Perpetual Torment

Celestia's sun sets outside, basking your command room in an orange hue. The smell of ozone and burnt metal cloud the massive room, metal shavings and slag are sprayed across the marble floor, a result of your hours of intense labor. Standing in the corner of the room was a very impressive, structurally sound Slipgate. Constructed out of steel and concrete, gems now line the inner walls of the metal rings, improving the strength of the main portal tenfold.

With your hands on your hips, you look up and down your fancy new toy with satisfaction. Only took you 19 hours.

...Shit, only 19 hours? This was supposed to keep you busy for the next couple of days. Hell, this thing was gonna be your excuse for not showing up to that shindig Celestia's having.

God damn it, Anonymous. Why must you be so good at building things? Guess you'll have to find something else to distract yourself with.

Looking outside, you guess it to be dusk. The sky is crystal clear today, presumably for the big party that's happening later tonight.

A party. Demons are knocking on her door, and Tia's having a party. With VEGA up an running, as well as a new Slipgate, you've half a mind to head to Manehattan right now and sort this whole issue yourself. Does she think this is some sort of a joke? Maybe it's just to calm the public. You wouldn't be surprised if she gets bombarded with questions regarding the invasion.

The hundreds of snobby, ass-kissing nobles licking her boots every second. How does she put up with them and maintain such poise? After 30 minutes of being near them you were on the verge of breaking shit. She did mention she despises going to this event, so it's got to wear on her mental well-being to a degree. You really don't care for such a meaningless event, though she sure sounded like she wanted you to come.

With a heavy sigh, you look over the Slipgate. She's rough around the edges, but you can make her look fancy later.

Going to the shindig would be a good excuse to test her out, you suppose.

You stand still in the middle of your command room, glancing from the Slipgate, to the sky outside.

"VEGA, what time is it?" You grunt out, voice as rough as ever.

"It is 7:05 PM. According to my scans, the Grand Galloping Gala was opened to the public 55 minutes ago, and will continue until 1:30 AM."

You raise an arm to scratch behind your head, before you catch a waft of your own B.O.

A shower wouldn't hurt.

Uneasiness fills the entire castle as hundreds of your little ponies try to enjoy the night. The news of Dodge Junction's destruction has caused a rumble of nervousness across the country, and nowhere is it more apparent than right here in Canterlot. Ponies wander to and fro, conversing or dancing, meandering about as they typically would, but the elephant in the room casts a shadow too big to ignore.

You can hear it everywhere, honing in on a specific conversation in the sea of dozens going on, and anypony would be able to hear the keywords in an instant. Words like 'Slayer', or phrases like "What's going to happen now?" You're surprised that only a couple of your subjects here and there have asked you face to face about Equestria's safety. Perhaps they can see the stress in your eyes.

The Gala has been going on for a good two hours, and as per tradition you spent the first hour greeting guests on their arrival. Now, however, you find yourself casually strolling in the very busy ballroom. The band up on stage is playing a relaxing, ambient song that encourages discussion and laughs. Off in the banquet area, you catch Twilight Sparkle and her parents spending time with her brother Shining Armor. Twilight must have just encountered him recently, her hooves go up and down her older brother's body, frantically and tearfully inspecting his healing injuries.

"Shiny thought it would be good to spend some time with his family alone... They didn't find out until today." The voice of your niece catches your attention, as she trots up beside you.

"Your husband is quite the strong stallion, Cadence. Even after his injuries he wanted nothing more than to protect the innocent."

Cadence smiles softly at that, nodding her head. "Thank you." She whispers. Cadence looks around the ballroom, turning to face you. "Did Slayer not show up? I don't think I've seen him yet."

You hum, as you begin to walk towards the door to the gardens. "I invited him, but I do not believe he will show up." Slowly, the sounds of the crowds begin to dull as you make your way outside with Cadence. "I do not put it against him. The burden on his shoulders must be immense."

