Divinity II: Return of the Damned

Chapters

To remember
To visit an old friend
To be kidnapped
To play with a mind

To remember

He swirled the ale he had bought in his hand, looking but not seeing. Stopping he took it all in one swig and slammed the glass back onto the counter, the sound echoing in the empty tavern. Swiveling around on the stool he pushed himself off of it, his armor clanging against itself. Walking towards the door he grabbed his war hammer and looked at it, turning it this way and that. Dozens of dents, dull and worn from his travels across the land, the fights against trolls, goblins, demons and the servants of the damned one all shone across it.

Tossing it in the air he caught it by the handle and strapped it back onto his back. Pushing open the door he strode out into the tainted light of the sun, he turned his gaze upward and watched as another of the damned one’s flying fortresses fire another barrage, the shield surrounding the city turning a bright orange as the cannonballs hit it.

Looking back down to his own two feet he walked past the tree that housed an ancient king’s soul, the infirmary where many wounded still lay there dying, moaning for someone to put them out of their misery, or someone to heal them. He ignored them and walked to the elevator and pushed the button, despite the recent use in the past few hours, or because of the use, the chains groaned under his weight.

Travelling the well-worn road into the main plaza of the town he watched as some of the poor souls still stuck in the undead claimed part of the city ran about from the few undead that he had missed on his previous visit. Drawing his miniature bow from his side he aimed, and fired killing the undead. The rest looked at him and the two that had bows tried firing their bows at him, he let the arrows bounce off of his armored plates.

He put arrows through the rest of the undead’s heads and continued on to the docks. A resounding crack echoed throughout the city, prompting him to look up. He doubled his speed to the docks.

____________________________________________

The commander paced back and forth muttering to himself. “Where is the divine-be-damned dragon knight? We can’t win without him. Did he run?”

Hearing a person clearing their throat he looked up to see the Dragonknight leaning against the wall as if the end of the world was not upon them. “There you are! We’re about to probably get ourselves all killed! And I hear you went to the tavern for a quick drink!?” The commander yelled at him.

Shrugging his shoulders he said, “All the more reason for a drink eh? And why haven’t you already started?”

Gesturing for the Dragonknight to follow him he walked past him and into the hallway. After hearing the distinct clinks of the Dragonknight’s armor he answered him. “You know as well as I do that without you we would all have long been dead,” Passing by two guards that were positioned at a door, the commander opened it to reveal a balcony. The commander walked up to the edge, while the Dragonknight stood behind, he never liked having recognition. The commander turned and smiled at him. “And our warriors wanted to hear a speech from our hero.” Gesturing over the edge of the balcony he heard a larger cheer from the crowd.

“I myself figured who better to give a speech than one who has faced the Damned one and lived?” The commander stepped away from the edge. Rolling his eyes the Dragonknight took a deep breath before venturing out onto the balcony. Below him was the entire city, civilians, champions, seekers, even the goblin brothers. Holding up both of his hands the crowd quieted.

Clearing his throat the Dragonknight began, “I know that all of you have been through difficult times, have lost your loved ones, your homes, everything you’ve ever owned. But today is a day that will be remembered forever. Now I must assure you all that most of you will not make it through this.” The crowd erupted into boos, and many colorful words. “ENOUGH!! Let me continue. For the past few weeks the Damned one has terrorized each and every single one of us. But today we take the fight to him. Today we will make sure that the Damned one knows we won’t take this lying down!” Despite the noise the crowd was making below him he continued. “Today is the day we fight back! Today is the day when we show him fear! Today is the day when each and every single one of you decides the fate of your fellow man! Today we will end his reign of terror once and for all or die trying!!!”

At this the crowd practically exploded. The Dragonknight backed away from the edge and started walking towards the docks.

____________________________________________

The docks were bustling with activity, hundreds of people running around loading the ships, and anything that could fly regardless of what it was designed to do. The Dragonknight watched them all scurry to do anything they could to help the effort. He rolled his head to crack it, he backed away from the edge and tapped a kid that had been trying to move a crate towards the docks.

Getting onto a knee he leaned in and asked him, “You want to help right?” The child nodded his head enthusiastically. “Head to the temple in the center of the temple tell them at two o’clock to drop the shield arlight?” The child nodded once more and ran off to do as he was asked. Standing back up the Dragonknight picked up the crate and placed it on his shoulder and walked down to put it where it was needed.

____________________________________________

Scowling the Dragonknight stood right on the edge of the wall, unfazed by the cannons that were concentrating their fire at him. Glancing up at the sun he knew it was somewhere around two-ish, reaching into his pocket he took out the dragonstone, which he had made sure never to lose.

He tossed it up into the air a few times, not paying attention to the commander below who was giving a rousing speech to the warriors below. His brothers in arms had betrayed him long ago so he made sure to stay away from them.

“Do you hear me Dragonknight? One of the wizards thought it would be a great idea for us to communicate telepathically.”

“I hear you.”

“Good because Morvin is about to drop the shield, so get ready to fight for life.” He nodded as if the commander was actually there next to him. Channeling his magic into the dragonstone it started to glow a brilliant white.

As he watched the shield seemed to bend inwards on itself before exploding violently outwards, crippling the armada. Smiling the Dragonknight jumped off the edge and activated the dragonstone.

