Author's Note:
Well here is a new chapter, I managed to get out of my funk faster than I thought, but updates will continue to be slow for a while until I get into the swing of things again
Chapter Seven: As You Command
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“Beware the Tenebrosus Magus for they will attempt to drive a wedge between you and your family to have a better chance to corrupt you” ~The Tenebrosus Magus: What Drives Them, By Royal Script, Royal Researcher
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Shadow Eyes made her way to the throne room of the palace, she had been granted an audience with Princess Celestia and she was nervous. Sure Princess Twilight had made it clear that Princess Celestia was no god but it didn’t help, her not being a god made it more overwhelming if it were possible, how could a mortal resist the lure of vices for as long as she had? Even though she was a practical immortal, meaning she was ageless, and not a true immortal as far as she knew, but to be incorruptible even after millennia of dark magic use? Could she say the same would be said of her? No, ‘cause she had begun to rationalize deaths away, ‘them or her’ even though she was the one to put herself in those kinds of situations, and her loose morals on sleeping with ponies… Regardless of what Princess Twilight said, she refused to believe that Princess Celestia had slept around with random ponies, with ponies that meant something to her, maybe, but not random ponies…
“Art thou going to wait out in the hall all day? I have to speak to my sister as well, but she set this time apart just for thou” said Luna as she trotted up behind the nervous mare who jumped causing Luna to raise her eyebrow, she had read Shadow Eyes’ file finally having been given access to it after swearing not to use it against her, and sneaking up on the mare should have been impossible. “Art thou… Alright?” she forced herself to ask, sure she helped her during her naming ceremonies, but that was more a favor for her sister than helping the Tenebrosus Magus.
“How can someone use dark magic and not be corrupted?” Shadow Eyes asked aloud and Luna bit her lip, that was the same question that had been on her mind quite often since the official pardoning of the mare in front of her.
“I do not know, I used it in the past and became possessed by the Nightmare, as far as I know, no pony has used dark magic without becoming corrupt” said the princess and Shadow Eyes turned towards Luna and it unnerved her how the unseeing eyes seemed to stare into her soul.
“Princess Twilight Sparkle seems to think differently, in fact she believes your sister has used dark magic herself and came through without corruption”
“LIES! I will not listen to thou spinning tales of falsehood!” snapped Luna and Shadow Eyes closed her eyes and shook her head.
“This is part of the reason why I came here, Princess, I want to know the truth for myself, if she has… If it is true… What does that mean for me?” asked Shadow Eyes as she turned towards the door.
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“Ah, Shadow Eyes, I am happy that you came to see me, I was worried that I made you feel unwelcome” said Celestia and Shadow Eyes bit her lip as she walked through the open door, Princess Luna following soon after purposely.
“Tell her, sister, tell her you never used dark magic!” Luna demanded and Celestia looked surprised at the exclamation for a moment and closed her eyes taking a calming breath.
“I have” she said and Luna froze as did Shadow Eyes not expecting it.
“NO! It isn’t possible, you are the paragon of purity! You are supposed to be infallible!” cried Shadow Eyes in pain, she truly didn’t want Twilight to be right! It couldn’t be true!
“Sister! How could you?! After seeing what dark magic had did to me!?” cried Luna and Celestia flinched as if she were wounded. Almost immediately after, Celestia sat up to her full height and and frowned.
“I did what I had to, to protect Equestria, and not once have I heard the Siren’s Call, I stopped a dragon invasion single hoofed because you were locked away on the moon Luna, I channeled the crystal of darkness spell to show Twilight a fraction of Sombra’s power, because you foolishly believed I was hunting you for defending yourself, Shadow Eyes, I did not want to use it, but I had to. However I do not regret it in any way, shape, or form, and I would do it again if the situation calls for it” she snapped and the two other ponies took a step backwards in shock. “If you came to condemn me for doing what I had to, to protect Equestria, then just leave, both of you! I would think you of all ponies would understand better than this, Shadow Eyes” admonished Celestia and Shadow Eyes flinched before she stood up straight.
“I-... I need to know, is it really possible to use dark magic without being corrupted, as a normal pony, not the paragon of purity”
“I am no paragon of purity, I have slept with enough ponies, that if any pony was brave enough they could call me a slut, but no pony would dare call Princess Celestia a slut, outside the bedroom anyway. And I do believe that being a virgin is a requirement for purity”
“Sister? Thou art a harlot? How couldst thee? Didst not our parents teach us better than that?” accused Luna and Celestia glared at her angrily.
“So I should blame you for causing my emotional pain? That I had laid with the captain of the guard for comfort from it, that I needed such comforting and finding that I liked it? That I slept with him for months, how it kept the pain away, how it made me feel normal? And how I started seeing him and talking about a marriage with him? Or how much it hurt when he died in my defense? Or the next several mares and stallions I have been with? I have been married once, and she died not long afterwards in a plot to kill me. I have lost more loved ones than I care to admit. If sleeping with ponies brings me comfort than so be it!” snapped Celestia and Shadow Eyes bit her lip, she understood how the princess felt, she had done a similar thing before she found Rich Quick, all to bury the pain of leaving Silver Hoof before she ran into him again after he had joined the ESIS.
“Why did you want Princess Twilight to teach me more dark magic?” she asked and Luna stumbled a bit, forgiving the Tenebrosus Magus was one thing, it was another to teach her more dark spells, to further empower her in the dark arts.
“Sis-”
“Because, if I do not there will be dangers that you will not be ready for” said Celestia and Luna narrowed her eyes at her sister while Shadow Eyes nodded and bowed before turning and heading for the door. Before stopping at the threshold.
“I wanted to stop practicing dark magic entirely but if you want me to continue learning it, then I will, your highness. I am yours to command” with that Shadow Eyes left the room tears rolling down her face, she had believed the time of her using dark magic was behind her, but it seemed the Solar Princess needed another pony who used the dark arts to help her, and she was the pony to the job, a pony that has never heard the Siren’s Call. Celestia gave a sad smile as she stood up.
“It is my will that you remain Tenebrosus Magus, for the safety and protection of the principality of Equestria” said Celestia in a regal, but sad voice.
“As you command, Princess, Tenebrosus I will remain”
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As soon as Shadow Eyes made it to her bedroom she collapsed onto her bed crying, she had done all she could to keep from breaking down until she got into her room and closed the door, ignoring her coltfriend’s query on if she was alright...