Sitting atop your luxurious throne, one of your many royal assistants stands by your side, levitating a large stack of papers in front of you. Ink dipped quill in your magical grasp, your eyes glance over the thousands of articles, scanning the laws and regulations various leaders across your nation wish to impose on their towns or cities. You could swear that with every proposal you read, ten more are written. The large doors to your throne room slowly open, revealing one of your Royal Guards.

"Your Highness, Mayor Buckington of Dodge Junction is here." The white stallion states, giving you a bow

You simply blink at the guard, finishing up your signature on one of the many proposals. "So soon? I assumed he would've been at least a day or two. Is something the matter?"

The guard looks from the door, then back to meet your gaze, a worried look plastered across his chiseled complexion. "He has simply urged me that his matter is of utmost importance."

Looking over to your unicorn assistant, you give him a nod as he levitates the stack away from you, leaving the room. "I understand. Let him inside, and close the doors behind us."

"Yes, Your Highness." He bows his head to you, before leaving the large throne room. Seconds later, the mustached, stetson wearing Mayor of Dodge Junction emerges. Stress plagues his features, as he fumbles around on the red carpet underneath his hooves.

"I received your letter yesterday Mr. Buckington, but I must say I am quite surprised by your quick arrival." You gaze down at him, offering the stallion your full attention.

He gives a nervous bow, not used to being in your presence. Returning to all fours after a second, he clears his throat. "Yes, well... My ponies are feeling less and less safe with each passing day, and for good reasons."

"Do go on, Mayor."

With a shudder and a glance around the room, Buckington looks up to you. "I have reason to believe there is a changeling infestation in my town, Your Highness. I can count at least seven different shop owners and citizens who are acting very peculiar as of recent. Almost as if they haven't a clue who they really are, and are going off of other ponies comments to gauge how to act." Buckington sighs, rubbing his head with a hoof. "I haven't told anypony, but I've been reading up on them after the attack at the royal wedding."

"You have made the right choice coming as soon as possible. Have there been any other strange occurrences in Dodge Junction? Any runic markings or cocoon-like structures, and/or deposits of dead skin? Have there been complaints of a swamp-like smell as of recent?"

Buckington thinks for a moment. "I haven't seen any runic markings or cocoons, but around the market area there definitely is a foul smell as of recent."

"That is all I need to hear, I'll be sure to send a team to help locate and track down any changelings. If I remember correctly, you wrote in your letter there was some creature causing disruption in town as well?"

"Oh, yes! I almost forgot." He reaches into the saddlebag over his back, tossing you a picture. "This is the beast I was describing, Princess. I have never seen or heard about anything like it in all my life."

Taking the picture in your magical grip, you float it in front of your face, and inspect it. It takes all your willpower not to let your wings flutter at what has just graced your eyes. He's unmistakably a human male. How tall he is compared to the buildings around him, his broad, muscular stature. Those exposed, vascular biceps and triceps. How is he here? It had taken you centuries to accept that humanity was all but extinct, and yet here before you is picture proof that at the very least, one remains. Could that mean Anonymous is still alive? As your head fills with questions, you remember you have a guest awaiting your input.

"...I see." You simply state, magenta eyes never leaving the colored photograph. "How long has this creature been coming into town?"

"About five days, Princess. Every time it has entered, it has always left with something in it's possession. Just last night it had stolen an arcane regulator from our wizard's shop." Mr. Buckington takes his hat off his head, holding it to his chest.

Concealed by the visor on his alien looking helmet, the human's identity remains a mystery, which only acts to further your interest on him. "...And you say he has been emerging from the Everfree Forest?" Finally you take your gaze off the photo, to look down at the mayor.

Buckington nods his head. "Yes, Princess. We reckon he is not too far away from the old castle ruins, judging by the direction he comes from."

You give a slow nod yourself, as you glance up at the picture once again, noticing what appears to be some sort of retractable blade on his left arm, alongside some odd device attached to his left shoulder. "Has he been violent or hostile in any means? I can tell by the looks of his armor that he has seen battle."

Mayor Buckington gives a loud scoff, placing his hat back onto his head. "Oh please, where do I start? The mare who took the picture you're looking at? Just seconds after she took that picture, he climbed up into her house and all but pinned her to the ground! He crushed the damn camera before going out and raiding the wizard!"