____________________________________________

The ancient dragon jerked his head up being awoken from his slumber by the memory of the Dragonknight. Swiveling his head around on his elongated neck he took in where his personal chamber. Licking his lips he eyed the hundreds of gems, gold, and other delicacies that were piled around him. His gaze wandered over the dragonstone that had lost its owner long ago, making him lose his appetite. Using his tail he grabbed it off of the pedestal he had asked his descendants to put it on.

He slowly stood up, stretching his muscles after all a dragon’s nap usually lasted hundreds of years and he had taken a long deserved slumber, which for him lasted at least a thousand. As he reached his full majestic height his crystalline blue head grazed the ceiling. Eyeing the ceiling in annoyance he lowered himself so he could walk out of the cavern he had been in.

His tail slithered along the ground behind him, making sure not to dirty the dragonstone, keeping his head low to avoid the sharp stalagmites that grew on the ceiling. He smiled as he found the opening to the cave, cocking his ear towards the entrance he heard his many children flying, playing, or debating about the natives in the surrounding countryside.

Putting one crystalline foot forward in the sun, then another he pulled himself out of the hole barely fitting. Once outside he stretched his wings as far as they could go and let the sun’s warmth envelop him. Taking a deep breath he raised his head and let loose a might roar that could be heard for hundreds of miles around.

Lowering his head back towards his many children he found that they had all stopped their nonsense and debating and were looking at him, some with happiness, other with wonder since they had yet to see him and other he noted with jealousy. Writing it off as the fact that all the other children gave him tributes and not them he gestured his four favorite and most loyal children over.

Out of the crowd of dragons came four old dragons, almost as old as him but a few thousand years separated them. They all walked up to him and bowed their heads in reverence.

The first to raise their head was one of his daughters, Linfernias a blood red dragon the smallest of the four, she was barely bigger than a juvenile dragon. The next two to raise their heads were son and daughter, twins that went by the name Fern and Aqua both a cross between green and blue with Aqua being the brighter blue and Fern the brighter green, both almost his size but barely smaller.

The last to raise their head was the eldest son, Blaze a rusty-orange dragon that was bigger than even him, the father! But out of all his children he was the most loyal. Indicating with his head to follow him he trotted off to a place where they couldn’t be disturbed.

As soon as they left their sight the other dragons went back to what they were doing, some with hate showing on their faces.

Following their father the four let their gaze wander over him, still as healthy and lean as ever. His color was still the bright crystalline blue it was millennia ago, his bright green eyes showing no sign of slowing down. And the muscles that were not big and bulging like Blaze’s or tiny like Linferias, but still good enough to fight off any dragons that challenged his authority.

Walking into a copse of trees father lied down, propping his head upon his arms and carefully set the dragonstone on the ground next to him. Looking back at them he gestured to the ground in front of them to sit. All of them sat except for Linfernias who instead decided to spread her weight across the trees surrounding them.

“So how has everything been going during my absence?”

Raising her head ever so slightly Linfernias pawed at the ground barely grazing her claws against it. “Griffons still are as annoying as ever, a hundred years ago they developed flying ships, sorta like the ones you used to talk about except some of the bigger ones require magic. Other than that it went like you predicted.”

Nodding he looked at Blaze. “Zebras recently took to living in cities, by that I mean RECENTLY. Diamond dogs are still up to their gem thefts in the lower part of our lands. And the sea dragons are still doing fine over in the Green sea. Like Linfernias everything else is like you predicted.”

“Still haven’t decided to visit us?”

“No. Still thinking that the land is what brings all the ‘ill omens.’” Blaze replied, his spines contracting in annoyance at their cousins. Smiling at his child’s little quirks the ancient dragon turned his gaze towards the twins.

“And how have my friends the alicorns been doing?”

Looking at her brother then back at her father, Aqua sighed. “Well I suppose I can say that out of all the countries Equestria has been… amusing to watch.”

The ancient dragon raised his eyebrows. “How?”

Looking at her brother for help, Fern sighed and continued for his sister. “A hundred years after you took your slumber Luna went well evil.” He gulped when his ‘father’ tensed his muscles. “Celestia beat her though and sent her to the moon , just recently though she came back and was redeemed.”

Loosening his muscles, he lowered his head back closer to the ground. “I always thought she took a little bit too far after her father and not enough after her mother.”

Rubbing the back of her neck Aqua spoke, “About that too you know Discord right? Well…. he’s living with them now.”

Blinking like an owl the ancient dragon took a minute to reply. “Come again?”

“A year or so ago Discord broke loose of the prison he was set inside, and did his usual wacky stuff. Six young mares got rid of him though and a few months ago they gave him a second chance and apparently he’s using his chaos magic for good.”

Clacking his claws against the ground he said with sarcasm dripping through his voice. “I’m sure that he’s redeemed.” He took a moment to sigh. “I guess I haven’t visited them in a while, now’s a good time as any I suppose.” Fern cleared his draconic throat. “Don’t tell me there’s more”

“Um well it’s not as bad. There’s two new alicorns running around. One’s a mare named Cadence apparently goddess of love or something like that. And then there’s Celestia’s student Twilight Sparkle the super-new goddess of magic. And by super new I mean like just a few weeks ago she was made an alicorn!”

Twisting his head at an odd angle ‘father’ got up and stretched his wings before giving them a mighty flap, launching himself into the air. The others followed suit. “I feel as if the royal sisters have been too busy while I have been away. You may follow if you wish but if you do don’t make any scenes.” Twisting himself in the air the ancient dragon flew towards Equestria with the other four dragons in tow.

