//------------------------------//
// Episode 3: Fresh Start of a Nightmare - Part Nine 
// Story: All is for my Princess 
// by Hoppa_21 
//------------------------------//

I left the Princess to her own devices after that, quickly getting to the guards barracks to look for said guards as I entered.

Punching Back was sitting on a desk, looking over a list, clearly making sure everything was in order.

He of course saw me soon enough, considering I was in my normal form again. He blinked once, then twice, before stumbling to his feet and in front of me.

“Sir F-Fenrich! What can I do for you?”

“Punching Bag, I want you to place an order for the best educated and trained prinnies in Tartarus. And at least 100 for a start. We will need a lot of personnel to keep this place in a pristine condition. One that is worthy of the greatness of the Princess of the Night.”

“G-Got it, S-Sir Fenrich!” he saluted before scampering off.

Hoof steps then alerted me to the presence of Aurora and I quickly turned around to face her.

“Good that you are here. I also have a task for you Captain.”

The Thestral smirked, “You are quite the slavedriver, you know that Fenrich?”

“Be that as it may, but this is simply too important to postpone. I will need you to investigate the hydra incident. We need to know what we are dealing with.”

Aurora hummed in thought, crossing her arms and leaning against a wall, “So you really think there is more to it than simply some fillies acting foalish?”

“It is a possibility. And I will not leave such a possibility to chance. No matter how much you may mock me for it. If there is an enemy to the Princess that is willing to get active in such a way we need to know. It is best you start asking these three fillies about it. And if they have anything of worth to report to me, then do it.”

A sigh escaped the Captain’s lips as she turned serious, “Alright. I will look into it. But if I come out empty...you owe me a keg of cider!”

I rolled my eyes, ever so thankful I could do this in my normal form again, “Now shoo. I need some time to think.”

Aurora nodded leaving me to my thoughts. Or well, the barracks wasn’t a good place to do that. So I went into the castle gardens.

The walk wasn’t long, and sadly the garden was not in the best shape yet. Or more precisely in a state of disrepair. Weed was sprawling every which way and on every stone set in the sand. No sign left of the moon flowers that were blooming around and in little isles inside the sand. The little pools of water, fountaining also have long since stopped working. Every part that once showed off this garden's beauty was in a sad condition, so much was true. But still...the tranquility of this zen garden with its sand, stones, isles and the decrepit wooden bridge leading over it wasn’t harmed by it. Beauty was in the eye of the beholder and this garden still had beauty in its own way.

With that I sighed in satisfaction I hoped over the stepping stones onto a large rock. My usual spot for some rest and peace of mind. I certainly would see that everything here would get back to its true beauty. Even as the sun slowly was setting.

I breathed in and out, enjoying the much needed quiet and reprise. We had a lot of excitement today, so I think I am allowed a small break. I had to wait for the information about this incident anyway, and couldn’t do much in that case sadly. Not to mention that the guards were more than capable on working the castle up by themselves. And I had also spotted for three suitable mares to work up this garden. Albeit their interview would come later.

Not that this was the only reason for my being lonesome. I honestly...had to ponder. Jason was an interesting character. Maybe a bit too sure of himself. He was practically rubbing his abilities under my snout...or nose now. I’m back in my old form and clothes after all.

I fiddled with the ring on the end of the chain around my neck. Something he said of course struck me. He said he could even bring the death back to life, warping reality and completely ignoring the wandering souls of every living being.

...It was unsettling to say the least, but also made me wonder for a small moment. Wonder if I should ask… Though it might be better to leave things in the past. Not to mention I only revealed little of my past, and if my thoughts are shown as a textbox to the players I might simply confuse them.

Ah, sweet fourth-wall-breaking. Even if I have no audience I might as well play along for the sake of staying in character.

It was then that my ears perked up and I heard some pony approach. Of course I already smelled the Princesses scent long before that as she approached me before sitting down next to me.

“Fenrich?” I turned my neck to face the Princess, a sad look adopted on her face. Of course it was also a bit strange to have to look down at her as she was still in her teenage form, “This was quite the fun visit, wasn’t it?” she continued making me hum as I nodded.

I was a bit uncertain what she was trying to say, “It was. Albeit we sometimes had different opinions in certain matters. And I will admit that I was a bit miffed at Jason for not always taking my words serious. But all in all… Let’s say he seems like a suitable acquaintance.”

“Friend.”

I cocked my head questioningly at her.

“A friend, Fenrich,” she then adopted a teasing grin, “And don’t think we missed how thou called Commander Hurricane a friend earlier. He would probably have a field day if he would have heard of this.”

I started to sputter indignantly. Did I really use the word ‘friend’? I did, didn’t I? Was my former puppy form affecting me this much? Was I starting to get emotionally unstable?

All these questions seemed to vanish as the Princess hugged me yet again, which was as awkward as you can imagine with our different height. I of course would have broken out of it, if it wasn’t the Princesses wish to embrace me. I definitely wasn’t enjoying the warmth, or the fine aroma of moonflower that drifted from her body.

I sighed, before remembering Jason’s cryptic words. Something about Faust. He was behaving strange and it seemed rather...off. Should I mention it? But then again it would only worry her more. And the Princess now needed my support, so that is what she will receive.

“It is good to have you back,” I simply said, feeling like a broken record, considering this wasn’t the first time I mentioned it. Though I guess this place is simply making me nostalgic.

Luna hummed in agreement as she broke the hug, “And it is good to be here, and also for the garden to still be here. We half expected Tia to have rampaged through it after...our episode…”

I simply snorted,  “I expected it too, considering I was the one who designed this garden. But she simply abandoned the castle instead to build this monstrosity on your mountain, like you have already noticed.”

