//------------------------------// // Misunderstanding // Story: My Name is Ash // by Lady Umbra //------------------------------// I woke to find Celestia’s sun rising, it’s rays shining through the window. I moved to sit up, before I noticed a weight on my arm. Looking over, I froze. Twilight was snuggled up against my arm, still fast asleep. “Shit,” I thought, “I was supposed to leave when she fell asleep.” Gently moving out of the alicorns grasp, I moved off of the bed and made my way to the bathroom. Looking into the mirror I saw dried blood just under my collar and a little bit of changeling blood on my face. Now I may be in a different body, but I still needed to take care of it. Looking around I was glad to find a running shower. Odd that they’d have a running shower and yet use swords and spears for weapons, but I wasn’t about to question it. Taking off my clothes and setting my gun on the sink counter, I proceeded to take a nice, long, way overdue shower. Once done, I dried off and pulled on my pants before exiting with my shirt and gun in hand. Re-entering the room, I saw Twilight, up, yawning and stretching as she pulled herself from sleep. "Morning, Princess," I greeted. "Hm… good morning, Ash," Twilight said before she opened her eyes. Her eyes widened, and a blush turned her cheeks red as she stared at my shirtless chest. I chuckled and tried to pull my shirt on. But, wouldn’t you know it, the door opened. "Twily?” Shining Armor called. “It's time for..." I winced as he came in. He froze in place, taking in the sight of me and Twilight, both shirtless. Immediately, I could see it in his eyes. The protective big brother mode. And, as my luck would have it, he had a new sword by his side. A sword he was already starting to draw out. “Wait, Shining,” I said. “I can explain…” I stopped, mentally face palming myself. ‘I can explain?’ How many times had men said those exact words to angry brothers or husbands? And how many times had those words been famous last words? Judging by how Shining fully drew his sword, I could safely bet I was about to join those men. “Williams…” Shining growled, storming towards me with his sword raised. Briefly, I considered my boomstick. But even if I didn’t like Shining enough to use it, it was still wrapped in my shirt, and I didn’t want to ruin the only shirt I had. Thankfully, Twilight stepped in. With a flash of magic, she caught Shining Armor in a force field, locking him in place as she jumped between us. "Shining wait, I can explain!" Twilight insisted. Thankfully, those words had a better effect from her than me. Shining Armor’s eyes lost a bit of their anger as he stared at her. "I had a nightmare last night and Ash woke me up from it,” she explained. “I didn't want to be alone, so… I asked Ash to stay with me for the night.” She looked away. “I don't know why I asked him that. I just felt safe around him." “But why are neither of you wearing shirts?” Shining asked. Twilight tilted her head in confusion, before looking down. With a yelp, she covered herself, her face turning red again. With a flash of light, she vanished from the room. The bathroom door slammed shut behind me. Jumping a bit from the impact, I struggled to remove my shirt from my boomstick. “Apparently, she just sleeps that way,” I