Looking back between the photo and the mayor, a sinking feeling of worry grows inside of you. Humans, at least the ones you knew were never violent unless they needed to defend themselves. "He pinned her down? Did he harm or hurt her? What about any of the other ponies he has made contact with?" You gaze at him with the intensity of a protective mother.

As you peer down at him, his bold and bombastic display slowly falters. "Well, now that you mention it... Not really." He brings a hoof to his face, playing with his curly mustache. "Come to think of it, I don't think he's hurt a soul... But he's scaring us half to death! Wonderlight, the wizard that owns the shop I mentioned earlier, actually tried slaying the beast with magic missiles when it barged his door."

You give a small exhale of relief at the news, but you're shocked that one of your own ponies would resort to that so suddenly. "He... Survived magic missiles? I understand that he has been causing large amounts of damage, but don't you think that is a little more than excessive, Mayor?"

"Y-you don't understand, P-princess! There's something about this creature! You wouldn't understand unless you see it with your own eyes." Mayor Buckington's eyes gaze passed you, over to one of your many stained glass windows. "It's as if he's lost everything in his life, and has nothing but rage to give back... You can see it, in the way he carries himself. His whole body trembles with the fury of a thousand warriors, and it's terrifying to imagine what he could be capable of if left unrestrained. I've seen angry ponies, and even enraged beasts, this is on a whole different level." He pleads to you, voice filled with terror.

Placing the photograph by your side on the throne, you soften your glare at him. Recomposing yourself, you nod and give a small sigh. "Thank you, Mayor Buckington. This is a massive discovery for Equestria. I will get with my guards, and have them assemble a team to protect your town, as well as search for this creature."

"Oh, thank you Princess-"

"But I must warn you. You are not to share this with anypony else. Until I can contain this creature and confirm my beliefs on what it is, this must remain a secret from the rest of the country. I expect you to treat this with the highest of care, Mr. Buckington." You cut him off before he can complete his thanks, as you stare deep into his very soul.

"A-absolutely, Princess. I'll make sure of it." He bows his head, and turns to leave. "Thank you for hearing me out."

"One more thing, Mayor." You call out to him, as he turns and tilts his head at you. "Please stay close to the castle today. I will arrange to have you escorted back into town by chariot with a team of guards. Relax a little, enjoy your time here."

Mayor Buckington smiles at this, and he gives you another bow. "I am forever grateful, Your Highness." With that, he turns around and leaves the throne room, leaving you alone with your two personal body guards. You levitate the picture back in front of your face, eyes locked on the odd red marking on the human's helmet.

You motion to the guard on your right, giving him the picture. "Find Shining Armor. Explain to him the situation, and have him assemble a search team. Whatever tactics he might use, urge him never to attack, unless the creature attacks innocent ponies."

The guard takes the picture, scanning over the human. "Yes, Your Highness." He bows, sprinting off to find the captain, leaving you alone with one remaining guard.

Leaning back in your throne, you gaze out one of your stained glass windows, the sun being refracted in various patterns across the marble floor. "Oh Anonymous..." You give a sad exhale, reminiscing about your long lost soulmate. "How could I have been so foolish to let him take you?" From outside the window, you can see a pair of sparrows flying around each other, their rapid and unpredictable motions playing out like a fast-paced fight.

Strong, confident, gentle Anonymous. The thought of him brings forth a whirlwind of emotions into your mind so intense that you try not to remember him; for the good of your own sanity. The warmth his very presence brought you, how easily he could make you laugh, how little he cared for royalty, and the waves of political drama titles like 'King' or 'Prince' carried. Despite rising the ranks of his people, and becoming essentially second in command underneath the reign of King Valerian, Anonymous never let his title get in the way of who he was. You can remember the day you first met him, and how pleasant playful banter with him was. Anonymous treated you like he would one of his own people, nothing more and nothing less. It's a certain treatment that is almost non-existent in your life as ruler of Equestria. Even your sister Luna has trouble talking to you as a pony.