As they neared the border the dragonstone flashed slightly, ending just as quickly as it happened. The only one noticing it was Fern but he just wrote it off as him not having taken a nap for a few hundred years.

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The ancient trees bent underneath the mighty flaps of the five ancient dragons, scattering their leaves and goods across the forest. Hundreds of animals and accursed abominations ran in different directions hoping not to be noticed by the dragons. The dragons paid them no mind either way for they were following their ‘father’ and he was heading towards the castle jutting out from the mountainside up ahead. After being told by Fern and Aqua about the royal’s move to the mountain they had passed the forest it used to be in.

With their draconic vision they could see ponies running about screaming below them as they flew over a town, and a baby dragon that lived there, the ancient crystalline dragon noted with a smirk. Celestia had been able to hatch the dragon after all. Putting more power behind each thrust of his wings he pulled ahead of the other four.

As he got closer to Canterlot as it was called he could see a magic purple barrier pop up around the city. Smiling he was reminded of shield spells of old. Going over the city his shadow covered many houses and ponies, sending them into an even larger panic. He grasped the mountainside as he folded his wings back to his side. Looking to the other four dragons he gave them an order to wait in the rolling hills below until otherwise said, with explicit instruction not to harm or terrorize any ponies.

After sitting there for a few minutes he saw something or to be exact two somethings flying towards him. Putting on his best innocent look he watched the two alicorns close the distance between them. Celestia perched herself on the mountainside next to him while Luna flapped her wings in the air.

Giving a short bow to the ancient dragon she spoke with the tongue of an angel. “It has been too long Patriarch.”

Letting loose some smoke from his lips he smiled back at her. “Indeed far, far too long.”

To visit an old friend

“So there I was atop a mountain as legions of the undead and demons, charged towards the cities of old back before your princesses were born. And Patriarch with his prowess, and our help and some of the old creatures of back pushed them back to the gates of hell!" The Patriarch watched as Fern told another story of when they had helped push the damned one back into tartarus, to the crowd of ponies both young and old.

He looked back at the two minor goddesses who were talking to the newer one who apparently had a panic attack. Smiling he reminded himself of how they reacted to how humans reacted to them, it was definitely a different, but a better reaction.

He stretched his wings again, feeling the coming of a cramp. As it subsided he let his wings fold back against his torso, as he waited for the royal highnesses to finish talking to each other, for what was a few hours or minutes to one whom lived for millennia longer than they? He let his eyes wander over the hills separating the capital Canterlot, from the rural town of Ponyville, and then he let his magic wander over those around him.

“Patriarch.” He inched his right eye open to see the Alicorns including the new one standing in front of him. He lowered his head until he was eye level with them.

“I take it you all are ready to talk?” The purple minituare alicorn nodded her head, or at least he think it was purple, it was either that or lavender.

Celestia smiled and pushed the same alicorn forward. “This here is my personal student Twilight Sparkle, element of magic, savior of Equestria three times, and recently made princess.”

Patriarch bent his wing so that one talon of it extended in front of young Twilight, she stared at it with a nervous smile. “I believed it was custom to shake the hoofs of a new pony?” Her eyes widened and she reached out with her hoof and shook his talon. A slight smile reached his lips, showing his oversized teeth making her even more nervous. He turned his head slightly towards Celestia before speaking. “I’m glad to see that you picked a pony with so much potential, it has been a long time since I’ve seen somepony that wasn’t a god with her potential.”

The unicorn blushed at his comment before bowing her head. “And it’s nice to meet you ummm Patriarch.”

Nodding at her he turned his attention back to Celestia. “I was under the impression no more alicorns, or gods could be born. Due to your father’s… predicament.”

Twilight looked up at her royal mentor wondering about what he was talking about, to see a scowl on Celestia’s features. If it weren’t for the fact she had spent years around her she would’ve passed it off as a trick of the light. “Well I’d rather not talk about him. As for Twilight, Starswirl another magically gifted unicorn made a spell to turn a pony into an alicorn.”

“But he was lacking two things, the magic of friendship and the amount of magic Twilight possesses." She blushed even more as they were talking about her as though she wasn’t there.

The patriarch nodded. “I thought it was possible to do such a thing, but I felt no need myself. Now this magic of friendship… I take it is the same magic you and your sib- er sister used a few thousand years ago?”

Celestia lowered her gaze as she remembered the time when they had found the elements the first time and what had followed. A cough from her sister reminded her that they weren’t in her private study or anywhere remotely private, she snapped her head back up and started talking ignoring the weird looks she was getting from some her subjects around her.

“Yes they are. I suppose your children already told you about my sister’s wander into the darker area of magic correct?” He nodded. “Well I used the elements of Harmony on her a thousand years ago. And a year ago she broke loose. My pupil Twilight and five of her friends harnessed the elements of harmony and expelled the curse set on Luna.”

The Patriarch looked over to Luna, who was currently sulking. “Luna.” Startled she looked up. “What has you so down?”

She rubbed her leg as she looked back down shamefully. “We are thinking about what we did when we were Nightmare Moon. And before you interrupt us sister it is our fault.”

“Tch. Tch. Look at me Luna, so I can tell you something.” Luna looked back up at him, as he lowered his head even more. “I’ve seen the greatest of mages, kings, warrior fall to darkness. No one has ever been immune to dark magic and gods are no exception. Now before you say anything remember that I have lived long before you and have seen everything that has come to pass.”

“Still doesn’t pardon us.”

