Spirit Waker

The babbling brook speaks to the very essence of Celestia as she washes her blood-covered appendages. Her hands glide across her un-spoiled porcelain body and pristine white legs. They run through her technicolor hair that has faded into muted colors of what they once were. Everything radiates beauty beyond comparison and sexiness that only comes naturally to a select few.

Yet behind it, a(n) ugliness and fury left unsated by the blood just spilled boils beneath the surface. Despite the elegant movements of her body casting the water droplet free from her form, there is a sharpness to her act. Her suppleness coated in moisture and lust is nothing more than a(n) act to catch those that seek easy prey. If anyone is watching, they've already fallen into her venus fly trap. She simply lies in wait for the right moment to catch the insect whole.

In truth, there is no reason for her to wash her form in the open as she is. She has no reasoning to take this moment to bathe within one of the creeks and streams running down the mountainside, but the scene of the glade was too tempting.

She had promised herself to never let moments like these pass her by despite the risks. With everything considered already, she had prepared several spells for those that may wish to catch a glimpse of her.

Or simply catch her.

A nude feminine form that looks so delicate and untouched by fighting and slavery would catch anyone's eyes. The price she would fetch alone could put anyone into retirement. She could always be kept as someone's pet as well. Passed around to subordinates to raise morale when times are tough. Celestia considers herself a prize too succulent to give up.

Despite this, the glade itself holds an untamed beauty as well. This serene glade of a babbling brook can easily be seen as once connected to one of the few lesser-known hot springs along the outer edge of Canterlot. The fringe was the first to suffer much damage and, as a result, nature has taken over the lesser-known areas.

This reminds her of herself in a way.

Like the brook, she too had found herself contained within Canterlot. Never free to go wherever she liked. Never able to venture into various paths for herself in fear of what her ponies would do in her absence. Or what they wouldn't do.

She had let her nature be contained by the armors and crown. The walls and buildings built up around her became cages. But now that it is all destroyed or in disarray, she can finally let her nature take control.

She can finally set herself free.

A flare of magic dries out her hair and scares off a curious bystander. It hadn't tripped any of her wards, but she had noticed the beast looking at her with curiousness. She couldn't blame it honestly. It's not like she was a creature of this world. Or even a pony anymore.

Oh, her lovely ponies.

As much as she loved them, she also loathed them. As the years went by, she began to yearn for what they had. She knew she shouldn't, but couldn't help herself. She often spent nights and days with her sister reminiscing the times that have gone by. Times of when they used to be considered just another citizen. Days of never having to worry about villains and their plans.

Days of just, them. And their journey through their teenage years.

Celestia pulls back from the void that threatens to consume her. Some foreign part of her mind nearly sucked her away to somewhere pleasant again. But she can't afford to lose herself.

Not here. Not now.

She shakes her head to clear away water and fuzziness lingering in her eyes. Perhaps tears? But she hadn't hurt herself. Or at least not that she could remember.

She sighs before making her way towards her clothes set up to dry upon the branches above. A flourish of fingers causes the winds to free her clothes from the helpful branches and into her waiting hands. Nothing has yet to trigger any of her alarms which should calm her ever-increasing nerves, but her newly found bloodlust says otherwise. Ever since those two entered and exited her life, she's been having cravings.

Dangerous cravings.

After dawning her wears, she heads back into the city.

Sure there isn't too much there, but what is there is just as important as the rest.

Several destinations play around in her mind. She knows of several hideouts she could potentially visit to see what sort of ponies still linger in graveyards. She's rather sure she can convince them that this is the second coming of Celestia, but she isn't sure how they'll react to it. She knows her ponies love her.

But... she's failed them once. Even if she devotes her second life to never fail them again, how true could that be?

But the power of friendship will be our sword! We'll grant them the kindness of wiping them out of existence, we'll gather the ponies under loyalty, we'll break them with honesty, we'll shower their funerals in laughter, and give them the generous offer of being our slaves or death. Anything will be possible with the greatest magic of all, friendship!

Celestia froze.

Despite it being her mind, the sudden unbridled thought came from not her own. This isn't the first time something as strange as this has happened. This one was stronger than the others.

She shakes her mind free from the sudden assault of thoughts and makes a note to study her own mind when she has the time and place. Celestia returns her mind to more important matters. Such as convincing the others that her new two-legged form is as good as her four-legged one.

There are many ways she could go about it. In that past, some loved her from the sole fact she could raise the sun for them. Others were subdued due to manipulation and a show of power. Some came to know her behind the mask and loved her for who she was. They were few in number, but she truly loved the time she spent with the ones that became her personal student. Albeit only two, but the two will forever hold a special place within her heart.

