A Death March To The Fall Of Equestria

A couple of hours after the group had packed up their things; they headed their way outside and loaded what they needed onto their cart. Satou attached both Sunny and Sapphire up to it.

Sombra walked out of the Castle towards the group. “I see you're waiting for me. I was actually expecting to have to look for you all.”

“I’m not that slow Sombra.” Satou responded with a roll of his eyes.

“That much I know, but I was expecting you to struggle to get your dog to do what you needed.” Sombra responded, gesturing to Sunny who looked away with her hands balled into quivering fists.

“Sombra, I suggest that you apologise to her right now.” Satou responded, glaring at her and adding. “She’s not a dog for one, and two she’s completely normal, and that's how I like her being.”

“Satou;” Eliza spoke from her seat in the carriage with Frostine and Isaac. “stop with that attitude and whatever thoughts you're thinking of.”

“I wasn’t thinking of doing anything.” Satou responded with a sigh. “Sombra, are you ready to lead us to our home?”

“Of course Mr Pendragon.” Sombra responded with a curtsy before climbing onto the cart sitting next to Satou before saying. “I’ll give you the directions and you drive.”

“Of course;” Satou agreed as they began to move. “just say where we need to go.” Sombra just nodded her head before directing Satou towards his new house.

As the group arrived at some large intricately designed gates that encompassed the complex inside, at a first glance inside the group saw a large building ahead of them that looked to be as wide as at least eighty of the houses that had littered the main city. The building looked to be made completely out of crystals with there being four large pillars holding a large overhang up over what Satou assumed to be the front door while leading to this was a long path with a fountain in the shape of a naked mare standing seductively, her hands pressed up her breasts with the water flowing down from them in two arcs.

“Why does every statue I see have to be designed like that?” Satou asked in annoyance.

“I’d assume a stylistic choice of the previous owner.” Sombra responded as they moved around the fountain, parking the cart outside the side of the circle road. The group began to climb out of the cart.

Eliza looked at the entrance. “How are you Umbra?”

Sombra’s arms then dropped before she said. “I’m fine mistress. Do you desire something of me?”

“Just act as though you didn’t change, but you’ll know when I tell you or mental thought. You understand?”

“Of course, Mistress.” Sombra responded nodding her head.

“So is there anything we need to know right now?”

“Not really;” Sombra responded but interrupted herself at remembering something. “Oh wait, your three personal maids are currently working on preparing the home for your arrival. There are also two other new maids currently unowned by a master that are at your call, you are free to claim them if you wish. Also, it appears at least twenty other unclaimed slaves are to be sent here along with 10 other slaves owned by other masters.”

“I will meet the three maids myself.” Eliza stated as she looked at Satou. “I’ll see you later, kay?”

“Sure, just don’t get lost.” Satou said with a smirk.

“I know how to get around Satou.” Eliza takes off.

“I bet you do.” Satou responded with a shake of his head. “Sombra, mind helping us unload everything?” He unattached Sunny and Sapphire from the cart as the group began unloading the cart and moving everything they could inside.

Eliza followed the connection to a closed door. Pushing the door open to find Strawberry, Flutter, and Sugar Rush cleaning a large dining room, with Flutter seeming to be hobbling around the room as she cleaned it. The android woman whistles at how clean the room is that Strawberry turned to to see who came in to only see Eliza. “I’m sorry, we were supposed to be done before master Pendragon arrived, could you please keep him away from here till we’re done.”

“You sure Strawberry, Flutter, Sugar?” Eliza asked with the names she gave them.

All three maids suddenly stopped turning to look at Eliza before they said in unison, “What do you desire from us mistress?” Sighing, Eliza told the maids to do the same thing like what she told Sombra earlier to do, and didn't want anyone to know about their change.

“Now, try that again.”

“We understand Mistress Eliza.” All three of them responded in unison, while Flutter seemed to barely be able to stand.

Eliza gasps and helps support her. “Are you alright, Flutter?”

“I’m… Fine.” Flutter responded through winces of agony as her legs buckled.

“Please, tell me.” Eliza spoke in a concerned voice.

“She’s got hurt.” Strawberry responded nervously.