“I didn’t say it did." He raised his head back up slightly, and with a grin he said to Celestia. "Now if it wouldn’t be to rude to ask who are these other elements?”

Celestia nudged Twilight. “Please go get your friends Twilight. Patriarch would like to be brought up to speed on all the events I’m guessing?” He smiled at them. Looking back at Twilight she gave her a go on gesture. So Twilight left to do as she was asked.

“Ah such innocence it has been a long time since I’ve seen that. But yes please tell me what I missed in my slumber.”

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Discord watched as Patriarch was conversing with Sunbutt and Luna. Turning away from his cotton telescope as his mismatched feet clacked against the wooden floor of the balcony. Snapping his fingers the doors leading inside slid into the walls to show his own safe haven.

The floor was a literal rainbow of colors with the chandelier coming out of the corner before flipping upside down to actually point the right way. The left wall was made out of a miniature ocean complete with miniature whales and sharks, with the occasional hurricane, while the right was where his bed and other belongings somehow managed to stay attached to the wall.

And the ceiling… well it changed every five minutes and at the moment it was a desert, which didn’t mix well with the ocean on the left. Sighing he flopped onto his bed, which was double the size of any king bed, large enough to bed several ponies. Bouncing horizontally to gravity, he brought a glass of chocolate to his lips, drinking the actual milk for once. When he was finished with it he crumbled the glass into a ball and casually tossed it up and down.

“Here I was thinking that he was going to be asleep longer than a few thousand years. Oh well guess I have to deal with him too. Later though not in the mood.” A rope floated in front of him, giving it a light tug it rang the bell it was attached to.

After a second the door to his room opened, letting a blue coated and pink maned mare come in. He bowed as soon as he did, his entire body quivering slightly. “You rang?” A tickle on her nose caused him to open her eyes. Crossing them she noticed a piece of paper. Grabbing it with her hoof she read it, her eyes widening as she read it until she reached the bottom. Stuffing it in her mouth she bowed again then ran out to do as she was asked.

Discord sank further into his bed until only the tip of his nose was visible and even then, it was barely visible. After another few minutes the door opened back up, and he floated back up out of the bed, until he was the same way before his servant left. Grabbing the bottle from her he muttered a thank you and put the bottle to his face.

He peered into it as if it held the secrets of the universe he stayed that way for quite some time before he calmly unscrewed the top and put the lid of it into his nose. He took a deep whiff, making sure to savor the smell. Once the entire bottle was empty he handed it back to his servant. “Please make sure to refill that when you pass by the gardens later.” She bowed before backing out of the room with the glass vial in her mouth.

His body relaxed, and the world faded away, along with all his worries. Now some would say if they saw him now that he was high on drugs. But he wasn’t high on drugs. He was high on the smell of some exotic rose in the garden he had stumbled across a month ago, it just seemed to relax him when nothing else can. He let himself sink back into the bed as he entered his own little paradise.

He lay there for what seemed like only a few seconds to him, but he knew for a fact that when he was relaxed time seemed to fly by, when he heard Sunbutt call his name. With a huff he let gravity take over and make him fall out of his vertical bed, twisting in the air he landed on his feet. With a snap of his fingers he appeared in front of Sunbutt. Giving a little bow he straightened back up. “So what did you want Celly?” She pointed behind him, he gave her a weird look before turning around.

As soon as he did he remembered why he had taken a sniff of that rose, and that was because Patriarch was awake and here visiting. Discord gave the ancient dragon an awkward smile, which he was returned with a faceful of smoke. “Heh nice to see you again Patriarch.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“Am I the only one who thinks this is awkward?”

The Patriarch lowered his face just enough so Discord could see the hate in his eyes, but still high enough so that Discord had to look up. "From what I remember you took after your father a bit too much... so what's this I hear about you reforming. Because if you ask me you're doing another one of your clever ruses.

Waving his arms back and forth Discord sputtered, “Hey look that was thousands of years ago! I’ve changed besides, I never hurt anyone!”

“Perhaps but you still brought onto this land even more chaos after we locked up the Damned one. And it doesn’t help that you were weakening the chains locking him up. Furthermore how can one change when they are locked away in stone?”

Discord started to back up, and the Patriarch responded by stepping closer. “Look power of friendship and that stuff!” He looked to his left and quickly added. “Look Fluttershy will vouch for me, she’s an element of harmony!” He quickly snapped his fingers making himself disappear.

A scowl came onto his lips but he did look in the direction Discord had pointed in, seeing the young alicorn with five other ponies and the young dragon in tow. He raised his head as they approached. “Ah so I take that you six are the new elements of harmony?” He said indicating with his wing.

The six ponies bowed, with Twilight standing up first. “Yes these are my friends from left to right, Rainbow Dash the element of loyalty, Applejack the element of honesty, Rarity the element of generosity, Fluttershy the element of kindness and… has anypony seen where Pinkie went?” The ancient dragon grinned, it had been such a long time since anyone had snuck up on him, much less when they were in his sight.

“I believe I know where this Pinkie is.” They all looked up at him to see a familiar mare bouncing on his head.

“Pinkie get down from there! He’s the equivalent of royalty!” As soon as Rarity finished her sentence Pinkie was encased in a bluish glow. She started to float into the air with Pinkie giggling as she was slowly put down onto the ground. As her hoofs touched the ground the glow slowly died off leaving her bouncing once more in place.

“And that’s Pinkie the element of laughter.”

