Equestria Underground-Book I: Hope Is Magic

by MisterEdd

Rating: mature
Tags: Drama, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, King Sombra, Starlight Glimmer, Adventure, Sex, Sunset Shimmer, Profanity, Violence, Death, Alternate Universe, Grogar, Tirek
Length: 21682

In an alternate Equestria, Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon reign supreme. Who can stop these tyrants?

The land of Equestria languishes beneath the iron hoofed-rule of the alicorn tyrants Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon, who keep its citizens in a state of misery and hopelessness. Sombra, the heir to the recently-destroyed Crystal Empire, along with his advisor Grogar, has decided to take a stand. Together, with a gang of fellow misfits, he embarks on a journey to discover the means to end the sisters' cruel reign and bring peace and prosperity to Equestria. The answer lies with a mysterious collection of artifacts known only as the Elements of Harmony...

Co-written with the fantastic Viper Pit

Cover art does not belong to me; I got this off of Google and it belongs to https://www.deviantart.com/selcix

Published 2019-05-26 21:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2019-08-20 00:07:19 UTC

Dramatis Personnae

“Look away, Sombra. Don’t look.”

Try as he might, Sombra could not heed Grogar’s words and shrugged the ram’s hoof off of his shoulder. Trudging forward in the snow, Sombra could only stare with jaw-dropping horror as the smoke continued to billow out of the Crystal Empire, the screams of its shimmering-coated inhabitants still echoing in his ears. Rivulets of salt water flowed down Sombra’s cheeks but no audible sobs came out of his mouth. It had been known as the “Jeweled City,” a scintillating utopia and one of the premier centers of trade and learning in Equestria. Now it was a smoking ruin of fire and death, one that he was expected to lead someday.

“Your Majesty?”

Sombra gripped the crown in his hooves tightly and turned to meet the worried gaze of his companion. “Don’t call me that.” He stared down at the crown, picturing the bearded face of its late owner and clenched his jaw, wishing that now more than ever, his father was still alive. “Father...mother...I’m so sorry. I’ve failed you both.”

“That’s not true, my prince.” Grogar said as he put a hoof on Sombra’s shoulder only for Sombra to pull away sharply.

“I’m not a prince nor a king. I’m not worthy of the title and besides, my kingdom is burning as we speak,” Sombra spat bitterly. The light reflected off of the gold band and illuminated the gems that adorned it, creating a multi-hued corona of reds, blues, greens, and violets. With a snarl, Sombra spun around and tossed it as far as he could, watching it disappear into the snow. He pulled his cloak around himself and started to march away when Grogar grasped ahold of his foreleg.

“That crown was passed down through forty generations of your family. Please do not toss away such a valuable piece of your family’s heritage.” His tone was more pleading than angry, though his gruff voice and imposing size made it sound more threatening. Sombra wretched his foreleg away. “Your father would’ve wanted…-”

“My father’s dead! My family is dead!” Sombra glared at the ram and then sighed, “It doesn’t matter what they would’ve wanted. It’s just me now.”

“Sombra…-”

“Let’s just go. The Royal Sisters’ spies will be searching for us.” Pulling up his hood, Sombra stomped forward, not looking back to see if Grogar was following him but picked up on the crunching of snow behind him. For the next couple of hours, neither one of them said a word, their minds occupied by not only the fate of their home but also the terrible what-ifs that the future had in store for them. They had survived the attack on the city and eluded Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon’s forces. Now they had to survive the harsh and unforgiving conditions of the Frozen North.

***********

The sun blazed overhead as the seemingly-endless line of slaves slogged forward through the streets, their chains rattling in a grim melody amongst the chatter of the reprobates that eyeballed them disdainfully. Klugetown...what a wretched hive of scum and villainy. A centaur with an awesome set of mutton chops swatted at a fly that had been persistently buzzing in his ear and was rewarded for this action via a firm whip crack to his already tender back.

“Quit goofing off, Tirek! Your break ended two minutes ago.” The rotten-toothed pony responsible for the centaur’s new red mark growled as he readied the whip again.

“I’m going, I’m going.” Tirek mumbled as he left to go back to the cotton fields. It was unusually hot that day and Tirek figured that Daybreaker was having a bad fight with her sister (which was almost constantly, the way he heard it) or maybe she slept funny. He didn’t know and he was just too hot and tired to muster up any sense of care.

I really miss the good old days before the sisters. Tirek thought as he pulled the seeds out of a stalk of cotton to be replanted later. Nothing but nice relaxing days without out the fear of dying of heat stroke or freezing to death at night because a couple of ponies are in a bad mood.

“Man, if I wanted to die of boredom, I would’ve stayed in Griffonstone,” a bored voice droned on behind Tirek. “At least there, you can off yourself without anyone’s permission.” The griffon picked some cotton seeds and scrunched his face up. Oddly enough, with his large eyes, or rather, eye and more rounded head, Gunter more closely resembled an owl than an eagle, which was what griffons were supposed to be half of.

“Quiet fool or you will get us all punished!” A diamond dog growled as he came by to collect the cotton once the seeds were separated. “Last time you opened up your beak, every creature got fifty lashings.”

Still wearing a mask of boredom, Gunter pointed to his empty left eye socket. “And I got this little ‘treat.’ We’re slaves. This is what happens.” As the griffon and Diamond Dog went back and forth, Tirek just kept picking, waiting for the pony in charge to come and break them up. Once he was there, Tirek would strike.

“I don’t get it, Cujo! You’re a diamond dog, the alpha of the subterranean world! Why are you rolling over and acting like a bitch for the masters of Klugetown?”

“Because the Underground’s not safe! Pony Princesses cause earthquakes to colonies that get too big.” Cujo growled in Gunter’s face, only for the pony in charge to whip him, causing him to whine and recoil from the pony. Before he could swing again, Tirek grabbed the pony by the throat and drained him of his magic, watching with fascination as he kicked and squirmed in his grasp.

“Been a while since I did that but it was necessary.” Tirek tossed the pony down to the ground and rolled his shoulders, sighing in relief as they popped and cracked. The weakened pony slowly rose to his hooves but then froze as Cujo and Gunter advanced on him, furious retribution in their eyes. The pony tried to flee but was grabbed by the pair and crushed into the dirt as the other slaves rushed over to join in on the action. As the pony was torn to shreds, Tirek walked off to find some allies to change the world now that he had some magic in him.

***********************

In the far east, there stood a small mining town, a desolate little patch of land that more closely resembled a penitentiary rather than a community. A lone unicorn mare with a purple mane and tail with a pink coat and briefcase made her way into the mayor’s office, ready for the meeting that she had booked months in advance. She strode up to the assistant, who looked as though she was having a rough day, and gestured for the mare to take a seat and wait for her turn.

She didn’t have to wait long, maybe ten minutes at most. “Starlight Glimmer.” The assistant called. “The Mayor will see you now.” Nodding, Starlight went into the office with the briefcase in hoof.

“Hello, Mayor Scrolls.” Starlight greeted as she took her seat. The Mayor was a middle-aged earth pony stallion that had a brown and white coat with a black mane and tail, both of which were peppered with silver strands. Given his young appearance, it was probably due to stress.

“Hello, Starlight.” The mayor’s voice was full of worry. He checked to see if the door and windows were closed and leaned forward. “I assume you have it with you?”

“It is in here.” Starlight confirmed, holding up the briefcase and opened it up to reveal its contents. Said contents were a stack of photographs of the Mayor and his assistant engaged in illegal breeding, which was a big no-no in Equestria. “Do you have your end of the deal?”

“It’s in the safe.” He said sadly, pushing forward a slip of paper containing the safe’s combination. “I do hope you know what you are doing Miss Glimmer because if you succeed, one or possibly more of the Generals will come for you.”

“I know the risk but I am also aware of true love when I see it. Go be with her and let me handle everything.” Starlight hoofed over the briefcase and magically began turning the dial on the safe, briefly peeking over her shoulder to see mayor swing the door open and hurry out with his assistant and briefcase in tow. “I hope they have a happy life.” Starlight then opened up the safe to reveal a map with all of the surrounding areas and military routes. Underneath that was the town deed and a signed document declaring Starlight Glimmer as the new official mayor of Our Town. “Our Town...the first free town in Equestria.” Starlight smiled as she immediately began to make plans for everything that she would need to fully liberate the town.

******************************

“One-two, buckle my shoe! Three-four, close the door! Five-six, pick up sticks! Seven-eight…” The draconequus frowned. Wait...how does the rest go? Discord sighed and stared once more up at the stone ceiling, his mismatched eyes studying the various cracks that decorated it. Incidentally, there were four hundred and twenty-five cracks and he named each and every one of them. There was Carl, Harriette, Eddie, Laura, Jason, Maggie, Mike, Carol, Ben, Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart…-

“Hey, Freakshow!” A regrettably familiar voice chortled. “Chow time!”

The metal slot of the cell door slid open and a tray covered in some kind of thick paste was unceremoniously shoved through, landing on the floor six feet in front of Discord. The slot slammed closed and the guard’s hoofsteps thumped away, leaving Discord alone once more. He eyed the pile of sludge and decided to save it for later. I miss chocolate milk. I could drink a whole lake of the stuff! He fondly recalled a time he made it rain chocolate milk in Manehattan for a whole week! Oh, how the little colts and fillies loved that!

“But then Day-Wrecker and Moonie just had to spoil the fun! Hmph! ‘A public menace!’ ‘A frivolous display of immature nonsense!’ I was just brightening up the ponies’ day!” He crossed his arms and furrowed his brow. Ever since the Royal Sisters came into power, Equestria had been reduced to a bleak, totalitarian nightmare that George Orwell would’ve orgasmed over.

“Oh right, nopony would get that,” Discord murmured, blaming it on the flawed education system. Or his own unique perspective on metafictional singularities and cross-dimensional awareness. Either one. Still, the worst part of being stuck in a dungeon wasn’t the chains, the darkness or even the repugnant slop they called “food.” No, it was the sheer and utter lack of excitement. If he still had his magic, Discord would’ve poofed up a whipped cream cannon or a marshmallow bouncy castle. “Soooooo boreeeeeeeed.”

His ears, which had become rather keen during his imprisonment, caught the sound of voices emanating from outside his cell door and he sat as quietly as possible in order to hear them. The asshat guard from before was conversing with a mare-if the feminine voice and light scent of perfume was anything to go by-and it sounded like an argument. Oh, what fun! Discord grinned and tuned into the disagreement. It was about time for some entertainment.

“Look here, Captain, I didn’t receive any kind of notification before hoof…-”

“Are you questioning an order from a superior officer? And a Solar Mage?”

“C-captain..-”

“Because as a Solar Mage, I speak for Her Royal Highness Daybreaker herself and questioning me is tantamount to questioning her as well. Shall I alert Her Royal Highness to your blatant disrespect to her good name or will you stand aside and allow me to perform my duty?”

“R-right, forgive my impudence, Captain.”

Discord heard the tell-tale clinking of the key sliding into the keyhole before the door squealed open, revealing the now-sweaty form of the pegasus guard. “Hey Freakshow, you’ve got a visitor. So be on your best behav...be…” He tumbled forward and collapsed, his obnoxiously loud snoring a clear indication that yes, he was unfortunately still breathing. A unicorn stepped into the light, her horn still sparkling with recent magic usage. She wore a chest plate, sleeved cloak, and pauldrons, all of which were emblazoned with Daybreaker’s fiery emblem.

The unicorn was yellow with a flame-like, two-toned mane of gold and orange hair and ironically possessed a pair of cold blue eyes. Discord scanned the newcomer. All in all, she’s actually quite the looker. I mean, if I were hypothetically into ponies, that is. However, this certainly isn’t the case, nope...okay, okay! Maaaaybe a little. Just don’t tell anypony!

“Well, erm, this is certainly a surprise,” Discord said awkwardly, though in all fairness, he hadn’t had an actual conversation with another individual in the past few months. The unicorn shook her head and lifted the keyring from the dozing guard, quickly unlocking Discord’s restraints while keeping an eye on the door. The shackles fell to the floor and Discord was able to rise to his full height, his back popping in quite a few places as he did so. ”Sweet Aunt Jemima, that feels soooo good! Now then, I believe introductions are in order. I am Discord Q. Draconequus…-”

“Lord of fun and happy times” She interrupted with a smirk. “I know, I’m here to release you for good behavior. My name is Sunset Shimmer. Now let's get going”

Discord shrugged, “Whatever you say, Sunny. Lead the way!” He reflexively snapped his fingers and then let out an agitated huff when nothing happened. “Oh yeah, now I remember. Brilliant!”

“Hurry up Snappy, we don’t have all day.” Sunset huffed as she finished snapping the shackles closed around the sleeping guard and racing past Discord, who mumbled something about not being a turtle before he swiftly caught up with her.

“You know, not that I’m not grateful for your help busting out of the hoosegow, but do you have an actual plan or is this all predicated on ‘winging it’?”

Sunset turned and frowned at him. “I’ll have you know that I have an excellent plan that involves...oh buck.” They both skidded to a stop and came face-to-face with a small cadre of fully armed and armor-clad but semi-confused guards. The pair looked at each other, then at the bewildered guards, who slowly brought up their spears and swords and aimed them at the two.

“Uh...hi?” Discord said as he waved.

