//------------------------------// // Ch 9- // Story: The Mystics // by TheMysticBrony //------------------------------// Chapter 9 The morning sun creeps over the horizon, in a orange and red tint. Birds chirp and flutter as the wind blows rustling the trees of the EverFree forest. A bright flash of red from a teleport spell appears in a clearing on the outer edge of the EverFree forest. Ichigin, Kodama and SandStream appear from the flash bewildered. Ichign has a forhoof on each of their shoulders before putting them down to his sides, then to all fours. SandStream shakes his head and looks around to get his bearings. The clearing has very little grass and is pretty bare, but the birds sing their songs in peace. He stands up onto his hooves letting the wind blow on his mane. He softly smiles at the soothing breeze before dropping it as he looks up towards his general. "Thank you general. It would have taken us some time to get out.." Before SandStream could finish Ichigin grabs him by the throat. SandStream gags and gasps to breath as Ichigin looks sternly into his eyes. A vein in his head appears as he says in anger and annoyance, "Of all the things SandStream! I expected that insolent Gorilla Unit grunt to get captured but not one of my own! Do you have any idea how bad that makes me look!" Ichigin says before squeezing harder and raises SandStream up off the ground making SandStream groan and gag. His legs kick at the air from the lack of oxygen. His lungs feeling as though on fire, begging for air. Ichigin draws a dagger from his left side scaberd and puts it to SandStream's stomach angled towards his heart. The blade is seven inches in length and has a curved blade like an ocean wave. The hilt is silver and sparkles in the sun with an carving of pegasus wings on it. "I should kill you right here and make a example out of you!" Ichigin growls as he presses the dagger's tip into SandStreams skin drawing blood. It runs down the blade and drips off the handle. Ichigin smirks looking up at SandStreams face, anger and fear within his eyes. Ichigin drops him onto the floor letting Sandstream gasp for air. Ichigin swipes his blade to get rid of the blood before trotting into the clearing. He then stops a cupile feet away and lowers his head. His horn begins to glow red as shimmering magic begins to flow. It sneaks across the ground, like a snake, before floating up to form a door frame. A blinding red light erupts from the middle of the door formation then dissipates showing a grey door with a wooden rooting frame. Ichigin raises his head and opens the door looking back at SandStream and Kodama, "I think it will be more fun to watch you to get whats coming by King's hoof. Hell of a lot more painful then what i could do." Ichigin chuckles before trotting through the door. SandStream and Kodama look at each other before trotting through the open door. The air turns stale and the grass under hoof turns into cobblestone as SandStream trots through the door. He rubs his eyes from the light of the door and hazily looks around. Walls of cobblestone layered with cages and lit torches surround him. Inside the cages are ponies of all traits in tattered clothing. Below them are unicorns by the hundreds, gathered in groups of ten or more, sitting by fires. Each having either a mug full of cider with the occasional slave pony trotting up to them. Other groups sit and cheer around tables over two ponies hoof wrestling each other or throw daggers at a dart board. SandStreams spits in spite at the sight before trotting past the vulgar unicorns to a winding stair well that splits into two different routes layered with torches. The torches glimmer with brilent red and orange flames. The frame made of silver with a wooden handle. Kodama joins a group of ponies at one of the tables while Ichigin nudges SandStream up the right side stair well. Their hoof steps echoed through out as the sound of cheering and ruckus begins to fade. The torches snap and pop as they continue for what seems like hours before reaching the top where a large door with gold trim comes into view. Two guards with large pole arm axes stand on either side of the door. The guards wear black armor that covers their chest, flanks and shoulders. Silver groves coat the armors edges formng symbols of unicorn horns. They notice the two stallions approaching and nod their heads in greeting before opening the door letting SandStream and Ichigin to enter. SandStream looks around the open room as the doors behind him creeked closed. Spiral pillars stand against the lining walls holding the lifting glass ceiling. The moon sparkles through with beams of moonlight. Long red carpet streches toward a throne that has seven steps