The Book of Water: The Marriage of the Slave King

A Story by TalonMach5

Chapter 6: A Conspiracy of Greed, Hearts, and Familial Obligation

They say that in the first age of Equestria that the forces of light and order, contained and shackled the forces of chaos and darkness, uniting the land in harmony’s embrace. Celestia and her allies, after much trial and tribulation, cast the Unmentionable One into the Pit and bound Discord inside a prison of stone. With the wicked ones cast out of Equestria, and their power bound, harmony reigned supreme. Truly it was a golden age, with benevolent Celestia leading those who sought it, to harmony’s path. While the Lawgiver hedged the way, protecting all from the pitfalls that hid in the shadows. But in the second age of Equestria, it was an age of strife. For the Prime Elements would quarrel with one another for supremacy, and none had any room for harmony in their hearts. Thus, it was an age of sorrow, of strife and despair, of war and destruction, for the shadows ruled, and chaos had free reign in their hearts. But then the third age of Equestria came, and with it balance. And though the shadows still remain in the hidden places, tempting all to do evil, Celestia’s light, offers refuge from the darkness.

-Author unknown, Inscription found in the Temple of Harmony, located in the ruins of Londwhinium

It had been many years since she had been this far away from Equestria. In truth, she hadn’t been to the land of the Zebrakan in ages. Until recently, she had little reason to travel so far from her home in the Domain of Fire. But now, there was nofeather else that she could turn to for aid. Though she had pleaded and begged with her former consort, he had refused to speak to her for nearly a decade. Even now, she longed to be with him, but he refused all of her advances. She didn’t know what else she could do, and time was running out. Soon Celestia would be free to compel him, and then her last chance to be reunited with him would be dashed to pieces.

In dark times like these, she had few friends she could turn to. Only somefeather clever and wise would be able to grant a solution to her distressing problem. Among the most powerful and wisest of the pantheon, she had few options to choose from. There was benevolent Celestia of course, and while she might sympathize with her situation, she would only be a rival in this case. Then there was Discord the riotous prankster, unfortunately he also had a tendency to cause mischief. All his aid would come with a hidden cost, and in the end you often ended up worse for having sought out his assistance. But even if she wanted to consult the trickster, he was currently encased inside his stone, and couldn’t help anyfeather, least of all her.

But if anyfeather could solve her problem, it would be the master of plots, the Winding One. When she first decided to seek out Jormungandr’s aid, she found that the Library of Eternity was abandoned. When she inquired to his compatriots of his whereabouts, nofeather knew where he had gone, not even the dreamlord Strix. It was as if he had dropped off the face of Equestria. Unfortunately, nofeather had seen neither sight nor scale of him in nearly a decade, and she was running out of options. This is why she decided trying her luck in the wilds of the dark heart of the Zebrakan. Though she wasn’t sure if he would even admit her, she was desperate, and he was her last remaining hope.

Looking down, she saw the innumerable silken strands of his great weave running in all directions. Tilting her fiery red wings, she circled the tangle of threads below as she sought out a proper place to land. Spying a clearing in the tangle of threads, she landed on her feet lightly. Looking to the web, she saw vibrating as its owner worked. Though she hadn’t announced her intrusion into his domain yet, she knew that he knew, that she was already there and waited to be invited into his home.

“It’s not often I receive a visitor so fair,” a deep voice said. “I bid you welcome into my lair.”

“Thank you for your hospitality,” she said, bowing respectfully to her host.

“Burning maid, why have you here come seeking my aid,” he asked, the bass of his voice making the thousands upon thousands of silk threads vibrate, carrying his voice to her ear.

“Surely, you must know what I desire,” she said, looking at him with hope in her ruby eyes.

“I know of the thing that you seek from the south,” her host replied, as he sat in the middle of his great web. “But I want to hear it, spoken from your own mouth.”

“I want him to love me,” she pleaded, with her wings outstretched in supplication. “Please Lord Ananse, you’re my last hope.”

Her host stopped his weaving, and looked at her with all eight of his shining black eyes curiously. “Lady Suzaku, seeking the means to make a heartless creature love you is a difficult test,” he said, holding a few threads with three of his eight legs. “I’m afraid that you will find it an impossible quest.”

“Then is there no hope for me?” she asked, with pleading and heartfelt eyes.

The Soul Weaver stopped tending to the warp of the great weave and considered her request. Currently, Lady Suzaku’s threads were a gnarled mess. In fact, everything that interloper touched caused the corresponding threads of fate to become tangled and unreadable. Though he cared little if she found happiness and love, her desires presented him with a unique opportunity. Try as he might, Lord Ananse had never managed to grab hold of the interloper’s threads. He often wondered if it was due to his foreign origins, but as of yet the secret to his resistance was unknown. But were he to aid Lady Suzaku in her endeavor, he might finally have the means to pinning down those loose and bothersome threads once and for all.