commented. “And your reason?” Shining asked, that protective brother look starting to come back. "I just took a shower,” I replied, jutting my thumb at the bathroom. “I don’t know if you noticed, but I got a bit of blood on me from the last week or so.” Shining sighed, waiting for me to put my shirt on. When I was finally covered, he motioned for me to follow. “Well, when you and Twilight are ready,” he said. “The Princess requested an audience.” “Which one?” I asked. “Please tell me it’s not Sun Butt,” I thought privately. “I can take Luna. Hell, even Cadence would be alright…” “All three, actually,” Shining replied. A hint of nervousness entered his voice. “Even Cadence?” I asked. “I thought she hated me for killing that one pony. I mean, she gave me one helluva death glare.” "Oh, yeah, she hates you,” the white unicorn replied. “Still, she and the others want to speak with the three of us.” I noticed the sweat forming on his brow. “Can I assume freeing me wasn’t brought to your wife’s attention?” I asked. Shining grimaced. “No,” he admitted. “Not until we got back. And she wasn’t happy about it either.” He lowered his head. “I had to sleep in the guard’s house,” he added with a whisper. I winced. Oh, how the fairer gender punishes us. “Well, if it helps,” I noted. “Had you waited any longer, we’d have been bringing back a corpse instead of a princess.” Before he could reply, said princess came out of the bathroom, wearing a green blouse, a blue dress skirt that went down to her knees, and a pair of black heels. “Thank you, by the way… both of you,” Twilight said, pulling us both into a hug. “I would’ve been dead if you two hadn’t come for me.” Shining and I exchanged a glance, and a mutual smile. “So,” Twilight said. “The Princesses are waiting?” Shining nodded. "Go ahead," I insisted. "I need to re-strap my weapons." Twilight gave me a knowing smirk before flaring her magic. In seconds, the sheath harness was back around me, and my boomstick safe in its sheath. The chainsaw locked into place on my arm. "Come on Ashley," Twilight said happily. “I still don't understand,” I thought, “Why doesn't it bother me when she calls me Ashley?” But before I could think of asking, we reached the throne room. We all paused, glancing at each other nervously. I couldn’t help but envy my two companions. They were only in hot water with one princess. I was on bad terms with all three. But, there was no time for fear, and these guys needed a confidence boost. So, I flexed my shoulders. “Well, like the Sweet Heart said,” I commented, flashing a smile at the flustered princess. “Best not to keep the princesses waiting.” And with that, I pushed the doors open. Celestia sat upon the center throne of gold. To her right was Princess Luna, seated on a throne of silver. And on Celestia’s left was Princess Cadence, seated on a throne of pink. “Welcome, My Little Ponies,” Celestia said, grinning at Twilight, before sneering at me. “And… Demon.” Twilight’s eyes narrowed. “Princess,” she said in a clipped voice. “With all due respect, he isn’t a demon, and he has a name.” “Twilight…” Celestia tried to interject, but Twilight spoke over her. “His name is Jacob Ashley Williams,” Twilight snapped. “And I’d appreciate it if you would call him as such!” Celestia grimaced like she had just been force fed a boatload of lemons. But, after a moment’s tension, she exhaled. “Very well, Twilight,” Celestia said, before turning back to me. “Mr.