up. At the top a throne made from limestone with a unicorn carved on the back. The moonlight brightens the image of King sitting in the throne. His hoof rests on his chin as he leans against the left hoofrest letting his hindlegs lean against the other side. SandStream and Ichigin trot to the bottom of the thrones steps and bow their heads. SandStream takes a gulp before King sighs and sits up straight," Tsk Tsk SandStream. How do you screw up such a easy assignment? All you had to do was escort Gridmire back to me and deliver the intel, but instead you get captured." King says as he looks down at the brown stallion. "Now what to do with you? Oh i know! Violet dear give me some ideas." King demands. "It would be a pleasure your majesty!" Violet said in a high pitched voice almost at a squeal. Violet trots up to King with a spring in her step. The velvet mare whipped her purple mane to the left past her swirled horn. She looked down at SandStream with bright green eyes with a smirk across her face. "How about we chain him up and try some of our new "interrogation" techniques.I have been itching to use my new Smoke Whip."Violet says chuckling. King smirks getting up off his chair and trotting down to SandStream. Leaning down Sandstreams face King looks into the stallion's eyes. His stare penetrates Sandstreams soul making him shudder like a icey wind blew over him. "Keep acting this way and you won't be the only one being punished boy." King says maliciously before trotting back to his throne swishing his tail. "Get this trash out of my sight! Deal with him as you wish my dear" King commands giving a smirk to Violet, who lays her ears back and squeals before grabbing SandStream by the horn and dragging him to an adjacent room. SandStream lies still letting the mare drag him across the floor before looking up at King giving a menacing glare full of hate as the door shuts behind him. King waits it to be silent before looking down at Ichigin, who remains bowing his head. King puts a hoof to his head before saying, " Ichigin you are to soft. May I remind you that I don't accept failure of any kind. Do you need to be reminded of what happens to failures!?" King exclaims as his horn lights up with a red aura. Ichigin begins to shake as the air becomes heavy around him. The floor begins to crack underhoof of Ichigin before he is forced to lower his body down towards it. His body and muscles fight against the force but begin to fail as the weight becomes to much but before he is flattened to the floor the weight suddenly lifts allowing him to straighten himself once again. He shakes and pants with sweat dripping down his face before shakenly saying " Please forgive me your majesty! I promise you it won't happen again. I will make sure of it." "Let's hope you do! Now get your troops ready. it's about time we make our move. " King says before giving off a chilling smile. " it's show time." ----------------- Fang slowly opens his eyes to the soft beeping of hospital machines. He sits up taking his good hoof to rub his eyes before stretching out his hind legs and shoulders. He slowly climbs out of the hospital bed and squints in pain. Fang trots over to the window looking out but has to squint his eyes from the bright morning sun. He unlaches the window locks opening the window. He takes a deep breath as the warm breeze blows through his mane and coat. He smiles as he leans against the windows railing, watching the ponies down below go about their daily lives. He turns his head towards the castle in the distance and squints his eyes. His ears perk up as he sees royal guards running toward the castle enterence with gernies. What is going on at the castle? He wonders in curiousity. He watches for some time before the royal guards come out with, what looks like two bodies covered by white sheets. The sheets seem to be stained red towards the top with the silouetes of a pony underneath. Fang takes a step back bewildered before turning his head towards the bed. There was a murder? Looked like those two were killed by having their necks or throats slit. He thinks as he scraps his good forehoof across the floor, biting his lower lip. They're already making their move? Damn it! Why so soon? I need to find out more before Ponyville is over run with them. "I see your awake? Are you feeling any better today Fang?" Nurse Redheart says as she enters the room. Fang shoots his head up and smiles at the white mare. "Good morning nurse and yes i feel a lot better. I do have a little pain in my shoulder but its not anything to bad." Says Fang as he trots over to the mare. Fang notices the clipboard in her left forehoof and trots over to her with a slight limp. "Are those my charts?" "Oh yes they are