*******************************

Beneath the scorching heat of a mid-afternoon sun, a platoon of fully armored earth pony guards stood in the castle’s courtyard, all of them frozen in formation until reanimated by the barking commands of their unicorn superior officer. High above the shuffling guards, a single unicorn mare watched with secret disgust at the display. A slight breeze swept through her orange-yellow mane, giving it the appearance of crackling fire or the sun setting after some rare cool day. With a final glance she went back inside to meet with her superior Twilight Sparkle, General of Magic, to go over new training methods for the Solar guards.

As a Solar Mage, Sunset Shimmer was one of Daybreaker’s elite conjurers, a squad of hoof-picked unicorns that answered only to the Queen of Day herself. There was a time when she was proud of such an honor but then she grew up, discovering for herself the horrors that came with the job. Similar to their counterparts the Lunar Mages, Solar Mages protected the princess and served as inquisitors towards suspected lawbreakers as well as assassins for her political rivals or anypony else that angered the short-tempered alicorns. Sometimes, the princesses often forced the two mage groups to fight to the death just to see whose decision was right. Sunset had to kill many friends on those days.

The walk to Twilight’s office had always given Sunset uneasy vibes, like she was being watched. “I really hope Blueblood won’t be there this time.” Sunset prayed, not because Blueblood was a prick or anything, but because he just didn’t know how to read a room and that often led to him getting attacked by the sisters, leaving him very scarred and unsightly to look at. It just made her feel sorry for the stallion, who did nothing more than try to placate his tempestuous aunts.

Nearing a pair of double doors bearing the twin crests of the princesses, Sunset was halted from advancing by a hulking mass of scales that glared down at the mare. “Sunset...” The mass bellowed. “You’re late.”

“My apologies to the general, Spike. It won’t happen again.”

The dragon growled but said nothing, his powerful footsteps thudding as he stepped aside, allowing Sunset access. Inside the office was a rather large desk and the pictures of the sisters on each wall having a eternal staring contest. Behind the desk, there sat a stoic-faced unicorn sorting through a stack of paperwork, her violet eyes flickering between each sentence. A large scar ran over her right eye and part of her neck and her horn was covered in scratches and cracks, a testament to her career as a trained warrior and mage. As the leader of the Six Generals, Twilight Sparkle was as tough and brutal as they came and the princesses needed such a follower to keep their subordinates in line.

Sunset remained silent; she knew that she was only to address the general when spoken to. She must of stood waiting for at least five minute before General Twilight looked up and smiled, gesturing a hoof towards a nearby chair. “Take a seat Sunset, we have much to discuss.”

Sunset saluted before getting off her tired hooves. “What’s the good news?” She asked, having known Twilight long enough to know when she was happy.

Leaning back in her seat, Twilight tapped her hooves together. “Well, for starters, Star Swirl was able to ‘convince’ the Alchemists’ Legion to bring him more rare ingredients to make the necessary heat-resistant potions for the Sun Squads and then the head of the rebellion group in Trottingham was decapitated by General Pinkie Pie and lastly, Spike made this cute picture for me.” Twilight levitated said picture, which was a very crude drawing of Twilight and Spike hugging inside a blocky heart. ”I just love it.”

“Very nice, Ma’am,” Sunset replied automatically, inwardly flinching at the odd juxtaposition of the childish doodling and talk of death and bloodshed. “I take it that you’re adding it to the Wall?” She inquired, referencing a nearby wall covered in hundreds of crayon-drawn sketches. Despite her harsh reputation, Twilight was somewhat of a softy when it came to her family.

Twilight grinned, though it was more predatory than friendly. “Yes I am. Now then, onto business. Tell me, Captain, what do you think of training the new recruits in the sun without those potions because that looks like it may happen until we can get a new batch in.”

When you played the political game in Canterlot, every answer could either result in death or another day of continued existence. “Ma’am, I believe that we need to push our guards to their breaking points to prepare them for victory or death in service of the princesses. We cannot afford the time nor the effort to coddle them.”

“Excellent answer, Captain, exactly what I wanted to hear! It’s not everyday you share the same sentiment with somepony. Too many of our allies are soft. Softness won’t do a damn thing to keep this land under our princesses’ control.” She rotated in her chair to open a drawer when she turned back to face Sunset. “Oh, and before I forget, inform Spear Head that he’s fired. He failed at one of the most basic tenets of serving Our Majesties: staying awake while on duty.”

Sunset gulped. She hated firing ponies, mostly because it involved actual fire.

“Consider it done, General,” she stated, managing to keep the revulsion out of her voice.

“Very good.” Twilight levitated a scroll over to Sunset. “Deliver this to my brother. The princesses have decreed that the age of mandatory enlistment has been lowered once again, this time from fifteen to fourteen. As my drill sergeant would’ve said, ‘Fresh meat for the grinder.’”

Sunset was seething with rage but kept on her mask of indifference. “It will be done, General. Hail Daybreaker, hail Nightmare Moon.” She patted the left side of her chest four times and raised her foreleg upward as if trying to touch the sky.

Twilight repeated the gesture, only with more vigor and reverence. “Hail Daybreaker, hail Nightmare Moon! You’re dismissed.”

Sunset took her leave and she decided to get the firing process out of the way first as it would take longer and Shining Armor was having lunch right about now anyway. It didn’t take long to find Private Spear Head as he was once again sleeping. Sunset got it over with quickly and with a flash of her horn, what was once a pony was now a pile of ash-covered armor. It was a shame, considering that he was a single father of four. At least the kids might have a better life in a orphanage as they were often (thankfully) overlooked when recruiting, something about them being impure or something or other.

Two bat-ponies, both of whom were decked out in the armor of the Lunar Guard, passed by Sunset, chattering to one another and purposefully ignoring the unicorn. She chalked it up to the internal rivalry between followers of either princess and was ready to ignore them as usual when something interesting caught her attention:

“So what’s the deal with the draconequus? Is he really as freakish as they say?”

“Sure is, Shroud. Rumor has it he was once powerful enough to challenge the sisters but lost because he tried to protect some kirin. Well, depending on the story, it was also a foal or a mother-to-be. Anyway, they took his powers and locked them up at opposite ends of the castle.”

“You know, if I had chaos magic, I wouldn’t waste it on snot-nosed brats....” And that was all Sunset heard before they walked out of ear shot. It didn’t matter as she got all of the information that she needed. Powerful enough to challenge the princesses? Somepony like that might prove to be useful in the right hooves. She stroked her chin thoughtfully. I think it’s time that I met this draconequus….After I deliver this to Shining Armor regrettably.

Sunset’s hoofsteps echoed as she began her descent down the winding staircase leading towards the dungeons. She’d never had much cause to visit such an abysmal place but drastic times called for drastic measures and all that noise. Trotting past cells filled with miserable-looking ponies in rags and chains, she made her way to the very last cell, where she came across a dark brown unicorn stallion with chipmunk-like cheeks and a cruel-looking mouth. Taking a deep breath, Sunset threw her shoulders back and marched forward.

“Halt, who goes there?!”

Sunset regarded the stallion with professional disdain. “Captain Sunset Shimmer of the Solar Mages. I’m under orders from Her Majesty Daybreaker to question the draconequus.”

The stallion frowned. “Look here, Captain, I didn’t receive any kind of notification before hoof…-”

“Are you questioning an order from a superior officer? And a Solar Mage?”

“C-captain..-” The stallion sputtered before Sunset cut him off.

“Because as a Solar Mage, I speak for Her Royal Highness Daybreaker herself and questioning me is tantamount to questioning her as well. Shall I alert Her Royal Highness to your blatant disrespect of her good name or will you stand aside and allow me to perform my duty?”

“R-right, forgive my impudence, Captain.”

Sunset couldn’t help but grin as the stallion turned his back on her to unlock the cell door. Readying a sleeping spell, she prepared to strike. As the guard unlocked the door, he mockingly called, “Hey Freakshow, you’ve got a visitor. So be on your best behav...be…” He never finished his sentence.

Wandering the Frozen North

Night fell quickly as the temperature dropped, forcing Sombra and Grogar to seek shelter in a small cave that they barely found and one magically-created fire later, were warmed up and protected from the frigid harshness of the Frozen North. They were nearing the edge of the tundra and after a few more days of travel, would be out of there and in a more temperate climate. But food was quickly becoming an issue as they were forced to travel without any provisions over than the clothes on their backs. Water wasn’t as much of a problem as they could simply eat the snow to stay hydrated. Sombra still refused to speak, instead staring off into space with a haunted gaze that made him look far older than he really was. He also slept very little as he was prone to nightmares and fits of hysteria. Grogar had known Sombra since he was a colt and it broke his heart to see his prince and basically grandson so damaged.

“Sombra...look at me.” Sombra barely glanced at him. Grogar did what he thought was right: he grabbed Sombra’s chin and forced him to look. “Look at me. It was not your fault, damn it! You couldn’t have stopped the sisters or even knew they were coming. IT. WAS. NOT. YOUR. FAULT.”

Sombra stared at Grogar. “Then why do I feel responsible? Why is it I feel as though all those deaths are on my head?”

“Because you are a good stallion, Sombra.” Grogar simply but earnestly stated.

“I...want to cry but I have to be strong,” Sombra muttered, his voice cracking. “My parents raised me to be strong but I feel like I’m made of glass.” His red eyes fogged up but shed no tears.

“Even mountains fall eventually, Sombra. You can’t hold it in forever.” Grogar said sadly.

Sombra’s chest hitched in and out as images of his parents being struck down flashed before his eyes. Blood. Fire. Mad cackling. The dam broke, tears racing down his cheeks. He wrapped his forelegs around Grogar’s neck and wept heavily. “I miss them so much!” He gasped between sobs. “I ran away! I just ran! I left them to diiiiiie!” Grogar said nothing as Sombra let it all out.

“Why? Why did I live when there were so many others more deserving? There were foals back there and yet I’m still alive and they’re dead! I’m nopony special!” Sombra choked, burying his face into the warmth of Grogar’s fur. “I don’t deserve to live. I don’t…” He trailed off, sobbing until there was nothing left. Finally, he released his hold on Grogar and sank to the floor of the cave, staring deeply into the fire. Silence once more enveloped the two. Until:

“I’m going to kill them,” Sombra intoned coldly, his red eyes illuminated by the flames. “I’m going to kill the princesses and avenge my parents, as well as everypony else who died. I swear it.”

“I will follow my King.” Grogar uttered solemnly, as now he felt sombra would accept the title.

“I’m no King.” Sombra’s horn glowed as he lifted a charred rock up to his face. For the briefest moment, his red aura flickered black. “Not yet anyway.”

“Lets get some rest it won’t do us any good if we are exhausted.” Grogar suggested and Sombra had to admit that after his cry he was dead tired. The pair fell asleep with empty bellies but healing hearts and with a goal in their sights to overthrow the sisters but they would need help as they knew they could not do it alone.

Sombra soared over the white depths of the Frozen North, zooming past the Crystal Mountains and over fields of grass, yet he felt no wind nor cold. He arrived in a thick forest, one that was ancient and teeming with old magic. He followed a path he’d never seen before but knew as intimately well as his own face. Something was calling to him. Calling FOR him.

“Sombra…”

Before the young prince stood a tree, one that appeared to be made of crystals and humming with mystical energy that he’d never felt before. Six gems adorned its branches and Sombra wished to touch them. However, it was the purple gem in the center that compelled him forward.

“Assemble the six...true harmony is nigh…”

Almost...there...Sombra struggled to reach for it, his hooves only a breath away and yet the gem was somehow pulling itself out of his reach. Just then, the purple gem turned black and began to sink into the tree’s surface. What in Tartarus…?

“You are so close and yet so far…”

“What does that mean?!”

The most horrid smell entered his nostrils. His eyes shooting open, Sombra was sent into a coughing fit as he struggled to get some fresh air.

“By the ancient ones Grogar, you are nasty.” All of Sombra’s wheezing had woken up the elderly goat who, after smelling the air, chuckled quite proudly of his feat.

“Who ever smelt it, dealt it, Your Highness.” Grogar went from chuckling into a full-blown laughing fit.

“What are you, five years old?” Sombra sputtered and hacked. “Seriously?”

“I’m 505. Does that count?” Grogar joked, finding the relief in tention to be much welcomed.

Sombra leveled his eyes in a deadpan gaze. “Well, thanks for the disturbing wake-up call. I was having the most delightful dream about some gems and a tree but hey, your flatulence is sooo much more interesting!”

“A tree? Was it made of Crystals?” Grogar asked after he suddenly stopped his laughing altogether. A queer look of intense curiosity crossed his elderly face.

Sombra’s eyes widened in shock. “How did you know that?”

“Back before the Sisters showed the world their true colors, the empire gave them a magic tree sapling.” Grogar began as he got into his storytelling pose. “It was made with pure harmony and friendship. The purpose of the tree was to show the future of our alliance. I don’t know everything as I was but a kid at the time. But I thought they would destroyed it. They must of planted it somewhere hidden in Equestria so they can use its power for themselves should they need to.”

Impossible mental image of Grogar being a kid aside, Sombra was intrigued by the old ram’s story. “Wait, I’ve never heard of this tree before. So how is it that I dreamed about it?”

“Beats me but I think that it to grows tired of the Sisters’ rule.” Grogar suggested

“The tree...grows tired.” Sombra raised a skeptical brow. “The tree’s alive?”

“It is incredibly hard to kill harmony and friendship after all.” Grogar pointed out. “Almost impossible in fact.”