Patriarch extended his wing to each of them shaking their hoofs, but with Fluttershy she required a bit of coaxing from her friends. After they had all shaken hoofs with his talon he turned his attention to Fluttershy. “From what I hear you’ll vouch for Discord’s redemption is that true?”

“Um yes I’ll vouch for him why do I need to though?”

With a poof of smoke Discord appeared next to Fluttershy. “He’s stuck on the fact that I caused so much chaos a few thousand years… are you okay Fluttershy?” He peered at the pink bowling ball that was Fluttershy. When she noticed it was him though she uncurled herself from her fetal position.

“Yes I’m okay but please don’t do that. And Mr. Patriarch I can vouch for him being redeemed.”

“I still doubt it, but it is not my place to decide what goes on, as this is not my kingdom. Now as for you six from what I hear you all saved Equestria twice?”

Rainbow Dash smirked and said before anyone else could, “Well Twily here helped save Equestria all by herself from the changelings a while back, well almost we all got caught before we could use the elements on those bugs! And we all helped save the Crystal Kingdom a month or so ago.”

Fully lowering himself on the ground he let his teeth show, in a grin. “Pray tell.”

To be kidnapped

Canterlot, Equestria’s shining jewel, a city older than anyone besides the royal highnesses. Many had tried to take it but none had succeeded. The city where the elitist of the elite resided in, where the richest of the rich lived, where the most famous celebrities lived. A shining example of Equestria’s money, influence and power.

But like any great city there were more… undesirable parts, where the poor or homeless bums hoping for spare change lived at. And despite the dragons less than an hour’s walk away one bum in particular was going house to house asking if they could spare her a few bits.

Each time she was almost hit in the nose by the door. Each time her head hung lower, the hat she wore hanging from her horn more and more until she decided she had enough disappointments today. Turning back towards the slums she chewed the inside of her lip thinking of what to do.

Ever since her failure in Ponyville she had ran lower and lower on money, due to nopony liking her fireworks after meeting Twilight. Sure she had lowered her reputation even further by going back to Ponyville and trying to take revenge. But Twilight had forgiven her, but had also ruined her entire career.

Twilight had told her she was a friend, and friends help out friends when they were in trouble or had money troubles right? But she had a little pride left. And then again what pride, she was going door to door asking for money, plus she was a princess now she wouldn’t mind helping out a friend. Though if she did that she would be little more than a parasprite and there was the matter that she might say no.

These things went back and forth in her head like they had every night. After a while she reached her carriage the one thing she could still say she had pride in. She had used the last amount of money she had earned to get a new one, it was built better than the other one too but in hindsight maybe she should’ve held onto that money for when she really needed it like now.

Opening the door she walked in and hung up her hat on the doorknob, making sure to lock each of the five locks as she did so. Sighing she opened up the pantry to see what she had left to eat. Using her magic she levitated the last package of food she had, a package of stadium peanuts. Floating it out of the cabinet and lowered the bed out of the wall, eliciting creaks from it as it did so. Once it was fully out she walked over to it and threw herself on top of it.

She ripped open the bag of peanuts and ate them slowly as she stared at the ceiling. She stayed like that for a long time after eating the rest of her food for what seemed like hours. After a while she closed her eyes with the day’s fatigue catching up to her. Almost asleep something creaked inside the house like somepony else was in it.

Her fears where confirmed when she heard the little seat in the corner being sat in. Turning her head and cracking open one eye she saw a pony wearing a hoodie sitting in it, reading a book. Glancing at the door she noticed that all the locks were still on and still intact.

The hooded pony stuck their hoof up to their mouth and licked it, then flipped the page. “Neva’ ‘xpected you to do that Darin’.” So the pony was a he and he was interested in his book.

She slowly lifted out the knife she had attached under her bed with her magic, praying to Luna, Celestia and any other god that she wouldn’t be noticed. Turning her attention to the edge of the bed for a second she looked back to the hooded pony only to realize that he wasn’t there anymore. This went through her mind as she felt something sharp against her neck.

Looking at the thing against her neck she saw her own knife encased in a blackish green aura. “Now now miz Trixie, if I had wanted to I coulda killed ya!” Trixie looked back at the seat to see the pony back in it. “Look I just wanted to talk to ya’s now how ‘bouts I put the knife down and ya don’ts try to kill me?” Trixie slowly nodded and the knife went towards the pantry, going inside it with the pantry closing behind it.

Pushing herself up Trixie slipped into her old arrogant persona, never does one good when you play weak with someone in your house. “So what can Trixie do for you?”

The stallion picked his book back up off the floor and went back to the page he had been reading before disappearing. “What ya can do for us miz Trixie, is show us what ya can do.” He stated matter of factly.

Hanging her legs off the edge of her bed she asked questioningly, “What do you mean by that Mr.?”

Flipping another page he chuckled. “Call me Paradox. Anyways one could say that we have had our eyes on ya cause ya have talent.” He suddenly slammed the book closed making her jump. Levitating it into his cloak he let out a hoarse laugh, before drawing out a card and a bag, laying it down on the counter under the pantry. “Jus’ head here miz Trixie and ya won’ regret it.” A menacing red glow started underneath his hood and with a silent pop he was gone.

She blinked before levitating the card over to her and looked at it. It was black with a golden border with no more than an address written on it. She put it down on the bed before looking back at the bag. She picked that up and looked inside, she almost cried at the sight of it. Over a thousand bits in the bag alone.