and they say that you are a very healthy young stallion, however, its a bit to early to be trotting around. Espeically with your ribs and forehoof hurt as it is. So please climb back into bed and relax." Nurse Redheart says as she places the clip board in the wooden holder on the front of the bed. "I feel fine now nurse. I swear! Besides sitting in one place all day isn't my favorite thing to do you know. Plus i really need to get back to class and chorus practice." Fang insists as he trots back up to the nurse as she trots towards the door. She turns her head and looks him over before giving a soft sigh and opens the door, "Fine, i will speak with the doctor and see what i can do about releasing you early. I can't promise anything though so stay in bed until i get back okay?" She says in a direct tone before smiling again and trotting out of the room. Fang sighs but shrugs it off as he climbs back into the bed. He lays on his back, being carful of not to lay in a awkward position so not to irritate his wounds. He looks up at the ceiling with the blanket pulled to his neck. He looks over the ceiling tiles counting the amount of dots before turning his head back to the window. The vision of the covered ponies flashed back into his head making him squeeze the blanket with his forehooves. "I can't beleave you are still laying in bed like some old stallion!" Chimes Scootaloo making Fang jump slightly in surprise. The orange mare giggles at him as she trots in, pulling up a chair up from the left side of the bed and sits down. " You scared the crap out of me Scootaloo! I mean you could have knocked you crazy mare." He says in a joking tone before turning over to look at her. He smiles and holds out his hoof to her for a hoof bump. Instead Scootaloo puts a Math text book to his hoof, "Yea but where is the fun in that? Besides we have a math test coming up and you promised to help me out with these equations." she says. Fang looks at her with a confused look then chuckles sitting up, "I almost forgot about that. Math is such a pain to begin with. Oh don't get me wrong i really like you came to see me but why aren't you class today?" Scootaloo looks at him then gives him a stern look flattening her ears, "I'm not in class because you're stupid ass promised me that you would help and i plan for you to make sure you do. Besides.." She pauses rubbing her hoof against the book nervously before continuing, "I figured you would want some company." Fang smiled at the orange mare reaching out with his good hoof and placing it on Scootaloo's. "Thank you Scootaloo." He says softly before picking up the text book and flipping the pages to the first problem. "Alright lets get these problems knocked out!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Twilight's castle, surrounded by royal guardsmen alike, was in confusion and chaos. Shining Armor ran up to the front door only to see two of his guards covered by white sheets stained in blood. He scrapped his hooves against the ground in anger as the two guards were picked up and placed onto gernes, before being pushed onto a white and red medical carage cart. Twilight came trotting down the stairs of, her ears down and wings against her flanks. Shining Armor rushed over and hugged her, " Twilight I'm so glad you are okay! What happened?" he says with relief. Twilight hugged him back but sighed and motioned him to follow her. They both trotted in silence up the main flight of stairs toward the room where they held their captives. Shining Armor couldn't help but see her demeanor. Her shoulders were slumped and her wings were ruffled with feathers out of place. Before Shining Armor could say anything they turned the corner to see the murder scene. The area was guarded by several guards while ponies in black and white uniforms were inspecting the area. The floor was stained and blackened by blood. The only reminder of the crystal were the two forms of the dead stallions, who were outlined in the two blood puddles. Shining Armor could only stare in surprise at the gory scene. Twilight Sparkle nudged her brother with her shoulder saying in a soft tone, "the shift change found the two of them. Said that both the guards had been stabbed through the side of their necks." She stopped and looked at Shining Armor. "Judging by what they said, it's possible they died from drowning on their own blood. I will have to wait and see what the coroner says, but by how deep the wounds are that is the guess." Shining Armor lowered his gaze but looked back up into his sister's eyes. He turned his head toward the scene where a unicorn pony was taking pictures with a camera. " Do you think it was the two we had brought in?" Said Shining Armor. "I don' think