All of this was strange but Sombra had no reason to doubt Grogar nor his own sanity, so he simply went with it. “The tree had these gems...six gems...and asked me to ‘Gather the six.’ Six what, exactly? The six gems? If so, then why was I only trying to grab one of them?”

“Perhaps the gems are its seeds and it wants you to find the proper areas for them to sprout.” Grogar was very clearly grasping at straws but it was based in facts about every other tree to exist ever.

Rubbing his muzzle with his hoof, Sombra sighed, “So I go from a king with no throne to a mystical tree hunter? I think somepony’s messing with me.” He took a deep breath and stared at the ground. “Still, I don’t know why, Grogar, but it’s like...I have to find that tree. It’s a compulsion otherwise, I just feel...incomplete. Does that sound crazy to you?”

“Oh absolutely but I have seen a lot of crazy things in my life” Grogar said completely serious. “It just means that we will need supplies before we starve to death.”

While uncertain of his path, Sombra at least now had a starting point. He patted a pocket on the interior of his cloak, hearing the satisfying clinking of the bits that it contained. “I don’t think supplies will be an issue but I think we should careful. They’ll probably be looking for us.” And aristocrats on the run are worth double the money. He added internally.

“Be that as it may, we still need food and we are a long ways away from any villages, towns or cities.” Grogar said as he stood up and started to leave the cave “Let's get going before the sun gets too hot for us.”

Sombra nodded and rose to join him but paused. For whatever, logic-defying reason, Sombra picked up a soot-covered rock and drew an image of the tree onto the floor. Well Magic Tree, here we come. As they trudged through the snow, Sombra shot Grogar a wicked grin and let loose the quietest but stinkiest fart he could conceive.

Grogar never saw it coming until it was too late. “Gaahhh! Your Majesty, really? I had my mouth open.” Grogar coughed as he gave Sombra a wide range to walk. “And you call me nasty.”

Sombra merrily trotted past Grogar and with a cheeky grin replied, “Revenge stinks, doesn’t it?”

Grogar chuckled at the pun. “That it does, My lord, that it does.”

Despite their situation, or because of it, they then proceeded to cackle like lunatics.

Welcome Aboard

Amongst the bustling, malformed miscreants that infested the Klugetown marketplace, Tirek appeared to blend right in. Thankfully, he hadn’t drained enough magic to drastically alter his size, so he was of average size and didn’t draw too much attention to himself. The only real change was that his bones no longer hurt from moving, not that he was complaining. His eyes darted around, searching for any possible pursuers. When in Klugetown, it never hurt to be extra cautious.

He eventually came across a “gentlemen’s” club and decided on it as a place to hide out for a couple hours. While the other recently freed slaves went nuts and drew attention to themselves, Tirek would be hiding in plain sight. The front of the establishment was crawling with a multitude of males and some females from different species, all of them chattering, smoking or simply eyeing whoever came into their line of sight.

Something resembling a large toad stood with his arms akimbo in front of the club’s entrance. He took a long hard look at Tirek. “Where do ya think you’re goin’?”

“In,” Tirek simply said.

“Name?” The toad growled.

“Tirek,” He replied almost bored.

“You ain’t on the list,” the toad grumbled indignantly. “And if you ain’t on the list, you ain’t getting…-”

“Petey! Long time no see, man!” A lanky, Abyssinian cat strode up to him, his gait one of casual arrogance.

“Capper?” The toad-man asked. “I didn’t know you was in town.”

“Just got back. The boss is expecting me.” The toad-man, Petey, pulled aside the velvet rope and allowed Capper to enter. The cat then turned and said, “Oh, and the centaur guy is with me.”

To say Tirek was surprised was a understatement but he wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. “Thank you for your cooperation.” Tirek smiled as he went inside past the reluctant toad.

Almost as if to mock the building’s plain and shabby exterior, the club’s interior was sleek and well-designed, covered in Saddle Arabian carpeting, neon lights and expensive wooden tables. The women were very eye-catching, even for one as old as Tirek.

“Enjoying the view?” The cat from before quipped, casually leaning up against a stone column. “Welcome to Venko’s Oasis, where the drinks are fine and the, he he, entertainment even finer.”

“Capper, darling, welcome back.” A white tabaxi said from the pole in the center of the stage. Tall and slender, she resembled a bipedal leopard with a spotted, dark yellow coat and olive green eyes. Clad in a criss-cross halter top-style brassiere, G-string and ankle-length loincloth, she exuded feminine beauty and sensual beguilement as she danced like a pro. The Abyssinian's eyes tracked the movements of the tabaxi's rather generous hips while she crouched and rubbed her back against the pole.

“And Lucille, my sweetheart, it is great to be back!” Capper chuckled and tossed a wink at her. “How’s my little kitten doing, hmm?”

“I’m doing good but I have been asked to do a special dance in a little while.” Lucille replied in a semi-bored tone. “The boss is in the back by the way. One of the dancers brought their kid in today.” She said as she spun around the pole with her legs.

Capper rested his chin in his paws. “Lucille, I swear you’re an artist! Seriously, it may have Venko’s name on it but you own this place, baby!”

“And don’t you forget it,” she laughed breathily, finishing up her routine before collecting the money and leaping off of the stage gracefully. She winked at Capper and caressed beneath his chin with her tail as she headed backstage while the next performer came out, this one a white pegasus with a stripper pole for a cutie mark.

Tirek was confused as to what exactly is going on but knew enough to not ask any questions. Yet.

“So, are you enjoying yourself, big guy?” Capper asked, skillfully rolling a silver coin between his fingers. “Aren’t you glad you ran into me?”

“Not yet as I know there is a catch to your generosity.” Tirek crossed his arms knowingly.

Capper let out an exaggerated gasp. “I go through the trouble of getting you into this fine establishment and you accuse me of having ulterior motives? Didn’t your mama teach you any manners?”

“She did. She also taught me that nothing comes for free.” Tirek smirked.

“Sounds like a woman after my own heart.” Capper let the coin slip through his fingers and land onto his tail, which he then flipped onto his nose and carefully balanced it. “Okay, okay, there is a reason I let you tag along. You see, I couldn’t help but notice that you have the look of someone in need of some dough. I can help you with that.”

“How kind but money isn’t on the top of my priority list right now.” Tirek tried not to show his shortening temper.

The coin rolled from Capper’s nose and back into his right paw. “So money’s a no-go. That’s cool. I’ve got all kinds of connections. So what do you need? Girls? Perhaps a good knife or two? Tell your old buddy Capper and he can deliver.”

“Simple. I need a way out of town and actually make it to the next one.”

“Pfft! Is that all? You could’ve just asked!” Capper palmed the coin and opened his fingers, revealing that the coin was gone. “I know just the person for the job. An ex-girlfriend of mine with a nice ship that’ll take any and all kinds of payment. Heck, she’ll even help someone like you.” He opened his left paw and held up the silver coin. “I know you’re not exactly a free person. Don’t worry, I won’t tell. I used to be a S-L-A-V-E myself.”

“I never would have guessed.” Tirek commented with genuine surprise, considering the Abyssinian cat looked like he never did an honest day’s work in his life.

“It’s true.” He rolled up his right sleeve to reveal a strange marking burned into the inside of his forearm. “Abyssinia is known for its blackmarket slavery rings.” Rolling his sleeve back down, Capper shrugged, “Anyway, that’s a story for another day. So, shall I show you around this little den of sin? You wouldn’t be able to live with yourself if you left without a sample.”

“I’ve lived a long time, cat and I can assure you that I’ve probably tried what you’re selling. Let us just get going.” He said somewhat iritibly.

Capper flicked the coin into an inner pocket of his coat. “If you insist. Follow me, please.” He strode past a table and briefly flirted with a griffon dancer before beckoning Tirek to follow him. “We’ll have to use the back door. Given your current status, the less people that see you the better,” he explained, opening a red-painted door and turning down a corridor. They passed through a metal door and arrived at an alleyway. Some passed-out, possibly dead hobos were there so the both of them had nothing to be worrying about to say the least.

After a few twists and turns, the two arrived at an airship port, where all manner of merchants, traders, sailors and cutthroats were gathered, either peddling their wares, unloading their shipments or swapping tales. A frill lizard-looking thing and a mole rat were knocking back drinks like it was going out of style while two diamond dogs were engaged in a fist fight, a small crowd gathered around them waving bits and hollering for blood.

“Charming place,” Tirek stated cynically.

“Eh, it has its moments. Ah, here we are: the Harpy Queen.” Capper gestured towards a nearby zeppelin and as they approached it, Tirek could see it being loaded up by Ornithian parrots, who appeared to be the only species that worked aboard the vessel. A few of the avians glared in Capper’s direction as the pair climbed aboard deck but the feline either didn’t notice or did a real good job of acting oblivious.

“Oh Celaeno, I’m home!”

A female parrot stiffened and turned to meet the two, her expression initially one of shock that quickly transformed into anger. Every crewmember stopped what they were doing and crowded around the three, intrigued by the drama unfolding around them.

“That’s Captain Celaeno to you,” one burly parrot grimaced and pointed his hook hand at Capper threateningly. Grunts of agreement accompanied him as the entirety of the crew glared at the cat.

The female strode over to Capper, her crystal peg leg thumping with every step. “You’ve got a lot of nerve showing your face around here. Didn’t you get the message that you’re not wanted here or should I have my crew throw you out?” Tirek decided then and there that he liked her.

Capper held up his paws defensively. “Ah, Celly, don’t tell me you’re still mad at me?”

“Don’t call me that!” Celaeno shot back, her voice full of rage and hurt. “You lost that right months ago when you skipped out on me. Now get lost before I neuter you with my sword.”

“Cel-Captain, wait a minute! I came here with a business proposition.”

The parrot turned and narrowed her eyes. “And what hair-brained scheme is it this time?”

Tirek, had to admit watching a lover’s spat was certainly interesting but he wouldn’t let a little thing like a grudge keep him there. “I am in need of transportation.” He said plainly, grabbing the captain’s attention.

Celaeno looked the centaur from head to hoof. “Oh? And where is it that you’re trying to get to?”

“North, across the desert. I have someone I need to give respects to as it’s been far too long.” As Tirek spoke, he noticed a small pegasus filly slowly tip-hoofing to the door leading to the below deck. It appeared that everyone else was so engrossed in the current drama that none of them noticed her. He didn’t say anything as the filly looked rather skinny and just barely able to fly. Besides, he doubted the Captain was feeling hospitable towards stowaways.

The parrot scratched at her chin with a talon. “I think that can be arranged.”

“And don’t you worry about payment,” Capper assured her. “I’ll be paying for both Tirek and myself.” He rooted around in his coat and brought out a small bag. Taking out some gold bits, he placed them into Celaeno’s hand and watched her count them. “So...are we good?”

“Almost. There’s an additional fee.”

Her fist connected with Capper’s left cheek, sending him sprawling onto the ship’s deck. He sat up and rubbed at the developing welt, noticing Celaeno grinning at him from ear to ear.

“Now we’re good.”

“Nice punch,” Tirek commented with a genuine smile.

“Thank you. Mullet?”

A one-eyed parrot with a red feathered mohawk stepped forward. “Yes, Captain?”

“Escort Mr. Tirek down to the crew’s quarters. I’m sure that there’s an extra cot that’ll fit him.”

“Aye, Captain,” Mullet nodded and waved Tirek over. Meanwhile, Capper had risen to his feet and wiped his mouth on his sleeve after spitting out a glob of blood. He made a move to follow the two when Celaeno shot her arm out and blocked his path.

“I don’t think so. Boyle, please show Mr. Dapperclaws to the supply closet.”

The hook-handed parrot from before chuckled, “Aye, Captain Celaeno” and began shoving Capper forward. “Come on, fur ball. To the luxury suite with you.” Capper briefly peered back at Celaeno dejectedly before vanishing from sight. Despite her outward stoicism, Captain Celaeno was a raging hurricane of emotions, particularly anger, regret and wistful sorrow.

Damn it Capper, why did you have to come back?

It's Good to Be the Mayor

A nervous white earth pony stallion sat across from Starlight’s desk, nervously wringing his hooves and avoiding her stare. “A-and so, that’s why I’m here today, M-madam Mayor.”

“I see. That is quite the problem. I mean, who just cuts down another pony's tree like that?” Starlight wrinkled her nose, a little annoyed at the situation. “I will send an arbiter down to see how much the tree was worth and the city will pay the difference."

The stallion, Double Diamond, perked up enough to actually look Starlight in the eyes. Clearly the previous mayor wasn’t the most accommodating individual. “Really? Thank you! Thank you so much, Miss Glimmer!” He dove forward and shook her hoof hard enough to make her bounce in place.

“Easy there. Just be sure to go through the proper authorities next time. I still have a lot of work to get done.” It was true and in fact, Starlight had a meeting with the town defense to add some anti-magic barriers around the town to stall the Royal sister or their generals in about a hour.

“Sorry,” he smiled sheepishly and bounded for the door. “Thank you again! You have a great day, Ma’am!” He then exited just as a dark blue pegasus mare entered carrying a stack of papers.

“Another satisfied customer?” She grinned. Night Glider had been brought in to replace the previous mayor’s assistant and was so far up to snuff. It was also a plus that she was a genuinely nice pony to be around. “I don’t know how you do it.”

“It’s not easy. I will say that right now but with the sunscreen spell I put over the town, the citizens are a lot happier. Although it is exhausting having to cast it every week.” Starlight said as she took the papers form Night Glider.