Turning his massive yellow carapace towards her, Lord Ananse faced Lady Suzaku. “Though whether you find happiness is of no consequence to me, I am not devoid of compassion” he said, clicking his mandibles. “I shall help you with your doomed and star crossed passion.”

When Lady Suzaku heard that the Soul Weaver had agreed to aid her, she was overjoyed. “What do I have to do?” she asked, eager to begin.

Lord Ananse began weaving a small tapestry with instructions written on it in a neat and flowing script. “This will tell you all you need to do to in order to obtain your heart’s desire,” he said, handing the beautifully woven silk tapestry to her. “I bid good luck to you, and hope that your quest doesn’t cause you to expire.”

Lady Suzaku shook with excitement as she examined the tapestry. This was the answer to her prayers. “Thank you so much, Lord Ananse!” she said, bowing deeply to her savior.

“Lady Suzaku, a word of warning,” he said, resuming his work on the great weave. “Tread carefully, this path you take. Though you may receive that what you seek, in the end you may bitterly weep.”

“Never,” Lady Suzaku said, preparing to take off into the air. “That he finally loves me is all I ask.”

“Then I wish you good luck in your endeavor. May Celestia’s sun shine upon you forever,” he replied, attacking the numerous tangles that had been created over the last few days. Once she had left his great web, he looked at her as she disappeared into the clouds. “Though she might be a useful tool, she certainly is quite the deluded fool…”

Shadow Knight Sombra stood triumphantly over the fallen Sir Hurricane the Gallant. Flashing his green eyes defiantly at Lord Triton, he flicked his blood stained tail flail once, causing it to make a loud snap.

When Lord Triton saw that his champion had fallen, he said nothing. He’d heard the sickening crunch the flail made when it had struck his knight’s head. He knew that his knight was most likely dead, the victim of the unicorn’s vicious and merciless attack. Getting up from his seat, he rushed down to the pitch to see if Sir Hurricane had fallen to the brute’s flail, and passed to the Summerlands.

When he reached the ring, he ignored the wicked unicorn and went to Sir Hurricane’s side. Checking for a pulse, he was relieved when he heard the seapony take a shallow breath. Summoning the power of Water, he enveloped his knight in a ball of healing water and teleported him to his citadel. Looking down at Sombra, he found the desire to slay the disgusting creature overwhelming. Knowing such behavior was beneath him, the Lawgiver returned to his seat at the Slave King’s table.

“This perverse entertainment has gone on long enough,” he said, giving the Slave King a dark look.

“I do,” Lord Triton replied. “But that creature is to be nowhere near Bone’s Landing, if you want our agreement to stand.”

Princess Celestia looked worried as the Slave King and Lord Triton spoke with each other. Due to the wicked behavior of one of her ponies, the peaceful arrangement she had helped create was in danger of falling apart before it even had a chance to begin. “Lord Triton, I’m sure the Slave King would be willing to concede your request in this matter,” she said, giving the Slave King an imploring look. She hoped that he wouldn’t be stubborn. Lord Triton was feeling wrathful, and the Slave King provoking him could be disastrous.

“Lord Triton, I can sympathize with you,” the Slave King said. “But Shadow Knight Sombra has won the contest and is entitled to a boon of his choice. Should he ask to be garrison commander of Bone’s Landing, I’ll have to grant him his request.”

“Then if there’s to be any hope for peace, pray that he doesn’t ask for that,” Lord Triton said with a hint of finality in his voice.

The ale they were consuming had put both Dawson and Dame Squall at ease. In fact, they were both cheering together as Sir Hurricane deftly avoided and parried against Sombra’s attacks. As she watched the two of them reveling together, Melody smiled. She was glad that she had managed to make two feathers that were so miserable happy. As she absentmindedly strummed her fingers on her lute, a dark blur near the pitch caught her attention. Her feathers tingled, that could only mean somefeather was casting in the vicinity. Using her unique ties to the Earth and Fire, she traced the magic along its ley lines back to the caster. She couldn’t tell quite who it was since their form kept shifting, but she could tell by their magic they were up to no good.

Before Melody could investigate, Dame Squall screamed, making her look towards the pitch. It was awful, what she saw made her heart sink. Sombra had smashed his tail flail into Sir Hurricane’s head, most likely killing him. Knowing the caster had most likely had something to do with Sombra’s success, she reached down and poked Dawson’s wing.

Dawson couldn’t believe it. Sombra had somehow managed to hit Sir Hurricane right in the forehead with his tail flail. He remembered how painful it felt when the flail smashed his knee, and didn’t envy the pain he must be feeling now. As he stared at the fallen seapony, he felt somefeather poking his wing. Turning around, he discovered that it was Melody who was wearing a look of concern etched onto her face.

“What is it?” Dawson asked, curious as to why the normally smiling Melody might be looking so distraught.

“I think someone interfered with the match,” she said, “I felt someone casting right before Sombra’s flail struck Sir Hurricane.”

