh, Falsified Trades! You always were such a kidder." Savage cackled, "Seriously, I already crippled your brother for this very trick, first warning, stand aside."

"That's Lieutenant Falsified Trades, Jack! My brother was an embarrassment to the guard. I requested permission from my superior first. I went through proper channels. This arrest warrant is legitimate. In doing this we as Guard wipe the disgrace that my brother committed in his enthusiasm from the honor of the royal guard."

"The warning wasn't for you cumslut, it was for the Royal Guards that stand with you. I don't doubt that you have a Vice-Captain deep within your cavernous twat. Hell, it's how you kept your brother under you as kids. Second Warning, Guardsman. That warrant doesn't have Celestia's signature on it. Which means I do not respect the legitimacy on it. So unless you want to end up like the last guards to stand in my way I suggest you step aside."

A young guard stepped forward. "I am not going to speak to who that warrant was written by, I am only going to speak for what I saw of what you left. Defending oneself is one thing, what you did went beyond that, you need to be stopped. Come with us peacefully, please. We can sort this all out.

Savage smirked, then gave his reply, his voice a lo growl. "If I go with you, I die, either mentally or physically. I have sacrificed all just to be sure the mare I love is safe. I don't care if she hates me afterwards. You Guards had your chance. Last Warning. If you chose not to step aside, I will sweep you all from my path."

Falsified smiled, "Why Jack, didn't Alla Round make you promise not to kill anyone under any circumstances? Not even you can take this many Royal Guards. It is time to go to jail, you need to be locked away like the rabid animal you are!"

The Royal Guards in front of Falsified set their feet, their decision made and Savage's warnings unheeded. The streets were eerily silent, the citizens of Ponyville, long accustomed to disaster, having decided as soon as the Royal Guards stepped in front of Savage that they all had business elsewhere, like Manehattan, Prance, Appaloosa, or finally going to visit those friends of theirs in the Crystal Empire. Heck, Bonnie took Lyra to go see the humans on the other side of the mirror.

Savage's eyes sparkled. "Indeed Alla did make me promise to not kill anyone. But I will not be the one that does the killing."

Savage extended his hand, resting in his upraised palm where four Crimson Amaranths of breathtaking luster. Flicking his wrist he cast the four before him. As the Baneful Crystals struck the grounds figures rose up out of the ground. those turned to Savage's purpose now changed as he saw fit. Savage laughed maniacally as he introduced his minions to the terrified Guards.

"First up is the former Royal Guard Argent Dagger, now she only answers to the name Toy. Broken in Mind and turned to my Employ, I change her to more suit what I now ask her to do."

Forming out of the shattered remains of the crystal Toy arose, her fur disappearing, to be replaced with scale and bone. Her mane became laced with shards of crystal as it lashed at her former comrades. Toy's teeth fell from her mouth to be replaced with fangs. Tearing the remains of her clothes from herself, she stood, her breast and pussy on full display, her form muscular and lean. Her breasts and hips those of a breeding mare. Her tail lengthened and wove together, at the end hardening and sharpening itself to a point, twisting and contorting in Toy's eagerness to spill the blood of those that challenged her Master. Her feathers dropped from her wings one after another to reveal leathery wings, framed in razor sharp bone. Screeching to the guards before her she swiped at them with her now taloned hands, her hooves the only vestige of her former Pony nature.

Next Up we have a blast from the past, the twin brother of Falsified Trades, and also her power bottom lover, Sargeant Back Alley Trades!" Savage shouted as the next being arose. All watched helplessly as the Sergeant's still form rose out of the crystal, then shattered into a million motes of crystalline dust.

"No also turned to my purpose I give you, a power bottom no more, Dust."

The cloud if shards gathered together, forming a vaguely pony shape. Black eyes peered out onto the Guardsmen as Dust floated, awaiting Savage's orders. Dust's eyes staring lustily at his sister.

"What can be said about our next minion that has not all been said before. It's right there in his name. Brutal Beatdown come forth and show them what you have become."

Rising from the crystal the large Earth Pony became even larger his skin becoming hard and gem like. Soon Brutal was made of nothing but Amarrants, all if his biological compentnetnts strupped away.

"And Thus I take the Crudest of Forms and reveal that which is underneath, once he was Brutal Beatdown, now remade into Golem!"

Savage Smiled as Golem glared the assembled Royal Guard.

"And now we have a cloudsdale noble that we all hate. He once raped the matron of a Orphanage in front of her kids! Actually called the kiddies to an assembly to do so. Then burned down the Orphanage with all of them inside! A true piece of trash I give you Pretty Vile! And once more I the Craftsman turn that which is worthless into something that has value."

Answering the call to his master the Pegasi once known as Pretty Vile appeared before the astonished Guards. The whip this Pegasi's Wings receding into him, as his hooves turned to taloned feet, his nails and teeth falling out to be replaced with fangs and talons. His coat fell from him as he, like Toy gained scales. His mane was replaced by a line of crystalline shards that ran down his spine and edged his shoulders. Bone spurs pierced his elbows, then knees. Hardened Bone growths took the place of his eyebrows and ran down the center of his snout. Screaming his murderous intentions to the guards before him he eagerly awaited his master's command.

"As I said, Falsified, I will not be doing the killing and thus will not break my word to my beloved. I would also like to know how you could have know that, only one other ever knew, and I have not seen him in ages." Savage rebuked his cousin.

Looking to his minions, he admired their forms, seeing one or two changes he was going to have to make in later models, he was nonetheless pleased. Smiling upon his beloved minions he gave them their orders.

"Minions! You will kill all of the guard before you. If they run pursue. After today all of them are dead, I do not care if they die here, but you will slaughter them. If any seek to hide or protect them, slaughter them as well. I repeat the ones before you are dead, the ones that seek to protect the ones before you are dead. You will hunt any that flee until you or they are dead, by either your hand or their own. I have an additional task for you Dust."

Seeing the hurt look on Toy's countenance he gently rebuked her before giving Dust his special duties.

"Do not be jealous Toy, you have your own special duty you can hardly begrudge the assignment of another theirs. You need not worry, you will always be my favorite Trash receptacle for my Cum." A giggle and a contented hum from Toy made several of the Guards blanche. If there was any doubt that Argent Dagger was no more they were silenced in that moment.