“It is okay, Fenrich. It is just a mountain. A dream can be fulfilled in any location. Though thou never mentioned what really happened.”

I really didn’t like her inquisitive tone. But then again I was expecting this to happen. Especially after mentioning it to Jason. And I of course promised her an explanation later. So I needed to give her one.

“It is like I said,” I started a bit hesitantly, trying to form my words, “Celestia was enraged after she sent you to the moon. Her guard was attacking every Demon and Thestral. Your sister also taking part in the hunt. It was pure chaos. So much screaming and desperate pleas hanging empty in the air. Commander Hurricane and the others tried their best and helped to evacuate everyone. Alexander creating a portal while the Thestral guards and me stalled them. Rose was there too, having to abandon her shop and simply carry what she could. Something she is still rather cross about with Celestia. Though in any case I had to face her in a fierce battle. I wasn’t feeling up for it, but I of course had to. I had to protect them just as you would have wanted. Luckily your sister back then was a couch potato, just as she is now, so I could hold her off long enough without breaking a sweat. In the end we managed to evacuate and after the last were gone we fled through the portal too before collapsing it. We all fled to Griffonia. They helped us and protected us from Celestia’s long reach. Something that almost caused a war between the nations. Almost, as Celestia relented. Probably some ponies speaking sense into her. Of course she still made laws that suppressed demons and made their very being illegal. Laws which started to slowly fall apart over the centuries, though still didn’t stop from prejudices to be common amongst the populace. But yes, that is all there is to it.”

The Princess was silent for a moment, processing my words before smiling in relief, “We art glad to hear that thou managed. We were worrying for a thousand years how things turned out for thee and the others. And we art just glad everything ended on such a note. Though we are now faced with new challenges.”

I nodded in agreement, “The world, while it is not as volatile as back then still now got their beloved Moon Princess back. That has to create some waves. Not to mention the political side to this will be rather tedious. It would be way easier if we simply followed the demonic way with an election simply being held by fighting your way to the top and gaining support that way. So much cleaner too in comparison.”

The Princess’s head turned to me with a smirk, “So thee think of bloody brawls being cleaner to negotiations and discussions.”

“Nobles play dirty. They are mostly not trustworthy. It doesn’t help that this fool Blueblood is actually blocking your way. A thousand years of resentment are hard to breach.”

“When it is high time we breach it!” the Lunar Princess declared standing up and pointing to the slowly setting sky in great determination.

I stood up alongside her, bowing in my classic way, “It shall be done. Give me a day and a suitable PR-Team will be hired to finally smash your sisters vile ideologies of her being the best princess.”

Luna was about to retort. Clearly about my clear and flawless interpretation of Celestia’s foul motives, but a confusion cut her short, and she answered with a confused, raised brow, “What is PR?”





A group of five specific ponies were standing at the entrance of the castle. The group of the Mane Six, merely waiting for their fashionista friend before departing back to Ponyville. But even still, this day brought new information to light. Some good, some bad, depending on one’s viewpoint. But it all seemed to spark even more questions as before. And while some enjoyed their stay, others were a bit less...enthusiastic.

“The nerve! Calling me a dimwit! And this coming from a-, a-, UGH!” a purple unicorn huffed and puffed in clear displeasure at this insolence to her humongous brain!

Applejack simply shrugged, “Ya know sugarcube, he might be rough around the edges, but Ah think that remark alone is no reason for hostility. It certainly was interesting to hear some of his story, though I would have wished for more.”

“Come on, AJ! Don’t tell me you are actually going to relent! And just because that stupid demon guy was calling you a racist!”

Applejack sputtered for a moment before composing herself, “AH’M NOT!” she screamed out before coughing embarrassedly in her hoof, “Ah was just thinking that we haven’t seen ‘im do anything bad yet and should ease the tension a tad.”

“He barely told us anything about him! Not even the story of how he corrupted Luna to do a c-cous, uh, cup?”

“Coup,” Twilight put in helpfully making Rainbow nod gratefully.

“Yeah! That! We just know that he is a huge jerk! Remember what the Princess told us. She wanted us to be careful and pound his skull into the pavement if he just wiggles a wrong paw...or something like that. Not to mention that he proved to be violent with the hydra! Not that it wasn’t awesome on some level, but the Princess was positively destroyed after she was bathed in this things guts and showed off her dangerous side!”

Applejack mulled this over, “Well...but she also saved this here guard. And Fenrich saved our sister’s, didn’t he?”

Rainbow held one finger up, as if to retaliate, but then grumbled to herself, “He probably just wanted to steal our trust like that.”

Just in that moment Rarity met the group shaking her head, “I sincerely doubt that darling. He didn’t mention it during dinner, so he probably didn’t know. Though I find it delightful to see this romance blossom in front of my eyes!”

Pinkie jumped in, “Yepperoni! Makes me wonder what I should moderate for the next Episode Review? Maybe something about a maid cafe? Or dragon slaying? Or *GASP* Tartarus?!”

Twilight raised a curious brow at that, “Tartarus? What would Fenrich want there?”

Pinkie just smiled innocently as she put her arms behind her back, “You know. Just a hunch! And he ordered prinnies from it as servants for the castle soooooooooooo...”

Twilight groans, “Let’s rather get back to the other point. I think we can all agree that we need to hear more about his past to actually assuage if he is an evil manipulative mastermind, or-”

“Just a huge jerk?” Rainbow complied making Twilight nod, before levitating some crystals to the others.

“These are for recording said story. It will make it easier if not all are present. I already recorded the first part.”

“This is fabulous darling! Quick thinking!”

Twilight grinned smugly, “Of course! I’m no dimwit after all!”


~END~