Dame Squall was in shock, Sir Hurricane the Gallant had fallen, and to a mudslinger slave no less. She could still remember how he had kissed her fin and vowed to win in her name, to restore her fallen honor. And now he was unmoving and laying muzzle first in the mud. He might even be dead, she couldn’t tell from her vantage point. But all she could feel was sorrow welling up inside her breast, for the loss of such a great stallion. She also felt something else, a burning desire to avenge her fallen comrade. In her grief, her eyes overflowed with burning tears. As she freely wept for him, she heard Melody the Yellow say something that caught her attention, “I think someone interfered with the match.”

Dame Squall knew instantly what she must do. As a chevaleresse of ‘The Most Illustrious Order of Triton the Lawgiver’, she was honor bound to avenge Sir Hurricane if she could manage it. Turning towards Dawson and Melody, she picked up her trident and held it at the ready. “I demand you tell me who it was that interfered,” she growled, as her righteous fury was fueled be her grief and slightly inebriated state.

“Whoa, just hold on,” Melody said, trying to calm the seapony chevaleresse down. “We need to approach this carefully, or they might escape capture.”

Dame Squall nodded in agreement. As much as she wanted to charge headfirst with her trident, doing so would only alert the brigand that they knew. “Very well, Melody the Yellow,” she said. “How shall we proceed?”

“We’ll need a distraction,” Melody said with a slight smile, while looking at their half-filled mugs of ale. “Dustin and Dame Squall, do you think you could create one for me?”

Understanding what Melody had in mind, Dawson nodded once. “I think so,” he said, making sure his shemagh was secure against his face. “Where do you need it?”

“See that stack of ale barrels,” she said, pointing towards a stack of thirty large barrels.

“Good,” Melody replied. “I think the both of you are a bit thirsty, aren’t you?”

Following Dawson’s example, Dame Squall emptied hers as well. “I believe I’m feeling rather parched,” she announced, before heading towards the ale barrels to get a refill.

When Bazzt Zzzt saw the large seapony fall, he felt the pleasure receptors of his brain reward him for completing his task successfully. With the unicorn standing triumphantly over the presumably dead seapony, his job was complete and he was free to return to his hive. He felt a slight twinge of fear coursing up and down his carapace, but that was to be expected in his line of work. He didn’t know the reasons for his mission here and didn’t particularly care. With the job now complete, his only concern was how to escape the Slave King’s camp undetected. Looking up at him, he involuntarily shivered with terror. If he was discovered, his queen’s wrath would be the least of his worries.

The stories of what he might do to him if he was caught were well known to all members of his kind. Ever since their queen had tried extracting love from him, his people had earned the Slave King’s eternal enmity. While everyone was distracted by the fallen seapony, he took the opportunity to assume a new form. Dropping his current disguise, he transformed himself into a scruffy looking diamond dog. Slowly he moved away from the relative safety of his hiding place, and away from the ring. Now all he needed was a distraction, and he would be home free.

Looking at the assembled throng of different races, he tried determining who would be the easiest mark. Seeing a seapony mare heading to the ale barrels, he sampled her emotions. Oh, she was a sea of simmering anger against the residents of the Earth. She would do perfectly. However before he could act, a feathered folk bumped into the seapony and glared at her. The seapony shouted several things at the feathered folk, and demanded an apology catching the attention of several of the others. This was too perfect, a large number of the Slave King’s soldiers and Lord Triton’s knights were surrounding the two now.

Bazzt Zzzt couldn’t believe his luck. Sampling the heightened emotions permeating the air, he found that it was laced with anger and hatred. If things continued like this they quickly threatened to turn into violence. All he had to do now was light a spark, and it would ignite the bad blood they all had for each other into a brawl. Releasing a bit of his shadow magic, he sent whispers into the crowd enticing them to fight. To the seaponies he said, Those mudslingers killed Sir Hurricane! We need to avenge him. And to the Slave King’s soldiers he said, Those seaponies think they’re better than you. Show them who’s stronger! Within minutes the crowd was shouting racial slurs and epithets at each other.

Chuckling to himself at how easily he had riled up the mob, he walked over towards the largest diamond dog he could find. “Hey,” he said.

“I heard that seapony say you were nothing but a weakling,” Bazzt Zzzt said, pointing towards a large seapony knight. “He told several of his buddies, he thought you were a scrawny weakling bitch, and that you were nothing but a pushover.”

The diamond dog let out a low growl. “Oh yeah?” he snarled, digging his claws into the earth.

“You’re not going to let him get away with saying that are you?” he asked.

“No,” the diamond dog said. As he left Bazzt Zzzt’s side and walked towards the seapony knight. “Hey you, take it back!”

The Seapony turned around when he heard the diamond dog speak to him. Looking down at him he frowned. “Take back what? I have no idea of what you’re talking about,” he dismissively said.