… mm, Williams, according to the reports I’ve been getting from Spike…” A scroll flashed into being before her. “You killed 8 ponies and a changeling. Not to mention you threatened to pull off Rainbow Dash’s wings and kill anyone who touched you.” She turned to Shining Armor, who struggled not to shiver as his wife glowered at him. “And you, Captain Armor,” Celestia continued. “Not only aided this… ‘Jacob,’ in said murders. But you also stood idly by as he threatened the Element of Loyalty and the ponies of Ponyville.” She glared down at him. “What… exactly… happened?” “Well…” I started to say, but before I could say any more… “I wasn’t speaking to you,” Celestia boomed at me. “I was speaking to Shining Armor!” Raising my hands, I backed up, as Shining Armor smoothed out his… well, shining armor. "Princess Celestia,” he began slowly. “Ash and I tracked down the demon that took Twilight to the Everfree forest. Once we entered the forest we were unknowingly followed by Rainbow Dash. When she was found, she insisted on coming along, and…” I gave him a very clear look when he started to say my name. “Ash..." Shining said quickly. "…told Rainbow Dash to return to Ponyville. She refused to listen, so he… ‘motivated her’ by threatening to cut off her wings. When she left, I questioned his methods. He responded with..." "She's gone, Isn't she?" I echoed, noticing a worried look growing on Twilight’s face. "You didn't actually hurt her, did you?" Twilight asked. “Course not,” I said with a smile. “Just a scare tactic. I wouldn’t actually harm a hair on her head.” “Indeed,” Shining Armor admitted. “Even though he did threaten the Element of Loyalty, his method did work. And when we made our way to the castle where the demon had taken Twilight, we found that there was more than one demon. They had apparently pony napped others. And from what we gathered…” “They were trying to create another book,” I finished. Cadence narrowed her eyes. “Another book?” she asked, peering at me. “What about the one you had when you fell from the sky?” "That one was written in my worlds' Sumerian. As I told Twilight, she had the correct passage to send me back. But since she was using Equestrian Sumerian, it went wrong. Now, if you're worried about the demons reading from my book, don’t. They can’t read it without someone well-versed in Earth Sumerian.” A visible breath of relief escaped Princess Cadence, while Celestia and Luna exchanged a glance. "Now, as Shining was explaining,” I continued. “The demons were performing a ritual by draining the blood and slashing the flesh, thus creating the pages and the ink for an equestrian version, which was banished to another world by that Wizard, uh… what’s his name… Starswirl the Bearded?" “That’s the one,” Twilight agreed. Celestia leaned forward, her brow knitting. "However,” I glowered up at her. “Because of the delay you caused by placing that enslavement spell, we failed to completely prevent the ritual. Now for reasons I can't reveal…” I indicated Twilight. “She must be guarded at all hours.” Celestia glanced at Twilight, and nodded. "Very well,” she said. “Our best guards