Author's Note

Fair warning: Some non-con/rape happens in this chapter. Briefly

Chapter 29

The giant trunk crackled with glowing embers as the fires died down. The magic users in the group had conjured water to contain the fire after it had killed the larger tree. The effects of its death were noticeable very quickly. Trees along the path they had entered stopped spreading their roots and subsided. Carnivorous plants withered away, and creatures fled from the area. Light pierced the canopy as some of the leaves fell. The group sat in a small circle. The soldiers pulled MRE’s from their knapsacks and passed a canteen around. Spike rummaged through his backpack and pulled out a bowl of gems. He crunched loudly on them while the rest of the ponies all split what was left of Applejack’s and Pinkie’s apple pies. Star Strider decided that while everyone had their mouths full, it would be the best time to share some stories. Gem was the first to ask him for a tale.

“What was combat like back in the day?”

Star Strider stretched his legs and shook his mane, the deep blackness flowing across his dirt-covered fur. “It was very similar to how it is performed now, but unrefined. Armor was expensive and rare. Most militias had none for their troops. Spears were abundant as they were efficient and common. There was no formal Equestrian military. No kingdom, fiefdom, empire, or nation existed unified save the few villages with trade routes and shaky alliances. Conflicts were often kept to local regions. Magic was a powerful currency. Unicorn mercenaries scoured the lands for any contracts to wipe hostile dragon dens or rivaling ponies out. It was only after my school of magic took root that mercenary groups went extinct.”

Flash Magnus was the next to talk. “Besides the Lichen, were there other threats? You existed right after the unification of the races, so the Windigos were the last big ones, right?”

“Indeed. The Lichen was the capstone villain of my time, and perhaps even this one. But every region had their own quarrels. Mine was bordered on the dragon lands; I imagine other ponies suffered similar fights to the griffins and yaks of old.”

This time it was Spike who jutted in. “So, you guys fought dragons a bunch? But was there ever like a friendly dragon? Say, someone like me?” He flashed a toothy grin to the group. Star Strider shifted uncomfortably at his question and failed to meet his eyes.

“Not… not that I knew of. Every dragon I met was on the field of battle. The only interaction we had with the dragons that were not warmongering were to sign temporary truces across land gains. We finally settled at where the border lies today. Interesting that it has remained unchanged.”

Rarity huffed in annoyance. Most of the ponies had forgotten she was there, or assumed she was somepony else. Her white fur was streaked with grime and ash from the fight and fire. “All this war talk, hasn’t anypony taught you all the appreciation of the finer things of life? Tell us Star Strider, you must have had many mares at your feet. Was there a special somepony in your past?” Now it was Luna’s turn to shift uncomfortably.

“No. Not in any meaningful sense.” Luna felt her shoulders relax. “My fellow student and then master Shyamalan was very close to me. She and I spent many days and nights practicing together, but in a purely platonic sense. She was just as wrapped in our studies as I. Once she lost her magic to the Lichen, she never got that spark of life back. It is one of my deepest regrets.” He spoke softly as his eyes watered. Luna looked to his face and wanted so badly to caress it. The group was quiet after his last statement. Star Strider noticed and put an end to it. “Enough of my past, tell me of yours! I have hardly to hear of the majesties of the land, the vanquishing of evil or the wooing of innocence.” Spike grinned even wider at his question and puffed up his chest.

“Well, my friends and I have saved Equestria a few times. Yours truly saved the crystal empire! Twice! Don’t believe me, just go look at the statue in the central courtyard.” He boasted and folded his arms.

“Spikey-wikey is right. He was very brave. We have been through many things, haven’t we?” Rarity said. They began recounting the amazing events that Star Strider had missed. Flash Magnus was equally listening, as he had also been absent for almost all of it.

The group failed to notice the preying slits watching from behind the elder tree. Dawn Bringer hissed as she watched the group jaunt and jest in the fires of the forest. Her small force had hardly done anything to them, and they most likely awaited reinforcements as she watched. She backed away from the tree line as princess Luna looked over to her position. Had she seen me? I better not take any risks right now. Cosmic is pissed as it is. She trotted away back into the cover of the forest. The plants bowed before her malevolence, the timber wolves, and cockatrices cowered at her approach. It felt good to be powerful. Just as she let herself revel in her pride, she was tackled ferociously to the ground in a fit of hissing and growling. She kicked at her attacker until she realized it was the terrifying figure of Cosmic Sunder. She tucked her head as he held her hooves in place and spat at her.

“What are you doing in the company of my quarry? Have we not given away enough to these fecund wretches?”

“Cosmic, I was just investigating the damage they caused.” She spat back at his slithering voice. His eyes narrowed as he let her up slowly.