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Shuffling nervously from hoof to hoof she looked at the address on the card then back at the address on the pub. She gulped before pulling her cloak around her tighter and started walking towards the door, the moon shining down upon her back.

The door she was walking to was connected to a slum’s type of pub desperately in need of repairs to the roof, the windows needed to be boarded up all signs of a place that was where lowlifes and traitors meet. Opening the door and closing it lightly behind her she was able to avoid the cliché where everypony stared at you.

She walked up to the bar and sat on the stool ordering a shot of whiskey. She sat there for Celestia knew how long until somepony else sat down next to her. Giving the pony a glance she thought she recognized the pony.

“Heya Al gimme wha’s she having.” The barpony nodded and grabbed another shot and slid it to the pony.

She raised an eyebrow at the newcomer. “Paradox?”

He laughed. “Ya know none o’ us thought ya would come ‘ere but I knew better.” The cup lifted to his face and he downed it one gulp. “Now if ya would kindly follo’ me we can get this done.”

He moved to get up when he was shoved back down into his seat. He looked over at Trixie. “’Ey what gives?”

“I’d like to know what’s going on and why you ponies are interested in me.”

He leaned towards her slightly and beckoned her closer, and she obliged. He whispered into her ear. “Jus’ come with me and everythin’ gonna be explained,” He leaned away and rubbed the back of his head. “ cause I kinda ain’t allowed to say right now.”

“I take it that if I don’t follow you that I’m going to be forced to anyways?” She said flicking her eyes to a group of ponies in the corner.

“Ya know you’re smarta than ya look. But uh yeah if ya don’t come with us they are goin’ to try and force ya and trust me ya don’t want that, hurts a lot.”

Sighing Trixie slipped off of the barstool. “Well then what are we waiting for?” Smiling Paradox walked through the door and held the door open for her. She followed him, with the group of ponies following her.

Once Trixie stepped outside however Paradox had disappeared. The last thing she noticed was a frying pan flying at her face.

__________________________________________________

A massive pain in her head, a drum march marching to the beat of her throbbing head. That was what she felt right now.

“Ugh somepony see that train?” Rolling over in her bed she rubbed her temples. “What did I do last night?” She lay there in agonizing pain. Her hoofs touched a certain spot on her forehead, that sent pain lancing through her head.

She hissed as her hoofs shot away from that tender spot. Suddenly last night’s memories came rushing back to her, Paradox, the pub and the cursed frying pan. As this went through her head her eyelids flew open to show her a room decorated for royalty.

She slowly pushed herself up off the bed she was in and took in the bedroom. On one side of the room was a dresser and mirror that took up the whole wall while, the opposite side had three doors, each exactly ten feet apart, leading to who knows where each decorated with royal purple and gold finishings. And the bed she was on was easily big enough to hold her entire carriage, and it was comfortable to boot. As she continued looking around the room she saw no exits except the doors but she had something else to take care of first.

Throwing the covers off she rolled out of bed. She walked over to the mirror getting a nice hard look at herself. At first she wasn’t sure it was herself because all she saw in the mirror was a rough looking unicorn, completely hidden by their mane and one bloodshot eye popping out from behind that mane. She turned her head slightly to see a nasty bump coming out of the back of her head.

She winced as her hoof touched it again, sighing she turned away from the mirror and walked to one of the doors and put her head against it listening closely, to see if anypony was on the other side. She heard nothing so she repeated this with the other two doors, and still heard nothing so she tried to open it to find it stuck. Rolling her eyes she decided to try the middle one instead and to her surprise it did open. To show a fully stocked bathroom, and just like her bed the tub was over-sized. Closing that door she opened the one on the very left to show a miniature library.

She rolled her eyes and backed out of it, shutting the door behind her she gazed around the room she was currently being held against her will in. Her eyes roamed back over to the mirror and her ruined image.

Looking herself over once she walked back into the bathroom and turned on the shower, she stepped in just to jump back out at the shockingly cold water. Turning it the other way until a nice steam was coming out of it she slipped into the tub and let the hot water take care of her muscles and worries. She levitated the shampoo over to her and rubbed it into her scalp so hard that it started to hurt. Dunking her head underwater, she came back up flinging water everywhere.

Letting the water drain back out she stepped out of the tub and shook her head much like that of a dog. Blinking to get the rest of the water out of her eyes she smiled.

“That’s much better if I day say so myself.” She turned her head back and forth looking at it. Wrapping the towel around her neck she stepped back outside to see Paradox, still wearing his cloak, on her bed. Her eyes almost broke from widening in surprise, her horn glowed a light blue just like her. Paradox sat still as a statue on her bed as she charged one of the few legitimate spells she knew, a bolt of magic.

As she shot a bolt of magic at him he sat there without moving an inch. She landed on her stomach from exhaustion as it hit him, which sent him flying to the other side of the room. The wall cracked where he hit it, he hung there stuck in the wall for a minute before falling limply on the ground.

“That’s *huff* what you get for *huff* tricking the Great and Powerful Trixie! Note *huff* to self don’t use that much magic.”

“Nah if ya ask me that was jus’ enough to kill a pony.” Her blood froze in her veins as she heard that voice. She raised her head and looked behind her to see Paradox without his cloak on. He had a light yellow coat with a light teal mane. But she ignored that and focused on the fact that he was behind her and not against the wall.