“You know, you could just ask for some of the local unicorns to do that for you,” Night Glider suggested, taking out a notebook and quill. “You’ve got enough on your plate as it is.”

“As much as I would like to ask, most of the unicorns are so out of practice that it's really sad that most can only do levitation or nothing at all. It's why I started that magic kindergarten. To prevent that from happening with the next generation.”

“And the citizens are eternally grateful. Heck, my niece is going on and on about how much she’s enjoying school and she even can’t stay still for five minutes. Still, you don’t want to run yourself too ragged. We’re going to be needing you for a long time, Starry!” She punctuated this with a friendly elbow jab.

“I know, I know. I will tell you what. After the meeting with the Town defenders, I will take the rest of the day and tomorrow off for some rest okay?” Starlight suggested as she rubbed her side from the jab.

Night Glider snorted, “You better. Otherwise, I will haul your overworked flank out of here myself. Oh, and by the way, Party Favor sent you an invite for the upcoming Summer Solstice Festival.”

“That's a town-funded event so why is there invitations?”

“Beats me. Now finish that paperwork, go to that meeting and get some rest, Starry.” With that, the pair hugged and Night went back to her duties as Starlight started on the dreaded but much needed paperwork.

The town hall meeting room was chalk-full of the town’s very few ‘skilled’ unicorns, some earth ponies and a crew of pegasus surveillance specialists. The air was thick with worry and tension as they took their seats and all eyes turned towards the new mayor. Night Glider sat beside Starlight and patted her shoulder reassuringly, giving her friend and boss a you-can-do-it smile. The other members watched in anticipation as Starlight rose and cleared her throat.

“After extensive analysis of the Sisters’ previous wars, it has become apparent that they enjoy making the final blow to claim all the glory. What we need is a way to prevent them from doing that, should we ever be discovered.” Starlight began. ”I propose that we set up anti-magic barriers in the eastern mountains that will buy us enough time to escape into the caves in the southern mountains.”

Uproarious shouts boomed in the small space as ponies leapt from their seats in protest. An elderly earth pony was helped to his hooves as he pounded on the floor with his cane, causing the rest to fall silent. “And why in tarnation would we do that? Most of us have lived here for generations! My great-great grandfather was one of the town founders and my family’s lived here ever since. Besides, where would we go? Are we really going to abandon our home, our way of life?”

“I understand your concern, Iron Hoof but this isn’t about the past. It’s about saving the foals who will die if we are caught with our tails up.” Starlight then gave everyone a stack of papers detailing the Sister's cruelty. “That’s just in the town east of the mountains. We have a real opportunity to make a difference here and I want to make sure we plant the seeds for that to happen.”

The crowd chattered amongst themselves. An earth pony mare stood up. “My little Wind Dancer is nearly fourteen, the new age for mandatory recruitment! I’m not letting my baby enlist in anypony’s army, especially not in one for those tyrants! I’m with the mayor. We need to move.”

“We aren’t moving yet, Dancing Drops but we do need to have those barriers and the tunnels scouted mapped and possibly a small group to go build a new town ahead of time in case we are discovered.” A unicorn mare said as she looked over the reports Starlight passed around.

Night Glider nodded towards the mare. “Firefly’s right. How long are we going to just sit around and let Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon’s cronies come into our home and shake us down for ‘protection fees’ and soldiers for their feuds? The time to act is now. Mayor Starlight is offering us a way out. I suggest we should take it.”

“I can see your point but I myself will die to protect as many as I can.” A pegasus stallion said as he was the most recent one to come off duty because of a rather nasty loss of a wing.

Iron Hoof scowled. “And that’s the problem with you young ones! Fight or flight, that’s your solution for everything! You can’t outrun or fight back against a river. All you can do and go with the flow and hope you aren’t swept away. This is rebellion you’re talking about! How many rebellions are crushed every other week?”

“How many had back up plans or terrain advantages?” Starlight asked an excellent question as most rebellions happened in large cities like Manehatten, or Trottingham. “We also aren’t announcing our presence but rather we are hiding in plain sight.”

“Have you forgotten about the princesses’ spies? They’re everywhere! I say we stop with this foolishness before the Generals come for our heads.” Iron Hoof stated with finality and took his seat.

“Iron hoof, if there were spies here, the Generals would of been here the second that magic kindergarten went up.” Firefly pointed out.

The old stallion grumbled but said nothing else. A young mare beside him stroked his shoulder. “You must forgive my grandfather. He’s lived through the worst of the town’s past ills and wishes for its continued survival. Despite this, I don’t want to see my friends and families torn apart like their ancestors because of the princesses’ malice. We can’t do nothing.” She smiled sweetly at her grandfather, who warmly returned the gesture.

“I understand, Brass Hoof but the one thing that is bothering me is where we can get the materials to even make the barriers in the first place?” Dancing Drops asked.

Double Diamond stroked his chin. “Why don’t ask the nearby towns for help? Surely there’s got to be a few ponies that are as tired of this reign of terror as we are.”

Everypony collectively facehooves before Starlight speaks. “Double Diamond, the nearest town is at least a week’s trot away not to mention we can’t trust the other towns because of the previously mentioned spies. We will have to mine for the resources or start some rock farms.”

Brass Hoof spoke up. “It’ll take time and serious pony power, Mayor Starlight. At least a month or two to really get what we need and that’s if we work with little to no breaks.”

“We will have to keep up the rouse and when the next Official comes around for the fresh batch of recruits, we will be forced to give them at least a few of our foals but with any luck, that will be at least six months of prep time before they send somepony out this far.” Starlight said sadly.

Night Glider cleared her throat. “Right, I say it’s time for a vote. All for Mayor Starlight’s plan?” There was a lull of indecision before a hoof raised upward. It was followed by another and a few more. “Okay and all opposed?” The hooves from before dropped to make way for the ones in opposition of the new mayor’s proposal. “Right, the decision to back the new mayor wins by three votes. Everypony ready yourselves for tomorrow. We’ve got some serious work to do.”

Partners in Crime

As a draconequus, Discord towered over the pony guards and with his slick, serpentine body and sharp claws, he was more than a match for most equine foes even without his powers. However, he was outnumbered and even if he could make it past their armor and steel weapons, he was still in the center of the proverbial hornet’s nest; taking out a few drones still left thousands to contend with. And then there came the issue of their queens, who wielded the power of the sun and moon respectively and could easily wipe the floor with him, especially given that he lacked his chaos magic. We are in a huge pickle, ladies and gentlemen. He peered at Sunset Shimmer out of the corner of his eye and hoped that the oddly attractive unicorn had a plan.

Stepping forward, Sunset cleared her throat. “I am relocating the prisoner while his cell is being fixed as he has attempted to escape with a spork he had saved from one of his meals.” Sunset said with gusto.

No...there’s no way that they’re this stupid!

The guards looked at one another and then lowered their weapons. One of them nodded and stated, “Understood, Captain. Do you require assistance with the prisoner transfer?”

I stand corrected...

“Yes, now somepony get me a muzzle. He keeps telling awful jokes.” Sunset commanded.

“I resent that! My jokes are top of the line, ah-thank you very much.” Discord was offended. Since when wasn’t he funny?

“My point exactly.” she stated flatly

“Roger that, Ma’am.”

It wasn’t long before Discord was chained to an upright gurney with a brown muzzle strapped to his face, the little bars on the front allowing him to breathe. Hey, where have I seen this before?

“Oh and Sunset...do tell me when those lambs stop screaming,” Discord said nasally.

Sunset just rolled her eyes as she used her magic to wheel him down the hall. They were luckily near the Night guard dungeon. Well…..not so much lucky as Sunset had chosen this way to back up her story.

“Quid pro quo, Sunset,” Discord continued, much to his own amusement as he watched one of the unicorn’s eyes twitching slightly. ”Tell me, what does he do by coveting?”

“Coveting what, Discord?” A very familiar and angry sounding voice stated from behind them. “And what, pray tell, are you doing out of your cell?” The two’s collective blood ran cold as Nightmare Moon, the Queen of the Night herself, silently strode forward.

Discord, however, refused to give her that satisfaction. “Moonie! How’ve you been? How come you haven’t been to visit me? Is your backside still dragging you down? No wonder you control the moon cause you’ve got two of those things behind you!”

“Quiet, you foalish immortal.” Nightmare Moon looked at Sunset. “Well, I’m waiting. Why is he out of his cell?”

“He tried breaking out with a spork, Mistress Nightmare Moon.” Sunset said with a salute. “I was relocating him while repairs are being done.”

“What can I say? I’m a rebel!” Discord then wagged his eyebrows at Sunset. “And besides, aren’t bad colts every mare’s fantasy?”

“Yes, that is something he would do. Very well, be on your way then but don’t take too long. The mages are meeting in the dueling arena. Daybreaker thinks that regular burritos should be called night time breakfast burritos. The nerve of my sister.” Nightmare Moon gave them one final once-over before exiting with a dramatic flourish.

Discord shook his head. “Those mares need to get laid.”

“No argument here.” Sunset agreed as she quickly made her way to the exit before releasing Discord from the restraints. "Find your powers and hurry.”

“Why Sunny, I had no idea you cared.” Discord grinned. “You know, I happen to be single.”

“I don’t care right now because if I’m not in that arena soon, they will know I broke you out. We’ve got to hurry.” Sunset pointed out and it was a rather good point.

Discord slowly nodded. “Fine but you better not die. Otherwise, you’ll be late for our date!” He turned and went down on all fours, swiftly making his way down the corridor and twisting past a corner. Oooooh I’m late, I’m late for a very important date! No time to say “Hello!” Goodbye! I’m late, I’m late, I’m late! Discord even checked the clock on the adjacent wall to make sure he would make his date on time. Now then, there’s one very important question I need to ask myself at this critical moment in time: what am I going to wear?!

********************

The Canterlot Battle Arena: where the sands are stained red with blood from the frequent usage the Sisters put in it. The arena was split in two colors, white and blue, each side for the respective rulers.

An orange maned unicorn stallion sighed with relief as Sunset joined the other Solar Mages. Sunburst readjusted his glasses and wiped dust off of his immaculate blue cloak. “Sunset, where’ve you been?! Don’t you know what the penalty for tardiness is? And since when are you late? You’re usually the first one here!”

“I was transferring a dangerous prisoner that takes time. Now come here you," Sunset said as she hugged her brother.

“I was worried something was wrong,” he murmured as he held her tight. “Don’t scare me like that, big sis.”

“I’m sorry for the scare but that’s part of the job sadly. Now let’s get ready for another stupid argument between our leaders.” Sunset gave one last squeeze before letting go.

Sunset whispered, “Is there any other kind of argument between them?“

“Well that time they fought over days off for the guards because 24/7 shifts were not physically possible.” Sunset reminded her brother.

“Touché.”

Above them on a massive raised dais, the Queen of Day rose from her throne. Daybreaker was an ivory white mare with constantly blazing fire streaming from her head and hindquarters in place of a mane and tail. “Solar Mages, assemble!” She bellowed and the ponies in her service stood stiffly at attention. “The time has come once again when my baby sister insults me with her petty insolence. You who have sworn to serve and defend me are called once more to do battle in my name. Do me proud by drowning the arena in the blood of the Lunar Mages! Show Nightmare Moon why the day reigns supreme! Kill in the name of Daybreaker the Eternal Flame! Hail Daybreaker!”

“Hail Daybreaker!” The Solar Mages repeated, thumping their chests and raising their forelegs to the sky. “Hail the Eternal Flame!”

Nightmare Moon gave a similar speech to her mages, only they were chanting, “Hail the Eternal Night!”

Sunburst subtly placed his hoof in Sunset’s and smiled weakly at her. “Good luck.”

“Thank you. Now go take your seat, you bookkeeper.” Sunset and Sunburst hugged quickly before Sunburst went to the stands. “He will never know how lucky he is to not be a mage like me”

Sunburst, meanwhile, gave his sister one more sad glance from up in the stands. “She’ll never know how lucky she is to be a mage.” As much as he loved his sister, he also envied her position. Everypony knows that the guards and mages were the ones that got all the glory and his folks never stopped reminding him how proud they were of Sunset the Solar Mage. But something Sunburst didn’t envy was that he knew Sunset had to kill more than one friend because of fights like these and that was more than enough to stop him from pursuing such a career. Moreover, he knew if it came down to it Sunset would kill him and it broke his heart to know that fact. Quite frankly, he knew he couldn’t take a life.

Dozens of large drums pounded as the opposing sides faced one another from across opposite sides of the arena, their bodies tense and their glares sharp as they waited for the inevitable sign to begin. Sweat dripped down Sunset’s forehead with anticipation, her heart thundering in her chest as she maintained control over her breathing. In...and out...Steady...Steady...

A single feather dropped by a pegasus referee was all that prevented the battle from starting. Neither side even looked at it as it floated down and once it touched the ground, all hell broke loose with offensive and defensive spells firing all at once. Sunset had raised a shield to block a barrage of spells her way as they all knew she was the biggest threat. Unfortunately, all of them had underestimated her allies as they were all quickly blasted, to either unconsciousness if they were lucky, or they died before their bodies hit the ground. Sunset nodded to her allies before turning her shield into a magical saw blade and through it cutting off the poor lunar mages right legs clean off. The magic part of that blade cauterized the wound almost instantly so they wouldn’t die of blood loss.

