Hmm... not bad the mare's out today. New recruit, freshly colored barding... I could smell their tittering excitement from a bucking tower, it was so palpable. As I lick my lips, I watch as one wraps her forelegs around the other... And sigh. Damn it, just friends. I could have used a bit a mare love today. I consider the taller one, and smirk. Clan Pegasus, eyes bright and coat gorgeous, a Doo for sure. Kicker's are all right, for a clan, but their kind of stand offish, and those Striker pricks wouldn't hug a bloody unicorn or heaven forbid a mud horse to save their venerated cock chugging lives. Looking out over the city, I shiver as the chill begins to set in. Here, I can hear everything. I shudder as the life of the people thrum from... somewhere, nowhere, but I feel the lusts and loves, the hate and mourning, I hear the echoes of the past... I see Charger in ascension and fall. I shudder as I feel mama's fury unleashed... I hear the echoes of the past. The Kicker matar was there, and saw the kill made, but damn if our old mare didn't go all the fuck out.

I close my eyes, and smile...

You will kneel... All of you, my ponies. Come, kneel to us... We, who are but moments from...

She stops then, that old whore... And a smile crosses her face. The matar ain't come yet, and I can't see her as mama, but I see her a bit... that part is too sad for me, can't watch that. I see Bright then clearest, her body twisted and wrecked it is... I can feel anger then, her anger, that old rage of pegasus, that old thing. And alot asides, us mares got that going most times. But... this was different. I can feel, so much it tore at her it did, and how hard she tried to fight it... she was heartbroken. Not for mama Es, she knew she went with a smile, she surprised them with laughing when the whore tried to make her beg... She was so aggrieved, she didn't want this. I can see her clearly now, and I want to hate her then... you doing your clan wrong mare. This is a good deed damn it, a good thing!

But she's looking at the whore... and she don't cry or nothing. She just sits down, and removes her helm... The clan don't see this, don't write it down, they don't know this...

I hate this war... We shouldn't be this way...

She looks around, then runs her hoof through that fucking stupid worthless mane on her simpering head, I want to choke her with that braid the old cunt... She just took down a fucking goddess, an alicorn! For us it'd be a good fight and even a kill, but for pegasus... this was their moment. Their shining fucking bauble to put on their barding and get a pat on the head by the Queen. She should want this, she should be happy! She... she shouldn't have made mama Es weak. Maybe she wouldn't have died then. She wasn't even supposed to be there, she was supposed to be in hiding, waiting for her time...

As the passage fades and matters shift, and that old battle cunt fades, we are in a brighter chapter of our times, not the pegasus Shadow.

I watch as the shadows shift and fogs twirl and time is no more... For the La'fatale are ever here, so long as Fury burns, so we are. And this one is so clear as to painful, so drenched is our scent as to be overwhelming. And so is she... I snarl as I feel that... things scent reach mama's nostril. I can't smell it of course, but I'm told its enough to turn ones heart to ice, and none dare look on her... save Sunbeam and aunt Shadow. But mama is looking... and grinning. I feel it even now, that old want of ours, that special thing all for us... I can feel mama's muscles quiver in exertion, I can hear her panting in desire, I am blushing and in awe at mama's utter hunger and absolute compsumptive want for Bright, for the Avatar of Nightmare...

I'm going to kill you.

Bright pauses at that, and turns to the sound of the voice. Mama has begun to look around, grin widening as her eyes travel over the ponies fallen, many who had once mocked us as mad mares, as savages and no threat... we showed them we were equals whatever our birth, they who conquered the Shard... Mama slowly looks back to the whore, that cuckolding ungrateful slut... She tilts her head, and leans her blade back to rest against her shoulders. Bright walked up to her, brow cocked.

Ah, Esther. Come now, there's no need for this. Thou knowest I have ever saw you as Equestria's own. Our beloved sisters of Fury. The clans have splintered, but will be remade. I will rebuild this world in our image...

Her image...

Bright brow furrowed her former smirk slowly fading. Mama Es smile changed as well, looking now wistful.

Nightmare's image. Thinks to come abouts she does, and see things made her way.