“You would be wise to remember your place, my vassal. You are nothing more than another pawn in my game.” His words struck her cold heart and she grimaced in anger. Her mane flared for a moment in a brilliant burst of orange and hot red, indicative of her temper. Cosmic Sunder noticed and smiled wickedly at her. “Somepony doesn’t like to be an underling, does she? Well, let me remind you it is I who gives you power. You forget your position. It is beneath ME.” His voice boomed into her as she fell back again. The shout had caused the trees around them to bend and the plants to be uprooted. Dusk Bringer was terrified of him. He lowered his face down to hers again.

“I am sorry, master. I only wished to bring you glory. I meant nothing of usurping. Please, forgive me.” She flinched at what she expected to come. But it didn’t. She opened her eyes to see his horrid grin. His hooves moved to pin hers’ down in the dirt again. He lowered his lanky body close to hers. She reeled from him to no avail. His tongue slithered out and licked up her face.

“Yes. You are mine. Your glory is mine. I should reward you for your diligence, my disciple.” She felt him probing against her. Despite all her power, she felt inept under his terrible gaze. She closed her eyes as she breathed out into is face.

“Yes… master. I am yours.” She spoke softly and gasped lightly as she felt him suddenly and painfully enter her. She yelped out as he thrust himself against her hips again. I deserve better than this. No, I don’t, this is what I WANT.She fully embraced him with her wings as she brought his tongue into her mouth. The feeling of lust beat between them as Cosmic Sunder pounded harder and harder, pushing her ankles deep into the dirt. Her moans were full of desire and hunger as she pushed back against him. The truth was, she liked being his whore.

He flipped her over and shoved her face into the dirt as she twisted back to look at his terrifying smile. Her whole mane and face were covered in dirt as tears slid down her cheeks. She smiled back at him as she let her tongue lull out the side of her mouth. She pushed her flank back into his thrusts as he grunted with effort. Her knees buckled under her, sending her torso into the ground. The dirt and rock scraping against her belly only furthered her pleasure from this sickening position. “Yes Ahh master. Take me! Rut me into the ground!”

“Quiet you wench, you do not command me how I am to take my prey.” He slapped her flank hard. It earned him a cry of pain and a bright red mark on her fractured gem cutie mark.

Divines, fuck me. Dusk Bringer let her eyes roll back as her cries loudened and her moans deepened. She felt foam forming at the ends of her mouth as her orgasm built up. Her walls clenched his penis and her whole body convulsed. She choked on her moans to make a gargling sound as she pushed her vagina back and forth on his cock. His own orgasm erupted inside of her. He pulled himself free as she fell into the dirt and turned, furiously rubbing her clit to make the most of her orgasm. He backed away and smiled as she gushed fluids from her pussy. Her whining reached out into the darkness as he teleported away. His maniacal laughter filled her ears as she stopped her body from convulsing. She was covered in dirt, blood, sweat, and cum. And I LOVE it.

Dusk Bringer lay there panting for a moment, enjoying how filthy she was and how used her body was. She slowly gathered herself up and shakily took steps back towards the clearing where she knew her master waited her arrival.

The convoy reached the elder trees location by the time the sun was beginning to sink. They unloaded the caravans and began setting up tents and fences along the perimeter. The prisoners were thrown into a large cage where they were given food and water. They didn’t move to it, but instead all fell over once they were unbound. A team of ponies set up a small wooden cabin to serve as the command post for their base. Star Strider and Flash Magnus were hunched over a map spread on a folding table.

“This is about another day’s trek in the opposite direction.” Flash pointed his hoof on another X.

“Yes, and this one brings us closer to Cosmic’s encampment.” Star Strider pointed to another north of their position. “We cannot afford to split troops. A direct approach is best if we are to quell this enemy. At best pace, we could have a division to the clearing by week’s end.” He spoke. Flash was already shaking his head.

“Moving that many troops through such narrow chokepoints leaves us open to attacks and possible captures. We can’t lose more of them. If we take the time to clear these other checkpoints, we can open larger corridors for whole battalions to move in unhindered. Taking the time will leave us with more options. Worst case scenario, it takes till the new moon to finish this up.” Flash slicked back his mane from the sweat that had rested there for what felt like days.

“Waiting that long leaves Cosmic Sunder and his Corrupted to secure larger portions of the forest for traps. If we allow them to set up ensnarement for our armies, we contribute to his. Decisive action is needed.” He said with a frustrated tone. Luna entered the door frame with Rarity by her side. The two mares had been discussing something rather humorous as they entered, as evidenced by their annoying giggles. Both of the stallions turned to them with narrow looks on their faces.
“My apologies, I didn’t think you two would still be discussing this. It’s been almost two hours. Come outside! Get some sunshine!” Luna poked at them with a casual tone. Flash Magnus stepped away from the table.

“Perhaps the princess is right. We may take the chance of setting up camp to let our minds rest and come back with a better decision.” He said to Star Strider. The larger pony huffed and pushed back from the table.

