Corruption is Magic

Waking up I groggily grab my pounding head as the world spins around me. I get upright and hear the sound of feet coming towards me. Wobbly I turn my head to the sound and open my eyes only to groan as it hurts to do so. “Easy boss.” Gaurt’s voice soothingly says as she places a hand on my shoulder. “You probably feel like shit right now.”

“Y-y-you could… say that.” I wheeze out with a dry and raspy voice. What happened? Why am I in bed?

“Here, drink this.” She says as I feel something touch my lips followed by liquid meeting them, opening my mouth I take a sip and feel the soothing sensation of water in my mouth which I happily drink. “How much do you remember from last night?” She asks as I finish my drink she is offering me.

“I don’t remember anything… past the portal.” I say as I test opening my eyes again and after some blinks I can keep them open without having a lot of pain shoot through them.

“Well… you had talked with the king and after some negotiations Alexander tried to sweeten the deal with a bit of Glory.” Gaurt explains, I ponder on what she says and slowly the pieces reform and I remember taking the drug but after things get far more muddy. Then as a bolt of lightning I remember shifting in sheets, naked and seeing the face of a Kobold between my thighs.

“Oh… goddesses… I…” I say feeling my face go hot as I realize what had happened.

“What do you remember?”

“The- the king. He and I…”

“Well yes, you did do that… but you also drank after that. Heavily.” Gaurt explains as she places the mug she holds on the bedside table she has in her room that I find myself in. “It made you rather… depressed, let's say.”

“Oh goddesses, did I cry in front of the King?”

“Yes but he didn't seem to mind. Gelfree when we came back though was… not happy with your inebriation. She gave you flack and…” Gaurt pauses and I look at her feeling a weight in my stomach.

“What happened?” Gaurt remains silent and I feel panic shoot through me like lightning. “Gart.”

“You slapped her. She said something that really pissed you off… something about becoming a nose powder addict.” I feel my blood run cold and I feel all my thought processes grind to a halt. “She… she said she would be going to live with a few friends in the village near her home. She wants to see her mothers grave and… think.” Gaurt says and I feel lumps form in my throat. Tears form in the corners of my eyes and I feel my body begin to shake. Gaurt kneels down and wraps her arms around me and I lean in to her. What have I done… I didn’t mean too… please… I’m sorry.

***

“Twilight?” I jump in my chair and look at Icarus who has some papers in his hands.

“Yes, what is it?”

“You weren’t answering me when I asked you my question on this new update on development on the new districts for the city.” Icarus says with his head tilted.

“Oh sorry… could you… write down the questions and put it on my desk and give me some time to ponder on it.” I ask with an empty tone of voice, with a small nod he turns to leave but stops. Turning around he snaps his fingers and a small bag appears in his palm that he holds out to me.

“I hear you tried it. It helps to dull pain and sadness, takes it and makes you forget… for a time. It helps me forget my greatest mistake. Maybe it can help you forget what happened with Gelfree.” He says in a sympathetic voice and looks at me with a mixture of pain and support. Does… does he really think I could take that again, after what happened? I look at the bag and I think about what I did to Gelfree and how much I have become a monster. Then I think about the king, and the way I felt when I had taken it… it felt great, it felt like nothing really mattered and life was great. Like I had no worries whatsoever. Hesitantly I reach out and grab the bag and open it. Maybe one more time, just to relax. I tell myself as I feel a tear run down my cheek, grabbing a pinch I take it and pop it on my tongue. The familiar soothing calm and happiness washing over me.

***

“I’ll always be by your side, boss.” Gaurt says placing a hand on her stomach. “I don’t care how rough it gets, or how dark, or what path you choose.” Gaurt looks out her bedroom window to the world outside. “I will always be Loyal to you… My queen. I am your claws, your teeth and might. I am your Loyal Cerberus.”

***

“Hi mom…” Gelfree says, her voice quivering as she looks down to the mound of stones making her mothers burial sight. Waves of emotion crash through her as she stands there. “I… I don’t know what to do Ma. I… I don’t know… I-I wish you were still here. I need someone to tell me what I should be thinking right now.” Gelfee shakily says as she clenches her hands. “I love her… I love her so much it hurts… it hurts so… so much.” Gelfree says as she crumples down to the ground and lets her tears flow freely. “I don’t want to see her change anymore. I want to get away from all this. I want a quiet life again!” Gelfree shouts in a pained wail at the open air that was once her home. “I want… to have you back.”

***

“So, that’s your plan.” Olvin says as he places down his mug and looks at Alexander.

“That it is. The others have become too complacent. It dawned on me when you came around.” Alexander says with his usual smile from ear to ear.

“You’re crazy if you think this will be easy. Hell, I’m shocked you even want to do this.”

“I don’t want this.” Alexander says with a serious tone. “Twilight will draw their attention. They like the status quo, they have become lax and relied on me most of the time when dealing with you.”

“So you think they will be angered with her changing things up?”

“Exactly, and they will come to me to deal with her but when they know I’ve been helping her-”

“They will come themselves. So that’s why you were fine letting me keep the troll form and lifting the curse.” Olvin says to which Alexander nods.

“She needs all the people we can get on her side because they still have sway. Lots of it.” Alexander says and Olvin nods.

“So when can we expect them to act?”

“After she takes the throne. I doubt they would upset the balance before it, not to mention they would lose much of their support.”

“Well… we best get ready for when that happens.”

***

“Discord!” Luna shouts as she storms towards the lord of chaos who sits in his own room of the castle.

“Ah Lu-”

“Send us to Twilight.” Luna demands, the sound of rapidly approaching hives from a long distance away getting to Luna’s ear.

“What? You want to go there!?” Discord yells in confusion and Luna nods in response.

“If dearest Twilight is in that world of darkness and devilry as you say then she needs somepony with her.”

“That… that’s insane. You are a ruler of Equestria for cryin-”

“Not any more. We renounced Thy title and wish to help the friend we hold dear. No send us to Twilight or so help Faust we will-”

“Okay, fine. Fine. I’ll send you to Twilight… just don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Discord sighs and with a snap of his fingers Luna disappears right as Celestia makes it to the door to see what happens.

***

Beryl looks up to Vo as he stands before her, fire in his eyes as he raises a glowing hot red metal brand of his name over her chest. “Can’t have her be getting what she wants.” He says as he shoves the brand at the top of her cleavage causing her to scream and writhe in agony as his name is burned into her flesh. “Let’s see if she likes damaged goods.” He sneers as he applies more pressure to her chest.