Mama chuckled, then began to laugh, then howl with mirth, slamming a hoof again and again in to the cobbled street as Bright's aura clutched her spear, her eyes flashing in the grey mist. Mamas head lowered again, and her eyes... Oh god, those wolves eyes, not mad. No, ones that saw things more clearly then any other mare save perhaps thestrals, ones who as they saw the world and all within it... Whose hooves walked our crooked paths through the dark woods where no light will find you,

And I hear a fluttering of wings. Oh, those are on my end... I hear four hooves touch down and my nostrils twitch at her scent... Cloud. A mare after my own heart, I suppose. I had hoped to attend such a fine spirit, aged as it was in drink and lust, but alas, she had claimed her little herd and gone all responsible and "Adult." Still a friend, even if she's clan whore... I still remembered her tantrum over my little tit for tit with little sister Storm on certain facts of life... She hadn't struck me, or even threatened it. She just yelled and... and cried. I made Cloud cry, and she said she wasn't a friend of mine.

I left with mother for a while after that... back to the place I was meant, to do what we was born to do. I still see Mama down in the streets as our story plays its chapter out, as I hear a clink of metal in my passage... and a hoof lowered again. I bite my tongue at that... she knows I'd only ever stop my commune for a friend, and that means her too. I can feel the old blood in her, that proud proud red... but something more. Something we'd never seen before...

Ponies saw us chained and brought low, and we had ever stood tall before them... We were no ones slaves, and the only whores were the studs the clan lent out our aunts had bought... and shared, I'm happy to say. Many sisters there be coming, I can feel em now. I can also feel mother, and I know she looking back, that old bitches scowl where it usually is. I sent my letter and love, but I can still smell that damn want for one of those colts to fuck a foal in me before my aging ass gets only fatter...

Mother always had a way about her. Always knew how to treat her baby girls. We were the end result of the tail end of perhaps the most unsatisfying cock any mare had ever taken and continued our good half ass-ery from their by putting her through nigh a year of utter misery to then nearly split her in half on our way out and to repay her by being some of the most ungrateful, insipid, and ugly practice sluts she'd ever laid eyes on.

That was also when Cloud's mama became my favorite aunt and unrivaled alpha mare by stepping up to her, mother with her studs and mares in tow, reared back, and nearly took the old cunts head clean off with perhaps the greatest round house fuck off you slag since Iron Will on that gryphon fuck stick. Of course I was pissed then, it was graduation, and here they two was, two grown mares in bouts like some windago stallions in a tavern! Ah well, Nimbus gust has ever been a mare of little humor, and mother did take it with a laugh. She ended dragging her off to end up getting drunk under the table, and that she nearly killed that old alpha for that. Mother had her studs working overtime for days after that, and I think it might have had an effect on little Tulip. She's perhaps the crankiest most sullen La'fatale to ever come out a mares hock since maybe aunt Shadow, although aunt was most times all bark. Tulip's mean as a snake 'scept when that one colt... Rumble, yeah, she gets all a flutter then. I get along with bout as well as Cloud does Alula, so I's ask she gonna see if he wanna be her stud one day.

Nah... I'm gonna marry him. Ain't no sharing for me.

I laughed at that. No doubt she thinkin she gonna have to fight for her mare or stallion like one of them silly heart books Cloud's mare reads. She lost that bright smile right quick, letting her scowl out again, and stomped away. I know it mean, but she was just so fucking cute in that moment. Nah, we only come for our own when they make us think we failed... and it ain't no whore that done that for Es. Her stallion, for him, a mare as unmoveable as mountains and stood down a god I can hear her now, Es, as the whore works her over, can hear bones breaking and being made whole to be broke again, can feel the shadow of dark magics at work, can know that they both be wondering, that old queen and her whore, why won't she break? We are all so special and we will rule and come slobber upon our royal she cock, the uppity half bitch.

Told to hold the line... I came for my own reason, but she says "Hold the line." Said she trusted me... No one else she did. Just me...

I can see clearly mama and Bright in the passage, Bright holding mama up to her face... I always had to stop looking when I was young... but now, I chuckle. Mama's scowling, and her eyes are furious.

Fucking sky rat think I give a tinker splintered todger fuck the fuck she ordering me to do... I trust you, what kind of half cock shit is that! Nah, she come out her all the wrong reasons...