Eliza looked up to Strawberry while placing Flutter to a seat. “How?”

“Don’t...” Flutter responded shakily before Eliza moved her hand where she's hurt and a luminous gentle warmth washed away the pain.

“Please, Flutter, please.” Eliza pleaded as she continued healing her injuries.

“I can’t, he’ll…” Flutter said through tears before stopping fear clear in her eyes.

“He… I promise, I will protect you three, and if that fails it’ll be up to Satou.” Eliza reassured them.

“But… you can’t do anything when we’re not here.” Sugar Rush responded sadly.

“Actually, you three are staying with us. Satou would understand.” ‘I hope.’ Eliza thought in her mind.

“I’m sorry, but we can’t.” Flutter responded. “I-if we don’t return back, he’ll...” however she couldn’t finish as she started to cry. Eliza cradled her in a hug, it was the only action she can think that fits.

“Now calm down, please.” She asked softly as she moved arm length so she could check if there were any other injuries that she missed before she suddenly realised that there was almost no muscle or fat on her body, allowing Eliza to see her bones under her skin. “Flutter, have you eaten anything?”

She didn’t respond only looking away from Eliza as she continued to tear up. Eliza looked down at her, trying to think on what to do. ‘Theses three are ‘your’ responsibility Ez.’ She skulled herself soon followed by another thought. ‘I can’t let Satou do something, it has to be me. I rather have him stay away from who I think it is.’

Flutter still didn’t respond or look towards Eliza still sobbing but not answering her. “No, you three are staying and that's final…. As soon as I figure out how.”

“But you can’t,” Sugar Rush responded. “Without proof of wrongdoing, you can’t remove ownership from him, we have to go back to him each night.”

“Do you have a better idea then?”

“No, but we can’t go against the law.” Strawberry responded sadly. “And unless you know someone who can go above that we have to go back tonight.”

“That would be King Diann right?”

“Pretty much… or his champion, if he had evidence that a law had been broken.” Sugar Rush responded.

‘Crap… I don’t want to regret bringing Satou into this!’ Eliza mentally said to herself.

“So unless you can get one of them to do something, we don’t have a choice in the matter.” Strawberry admitted.

It was silent except for Flutter who was still crying. Eliza looked at Flutter before placing her hand on the mare before they both glowed together. When the light faded away both maids noticed a difference between the two. Eliza had lost some of her muscle and fat, leaving her quite skinny in comparison to how she had been while Flutter regained her beautiful appearance as her muscles and fat returned to her body her bones no longer visible.

“What did you do?” Flutter asked nervously as she looked at Eliza.

“I transfer some of my muscle and fat to you.” Eliza explained simply.

“Okay… and why waste that on me?”

“Because I care about you, all of you.”

“It’s a shame about that… being he’ll probably work me to death and make it mean nothing.” Flutter muttered to herself.

Eliza thought about it, trying to find a way only to realize one thing. She can’t do anything.

“Looks that's everything.” Satou responded as they guided the cart into a small barn at the back of the house.

“Well, it does seem you had a lot of things to move, hard to believe with how little you should have owned.” Sombra responded.

“Maybe. But with everything we do have, it’s best to move everyone early, besides. It’ll probably take a while to find everything in the house.”

“Wouldn’t doubt that one.” Sombra responded as they unhooked Sapphire and Sunny from the cart and the group making their way towards the manor.

As soon as the group entered they looked around the large open entrance room to find a similar scene to that of the castle. However, where there would have been females on the walls; there were open holes in the wall where they would have been. “Are we sure the previous owner didn’t have a thing for the castle?”

“He may have… he did like entertaining his guests as they arrived. they were allowed to drop their mares off and place them here for storage and free use if they didn’t need them.” Sombra stated.

“So, he was like everyone else after Dainn arrived?”

“Oh no.” Sombra responded. “He went off the deep end well before that! He was using this place for that long before the Caribou came here.”

“So… what, did he pass away or something?” Satou asked.

“No, he was imprisoned for murder & kidnapping charges, by Dainn. We found he was luring males with females he fancied away during these parties, killing the males and chaining up the females and their children before brainwashing them into becoming his slaves, making them forget who they were and then completely changing how they looked as he deemed fit to hide them.” Sombra stated.