It's how nonchalant Anonymous was with you in those very first interactions that had you swooning for him soon after. Never once did he see you as the goddess that lowers and raises the sun, or one of the two rulers of an entire country. He saw you for the playful, caring mare that nopony else sees you as. 'Horse Lady' as he loved to call you, a pet name that would make nobles fume out of their ears, quickly became the name you loved hearing the most. Hearing those two silly words together meant the world was at peace, all the weight of running this country wasn't so heavy when he'd grace you with them.

The sparrows outside bump into each other a couple of times, the male seeming to have successfully court the female. You watch them dance around each other, before flying out of sight. Just like that, their little dance is over, as they fly off to live their simple lives, hopefully to raise little ones. Another sigh escapes you, as you recall the times you and Anonymous had discussed the potential of having little ones of your own.

As the happy thoughts of your human love begin to fade, being replaced by the terrifying and tragic memories of his downfall flood your mind, they are swiftly interrupted by a rapidly approaching red cloud of smoke from between the doors to your throne room. The cloud manifests in front of you, yellow lightning crackles throughout the cloud as it explodes in a dramatic fit, a rolled up letter dropping to the floor.

Shaking away the growing memories, you take the letter in your magical grasp, opening it to read.

Your Highness,

We have made a most perplexing discovery on our latest expedition into Tartarus, and we believe it could aid in quelling the demonic disruptions that have been spreading across Equestria.

We await your presence in the meeting quarters.

Pathfinder
The Council of Celestial Tranquility

Well that was an awful short letter for how much paper was used. Though that is only typical of Pathfinder, she is a mare of action, not of words. Gathering yourself with a calming breath, you rise from your throne. This catches your guard's attention, as he turns to look at you.

"Is something the matter, Your Highness?"

"I have important matters to attend to, Stormkeep. All other audiences today are to be postponed. Post yourself outside the throne room for the rest of your shift." You say, as you descend down the velvet carpet.

"Yes, Your Highness." He gives a bow, following by your side until the two of you leave the grand hall. Closing the large doors behind the both of you, he takes up sentry duty, leaving you to walk the halls of your castle alone.

Gentle clops echo in the grand hallways as you walk yourself towards the secret meeting quarters, hidden deep within the Canterlot hedge maze. It's been almost a year since you've been called to meet with the council, and so much has happened since then. Twilight Sparkle had moved to Ponyville, met her now closest friends, who together had brought you back your dearest sister, Luna. Your niece had even married the captain of the Royal Guard.

...

Luna...

You never once had let her know about the council, and your endeavors in Tartarus. You meant to tell her, but circumstances changed faster than you would have liked.

Maybe now is a good time to show her what's been going on. Turning around with a small smile, you head towards Luna's bedroom.

You arrive in front of your sister's living quarters. Bringing a hoof up to the large doors, you give three gentle knocks, before pushing the door and peeking inside. "Luna?" You politely call out, eyes scanning her bedroom.

"In our private study, dear Sister!" You hear Luna call out. Trotting past her massive bed, you stand in the doorway to her study. Luna is sitting at her reading table, various history books over the last thousand years surround her. Currently, she is face down in How To Win Friends And Speak Like a Regular Pony

"Are you busy, Luna?" You ask, your heart melting at the determined look in her eyes, her deep blue irises scanning over the text with the speed of a Wonderbolt.

"We- Err... I am simply practicing, Sister. I... have all the free time!" She gives you a quick glance, before squinting down at the book in front of her. Luna repeats this motion multiple times, as if to double check that she is following instructions correctly.

You place a hoof to your mouth to stifle a giggle, before motioning to the door. "It sounds like you're making wonderful progress, Luna. May I ask that you accompany me in something?"

Sticking her tongue out of her mouth, she squints as she levitates a bookmark into place, shutting the book. "We would enjoy a break from this strenuous task. 'Tis not easy adapting to new ways of spoken Hooflish." Luna rises from her seat, and trots over to you, giving you a hug which you lovingly return. "What is it thou wishes to do, Sister?"

Leading Luna out of her quarters, you begin making your way towards the sculpture garden. "My audience has been requested somewhere very important, and I would like you to join me."

Luna deflates at this, still rather uncomfortable when dealing with crowds. "May we-" Luna coughs, "may I... ask who we are meeting with, Sister?"