Bright yanked mama up, then slammed and I gasp and flinch. I hear a clink of armor, and a hoof on my back. I will not leave... I owe it to Es. She sobs out then, and turns her head to Bright.

Damn it... Damn it, why ain't he yours?

Bright stopped then, eyes widening.

Then... then none of this would have come to pass...

She began to crawl to Bright, and Bright began to step back.

You... you fucking worthless ungrateful spite filled cunt... You're little filly gets killed for this fuck fest you start, and you get all teary eyed and blame Shadow?

Bright wings flared, her muzzle opening in outrage...

SHUT YOUR YAP, I'M TALKING!

She does, and the look there... in mama's. Es is sobbing now, dragging herself near...

He believed in you... he trusted you! He... he said you'd make it all fair and right and good again. He... He loves you. Like you... like you his mama....

She dragged herself, her bloody broken body, her eyes anguished and imploring... Bright steps back slowly, shaking her head...

You... you ain't no mother! You... you murderer! You say her name, you say you babies name, I curse you for that you... You fucking baby killer...

Bright took one more step... then fell to the ground. She raises herself up, then sits her rump down again. She's looking away... her face says nothing, and what a sad thing that is. But Es... she's so unbelievably desperate its sickening.

He... left. Take our little colt and fly off to be with you and yours and I thought I'd never see em again... And came back... He betrayed you and yours and all else besides and came back to us and you know why that is? You know why he ain't here? You know why?

She had finally came to the whore, and began to pull herself up her barding. More and more she pulled, and closer she came...

He says to me... He says, I can't abide one who can't stand by they own...

Bright's eyes widen, and she pushes her away... Es lays there, shaking her head, and cries.

Its... its all so damn sad, ain't it. Father's and mothers by graves of foals, weeping and wailing to wake the dead and they tears enough to flood the rivers...

She looked again at Bright...

And you... you ain't crying, is you. You babies dead, and no mare, they ain't gonna be more! Our babies, we have em, and they the only one in the world!

She... she was so fucking twisted around, I don't know how she can speak. She looks to the sky again...

You got wings... I always wanted them...

She smiled and coughed...

I would be free then, wouldn't I?

Bright, the whore, the false prophet of a foul thing, she looked down at Es...

You are free... A fool, but free.

Es chuckled more at that, then began to screech.

You are, you cunt! Free of this world, so strong and smart and good you is... So beyond it all...

She turned her head away, eyes roaming over the rubble and dead and she sighed.

So beyond us it don't matter... Is that why Bright? Is the pain gone now?

She closed her eyes, and began to shake.

My colt and stallion live... but my babes, they I birthed and raised and taught... they died. But what they matter... we Le'fatale, we deserve it. We born this way... but we choose our lives.

She looked back to Bright... And she seems so... old then. She wasn't even gray of mane, had years in her if only she'd stop...

Them earth ponies... their babies. Them running nobles, they wasn't nothing. All them mares and stallions and they foals... all for you and her and no one else.

I want to look away... I don't want to see this. But life isn't about what we want.

My colt... he needed his father. That's why I'm here... cause you wouldn't stop Bright... You'd take them and break them and shake them til they eyes pop and bones splinter...

She shakes her head slowly.

Why wasn't it enough Bright? You says you more then us an alicorn... but you could have been. You, a pegasus... you could have been so much more, done such good...

Bright lowered herself down, laying her head next to the strange ground pounder, I think she knew of her, that she was some loyalist... but Bright's eyes are hers and not hers and its wrong. She runs them over our mama, and smiles.

I'm still young... I can have more, if I need them...

Es jerked and tried to rise, then went still, scowling and weeping.

You... you addled cunt... You... you're not listening...

She wept as the rain fell, and the world seemed so cold then... It is the same cold we feel when we keep vigil on our own when we become who were are in our youth, those few days when we leave our filly days to become mares... and are reminded of what we are in truth. And in that truth, we feel the chill. We rage and scream then, and lash out and cry for fuck and fight and push back against it, the cold... Was this why we were stronger then others, so tall and lean and vicious. Sunbeam was much like us, but to her, it was all for some goal... she was no mare till Midnight, is what Es told us. So she child in my eyes... and I can forgive a child for they don't know better.