He noticed her looking back and forth between him and the pseudo-him, a smile reached his lips. “Ah a simple ‘lusion nothing more.” His horn glowed a faint red and the cloak flew to him and wrapped itself around him, leaving the hood down for once. He gulped and rubbed the back of his head. “Now I know what ya is thinkin’ but I had no idea they were going to frying pan ya in your face. So how ‘bout I make it up to ya and tell ya why you’re here?”

Trixie agonizingly, slowly blinked as she processed this through her muddled head. This here was a stallion who had tricked her into coming into a pub and knocking her out with a frying pan of all things. But on the other hoof he had given her money, she wasn’t in a dungeon and he actually looked sorry. After sitting there for a few minutes she nodded. Paradox visibly relaxed.

They stood there looking at each other for a few minutes until Trixie cleared her throat. “Um you said that you would tell me why I’m here?”

He chuckled nervously. “Um yeah I’ll do that… right… now. Look this is awkward for me jus’ as much as it is for ya so I’ll get to tha point. We are like the Canterlot school for tha gifted but we’re more underground, for those who were rejected by her royal majesty. And the guys up top have taken notice of ya.”

“From what they can tell ‘bout ya is that you have potential and a lot of it, enough to rival one of the royals. But before ya start talkin’ like how or why you I have no idea.” Truth be told this is my first pick-up, that’s what we call gettin’ a new student, so this is weird for me too. Not as weird for you I’m sure o that. If ya want I can get ya some aspirin?” She watched him blankly betraying no expression. He looked around the room, looking for something to break the tension.

“Please.” He jumped when he heard this. “Why’d you jump.”

“It was un’xpected. So I’ll go get ya some aspirin be right back.” He turned around and walked to the door before opening it and shutting it behind him, while Trixie sat there confused as to whether or not she was in trouble by being kidnapped or she had a complete and total breakdown in her carriage and was in a hospital right now.

So she settled for being kidnapped by a crazy cult and her kidnapper was a stallion that had somehow been dragged into this. Yeah that sounded right.

To play with a mind

Sorry for taking so long couldn't get this out right still doesn't feel right... sorry! __________________________________________________________________

Trixie was in the middle of reading a book which was actually historically accurate, unlike some of the other books when she heard the door open, on the other side.

“Hey Trixie where ya at?”

Rolling her eyes she opened the door before closing the book, levitating it onto her back she walked out and saw Paradox with a bottle and a glass of water. He levitated the items over to her and jumped on the bed, when he saw he raise her eyebrow at him he looked back at her. “What?”

As an answer he was lifted up into the air and moved over a few feet, to have his spot taken by Trixie. She took the aspirin and opened her book back up while he just sat there. He looked around the room a few times before looking back at Trixie, who was comfortably reading her book. “So I see you’ve ah made yerself comfortable. Despite the whole kidnapped thing.”

“It doesn’t do one good to be distressed over things like this. That and this book is fascinating.”

“Ah.” He rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling.

__________________________________________________________________

Deep inside the earth was a compound full of creatures from all races, two figures walked side by side, down a hallway lined with torches and guards one each side. As they walked by each of the guards saluted with their hoofs, claws or other appendages. One was a pony with his features hidden by the cloak he was wearing. The other was a red-colored biped with claws dragging against the floor, despite its head grazing against the twenty foot ceiling. “So how’s your son doing with indoctrinating that mare?”

“Considering how master wants this mare to have a mind of her own and one of those idiots hit her in the back of a head despite being told explicitly not to, and apparently he’s interested in her. As well as can be expected.” Reaching a fork in the hall he looked down the left one before piping up. “The dungeons are quiet today.”

Shrugging the biped continued walking down the way they were going. “The torturers and executioners are getting better. How is the mind control device coming along?”

Waving a hoof lazily in the air he said, “Limited success. Those we’ve tested it on are the equivalent of zombies, well when its on the highest setting at least. On the lowest setting it’s more of a suggestion in the back of the mind, not even a noticeable one either so it’s not that effective. Every time we had to go higher up.

Nodding its head the thing raised one of its claws to rub its chin. “What about the middle setting?”

Turning down another hallway that led farther into the earth the passage got darker and darker. They kept walking for some time before he finally answered. “The average pony, griffon, minotaur and other creature can outright resist it since it’s no longer trying to hide itself on the middle setting. So most ponies well they’d either be outright resistant to its effects or become mindless zombies.” The pony pulled back his hood and lit up his horn, as they passed by the last torch. Reaching a wall the giant biped put one of its clawed hands close to the ceiling and pushed its fingers into five select spots. A low rumbling noise could be heard as it did so, smirking it retracted its hand from the hidden panel.

“Ha I don’t know why the master doesn’t want more demons up here you lot are useful if not outright dangerous.”

Scowling at the pony as the wall pulled into itself to reveal a hidden passage it said. “Because too many of us would attract to much dark magic. You of all ponies should know this Sagacitas.” Sagacitas rolled his eyes as they continued down the tunnel with only his light blue light to guide them.

“Yeah but considering how Patriarch is awake, we’re going to get noticed in a few months. A year if we’re lucky.” Making a right a light could be seen in the distance, smiling he turned off his impromptu light source. “Besides if this Trixie mare has as much potential as those magic detector things are saying then we’re all good to go.” Nodding at Sagacitas they continued towards the light until they reached a door flanked by two more demons.