“I hear you think I’m a scrawny weak little bitch, and a pushover,” the diamond dog accused, balling up his massive right paw into a fist.

“Well madam you definitely are scruffy looking,” the seapony said with a slight chuckle, before turning his back to the diamond dog.

When the seapony insulted him, the diamond dog’s eyes narrowed. “No one calls me scruffy looking!” he snarled, baring his teeth threateningly.

Before the seapony could say anything else, the diamond dog threw a hard punch right in the Seapony’s muzzle knocking him to the ground.

The seapony rubbed his bruised muzzle, before standing up. Looking to his friends once, he leapt at the diamond dog striking him hard with his fins and tail. The Seapony’s friends paused a moment, before picking targets of their own and joining the fray as well.

Bazzt Zzzt knew that now was the perfect time. Taking a deep breath he shouted out. “Everybody fight!”

Immediately the seaponies, diamond dogs, minotaurs, ponies, and beast folk, broke out into a free for all melee. It was pandemonium, as everyone used whatever they could find for makeshift weapons. Mugs, tent stakes, broken chairs, and even food were being used as weapons as they brawled. It wasn’t long before magic was being used, escalating the violence even further. But by then, Bazzt Zzzt was well away from the action, as he snuck away towards the edge of the camp.

Keeping his head down, he walked slowly towards his escape path, a hidden tunnel. Before he could reach its safety, he felt himself being lifted up into the air. Looking up, he was shocked to see a feathered folk holding him aloft. Knowing that he had no choice, he dropped his disguise.

Melody looked at the diamond dog in her grasp, and smiled when it revealed its true form, that of a changeling to her. “Ha, got you!” she said, with a triumphant grin.

“Youse gotz no onez,” Bazzt Zzzt said with a slight buzz, before slamming his head against her breasts making her drop him midair. As he fell, he opened his wings and headed as fast as he could towards the escape tunnel. Looking back, he saw the feathered folk trying to catch him, but at her speed wouldn’t reach him in time. He smiled in triumph as he neared the tunnel, only to be tackled from the side.

Looking up, he saw Dawson standing above him, pinning him to the ground with his knee. Struggling to free himself, the changeling transformed himself into a serpent and slipped out of Dawson’s talons. Speedily, he slithered through the tall grass to reach the safety of the tunnel, when he felt a sharp yank on his tail. Turning around, he hissed when he saw Dame Squall grabbing a hold of him.

“Stop right there, foul creature,” she commanded, holding onto the transformed changeling with all her might.

The changeling hissed once more, and then transformed into a minotaur before smashing a huge fist into her side. Knowing he didn’t have many options, Bazzt Zzzt prepared himself to fight these three until he could reach the tunnel. Bellowing a challenge at the seapony, he pounded his chest once as he backed up towards the tunnel entrance.

“You murderer!” Dame Squall shouted, while rushing at the changeling turned minotaur with a fury. “I swear I’ll end you!”

Bazzt Zzzt said nothing, instead lowered his horns in answer. Picking up several large stones by his feet, he held them menacingly at the chevaleresse, daring her to come within their reach.

Dame Squall felt like her soul was on fire, she could feel the righteous fervor of her order crying out for justice against this foul trickster. Had she been near some water, she might have used her water manipulation skills as a mean of subduing the changeling. However none was at fin, and she had foolishly left her trident behind. Knowing she had few options, she could only hope Melody and Dawson would have her back as she engaged the menacing minotaur shaped changeling.

“Little pony,” Bazzt Zzzt grunted, throwing a large stone at her. “Me gonna smash you good.”

She deftly avoided the thrown stone, and threw a hard punch at his left inner knee, hoping to slow him down.

When her gauntlet connected with his inner knee, he let out a bellow of pain before transforming back into a changeling. Back in his true form, Bazzt Zzzt yelped once before growling at the seapony.

Dame Squall growled in return. “Just try it vermin,” she said. “Prepare yourself to face the Lawgiver’s justice!”

Bazzt Zzzt said nothing. Instead he focused his magic inwards and began transforming. His torso and legs lengthened and thickened, while his mouth elongated and grew rows of long teeth. His blue multifaceted eyes coalesced into a pair of terrifying yellow eyes, while his black carapace split and hardened, taking on the appearance of wood. The newly born timber wolf opened its maw, revealing rows of razor sharp teeth before released a terrifying howl.

When she saw the monster before her, she paused. Although she had her armor, the timber wolf could still do some damage. As she looked at the snarling creature, all her instincts screamed run away. However, she was a chevaleresse of the Lawgiver, and had no fear of death. Refusing to back down, she steeled herself to stop this monster even if it cost her, her life.

Bazzt Zzzt prepared to devour this seapony wench who dared to interfere, when he was hit by a blast of fiery energy. Howling in pain from the fire devouring his wooden body, he reverted back to his changeling form. Looking up, he saw Melody hurl another bolt of fire as he galloped towards the only hope of escape that he had. He’d almost reached the tunnel and sweet freedom, when he was knocked to the side by a powerful gust of wind. Looking up, he saw Dawson’s talons crackling with golden magical energy as he prepared to unleash another gust of wind.