Taking her place by your side, Cadence's eyes trail all over the garden, taking in it's beauty in the moonlight. "Auntie, what do you think of Slayer?"

Fauna dances around in the gentle breeze, woodland critters of all types ranging from common to rare wander about. "His ways are concerningly violent, but I believe he will be one of Equestria's greatest allies." You answer simply.

"Auntie, that's not what I meant." Cadence deadpans at you, voice hinting to her motives.

Oh dear, here we go.

"Cadence, I do not have feelings of a romantic nature for Slayer, nor do I require a partner."

"Well if the public displays of affection towards him are anything to go off of, I'd say that's not the case." Cadence retorts.

The two of you take a seat in a clearing within the garden. The grass below is cool to the touch, yet perfectly dry.

"Come on, Celestia! I'm the Princess of love, this is my duty to solve! All my life, whenever I've looked into your heart I've felt your love for your country and subjects. I've felt your devotion to keeping peace and tranquility throughout the land, the guilt of banishing your sister," Cadence pauses, looking from the grass to your face. "But deep behind all of that, there has always been this tinge of darkness. Just the smallest hint of loneliness, and longing for something or somepony that was taken from you."

You keep your eyes locked to your niece, frustrated at her confrontation yet willing to hear her out.

"But ever since Slayer has appeared, that darkness has almost faded away. It's been replaced with excitement, wonder and nervousness... And even dread. Am I wrong, Auntie?"

Without noticing your eyebrows have furrowed at your niece. After several seconds of silence you give an audible sigh and neutralize your facial expression. "I suppose I have been unrestrained in my displays of affection with him. No, Cadence, I do not have feelings for Slayer. He just... reminds me, of someone I cared for deeply."

Cadence smiles at this, and shuffles her body to face you. "Well, who does he remind you of?"

Raising your head up to look at Luna's sky, you take a deep breath of the cool night's air. "You're aware of the large gaps in early Equestrian history, correct?"

Cadence ponders for a second, before nodding. "I think so... You mean when Equestria was first being established?"

You nod your head. "Yes, well... Many ponies believe it to be a conspiracy, a cover-up of terrible heinous acts of cruelty" - Shaking your head, you look at the grass below your hooves - "This couldn't be further from the truth."

"What happened, then?"

"Did I ever tell you about the Kingdom of Man, Cadence?"

Cadence shakes her head.

"They were a well established kingdom north of Equestria. They were so much more advanced than any other colony or kingdom at the time, and not just in technology. They had a functioning class system, currency, etiquette. Two wandering souls from the kingdom had migrated down south to look for new land, and happened upon Equestria, which was struggling to establish itself."

"...Was Slayer apart of this kingdom?"

You give Cadence a warm smile and shake your head. "That would be very surprising if he was, Cadence. Much like Equestria, the Kingdom of Man prided themselves on peace and tranquility, yet did take precautions in preparing for battle. Slayer does appear to be a human, which was the only species in that kingdom. Tall, bipedal beings with little to no fur or hair, except for their heads.

"Their arrival in our land couldn't have been at a better time. So much civil conflict was going on within Equestria, and without proper systems in place, we were doomed to fail."

"So an alliance was made?"

"Very perceptive, Cadence. Almost every part of Equestrian culture can be traced back to the Kingdom of Man. The way royalty is decided, how we establish land, how monetary manners are dealt with. Even simple things like cuisine and music were taught to us by the humans."

"But then if they were such a great ally, why isn't there a single mention of them anywhere? I didn't even know human was a word until you said it just now."

Your face turns gloomy, as your eyes unfocus. "There was one member of the kingdom who stood out to me. He was one of the two men who traveled here in the first place. Anonymous was his name. He was so kind hearted, so playful and carefree. He had the title of royalty, yet cared only for the everyman. The other was named Ceolmund. He took his position as Prince very seriously, and sought new land and knowledge for power. While Anonymous stayed true to his nature, Ceolmund drove himself down a path of no return. He managed to tap into the underworld, and after being gifted ultimate power from the gods of Tartarus, opened a portal which brought forth the beasts Equestria is facing now."