so. We had both of them tied down to chairs and had magic suppresser rings on their horns. Unless they were expert escape artists, I think some pony else came and go them out." Says Twilight. " I will have the guards on high alert but Twili you need to get the ponies who live here to leave. The hotel is practically done now and without knowing who it was you and them may not be safe." Says Shining Armor. Twilight nods her head in understanding before turning her head to see a white coated earth pony guard running up to them. He stops and salutes Shining Armor before saying, " Sir I was told to inform you that Solarflare has just arrived." "Solarflare? Why is the manehatten division chief doing here in ponyville?" Says Shining Armor in confusion. " I'm not sure sir. Maybe it's something to do with his son? Actually now that think about it his son was in a school fight recently. Was rough enough to put him in the hospital." Says the guard while standing at attention. Shining Armor nods and sighs rubbing his head, " I really don't need that stallion's drama right now. Alright what hospital is his son staying at?" "The Red Harp sir!" Says the guard. Shining Armor rubs his head with his right forehoof before trotting past the guard, " Alright I will handle it. Twilight you gonna be okay?" He says looking back at his sister with worried eyes. Twilight only nods and goes down the opposite hallway toward the rooms. Shining Armor watched his sister for what felt like forever but turned his head and continued down the halll. The guard was quick on his heels trotting in pace with him. They walked in silence throughout the crystal castle. Snaps of photos and clopping of hooves echo throughout as they come to the main doorway. Shining Armor stops when noticing a group of ponies out side. Their clothing had the insignia for multiple news out lets. One mare was trying to get a guard to speak while another unicorn stallion was levitating a boom microphone above their heads and filming with a camera. Shining Armor sighed frustrated and walked up to the guard and reporter who turned her head when seeing him. She ran up to him and asked, " Shining Armor can you tell us what happened in the castle? Are the citizens of Ponyville in any kind of danger?" Shining Armor looked at the reporter but just retorted, " right now all I know is that two good stallions of the royal guard were killed. They had families and friends that loved them very much. Right now the Royal guard will have guards in the streets and patrols at night. There is no reason to panic we will find who did this." Shining Armor pushes by them saying, " that's all I have to say." If I remember right the Red Harp is on the west side of the village. Shining Armor ran through his mind as he began to trot towards that direction. ~~~~~~~ "So when you take two over the square root of twelve you get this." Says Fang as he writes down his answer onto a peice of note book paper. Scootaloo rubs her head with her pencil confused and finally just sighs and flips her head down on the side of the hospital bed, "I'm never going to get this!" She groans. Fang chuckles nudging Scootaloo with his fore hoof, " it just takes practice. You will get it eventually." "I don't know. You and Applebloom can do this like its second nature. Personally I rather go scootering. Oh and another thing, when am I ever going to use this stuff? I mean really." Scootaloo whines. Fang smiles at her laying back in the bed. His blue mane spreading out as it presses against the pillow. He turns his head to look at the orange mare," well you might use it to set up some of your ramps for your stunts? You would have to know angles and how fast you would have to go" Fang suggested only to get Scootaloo to shake her head with a soft smile. He smiles back then stretches out before sitting back up. A flash of golden armor catches his eye through the room window. Fang squints his eyes to see through the shimmering glass and makes out the shape of three royal guardsmen. Their armor was differently shaped with sleek metal wrapped around their shoulders and haunches with a glintering silver trim. The marks on the armor seemed like a police badge more then any military ensignia. The third guard trots by slowly looking around at his surroundings taking it all in. His mane a bright yellow with a red streak going down the center while his coat was darker red. His armor looked similar to the other guards but gold with raised shoulder armor as if spiked. He must be the commander, Fang thought as they trotted out of view to the further rooms. Scootaloo tilted her head and watched the guards then looked back at Fang, “ you are always weird around royal guardsmen. Whats up with