//------------------------------// // Episode 2: New Endeavors of a Nightmare - Part Three // Story: All is for my Princess // by Hoppa_21 //------------------------------// Unfortunately ponies had always a different opinion than me about which things they should worry about. So it came as no surprise that the three ponies instantly run past me and towards the groaning door. Well, Rainbow gave me a short glare before she flew up to the door, but that came as no surprise. I personally couldn’t care less which background pony was foolish enough to actually seek out the temporary residence of the Princess of the Night. Honestly, useless ponies should keep their distance. Not that keeping distance was going to be easy with this ‘party’ that the pink demon had planned. Luna was meanwhile standing beside me, eyeing the door as pink and rainbow ponies clamped their hands around the edges. Judging by the trouble and painful groaning I heard the pony beneath the door seemed to be stuck. A sigh beside me drew my attention to one of the few ponies I appreciated. Well, if you could call such a being as the Princess a measly pony. Personally I think that sounds like an insult for her considering how common that word is. “We would like thee to refrain from unnecessary vandalism. We are guests in this humble abode after all and it would not fare well to insult our host. Besides that, thou could hath injured somepony with thine attack,” she finally spoke, before looking back to the door and wincing, “Or more like thou already hath.” I bowed my head at the wisdom the Princess shared with me. “Of course. As to expect, your logic is without a single flaw, even after a thousand years. I will refrain from damaging any doors in the future.” “Good,” she said as she appreciated my response with a nod. “How is it that you listen to her?!” a brash voice suddenly sounded slightly from above me, but since I heard her coming from a mile away with her rather noticeable and loud movements it didn’t come as a surprise. She would be an easy stealth kill for anyone who could do their job partly good. Probably the weakest of the thestral recruits could get the job done. And let me tell you that he was really a hopeless case. Nowadays I only use him as a punching bag to train the other recruits. I shrugged indifferently at the hovering mare. “I trust her judgement. Besides, she was making good points.” “Why you little-“ “Rainbow!” Butterbone whisper-shouted as she came up to us, “Pinkie needs your help to get her to the hospital!” She shot me another venomous look before turning to her useful friend. A quick nod was exchanged before she hovered to the door and heaved it up. I could hear a yelp as Rainbow heaved the door over her head. Interestingly enough this caused whoever was stuck to be turned upside down as a plain violet skirt fell over her thighs and down her torso, leaving the mare in a rather compromising position for all the world to see. Upon the lifting skirt I also noticed the cutie mark of the mare. Not that I was a peeking pervert mind you, I simply made an observation. And let’s say that the colors of striped panties is nothing I concern myself with. My observation in either case when it came to said mares mark was a pink star with several smaller surrounding it. I didn’t need a second to figure out who was unfortunate as well as foolish enough to actually tread into the lands of the Princess of the Night. And most certainly I couldn’t hide my smirk. “GAH! RAINBOW LET ME DOWN!” Yes, this distressed cries were truly music to my ears! “Sorry Twi, but I somehow have to get you to the hospital,” the prismatic mare answered. But before the wretched sun student could answer she was being flown away at high speed. A loud high-pitched scream followed her all the while. “So are you ready?!” came an equally high-pitched voice, making me jump slightly as I noticed the pink pony beside me. How she moved like that was honestly quite confusing as well as baffling. I couldn’t discern if she travelled by portals, teleportation or simply by speed. Any of these I should be able to detect. I hummed thoughtfully. It seems she would be another possible candidate for the guard. Maybe for stealth missions? “We are,” I finally answered. A happy nod followed as we went right after the pink mare. Our shy entourage made up the rear meanwhile, leaving me and the Princess in the middle. It was a rather favorable position. Seeing as this would make an ambush from behind harder. An ambush which was an option. At least I couldn’t imagine that everyone would be pleased to have an additional ruler now. The tone in the noble houses was getting rougher over the last thousand years as Celestia failed to reign these fools in. Now they seem to think they can get away with just about anything. And let me tell you, they were never as favorable to demons like me or anyone who would actually support them. I even heard of a noble who lost a good portion of his influence due to his more favorable views towards everything non-pony. In any case, it didn’t take long for us to trudge along and into the small town of Ponyville. The thatched roofs were a real hazard in my opinion. The cottage we stayed in was no exception. A fire could easily be used to harm the Princess. And