Gazing out a window, you can see that you are nearing the sculpture garden, alongside the massive hedge maze next to it. "Do not worry, Luna... We're not going to be speaking in front of a crowd." Your gaze turns up to the ceiling, trying to figure out how to explain this to her. "Do you remember the days of Anonymous, and the Kingdom of Man?"

Luna tilts her head and looks up to you, confusion spreading over her face. "But of course, Sister. How could we forget?"

You give a small hum, looking forwards as the two of you make your way outside. "Then I presume you remember how they vanished?"

Luna's face saddens, as she nods. "Indeed, we do... Traitor Ceolmund opened a portal to Tartarus, and let forth those behemoths, correct?"

The two of you walk past the various sculptures in the magnificent garden, before taking a left and entering the large maze. "Yes, well... Ceolmund had all but annihilated his own people, and dragged Anonymous into Tartarus with him before his death. After the devastation those beasts brought, I made a vow to never let something like that happen again." You take a right down the maze, then a left.

Right.

Left.

Straight.

Right.

Right.

Luna has quickly lost her bearings in the never-ending maze, opting to stay by your side and follow in your directions.

"Behind the backs of all my little ponies, you included, I had formed a council in complete secrecy. I would hoof pick ponies I believed cared for the better of not just Equestria, but the world as a whole. Under strict guidelines, I would grant these ponies temporary immortality and a life of their dreams, in return for their services."

Luna tilts her head, eyes glancing up to you, before looking back down the path. "Temporary immortality? What were these services they provided?"

Straight.

Straight.

Left.

"I would send them into Tartarus, disguised by the most advanced cloaking spells known to ponykind. They would learn anything and everything about demons. The council would learn the written and spoken languages of Tartarus, and establish defenses accordingly. I saw just how destructive those creatures were, and while we have a tight lock down on the main gate, I wanted to know everything about them. " You give a sigh, remembering the look of terror Anon flashed you, before he was dragged down by his friend-turned-demon.

"And what about this 'temporary immortality'?" Luna questions further.

"There is a spell that if preformed by a magic user powerful enough, can grant a regular pony immunity to the natural aging process, just like an alicorn. It must be refreshed every decade, and can be removed at anytime. I never required members to take the immortality, it was simply an offering for their efforts."

As you make the final turn, you begin inspecting the hedges carefully, looking for the signature broken branch.

"Thou... sent your own ponies into Tartarus? If we have such tight defenses on the only means of entry to Equestria, surely thou doesn't need to delve deeper..."

"That would be a valid stance to take, dear Luna. However, I firmly believe those demons Ceolmund summoned to have been Equestria's greatest threat. Even more so than Discord, or any other foe we've faced." Locating the broken branch, you trot over to the hedge in question. Shifting aside some branches with a hoof, you tilt your head down and insert your horn into a keyhole which was hidden in the hedge. A deep red glow leaks out from the hedge, before the ground next to you begins to rumble.

Luna seems slightly worried at what is taking place before her, but remains silent as she watches it unfold. The grassy path of the maze begins to lower and separate , revealing a spiraling stone stairwell. Glancing between you and the stairwell, Luna clears her throat. "Have there been any disruptions from Tartarus as of late?"

Removing your horn from the hedge, you motion her to follow you down the stairs. "Not from Tartarus in particular, but Council members across Equestria have been picking up on what they believe to be attempts to open another portal." Lamps on the stone walls ignite with magical flames, lighting the path ahead.

"Who would attempt to bring such a terrible thing back?" Luna asks.

"I am not certain. Whoever is tampering with this hasn't a clue what they are getting themselves into. Some of the council members believe it to be changelings."

Luna hums, looking away from you and focusing on the seemingly never ending spiral. "We suppose that does line up with the various changeling sightings recently.

You nod to her, as the two of you approach the end of the stairwell, which leads into a musty chamber. Hundreds of candles line the walls of the chamber, basking the stone room in a deep orange hue. Five hooded ponies stand on the opposite end of the chamber, huddled together in a group.

The clopping of you and your sister's hooves alert them to your presence. The pony with her back facing you slowly turns around, reaching a hoof up to take off her hood. "Your Highness.." Pathfinder greets, her voice as raspy and as dull as they day she first swore oath to the council.