“So… where is he now?”

“Chained up… under the house.” Sombra stated calmly with a shrug. “Dainn thought it was fitting for him to waste away where he left hundreds of innocent people to suffer.”

“Or he wanted me to find a use for him.” Satou suggested.

“I cannot deny the possibility that was his plan.” Sombra responded. “Maybe you should see how your little criminal is doing, maybe use him as a training dummy till he finally dies?”

“Or I could just teach him how to behave?”

“I really doubt that. All that stallion wanted was to have his way with whoever he wanted.” Sombra stated.

“Well then, I should show that scum what it’s like being used as someone's plaything.” Satou's voice slightly distorted as he responded with an almost sadistic chuckle.

‘Well, i’ll enjoy him either way.’An unknown voice responded, barely audible to Satou.

“Then let me lead the way.” Sombra responded.

Satou simply nodded his head in agreement before looking at Isaac and the others as he said. “You lot explore our new home, I’ll meet up with you all later.”

The group just nodded to Satou before scattering through the house while Satou followed Sombra to the basement of the house.

As Satou and Sombra reach the door to the basement; they stop at the door. First one to speak was Sombra. “It’s a long way down to him. I suppose it had to be so nopony could hear his antics.”

“Or to ensure that nobody could hear his victims' cries for help.” Satou added as he opened the door and began to walk down the basement stairs, Sombra closing the door behind them.

As Satou walked down the stairs; he calmly looked forward as he thought to himself. ‘I swear I heard someone else before we began walking here… but who?’

After a few seconds, Satou reached the bottom of the stairs to find a pony with a horn that’s chained to the ceiling in the centre of the room by his hand, leaving him hanging his legs lifted off the ground.

The pony had a black coat that made him hard to see in the darkness of the room with a dirty medium silver mane that now draped over his face as his head rested forwards, obscuring his face from view.

“So this is the criminal you have chained under my new home?” Satou asked Sombra.

“It is. You could think of him as a gift from Dainn when trained… You could use him as a butler or something?” Sombra suggested.

“Shut it you useless bitch.” The chained stallion muttered to himself as he slowly swung back and forth. “Just give me whatever you came to give me to prolong my suffering already.”

Sombra walked up to the chained stallion before she said. “I’m not here for that today, I came to introduce you to your new owner.”

“Nobody owns me, I am above every useless speck in this world.”

“You know, I’m surprised you can still be so full of yourself.” Sombra responded before punching the stallion in the chest as he rocked forward from the impact and gasping. “I mean you lose everything you own, your names have been erased from history and you’ve been pronounced dead on all records… you are nopony anymore.”

“Go suck your master's cock like always!” The stallion shouts back with pained gasps. Not caring about the pain, already having experienced this kind of punishment.

Satou decided to walk up to them before saying. “Sombra, go fetch us a jug of water and two glasses.” Sombra looked at Satou for a moment before nodding her head and walking up the stairs, heard the door close.

“So… your who the fake King sent to finish me off, just get it over with.” The stallion grumbles in an irritated tone.

“I’m not who was sent for that.” Satou responded.

“Then you're here to laugh at the disgraced noble, go on; laugh it up!” The stallion shouted back.

“As pitiful as you are, I’m not here for that either.” Satou responded, getting his water pouch out his bag before opening it, bringing it to the stallion's lips. “Drink this.”

“Why? Is it a poison to finish me off?”

“No, it’s just fresh water.” Satou responded.

The stallion looked up, the stallion revealing his red eyes. He covered the opening of the pouch with his mouth before Satou slowly tipped the pouch allowing the stallion to drink before pulling it away from the stallion's mouth.

“Thank you… umm.” The stallion said weakly as he tried to look at Satou through his ungroomed mane.

“Satou. My name is Satou.”

“Satou… I’ll remember this for however long I may live.” The stallion responded, taking a ragged breath.

“Do you have a name?”

“You heard Dainn’s bitch, I don’t exist anymore, my name means nothing.” The stallion said sarcastically. Satou looked at the Stallions' information. He saw the name ‘Night Twister’ written on it with a class below it read ‘Summoner’ along with the words ‘Current Owner: None’.’

