Infernus Astartes: Child of Ruin

Her body ached. That was the first thought that ran through the mare’s head as she opened her eyes. “What happened?” The mare questioned as she sat up and found somepony nudging her, a faint noise leaving their lips as she turned to them in a daze. Their muzzles brushed against each other as she blinked trying to make sense of who was nudging her. “You~” She sounded like she was in a dream as she stared up at the stallion. “You saved me.” She whispered. She sounded tired, more than that it felt like a haze had been pulled over her mind. The rage that clouded her thoughts was gone, the envy that dug its way into her heart was replaced with a strange yet familiar warmth. The Nightmare was gone. “Thank you.”

And like that she was out again.

The Beast just looked at the mare, a hint of confusion on his face as she returned to the world of unconsciousness. Why’d she thank him? Maybe it was because she enjoyed the fight, or maybe it was because he helped get the parasite out of her. He wasn’t too sure. He frowned, leaning down to nudge the sleeping alicorn as she made a noise. ‘Well she’s out.’ The Beast grumbled before dropping next to the alicorn. ‘You showed me a good time.’ The stallion thought, looking to the moon before turning back to the mare. On reflex he applied his armor, letting it burn into existence around him before hegrabbed the mare and hoisted her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. ‘What to do with you now?’ He questioned as he stared at the mare on his back before looking to the castle atop the mountain. ‘If I give this one to the other Alicorn… I wonder if I’ll get more food in exchange.’ There went a thought, one he could get behind. So walking off the Beast headed towards the mountain, stopping only when something sang throughout his six senses. Something was coming. He turned, adopting a blank look as he stared at the figure that was dropping from the sky.

“Luna…”

His blood did not stir at this third alicorn. He made a tsking noise. This rate he’d run into a fourth. The Beast just watched as the new alicorn moved, a cautious step leaving her as she stared at him, no not at him, but the sleeper over his shoulder.

“You’re back.” She whispered as she took a few stronger steps, stopping only when he growled at her. Finally realizing that he was here the alicorn just stared at him before narrowing her eyes slightly. “Who are you?”

‘Everyone seems to want to know.’

There was something strange about this stallion. Celestia realized as she stared at the figure. The armor was strange, but more than that there was this strange air about him. ‘It’s not admiration or hate… but it’s making my fur stand on ends.’ She looked at her sister though, a serene smile on her lips as she hung limp on the stallions armored back. ‘… when was the last time I saw her smile like that?’ She questioned as she took a breath and approached the stallion. He just watched her, like he was analyzing her movements and waiting for something. “Are you the one… who held off Nightmare Moon?” He didn’t respond, just letting his eyes flicker to Luna before looking back at her. “What do you plan on doing with her now?” This time the stallion took a long look backwards, gesturing to Canterlot castle as Celestia took a breath. “I see.” She whispered. For a moment she was worried, if he planned on killing her wayward sister than this night would end in someone dying. “I can take her if you like.” She said in that voice that while gentle was strict, implying that it wasn’t a request but an order.

He wasn’t impressed.

He actually walked away from her. Luna still hanging limp over his shoulder she remained oblivious to the world around her.

Celestia stared, the wind rushing by her as she saw the stallion move on.

‘Am I being ignored?’ Yes she was. Celestia, the Lightbringer was being ignored. Her cheeks puffed childishly as she approached the stallion, purpose in her steps as made a noise. “Excuse me.” No response. “Excuse me.” He’s still walking. “Excuse me, my little pony.” That got a response, he actually looked at her, annoyance on his face as his armored tail hit the ground. “Please hand over my sister.” He raised an eyebrow as he looked at the sleeping alicorn and then the one awake. “Yes, that’s my sister.” She clarified as she watched the stallion just glance between the two a bit longer. Seemingly satisfied he pulled her off his peerson before dropping her on the floor. Celestia twitched at the obvious disrespect, but before she could say anything the stallion just went back to walking off, heading towards the mountain as she watched him go. As soon as he was a good few feet away from her, she turned her attention to her sister.

Canterlot Castle

“You really like to eat don’t you?” Cadence asked the Beast as he continued stuffing his face with the food that was meant for her and Shining Armor. He glanced at her for a second before returning to the food, a bite tearing apart part of a salad as she just watched. ‘I’m kind of surprised he didn’t eat the bowl too…’ Cadence thought as she shook her head. “Still thank you.” This time he stopped eating, his attention turning to the mare as he raised an eyebrow. “You saved me and Shining Armor.” Cadence explained. “That thing, I don’t know how but you used your love to stop it didn’t you. Thank you for that.”

You don’t have to thank me.”

Was what she got from his stuffed face as he swallowed and licked his lips.

“Just acted on a whim.”

“A whim huh.” Cadence smiled slightly as she looked at the stallion. “You still saved us.”She admitted before going silent. “Do you know what that thing was anyway?” He nodded before staring at a banana and seemed to stare at it in confusion. “What was it-mph!?” Without warning he shoved the banana into her mouth as she reared back. She didn’t need to understand his “language” to get the message.

“Stop talking and eat.”

She blinked and glanced at the food.

“Otherwise, I’ll eat everything myself.”

Cadence made a noise as she pulled the banana from her mouth before pouting. Guess he had a point though, from how he was acting right now, there probably wouldn’t be anything left for her at this rate. So she floated the watermelon back into her lips and started taking bites. Shame though that Shining Armor wasn’t able to enjoy this with her, after that “thing” had been taken care of, he and most of the guard had to be taken to the castle’s infirmary. ‘I wonder how auntie will react to finding out the damage that was done to the castle and the garden.’ Cadence thought with a groan as she returned to eating, this time it was the Beast that was staring at her as she ate, seemingly drawn to something before getting her attention. “What?” She didn’t “hear” his thoughts that time, just watched him turn away and looked at the night sky.

The Beast made a noise as he turned his attention to the dropping moon and seemed to stare as something started rising in its place; the sun.

“So this is the sunrise.” Cadence looked to the Beast, hearing his “voice” for the first time as he seemed to stare at the sight. The rays of the early morning reaching him and Canterlot as he seemed to drift away.

“Have you… never seen the sunrise.” He shook his head. It wasn’t the first time he’d seen the sunrise, it had just… been a while. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

“It is.” He muttered as Cadence saw that neutral look on his face start to turn upward for a moment. “It’s beautiful.”

For reasons she couldn’t understand, her heart skipped a beat.

‘Uh oh.’