“Meez gonna killz youse,” Bazzt Zzzt weakly said, trying to find the energy to transform one more time. Weak and tired, he struggled to stand. Digging in deeply, he tapped the last of his magical reserves. Opening his mouth, he released a bone chilling howl.

Looking in alarm at the changeling’s transformation, Dawson released a gale of wind from his talons. “We’ve got to stop him quick, he’s changing into a…” he shouted to Melody and Squall.

Bazzt Zzzt’s shiny black carapace became translucent, as his body stretched and pulled. His fangs receded, while his muzzle enlarged and lengthened. Taking on the consistency of mist, his body coalesced into that of a windigos.

Realizing his warning had come too late, Dawson unleashed a flurry of kicks and punches at the changeling’s insubstantial body to no avail. Opening its muzzle, the windigo shaped changeling released a roar, covering Dawson with a sheet of ice. Seeing that he was in trouble, Melody launched a flurry of fireballs at the windigo. Roaring in pain, Bazzt Zzzt tried freezing everything he could. Trying to avert disaster, Dame Squall attempted using her water magic to combating its icy breathe, but found herself outclassed by its raw power.

Soon, all three of his would be captors were subdued by his icy howls as each of them were encased in ice. Laughing at their predicament, Bazzt Zzzt prepared to launch his final attack, a death blow to end these troublesome meddlers once and for all. Flying forward, he readied himself to shatter their icy prisons in hopes of slaying them once and for all. Before he was able to perform his coup de grace, he felt a blow of pure force hit him, sending him sprawling to the ground, making him revert back to his natural changeling state.

When Dawson opened his eyes, he sat up looked around worriedly for signs of the changeling. He heard a dark chuckle echoing from behind him. “You let the changeling get away,” a menacing voice said.

“What do you mean?” Dawson asked, confused at how it had managed to escape them. “I had the changeling on the ropes.”

“While you were sleeping on the job,” the voice answered. “You’re lucky I was here, or you and your friends might have frozen to death.”

“Damn it!” Dawson cursed, angry at having lost yet another chance to prove himself to the Slave King.

“Perhaps next time you should leave it to the professionals,” the voice mocked. “I’ll bet… Ouch!”

“Cut it out Second!” Melody said, stepping out of the tall grass after having hit the doomhound on the nose.

“As you wish, Melody,” he sneered. “I shall advise the Slave King of your responsibility in this little fiasco.”

“You go ahead and do that,” she said. “I’ll make sure to tell him that the changeling was helping Sombra for some reason.”

When he heard Melody’s response, he laid his ears back. “You little…” he snarled, before regaining his composure. “Very well little bird, tell the Slave King whatever you wish.”

She gave him a hard stare. “Go on Second, leave us. That’s an order,” she said.

“As you wish harper,” he replied, before skulking away and disappearing into the tall grass of the meadow surrounding them.

Once the doomhound was gone, Melody replaced her scowl with a smile and helped both Dawson and Dame Squall to their feet. “What an unpleasant ruffian,” she said, dusting off her clothes.

“Why in Equestria, does the Slave King keep such an unsavory creature in his employ?” Dame Squall asked, shaking the frost off her armor. “He’s definitely an untrustworthy fellow.”

“He’s real good at his job,” Melody replied, checking her feathers for any icy buildup.

“Tell the Slave King what we know,” Melody replied. When she saw his hesitancy, she gave his shoulder a small squeeze. “Don’t worry, it’ll be all right.”

“No it won’t,” Dame Squall said. “Sir Hurricane was treacherously attacked, and his assassin still roams free!”

“There’s nothing we can do,” Melody said, giving her a sympathetic look. “Hopefully Master Scourge will be able to track the changeling down before its trail runs cold.

As Melody and Dame Squall discussed the situation, Dawson walked back to camp hoping to drown his sorrows in a mug of ale before reporting his failure to the Slave King.

Princess Celestia felt disturbed by this series of events. First, Lord Triton was extremely unhappy by how his champion had nearly lost his life in the contest. Second, Shadow Knight Sombra, a most distasteful stallion, had won and was free to request anything he desired from the Slave King. Third, a changeling was sighted in the camp, and had incited a riot among Lord Triton’s knights and the Slave King’s soldiers. As if all of this wasn’t bad enough, she had the sneaking suspicion that her sister Luna and Lady Zephyr were feuding with each other over the Slave King of all ponies.

“How can you ask me to allow my knights to work alongside your soldiers?” Lord Triton asked, pointing at the pitch below them. Strewn across the field were their wounded seeking medical attention, and the unconscious forms of hundreds of their soldiers and knights.

“You’re free to pull out your knights,” the Slave King said, “if you feel that working with my troops is too dangerous for your ponies.”