will…” But I waved her off. “Not happening, Sweet Cheeks,” I said. Her eyes flashed angrily. “And why not, ‘Demon?’” She hissed. “Because your guards can be possessed,” I replied, like the answer was obvious. “I know how the actual demons work; I can keep myself safe. And I will protect her in every way.” Twilight blushed, and looked away, which only seemed to make Celestia seethe even more. For a moment, she and I glared each other down. Finally, Cadence rose up. “Thank you, Sir Jacob,” she said, causing Celestia to look to her in surprise. “I’ve been using a lie detector spell. And everything you’ve told us has been nothing but truthful. But I must ask…” Her eyebrows knit. “How did you know that Starswirl banished the book of our world?” I held my head up high. “Because the man who sent me here told me,” I replied. “He said Starswirl saved your world from this torment… and now it’s my turn.” The Love Princess nodded, the lie detector spell likely failing to catch any lies again. "Thank you, Sir Jacob,” she repeated. “You have proven that we can trust you. Seeing as how you risked your life to save Twilight, I believe it only fair that you be rewarded.” She looked to Celestia, who gained a look like she had been force fed another boatful of lemons, but she managed to force it into a simmering fake smile. “Indeed,” Celestia agreed. “Despite our differences, I cannot deny that you have done us a great service. In return for your courage, we have decided to invite you to the upcoming Gala tonight.” I blinked in surprise. I have never been to any short of dance. I didn’t even go to the high school prom. A nudge from Twilight broke me out of my stupor, and I collected myself enough to bow. "You honor me with this reward… your Majesties,” I said to the princesses. “Well, at least you have manners,” she noted, before rising. “This meeting is adjourned.” With a flash of light, she and Luna vanished. Shining, Twilight and I turned to leave when… "Oh, Shining~!" Cadence sang. Shining Armor froze. “Help…” Shining Armor squeaked. I didn’t know a lot about women. But I had spent more than few nights at Sam’s. And I could tell when a woman was extremely horny by the way they spoke to their man. Seeing the look of fear on his face I shook my head in pity for him. "Sorry, bro,” I replied. “Your woman; your problem." Shining Armor gagged in horror as Cadence appeared next to him, wrapping her arms around him gleefully. “I have to say,” she said. “Letting you sleep in the guard house left me so lonely.” She leaned her head close to his ear. “How about you… make it up to me.” And with a flash of pink in the shape of a heart, the two teleported away. I scoffed. "Lucky bastard,” I scoffed. “Getting some tail while I'm left high and dry.” “Come on,” Twilight said, entwining her arm around mine. “If you’re going to the Gala, you need a proper tux.” With a flash of light, I found myself inside what had to be a clothing store. "Rarity?” Twilight called. “Are you home?" "One moment Darling!” A voice called from the lines of clothes. “I'm touching up a... Wait… Twilight?!” In seconds, Rarity raced into the room. Joy briefly flashed across her face… before it faded into shock at the sight of me. "Um...Twilight?” she whispered, pointing at me with an expression of fear. “Oh!” Twilight