“Very well. Let us return tomorrow morning.” The other ponies left, leaving Luna and Star Strider in the walls. She approached him and wrapped a leg around his neck.

“What’s the matter my love? Let’s go for a walk to clear the mind. Rarity and I found a stream a few minutes away in the safe zone.” Her coat was cleaner than before, clearly having taken a bath in the water. The cuts still visible along her cheeks and chest, but most of the dirt had been washed from her face and mane. Star Strider still remained covered in dirt patches and scrapes. His body seemed to release a built tension as she mentioned the relaxation. He smiled and leaned in to kiss her. She returned his gesture and smiled as he pulled away.

“I think that may do me well. Lead away.” He brushed his side into her as she turned to show him out.

The campsite was bustling. About fifty soldiers and other hired contractors had arrived shortly after the convoy, making the small band of ten original ponies and dragon to just over one hundred ponies of different staffs. Medical teams set up a field hospital while contractors set tents and temporary shelters. Hired bakers had set up stalls to feed the soldiers. Many of them remained on guard at the edges of the clearing while some roved around carrying building materials or sets of armor for cleaning. More ponies were due by tomorrow so they could cut a path through the forest more efficiently. Luna and Star Strider went relatively unnoticed to the exit, only a few guards stopping to salute along the way. As they reached their leave, the guard on post stepped up to them. A brown-coated Pegasus stood at attention as they passed.

“Your highness, commander. Do you require any escort beyond the perimeter?”

“No, thank you Cirrus. We shall be quite protected. We will be only a few minutes from the site. Should we fail to return by twilight, send for us.” Star Strider spoke and patted the pony on the shoulder. He saluted the two and stepped aside for them to leave.

They walked through the woods for almost twenty minutes in silence. Luna tried to speak when they first left the camp, but he left her question unanswered. It wasn’t an awkward silence, but Luna knew Star Strider was disturbed by something. His head was angled at the ground with his brow furrowed the whole walk. Luna wanted desperately to pick his mind and see what was disturbing him. The quiet of the forest was a foreign sound to anyone who knew the nature of the trees, but it was quickly filled up with the sounds of rushing water. Luna was grateful for the respite of noise. They walked over to the bank of the river and followed it downstream where the rushing water faded into gentle flows. They finally sat down, Star Strider letting his hooves be touched by the water pushing out of its bank. Luna decided to try her luck.

“You want to talk about it?” She prodded gently, nudging him with her wing. His eyes followed the scintillating water before them. He looked up to her with sadness in his eyes.

“It is… nothing, my love. I just wish to deal with this threat as quickly as possible and stay with you.” He feigned a smile and let his eyes drop. Luna raised his chin to see her again.

“What do you mean? You will stay with me. We will face this threat together and resolve this.” She craned her neck to look into his eyes as he let his head droop again.

“Yes. We will.” His words hung in the air. Luna wasn’t satisfied with his answers, and she snorted out at him.

“Star Strider, I’m trying to help. I can’t do that if you don’t talk to me.”

“You are not able to help even if I did tell you.” His words were not touched with anger, but Luna could feel his bitterness seeping through. But it wasn’t directed at her.

“What does that mean? I’m here for you but you need to let me in. Even if it feels like I can’t help, just let me try.” She rubbed her muzzle into his neck. “What’s hurting?” She nibbled his ear. He sighed heavily and turned to kiss her quickly. She smiled at him and leaned her forehead to his.

“Defeating Cosmic Sunder is not as simple as I had hoped. I do not know if I can make it back from this battle.” He looked up to Luna for her reaction. Her face was not as shocked as he expected. Her eyebrows were scrunched, and her eyes looked at the ground. It seemed like forever until she spoke.

“That won’t happen.”

“Luna, I—”

“No. You won’t die. I won’t let you.”

“It is not up to you or me. We must act in the interests of Equestria. If I must lay my life down for you, I will.”

“I don’t want you to. Why can’t you make yourself immortal!” She shouted and pushed away from him. Star Strider was slightly taken aback at her comment. Aside from her question very early on in their meeting, they had never discussed his option of immortality.

“… Luna. Immortality and invincibility are not synonymous.”

“I know.”

“I would also need to embark on my own proving.”

“I know. But it would help you survive longer, make you stronger, give you more magical access—”

“Luna, immortality is something I found for others. I never intended it for myself.”

“What about for me? Would you become immortal to stay with me?” She turned to him, begging in her eyes. Star Strider locked into her gaze as his heart melted and hardened in the same moment. He turned his head away to look across the river, confusion evidentially on his face.

“It is not about you.” He almost whispered across the space. Luna didn’t know what to say. She looked up to the sky to see the sun lowering in its cycle. She turned back to Star Strider who sat with his head hung staring at his reflection. She put a hoof on his shoulder and closed her eyes as her horn started to glow.