Savage once more turned to Dust. "You Dust are to retrieve your sister, alive. You are then going to rape and infect her, I gave you the power to infect others as I do. You will use it on her and no other lest I give the command. You will also find out how she knew of what Alla and I swore to in confidence. I would be very interested in hearing the answer. I am really look forward to seeing how you warp her to your liking. Now go, all of you, fulfil my will, for this I command!!!!!"

Chuckling darkly, Savage quietly added, "And always remember to have fun and play with your food."

Surging forward the monsters of Savage's creation began their slaughter, the Guards crumbling before them. Shooting forward, Dust did not pursue the fleeing Guards as his brethren did, instead quickly reaching his sister, and beginning his own fun.

A young unicorn mare, white of form, and blue of eye, recorded everything from her rooftop perch, the images and words spoken breaking Alla Rounds heart as they too were added to the cavalcade of Savage's true villainous deeds.

Princess Luna Speaks

Princess Twilight Sparkle stood upon a forked path, on her left stood Princess Cadence, on her right stood Princess Celestia.

"How could the both of you?" Twilight snarled. "You both perverted everything you taught me to hold sacred. The power of an Alcorn is meant to protect and guide, not dominate and control."

Rounding on Celestia, she addressed her former mentor. "Do you know how much guilt I harbored over the want it need it spell incident. How much I tortured myself after I became aware of how much my Neurosis drove me to do. Yet you never condemned me. I did that because I was so scared I had failed you in not sending you a friendship report. Yet, Jack was condemned for protecting a friend. I should have suffered the same punishment or worse, because what I did was with the understanding of an adult, Jack Trades did what he did from an abused child's point of view."

Not waiting for her mentor's reply, she then turned to Princess Cadence. "You, more than anything else taught me humbleness. You where an Alicorn that held me at night. You refused to put on the airs of the nobles, you chose to go to highschool like any other teen. Then I find out that you used your love spell in an act of vengeance. Tempest thinks it was a one time thing. But I know how that spell works. You would've had to cast the love spell on Heartbreaker and Jack multiple times for them to stay together. Tell me Cadence, did it feel good to force two individuals to love each other? Was it worth it? By the way, Tempest suspects, but I was able to confirm that Heartbreaker was just Chrysalis by another name. That's why she targeted your wedding. It was her act of vengeance. Oh, in casting that love spell repeatedly on her, you've driven her completely insane. It's likely that she'll have to killed because your abuse of her emotions have so twisted them that reformation may be next to impossible. Wonderful job! I am so proud to call a manipulative piece of trash like you my sister. My brother is so lucky to have someone that would corrupt her very being on such a frivolous thing."

Twilight then addressed the both of them.

"I will see you both pay for this. What you both did is beyond redemption. It makes you worse that any villain I have ever faced. Discord only twisted who we were momentarily, you two did it at your whim, Sombra was at least honest about his intentions, Nightmare Moon was broken by madness, the same can be said of the Pony of Shadows, Sunset Shimmer was broken hearted that her mother could never love her, even the Sirens were just trying to get home. But the two of you hid the rotten festering things that is your hearts behind a pleasant mask. You two fooled everyone, even me. Well, no more. I will see the two of you deposed. There will be consequences."

"Twi-" Celestia began but Twilight rounded on her again.

"SHUT UP!!!!! I HAVE CLEANED UP YOUR MESSES, PROTECTED THE REALM OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND FOR WHAT? SO YOU COULD CONCEAL YOUR CRIMES AGAINST OTHERS? HOW MANY MORE JACK TRADES AND SUNSET SHIMMERS AND CHRYSALIS' EXIST BECAUSE OF YOUR INCOMPETENCE?!!!!! HOW MANY MORE?!"

Celestia shrank back from the onslaught, Twilight in this moment was quite literally on fire. The Element of Magic pulsing with the power of her rage. Then Twilight was engulfed in navy blue wings as long charcoal colored limbs pulled her close. The bonfire that was Princess Twilight Sparkle first struggled, then shivered and finally, as the flames died, allowed the Princess of the Night to hold her close. Princess Luna glared at the two before her. Her visage was stern and strong, but also sad.

"I will not judge either of you. Sister, you did an impossible task for decades. Moving both the sun and the moon meant little rest and yet you still held Equestria together on your own. But I will be looking into Jack's file and searching the archives for any like him. This must be handled and it must not be kept in the darkness any longer. Princess Cadence, I see that you have already felt Savage Grimm's ascendancy and know that your own meeting with him may be shortly oncoming. You were a teen with the power of an Alicorn, you made a poor choice and then furthered it by keeping silent. However, you have also not used that particular love spell since and have stuck to moving behind the scenes in order to further the cause of love. I release you both from this shared dream. I need to speak to young Twilight and inform her of some things."

The two rulers slowly faded away like fog before the sun. Princess Luna continued to hold the smaller Alicorn wrapped in her wings, her arms holding Twilight tightly until the Princess of Friendship sobs feel silent.

Opening her wings Luna looked down upon Twilight, a comforting smile on her lips.

"Twilight, I need you not to confront Savage Grimm."

"Wait, I thought his name was Jack Trades?"

"Jack Trades is no more. The second that Tia warped Jack's cutie mark she made a barrier between the young colt's inner personality and the mask that was his outer. That inner nature, as his own rage grew at his misfortune, became known as Savage Grimm, the mask that allowed him to function and pursue a normal life maintained the name Jack Trades. The Elements will not work on Savage because he is in no way out of balance, he has in fact come into balance with himself. His Inner Nature is ascendant and the mask has been discarded and destroyed. If we tried to replace it we would be no better then Tia and Cadence, with what they tried."

"But he's going to hurt others. I don't care what that ultimatum was. What he's doing is wrong."

Luna's eyes grew stern. "Do you know that another group of guards tries to corner Savage?"

Twilight shook her head, "We have to help them!" She cried.

Luna again pulled her to herself. She whispered, "Those Guards followed what they knew to be a false order. I've made it so that no other Ponies will be injured. All doors will be locked to them and no creatures will help them. I know this is bloody and horrible. But the Hybrid Protocols were put into place by myself and Tia to prevent these situations. Each of those Guards forfeited their lives when they disobeyed those procedures."

"But I have to do....." Twilight began, but Luna held her tighter.