giggled. “Rarity, this is Jacob Ashley Williams. Just call him Ash.” She grinned at me. “He’s my new bodyguard.” “New… bodyguard… I see.” She gulped. “Well… what can I do… to help… you?” “Well, the Gala’s tonight,” I replied. “And apparently, I need a suit.” “T-The Gala?!” she stammered. “But Twilight… I don’t think the princesses would ever…” “They invited him personally,” Twilight replied. Rarity blinked in shock. “I… see,” she mumbled faintly, before giving my weapons a nervous look. “Um… c-can he at least not have any of those… weapons?” I chuckled. “Smart girl,” I said, unhooking my chainsaw and unsheathing my boom stick. I handed them to Twilight. “Mind holding these for me, sweetheart. Don’t need anyone getting too close to something that dangerous.” "Of course," Twilight replied, taking hold of my weapons. “Alright,” Rarity declared, summoning a roll of measuring tape with her magic. “Well… if you could please shed those hideous rags…” she stretched the measuring tape out. “I need to get your measurements.” I grimaced. “This is gonna be torture, isn’t it?” I noted. At the gates of Tartarus… A large cloaked figure trekked up to the Gates of Tartarus, flanked by several hooded figures. "Aŗ̳ͪẽ͔ y̨̙͋o̧̟ͮu̲͠ ̔s̴̯̐u̹r̂͢e̠͞ ̥thi̩̓s̅́ ̙i̡ͥs̙ͩ ̃a̷̖̿ ̹̚w̫̿i̬͝s̵̫e̪ ̶̔dͪe͕̓c̞͌í̝͏s̴i̢͚͐o̪n,̯ͦ̀ ̡̻my͇̓ ͆l͈ͯa͋͝d̴͚͒y͈?" one figure asked. In response, the leader blasted the figure with green magic. He disintegrated into smoke. As she turned around, the others bowed their heads before the Queen of the Changelings; Chrysalis. “A̶͐n͊y̷one͞ ë́͟ls̉ȩ ̡d̢ar̵ë ̢to͜ q͑ǘest̢̔įoṅ th̐ė̴i͛r ̵Quͭe͆͠e̛̾n̡?” Chrysalis demanded. Not a single one dared speak. Some didn’t dare to breath. “Ğ͕̰̮ͤö̞̥̤͂o̹̿̃̓̊d̂̾̽.” Chrysalis turned from them, and with a flare of green magic, she opened the doors to Tartarus. Immediately, the Mighty Cerberus lunged out, his three heads barking in anger. However, Chrysalis stood her ground, her magic glowing as she glared the three-headed canine down. For a moment, the two stood there, glowering at each other. However, Chrysalis had the aura of a queen. And all too soon, Cerberus backed down, whimpering like her glare had physically harmed him. Crossing by the animal, she made her way through the jail of the damned. Creatures reached out for her, groaning for mercy or some form of escape. But her eyes remained on one particular cage at the top of a mountain. Inside of which, a centaur sat hunched and emaciated. Yet, as Chrysalis reached his cell, his eyes, gold with black sclera, shined with a dangerous light. "Queen Chrysalis,” Lord Tirek’s voice oozed like a snake doused in oil. “To what do I owe this… unexpected pleasure?" “I̤̕ ̝̌s͓ͤe̒͠ȇ̵̲k̙ ̶̤t͚̀o ̸̠͆m̶ake̵̗ ̭͐a ̗̑d̸̽ea̹l̰ ̨̯w̱̌ỉ̴th ̕y̤̚o̻ͣ͜u̸̦,” The Queen declared. “I ͚̬ẉ̭̉͒i͔ͤͣl̗̮l ̥̥ͣn̟̻ot͉̦ͨ ̱̈́o͒ṋ͔ͮ̎l̹̗y ͬ́s̘ͦẽ̹t̪̠ ͛y̦ͫ͋o̙̙̽͂u̱̽̒ ͮͬf̩ͬrͪȅ̦e,͍̆ ̦̮̀b̦̲ȗ̓t̙ ͈̖I̾̓ ̻̯w̟͒i̜̜̓lͮͫḷͅ ̼̊g̮i͋ͤv̤̥̓̈́e̅̿ ̲͋ÿ̮o̫̔u a̎ ̪̣͂s͊t͇re̝͛ng̞̹ț́ͥh͍̞͑ f̳̊̒a̦̲͒͆r͙̯ ̮̎̂bͫẹ͗y̬͙ͫ̆o͍̖n̰ͯͩd͓ͪ ̦ͬwͣ̔h͙̦̆a͑t̳̦̏́ ̓a͆n̂y ̙̂p̗̟ͣ̽ony͍͒ ̼̟c̠̓̽ou̹̖ͯ̑l̗d͕̝̆͒ ̫͕g̝iv̯̟̇ẽ͕̩̐ ̰̜y̮̥͐ou̅.” Tirek’s eyes narrowed. “Quite a handsome reward,” he noted. “But what must I do in exchange?” “Y̵oͮ̎u̴͠ ̴ͮ͆wͥͮ͢ilͥ̀l̆ ̷̍̆ŝ̃e͂̃ȓ҉͡v̿e͗ ḿe͗̐͜,” Queen Chrysalis replied. “A͞͝n͏̸d̨̛ ý̨o͜u͞ wi̸̢ll ̷st̶̨a͏͏r̶t by̸ ́͘r̢͞e̛t͢ri͟e̡v͞ing̢͢ à ͞po̢n͢y of̵̛ ̶͜gr̡e̕a̵t ͠i̢m̶pòr̨̛t̀͞ance. ́͠Yǫ̴u ͏̛ma̡͟y̡ ͞k̀͝ill̢͝ a̢͢ny̢͠one y̢ơu li̴͢k̡e͡.