We were so furious when word came of Sunbeam's act... Es held us at bay and told us of it, and we relented. We did not forget, but forgave. And she did not care of course, but thus was her ways... I can feel her in the passage, but she is such a dim and dull thing. Another gray stroke in the grand tome of all really, but to be seen by us speaks of her light... Bright?

She's gone. She is there, but not, and had not been for some time. Es lays there, and her passage closes, and she is trying so hard to reach another mare... to try to be a sister to one not of us...

They ain't no more... No more Lance, or the others... they was the ones you got... And this war took em, as they did so many...

I take a shaky breath, and I feel that hoof draw me close. She can't see as I do, dear Cloud... and what a blessing that is.

Take him... take my stallion... my colt, when he off age...

Bright's head jerked up, her eyes wide and expression outraged.

Damn it, do it! They... they'll change you Bright...

Her mouth closed slowly, and she began to rise again. Es rolled onto her side... she faced all of it, all the death and innocent souls lost... And she did what no Le'Fatale had done. She wept for others. The world had not a care for us, it used and was used by us, and that was how it was. Take a couple for your own, and get what enjoyment was there, but never let them close. Es had let ponies close... and it killed her. She had learned their was good in them... and while we may deserved death, ponies like her stallion and colt, they didn't deserve this. Before, when this fight was just lust and fury, a chance to kill a worthy foe... she'd have died long before. But now...

I... I don't want this... I don't want to die, not yet.

Her eyes jerk wildly as she begins to pant harder... Just die Es, let go.

I can't! I won't, its not fair! After all this, all this...

Bright raised a hoof, then leaning down once more, began to slowly stroke Es's mane.

You... Take them, you want them don't you? I can't move, you did me proper...

Bright began to softly hum... I feel Cloud nuzzle my cheek. I'm crying, and Le'fatale don't cry. We can't... anything that was a pony was taken from us. But Es... she found that part again. We cry for her... that's all. Ain't our tears, no sir or ma'am or Queen on throne. As Bright hums, Es closed her eyes.

Don't... you ain't my mama...

Bright kept on... it was so fake, so awful. Seeing those eyes, and hearing that song... It was a pegasus one, don't know which, lost to time... but all mothers sing same. Don't know about fathers. Only got sires. I wondered if Bright's babies ever thought of him... I met him a few times, a pegasus too. It was... nice. He is a very good stallion. My mother didn't love him though. She loved her mare, and my sisters. I can feel this things end, and it was a sad one, as most are... Es sighed. The song was always fake... This was who Bright always was, and what a sad bad she she was indeed

Mama's love Bright... and the father's, they do to. You can't love... You like us... Or maybe was...

The Avatar rose again... and left behind some mad thing spouting foolish. I shake my head, remembering the words of our father and the thestrils, he who knows the crooked ways and bears his crooked cloak, who hides and waits and slays cruel pony folk... I remember how the thestral were made, when the pegasus cast their babies into the wilds... and they was taken by him. And how they forgave our fellows for their acts... we never have, nor will. We can't. And as the passage closes and the tome dims, I hear Es's words.

Save me... damn it, I yield. I'll... make me whole, I'm yours. I can't leave them, please...

Shadow, Cloud... all our friends, we hide a shameful thing. Shadow was Esthers friend... her only one. She cared for no one, and was cared for by none. We used her as she us, and the world us the same. But she had changed when she met Shadow... They were... soft, she said. We giggled of course, but she shook her head.

No... I mean, she and they...

She drew her daughter close, and leaning down said

Your aunt Shadow... you be minding her when she talk, you hear? And aye, she be soft. And kind, and good. She ain't like us, and any who call her whore ain't no kin mine. And her clan like her, most of em. They soft as well...

Her daughter looked up at her mother, tilting her wee head.

They won't hurt us mama?

She sighed then... and kissed her little head.

They will... but that's okay my wee one. Because we hurt them too... ponies who close are close enough to hurt them they care for.

She looked up again, her eyes hard.