"I am sorry Twilight, but he will turn you and all of your friends to his purpose. I can not allow that to happen. So, until this is over, I have placed all of the Elements into a deep sleep. I am here with you because I alone could hold you. Please Twilight, I love you too much to see you slaughtered by one of his minions or turned to his purpose. When he reaches Alla Round this will be done. Both sides have played their cards, it just remains who had the better hand. Stay with me warm in this dream and allow me and my guard to protect those not involved."

A drowsiness came over the Purple Alicorn as she snuggled deeper into the warm embrace of the Princess of the Night. Soon Twilight rested, safe within Luna's grasp, her last words sending a blush to Luna's face.

"Alright Luna, Love you too."

Brother Dearest (Clop)

Author's Note

I know this says Clop, but I am not sure who could jerk to this. I put the note there because Falsified is describing what is happening to her as a sexual experience. However this is anything but. Still, I am sure someone out there will have the ability to masterbate to this. If so, more power to you. I do not judge. I just do not have the ability and honestly don't think my clop writing skills are there yet. Hopefully I am getting better. Look forward to any comments you might have and I eagerly await any criticisms you might have.

Brother Dearest (Clop)

Falsified ran, all of her plans falling to ashes around her. Damn Back Alley for jumping the gun! If he had just waited Jack would have been dead at their feet. Then all the dirty little secrets that that Jack had acquired over the years would be back where they belonged, only known to those who kept them. Jack had always known about her and Back Alley. Was it wrong to love her brother the best way she could? Falsified knew it was just a matter of time before Jack would use that knowledge against them. Yet all Jack did was play at being a normal pony in normal village with a normal mare. What a Joke. The Jack Trades she knew had built a still on her father's land and even used his own recipe. Then enlisted Back Alley and another of her cousins, Fake, to sell the stuff, as foals!!! If Fake hadn't ratted them all out to Jack's father to avoid punishment then everyone would have made a fair amount of money. Jack was never destined to just be a janitor for the rest of his life. It was always going to fall apart, and then he would use those secrets to get himself out of trouble. Then Alla Rounds had been taken. It was perfect! Even if Jack talked no one would have believed him, then she and Back Alley could stop looking over their shoulder, they could have what little happiness they had gathered. That was all gone now, now she ran from her former lover. Somehow from the way he shredded the Guards that stepped in his way into paste made her think that she would not enjoy having him inside her anymore.

A Red cloud with two burning black eyes shot past her, blocking her path the deep growl of her brother's voice caused her to shiver in fear and arousal.

"Why do you run? We can be together, now. Savage Grimm does not care that we are brother and sister. He only cares that he be obeyed. None of the others will judge either. What Savage says is law unto us. My master has made you mine and mine alone. But that was always the case. You are mine, but I have always been yours. I must do as my master commands. Please, submit to his will and I will make sure that you enjoy yourself."

A tendril of Red fog reached out and caressed her cheek, Falsified gasped as it sent shivers through her body.
Her resolve crumpling she nodded.

"Since none among society can accept our Love, then let us be together as monsters." She moaned out as the one that had always known her body best beckoned to her.

Stepping forward, Falsified performed her last act of free will and joined her lover in the service of Savage Grimm.

"Ah, my dearest sister, now we can love each other as we wish." Dust growled.

Dust enveloped Falsified, each point of contact stimulating her nerves, each particle sending waves of pleasure throughout her body. Closing her eyes, she felt her clothing fall from her, her armor nothing more than paper to him. Crying out as more of her skin became accessible to her brother, she could feel his kiss on her lips. She knew what he wanted. It had always been this way, he would tease her until she asked to be fucked. He would not enter her until she asked. Smiling she knew that her brother was still her brother, no matter what form Savage had chosen for him. Comforted in that knowledge she cooed into the kiss, then said.

"Not yet, brother dear, I wish to see what else your new body can do before you spill yourself inside of me."

"Of course, my beautiful one, the master may have ordered me to rape you, but as long as the deed is done, he will not care for the method. I have just chosen a more liberal interpretation of the order."

As he kissed her once again, shocks of uttermost pleasure cappered down her spine as the crystals sent pure magic into exactly those places that always tensed on her. Moaning again, she could feel that same energy first carressing under one breast than the other. Arching her back, she came as her back pain easing plus his touch on her breasts sent her over the edge. Keeping her eyes shut she demanded.

"Fuck me, spill yourself into me. Contaminate me, Convert me as Our Master demands!!!!!"

Flowing into her mouth and down her throat, the mare once known as Falsified Trades moaned as Dust simultaneously slid his particulate form into her pussy and ass. The three way penetration silenced the mare as she felt Dust joining with her, changing her. Spreading deep within her. She cried out in ecstasy as he sent pulses of magic flowing deep within her. Soon he was saturating all of her cells, sustaining her and pleasuring her as he eliminated all unnecessary things. She cried out in pleasure as her liquified organs orgasmically burst from her mouth.

"Yes, Empty me, make me your living place. MAKE IT SO WE NEVER HAVE TO BE APART AGAIN!!!!!" She screamed as more offal expelled from her body, the fluids making her voice rough and wet.

She shivered in pleasure as small holes appeared on her back, running the length of her spine so to be easily hidden by clothing. Her form changed as well, before she had been thin and flat chested, often jealous of more full figured mares, thus her brother fulfilled her second most prized wish. Her shoulders expanded as her breasts enlarged, her hips broadened as her waist curved, her plot plumped and her legs and arms gained curvy toned mass.

Oh Darling brother, You have given me the body I always wished for. She giggled.

And made it so that I will never leave you again. Her brother's deep growl echoed within her head. I have bonded myself to you, so that no one short of the Master can ever separate us. I will live inside of you, always able to protect you, and you will be able to take me places I could not otherwise go. Thus we make ourselves more useful to our master.

Indeed, Falsified has died. As you my Beloved Brother have attained a new name in the service of our Master so I shall take one as well. I am forever more Hive. For that is my purpose, to keep you safe as you keep me safe.

This being that was once two and would forever more be one, sighed their collective happiness, than went forth to find the others. After all, surely not all the Royal Guards were dead yet. They might still be able to have their own fun. Skipping merrily, Hive whistled a pleasant tune as she went of in search of her former comrades, finally getting everything she had ever wanted.

A Midday Stroll

Savage Grimm chuckled as he continued his walk through the now deserted Ponyville. Occasionally, his rather direct path towards Alla would intersect with the blind, panicked fleeing of one of the Royals and he would pause to watch his minions at work.