Satou sighed. “And you care what those two say?”

“What do you think?”

“Considering what you said about them all, I take it as a no.”

“Exactly.” the stallion responded but decided to just tell him. “Just call me, Night Twister… Unless Dainn or his bitch is around.”

“No prob-” Satou began to say before a voice mentally spoke to him.

‘This Soppy; Kind stuff is boring me, he’s our slave, we can do what we want with him.’

‘Who are you?’Satou mentally asked the voice.

‘I’m you. But stronger.’ It responded.

‘Seriously… You went with that as your introduction?’

‘No, I am literally you.’ The voice responded. ‘Did you really think being a half-blooded human didn’t have any perks?’

“Those are?”

‘Let me show you a really nice one.’ The voice responded.

“What do you-” Satou began to say but was interrupted as his control was suddenly pulled away from him.

“So… a Summoner.” Satou responded in a distorted voice as he walked around Night Twister. “Interesting.”

“What are you doing!” Night Twister responded, trying to follow Satou’s form but being unable to see behind him.

“Just relax, it will all be over soon.” Satou responded, his voice still distorting.

“What are you doing!” Night Twister shouted in fear before screaming as a black flame made contact with his body, spreading from his back.

“Relax and enjoy it.” Satou’s distorted voice responded. “I know your skills, abilities and what you desire. You wanted to summon a demon, to become one and gain control of them. I can give you that, all it will cost you is one thing.”

“And that is!” Night Twister shouted as the flame covered his chest and he wreathed in pain.

“You just need to surrender your free will to me. Do that, swear loyalty to me, and I can make you what you desired, and all it would cost is your eternal loyalty.” Satou responded slowly rubbing a hand over the side of Night Twister's face.

“And I get to become a demon.” Night Twister responded.

“Oh yes, you could become a greater demon, second in power only to myself. All you need to do is become mine for all eternity.”

“That's all?” Night Twister responded. A black spark flickered through his eyes as he said. “Then I am yours to command, my master.” The black flame faded into his chest.

‘What did you do!’ Satou asked.

‘I gave him something he wanted… In turn, we get a loyal servant and a powerful demon to serve us.’ The voice thought. ‘Besides, it is less obvious than those collars, so a male slave won’t look too bad on us.’

‘So… you turned him into a demon?’

‘I suppose so, but don’t worry, he wanted it. Oh did he crave it?’ The voice thought for a moment. ‘You could now release him and he won’t have the desire to take any more people. Besides, he’ll live to serve us from now on.’

‘And you gained?’

‘Me? Oh no, it’s we, we gain something we both desire, I want powerful soldiers to serve and follow my every order. You want to protect every insignificant creature. So lets make a deal.’

‘I’m listening.’ Satou responded.

‘We share this body. You can live a life as you like and protect those you want, take those we need and use our power to become a legend. In turn, when we face someone powerful like that mutt before I can take it for our army and tame it as my own little pet until we need it, you can even use them as summonable monsters if you desire and when we fight something powerful, I can fight it at your discretion.’

‘That's all you want?’

‘For now. If this agreement becomes… beneficial for us I may allow you some more… benefits you can use yourself… let's say I don’t know, a few stronger fire spells for you to use? Are those other locked Demon racial tree skills.’

‘Demon racial tree skills?’

‘Oh yes. A skill based on 7 different demons… I think two are unlocked right now… Asmodus and Satan.’

‘And those are?’ Satou asked in confusion.

‘You’ll find out. Along with the other five, if our deal works out.’ The voice responded.

‘For now… I agree to your terms.’ Satou responded nervously, more wanting to know what the racial skills he had did in case it could cause trouble for those around him, than for the Demon itself.

‘Brilliant, I’m glad you can see the benefit.’

‘But if you harm any innocents I’ll make you regret it.’

‘I wouldn’t dream of it, they are all our subjects after all,’ The voice responded as a creature that looked similar to Satou appeared in front of him but its skin was black and had what looked to be large wings that almost looked like that of a stereotypical dragon on his back. It held it’s hand out. ‘As I said, we are one in the same, but for the sake of simplicity, you can call me Enkvaros.’

