Two figures stood together, hand in hand, across the golden fields of flowers. One seemed to have horns and a massive tail, while the other seemed delicate in nature, the long dress simply flowing along with the wind. A serene sight to behold.
"And I vow to always love you." The woman said.
"And I vow to always be by your side." The horned-being said.
"And I will always be truthful, I will always be faithful. My words shall never hurt you, for your love is what I will always pursue. May our hearts beat as one, for I vow to always cherish you, for a thousand moons and a thousand suns.
I love you..."
And the voice faded away...
And so it begins...
Deep in the ruins within the Everfree, a dragon dreamt of the past. A rare and relaxing moment for the one they called the Scourge. However, all good things must come to an end, as the dragon finally joins the rest of the waking world. As he opened his eyes, a tiny figure with a few boxes behind greeted him. A mushroom, no bigger than the filly that he saved from this wretched place. "Ah, so the big guy's awake, hmm hmm." It spoke. "I thought you'd awaken after a hundred nights again, yes yes." He stood up, scratching his chin as he removed his bag and grabbed what seemed to be a pitcher of water. "How are you, old friend?" The mushroom smiled, taking a swig directly from the pitcher.
Thalion simply lifted his head as he stared at the mushroom in front of him. "Ah, what brings you here, Arum Thaan'nail?" The mushroom simply shook his head, unthreatened and unbothered by the large dragon in front of him. "Always straight to the point, hmm?" He drank once more as he exhaled with satisfaction. "Also, do know that I'm known now as Arumnis, hmm hmm." He then placed the pitcher back in his bag and grabbed what appears to be a long wooden staff, chanting a bit as he pointed the staff towards Thalion, alongside a bottle of beer.
"Hmm, so you really aren't an illusion... Though," he chuckled, "it would be really weird if you were, yes yes." Thalion simply flicked his tail as he looked at the hole in the ceiling. "So... this was were you went." Thalion said, a bit relieved to see an old face. "Indeed, indeed. Look at you now, hmm. Smaller than before, did you use shrinking magic?" Thalion simply chuckled at his comments. "I fear being in my original size would only cause unnecessary panic."
"Ah, yes, it will, most definitely." He laughed heartily. "So, why is the Scourge in such a peaceful place?" His tone shifting, no longer sounding like the fun-loving mushroom. Thalion recognized this tone. The tone that sent shivers down to the bones of those unfortunate enough to encounter "Arumnis".
"And tell me, what has garnered your wrath to even try and speak with that old tone of yours, dear friend?"
Arumnis stopped and pondered, looking at the shackled form of Thalion as he gazed in the eyes of the beast in front of him. He sighed and scratched his chin, looking at the now empty bottle that fell upon the cavern floor. And then he chuckled.
"Is it ever so wrong to be worried for a friend? Or is it wrong since I am worried for the likes of you?" Arumnis said, smiling warmly at Thalion. The old smile that Thalion was accustomed to. That old smile from the olden days.
"Tell me, hmm, of your adventures in this world," Arumnis said, climbing on the boxes he set inside the tomb. "I heard that you saved a filly, no?" He continued, finally finding a comfortable spot to sit on. Thalion merely glared at him and sighed. Words travel quite fast. "Had it been a different occasion, I would have only watched."
"And yet you didn't, hmm," Arumnis stated, pointing at Thalion with intrigue. "It was not by choice. It was more so by sheer coincidence and luck!" Thalion snarled, tempted to use Arumnis as a toothpick.
"That's what they all say, hmm. I know when someone is tired from something, or in your case, some world," Arumnis said, bringing back that cold tone. "You freed yourself with the help of that filly, and now you are curious. Curious to this world and curious to the beings living within this world. Why fight that desire for peace, old friend?" He looked down at his own hands, contemplating upon his own words. "I have done unspeakable things, and yet, I found the solace of rest in this place. You should too. Though, that does not excuse you for bringing Carrion in the mix. You know how dedicated he is to your cause." He stared at Thalion, worry written upon his face. "You didn't order him to do anything... drastic... did you?"
Thalion sighed, "I have only ordered him to gather information," he said darkly. He then opened his claws, and with a quick breath, he said stoically, "For now at least..."
"The rulers of this world are safe, lest I have no more need for them. And I plan to keep it that way." He said, smoke rising from his mouth.