"FATALITY!!!!! Good eye for the classics," he praised Toy as she pinned a royal guards hooves to the ground, with his own knives and ate his face.

Letting loose a squeal at the praise, Toy bounded of, gleeful she had pleased her master.

"Brutality!!!!! NICE!" He cackled as Golem tore another guard in twain, the larger crystal creature showered in offal and bits.

Grunting, Golem slowly lumbered off to his next victim.

Now, That's Just Not Right! He snarked as what was once Pretty Vile spun through several Guards at once at blinding speed, reducing all four to paste.

Savage laughed. "He Slices He Dices, He Cut and Julians Fries!!!!! I Give You RAZOR WIND!!!!!

Once more Savage continued on his way, the screams of those being slaughtered the happiest tune in his ears.

He paused only once more, as he beheld the work Dust had done on his sister. He observed as she walked nude, a red mist slaying all that stood before her. None were able to touch her. Savage grinned as he welcomed her.

"Welcome, Hive. I know that along with Dust you will make a fine addition to my minions. But I think You Have Something To Tell Me."

Kneeling before her new master, Hive neither spoke nor raised her head. Yet Savage chuckled,"Ah, As I suspected, the bastard did indeed break trust with me. Oh Well, the both of you continue your hunt and by all means enjoy yourselves.

Unerringly he walked towards Alla, neither turning aside nor glancing in another direction. She was his lodestone, his northstar. He would never not know where she was.

Getting to the center of town, he observed the last of the guards surrounded by all of his minions. Smiling he went forward to join them. At a command only they heard, his minions paused to allow their master through.

Savage addressed the remaining Guard jovial. "Oh if it isn't the guard that asked me to give myself up. What do you think now, hmmmmmmm?"

"I think that you should kill me and get it over with, because all you are is a monster. My only regret is I was to sentimental and weak hearted to kill you when I had the chance."

Savage stared a moment at the young guard. Then his shoulders began to shake, followed by him clutching his sides as he howled with laughter. As he calmed himself, he wheezed an order to his minions.

"From now on this is the one guard that you are never allowed to kill. If he opposes you, then by all means maim, torture, or otherwise hurt him, but none of you are allowed to kill him. You're all dismissed till I have need of you."

Each of his minions bowed their heads as they dispersed back into red dust, being reabsorbed back into their master. Turning back to the young stallion before him he queried.

What is your name, young stallion of the guard?

"I am Corporal Flash Sentry, formerly of the crystal empire."

Savage grinned nastily, It wasn't your sentimentality or your weak heart that did you in. It was your lack of skill. Yet, each of my minions bore one wound each. Wounds that you gave them. You alone tried to stop what was happening. You asked me, not to step aside, but to find another way. So I will let you live.

Flash glared back at Savage as he defiantly replied, "I will grow in skill and power until I am strong enough to oppose you and all monsters like you. I will become that which makes all those like you, those that murder, rape and use brutality to get their desires to glance over their back. If I cannot do so as a guard I will find a way. You used my mercy against me, so now I will use this one against you. Mark my words, I will be your downfall."

Savage cackled maniacally, Excellent Young stallion!!!!!! Oppose me at every turn, oppose those like me! For we need at least one honest Guard to fight us, lest we forget that we are monsters and seek to become gods."

Patting Flash on the cheek, he then shoved the pegasi onto the ground, knocking the young stallion out with a single kick, then continued on his way. Not giving a care of the actions of the surviving guardsman.

Glancing Upwards, Savage spotted the pale, green eyed mare recording his every move.

Smirking he said, "Ah! You must be his daughter, tell me how is your dad?"

Lowering her head for a moment, she then glared nastily back at Savage.

"He's Dying," she said. "All because you could not have your dream and let the other sunless have theirs too. Because you were selfish, you took my father away from me. It's so bad that not even the tools and secrets inside his box can save him, just prolong his agony, He will die and all of it started when you convinced the Sunless to set down their power."

Yes, and now my dream is ash. All that remains is that I ensure Alla's safety, then we shall see how the sunless may rise again, young one. I will not kill you, there are rules among the sunless after all.

Noting her coloration, Savage once more let loose his mad hyena's cry, "Am I right in assuming that you inherited more from your father then your mother?"

The Young Mare's silence was in and of itself his answer.

Smirking up at her, he once more began his bloody walk towards Alla, giving the young mare a snarky farewell.

Welcome to the Sunless, little girl. When this be done, let it be done. It will be best for all of us.

Smiling happily he whistled a happy tune as he continued on his way, soon everything would go as he planned. Soon Alla would be free and forever safe. Soon all things would go back to the way they should be.

Author's Note

And For christmas another chapter. Only a couple more to go. I do believe this is one of my least liked stories. By all means tell me why. I love hearing frome everyone. After all, a blade is just a hunk of metal, unless treated in the fire then cooled in the oil. Thus is it is with all things.

The Trial of Savage Trades

Alla watched as Savage broke his final word. The one promise he had given her. She had never asked Jack or Savage to be faithful, that was something she could work through. But the blood soaked streets of Ponyvile and the echoing laugh of Savage as he complemented each of his minions was something she could not overlook. Then on top of all that, to reveal that he knew he had been under observation the entire time, proved that Savage was making a show of it. The stallion she loved was gone. Only this maddened thing remained. He would come, of that she had no doubt, but what would she say to him? What could he say to justify the atrocities that she had just witnessed.

"He broke his word."

Alla jumped at the sound of her own voice, the cold and angry sound echoing within the silent warehouse.

"There is nothing he can say to justify this." Again her voice echoed out unbidden.

"I only asked him not to kill anymore, to restrict himself, control himself." Her voice sounded like the northern wind, but then another voice, timed and small, whispered into the world.

"He is protecting us." It was a quiet voice, desperate to believe that the Stallion she loved still existed.

The cold voice once more called forth. "He protects us by taking the easy way, the cowards way. I could forgive the creation of Toy, she did try and kill him. I could forgive the fact that he bucked her, that was a demonstration of power and control. I could even forgive the other brutal acts, he is merely making good his warning, setting up a precedent. But I asked one thing of him. I asked him never to kill again. To only use violence as a last resort. But here he is slaughtering all that stand before him, laughing as he does so. He is enjoying himself. He makes no effort to find a better way."