Cadence watches you as you speak, her own face lights up as you mention the name Anonymous.

"From my time together with Anonymous, I came to find how close he and Ceolmund were. Despite how vastly different their beliefs were, Anon truly loved and cared for his younger friend as if they were brothers. When Ceolmund unleashed the beasts of the underworld, it took everyone by surprise, and by the dozens the human race was being quickly executed. Anonymous was the only one who stood a chance, and despite never having been a fighter, the anger of Ceolmund's betrayal fueled him to persevere against the beasts he faced.

"Ultimately the portal was closed, and the land was saved from total destruction... But it was at the cost of humanity. I watched Ceolmund drag Anon down to Hell as the entire kingdom fell before my own eyes. Anything and everything human or pony created, if it referenced mankind, it vanished. Beautiful poems would fade away, leaving only the paper they were written on. As if a curse was put on the land, if anypony tried to make anything in relation to humankind, it would vanish. Over the years humanity faded from the thoughts of ponies, turning into a simple mare's tale."

Your horn lights up, as you pull something out of your mane. Levitating it over to Cadence, you watch her eyes scan over the small photograph.

"It's very pretty, but if I may ask... What is so special about it?"

Depicted on the photograph is yourself in front of a stretch of mountains, the sun setting behind. A smile stretches across your face as you point your hoof towards something not visible within frame.

"It's a photograph of Anonymous and I on the day he proposed to me."

Cadence's eyes shrink, as she realizes what you are implying. "I'm so sorry."

You lean in next to Cadence, pointing a hoof to the empty part of the picture. "He was right there. He had made a rather crude joke, and I nudged him in the chest for it."

"If I may ask, Auntie. What about Slayer reminds you of Anonymous?"

This, actually took you aback. What did remind you of him?

"I suppose the stories I have heard of his past play a part. You're aware of the effects a soul-bond has with an alicorn's soul, right?"

"Of course, Auntie. How could I not being the Princess of Love?" She giggles, rolling her eyes as she takes up a 'teacher' voice. "When an alicorn and a regular pony soul-bond, the pony's soul will become immortal from the effects of time. It was the first thing you taught me when I became a princess."

You nod your head, and smile gently. "Anonymous and I discovered that rule doesn't just apply to ponies."

Cadence's eyes go wide. "So, assuming he wasn't killed... Anon would be alive to this day?"

"I believe so, yes."

After a few seconds, Cadence speaks up. "Have you ever asked who Slayer is?"

You scoff at your niece's suggestion, gently placing the picture back into your mane. "Cadence, it's not Anonymous."

"I think you're wrong, Auntie! You wanna know why I stormed out in the hospital when I met him face to face? I wasn't trying to be rude, he saved my husbands life for goodness sake!"

Surprised by her outburst, you back your head away an inch.

"Everypony who I've talked to has told me there is a sense of despair you can feel in his presence. You've felt it, right? There is something about being near him that just makes you feel cold and dark."

You nod your head.

"Behind the anger, the rage and hatred for the demons he lays waste to, is loneliness. When I looked into his heart I almost threw up at how massive that darkness is inside of him. It's a terrible, horrible feeling of regret, depression, and guilt. I struggle to comprehend how he is still alive today with all that baggage he carries. And yet, whenever he is next to you, do you want to know what he feels in his heart?"

You speak not a word, moving not a muscle as you wait for your niece to finish.

"Longing, Auntie. That darkness will disappear for just a moment whenever you're around. It's as if he wants to love you, but he fears he will lose you if he opens up."

"Cadence... Even if it was him, it is not my intention to pry into that. With everything Slayer has gone through, the last thing he needs is me pushing about his personal life."

"Would you accept it, if Slayer turned out to be Anon...?"

You stare into Cadence's eyes. "In a heartbeat."