"Hm... I wonder if she would recognize her home in the state it is now? Or even if her mirror is still intact."

With another item on her bucket list, she heads for the first bastion of ponykind amongst the rubble and decay. Hidden away beneath the forgotten monasteries, Celestia's Chosen await.

The children giggle and push one another as they play amongst the remains of Duckfield Park. Despite the wreckage around them, the park itself had somehow remained intact and untouched. Slides, swings, and even the brightly grotesque colored pink and yellow merry-go-round remain untouched by war and strife.

Much to some ponies annoyance.

On one of the many benches sit mothers who look on with smiles long thought lost while fathers keep an open eye on the sky and ground. The glow known as joy and children's laughter is infectious and brings fuel for the fire burning deep within their breasts.

Despite the joyous setting, there is still danger lurking just beyond the veil. The ponies have remained safe for so long by being cautious and avoiding avian patrols. They've accepted more and more into their numbers and have gained strength and trust within the various groups within the area.

At the helm of it all, Celestia's Chosen.

The few mares around have hushed conversations about recent news as well as jewelry rediscovered amongst the ruins. Stallions dressed in armor, crudely made, hold crossbows and carry bladed weapons at their side in case of emergencies. Despite their obvious importance, they often find themselves interacting with the children and becoming involved with their games.

With all of this, they formed a peaceful environment. Very rare, but a welcomed sight. Through the many webs of messages, ponies have discovered other safe havens such as the park.

Some say that the spirit of harmony guards over these areas as a silent guardian. Others say the long-dead spirits of the princesses protects them from harm in these sites. They might not agree on where this protection comes from, but they can agree that it is there.

But peace can only last so long. A lesson to have yet be learned by the once again turned tribes ponies.

"You're never gonna catch me!" A Unicorn colt cries out ducking beneath a burnt-out beam while an Earth filly gives chase.

"Oh yeah! We'll see about that!" The two continue their giggling and chasing until the colt runs into something. With an oof, he falls to his flank while rubbing the side of his face.

"Oh! Forgive me, little one. I didn't mean to get in the way."

The filly tries to backpedal her speed but finds herself rolling across the ground to be beside her friend. The colt looks up to have fear grip his heart. The rough voice from above him could only belong to one creature.

A Gryphon.

Gryphons are very rare and very different from the regular Griffon or Griffin. For one, their bodies are built to be monsters. They stand taller and are stronger than their lesser kin. They claim to be pure-blooded and are rare to see outside of their own territories.

Only recently have they made themselves known outside of the Griffonian Empire. The first encounter with these behemoths showed that they were not to be taken lightly. Five Gryphons took two entire brigades made of four platoons to take out four. The last one took out half of another brigade before they finally put the beast down.

On top of being killing machines, they're known for their perversion and hunger. They often raided less than secure lands to capture stallions, mares, colts, and fillies. They were used as food, slaves, and cattle.

One Gryphon was reported stating how cute it is to watch a stallion break as his wife gets passed around by every creature.

It's even better when it's his daughter.

"Now now, boy. I can see panic building up in those eyes of yours. You'll do well to not scream. Or else. I'm sure you've heard stories of what happens to bad fillies and colt, correct?"

The colt nods his head rapidly as the filly only cowers and tries to make herself look smaller. Defiance could be seen in the colt's eyes. But it was overlayed heavily by fear.

"Good. Now, I'm not in the neighborhood to make trouble. You see, you guys have invited trouble into your home. You haven't happened to see a stallion with two axes for a cutie mark have you?

And no. Lying."

The colt shakes his head quickly before his cracking voice speaks up, "N-N-No sir!"

"Is he telling the truth, girl?" He asks moving his talons to run across her face.

He presses hard enough to cut through her soft flesh and mat some of the fur on her cheek in blood. Tears run down her face as she stares death in the face. The stinging sensation of the cut and her tears become too much. She feels on the verge of breaking down completely.

"If you tell me the truth, I'll let you go."

Her mind was made for her.

"He's in the park!" She quietly yells as the Gryphon brings his claw closer to her neck.

"Ah! Thank you, filly."

The Gryphon turns to the colt and, with little effort, tears his throat open with a(n) singular strike. His beak opens revealing several canines in the back of his mouth. Grips hold of the flesh beneath the wound and tears before swallowing.

"Ah... The liars are always the tastest."

The filly can only hyperventilate as the murder turns towards her. The Gryphon makes a quick movement as two Griffins make their way out of the brush nearby and pick her up.

"Now you be a good girl, okay? I'll see you tonight."

With a lick of his lips, he turns towards the direction he saw the filly and colt come from. Apparently, his scouts had forgotten to mention a park nearby.

"No matter, let's move boys. We've got some sheep to herd."