“No, I don’t think so,” the Slave King said. “You agreed to the arrangement, and Celestia the Radiant witnessed it.”

“Gentlestallions,” Princess Celestia said, perhaps we should all take a breather. “Emotions are running hot right now, let us tend to the wounded and discuss this in the morning.”

“Very well, I agree,” Lord Triton said, excusing himself from the table. “This whole affair has fatigued me. I shall retire with my men to the beach”

“It will be dusk soon,” Princess Celestia said. “My sister will need to see to the night sky soon.”

Taking Celestia’s hint, the Slave King motioned towards his tent. “You may use my tent if you wish,” he offered.

Her face went crimson, when she heard the offer and its implications. “That’s most generous of you Slave King,” she said. “But where will you rest?”

“I have little need for sleep when the time of the Earth’s renewal approaches,” he explained. “I shall read the stars tonight. If you require anything, ask slave Gunhilde to fetch it for you.”

When Princess Luna heard the Slave King’s intentions, her heart skipped a beat. Finally, somepony who appreciated her night sky! “Slave King, we had no idea thou wert an astrologer,” she said, taking pride in his interest in her nightly duties.

“I’d prefer the title astronomer instead,” he said. “But yes, gazing at the night sky is something I do enjoy from time to time.”

“We art pleased that thou enjoyest our handiwork,” she said, pleased at his interest. “Perchance, wouldst thou care to see us construct tonight’s sky?”

“Luna the Beautiful, if that’s your desire I’d be willing to,” he replied, casting his gaze skyward.

“Then prepare to marvel at our splendor,” she said, drawing magic into her horn. Stretching out her wings to their full length, she flew into the air and lifted the moon high into the sky. Once it had reached its zenith, her eyes filled with the power of the night, and the evening sky slowly filled with thousands of twinkling stars. Each star was precisely where it was supposed to be, and even a few shooting stars streaked across the sky as she finished her task. With her calling complete, she looked down at the Slave King hoping to see he was impressed.

He had never seen either of the princesses raise their celestial body before, and he found the process rather intriguing. He wondered while looking at her, if they knew their elements as intimately as he knew the Earth. Gazing up at Princess Luna, he saw that the silvery moon seemed like a halo around her head, while the stars above wreathed her body with their brilliance. If he had to be honest, he would have to consider the sight of her raising the moon to be one of the most magnificent things he had seen during his time in Equestria. He silently wondered if he appeared as majestic during his own renewal.

“Slave King, did we shape the heavens to thy liking?” she playfully asked, hoping that he had been impressed. Usually she created the night sky quickly without much flair. However, tonight she had an audience and had wanted to dazzle him. When he didn’t respond to her inquiry, she smiled, pleased with herself. “We take it by thy silence, that thou wert pleased with our performance?”

Princess Luna’s comment had drawn the Slave King’s attention. Looking at her, he nodded once. “Yes, it was a thing of beauty,” he said. “I wonder if I appear as magnificent, when I renew the Earth.”

When she heard his compliment, her cheeks flushed crimson. Not only had he complimented her work, he had called her beautiful and magnificent as well. Landing on the ground she walked towards him. “Slave King, we thank thee for thy kind remarks,” she said, basking in all the attention she was receiving. Sitting down beside him, she looked into his luminescent green eyes. “If thou wish, we will happily watch over thee as thou renew the Earth this week, to see if thou art comely when flush with thy power.”

When he heard her offer, the deep tenor of his voice broke out in laughter. “Are you saying I’m hideous to behold?” he asked.

Realizing the implications of what she had said to him, her cheeks burned with embarrassment. “Slave King, we assure thee that we dost not think thy countenance to be hideous,” she said, hoping to recover from her blunder. “We art sure thou are quite handsome for thy kind.”

He gave her an inquisitive look. “But compared to ponies not so much?” he asked.

“Nay, tis not what we meant,” she objected, flustered that he kept turning her words against her. “We dost not think of thee as such.”

“Be at peace, Luna the Beautiful,” he replied. “I’m neither angry nor offended by your words.”

“It’s how I learned how to speak Equestrian,” he said, looking up at the stars overhead. Looking into her teal eyes, he smiled. “Back when I was the property of the Gem Biter clan, honorifics were extremely important. So it’s how I was taught to speak.”

“Oh we see,” she said, disappointed that he didn’t really think she was beautiful.

Hearing the disappointment in her voice, the Slave King leaned back into his throne. “But Princess Luna,” he said. “I’d say the title doesn’t do you justice.”

“Slave King, forgive us for our impertinence, but might we look upon thee without thy cloak and crown?” she asked, curious as to what he looked like now after so many years had passed since his ascension to divinity.

“If it pleases you,” he said. “However I must warn you, my naked appearance is quite frightening.”