"And what happens when you no longer have that need for them?" Arumnis questioned cautiously. Deep down, however, he already knows the answer. "I plan to give their bodies to the Insektons, maybe even force the 'Elements of Harmony' to finally finish off those inglorious buffoons who dared challenge me." A smile can be briefly seen in the muzzle of the dragon. "Perhaps you want to join me, one last time, old friend?"
Arumnis simply looked down and sighed. "You really have lost your way, Thalion." Thalion, upon hearing this, smashed his claws on the ground, letting out a growl. "Do not dare speak to me that way, Arum Thaan'nail! Or have you forgotten your loyalty towards MY cause before you abandoned us all?"
"A mistake I shouldn't have done..." Arumnis said, defeated. "Your care for the 'civilized' will be your downfall, Arum Thaan'nail." Arumnis simply chuckled, picking himself up. "Ah well, your care for animals might bring you bad luck soon, hmm?"
Thalion glared, and with a few minutes of dreadful silence, finally spoke. "Do you plan to stop me?"
Arumnis simply sighed. "You assume too much, dear friend." Thalion simply grunted. "I will forgive you for your transgressions, if only you answer my inquiries," Thalion said as he loomed towards the sitting mushroom. "You've been here for so long, perhaps you know of a few who might want to join my cause?" Arumnis nodded, finally relenting to Thalion's powerful aura, though, this did not damper his smile. "I know of a few, however, you might want to know who brought you here in the first place," Arumnis said, piquing the interests of Thalion whilst walking towards the light provided by the hole in the ceiling. "His name is Discord, and he is currently a statue in the Royal Gardens. How and why, I do not know. But the moment I felt a strong and powerful surge of magic, I decided to go to Canterlot to... investigate." He then laughed, "After all, I am a merchant. I should try and cater to every creature, right?"
Thalion chuckled at his words. "And you tell me that I have lost my way. Tell me, whatever has happened to my prideful general?" Arumnis, upon hearing those words, simply clutched on his sleeves and answered. "That line of work does not fit me. Had I remained a scout, I would have probably stayed for the most part."
"Besides," Arumnis paused, sensing movement upon the corridor. "It appears we have guests," Thalion stated, sensing the intruder as well. "Your senses are still as sharp as they were, old friend."
There, outside the doorway stood the Princess of the Sun, horrified at what she heard. Not only was she horrified about the dastard plans of the dragon, she felt betrayed. Betrayed that Arumnis, who she considered a dear friend, would give information to the one who blatantly stated his villainous plans. The same being associated with those runes. The same runes that caused her nightmares. She was no longer safe. The once regal and brave princess quivered upon the unholy sight. She backed away slowly, her hooves ever shaking.
"Arumnis... no..." It was all that she could muster as a force powerful enough pulled her closer towards the beast. She wanted to run. She could have. But that moment tarnished her thoughts. She could not believe it. All her secrets and her woes, she trusted him. "How could you?!" Enraged, she started to thrash about, trying her damn hardest to escape. But she couldn't.
"You've heard too much, Princess." It spoke. And with that statement, the darkness of the void started to fill her vision.
When Celestia left the palace, she did not expect her day to be like this. Being trapped in the claws of a dragon from another world, no, being trapped in the claws of a warlord who feeds in the deaths of those he deems worthless. Such a vile creature should not have been given the chance to roam. Now, all she hopes for is the safety of her citizens, her student, her friends, and most importantly, her sister.
She awoke after a few minutes, maybe even hours, who knows at this point. The only time she decided not to bring her Royal Guards, how shameful of her. She has ruled over a thousand years, even more, and she still gave in to her hubris. What broke her even more was the knowledge that the one friend she has counted on, the one who has lived a long life with her and gave her the peace of mind she needed, turned out to be such a monster as well. If what she heard was true, then this Arumnis, despite being "neutral and changed", had been with the warlord and has given him all the knowledge that he may seek. She was devastated. But if what she heard was true, then perhaps she really had a friend in him.
"Ah, so she awakes." She turned around to face that disgusting creature, only to find a bipedal creature standing before her, his horns being the most prominent feature. Beside him was Arumnis, who she has conflicting feelings about at the moment. She tried to move, but she could not.