"Those where his minions, not him. He never killed anyone." The small voice whispered, the last defence of Savage Grimm against his prosecutor.

Alla was quite a moment longer, then the cold hurt voice made it closing arguments. "Argent Dagger, Back Alley Trades, Brutal Beatdown, Pretty Vile, those were his victims. Dead as soon as they became his minions. Yet, I could have forgiven those. But Savage ordered them to slaughter and murder. Not just those that stood in his way but all those that hindered the slaughtering. You know as well as I do, those 'minions' are merely advanced drones. They are creative at following his orders, but exist as extensions of his will. They are weapons, nothing more, nothing less. He sharpened them into blades, he is the one plunged them into another's body to RIP and tear. He ordered the butchery to commence. They did the killing but the blood remains on his hands. I can't forgive this."

Alla's tears fell. "He did this, all of this to protect me, that was never any doubt. But he could have believed in me, instead he believed in himself. He loves me and I him, but I can not be with a stallion that imposes his will in such a way over the world. He made no effort to hold back. He used my kidnapping and all the events afterwards for his coming out party. He did so with no remorse, he enjoyed it all. Everything else are his justifications. Reasons to never rise above, reasons to laugh within his despair."

The voices fell silent as Alla Rounds sobbed in the Empty warehouse, cold and alone. The open box still filled to the brim, exactly as the dying stallion had left it. Waiting for the one strong enough to retrieve the tools inside.

Savage watched as the Child of Winter's Night moved off, her task fulfilled. Looking down upon the ground the smiling terror for a moment was quiet, his perpetual smile momentarily falling. With sadness in his voice he cursed his cowardly weakness.

"It is done, the last bond is broken. Now I must play this game to the end."

Lifting his head, Savage Grimm once more put a skip in his step, a smile on his face and a tune on his lips as he danced off towards Alla Rounds, joyful in the blood and terror he had sown throughout Ponyville.

In the Crystal Empire, within the secret room, the backs of two chairs glowed, a symbol of eight arrows, one green, one blue, one red, one black, one white, one green, one purple, and one Yellow. They radiated outward equidistant from a central point and were constrained by a grey circle. At the center was a single grey dot. A black Ice Lily clinging to an icicle appeared on the other. The room gave a happy hum. Not only has one of its old masters arisen and coming home but it could now welcome a daughter into her father's place. What a happy time to live, all must be perfect when they arrive, all must be prepared. Crystal formed and shifted within the room as accomodations for the ones that were coming were prepared. The room continued its hum, it was happy once more to be useful.

Within the throne room of the Crystal Empire sat the ones that had most wronged and been wronged by Savage Grimm.

"Our Old Friend is on his way." Cadence shivered despite the warmth of the Crystal Heart.

Shining Armor sighed. "All that remains is to prepare a welcome for him and hope that he does not come in vengeance."

"Will he hurt my Ladybug?"

"Our Old Friend would do nothing to hurt Twilight. After all you may have been her favorite, but for a while he was her other brother. The brother that had two faces. Before Our Old Friend heads here, he will remind her. He will undo the wrong the was done to her. Our Old Friend will heal Twi. We are the ones that hurt her. I just hope Twi forgives us."

The couple then looked to the south, yearning to see that which is occurring so far away.

Savage Grimm's Defeat

Two roads lay before Savage Grimm, one led to Twilight Sparkle's crystal castle and the other led straight to Alla.

"Which way to go?" Savage chuckled, "Oh why not both ways!"

Red mist rose from the psychopathic marauder, swirling into a tornado of transmutation the mist formed a second Savage Grimm.

"Go, old debts must be paid after all." The first Savage snarked.

"Indeed, not to infect or absorb, but to restore," here the second Savage paused, "Although I think this form would not be welcome."

"For certain Mr Grimm," Savage intoned, So perhaps a better form Eh?"

"Indeed Savage," Jack Trades answered. This from will be much more agreeable.

"Even with such a drab coloration and such a dull cutie mark, I am still such a handsome fellow." Savage complemented Jack.

"Well, must be off. Mustn't keep dear Sparkles waiting, eh?" Jack bid Savage farewell.

Taking the path that led to the crystal castle Jack Trades turned one last time and said unto Savage, "Twilight is just as much a victim as we. I will look after her as long as I can. Once she is alone I will undo all that was done. She will remember us. She will remember what Cadance and her BBBF did unto us and Chrysalis. Thus our vengeance on them is complete. We will be square. All debts and transgressions done."

Savage shook his head once Trades walked off. "I am entirely too dramatic an individual."

Continuing to shake his head Savage took the path that led directly to Alla. None were left to bring him pause, it was time to end all of this. Alla would be safe.

Savage looked up at the warehouse that held Alla. Narrowing his eyes he snorted dismissively.

Tch! Holding your hostage in a warehouse, such a cliche. Rolling his eyes at the tackiness, he guffawed, "still I have always wanted to do this."

Strutting up to the front door, he raised his hoof to kick the door in, but was disappointed when it swung open of its own accord, the door giving off an ominous squeal.

"Oh c'mon! You can't even give me kicking in the bucking door!

Stomping in sullenly, he smirked as he saw the cameras, "Look, I've been n candid camera this entire time!" He chuckled, They better have caught my good side.

"You don't have a good side, Savage." A famaliar voice snarked. "Now come and untie me, we need to talk."

Savage's ears wilted as he slunk over to the love of his life, "I am sure that we can work things out, sweetie." Savage cajoled, I am sure that I can explain my ----

A slap interrupted Savage as he freed the stout Unicorn.

"You lying monumental Jerk!" Alla ripped into him, "What was the one promise I asked you to make?"

Savage's ears went down further, "Not to use lethal force."

"Then why did you use coming to save me as an excuse to break that rule?"

"It was the only way to ----"

"Horseshit!" Alla again interrupted him, "You are for all intents and purposes an intelligent telepath assimilation virus. You did not have to kill a single being. You could have easily just came and got me. Hell, you could have immobilized any that stood in your way. Then move on by. You told me how your powers work. I am the one being that knows everything. I helped you explore them! Try again, Why did you slaughter your way here when you knew what my reaction would be? Why did you waste the time? Buck, without all the killing to hold you up you'd have been her 2 hours ago! But no you used this hole incident to cement the return of the Sunless! Don't tell me this is about anything else. You monumental ASS!"