“You shared a piece of yourself with me,” he replied, removing his cloak from his shoulders and iron crown from his head. “It’s only fitting I share a piece of myself with you.”

When she saw him, he looked much different than she was accustomed to. Beneath his cloak, his pallid flesh was covered with numerous scars and lacerations, a testament to prior life as a diamond dog slave. Across his chest was a vicious looking scar, she remembered that it was self-inflicted when he’d first become a deity to escape her sister’s judgment. On both his shoulders were his brands, bearing the mark of his former masters and his enslavement. His false metal arm dully reflected the nearby firelight, but was tarnished from daily use. When she studied his face, things weren’t any more pleasant. His nose had been repeatedly broken and never properly set, so it was at a crooked angle. Across his face, he carried the scars of one who had been badly burned, and his mouth was missing several teeth.

When he saw that Princess Luna wasn’t speaking, he moved to put his crown and cloak back on. “It’s no shame to dislike what you see,” he said, as the green fire in his eyes turned to glowing embers. “Why else do you think I made a crown that covers my face?”

“Despite thy abhorrent practice of slavery,” she said, using her magic to stop him, “we think thou hast a noble spirit within thee. Thou aren’t quite the heartless beast thou woulds’t wish others believe thee to be.”

When he heard her remarks, they took him by surprise. Compared to most of the pantheon he could be considered fairly monstrous. Most of his practices were considered barbaric and strongly condemned by some of the more enlightened deities, with her as one of his loudest critics. Yet she just admitted that she thought he had a sliver of nobility in him, however small it might be. The irony of it all made him want to laugh once more.

“If I didn’t know any better,” he said, giving her a bemused look, “I would say you were flirting with me.”

When she heard his accusation, she shook her head in denial furiously. “Nay, Slave King,” she said, lowering her ears against her head. “We just wanted thee to know, thou needn’t playeth the villain, it thou desireth something better instead.”

Looking up into the night sky, he stared at the moon. “What is it that you desire?” he plainly asked her.

When she heard the question, Princess Luna didn’t quite know how to respond. Of course, the proper answer would be for him to accept harmony, and to stop all of his terrible practices. However, part of her found the prospect of thousands, each bowing and scraping to her every whim enticing. With somepony like the Slave King under her thrall, all her desires no matter how improper could become reality. If her ponies couldn’t be bothered to appreciate all she did for them, surely the inhabitants of another domain might. All she would have to do is convince the Slave King, and she would be a queen, worshiped by all!

“What of your sister?” he asked, resting his crown in his lap. “Surely she provides you all the company you could desire?”

“Our sister tries, but she could never comprehend…” she answered, gazing up at the Pole Star. When he didn’t answer, she touched his hand with her hoof. “We think that thou mayest understand what we mean.”

“Yes, the solitude of the night. I enjoy its peace,” he said, looking at her for a moment before returning his gaze to the stars overhead. “Perhaps…”

Before the he could finish his sentence, a harried looking Harmony approached his throne. “Slave King,” she said, not acknowledging that her king was bereft of his cloak and crown. “I have urgent news.”

The Slave King placed the pelt of Darkpaw back on his shoulders, and rested his heavy iron crown on his head. Immediately the green fire in his eyes flared to life. “Princess Luna,” he said, gesturing towards his tent, “please excuse us. I have matters of state to attend to.”

“Slave King, we understand. We thank thee for sharing the eventide with us,” she said, excusing herself from his presence.

As she trotted towards his tent to join her sister, Princess Luna smiled. When she entered the tent, she saw her sister lying on a large cushion.

“So Luna how was your liaison with the Slave King?” Princess Celestia teased, motioning for her to join her. “Will the harpers commit your courtship to song?”

“Celestia, we would hardly call a simple conversation courtship,” she replied with a slight smile, before sitting down beside her.

“So what did you discover about him,” Princess Celestia asked, wanting to learn more about the Slave King.

“Only that he thinks we art beautiful and magnificent,” she boasted, giving her sister a playful grin.

“Oh Luna, it seems the Slave King has piqued your interest,” Princess Celestia replied, resting her head against her sister’s neck.

“We do admit he has a certain charm to him,” she said, looking out the tent towards the Slave King’s throne.

Princess Celestia smiled when she saw her sister’s longing. She had been worried that she might rebuff her plan when she presented it to her. “I’m glad you had such an enjoyable time Luna,” she said. “Perhaps you might wish to pursue him further?”

“We do not know. We have not yet decided, whether we shall seek after him further,” she answered, sinking into the cushion. “Mayhaps, we might deign to seek his company in the future.”

“There’s always his five hundredth inaugural celebration,” Princess Celestia suggested. “But if you fail to make your move soon, one of the others might. Lady Minoa especially, I’ve heard rumors she covets his crown.”

When she heard her mention that heifer, Princess Luna snorted derisively. “Lady Minoa?” she asked. “Surely you jest sister, she’s nothing more than a wildling. The Slave King is somepony who respects grace and intellect more than mere brute strength.”