͏͢ ̛B̛ut̢ ͞o̡͢ne͢ ͞m͢u͝s̸t̡̨ ̨b͡e͟͡ br̵ou̸gh͡t́ t̀o m͡ȩ͢ u̴n͜ḩa҉̧r̀͟m̷ed.” Tirek gripped the bars of his cage. “Who?” he asked. Chrysalis grinned, her fanged teeth flashing in the lightning of Tartarus. “T͚̽ẘ̹͎̒i̭̊ͩḽͫ̍ig̱̈̃h͓̗t̋̚ ̬̆S̻̣p͊a̯ͧr̄k̲͑͋l̠e̪̭ͭͧ.” The name sent a shiver through the centaur’s body. He smiled, his own fangs flashing in the light. “Oh, I will more than accept your offer for a chance to get at her,” Tirek declared. Chrysalis raised a hand. “A̹͋ḧ̜-͊a̘̔ͩh̃,” Chrysalis reminded him. “Ḳi̭ḽͧlͨ ͉̌th̳ͨeͭ other̞s̜͐ ̹ḭf̯ͬ ͮyoͮu ͖ͯmu͕s͙͒t̘,̀ ̝but ͇͗sh̺̏e͐ ̐i̪̾s ̰ͫt͕͛ö́ ͙be͂ ̫k̟̍eͥp̠̔t a͔ͯl͙i͕͗v̈e̠ ̣a̩̿nd̮̃ u͌n̬ͬs͍po͋i̖l͓ͨe̖d.” Tirek waved a hand. “Fine-fine,” he said. “But I should remind you; I can’t do much in this cell.” He waved a hand at his emaciated body. “Or how I am right now.” Chrysalis flashed a fanged smile as she powered up her magic. “L̤̬̀e̲t̫̯̔̿’ŝ͓̩̀ ̬ͩf͊ịͩx̃ͅ t̔ͣhȃ̳t̅,” she replied, before blasting Tirek with the magic. Tirek began to laugh as the magic hit him. But his laughter faded as he failed to gain any strength. Instead… he looked down in rage as a collar formed around his neck. "What is the meaning of this!?" he demanded, slamming at the bars of his cage. “A̽ͬ p̣̤r͉ê͖c̳̟a͖u̲t̬i̱̲on̥͕,” Chrysalis replied. “Y̠̺̋ó̪͍u̦ͣ ̃s̖̙ͥe̩̊e͇,̠̙ ̞ͫͣD̖̠̆i̬͉͛͌s̲̰̚c̱̽͂o̬ͤ̓ṟ̮͆ͪḍ ͎̈́m̜a̟̦͊yͭ h̭̖ͮ̓a͇͇͑̓v̠͓̅e͗͒ ̩͗b͈̀ͭē͙e̖n̰͉ ̘̙f͛̈́o͚̦o̙̾li̅͐sh͔͍̎ͥ ̟̠̈́͒e̜ͫn̠͐̊o̠͍u̳̻̽gh ̣ͅt̐ő̪̆ͅ ̱̿tř͕͉̌u̯̪̾s͙ẗ́͋ ͣ̎yͦo̦̭u͇ͣ̈́ ̤̤c̒o̼͚ͪ͊m̮̱͐pͧl̾̽ȅt͍̝͋̇e͒l͓͔̔y͈̙,̎̔ ̋͆b͇̊̚u̬̺t͕ͫ ͈ͤI̪̳ ͭ̚a̒m͖ ͈f͇̦a̫̭͑͂r̿ ̭͕ͦs͈̥m̯̼a͈r̰̣ͩt̊̉e͙̮ͦr̫͔͒͑ ͅth̒aͤn͎ ̍̽t̯ͅhͤ͐a̲̩͊t ̖c̯̪ͫha̪̓o͂ͯtĭc ̳̱̽ͣi̯̞ͧm̙̂ͪb̗͎ͯe͓̜c̹̙ͩ́i͒̓l̼ḙ̓.̠̂ ͫ͑I͙͐f̭ ̽t̰h̞̑ere̱’̥s̫̉̊ g͚͈͆oi͎ǹ͊g͒ ͣt̋̉o͍ ͭ̇b̗͌eͬ ̣͕̐ä́ͯn̝͇y ̱̬̃be̍ͤt̳̘r̀a͇͂yͫ̋al͂͛ͅ ͉̆ḭͥn ̱͓͛̆tͤ̄hi̗s ̜ͫͬp̲̞̂á͇r̰͚t̽ͤñ̼ěͫrͤ̒s̲̩͗h̬i͕͙p̦̺… ̺it̿͐’ͮ͒s͖̄̈ ̯͂̎ͅg̺o̠̝̓i̥͇͂̈nͩg̻̞͊ ̹t̲̪ͯo̾ͮ ̻̦̒͂b̄e̬ͩ̇ ̼̰̍͐fr͛o̤̓m̯ ͓̍̌m͙ͪe̘ͭ̆.” She smirked. “U̲n͖̳͐l̪es̩ͬͩs̋ ̞͙̎yͤ̏o̭̜͆̚u ̩̃ͨẘ͙̫a͙̗n͋̽t ̮̞͑t͎ͅo ̥͖̚s͉̳̉́t̞͆̈́a͙͛̐y̥̬͆ in̥̻ ̮ͬͧt̫̬ͤhͪͪȃt̝̰ͧ ̅͆cͬa̖͎͐g̜̹eͮ̿?” Tirek glowered, but lowered his head in submission. “G̈́̽o̱͔͓oͩ̽d̬,” Chrysalis purred. “Ň̑o̜̥͉w̱;̞̰̙̐ ̤̭̂ͦ̍ͅȧ͕̠͈̓cͭc̘͓̺͐e̬͓͌̑p̭͊t̩̣ͪ̓ͩ ̤̭̜ͮm̼̩͇ͦ̾y͈̠̻̔̃ ̝̬ͨc̝̮̈ͦͦh̲̑̌i͚͖̖̐ͧld̞̻͑ͪr͌́ͣe͎n.̜̬͕̂̒ ̹͔̍F̱̯͕ͬ̀͛u͔ͩ̓e͌̅l̅̀̂ ̌ÿ͓́o͊ű̞͖̜͊̃r͂̂̂ ̰̅s̟̈́̑͒t͛ͭͣr͎͎̔e̮ňͩ͆g̞͌͐ț͎̏h̤̯.” She motioned to her changelings, who stepped forward – some reluctantly – to the cage. Taking a great breath, Tirek sucked the magic and energy from the changelings, and grew enough to break out of the cage. “Yes,” he hissed, admiring the temple his body had become. “With this power, I could destroy even the magic that Princess Sparkle and her friends used on me.” “T̮̯ͬ̓͊h͂en͙̟͐̀ ̘̦͎̾̏d̲̭͚̈́͗ͪo̱ͧͥ̽ ̊iͦ͑͑t̙,” Chrysalis encouraged. “F̼̯in̩d̲̟̐͒ ̗̅Ṱ̹w͔il͖̣̐͛i̽g͍̳͛ͦh͇̤ẗ ̮̱̀̊Š͚̻͂pa̱͓r̰k̞l̗͓̀̊e͓.̩ ͪͥC̎a̼p̘̿ͅt͂̊ure̳̖ ͌h͖ͥer͔̰̅ ̆̾b͋̍y͚ͪ ͇͉͌̆a̭̥̔̀n͊y̰̱̽ͮ ͫṁ̥͌eä͈́n̚s͚̹ ̟̿̃n͂͆e̘̋c̥͐̊es̒͗s͈̣̾a͇r̞y̆. ̽̐B̩̺ͨ̈́u̗t̃ ̥͙ͧͤb̮͗ͨrͬͨi̒n͊̃g̔̄ ̻̉h͆ͧe̺͖r̼̭͗͂ ̰͕b̻̮̓͗ac̟̉k̻̑̿ͅ…” “Alive and unharmed,” Tirek said before she could. “As you command… your majesty.” Tirek sneered the last words as he moved past the queen, storming out of Tartarus. “You may have won this round, Chrysalis,” Tirek thought with a glower. “But if this means taking my revenge on Princess Sparkle and her friends… I suppose I can live with it.”