"You know, he's suffering alone, Celestia. Have you ever thought that perhaps he's scared to reveal himself to you? I don't know about you, but I wouldn't nuzzle into some foreign princess unless I knew her."

A blue flash from inside the castle behind you catches your attention. Muffled gasps and screams come from inside, and through the windows you catch glimpses of one of Slayer's portals.

Cadence grins, watching with you as a certain biped emerges into the ballroom, portal closing behind him. "I'm going to go check on Shiny. Have a good night, Auntie!" She says, as she trots off.

"Cadence."

She turns around, cocking her head to the side.

"Please... Do not trouble Slayer with this. I don't mind if you go to interact with him, but just understand what he just went through."

As the portal closes behind you, you are greeted to the sight of hundreds of well dressed ponies staring in shock and awe at your arrival. Muffled conversations fill the room, and even the band on stage stops playing. You figured one of two scenarios was going to happen.

A: Everyone in sight stops to look at you, too scared to even meet your eyes for more than a second.

B: You'll be surrounded by hordes of ponies, all praising to you and asking questions.

It's A. It's always A.

Not that you particularly minded, you're only here to check up on Celestia. That big silly horse is nowhere in sight at the moment. You're standing in the middle of some sort of ballroom, to your left is a banquet area with hundreds of tables, most of which are occupied. Behind the tables is a food court, with tables upon tables of food ready to be served. To your right is a dance area, where ponies were dancing to the slow paced music. With all the eyes on you and the lack of music, the party has devolved into deafening silence. Ponies all around scowl and glare at you, talking with themselves about your lack of etiquette.

Glancing over to the band up on stage, they all cower and quickly resume playing music. You don't feel like standing in one place and being a scary statue, so you opt to go towards the food.

As you trudge your way between the rows and rows of occupied tables, ponies all complain and scoff at you.'

"Good heavens! What awful attire to wear to such an event like this!"

"By Celestia, have you any manners? We are trying to eat!"

"Even the Elements of Harmony have better etiquette than that, who let this brutish ape in anyway?"

As you near the edge of the dining area, a child's voice catches your attention.

"Mom, after we're done eating can we please go to the animal sanctuary by the garden? I wanna see the monkeys!"

Animal sanctuary. Oh shit, that reminds you, you haven't seen Pumpkin in days. That's gotta be where they've been keeping him.

Grabbing a cloth napkin from the suit of a random stallion, you walk over to the tables of food.

By god, it all looks delicious. Dumplings, omelets, every kind of salad imaginable, even raw vegetables waiting to be mixed.

Carrots and lettuce are Pumpkin's favorite, so you grab a handful of each and set them on the napkin. As you prepare to chop them into bite-sized pieces, hoofsteps trot up behind you.

"It appears nopony else has the confidence to say this, so I shall say it right to your face." A snooty stallion with a top hat and monocle speaks up, glaring up at you.

You slowly tilt your helmet down to him, the light from the chandelier above reflects against your visor, allowing him access to himself.

"It hasn't even been thirty seconds, and you've proven yourself to be absolutely too brutish to be attending a high-class event like this. Please, do us all a favor and escort yourself out at once. I-"

The blade on your left arm extends, glistening in the bright light.

"I... Would suggest... Erm..." He stammers over his own words, as you slowly raise the blade. His little 'man of the house' act crumbles away instantly, as he excuses himself from your presence.

Turning your attention down to the vegetables, you fulfill the reason you extended the blade in the first place. Your blade cuts through the veggies with no effort, as you chop them into a little bunny-sized salad. Wiping your blade clean, you retract it and scoop the food into the napkin, folding it up.

Right. Time to find that little rascal.

Kneeling in the cool grass within the sanctuary, you use your fingers on your right hand to guide Pumpkin around your legs. Like a cool little dude, he hops all around you, preforming stunts of great acrobatic skill with haste. With every completed task, you reward him with delicious lettuce goodness.

"And here everypony is thinking you're some sort of villain... You know, my husband said when he first saw you, you had a cute little bunny in a basket." A very upbeat and sweet voice graces your ears.