Khensu, the captain of the Lunar Mages, conjured a massive crackling energy scythe and made quick work of several Solar Mages, slicing and dicing through their ranks with reckless but precise cuts. The unicorn’s eyes fell on Sunset’s and he grinned, purposefully sinking the tip of the blade into a squirming mare and twisting it until she went still. Sunset heard the crackling and she instantly knew who it was without turning to face him. Sunset bucked some sand in the captain’s direction, causing a momentary distraction as she started preparing a fairly powerful spell. Converting his scythe into a saw-edged shield, Khensu dislodged smaller, similar shields and fired them at Sunset in rapid succession, hitting a few Solar Mages before charging at her, hacking at anypony unfortunate enough to get in his way.

Sunset had to wait until the right moment otherwise she would die. Khensu ran at her with reckless abandon. No, it would be more accurate to say he was like a train with no breaks. Sunset, at the last moment, teleported in place just as Khensu ran through and she fired her spell, freezing him solid and with no air to reach his lungs, he would suffocate in the ice before the battle would be over. The ice crackled and stretched, creating fissures in its surface that spread over it like a large web before it shattered. Gasping and hacking, he tumbled to the sand, clawing at the ground and replenishing his lungs with air. He never saw the blade coming as a solar axe took his head before quickly moving onto the next opponent. Sunset didn’t spare him a thought; in battle, there was no times for such luxuries.

Daybreaker watched with rapt interest as Sunset dashed to and fro across the battlefield. She knew that she was skilled; after all, she was the one that recruited her but had no idea of how much of a raw powerhouse the mage was. “Sunburst?”

“Yes, My Liege?”

“Your sister…”

“Sunset?”

“Yes, her. She’s quite powerful.”

The stallion’s eyes tracked Sunset. “Indeed, Your Majesty. T-top of her class.”

“Really?” Daybreaker grinned sadistically as Sunset dispatched two bat-ponies in one blow. “How interesting. Tis a pity for my sister.”

“A pity indeed.” Sunburst agreed, not wanting to feel Daybreaker’s wrath.

Thunder rumbled suddenly, interrupting the battle as every combatant paused to stare up at the mass of swirling purple clouds gathering above them. Sunset dropped her foreleg just as she was about to strike down a unicorn mare and joined everypony else in staring up at the unusual weather. What the hay...?

There was a flash of light and Discord appeared floating in midair, wearing a green military jacket and a pair of headphones as he spoke into a vintage silver dynamic microphone. “Goooooood morning, Eques-tri-a! This is not a test! This is Chaos!”

“DISCORD?!” Daybreaker all but shrieked.

Lounging back, Discord continued, “This is DSCRD, the radio sensation that’s sweeping the nation.” He searched the crowd of befuddled mages below until he spotted Sunset. “And it looks like we’ve got our first caller on the phone.”

Oh please no… Sunset suddenly found herself wrapped in Discord’s tail as the draconequus beamed brightly at her. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Hello there, sweetheart and welcome to the show! And your name is…?”

Sunset stared at the microphone irritatingly. “Sunset...Shimmer.”

Discord moved Sunset to the crook of his arm which was, maddeningly enough, actually quite warm and snug. “Oooo, Sunset Shimmer. Well Sunset, you are one hot little firebrand!” The sound of something sizzling on a grill came from nowhere as an unseen secondary voice proclaimed, “Now that’s hot!”

The two alicorns rushed up to meet Discord, their petty feud forgotten and their fury directed towards the repowered trickster. Nightmare Moon scowled, “How in the blazes did you escape and get your powers back? Did it involve another spork?”

There was a finger snap and Discord, now dressed in black and white striped prison gear, banged a tin cup against a barred window that lacked a wall. Sunset gasped, discovering that she was wearing a police officer’s cap, a button-up shirt tied up as so that it exposed her stomach and a skirt. Discord placed an arm against his forehead melodramatically.

“Oh it was so dreadful being locked up in the big house, all alone with nopony to talk to! But then…” He snapped his fingers again and Sunset was thankfully back in her mage uniform while he wore nothing. “My little shnookie-wookums freed me with a clever ruse and ensured that my chaos magic was returned to me!” He pinched Sunset’s cheek for emphasis and cuddled her against his chest like a large teddy bear.

If the hatred given off by Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon’s collective glare could’ve killed Sunset, then she would’ve been completely disintegrated and scattered across the four winds. She didn’t know who she hated more in that moment: the Royal Sisters or the chimeric blabbermouth currently crushing her against his admittedly soft and warm body. It’s a toss-up. Sunset decided. Definitely a toss-up right about now.

“Oh did she now?” Daybreaker enquired through gritted teeth.

“Your Majesty, I…-”

“Well, it’s been fun catching up with you two,” Discord interrupted. “Buuuut Sunny and I have a rendezvous that we mustn’t be late for. Ta-ta, ladies!” The two vanished in a sparkly flash, leaving the co-rulers furious beyond all reasonable explanation.

Daybreaker’s orange slitted eyes fell once again on the helpless Sunburst. “Solar Mages! Arrest that stallion and have him brought to General Pinkie Pie’s private quarters! Find out what he knows…”

A Brief Dissertation on Dark Magic

A red aura encapsulated the tree branch, causing it to rattle and rotate on the ground. Come on, come on! Focus! Sweat poured down Sombra’s in immense concentration. Grogar watched from a few feet away, just as concerned about the prince’s magical prowess as he was. The young stallion had been something of a prodigy growing up, having performed his first teleportation at age three and effortlessly employed telekinesis just a year and a half prior. Now he was struggling to lift a single branch and it incensed Sombra to no end.

“Your Highness, give yourself a rest. You’re tired.”

Sombra, however, ignored him, his face scrunching up as he poured more energy into the aura. The red glow intensified, crackling wildly around the branch while little sparks fizzed and popped around Sombra’s horn. Grogar became extremely worried at the sight of wisps of smoke pouring out of the unicorn’s horn. Those were all signs of magical exertion, a point where a unicorn has surpassed their limits and is struggling to call upon tapped-out reserves of magic. If left unchecked, it could lead to weakness, temporary paralysis or even a coma.

“Sombra, please stop at once!”

“Not...yet…” Sombra groaned, little orbs of red energy exploding around his heavily smoking horn. “Not...until I...lift this…-” A burst of red energy exploded around Sombra’s horn, the shockwave sending him rolling across the ground and smacking him into a tree trunk. He toppled over onto his side, his eyes closed and his body limp from the double impact.

“My prince!” Grogar wasted no time in galloping over to his fallen ruler’s side, scooping his head up and placing a hoof over his chest. “He’s still alive…” He muttered thankfully, feeling the telltale beating of Sombra’s heart and the steady rise and fall of his chest.

Sharply gasping, Sombra’s eyes shot open as he sucked in air. “G-grogar?”

“Sombra, thank the gods you’re alive. What were you thinking?”

The unicorn weakly rolled out of Grogar’s forelegs and plopped ungraciously to the ground. Grogar made a move to help him but Sombra held up a shaking hoof. After two minutes, he steadily rose on wobbling limbs and swayed from side to side before finding his bearing.

“I’m trying...to prepare myself,” Sombra said between breathes. “If I’m going to kill Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon, I have to be at my strongest. The only thing is that my damn magic is on the fritz!” He yelled, stomping hard enough at the ground to leave a fairly deep indentation.

“Maybe it’s because you are on the fritz, my king.” Grogar informed him.

Sombra glared at him. “What do you mean by that?”

“Magic is connected to your emotions, Sire. It’s why when you are happy you can lift the world but if you are angry well….”Groger gestures to Sombra’s latest attempt.

Looking between Grogar and the singed tree branch, Sombra sighed and looked down shamefully. “So what am I supposed to do? All I feel is...rage. I just want to see Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon broken, like their victims.”

“I think it’s because you have had no way of venting your frustrations like back at the kingdom, where you could summon a maid to your quarters.” Gorgar said, fully aware of the young king's nocturnal activities. “And besides, there may still be survivors out there and they will need you to have a cool head. Otherwise, you are no better than the sisters you wish to slay.”

Sombra took in his friend’s words, reminded by how many times they served him growing up and had yet to fail him. Putting space between them, he aimed at a nearby boulder and concentrated. His horn glowed red as he poured all of his magic into it, closing his eyes and seeing the boulder in his mind’s eye. Images of burning buildings and screaming crystal ponies flashed through his mind. Purple smoke poured from his closed eyelids, his red aura morphing into one that was black and unstable. Opening his eyes, he fired an energy blast at the boulder, blowing the top off of it and showering the surrounding area in rock shards.

“That felt...good,” he murmured contently, his voice taking on a resonating bass. That was until a slap in the back of the head shook him out of it. “What was that for?” The worried look on Grogar’s face was enough to scare the king. As if waking up from a trance, he stared confusingly at the boulder and realized the devastation that he had unleashed. “What...what was that? What did I do?”

“Dark magic. You gave into your dark emotions. Damn it.” Grogar stomped his hoof for emphasis. “You give into it and you will be no better than those you wish to destroy.”

“I’ll be okay, right? This was a one-time slip-up. It’ll be alright?”

“As long as you calm down and don’t give into the rage again, you should be fine.” Grogar pulled Sombra in for a hug and gently patted his back.

Sombra thought carefully on Grogar’s words. “Has anypony ever used dark magic for good? I mean, there had to have been somepony who was able to resist it.”

“Only three come to mind.” Grogar started drawing two cutie marks in the snow. ”The original was Starswirl the Bearded, then Clover the Clever, and lastly me but it was a horrible experience and while I accept that part of my past, I’m certainly not proud of it.”

“Wow, I can’t imagine something making you take up dark magic,” Sombra admitted truthfully, always seeing the ram as some paragon of goodness. “What happened?”

“That wasn’t the first time the Sisters tried taking the empire.” Grogar stated cryptically, the weight of his experience in his words.

Inhaling softly, Sombra closed his eyes and focused, a corona of red energy pulsating around his horn. A mix of joy and sorrow touched his heart as an influx of memories flowed into his head. His parents showing him around the empire, the three of them laughing as their carriage hit several bumps. Witnessing some foals playing in the crystal square as merchants and crafts-ponies were hard at work. A nearby stick shook gently and with great difficulty, he was able to lift it into the air. A smile spread on Sombra’s face as the stick rose above his eyeline.

“Well now, would you look at that.” The stick then clattered to the ground and Sombra’s ears folded backward as he let out a heavy sigh. “Easy come, easy go.”

Releasing Sombra from the hug, Grogar chuckled. “Give it time, Sire. Now if I remember correctly, the next town where we can eat is just past the horizon so I suggest you rest your magic because we still have a long way to go.”

Sombra nodded and they resumed their journey. “Forgive me, Grogar but I’m not too terribly familiar with the layout of Equestria. What town would this be exactly?”

“It’s a town called Hoofsville and it is a trading town given its position between Equestria and the former empire.”

“Well, as long as it accepts bits and respects a traveler’s privacy, then I think we have nothing to worry about,” Sombra added, trying to remain as positive as his friend. At least, I hope so. Given our luck, it might turn out to be a settlement of backwoods cannibals or something.

Groger nodded and helped his weakened friend as they started walking to Hoofsville and the sooner they reach it, the better. They were getting desperate for supplies and food was particularly scarce, with the last thing they ate was some acorns they found in a tree stump. Needless to say, it wasn’t a very filling meal.

New Friend, Old Wounds

Mullet flipped the cot over and patted down the mattress, which was almost big enough to accomodate Tirek’s unique physiology. Removing a bit of dust from the top, the parrot turned to face Tirek, who’d been standing by impassively. “Right, so we don’t have any rooms save for the captain’s cabin so you’ll have to sleep in here with the rest of us. I’ll be heading back up on deck for the cast-off. Let me know if you need anything else, sir.”

“I will be sure to do that,” Tirek said as he let Mullet leave. He then went and sat down on the bed, the rusted springs creaking from the strain. “It’s better than the dirt, that’s for sure,” he mumbled.

A soft crunching sound snatched his attention and he sat up suddenly to investigate. In a dark corner of the room, he came across a barrel and put his head up against it, hearing the crunching intensify. He lifted off the lid to discover the filly from before, stopping mid-bite on an apple as she gazed up at him with saucer-like eyes.

“Hello,” Tirek said as he raised an eyebrow.

With a loud gulp, the filly continued to stare at Tirek for a solid minute. Then, she leapt at him and knocked him in the snout, giving her enough room to flutter towards the other side of the room. If only Tirek had magic. Oh wait, he did. An orange glow surrounded the filly and brought her over to him but just out of her reach.

“That’s quite rude to punch a old man, you know.” He had a unamused look on his face.

The lack of a good reach did little to dissuade the filly, who wildly thrashed around in an attempt to punch him again. “Let me go! Let me go right now!”

“But if I do that you’ll just punch me again and I don’t want to be punched.” Tirek had switched from using magic to grabbing her by the scruff of her neck, the effect was still being the same but requiring less energy to maintain.

The filly stopped squirming to let out some heavy pants as she glared at him. Crossing her forelegs, she mumbled, “I don’t care. Just...get the captain or whatever and toss me out already. It’s not like it’d be any different from the other times.”

“Now why would I do that when you are already struggling to survive? Plus,“ He held her up to a window showing nothing but desert. “I don’t think you brought any water with you.”

Sighing heavily, the filly went completely slack in Tirek’s grip. “So what now?”

“Well, you can join me on my journey. I’m heading north maybe northeast to hopefully find a nice place to relax for awhile.” Triek stated as he placed the filly on his bed.

“You...actually want me around?” She stared at him as if he had two heads. “Really?”