that? It’s not like they took your puppy or anything” Fang lays back against the pillow and turns to face Scootaloo, laying on his side. His eyes drift down to the floor as his hoof grips to the blanket, “ I-it’s a long story but I just don’t believe in their methods of dealing with problems.” Fang says nervously. Scootaloo tilts her head then taps his head with her math book making him raise his gaze to meet her’s. “It’s alright Scootaloo. My parents and I had traveled for so long that I have seen how the Royal Guard works. Some times it’s just hard to accept.” “Well they must have their reasons. Maybe sometimes they just have to do things differently especially if somepony is in trouble.” Says Scootaloo. Fang shrugs sitting up to the commotion outside the room. Hooves trotting down the hall with a nurse speaking rather loudly. Fang climbs out of bed and walks to the door pushing it open, “ what in the world is going on?” Says Fang as he looks down the hallway. He notices the guards from earlier further down the hall as the three guards push past a nurse into a room. Fang squints his eyes and notices the high ranked guard walk into the room while the other two stand outside on either side of the door. ~~~~~~ Flare sits up in his bed looking around his bland white room. A television on the right side wall playing what seems to be a talk show. Flare really didn't care what it played he was more focused on other things. How he ended up here in the first place and why he did what he did in the first place. He grips a hold of his blanket tightly in frustration as Fang flashes into his mind. That damn bastard! His attention is caught by a nurse protesting outside of his door. He leans forward towards he door to get a look over hearing the conversation, "You can't go in there! Sir didn't you hear me?" Before he could hear anymore the door opens and a stallion trots in with guards armor on. Golden trimmed silver armor with spikes on the shoulders that forms a police badge at the crest of his chest. The stallions coat is dark red with black hair with a orange stripe going through the middle while his spiraling horn splits his mane on his brow. His orange eyes lay on Flare patient and calm as he trots to the foot of the hospital bed pulling up a chair with the red glow of his horn. The stallion sits down and sighs, "Well you got the shit beaten out of you havn't you son?" says the stallion. Flare just snorts and leans back against his pillows. "No matter what I teach you or do for you, you always end up disappointing me. I trained you to fight and use your magic to its full potential and you go around and use it just to get your ass handed to you by some earth pony? You must be some kind of weakling son, but don't worry I will be cleaning up your mess" The stallion stands up as the door opens as a cream colored pegasus pony walks into the room. Her mane is in a white and purple swirl draping over her shoulders. Her eyes were a sharp purple as she scowls at the stallion guard in annoyance. "SolareFlare you know you aren't suppose to be here! Flare has been through enough already he doesn't need his ass of a father making everything worse." she snaps at SolarFlare. He trots up to her and chuckles, " I'm the boys father and no pony will keep my boy from me." SolarFlare leans his head down so he is muzzle to muzzle with the mare "Not even you. Now I'm going to fix this mess our son has made and you are going to stay out my way." He leans his up and trots out of the room. Before walking out he turns to Flare, "I am going to be here for some time Flare. Feel free to get some more lessons, by the look of it you need them more then ever." He shuts the door and waves to the two other guards trotting back down the hallway. The mare watches him go then lowers her ears as she walks up to Flares bed side. She pulls up another chair sitting down on the left side of the bed setting a small white saddle bag down in her lap. Flare looks over to her and lowers his ears letting his eyes soften as they meet hers. "How are you feeling honey?" She says in a soft voice. Flare relaxes his muscles and the tension in his shoulders. His mothers voice always soothed him even in the most troubling times. The day his mother left his father and all he did was cry his mother was hold him in her hooves. She would talk to him and tell him everything was okay. Back then it was hard on the both of us but we had each other and that's all I needed at least that's what I always thought. She tilted her head looking at him, but she would giggle some and reach into her saddlebag and pull out a note book and pen. She set it down in Flares lap, "Sorry I suppose it would help if I give you that wouldn't it." Even through