Princess Cadence. Wonder what she's doing here.

Trotting up beside you, she watches you guide Pumpkin all around your body. "I really didn't get to properly meet you... I wanted to apologize to you for running off like that. May I sit here?"

You don't respond, or even acknowledge her presence, focusing on Pumpkin. The little rabbit nudges your leg, pointing over to a bush in front of you.

"I saw something inside of you that I've never felt before. I'm so sorry for what happened to your planet. I don't think anypony on Equis could bare to hold a burden as heavy as the one you carry... Not even Celestia or Luna."

Looking up to the bush Pumpkin points at, you notice a mature female rabbit, as well as four baby bunnies. Pumpkin nudges the napkin filled with food, then points to the family again.

The little guy is a family man now. Good for him.

Cadence watches from your side as you gently ball up the napkin and toss it over to the pile of bunnies. Pumpkin nuzzles into your side before hopping off to join his family. "I'm sure you don't want to discuss it, so I won't pry any further." Cadence trails a hoof around in the grass.

Staying silent, you keep your eyes focused on Pumpkin, as he cuddles around his family. The baby rabbits hop around in delight, as him and his lover drag the napkin into the bush.

"You know, Auntie Celestia told me that your species used to live in Equestria so long ago. I just find that so fascinating... In a way, you're like a lost piece of history."

You stare at the bush Pumpkin and his family hopped off into, watching the leaves sway back and forth.

"What happened to them?" You grunt out underneath your helmet, though the infliction in your voice made it sound like a statement rather than a question.

Cadence blinks innocently at you, tilting her head. "Auntie never told me. Why do you ask?"

You remain silent at her question, squinting your eyes in frustration.

"I think we both know why you want to know." Cadence circles her hoof in the grass a couple of times. "Celestia is suffering too. It would mean the world to her to see you again... Anonymous."

Tap the brakes.

Just hold on a minute.

Pardon?

Excuse me?

In your state of mental gymnastics you fail to realize your eyebrows furrowing, eyes widening.

"You don't have to hide away... You won't lose her just by embracing her again." Cadence coos out softly, scooting closer next to you.

"Your husband was mere moments away from death, Cadenza. If I embrace Celestia before I put an end to this threat, I risk putting her in a similar circumstance. I refuse to let that happen."

Cadence furrows her brow, a mix between insult and annoyance on her face. "This isn't a fight you have to face alone, Anon! Can't you see how strong Celestia is? She's fought off hundreds of world devouring beasts before all on her own!"

You turn to face the pink menace of love, glaring at her underneath your visor. "A mindset like that is what destroys a civilization, little one. Celestia has seen what I'm capable of up close, I've seen the fear in her eyes. She doesn't need to know this monster is the man she used to love."

"I don't see a monster. Do you want to know what I see, Anonymous?" Cadence asks, placing a hoof on your leg as she looks into your reflective visor. "I see a soul who was ripped away from everything he knew and loved. A soul who has faced un-imaginable amounts of pain and hardship, who has overcome feats beyond that of any other. A soul who has lost so much, he's afraid he'll lose the only thing that matters to him." Cadence's hoof gently runs up and down your leg. "...I think Celestia can see that too. If she's scared, it's because she fears for your safety, not what you might do."

As much as you'd love to keep your eyebrows furrowed, Cadence's words give you the slightest bit of hope. With a deep exhale, your shoulders fall, head shaking slowly. "What is your goal, Cadenza?"

Cadence's lips curl up in a gentle smile. "I'm the princess of love, silly. It is my duty to unite those who are destined for each other, and I'd say getting the ruler of Equestria and her long lost boyfriend together is a pretty big duty."

"We were engaged." You croak out, looking down to the grass below you.

"Well I suppose that makes it just that more important then, huh big guy?" She giggles, before sighing and looking down at one of your hands. "You know, if you're Auntie's fiancé, if you two got married you'd technically be my uncle... I've always wanted an uncle."