"I came as soon as I received your letter, Pathfinder." Pathfinder rises to all fours and looks over to Luna, an unreadable expression on her face. "Do not worry, Pathfinder. I decided it was time to let my sister know about what I've been doing while she was gone." You give a quick glance to your younger sister, who weakly smiles back up at you.

Pathfinder nods her head, and gives Luna a bow. "Welcome to the Council of Celestial Tranquility, Princess Luna."

"You mentioned that you had made a discovery on your latest expedition?" You ask, finally noticing a foreign stone object between the remaining four members.

Pathfinder nods, as she turns to walk towards the other members. "That we have, Your Highness. Allow me to show you." She guides you and your sister over to the remaining members. The council members give bows before parting ways, revealing the object they were huddled so closely around. At first glance it appears to be a stone tablet, but upon closer inspection one would find the various ribs, skulls, and spinal columns jutting out of it. The spinal columns run down to the thick shaft of the tablet. On the face of the tablet, and surrounded by exposed ribs is a bright green demonic rune, which is almost identical to the one on the human's helmet from earlier. "Our translators are still working to get the complete scripture, but we believe this to be some sort of testament."

"A testament, you say? For what would the beasts of Tartarus need a testament for?"

Pathfinder motions to one of the hooded council members, who trots off into a backroom. "That's exactly why I wrote to you, Princess." The hooded pony returns, levitating various papers to her. "From what we have translated, it tells the tale of 'The Doom Slayer." A being who was wronged by demonkind, who has dedicated his life to destroy Tartarus, or Hell as they refer to it."

"Thou means to say that the beasts of the dark realm fear something?" Luna speaks up, glancing from Pathfinder to the tablet."

Pathfinder nods her head, as she levitates the papers over to you. "Indeed. From the passages we have been able to translate, this 'Doom Slayer' is the only living creature who can not only survive against the legions of Hell, but can outmatch and outfight them."

"If I may ask, Pathfinder. How are you dissecting scripture out of this tablet? The runes running down the sides seem to be acting not as literature, but as a magical spell." You ask of the lead council member, eyeing the tablet.

"That's our working theory on the smaller runes, Princess. Hoofnote, our lead translator, discovered that upon physical contact a voice will read out one of the many passages through a neural bond." She explained, gesturing to the tablet. The large rune on the face of the tablet pulsed, it's neon green glow almost painful to stare into. "If I may add, we don't know the number of passages there are. Depending on who interacts with it, and a time variable we haven't figured out, it will narrate a different passage."

"...I see..." You simply responded, turning your attention to the papers that were given to you.

"We're still trying to place the passages in chronological order, Princess. As far as we can tell, the page on the top of the pile is the first passage." Pathfinder pipes up once again, as you read.

In the first age, in the first battle, when the shadows first lengthened, one stood. Burned by the embers of Armageddon, his soul blistered by the fires of Hell and tainted beyond ascension, he chose the path of perpetual torment.

In his ravenous hatred he found no peace; and with boiling blood he scoured the Umbral Plains seeking vengeance against the dark lords who had wronged him.

He wore the crown of the Night Sentinels, and those that tasted the bite of his sword named him...

the Doom Slayer.

"he chose the path of perpetual torment." Something about that specific line irks you deeply. Your eyes are glued to the paper, as you drift off into your own little world.

King Valerian's castle was set ablaze, torn asunder by the heinous beasts that roamed the land. Mutilated and mangled corpses of humans strewn about like nothing more than trash, blood and viscera covered the dirt roads of the once prosperous kingdom.

You were slumped over on the ground, unable to stand after taking a fireball to your front left leg. The small pony-like demon that had cast the projectile was lifeless across the road from you, Anonymous' hatchet lodged in it's neck.

Your human love stood in front of you, guarding you from any offenders who might've sought to harm you further. Across the road and suspended in the air by the dark magic flowing through his body was Anonymous' lifetime friend Ceolmund. His eyes glowed a bright red, two black horns had erected out of his forehead.

"I know you're still in there, you arrogant fuck! Come down here and fix this mess before I do it myself!" Anonymous yelled out, fists shaking with rage and sadness.

"Foolish human boy. Have you no comprehension for the power the ritual has brought forth? Your fighting skills are formidable, surrender yourself to the legion before I decide to end you." The deep, ominous voice of the demon which had corrupted Ceolmund bellowed out, taunting your soulmate. You felt the rage inside Anon's soul burn brighter than before, overpowering the worry and fear your own soul cast to his.