his bandages Flare couldn't help but smile as he levitated the pen with his magic writing out his response. He turns the note pad towards his mother as it reads I'm doing good considering. She smiles softly, "Well with everything that happened in the past couple days that's good." she says. The two ponies sit in silence for a moment before she speaks again, a little more concerned, "Flare I know it's been hard ever since your father left but please know you can talk to me." She lays a hoof on Flare's . Flare lays his ears back and looks to the side away from his mother's gaze. She rubs his hoof whipping her face with her free hoof before standing up and walking toward the door opening it. "I'm going to be out for a bit Flare but I will be back later today to check on you. I love you son." She says softly before walking out into the hallway. Flare watched her go before laying back looking at the ceiling gripping the blanket in frustration. If the humiliation wasn't enough now his dead beat father is getting involved and now to make it worse his mother is worrying about him. Flare manages a muffled chuckle before turning over to watch the television. ~~~~~~~~~~~ The sliding doors of the hospital squeak open as Shining Armor walks through. Doctor and nurse ponies a plenty walked around the main hall greeting patients or helping those to their rooms. Two ponies stationed behind the main desk were typing information into their computers as Shining Armor walks up to them "Hello, have you seen any other Royal Guards pass through here recently?" Asks Shining Armor as he looks down the hallways to his left and right. The receptionist nods and points a hoof down the left hallway saying, "Yea I saw three of them walk down this hallway earlier. Said that one of their sons were involved in that school fight that happened yesterday." Shining Armor nodded his thanks as he began trotting down the hall. The hallway was pretty clear of ponies but the rooms were filled with noises from coughing to the occasional sneeze or moan. He couldn't help but notice a open room to where a filly laid in bed with his parents on either side of the bed. The filly was smiling in joy when his father handed a unicorn doll to him. His face red from what looks like a fever but a huge smile escaping his lips. Shining Armor smiled at the sight before turning his head to notice the gold glint of armor. It was SolarFlare walking into a room leaving his two guards outside standing by the door. As he trots up to the two guards they turn their heads noticing him and stand in his path. Shining Armor stops in front of them not hindering, "Get out of my way! I have business to do in that room!" The guards shake their heads, "Sorry buddy but your not going any further then this." "Do you know who you are talking to? You are speaking to a Captain you grunts! Now get out of my way or so help me Celestia I will have both your asses court martialed so fast your head will spin!" Shining Armor snaps in annoyance. The guards jump in surprise but imminently move out of the way saluting. "That is what I thought! Now both of you are dismissed! Go to Twilight Sparkle's castle and stay there till further orders! Do you under stand me?" "Yes sir! We understand sir!" The guards say in unison before running down the hall way towards the exit of the hospital. Shining Armor pushes the room door open and is shocked by what he sees. Solarflare using his magic to hold down Fang on his stomach putting magic cuffs on him, " Your under arrest for assault and attempted murder!" "What are you talking about! Flare was the one who started the fight all I did was defend myself!" Yelled who Fang who struggled beneath SolarFlare's magical grip. "Exactly you can't do this to him!" Scootaloo exclaims. SolarFlare snorts in annoyance and keeping Fang under his magic walks over to Scootaloo, "What is with mares and getting in my way? I'm just doing my job now just shut your damn mouth!" SolarFlare snaps at Scootaloo. "SolarFlare that is enough!" Shining Armor exclaims pushing between him and Scootaloo getting nose to nose with the red unicorn. " You will stand down you hear me! Stand down now!" SolarFlare tenses his shoulders and legs before replying holding back his rage, " This doesn't concern you Shining Armor." "Like hell it doesn't involved me SolarFlare! You can not just go around arresting ponies that you don't like! You are out of line and will stand down or you will be the one that faces jail time." Says Shining Armor sternly. The two guard ponies keep eye contact for a moment before SolarFlare releases his magic letting Fang stand up. Fang sits up coughing holding one hoof around his chest as Scootaloo runs over to him helping to his