Savage hung his head, no words came from the Stallion that had brushed all others aside. Sniffling, he mumbled, "I'm sorry Alla, forgive me?"

Sighing Alla turned away from Savage. "I forgive you and I still love you. But I cannot be with a Stallion that does the things you do. I won't drag my family and others into this mess. I will always love you, I just can't be with you."

Savage nodded, then growled out a promise, "I understand. If you or any of those that you call family ever find themselves in the darkest of places. They will find that they have an ally. That the darkest of place is their ally. They only have to speak my name, I will hear and I will look after them. It is the least I can do. Your family took me in when I had nothing, treated as one of them. Therefore they are one of mine and I protect that which is mine."

Alla shook her head, "Savage, I hope that day never comes. Goodbye Savage. I hope this was all worth it."

Walking out the door, Alla left Savage within the warehouse. He made no move to stop her.

A chortling laugh echoed into the warehouse, "The great Savage Grimm, whipped!"

Savage smiled, C'mon out Winter. We both know you want to gloat."

Another laugh echoed out into the now empty warehouse. "Why of course, Savage! I will happily join you."

Wheeling himself up to the standing Savage, Gale sneered at the large stallion. "Brought low by a dying stallion, to weak to walk. Broken by a simple mare, not even one of the Sunless. So falls the great Savage Grim from grace!"

Pausing to cover his mouth as he hacked and coughed, Savage watched as Winter Gale pulled back a red coated hand. Kneeling down, Savage took Gale's hand in his own.

Smiling nastily, he breathed out his red mist, that soon forced its way down Winter Gale's throat.

"Still such an amateur Gale. I'm not going to kill you. Instead I have just arrested disorder. You will never recover, but you will no longer die from it either. This is my gift to you. I will in no way seek to harm you either. I will even vouch for and sponser your daughter as she joins the Sunless. She's such a cute little thing I will enjoy giving her all the help I can." Savage leered.

Rising once more to his feet Savage looked behind Gale and uttered, What is thy name child?"

A chill wind blew through the warehouse, Winter Gale turned to see his only daughter removing the last of his tools from the box.

She looked her father square in the eye as she said, I am Arctic Gale and I look forward to all the help I can have from you, Savage. After all, you spared my father, and allowed me to ascend to his place. I absolutely loved that letter you sent me, it made so many things perfectly clear," her eyes became as cold as her voice as she asked, So Father, is it true that you raped and killed my mother? That I was birthed by dark magics from her cold dead corpse?"

Sauntering over to Savage, she draped herself off of him, "I take from your silence that the answer is yes. We are done, I at last have the power and patronage to leave your diseased presence. I imagine when the guard catches up to you the evidence I've been recording this entire time will be most useful in convicting you.

Savage bore his teeth at Gale, "Me and Arctic have to be going. We have a Council of the Sunless meeting to attend. Official business, you understand. Something that you no longer have any influence on."

Savage dissolved into Red mist, while Arctic Gale turned translucent and dispersed, leaving one old, sad, pathetic, individual all alone and adrift.

Author's Note

here it is, second to last chapter. The next one is the last. This was setup to be a series. Well guess what? I AM NOT GOING TO BE THE ONE TO DO IT! Anyone out there can pick this up and run with it. I just want one thing. PM me the link to whatever you guys right so that I can read them. You all very well may do a much better job then I did on this. Lord knows I did not set the bar very high on this one, UGHHH!!!!!

The Council Extends Its Hand

A cold red mist rolled into the Crystal Empire, swirling through the streets all that felt it shivered. Straight for the palace it headed, passing the Crystal Heart with not a pause. Within the throne room Princess Cadence and Prince-Consort Shining Armor sat, waiting for the inevitable. A booming on the throne room door heralded the arrival of what the two rulers dreaded. The guards turned towards the doors, spears and shields at the ready.

"Guards, stand down!" Shining commanded, "Whatever happens do not attack, this is not a being you can fight with weapons nor magic."

Reluctantly the guards lowered their weapons just in time for the doors to be blasted inward. Two ponies stood in the entryway. The stallion stood over 8 ft and had a coat of blood red, his white mane messily hung on his massive frame. He wore a simple black duster, open to expose his well muscled chest, a pair of black cargo pants contained his massive legs. The stallion smiled mockingly at all those within the courtroom, his red eyes twinkling with mischief. Draping herself off of him was a mare of palest white, her green eyes sparkling with dark desires, her translucent bluish green mane swirled on a wintery breeze all its own. Dressed in a slip of sheerist opaque fabric, her black frilled bra and panties on clear display, around her neck she wore a golden choker with a gem of darkest blue inset. She stood only a head shorter then her stallion but her limbs were slender to the point of being skeletal and her frame seemed sickly, yet her wide hips and full round breasts encouraged the lusts of all present. Smirking, her shark toothed smile promised to answer the hidden desires of all present.

"I know I have no right to ask....." Cadence paused, shame clear in her eye, "Is Twilight unharmed?"

"As if I would harm little Sparkles," Savage answered, "In fact, I will be returning the memories that you and Celestia removed of me from her. Afterwards the homunculus will stay at her side to protect and serve her."

"Please Savage, don't include my sister in your grudge against me and Cady. Please?" Shining pleaded, fear for his sister clear on his face.

"The homunculus does not have the ability to infect. I did not give it that capability. It will offer to undo what has been done to her mind. Whatever she decides, it will serve and protect her till either it or she is dead. I no longer have any control over it. I bear you no grudge. We were kids playing at being gods. Cadence ascended their number, You became the warrior you wanted to be, and I descended to become the monster I was always meant to be."

Both Prince and Princess looked to on another, yet the comfort longed for in the others eyes was not found, only regret.

Princess Cadance turned her eyes from her husband first, bowing her head she announced, "I bid Lord Savage Grimm of the Sunless, Duke of Wrathful Calamity, welcome to his ancestral home, and might I be so bold to inquire who his guest is?"

Savage released the green eyed mare and nodded his head, "Announce yourself, claim your title," he bid the mare.

Strutting forward the Mare leaned forward, giving all a clear view of her assets. Rising once more she chimed, "I am Lady Arctic Gale, Duchess Of Hateful Despair, and I thank you for your hospitality, may your enemies never touch that which you hold dear to your heart."