that didn’t even count in the forests that were lying on the frontier which were honestly hardly guarded. At least I only counted two guards on the edge. It honestly made me realize that our stay here should be held short. No matter how much I dislike the Sun Witch, it would be safer inside Canterlot, especially once the Night Guard is installed. But that wasn’t the only concern I had now. There was something strange about this town. An obvious flaw in the picture glaring right at us. “You noticed it too, didn’t you Princess?” I asked while looking around the place. The Princess nodded before taking a look around. Being the attentive…let’s say mare since there is no way I would besmirch her with the word, ugh, filly. So mare it is. Yes, being the attentive mare she was, she of course noticed the deserted streets and empty stands and shops. It seemed like a ghost town. “This art quite strange,” she commented thoughtfully, “This little hamlet was bustling with activity yesterday.” “Normally I would say that the ponies are cowering in fear of your majestic presence, but considering both of our less than…favorable forms I would assume that they might be at this…party.” For some reason she looked uneasy. But being the analytical mind that I am it was easy to see that the Princess worried how other ponies might view her in her child-like form. That the ponies might have lost the respect, and dare I say, fear of her. Of course I couldn’t let this stand. “But don’t you worry Princess! I’m sure that even now that you are in this form the ponies will know their proper place. After all I was doing my best over the past millennia to keep your fearsome reputation alive.” “T-That’s…nice.” I simply cocked an eyebrow. “Are you sure you are alright?” I said before rolling one of my paws, “Well, besides this new and gruesome form you are subjected to.” The Princess straightened up. “I’m quite fine. It was just a bit much to take in. All these sudden changes leaving me with an uncomfortable feeling. And I was simply wondering where to go from there.” I nodded approvingly. “I see. Already thinking of ways to torture the minds of these weak-willed ponies. Truly admirabl-” “Hey!” a brash voice which obviously knows not her place yet butted in, “What are you guys up to?” she asked with suspicion clear in her voice. But before I could bring a rebuttal the Princess cut in. “Ah, Rainbow Dash. I hope everything hath gone well for your friend?” Seemingly caught off by the caring question and tone the Princess used, she decided to answer her. “Well… The doctor said something about her horn being cracked, and that she will have to stop her magicking for a day.” I snorted at the primitive choice of words, which made her sent me another glare. But before she could bring up a weak rebuttal the pink demon sprayed confetti all over us as we halted in front of a door. The door to townhall I remembered. Oh, how delicious it was for the first reveal of the true Ruler of Equestria! Of course it now also serves as a reminder of my failed efforts. But that wasn’t important right now. I had a Princess to serve after all. I was just about to step forward to open the door when the Princesses hand stopped me. I looked up at her curiously. “We don’t want any more broken doors now, won’t we?” she asked with an amused smile, before grabbing the knob with her magic and pulling it open. I pointedly ignored the Princesses jab with a huff as well as the giggle of the pink demon as I concentrated my senses on the inside of the building. An inside which was pitch black. Despite that I could already hear murmured whispers and movement from inside. Not to mention the smell of quite a few different ponies gathered here. It seemed like a real crowd. I wanted to warn the Princess from this suspicious actions, but she walked in, before I could do so much as open my mouth. My legs spun into action as I quickly ran in after her, neglecting my own safety. Only a second later the lights came on, the sudden brightness stinging my eyes a little as I heard some bangs as well as a shout coming from the room. “SURPRISE!” the crowd cheered as confetti sprayed just as I stepped protectively in front of the Princess. The event left me slightly baffled to say the least. Even more so as I say the pink one being at the front of the crowd, even though I KNEW she was outside as I ran right in. I tried to puzzle this all back together, but only could come so far, as some rather strange…noises passed my ears. Noises I recognized as…cooing? “Aww!” “Look at them! They are soooo cute together!” “This puppy is just downright adorable! How it stepped right in front of the small filly!” This were some of the lines I heard as ponies started approaching. Especially the mares seemed to step forward to actually squat down in front of me and while also some surrounded the Princess. A sigh escaped my lips. What would I give for a large monster to be barging in right now. Not that I would be that lucky. An assassin was far more likely. I nodded to myself. The Princess will need protection and I would provide it. I then felt a hand coursing through my soft fur and petting my hand. It seems the pink one joined the circle, cooing and d’awwing. Ugh. This was definitely going to be a long day.