hooves. Fang looks up at her then back to the guards backing up to the bed. Shining Armor sternly continues, "Now you will report to Twilight's castle and stay there until I come to you. I swear to Celestia if you are not there when I arrive I will tear your rank away myself and make you wash floors for the rest of your life do I make myself clear SolarFlare?" Shining Armor waits for a response but when no answer comes he shouts, "Do I make myself clear solider!" Solarflare breaths heavy but responds, "Yes sir." He backs up and salutes before looking back at Fang and Scootaloo. He walks out the door slamming it shut shaking the frame before his hooves are heard trotting away. Shining Armor watches him go before taking a breath to calm himself down before trotting up to Fang, "You two okay? He didn't hurt either of you did he?" Shining Armor says before having his horn glow blue around the magic cuffs snapping the lock letting them fall to the floor with a loud thud. Fang rubs his forelegs to relieve the tension from the cuffs before saying, "No we're fine, but I don't really understand what just happened. I mean he just stormed into the room and forced me to the ground. Said that I was going to pay for what I did." Shining Armor sighs, "I'm glad that you two are okay and I do apologize for SolarFlare. He can be forceful over what his version of justice can be." he says. "Either way he shouldn't have done that to Fang!" snaps Scootaloo. Her wings fluffed out in annoyance as she trots over to Fang's side. "I agree Scootaloo and trust me he will be punished for his actions, I will make sure of that." Shining Armor says as he trots over to the door opening it. He turns his head to look at Fang and Scootaloo. The two ponies look at him but then towards each other. Scootaloo's wings fold back down to her sides as her feathers begin to set back in place as the tension begins to fade. Shining Armor walks out of the room and shuts the door letting it click before trotting down the main hallway to the exit. That stallion seems to be everywhere I go lately. First when I got to the castle to the day with the cloaked Unicorn Triade pony and now with this fight at school. Shining Armor thought as he walked through the automated doors of the hospital in the direction of the castle. Well anyway I need to focus on what happened at the castle as well what to do with SolarFlare. After that I will see what I can do about a investigation about the history of the ponies that have been staying in the castle. Starting with that stallion. He gives off a interesting aura. Shining Armor thinks before lifting his head up to see the crystal castle building in the distance. ~~~~~~~ Drips of water echo throughout the stone room of Sandstream's holding cell. The dark moist room wreaks of blood and sweat as Sandstream hangs by his fore hooves. Two rusty chains hold him in place slightly swinging him in the middle of the room. Many whip gashes layer his chest and back while blood drips down his legs and off his hooves into a small puddle of blood. Sandstream lifts his head and coughs spitting some blood from his mouth trying to ignore the bruises to his face before the wood door opens to blinding light. Sandstream squints his eyes from the bright light letting them adjust to see the silhouette of a unicorn pony. The silhouette trots up to him putting a hoof to his cheek. His gaze finally becomes adjusted to the sudden light to recognize Violet in front of him. The unicorn mare looks up at him moving his face to the left then the right before letting it go taking a large inhale of her pipe. The pipes purple with black roses engraved on the sides with golden trimming around the edges. Waiting a moment to take in the smoke's effect she exhales blowing it into Sandstream's face making him gag on the smoke coughing. The smoke fills the room making it smell like tobacco over masking the blood and mold. Violet smiles up at him, "How was your little nap Sandstream? I bet after the beating I gave you it wasn't to great but I wont lie i held back just alittle. Only to make this last a while of course. Didn't want to spoil you on the first day. No, no that would have be very bad." She says soft and menacing. She trots around Sandstream taking another hit of her pipe filling her lungs with smoke holding it in for a moment before blowing it out throughout the room making it more like a light fog. Sandstream's eyes starting to sting and watered from the smug she created before abruptly falling to the ground hitting his muzzle on the wet and bloody floor. The chains rattle as they collapsed to the floor letting his forehooves relax from the tension. "However, King wishes to speak with you so sadly our fun is over. Try