And aye, we to this war of their's my sisters. Stud's, leave, stay, I care not, but do not impede matters. And the others as well... We go to war...

Her daughter let her go then, and she looked at the gathered kin, and she ran away, going to bed I think. Her mother watched her, and back again to her kin. Her lips slowly lifted upward...

Krieg...

We know not its meaning. It is a word we speak not often, and only in times of worthy foes. When the city's torch lights fell, when all seemed at its worst... as the warlocks chanted and acolytes howled in their pleasure... we smile at this, their joy. She is so bright then... If only you could see Cloud, and if I could see Shadow truly... I see her as I do all those of Le'fatale, she is grey and dim. But that is not because her life mattered not, but because her tale is not for our eyes. Nones tome, no peoples, is for any but theirs, they they tell, and the Maker. Shadow was in our home, she sat at mothers table, and ate of it... but she told no tale. And none asked. She wasn't like us, or Bright.

She was one who was going to change things. Good or bad, they would be that way. And it would be done because it Maker's will, whose makings come in their time, not ours. Troubles comes soon, and often stays long... but good things do, for but a moment though. And her, and Cloud... I draw myself from their tome, as Shadow put a hoof on mothers head. She was older, though not by much... and giggled. She did that, tis true.

Esther... a strange name... for a strange daughter I suppose.

None had ever call us that... None claimed Le'fatale nor spoke to them if they could help it... Mama Es looked at Shadow... And I knew that that was the first time any had put a hoof to her in kindness.

The clans... my clan. We've lived so long alone... just us and no one else. But we choose it... you haven't. And was cruel of us, your brothers and sisters, your parents... to leave you out like we did."

She smiled then... it was a nice smile. She did it rarely, and it did little to ease the world from a weary back... But mama Es smiled back, uncertain.

Its time for the Le'fatale, the thestrals... its time for our lost tribes to return to us.

I nodded. I left our story, of Le'fatale and Shadow and our first war since we broke free... We were feared, reviled, and branded monsters... but citizens of equal standing. And Celestia our Queen... a glorious land of sweet grass, or clean waters... we had left the dark to step into their light, it is said. But we never left our dark place, the crooked path of those who wander, to see the world as it is not as we wished it be.

I opened my eyes again, and Cloud's there... in her barding, of course. I smirk, and pat her arm.

"Ah, my cher... How fares our dear little ones?"

She sighed, and rolled her eyes.

"Come on Jes... You know Blossomforth has put her foot down."

At that I snort. So some little minge wiggler thinks to me and mine where we stand. Most pegasus weren't of the clans, aye, but that little bastard... Seeing the look on Cloud's face, I winced. I still remember the cold shoulder I'd gotten for that one. Its not like I'm not one too, I don't see why she got all het up. But alas, my dear mare did unto me the greatest pain by not gracing my ears with her Canterlot accent and send my mind into turning such dolcet tones into ones that Fluttershy would skin me for.

"Fine, fine..."

After waving of my sisters testament to discourtesy, seriously, who gets married right before I arrive to make sure mares and stallions know what to do, I looked out over our city again. Cloud walks up beside me, and watches as the birds fly overhead. I don't look at her of course... She looks nothing like Shadow, to be honest. The portraits do little to do her good, but we remember her in our tome. She was... sturdy. More muscled and solid then most pegasus, practically stallion in height. We remember her scent... and Cloud smells of that too. I make no indication, but I draw her in... and there it is. As was with Shadow so is with Cloud, but unlike Esther, I feel my body burn with a special lust for the mare next to me. I am taller then she, more of form in tone but leaner, more of a wolf and of an entirely feminine shaping. Cloud is a most clan are: strong of wing muscles, well formed, but she still retains more of the curves of maternity, ones she'd retained and somehow still pulled despite her trimming down. She was no seducer or Le'Fatale... but one needed only speak to her and ones body was theirs. She possessed a decidedly stallionish charm, but nothing butch. Or perhaps ponies appreciated her utter lack of bullshit and getting to matters at hand.

A beautiful mare is our Cloud... A good friend.