“Some company would be nice.” He admitted. “Plus I’ve always had a soft spot for children.”

The filly hesitantly took a seat and eyed him suspiciously. “Okay but no funny business. The other street kids told me to be wary of nice old guys. They sometimes touch fillies like me.”

“And that is generally good advice but I don’t care for those types. Quite frankly, I should just drain their magic as punishment for harming ones so young but that would just attract unwanted attention to me.” Tirek then yawned a little. After all, he’d had quite the busy day.

“Well, you didn’t rat me out so you’re okay. I’m Cozy Glow.”

“Tirek and just try and stick by me if you don’t want to be tossed out to the endless sands.” Smacking his lips, he got comfortable on the bed and closed his eyes for a little nap. Reluctantly, Cozy Glow slid up next to him and stared up at the centaur, silently assessing him before going to sleep, content in the knowledge of maybe finding something that she desired even more than a home or even a steady supply of food. A friend.

*******************

Swearing in Abyssian, Capper threw open the door of the supply closet and stretched himself, several joints popping and cracking as he massaged his neck. Why, oh why, did I come back here again? Trudging up on deck, he caught a glimpse of Captain Celaeno and stopped in midstride. Oh yeah. That’s why. Giving himself a minute, he gathered his wits about him and made his way over to the captain. “Hey Celly. Everything ship-shape?”

When she ignored him, he tried again. “So, erm, the peg leg’s new. How did that happen?”

The captain turned so quickly, Capper was afraid that she was going to hit him again. Instead, she crossed her arms and gave him a steely-eyed glare. “Back in Anugypt. When you left in the middle of a job, leaving me and my boys high and dry.”

“Oh. Right.” He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. “Well...look on the bright side! At least you get half off on shoes.” He shrank beneath her scowl. “Sorry, just trying to lighten the mood. Seriously, would it kill you to smile? You have the most amazing smile!”

Celaeno turned back around and stared out at the desert. “Give me something to smile about and maybe I’ll consider it, Dapperclaws.”

Rather than her icy tone, it was her refusal to use his first name that hurt Capper the most. “Remember how we first met under the moonlight and we were both running from the guards?”

From her position, an unseen smirk lit up her face. “From what I remember, you were trying to rob the same place that I was. It was your idea to hide behind that stall selling snacks. We ended up back here reeking of stale peanuts and day-old pretzels.”

“Well it was certainly a improvement for me. The desert is not a fun place for sand and fur.” Capper joked, knowing full-well that feathers were not much better.

Celaeno’s smile vanished and she turned once more to meet his gaze. “Look, this little trip is just a business deal. This doesn’t change anything between us. You still left. Six months later, you just waltz up from out of the blue. No letters, no nothing!” She let out an aggravated groan. “Then again, what can I expect from a guy that can’t even say those three little words?”

“That’s a low blow. I said them right before that final mission and you know it.” Capper angrily responded at her accusation.

“That’s not the point!” Celaeno looked like she was ready to strangle him. “You said them as though you were ordering dessert or-or-or grabbing a nice necklace! You may’ve said them but you sure as hell didn’t mean them!”

“Do I regret the tone I used back then? I do but you can be right but wrong at the top of your voice, Captain. You told me that and I never forgot it.” Capper then turned to leave, feeling his point had been successfully made.

Celaeno watched Capper go but half-wished that she’d stopped him. From what he told her in the past about his slave days, he had justifiable reason to be hesitant about being close to anyone but she’d hoped that she’d be the one to change that. Apparently, I just wasn’t enough. Or I made it worse for him. She reached into her coat’s breast pocket and pulled out a simple ring made of old bottle caps amateurishly soldered together. An honest-to-goodness smile spread across her beak as she held it to her chest. And yet despite everything, I still love that furball. Gods, I’m messed up.

*********************

Trudging back to the supply closed, Capper slammed the door shut and collapsed onto his rear end, angry and hurt from his recent spat with the captain. He sighed and began sharpening his claws on a broken broomstick. He’d told her about his sordid past, let her get closer than anyone ever has and he still wasn’t enough for her! She knew that he loved her so why did he have to say it! Maybe being told helps her. Every creature is different after all...Maybe I just need some courage or something.

Capper gripped the broomstick as memories of Redwood House flashed before his eyes. All of those “noble” ladies (and the occasional gentlemen) all leering at him, all wishing for a piece of the exotic feline. And some of them did. After all, that was the point of “house entertainment.” He'd heard the Three Words used time and again, usually during or after the nobles were done using him and it made him feel cheap and filthy every single time.

Celaeno...she was different. The first time they'd made love was anything but a casual fling and the moments that'd built up to it were clear indicators that the pirate cared for Capper for more than just his body. She was everything that he desired in a companion: strong, confident, bold and drop-dead gorgeous. So why did he leave?

Lying on his side, Capper hugged himself tightly and curled into a ball. He was afraid and he let his fear drive away the only women that he'd ever loved and for that, he was certain that he'd never be forgiven. Not that he deserved forgiveness after abandoning her and leaving her minus a limb. He sighed and stared at the door before whispering:

“I love you.”

One Thing On Their Minds

Starlight was staying in late again as she was trying to file the correct paperwork to submit for the Sisters that consisted of the town’s taxes and the confirmed births that year. That’s not even mentioning the slew of underground projects that she was doing like the anti-magic barriers that were still being tested, each one with varying results. Pegasi could fly through them while Unicorns couldn’t do magic and earth ponies were in the middle, with the stronger willed ones being able to use their magic while the rest couldn’t.

“Great,” Starlight mumbled as her eyes started to close from the exhaustion she felt.

As if to answer Starlight’s prayers, Night Glider trotted in to replace her empty coffee mug with some fresh-brewed coffee. “Geez Starry, at this rate, you’re more caffeine than mare.”

“Nightlight, I’m glad you’re here.”Starlight mumbled as she reached for the elixir of life.

“You’re welcome, Starbeam,” Night Glider snickered. “Seriously though, you need a break.”

“I never thought there was so much paperwork when running a town.” Starlight drank the nectar of the gods. “So goood.”

Night Glider rolled her eyes. “Yeah, imagine that. So, are you going to stretch your legs or am I going to have to carry you home? Again?”

“I’ll head home but make sure to have this mailed in the morning. We can’t attract unwanted attention.” Starlight yawned and moved to get out of her chair, only to find one of her hindlegs asleep. “Gaaah, pins and needles, pins and needles!” She yelped in surprise as her leg started waking up. Goddess, I need a vacation. Or stronger coffee.

Night Glider tried and failed to keep her laughter contained, banging her hoof on the desk as tears welled up in her eyes. With both mares rubbing their respective limbs, they made a mental agreement to never speak of this to anypony. After a few minutes, both mares headed home without a word due to the awkwardness that hung in the air. Starlight was lucky in that she lived fairly close, only about three and a half blocks away from the town hall. She lived in a nice, two-story cottage nestled between a red bungalow and a four-story townhouse.

Once Starlight was inside, she made her way to the bathroom for a quick bath before bed. Even if Starlight were to go straight to bed, she wouldn’t be able to get a wink of sleep because that time was coming and every mare, stallion and foal knew it: Daybreaker’s and Nightmare Moon’s heat cycles. Their heats actually affected how the entire planet dealt with it. For ponies, it was simple: their heats went from spring to winter, Griffons lived in caves with diamond dogs, and minotaurs got tans to prove their toughness. Oh the list went on but that’s all Starlight knew for the time being.

Everypony in town was suddenly very thankful for Starlight's spell to negate most of the sun’s effects when they looked at their calendars. “I feel really bad for any travellers in the next few weeks,” she said aloud as she immersed herself in the nice cold water. “Oh yeah, that feels nice.” Starlight just sat there relaxing as thoughts of her childhood friend Sunburst came to her mind and a hoof made its way down to the soap. “I wonder how he’s doing.” Lathering herself up and down, she removed all of the sweat and dirt from out of her coat and tail. After a quick rinse, she got out of the bathroom and felt like a million bits as she plopped down onto her bed.

It’d been a while since she’d last seen Sunburst, but had no issue picturing the stallion in her mind: his cute face, shimmering blue eyes and scraggly beard that he took way too much pride and joy in. Hyperion knew that she was pent up from the stress of the job and book reading wasn’t going to distract her this time. Her hoof trailed down her stomach and hip to reach its prize and she gave a sharp moan at the light gesture. Wow, has it really been that long? Shaking her head, she lightly stroked the outer lips, imagining that it was Sunburst and thrilled at the idea of actually taking that plunge one day. But for now, it was just her and her fantasies.

Moving her hoove around in a semicircle, she ignored how astonishingly wet she was and her surprise at the lack of cobwebs and instead bit her lower lip at the thought of her phantom lover. Gently penetrating herself with the tip of her hoof, Starlight gave out a yelp and then a whinny of pleasure as she spread herself as wide as she could go. “S-Sunburst…” Her free hoof slammed against the shower wall as the pressure built up inside of her and, no longer caring if anypony heard her, let out a cry of ecstasy as she finally came. “Ah...oh...d-damn…” She soon passed out after that, both satisfied but drained from her little trip to Pleasure Town.

“Starry, are you okay?!” Night Glider’s voice issued forth from the other side of the door. She'd stopped by to drop off some completed tax forms when a high-pitched scream broke the silence. Fearing for her friend's safety, she rushed up the stairs and banged on the bedroom door, only to receive no reply. “Okay Starlight, I’m coming in!”

Unlatching the door, she rushed into the bathroom only to stop and scrunch her nose up, the scent of lilacs filling her nostrils. Starlight laid on her bed with her hoof still in between her thighs, which were coated with still-moist mare cum. “Oh my goddess.” An evil smile started to crawl on Night Glider's face as she went to the kitchen and got a small glass of water before returning to Starlight’s room. “This should cool you down.” Giggling like a filly, she poured the water on the sleeping mare.

“Who?! What!? When?!” Starlight shouted in a panic as she shot up, her mind still exhausted from everything.

“Hey Starry,” Night Glider snickered. “Did you have a good time?” To emphasize that last question, she wiggled her eyebrows in a manner to that of a caterpillar walking.

Normally Starlight would blush but the water had made her slightly cranky. ”You’re just mad that I didn’t invite you.” Starlight countered, turning the tables and making the dark furred pegasus look really pink all of a sudden.

“Sorry but you’re not my type. Speaking of types, when was the last time you got any action because you reek!”

Pausing to think for a minute. “I believe it was last heat with a sterilized male.” She admitted and it wasn’t uncommon for that to happen but it wasn’t all it seemed either.

Night Glider stared at her. “Wow, it has been a long time! I mean, just last week, I was over at Sky Trotter’s and let me tell you, that stallion sure can work wonders!”

With a deadpan stare, Starlight replied. “I’ll keep that in mind, Nightmare. Now let’s just get to the office before I bring out the heavy artillery on you.” Starlight then left her room with Night Glider in tow, very curious as to what the heavy artillery actually entailed.

“Hey Starlight?” Night Glider asked after a bit of silence. “How come you don’t have a coltfriend? I mean, everypony in town’s got somepony except you.”

“I did once but when we were young, he got his cutie mark and moved to canterlot to live with his sister and study to be a mage.” Starlight chuckled. “For a while, I blamed Cutie marks but after some time I realized that the Sisters took him away, not his cutie mark.”

“I see. Did you screw him?”

“Eww no, I was like six and he was seven so no, I didn’t 'screw him'.” Starlight stared at her assistant “That wasn’t until about two years ago when I visited him in Canterlot.”

Night Glider’s grin grew. “So was he the one you were thinking about back there?”

“I’m sure you and Double Diamond still picture each other.” Starlight shot back.

“Hey, he was my first time and I felt sorry for the dork!”

“I caught you two in the office just last month.”

The pegasus shut her mouth and opened it back up. “Y-yeah, well, at least I’m getting some. You’re scheduling dates with your right hoof.”

“Should I set you up with my hoof?” Starlight then pulled out her keys to unlock the door. “I bet we could get Diamond and make it a double date.”

“Whoa, whoa whoa!” Night Glider paused. “You’re a lesbo?”

“Ehh bisexual but still I prefer being stuffed like a creampuff.” Starlight went to her office and magiced out the paperwork from last night. “Get these mailed please.”

Night Glider took a minute to recover, never previously seen or heard her normally reserved friend and boss so open about sex. Or about being a filly-fooler. “R-right away!” And with that, she dashed off, still wrapping her head about the mechanics of such acts.

Once Starlight was alone in her office, she started laughing at how gullible her friend could be at times. While it was true that she'd never been with another mare, there was a small part of her that was more than a little curious as to what the experience would be like and thought about experimenting sometime. She looked around her office and sighed. Night Glider was actually right: Starlight was the only single pony in town, not counting the colts and fillies of course. Every day she trotted to and from an empty house and desired to have somepony there to come home to.

Starlight levitated over some manila folders and flipped them open. She'd have to put that little dream on hold as she was busy running an entire town and the last thing anypony needed was for her to be derelict in her duties because of some single mare's drama. Our Town needed her, more than she needed a mate, so she decided to put the town's needs ahead of her own. Her special somepony would eventually enter the picture. Starlight opened one of her desk drawers and pulled out a small framed photograph of her and Starburst when they were foals. All she had to do was wait for him.