"It is an honor to meet you, your grace." The biped spoke, bowing his head as he greeted her without malice in his voice. "Who are you?" Celestia said, thinking of ways to escape. "I assure you, you won't be able to escape. Not until I am done with you," the biped said with a harsh tone. "To answer your question, however, I am the same dragon from before."
Dread filled her eyes, her body quivered. The dragon has powerful magic, not known to any pony, griffin, or any dragonkind on this world. She bit her lip to try and stay focused, blood drenching her lower muzzle. "You really are despicable," she said, anger apparent in her eyes as she glared at the biped. This only angered the biped as he grabbed her by the neck and brought her closer to his eyes. "I could strangle you right now," he said, "if only to see your world burn. But I will not. Not now." He let his grip loosen as she fell on the floor. Gasping for air, Celestia once again tried to move, but could not. It was as if she was paralyzed.
Upon sight of this, Thalion pointed at her with two fingers and released her magical binds, but only for a slight release. After all, it would be a stupid move to let her go. Celestia, weak as she might be, crawled towards Arumnis, tears in her eyes. "H-how could you?" She said, waiting for an explanation. But Arumnis simply turned away. Her heart sank. Was this really all there was to their friendship? She clung towards him, pleading, begging for an answer, but Arumnis simply stared at her. Who was this? This was not the Arumnis she knew.
"I will make a deal with you." Thalion said, prompting her to look back.
"Relax, both deals won't involve the harming of your subjects," he said, coyly. "All I ever wanted was to bring a stop to the war once and for all."
She fell silent as she waited for him to continue. "Either you keep the secret and your sister would not be harmed, or be under my control. It's simple, right?" He chuckled as he held her chin, bringing her face towards him. "It's a simple bargain, honest." Thalion smiled sinisterly.
"And what if I disagree on both?" She stared at Thalion with such righteous fury. A stare that can melt iron.
"Well, let's just say," he paused, magically conjuring an orb. An orb that showed exactly what would happen should she decline both offers. All of which ending the same. Her sister's head, stuck in a wall along side those she cared for. Their blood flooding the streets of Canterlot.
All she could do was scream. She screamed and screamed. She pleaded to the beast, but it was to no avail. The horror. And then she felt it, some sort of magic gripping upon her tightly, like a snake ready to devour their prey. She could not even answer as her mind went blank. She could not even speak.
"Arise, princess, for you have only one purpose." Thalion said. And she did. She arose like nothing has happened. There was no resistance, not even a single sound. She simply did what she was told. She was controlled like a puppet. "Your purpose, is to simply put Twilight's mind at ease about this whole situation and return to Canterlot."
She nodded as she bowed her head.
And when she heard a snap, she awoke from her "slumber", only to find that she was by the entrance to the Everfree. Her mind filled with false memories, of how she met Thalion and how she had a great time talking with him, unaware of the horrid truth. And so, she walked towards the library, excited to tell her most faithful student about her pleasant encounters with Thalion. Her mind filled with philosophies from another world, the courageous acts of valiant sacrifices. She knew that she could trust him. She remembers asking about the runes, to which Thalion replied that the runes were purposefully casted with dark magic in hopes to break his spirit.
"So, why did you let her leave?" Arumnis asked, silently thanking the Primes that Thalion just let her go like that. His friend... "Oh Celestia, I hope you are alright..." he muttered to himself. "After threatening her like that, why simply let her leave with false memories?" Thalion simply looked at Arumnis, as if he was expecting him to answer his own questions. "Tell me, wouldn't it be better that Twilight, the one who seems to be the most suspicious of me, trust in me due to the words of her mentor? Wouldn't it be easier then to gain the trust of the other Elements should she finally get confirmation from her beloved mentor?" Thalion then shrugged. "Besides, I have better plans for her dear sister anyway." Thalion smirked as his shadow departed from his body. "Eager to follow orders, he is." Arumnis sighed.
"This will not be the last that we would meet. I have to set up my stall for the ponies at Ponyville. Maybe even earn a large sum." He tipped his hat and moved towards his own bags and crates. Thalion simply nodded as he transformed back into his dragon form and lied down upon the cold floors of the tomb. "Even after these events, it is really is nice to see you again, Thalion." And with that last statement, Arumnis vanished within a blink of an eye.
"It sure is..."
Thalion then pondered. Has he really lost his way?