I don't love her. Ara, my mare... my lovely dark flame, my ever quiet maiden... She knows of Cloud. And snarls each time she is there in our home. I've of course tried to deter her from it, and she merely gives me... that look.That not married look. That I'll obey when you finally fuck me in a wife kind of way. The you are mine and that bitch is not ours way. Silver managed to calm her, of course, but it took the night and he slept in our bed while I lay on the main rooms floor. I managed to get railed by Rapidfire though before he left, so alls forgiven... still, I should arrange a date for us all. Those three will be leaving soon, best enjoy our time while we can.

I feel Cloud put a wing over my back, and startled, I begin to pull away. She follows me till I still, then lean close again, kisses my cheek.

"Welcome home Jasuette."

I hear her giggle, and blush. I know it, don't say it, please...

"Nice uniform."

I groan and step back from the railing, and tug at the frayed overcoat.

"Damn it, this is not sexy! This is not proper maid attire, I've seen the postcards! How is Thunderlane going to rutt me stupid if I make him giggle while I've got this on!"

She rolled her eyes, and snuggled me in her wing as she looked towards her hold.

"Welcome back babushka. Did you find a match for those mares yet?"

I pout as she begins to hum, and I know that one. And I know she does so to taunt me, the obnoxious cunt. And so my first day began scrubbing tiled floors and scrubbing pots, my blades tucked about under my clothes. I was now officialy relieved of duty from the Guard, and could enjoy my civilian life of secretly working in the fields of Queen bodyguard. Yeah... Luna was going to be an awkward transition.

But that was later... for now, a mare near to work myself into a proper use of a stallion, the cool breeze of a spring day, and another line in the tome of life.

And in that place in me, in all Le'fatale, there beats the nations heart, our bond. We know not its name, though they call it Harmony. Ponies here talk to much. What we have here is simply something one should never name. It is Home. And as it has been, it is now. And we, the Le'fatale, the thestrals, wander the dark to keep safe they in light. Sleep my ponies, for soon, my sisters and thestral kin take our posts. You will never see us, aye, but we always around.

As the crooked path teaches: things are never quite the way they seem. And Equestria, well, she has friends one does not wish to know. Sleep well, my ponies. For I am here as well: and I have friends as you do. And for my friends, for all they've done, I will never forsake them. And I will always hear Esther's words.

We do not Forgive, we do not Forget. And in every town and city state, her name is held up in toast. We too remember, and also what we promised our friends. Remember Esther, the traitor whore... who in the end was no friend Shadow's and no ones sister. Speak not of the traitor whore, and remain true to them, our friends.

I look at Cloud... and I think of them, my mare, my stallions. I was so much less without you here, and do so much more then a mere monster like me can hope. You are more then even you know, more then any alicorn. And unto death and beyond, I face any who do you harm. I burn with lust and fury, but have purpose now. We are no slaves... we serve. And are cold and hard and cruel. And as we turn to head inside, her to clan, and I to apartment, I look over my shoulder.

See you tommorow then... And to the next chapter in our story. As we make our way downstairs, and Cloud yammers about some foal thing her little one did and I seethe in envy that the unrepentant slut got one before me, I sigh.

And I can't wait to see what is written tomorrow...

Author's Note

Yup, I've nicked the pegasus rebellions and put them in my own story! With blackjack, and thestrals!

Seriously, I'm doing a non chengar verse pegasus clan thing with my story and have made off with the lot. Pretty much same pegasus, same fight in the end, but with a group of magically augmented experiments who were Cloud Kicker-ing before Cloud made her particular bad habit, pegasus clans who are still present in modern era who were actually competent and didn't fly off into the wood chipper of Brightmare, immortal alicorns being immortal, Queen's beings Queen's because Princess is fucking stupid, and thestrals who are there because they are the starting point for this debacle, you guys sucked for ax-ing them and that just wasn't cool bro, and they are awesome and I like them.

I have done all this so I can reveal my master plan: I've secretly done this all out of spite over winningverses intolerable lack of thestrils so I made a mare much hornier then Cloud Kicker. She has out banged the Winning Pony! Mwahahahahah! AND SHE'S FRENCH, SO THAT'S LIKE, FANCY BANGING!

Seriously, winningverse stuff here, unless otherwise noteable everything here is its own thing. Accept no imitators... shut up