Mr. and Mrs. Discord

The quiet of the expansive forest was disrupted when a burst of scintillating energy flared in a clearing, scaring off all creatures big and small. Dusting himself off, Discord inhaled the air and sighed a pleasant breath of relief. It’d been approximately six months, eleven weeks, fourteen days, one-hundred-and-two hours and thirty-five seconds since he’d been able to stand out and enjoy the fresh air. Nopony knew this but Discord loved the outdoors. He was particularly taken with the various animals and their day-to-day lives as they ate one another. It was so chaotic!

“Yes, yes, yes!” He cheered, jumping up and down and doing a little twirl. “The D to the I to the S to the C-O-R-D is back in the hizzouse, baby!”

“Are you going to put me down now?”

Discord looked down at Sunset Shimmer, who he'd honestly forgotten was still nestled in the crook of one arm. “Oh, right, sorry about that! Not used to having company.” Setting the unicorn down, he conjured up a pilot’s uniform and a base station microphone. “Attention passengers, we hoped that you enjoyed your flight and we thank you for choosing Air Discord.”

There was another flash of light and Sunset found that she was wearing a black cocktail dress and seated at a table with a tuxedo-dressed Discord on the other end. “Now then,” the draconequus smiled and magically lit a pair of candles. “Let’s proceed with our date.”

“We aren’t on a date, Discord,” Sunset said as she took off the cocktail dress. “Mostly because one, you made me public enemy number two-right after you-and two, they have my brother and Ancient Ones know what they will do to him.” Sunset blinked away frustrated tears and began to rub at her face furiously; Solar Mages didn't cry.

“Hey, now...don’t...don’t do that.” Discord snapped his fingers, making everything disappear. He stooped down to Sunset’s eye level and rubbed her cheek with his lion’s paw. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know that I’d end up hurting you because of that. Can you forgive me, Sunny?”

“I-I don’t know Discord but definitely not right now.” Sunset sniffed. “He was the only family I had. My dad died shortly after Sunburst arrived and I haven’t seen my mom in years.”

Discord hoisted Sunset up and held her to his chest. “Hey, it’s going to be alright. I mean, you have me and I promise that I’ll never leave you. I mean, I can’t since you saved my life and all. Ancient draconequus law. You’re stuck with me and that means I’m going to do whatever it takes to keep you happy and healthy, my little firebrand.”

“Stuck with you or not, I would need to know what has happened with my brother,” Sunset smirked a little. “Then you may take me on a date.”

Literal fireworks exploded around them. “Really?!” Discord gripped Sunset’s hooves and spun her around as triumphant band music played from seemingly nowhere. “Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! Finally, I get to have a date! In your face, Uncle Carlito!”

“Sorry but with everything that happened the last six months, you can understand why dating wouldn’t be high on my priority list.” Sunset used her magic to grab a journal that contained various details over the last six months. “Like the Nightmare guard encounter, then your small chocolate milk binging, and the funniest when you accidently turned yourself into a mare.”

Discord laid on his stomach and suspended a foot off the ground, his chin held up by his hands as he gazed over her humorously. “So, you’ve been keeping notes on me. How creepily and flatteringly romantic.” He turned over and placed his hands behind his neck. “Then again, I can’t blame you for having good taste. I was considered quite the catch back home.”

Sunset couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Even when she was upset, he somehow still managed to put a smile on her face. “I’m sure you were Discord. Now let’s get going. I heard rumors of a free town that we could use as a hide out.”

“Hmm. Okay, let’s go!” SNAP! Where Discord once stood, there was instead a dark gray unicorn stallion, though his goatee and red eyes were dead giveaways if you were looking for them. He sported a slicked back mane and a tornado for a cutie mark. All in all, not a bad look. “Well, what do you think? Aren’t I quite the catch?” He posed and wiggled his eyebrows.

“Eh, Good enough.” Sunset pulled out a map that was in the journal. “The rumored location of the town is somewhere east of the Great Hooves Mountain Range.” She used a tack to point out the most likely area that it would be at. “We will need a cover story. I’m guessing you want to play the married couple?”

“Does Daybreaker have an ass big enough to block out the sun?” Sunset snorted at his amazing joke. Discord tapped his chin with a hoof and then briefly glanced at the appendage before shaking his head. “I just thought of something. I don’t have a pony name. All of you ponies have something gag-inducingly cute for a name.”

“Well this form has a tornado cutie mark so what about Strong Winds?” Sunset asked as she examined Discord. “You were born into a pegasus family but as a unicorn, hence why the name is more or less a pegasus one.”

“I work in Canterlot as a meteorologist and we first met at a fast food joint, where you fell head-over-hooves in love with me at first sight,” Discord grinned, putting a foreleg around her.

“I’m pretty sure it's the other way around, Lover-colt.” Despite her best efforts, she blushed at her current proximity to Discord.

Discord leaned in close. “I’d buy that story. You are quite the natural beauty, my dear. Since we’re playing a couple, why don’t we practice our kissing? You know, for the act?”

Sunset pushed Discord away. “No thank you, 'Honey bun.' Now that we have everything out of the way, why don’t we head out to find out what happened to my brother and to find that town.”

Discord bowed and gestured ahead. “Ladies first.”

“Such a gentle colt.” Sunset deadpanned as she took a look around. ”Coast is clear.” If Sunset was thankful for anything, it was that they looked like they just got done with couple “activities,” thanks to her messy mane and Discord's apparent pep in his step. It certainly helped their cover at any rate.

Up, down, up, down. Discord’s eyes tracked the movements of Sunset’s flank, watching the two globes of flesh bounce and slide against one another with each step. It wasn’t bulbous like a certain sun-queen’s nor was it flat and uninteresting, being somewhere in the middle. It was the flank of a both a hard-working warrior as well as a hot mare. Ponies would go to war over such a flank. Discord was pretty much drooling at this point.

“Hurry Up, Winds! Otherwise, we will miss the train!” Sunset called out to the increasingly farther back draconequus.

“Huh, what?” Discord snapped out of his booty-centered reverie and galloped up to Sunset’s right side. “Sorry about that, Sugar Lumps. I was, erm, thinking about something.”

“Like my flanks?” She wiggled her backside for emphasize. ”I know how you think.”

Discord looked away embarrassingly. “Um, in my defense, you...are really hot. Can’t fault a guy for liking what he sees. Seriously, your flank is better than the Sisters’.”

“Your compliment is noted. Now move it before you end up missing the train with my flank on it.” She then picked up her pace if only to tease him some more.

Discord bit back a response and instead did as Sunset asked, confused as to why he was so willing to follow her orders. But, then again, that flank was great incentive to do so. Seriously, the Flank was strong with this one.

“Hey Sunny, I just had an idea.” Discord’s horn glowed gold and a ring appeared on both of their horns, a diamond one in Sunset’s case. “Now we officially look the part!” He beamed, scooting up right next to her and rubbing his face against her own. “Nothing but the best for you.”

“Thank you, Dear," Sunset cooed as she instinctively rubbed back, unaware of what she was doing. “Now if you are done goofing off, let's get going.”

“‘Done goofing off’? That’s like telling a fish not to fly or a bird not to swim,” Discord grumbled as they reached the train station. “So this is married life, huh? So far not bad.”

“Two tickets to the Great hooves Mountains please.” Sunset asked the ticket seller. “We're heading there for our honeymoon.”

“That’s right, darling!” Discord chipped in, a forearm placed around Sunset’s neck as his tail ever-so-slightly brushed against one of her butt cheeks.

“Congratulations,” the bored-looking stallion droned. “Here you go. Enjoy yourselves.”

“Thank you! Let’s go, Sunny. We’ve got some headboards to break,” Discord smirked with a pumping motion.

“I’m going to break your head over a board if you scream that again.” Sunset growled out.

Discord drew back and placed his hooves on his chest. “Why Sugar Lumps,” he cooed with an eyelash flutter. “I had no idea you were into the rough stuff.” He grinned seductively. "I like that." Sunset then used her magic and slammed his head on a bench, forcing a couple teeth to come out.

“Warned you.” She simply stated.

Little green birds chirped around Discord’s head as he pulled his broken face off of the bench. “Gods, what a mare!” He sighed amorously through his broken teeth.

The train arrived soon shortly after and thankfully, they got an almost empty cabin to themselves as there was a elderly couple that was also on board, but they didn’t seem to pay the young “couple” any mind and just enjoyed each other. Rather than make noises or cause a scene, Discord shockingly stayed quiet, mostly observing the old couple with an odd look of longing or staring at his reflection in the window, particularly at the ring glistening on his horn. Sunset had fallen asleep as she hadn’t been sleeping well ever since Discord whisked her away. Nightmare Moon had personally seen to giving her terrifying nightmares as part of her training and it'd impacted her ever since.

Now that they had a moment to themselves, Discord took time to really inspect his “wife.” Her face had hard lines, no doubt as a result of all the stress from serving the Sisters, but he believed her to still be in her early twenties. There was a sort of softness to her features that the Solar Mages training had thankfully left unscathed. He meant what he said: Sunset Shimmer was a natural beauty. Noticing some strands of hair in her face, Discord gently brushed them aside with his hoof. Right, like you’d actually have a chance, Runt.

Sunset shivered a little; he figured she was having another nightmare as she was shaking and sweat was starting to pour from her face. Discord scooted over next to Sunset and bit his lower lip, unsure of what to do. He then slowly and gently pulled her towards him and wrapped his forelegs around her, placing her head beneath his chin. Caressing her mane, he then began to hum, something that his folks did for him whenever he had a nightmare.

It seemed to have worked if only slightly as she was no longer shaking and this brought some small comfort for the draconequus. His heart hammered in his chest as he beheld the sleeping mare, a bit perturbed by the alien feelings swarming around inside of him. No, this was just an act, nothing more. Sunset said that it just a cover story. Yet, why did this bother him so much?

Foal Metal Jacket

Eight Years Ago...

“Listen up! All you new recruits thinking you’re going to just whiz by in your training should get out right now!” The scrawny unicorn stallion in the campaign hat hollered. “YOU are being trained to be THE best of the best, the elite. YOU will have the ultimate honor of serving the princesses THEMSELVES and I expect nothing less than PERFECTION. You will be beaten, broken, pushed past your limits and then pushed further!” He whirled around and shoved his face into Sunset’s. “Do you think you have what it takes to be one of the elite?!”

“Sir, yes, Sir!” Sunset yelled.

“You think you’re special? You think you’re tough? Well good news: you’re not! That’s why I’m going to call you, ‘Snowflake.’ Do you like that name, Snowflake?”

“Sir, yes, Sir!”

“Sound off like you’ve got a spine!”

“Sir, yes, Sir!”

The drill instructor stepped back, having gotten his point across. “Now remember, none of you are fit to be called ‘ponies.’ You are all slime, less than equine. If you manage to survive your training, you will be weapons, deliverers of death to kill and die for the glory of our princesses. The rest of you, however, will be disgraces to your families and kingdom. But until that day comes, your sorry flanks belong to me. I am tough and hard and you will no doubt hate me but your hatred will drive you forward. I am tough in order to separate the strong from the weak. There will be no weakness in the Mage Guards. Do you miserable little piles of sentient puke understand me?”

“Sir, yes, Sir!”

True to his word, the drill instructor, called Battle Blaze, worked the recruits to the point of exhaustion, hitting a few with his swagger stick if any of them lagged or refused to get up. One unfortunate recruit ended up passing out and had to be hospitalized, which worked as extra incentive to drive the recruits further. Aside from magic, the all-unicorn trainees were instructed in hoof-to-hoof combat as well as sword and spear training. When one stallion questioned why weapons were even necessary in a magic fight, Battle Blaze was more than happy to demonstrate its importance. Everypony backed away from the two, not wishing to risk injury during the presentation.

“Now then, fire a bolt at me.”

The stallion stared uneasily at Battle Blaze. “W-what, Sir?”

“Are you deaf, you little scumbag? I said fire!”

An orange energy beam streaked out of the stallion’s horn, barely missing the drill instructor, who was pretty spry and alert for somepony pushing fifty. Rolling to evade two more bolts, Battle Blaze charged at the stallion just as another bolt shot out and, ducking beneath it, spun around and whacked the base of the stallion’s horn with his swagger stick. This sent the unfortunate recruit crumpling to the floor in the fetal position, lightly sobbing as he buried his face in his forelegs. Standing over the stallion, Battle Blaze jabbed his swagger stick into his ribs.

“This is why we train with melee weapons. Our magic is our greatest weapon but also our greatest hindrance. Magic requires concentration and precision and can quickly leave you exhausted and exposed to the enemy. A unicorn’s horn contains more nerve endings than any other part of the body and damage to it can make you more helpless than a worm in the sun.”

He twisted the swagger stick around, eliciting a cry from the downed stallion. “Weapons training not only permits you to save your magic for when you really need it but it also teaches you to think outside the box, to get in close to your opponent and incapacitate them before killing them. Remember, just because all of you can use magic doesn’t mean that you should.” Withdrawing his swagger stick, Battle Blaze stepped over the stallion and directed two other recruits to prop him back onto his hooves. “Rely on one trick or skill for too long and that’s the only one you’ll have.”

Out of the sixty recruits, fifteen dropped out just in the first week alone. Sunset thought that the guards that she’d spoken to in the street were exaggerating about the training’s level of difficulty but Battle Blaze proved her wrong time and again. There were times when she wanted to give up and almost did, the physical and mental strain making her feel like a stretched rubber band. Whether it was her desire to rise above her peers or to make her family proud, Sunset kept going, weathering herself against the storm and pushing herself to be the best.