Satou paused for a second, the name almost sounding familiar to him for some reason before he said. ‘Enkvaros… I suppose It’s my pleasure to work with you.’ He placed his hand out to him as they shook hands before Satou regained control of his body.

Satou then looked to Night Twister to find that he had fully lifted his head looking forward with purpose before Satou said. “After I week I shall return to release you, then you can live and serve me as agreed.”

“Of course master, I shall await the day I can do so.”

Satou just nodded his head before Sombra walked back down the stairs before saying. “This should suffice for him.”

“Thank you Sombra.” Satou responded before taking the jug and pouring water into two of the glasses before handing one to Sombra as he walked towards Night Twister and said. “Drink this.”

“Of course master.” Night Twister responded as he drank the water without question.

Sombra spitted the water she was drinking and she spoke in surprise. “How?! How did he submit to your will within minutes?!”

“I simply gave him an option and he took it. He’ll be loyal to me, that I can promise you.” Satou responded, though the voice was the one who did the deed. “I think we should get back soon and see how the others are doing.” Sombra didn't respond but nodded her head as the two of them climbed the stairs and left the basement with Night Twister looking towards him with a smile.

Satou and Sombra walked back through the halls; they saw multiple different races walking around the mansion ranging from what looked to be dragonesses to some bipedal dogs, with almost all of them wearing very skimpy maid outfits.

“I don’t want to ask.” Satou responded as he shook his head.

“Dainn wanted this place to feel like a place fit for someone with power, as such he paid no expense in acquiring you the most exotic maids he could from across the empire. Even some brand new, unbroken dragonesses from the Dragonlands that we fitted with collars that will force them to submit to any male within a few hours.” Sombra responded.

“So what? Aren’t they just like the normal collars?”

“No… Dragon’s are annoyingly resilient to most things we can use… someone managed to do… horrific things to get something to design those things off that can get through their scales… I believe it uses pain to make them submit.” Sombra responded.

“So…you torture them till they do what you ask?”

“...Yes.”

“This is why I’m starting to hate Caribou science.” Satou responded as he groaned in annoyance. “And the Caribou in general.”

After a couple of minutes of walking around the mansion they eventually reached the dining room as Satou looked inside to find three familiar maids cleaning up the room with Eliza watching, or maybe in thought.

After a few seconds Satou walked inside before saying. “Are you girls all doing okay?” Eliza is just muttering to herself, not hearing him speak.

Satou could only sigh before walking up to Eliza. “Eliza… are you okay in here?” He asks, tapping her on her shoulder. All he got was silence.

“Eliza!” Satou shouted towards Eliza hoping to get her attention.

“Huh-uh-what…” Eliza said as she looked to the voice and spotted Satou. “Oh, hi. Did you say something?”

“I asked if you were okay.” Satou responded before looking at her again. “And you don’t look okay right now, did something happen?”

“Um, a bit… or not, don’t know.” She stood up before heading for the door. “Sorry, I need to be alone for a bit.”

“Eliza...” Satou responded by placing a hand on her shoulder. “What's wrong, something is bothering you again, and I can’t help if you don’t tell me.”

“I just need some alone time okay, now please.” She pulled her shoulder away as she stepped out the door.

Satou stood there for a moment before turning to Flutter, seeing how drastic the mare changes were from the day. “Girls… did something happen?”

Strawberry stopped her sweeping to answer. “It’s like this.”

Strawberry explained about the conversation, how Flutter looks healthy just minutes ago and believed that Miss Eliza wanted to help them but kept a few things out for Flutters privacy.

After listening, Satou shook his head before saying. “She should have come to me before sorting things. If I had seen some proof I could have done something about it, while not breaking any laws… maybe even freed you if it was bad enough.”

“Sorry to say but she seems, well, not sure.” Strawberry threw her thoughts in.

“Not sure about what?” Satou asked curiously.

She shrugged. “Don’t know, I can only tell what they're really giving off, not ‘know’ for why. I can’t read minds.”

“It’s a shame, I really do want to help. If only I had some kind of evidence of negligence towards the three of you, I know yesterday you told me he hadn’t fed you in a week, but I need physical evidence of it.” Satou admitted with a sigh of annoyance.