Moving forward Savage once more spoke, "I believe that a certain room awaits us, so I bid the Rulers of the Crystal Empire adieu. I and my Duchess have much to discuss."

A collective sigh of relief echoed out into the room as both Sunless dispersed, their presence vanishing down into the bowels of the Crystal castle. Down to where the Council Roon of the Sunless awaited it mistress and masters. They were the first two, but they would not be the last. Once more the Sunless were gathering. Once more the Council would extend its hand. Once more those that fancied themselves Gods could do little to stop them.

Author's Note

Welp, here it is. The epilouge to Choices. As I said in the previous chapter, I have no intention at this point to continue this series. Each of the sunless was going to get their own story. With how this story was recieved and what it became I no longer feel I am the one to do that. So, whoever wants to continue the plot I give my blessing to. The only thing I ask is for two things.

If you deciede to continue this PM me the Link as I would like to read it and give my own comments. I have no desire to be an editor on what you do, I just want to see what you do.

Give me credit for bulling through this. This story became a slog. So just give me a blurb in the intro or something that says that the story was inspired by this one.

Other than those two things go for it. If enough stories arise from this I may start a group around them. Your stories may even inspire me to pick my original idea for this up again. But for now I leave it in the hands of whoever wishes to take this up.

Epilogue: Savage Grimm recruited.

An impossibility walked into Savage's room. A tall slender Male Alicorn, wearing a mask glit in black and red watched the beast of Ponyvile slumber. The Alicorn's ragged cape fluttered in the draft from the window he used for entrance. Savage was easily the biggest earth pony he'd ever seen. Currently the brute was snoring with two mares snuggled on either side. All three slept uncovered in the buff, allowing the intruder to get a full veiw.

"So I guess you like to watch?" Came a deep rumble behind him, "not a problem for me."

Whipping around, the metal masked Alicorn watched as a shimmering shade detached from the wall. Taking on a more physical shape, Savage Grimm soon towered a full head higher then the young male.

"How?"

Savage Grimm chuckled, "I have many bodies, all under my complete control. The mare on the left and the me in the middle are both just extensions of me.
The one on my right is my pretty little apprentice. I'm sponsoring her to take her father's place among the sunless," leaning down he snarled into his intruder's face, "but I want to know what you're doing in my room Alicorn. Don't any of you privileged shits ever knock?"

The young Male bowed his head, "My name is Bearius," he replied, "and I am here to ask for your assistance in toppling the royals."

Savage barked a laugh, slapping the Alicorn on the shoulder he chuckled, "Ha! Why not? I'm kinda restless waiting for the other Sunless to arrive," Savage narrowed his eyes at Bearius, "Let me guess, you don't want to hurt Celestia and/or Luna?"

"How did you-"

"Heh," Savage condescended, "all you types want that. But I'll tell you what, as long as Twilight comes to no harm, you and I will have no arguement. We have an accord, Edgy the Edgelord?"

"We do, I will be in touch." Bearius said as he disappeared into the shadows.

"Yeah I bet you will. Damn kids. Ah well, I was bored anyway."

Author's Note

Red Reaper is going to be using Savage in his story. Go read it when it posts.

Ponedora's Box Opened, Not even Hope remains

Savage sat among the wreckage of Alla's former home, waiting for his witness to arrive. In front of him was an ornate puzzle box, black edged in silver. About the size of a steamer trunk, it bore no lock nor a place for a key. Only one could open it, him. The opening was important, the opening being witnessed even more so.

"I have had enough of things done in silence. This should be seen. Both as a warning and as a declaring of intent." Savage muttered to the destroyed living room.

Hearing the unlocking and relocking of the backdoor Savage looked up as a slender mare of pale coat and red mane walked in, glasses framing her thin face. Upon seeing Savage she tensed.

"Why do I feel that I am the fly and you, the spider?" The mare asked.

"Good to see you too, Anotha." Savage replied.

"Jack told us about you, but I never believed. Not truly."

Savage smiled, his sharp teeth glittering. "Quite. Anotha you are here for two purposes. The first we'll deal with now and the second we'll get to. First you're here to bear witness to me opening and taking what's in this box."

"Why me? You never liked me much, even as Jack, so Why?"

Savage sighed. Looking down the large stallion was silent a moment, looking for words for a language he had long become unfamiliar with. When next he spoke his voice was quiet and slow.

"Alla loves you, loves you as her sister. So when you see her next, please answer her questions. When I open this box, all other boxes like it will open. The one that took Alla, has a similar, but different box from the one in front of me, as do two others. I can not fight him without what is in here. But there is a price.
Once I do this, none of these boxes will ever lock again. Inside are tools so terrible they must never be wielded but can not be destroyed. Secrets that are best left unsaid but can't be forgotten. Power, that was never meant to be used, but can never be put down."

He paused, a faraway look in his eye, again searching for those unfamiliar words, before continuing.

"When these boxes open those that own them will take what is inside, or walk away and leave the contents for any that find it. That is the choice these boxes force their bearers to make."

"But why would anypony do such a thing?"

"Power has consequences, in both the setting down and the picking up. It has been our burden, for these boxes are not hard to open for the one that they were made." he looked down and took a key from his pocket.

"It is the consequences to be faced that kept them closed. I do this for Alla, as all is for Alla."

The key slotted into the top of the box, the click echoing in that quiet destroyed room. Anotha watched as the sides shifted and an opening appeared. Savage's eyes glinted in insane joy as he reached to retrieve what was inside.

However it was another sound that caught Anotha's immediate attention. Her eyes widened as she heard a pounding on the door begin, shaking she looked fearfully to Savage. Anotha's breath caught as Savage held a pair of Fingerless gauntlets. They were woven of a glimmering fabric and had four spikes that ran down the middle of the length. The Knuckles and palms where plated with an oddly gleaming metal, the pounding on the door was soon forgotten as she realized what the metal was.

"That's Orichalium!!!!!"

"Indeed it is, now for your other purpose, you are indeed the fly, but not for this spider, but to lure in two flies, that think themselves spiders."

She turned as she recognized the voices of the two stallions that had brutalized her husband and his family, that had taken Alla, their indistinct muttering heard through the door. Her ears shrinking back, she let out a soft whine, looking for a way out. Savage's deep voice echoed into the room, drawing her attention back.

"My own opinions on you notwithstanding, you've always done everything to earn Alla's love. I think you a bit controlling towards your husband, Runa, but that works for the two of you. When those two came the first time, the wounds were on Alla's family primarily, but further insight revealed one thing to me."