Sunset slowly entered the drill instructor’s office with the stiff, mechanical gait associated with those condemned to execution. After a particularly exhausting weapons sparring, Battle Blaze shouted for her to follow him into his office and she was certain that he was going to have her thrown out. She could practically see the disappointment on Sunburst’s face and her mother’s shameful stare. Shutting the door behind her, she took her seat and waited for the proverbial axe hanging over her head to drop.

“Do you know why you’re here, Miss Shimmer?”

The combination of the extended silence, fearful anticipation and the drill instructor’s usage of her real name left Sunset momentarily speechless. “...No, Sir.”

Battle Blaze remained standing behind his desk, his one hoof resting on top of his office chair while the other patted a manila folder on his desktop. “I’ve been closely reviewing your training over the past few weeks. Out of all of the recruits, not only have you shown the most progress but you’ve also proven yourself to be quite a skilled spellcaster and swordsmare. That’s why I want to give you this.”

A forest green aura enveloped one of the desk drawers and an orange vest with a yellow, flame-shaped border landed neatly onto the desk. A small pin bearing Daybreaker’s seal was attached to the vest’s left side, drawing Sunset’s eye to it as she reverently picked the vest in her hooves. Worry melted away to give rise to stunned surprise as she smoothed over the fabric, her confused face reflecting off of the pin’s surface. Battle Blaze chuckled and finally took his seat, laying his swagger stick across the desk in front of him.

“Speechless, Snowflake? It’s simple: I’m promoting you to Squad Leader. Congratulations.”

Remember, you’re going to be a Solar Mage. You have to start acting like it. Pulling the vest on, Sunset straightened her back and saluted. “Thank you for this honor, Sir.”

“You’re welcome. Now get the hell out of my office and start whipping some asses into shape.”

The next few weeks flew by as if no time had passed since Sunset's promotion. Under her direction, the cadets' performances greatly improved, leading to their training scores becoming the best in the city. As a result, the usually abrasive and strict Battle Blaze began to act a bit more amicable towards his prized pupils, especially towards Sunset "Snowflake" Shimmer. Sure, three more cadets quit, but this served as a testament to the strength of the others. Now that the worst of the training had passed, only the strong remained.

"Ten-hut!" Sunset shouted, the multitudinous thuds of hooves on the floor echoed throughout the yard as all of the trainees fell into formation. "Drill Sergeant, your troop is ready and willing, Sir!"

The two saluted one another and Battle Blaze grinned, "Very good, Squad Leader Shimmer." After Sunset joined the others, Battle Blaze's face hardened itself into its default setting. "Cadets, for those of you who've stuck around, congratulations! You have proven yourself that you've got what it takes to be Solar Mages. Now comes what you may consider your final test. We have with us a very special guest. Pre-senting, Her Royal Highness-"

A great green fire came roaring to life and a dark shape emerged from its center, sending a chill down the spines of everypony present. There was no mistaking the alicorn that made her way over to the cadets: the green feline eyes, the black fur, the grin of sadistic glee. The Princess of the Night had arrived.

"-Nightmare Moon!"

Fear tightly gripped the cadets' hearts when the princess opened her mouth. "Thank for that charming introduction, Sergeant. Hello future Solar Guards. Please try to keep your excitement to yourselves." Pausing, possibly for dramatic effect, Nightmare Moon continued. "Some of you are probably wondering why I'm here. 'But sergeant, we're training to be Solar Guards. Why is Her Majesty gracing us with her immaculate presence?' You see, my sister and I have decided to implement a cross-training program in order to toughen up the new recruits."

Sunset immediately became aware of the Nightmare-shaped shadow that fell over her and begged every muscle in her body to remain still. Please don't move, please don't move, for the Ancestors' sakes, PLEASE DON'T MOVE! Nightmare Moon regarded the unicorn with mild fascination before strutting over to the next recruit, leaving Sunset to breathe a barely audible sigh of relief. Both sisters were equally terrifying but the night held unseen horrors that nopony ever wanted to see or even guess at the existence of. Sometimes it's what you don't see that kills you.

Nightmare took her place back next to Battle Blaze, content with the gathered cadets. "Daybreaker will teach the Lunar Guards long-ranged projectile attacks while I will instruct you in regards to more...nonphysical threats." Her horn crackled to life and a swirling, viscous blue-black doorway appeared in the empty space on her left. "What drives a soldier to abandon their post and forsake their duty? Fear. Today I will show you your worst fears and by doing so, rip the fear right out of you. Squad Leader Sunset Shimmer, would you be so kind as to be the first volunteer?"

At the sound of her name, Sunset's legs automatically moved forward, driving her towards the doorway and the terror that lay beyond. I must not fear. She told herself, repeating a mantra written by a great warrior long since passed. I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings total annihilation. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass through me and over me.

She passed through the doorway, entering the swirling vista as though walking through fog and entering a place of seemingly endless darkness. And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone, there will be nothing. Only I will remain. Finishing the mantra, Sunset ignited her horn and peered into the abyss, barely finding her way in the darkness.

Sunset heard somepony lightly calling her name and turned, finding her brother waiting for her.

"Sunburst! What are you...-?"

Upon closer inspection, she found Sunburst tied to a wooden pole, his body secured with frayed rope that cut into his orange coat. He lifted up his face, which was covered in fresh cuts and bruises. "Where were you, big sis? You said you'd always look out for me."

"I-I didn't...this wasn't my fault!"

A bright flash of silver-white streaked through the darkness followed by a flood of crimson. Sunburst's head rolled across the floor to rest at Sunset's hooves, his mouth twisted wide in a soundless shriek. Instinctively, Sunset kicked the head away and brushed a hoof through her fur, finding it slick with Sunburst's blood. "No, this isn't real! This isn't real!"

Another Sunburst appeared, this time bound and gagged as he thrashed about atop a log. The log in question was pulled along a conveyor belt and towards a giant buzz saw. "No, please! I beg you...!" Sunset's eyes clamped shut just as the saw made contact, filling the room with muffled screaming and the slapping of meat on the floor. The whole expanse of the darkness smelled like an abattoir and it took all of Sunset's willpower to keep back the exodus of bile building up in her throat.

"It's not real..." Sunset reminded herself as Sunburst's head was crushed by a spiked mallet.

"It's not real..."

Sunburst's limbs were stretched on a rack until they tore like paper streamers.

"It's not real..."

Sunset kept repeating this even as she watched the facsimile of her brother being eviscerated, disemboweled, hanged, burned and every other kind of bodily harm that one could possibly experience.

"IT'S NOT REAL!"

She turned, finding herself once more at the academy, everypony staring at her and even a few of the cadets either laying on the grass unconscious or puking their guts out. A rhythmic thumping drew Sunset's attention and she found Nightmare Moon slowly clapping, a wide, sadistically gleeful smirk on her face. Never before had Sunset ever wanted to throttle somepony so badly as she did in that moment.

"Well done, Ms. Shimmer. Very well done. You passed."

Interrogation

The six-stallion battalion of passing guards shuffled over to each end of the hallway as General Twilight Sparkle marched forward, her dragon Spike thudding behind her like some titanic shadow. A chill ran down the mare’s spine as she neared her destination but her expression gave no indication of her sense of dread. She wasn’t particularly fond of the other five mares that made up the elite Generals but Pinkie Pie, the royal inquisitor and executioner, was the closest one she could properly call a friend. Even though she filled Twilight with an indescribable uneasiness and genuine fear for her life, Pinkie Pie was something of a sweetheart once you got to know her. That is, if you weren’t on her torture rack.

Reaching a hoof for the door handle, Twilight paused when she heard Spike’s footsteps had abruptly stopped and turned to find him six feet behind. “Hey Big Guy,” she said soothingly. “Are you still scared to go inside?” The dragon nervously wrung his hands and nodded. Despite having the form of a fully mature dragon, Spike still possessed the mind of a ten-year-old, an unfortunate result of having his body magically and alchemically modified to turn him into the hulking beast that loomed over her now. Regardless, Twilight treated Spike as though he were a normal hatchling and did her best to look after him.

“You can stay out here if you promise to behave yourself.”

This was music to Spike’s ears. “Yes, Twilight!”

Twilight bit her cheek to keep from giggling and simply nodded, turning back towards the door and, steeling herself for whatever horrors lay within, turned the handle and entered the room. Shutting the door behind her, she couldn’t help but feel put off by the lack of silence as she climbed down the stone staircase. Usually Pinkie’s torture room was filled with wails of agony but today it was eerily quiet. The room was cylinder-shaped and lacked windows, a conscious choice designed to mentally break down the prisoners and make their confessions that much easier to obtain. A pink earth pony mare was whispering to a unicorn stallion tied to an X-shaped beam in the center of the room and though Twilight couldn’t hear the exact words, they sounded threatening and sadistically gleeful, as though one were sharing a naughty secret.

“Pinkie Pie.”

The earth pony turned and for a split second, madness dominated those blue eyes before turning into happy surprise. “Twilight! So nice of you to visit! If I’d known you’d be stopping by, I would’ve cleaned the place up.” Pinkie slid some of her straight, dull pink mane behind her ear. “Soooo, what can I help you with?”

“I’m here for the prisoner. Sunburst, I believe.”

Upon hearing his name, the unicorn stallion lifted his head up. One eye was heavily bruised and almost closed while blood dribbled from his lips and nose. His torso was covered in a variety of cuts and burns and judging from the wounds on his hindlegs, it was possible that they were broken. “Please...let me down.”

“Quiet you!” Pinkie scowled and then smiled widely at Twilight. “Sunburst was such a doll! He told me everything I wanted to know before I even touched him!”

Twilight looked over a nearby tray of bloodied instruments. “So why did you still torture him?”

“I already had everything ready. It would’ve been a waste,” Pinkie shrugged, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “To his credit, he didn’t do a whole lot of screaming. Just some crying and couple of ‘Please no’s’ and ‘Dear Goddesses.’”

“I see.” Twilight was disgusted but didn’t want to risk upsetting the clearly unhinged mare standing next to a table covered with sharp objects. “And what did he have to say?”

“Oh, that he had no idea why Captain Sunset would free Discord and that he only learned of it when the princesses did and that he didn’t do anything and blah, blah, blah.” Pinkie casually leaned up against the stand and peered up at Sunburst, who bristled at her unnecessary close proximity to him. “Did I cover everything or was there anything that I left out?”

"Umm, you left out the part were I cried for my mother. Thank you for that."

Pinkie slapped herself. “Oh yeah, that’s right! It was nasty too! Tears and snot and ugh! So nasty. So yeah, he’s clueless.”

Twilight bit her lip. “Well that’s just great! We’re no closer to any answers! When Daybreaker finds out…-”

“When I find out what, exactly?”

"Oh nothing, just that SunnyD here knows just as much as a rock." Pinkie Pie replied nonchalantly. Both mares then froze and slowly rotated to find the fiery-maned alicorn standing at the top of the stairs, her expression one of rage and disappointment. She leaped down from the stairs and landed in front of the two mares, her wings unfolded challengingly in a raptor-esque display of dominance. The pair immediately fell to their knees as Daybreaker began to circle them.

“General Twilight, how long have you known Captain Sunset?” The anger was there, only slightly subdued.

"About three years when she became squad leader of the battle mages, Your Highness" Twilight said without hesitation.

“I see. And in all that time you never once picked up on any signs of rebellion!” Daybreaker roared, the flames of her mane shooting into the air. For once, Pinkie visibly trembled in fear.

"No, she even suggested training the new recruits without the potions to toughen them up." Twilight replied not looking up.

The flames receded to their normal height as Daybreaker stood fuming over Twilight. She glanced over at Sunburst and then back at Twilight. Seizing her chin, she forced the mare to look at her. “Find out where she and that chimeric simpleton went. Bring her back so that I can deal with her personally. As for Discord, bring him to the island with the others. But for now I have an idea." She looked at Pinkie Pie. "Inseminate Twilight with Sunburst’s seed. The offspring they will have will no doubt be a skilled mage. Once you're through, give Sunburst to Starswirl for experimentation."

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Pinkie Pie squealed. “Star Swirl has been requesting more ‘volunteers’ for his studies and the dungeons are pretty much all out.”

Daybreaker nodded and started to leave. "Consider this foal your last chance, Twilight. You’re a great general and a talented enchantress but don’t think for one moment that you’re irreplaceable." She then vanished in a ball of fire and despite the intensity of the heat, the room felt as cold as the Frozen North.

Twilight nodded, her body moving on its own as she processed her latest command. She’d done everything ever commanded her without question but this? Was she really being used like some sort of breeding whore? She rose on shaking limbs, the room appearing to spin around her and she had to grab hold of the table to right herself.

Meanwhile, Sunburst had begun to thrash about upon seeing his tormentor approaching him with a plastic tube and an electric probe. Lacking the mirth or malevolent glee she previously had, Pinkie shoved the tube over Sunburst’s cock before thrusting the probe up his ass, forcing him to ejaculate, much to his own horror and disgrace.

"This will be a lot easier if you hold still, Twilight. After all, orders are orders." Pinkie said surprisingly sympathetic, gesturing over to a gurney. Twilight stared at the gurney and gulped, a shuddering breath escaping her lips. She didn’t feel the tears rushing down her cheeks as she climbed on top of the gurney, refusing to meet Pinkie’s eyes out of shame. Hail the Eternal Flame. Hail Daybreaker...

"Now spread your hindlegs and open wide."