to screw up again will you? Your the first stallion that hasn't broke on the first night of fun." Violet says before giggling. She trots out of the room leaving the panting stallion on the floor covered in his own blood. Sandstream pants from the sudden release of tension, his forehooves screaming in pain from the rush of blood. The feel of needles seem to turn into fire making Sandstream wince, grinding his teeth. After some time his fore limbs begin to subdue the pain making them sore but not unbearable. He then tries to stand while his muscles scream to stop but he couldn't leave King waiting or else he might as well hang himself back up and let Violet torture him some more. Besides he as his own duty to do and he wont let her down. Come on! Get up! You can't quit now you just can't! SandStream encouraged himself conjuring the strength to stand and shakily walk out the door. He squints his eyes making out muiltple doors throughout the hallway. Many of them rusty and chipping with droplets of water running down the edges with the occasional groan from inside. Sandstream limps past door after the other before coming to a stair well lit by torches that leads to the main floor where most of the Triade ponies sit in groups. Most watch the slave mares dancing or serving their needs but others fight or drink the day away. Sandstream looks away from the scene and walks toward another set of stairs leading to King's throne room but stops when a pair of hooves trots up to him. He turns his head to see a green stallion looking down at him chuckling. The stallions mane and coat look as though he hasn't groomed in days and smelled strictly of booze. " Well well if it isn't Sandstream. The pony that got caught with his ass in his hoof." The stallion mocks chuckling as he steps in Sandstream's path. " You know if it were me you would be put down like a dog. Screw the torture if you are just going to fail again and again. I mean whats the point if all you are going to is get caught." Sandstream blinks not fazed by his insults but notices that two other stallions have gotton behind him. he tenses his wore shoulders. Sandstream looks back up at the stallion before him saying, "Get out of my way. King needs to speak with me." "Pfft like hell, why would King waste his time with a disgrace like you? If you ask me he should start giving me some jobs." He chuckles then leans down into Sandstream's face, "Maybe I should ask if i can guard your little horse friend." Sandstream's heart suddenly spikes in anger making it pulse faster, "Oh i would take real good care of her. I always wanted to see how good they are to their stallions." He chuckles before sitting up laughing. Sandstream stays staring at the stallion as his ears begin to ring in rage. The magic building up in his body begins to ignite his horn only wanting one thing, to crush the stallion before him. The stallion keeps laughing but takes a breath and begins coughing. "What the hell?" He says as he notices the air around him is filled with grains of sand. Looking down at Sandstream makes him catch his breath as sand crawls from the floor underneath Sandstream's hooves. The brick floor starts disappearing as its broken down into sand incasing Sandstream's legs. The stallion starts to back up slowly shaking in fear, "W-whoa calm down man i was only joking i swear." He shakenly says but his plea falls on deaf ears. Sandstream, now with sand covering his entire foreleg stands up and swings his right fore hoof saying, "Sand magic: Spear!" The sand forms around his leg turning into a large spear head. The size of his leg but wider with bits of sand falling from its tip. Yellow magic runs throughout the frame making it shine as he walks toward the stallion, who continues to shake. Sandstream looks at the stallion with anger in his eyes making them sharp before lunging forward with lightning speed, shoving the spear into the stallions chest yelling, "Now die!" The stallion shouts in pain from the attack holding onto Sandstream's hoof as blood begins to sink into the sand. The stallion gasps spitting up blood before taking his last breath and collapsing to the floor. The sand easily detaches from Sandstream's arm landing with a thud with the lifeless body. He turns around looking back at the other two stallions with blood over his face. The hate still in his eyes makes the other two stallions run for their lives towards the crowds of other stallions, who now are looking at him. He stares into the crowd of killer ponies before getting on all fours again and trotting up the stairs. He walks silently up the stairs letting the anger escape his system I swear that when this is all over i will kill every one of these bastards. That i swear!