“You mean, like these...” Strawberry moved some of her fur to reveal bruises or whip marks that settled, Sugar Rush did the same.

“And I can add abuse to it as well…” Satou stated before pausing. “Girls, would you give me written testimonies of your owner's actions towards the three of you?”

“That won’t work.” Sugar Rush said sadly. “Anything from females claims of abuse would be shrugged off.”

“Unless the person bringing the evidence forward has a loophole.” Satou started with a smile. “Just trust me on this one okay.”

“You getting two males testimonies too?” Strawberry asked. Satou didn’t respond and only smiled, tapping the side of his head. Strawberry just shrugged. “Fine, but i’m still iffy about it.”

“Don’t be; this will work.” Satou responded. “Just make sure to get those testimonies to me as soon as you can so I can check them.”

A few hours later all three mares handed Satou their testimonies, but Flutter was shaking in nervousness as she gave him hers.

Satou looked at her with a smile. “Flutter, don’t be nervous.” Looked to the rest of the group before he added. “You have my word that you’ll all be safe. Okay?”

“You better, it’s our hide your risking here not yours.” Strawberry remind him seriously.

“I know,” Satou responded before he started to read the testimonies he’d been given and after a couple of minutes smiled as he said. “Girls. You're staying here for the foreseeable future, I’m declaring you're old owner, unfit to own slaves, pending investigation.” Looking between each other, the mares still seem unsure.

“Girls… You have my word as champion, if he comes near you, he will be severely punished, he will never lay a hand on any of you ever again.” Satou stated before adding. “As for what you do with your freedom from him, that's up to you.”

“I wish I could believe you, but you're not a judge or the ruler of this land. I don’t think your words are enough to convince us.” Strawberry huffed.

“Now come on, why are you so sceptical of him? He’s willing to help us.” Sugar Rush spoke, feeling a bit irked by the mare attitude.

“Sugar, thank you for believing in me. It means a lot, it really does.” Satou responded with a kind smile.

“Thanks but let me make this clear...” Sugar Rush gave Satou a serious look. “I’m giving you a chance and “only” one chance.”

“And I won’t make you regret it.” Satou responded.

‘And I won’t let you screw it up either.’ Enkvaros added.

None of them responded to him as they all returned to cleaning. Satou stood up and began to walk around the house, looking for Eliza. After a couple of minutes later, he arrived at the loft to find an open window. Satou went to look through it, when he looked out to find Eliza meditating on the roof.

Satou walked over to her and spoke up. “Eliza, are you able to talk with me for a bit?”

“No.” She answered, not moving to look at him.

“Eliza… I need to talk to you. I need your help right now… Sugar, Flutter & Strawberry definitely need you. And without your help, I can’t get them away from their old owner.” Satou said.

“What you expect from me…?”

“I found a loophole in the law system that only works in the case of a champion family, anyone related to them, male or female, gains influence in cases that can be taken to court. If you write a testimony of what you saw had happened to the girls, I can use that as evidence to end their owners' contracts on them, on the grounds of assault and gross negligence to his slaves.” Satou answered, before admitting. “But without your help, I can’t help them… and I’m guessing you want a way to save them, and that was the thing you were thinking about before.”

“.... Yes, yes I was. But who would care about your testaments other than Diann? As far as I saw, no one. But i’ll give you what you want, again.” She sighed but didn’t move from her meditation. “Do you have anything to write, not interested in going back inside at the moment?”

“Yeah...” Satou responded, passing her a sheet of paper and a pen. “Here.” She wrote down everything before passing it back to him.

“Here.” Eliza returns to her meditation. “Don’t make me regret it again.”

“I have no intention of letting any of you down.” Satou responded.

She shook her head as she continued her meditation. “Is that all or are you done?”

“I suppose I’m done.” Satou responded before walking away before saying. “Eliza… If you do a search today of this area, you’ll end up finding someone under the house, according to Somrba, he’s a convicted murderer and a kidnapper, who Dainn locked under the house to starve.” She didn’t answer. “Just wanted to make you aware.”

“Fine.” Eliza simply said. Satou could only sigh at this before climbing back into the house, walking to find a room for the night.