"Princess Mi Amore Cadenza." A regal, and very annoyed voice booms out from behind the pretty pink pony. Turning around, you spot a pair of white hooves dressed in golden regalia, a pastel mane flowing off to the side. "Were you not listening to what I told you earlier?"

"A-auntie Celestia!" Cadence shrieks, scrambling onto all fours in front of the monarch. "I was just- It wasn't-!"

Celestia's stern gaze falls on the smaller alicorn who cowers underneath. "I've heard enough. Twilight is looking for you, I'd suggest you go find her."

Cadence pouts at Celestia, before tilting her nose up to the air and trotting off. Before she disappears, she flashes you a wink and a smile, leaving you alone with Tia.

"I'm terribly sorry, Slayer... Was Princess Cadence bothering you?"

Eyes never leaving Celestia's gorgeous features, you rise to your feet. "If it was a bother, I would have dealt with it."

Tia seems amused at your response, offering a gentle smile. "I must admit, I am pleasantly surprised to see you have attended. What made you decide to come?"

Standing by her side, the two of you begin to walk back towards the ballroom. "I was interested to see how your nobles act when you're not in their presence."

"And were you surprised with the answer you found?"

"Nobility remains as uptight and pompous as they were eons ago."

Celestia chuckles at that, closing her eyes and shaking her head. "Dealing with the nobles is one of the less glamorous parts of being a princess, yes... I take it they were less than pleasant to you?"

"Apparently I'm wearing the wrong attire to stand in one place and eat expensive food."

"Oh come now, you are fit for a king with a suit like that." Celestia laughs, as the two of you close in on the ballroom. "I know just the thing to rile them up. Care to partake?"

You raise an eyebrow, and follow Horse Lady inside, As the two of you emerge back into the massive banquet area, nobility all gawk at the two of you. The same ponies who were scowling at you half an hour ago are now smiling wide, bowing to the princess. Celestia leads you over to the food tables, her eyes flash over the dessert table multiple times.

"Would you like to know something, Slayer?" Celestia asks, as you two walk past a massive, multi level chocolate cake. "Confectionery foods like this were gifted to Equestria by humankind."

You knew that. You were the one who introduced Celestia to cake yourself so long ago. You'll never forget that look on her face when she took her first bite of chocolate cake.

"Oh, I have just the perfect idea!" Celestia says, as she levitates a knife and cuts herself a piece off the cake. "Now dessert isn't supposed to be served for another three hours... But we're not trying to be polite now, are we?" She flashes you a smirk as she places the piece onto a plate.

The dish levitates in front of you, and you softly take it out of the air, grabbing a fork off the table. All around you can see nobility and party goers looking over, as cameras begin to flash. Celestia pays them no mind, her eyes sparkling in amusement and excitement.

She's ecstatic about this, making her own nobles gawk at such a lack of mannerisms. A wild smile is plastered across her face, her eyes glance from the slice on the plate, to your visor. "Well, are you going to keep me waiting any longer?"

You can't help but crack a smirk of your own, as you dig the fork into the very front of the slice. The metal teeth sink into the moist, fluffy treat as you scoop off a decent sized chunk. "Can't feed you if your mouth's closed." You croak out, slowly raising the fork to her mouth.

Celestia giggles, closing her eyes and opening her mouth, awaiting your payload.

The ground slowly rumbles, growing in intensity. Tables rattle around, chinaware vibrating and shaking, moving around as glasses of water are knocked over. Wind begins to swirl around several yards away from your position, ruffling up the coats, dresses, and manes of multiple ponies. A couple red sparks fly around, before a dark red ball forms.

The ball grows rapidly in size, transforming into a large, dark red circle. The inner radius is pitch black, the circumference is a bright red, just like Argent energy.

Celestia's eyes slowly flutter open, as the two of you stare at the exit portal in the middle of the room.

Red sparks flutter around in the middle of the portal, as a figure slowly emerges.