They opened the door for the pair that led into a lab bustling with creatures of every race and cages full of the same races, all with duct tape on their mouths since they constantly screamed for help. Walking on past them the duo passed multiple lab benches and those who were working on them, who all ignored them and paid more attention to the things they were working on.

“Hey Sagacitas!” Turning towards the noise he saw a little griffon running towards him. Sighing he motioned for the demon to go on ahead.

He lifted the griffon over the crowds of scientists and mountains of research. Holding the cub in front of him he asked, “What’s so important that you not only have to yell but also run in here?”

“You know that mind project you’re working on well the others think they found a way to make it so that all the suggestions sound like they are coming from themselves!” The griffon made an outwards motion with his hands for emphasis.

He raised one of his eyebrows and put him down. “You mean where I’m going right now?”

“Oh um well I was told to bring you there when I saw you since you have a whole bunch of projects going on.”

Smiling he petted the griffon. “You were doing as you were told. And that is highly rewarded around here now get out of my sight.” He said jokingly. Nodding the little griffon ran off to do other things which he didn’t care about.

Continuing on his way towards the mind control experiments he passed by a ponies he knew who nodded at him. Nodding in return he neared a door set a little bit into the wall and pushed it open, to reveal a smaller room that was bustling with as much activity if not more.

“So what did the little griffon want?” Looking to his left he saw the demon sitting down, which still had him towering a few feet above him.

“Apparently they found a way to make the low setting even more potent.”

“How potent?” Looking at the demon with a funny look he shrugged.

“That’s why the little griffon practically tackled me, supposed to come here and look at it. Speaking of which you’d think these idiots would know when I’m here. Oh well let’s go look at the experiments area." Nodding the demon pushed itself up off the ground and followed him through the crowd; it looked at the crowd before going on through. It was used to all creatures running for their little lives not working with it.

Up ahead Sagacitas went on through yet another door. Though inside instead of a room full of bustling activity there was just a table, a magical console a few centuries ahead of what the Equestrian government currently had, three ponies and a one-way window lining the entire wall opposite the door.

On the other side of the window was the same exact number of ponies each with an orb next to them. The only thing separating each of the ponies was a 6-inch wall between each of them.

One of the ponies turned around, holding onto a clipboard with his eyes darting back and forth across the page. “Okay so… according to this it should now be more energy efficient. Bah when is Sagacitas going to get here?” He cleared his throat startling the scientist, causing him to drop his clipboard. “Oh sorry sir! I didn’t see you.”

The other two ponies turned around and moved to the left side of the room. Looking at them then turning his attention back to the scientist in front of him. “So what was so important you sent a child to get me Siren?”

Smiling Siren bent down to pick up his clipboard and gestured for him to follow him. Walking over to the mirror he gestured at the three ponies from left to right. “In here are a Miss Spitfire, Prince Blue Blood, and one…” Looking back at the clipboard he frowned. “Well this other one we just picked up off the street.”

“So what is this little exercise supposed to be?”

Not even bothering to look behind himself Sagacitas answered, “That’s what he was about to tell me. Know if you could continue Siren.”

Clearing his throat the he continued. “Alright Spitfire here,” Tapping on the glass for emphasis. “Has been listening to the orb for about three days know, stopped trying to get out two days ago and has been showing some receptiveness to orders.” Continuing on he stopped in front of Blueblood’s part of the window.

“Didn’t expect him to last long, two days broke down in the first four hours, still not sure if it’s because of how effective this upgrade is or because Blueblood is well Blueblood. Anything we make the orb say, he’ll think was his idea. Also these things are only at 3/10 of their power.”

Smiling Sagacitas walked up to the mirror in front of Spitfire’s part of the mirror. “Where’s the control?” Siren motioned for one of the other scientists, who was a mare to come over. Walking over the mare produced a little device with a single button on it and gave it to Sagacitas. Bringing up to his mouth he calmly asked, “What’s your name?”

Spitfire looked up and at the mirror, despite her not being able to see through it. Now that she was looking straight at him he could see her face, her mane was messed up and covered with grease and sweat from what he couldn’t tell though. And then the eyes, the eyes were glazed over, he smiled at this when he saw it, it almost always indicated they were under the influence.

“Spitfire… That’s right isn’t it?”

“Yes that’s right. Do you know who Damian is?”

She cocked her head to the side. “Damian is my…”

“He’s your master and lord.” He finished for her. “Correct?”

Her facial features grew confused. “But.. but I’m loyal to… to…”

Smiling he continued in a caring, loving voice like that of one telling their child about the birds and the bees. “Damian. He’s your creator and loves you dearly, and you wouldn’t want to disappoint somepony who’s been helping you and cares about you by not returning that love right?”

“That’s right… it’s rude not to love somepony back.”

Turning off the control he turned around to Siren. “My my this is certainly an improvement. How long did it take her to notice the commands?”

“About the second day in.”

Slinging his arm around Siren’s neck he said, “Excellent with this we could make up for that damned dragon waking up early!”

“I must admit this is satisfactory and would be great for convincing a few unbelievers into joining us.”

“Speaking of unbelievers, anypony have a watch or a clock?” Nodding the mare walked over and showed him her watch. “Damn got to go, important pony I’ve got to convince to join us.”

"Is it that Trixie mare?"

"Yeah not looking forward to it."

"Look at it this way, if you can't convince her just use this thing."

Pausing at the door Sagacitas thought about it for a minute. "You know you have a point. Thanks!" Shutting the door behind him he trotted back up the way to his house. "Still not looking forward to this."