Gesturing around the Room, Savage continued, Their was more than Alla and her family here. Somepony else was here too. Somepony that did their best to defend their family. Somepony that was bound and tossed aside. Somepony that was not with the Rounds in intensive care.

Anotha's breath caught, shaking she rubbed her wrists, which drew Savage's attention.

Gesturing to her wrists and hands, Savage continued. "Your wrist are heavily bruised and there is blood underneath your fingernails,"

Savage's piercing gaze next examined her face. "You missed some blood, just under your lip too. When they entered, you fought alongside the Rounds, You drew blood with tooth and claw to protect your family."

Savage Smiled nastily. "I think that rather deserves a reward, don't you?"

Anotha teared up, "A lot of good it did, I drew blood, but they bound my wrists, and ankles, forcing me to watch as they hurt them. I still hear the bellows and screams when I sleep." Falling to her knees, her hands hiding her face as she sobbed.

Her tears were silenced by a low dangerous growl. "And inflicting that on YOU deserves RETRIBUTION.

Anotha shook her head. Nothing that she had done deserved either reward or retribution. She knew he was likely to kill her, but told the truth anyway. Still crying, she confessed. "Savage, I was not the one that called for help. When my family was being tortured I ran as soon as I got free. Then I hid. If you had not sent that letter to me and called me here, I might still be hiding. I am a coward. I do not deserve to be thought of as anything but."

Anotha once again began sobbing on the ground, but stopped as a shadow loomed over her. Savage looked down upon her, then extended his hand. She took it only to be hauled to her feet.

Let me get this straight, you believe that because you ran from those you were powerless before and then hid until you could be sure of who to trust, that makes you a Coward? Savage shook his head, a dark chuckle echoing out into the room. His incredulous dark amusement further drying Anotha's tears.

Your actions in no way mark you as a Coward, the mark you as out of your depth. You tried to defend your family, when it was clear that you couldn't do that, you removed yourself. Those actions mark you as intelligent and fierce. You are no coward Anotha Round. Smiling as he heard the splintering of the door, he placed Anotha behind him.

Placing the gauntlets on his hands, Savage uttered. "Get behind me, do not interfere. Only I can fight what is about to come through that door."

Hating herself, she placed Savage between her and the sound of the breaking lock. Anotha watched as a Pegasi, and an Earth Pony entered into the room. The Pegasi was whip thin, with strong large wings. His black coat and white mane giving him a sinister look. The Earth Pony was only 3 inches shorter the savage and twice as broad. The two thugs growled as they saw Savage.

Savage smiled and drew in power, as the five spikes running down the length drove themselves deep into Savage's flesh, the Orachalium plating glowing red for a moment, Anotha smelling and hearing the sizzle of burning flesh.

Savage smiled and laughed, "Holy Buck!!!!! Is it my Birthday? He sends the two ponies I HATE the most to hurt one of the ones Alla loves. It's almost like he WANTS you to die!"

Without a word, the two stallions struck. The pegasi flapped his wings, kicking up dust around Savage, allowing the Earth Pony to land a right cross to Savage's face. A rumbling laugh was heard from Savage as he spat blood on the ground.

"Come now Brutal, I expected better from somepony that got so little from getting so big, and Pretty when I get over there I'm going to feed you your wings for being such disappointment."

Brutal then threw a low blow to Savage's Midsection, which Savage caught. Jerking the arm upward Savage over rotated the wrist, shattering it. A center blow to the outside of the arm, shattered the elbow. Twisting the still held arm, the shoulder was torn asunder, a contemptuous follow up blow broke the clavicle. Brutal fell to the floor crying.

Laughing maniacally Savage mocked the fallen Earth Pony, "What's the matter Brutal? To busy going ass to mouth with Pretty to train properly? I mean, we all know you lost the ability to please a mare a long time ago.

Savage raised his eyes and Pretty had less then a second to regret his life choices before Savage grabbed the thinner Stallion. Spinning Pretty around, Savage placed one hand underneath the Pegasi's chin then struck where the skull meets the neck. Anotha heard the crunch of Pretty's neck being crushed from across the room.

Discarding the broken Pegasi, Savage Sighed regretfully. "Huh, that was over before I had time to enjoy myself much. I honestly thought you two would put on a better showing then this. Let me guess, this has never happened before, Right? You're both usually better than this? I'm sure you tell that to all those you've disappointed over the years."

Glancing to Anotha, Savage apologized sincerely. "I'm so sorry dear, I did promise them punished, and I wanted to truly destroy them, but well..." He gesture to the two thugs, disappointment clear upon his face.

Apparently, neither had any staying power, absolutely no skill whatsoever.Then Savage's face brightened.

"Would you be happy with torture, after all I did promise Pretty here a meal of his own wings. It wouldn't be right to go back on my word. I could probably make them into a sandwich, that's what things like these request after disappointing a lady right? Don't worry though, like any real Stallion, I will be making my own sandwich to help make up for everything being over to soon. I am so sorry for the disappointment."

He looked down upon the two again. "I really thought you'd both have more stamina, I had no idea the two of you would only be a one and done, damn!"

Anotha couldn't help but smile, then laugh at the absurdity enacted in front of her.

"You know what, Savage? I think I'm just gonna go, I have to get back to teaching Ancient Equestrian tomorrow and I have a whole bunch of lesson plans I have to get through."

Moving to the door, She stepped over the crippled pegasi, almost stumbling as she heard Savage's goodbye.

"Alright, I really do apologize. I truly thought this would last longer. Hey, I just figured what you guys must feel all the time!"

Walking out the door, into the bright Ponyville sun and to her first restful sleep in days. In fact, knowing that ones such as Savage existed and that he looked after her and the Rounds, Anotha doubted she would ever have bad dreams again.

"It's hard to be scared of Timberwolves when NIGHTMARE MOON protects your family." Anotha thought.

Despite herself, Anotha could not help smiling and laughing as, behind her, the screaming began as she walked out into the bright Ponyville day.

Author's Note

Alright this has been reworked and re-edited. I hope this reads better than it did before. We are now looking at the last of the old chapter's that needed to be reworked. We are all now in the final eight chapters. Afterwards this story will be well and thoroughly done. I hope that everyone will enjoy what I have in store.