"I'll go down in a blaze of glory before I side with demon filth like you." Anonymous reached for the prototype hand-cannon slung around his back. He had opened the breach, placing a large shell into the chamber before flicking the large weapon closed.

"So this is the path you choose, human. Such arrogance shall be the downfall of your pathetic species." Ceolmund's arms raised towards the sun, as dark magic surrounded Anonymous, pulling your soulmate towards him.

"Anonymous!" You cried out, reaching a bloodied and charred hoof out toward him as tears well in your eyes.

"Your suffering will be silent, your torment shall be perpetual... You will bear the burden of your own people's tortur-"

Ceolmund was cut off by the thunderous roar of Anon's weapon, which blasted a morbidly large crater into his stomach.

"Fuck you." Anonymous responded, as he gripped onto Ceolmund's shoulder.

The two of them crashed onto the ground, as Anonymous wasted no time pummeling Ceolmund. Using his empty weapon, he clubbed Ceolmund over the head, before tossing the weapon to the ground and using his fists, Anon punched and kicked his friend turned foe.

The ground beneath them vanished, revealing a mirror into another world covered in fire and brimstone. Clutching onto his life, you could only watch in terror as Ceolmund slowly fell down this portal, not before grabbing Anon's leg and dragging him down.

Anonymous cried out in pain, Ceolmund's molten hand burning away the fabric of his pants and charring his skin. He clawed at the dirt road, reaching for you in vein. The two of you made eye contact, before he was dragged underneath. The last thing you saw of Anonymous was his blood stained hand sinking down the portal, before the dirt road returned.

Tears spill down your face, matting your already clumped and muddied coat. All around you, the human kingdom slowly disintegrated. The castle, the corpses, buildings and creations of human origin faded away, crumbling into a fine dust, which vanished in the wind.

Weakly you pulled off your crown, as you shook a picture out of your majestic mane. The picture displayed you and Anon in a close embrace. Your hoof pressed into his chest, a laugh on your face. Your breath hitched in your throat, as you watched Anonymous slowly vanish from the years old photograph, leaving only you.

"Princess?" Pathfinder's hoof waves in front of your eyes, snapping you out of your flashback.

"I... I have seen the rune on the tablet before, Pathfinder." You stammer out, recomposing yourself.

Pathfinder blinks a few times. "You have?"

"Yes. Just today the mayor of Dodge Junction came to me, describing an armored human which comes into his town. The human's helmet bears that very same symbol." You point a hoof to the bright green rune.

"That's... the mark of the Slayer. You said it was a human?" Pathfinder's pupils dilate. "Princess, if what these passages say are true, finding the human should be your number one priority. He could stop any and all of these demonic activities that have been happening recently.

"I already have a team of Royal Guards on their way to the town. The second I was shown a photograph, I knew this was important."

"Thou never told us about a human sighting, Sister!" Luna scowls, jabbing your side as she glares up at you. "How could thou hide such a thing from us?"

"Luna, it wasn't even thirty minutes ago!" You exclaim, before shaking your head. "Thank you, Pathfinder. Please, keep researching this tablet, I want letters documenting every passage you extract from it."

"Will do, Princess!" Pathfinder bows, before motioning you and your sister away. "I'll let you two get back to your family endeavors now."

With a huff, Luna trots past you towards the stone stairs once again. "Art thou coming, Sister?"

You roll your eyes, and catch up with her, starting your ascent to the surface.

Author's Note

Perhaps a little controversial, but yes, the Slayer's name is 'Anon'.

It's been almost four years since I was an active member on this site, but I vaguely remember there being some backlash against characters named Anon/Anonymous.

I've always preferred second person stories where the reader is the main character, but I was never able to fully enjoy when said character had a pre-established name (I.E Alex, James, Andrew, Etc etc.)

This isn't the green guy with the question mark for a face. Anonymous is simply a non descript name that hopefully the reader will be able to swap with his or her real name. In the same way that Doomguy from original game was just a spartan man for the player to self insert!

I'm really out of the loop with a lot of stuff on this website, so feel free to let me know how you feel about the whole name situation!