“We refuse to entertain thy silly notions any longer!” Princess Luna huffed, fighting her sister for a greater share of the cushion.

Princess Celestia nibbled on her sister’s ear affectionately before closing her eyes. “Good night little sister,” she said, using her magic to dim the lamp inside the tent.

Normally she wouldn’t be sleeping so early, but Princess Luna had been awakened much earlier than she was accustomed to. Deciding that she might take a short nap, she looked out at the tent towards the Slave King who was still in discussion with his mage, and wondered what he dreamed of before drifting off to sleep.

The great doomhound paced back and forth in front of his frightened subordinate and rather bored looking hireling. “You idiots nearly ruined everything!” he growled, casting a baleful burning eye on both of them.

“But Master Second, I won the contest didn’t I?” Sombra said, trying to shift the blame away from himself.

“You nearly killed the seapony, you imbecile!” Second roared, frustrated that his carefully laid out plot had almost been undone by underlings clumsiness. “The Slave King, will start keeping a watchful eye on you now.”

Bazzt Zzzt smirked at the berated unicorn. The changeling couldn’t fathom why Second was accepting such feeble excuses. In the hive, if a changeling outlived their usefulness drones were immediately replaced. “Shall I’ze eliminatez himz for hiz incompetenze?” he buzzed with anticipation, hoping for a chance to use his more practical skills.

“Ize didn’tz botchz nothinz,” he objected. “Ize didz jobz az plannedz, Ize madez surez unicornz winz.”

“You were discovered,” Second countered, glaring at the changeling with his burning eyes.

“Ize discovered, Ize takes carez of ze problemz permanentzly,” Bazzt Zzzt said, flashing his fangs evilly for Second to see. “Whyz youse stopz meez fromz eliminatez ze problemz?”

“Because then I would have to produce the corpse of the changeling who killed Lady Zephyr and Lady Suzaku’s children and Lord Triton’s chevaleresse,” Second answered, opening his maw wide to reveal his razor sharp fangs.

“Ize seez youse pointz,” Bazzt Zzzt said, placing his hoof against his muzzle thoughtfully before transforming into a diamond dog. ‘Shall I procure your changeling assassin for you?”

When he heard Bazzt Zzzt’s plan, Second chuckled evilly. “Grub, I like how you think,” he said.

“As long as I get paid, I could care less if you like me or not,” Bazzt Zzzt said, turning to exit the tent. “I shall return by sunrise with the changeling responsible for interfering with the Slave King’s contest.”

“Good, I shall alert my superiors,” Second said, before focusing his anger back on Sombra. “You are to avoid any further complications, I expect you to ask for your boon and start overseeing the crystal mines as quickly as possible.”

“Yes master,” Sombra said. He would be glad once he was away from Second’s watchful eye, and running things for himself. Though the one thing he couldn’t decipher about the plan was why anypony should care about some worthless crystal mines all the way near Winter. “Master Second, what makes the mines so valuable?”

When he heard the question, he scowled. Sombra was definitely too smart for his own good. It would only be a matter of time before he would become unmanageable, and needed to be dealt with. In truth, Second had no idea why the Slave King valued the mines so much. All he knew was that the Slave King received monthly shipments of the things for his workshop beneath the ruins of the Diamond Vale, and considered them so important that he blessed the pony tribe working with him with a mark of power. As long as the crystal pony tribe continued shipping the crystals, they were protected from any harm.

“Sombra, you needn’t concern yourself with the why,” Second said, towering over the much smaller unicorn, and hoping to relieve his subordinate of any mutinous ideas. “You simply need to do as instructed, and enjoy the rewards of serving me.”

“What should I do with the excess crystals?” Sombra said, trying to learn as much as he could from his reticent superior.

“Stockpile them,” Second replied, “somehound will be sent to collect them at the appropriate time.”

Once he was alone in his tent, Second carved a summoning circle into the earth beneath his paws. Uttering a series of guttural growls and whines, the runes encircling the circle began glowing blood red. Slowly the terrifying visage of his master appeared before him as the earth inside the circle took shape. Terrified, he lowered his head and hid beneath his paws. “I have succeeded in my task,” he said, hoping that the monster before him wouldn’t be displeased with him.

The thing displayed inside the circle looked down at the trembling doomhound, and smiled revealing its large tusks. The lighting inside the tent wasn’t the best, but the lamps inside cast heavy shadows over its dark red skin. Its glowing red eyes, each as large as a dinner plate, cast an appraising look at its pawn. Slowly, it rubbed its left hand thoughtfully beneath its jutting chin. On each of its five fingers were claws, each of which was cruel and terrible to behold. Jutting out from its thick mane of wiry black hair, were two cruel and twisting horns. As it exhaled, thick black smoke exited out of its nostrils, while it ran its forked tongue along its many sharp teeth.

“Good. You have pleased me,” the image said. “Are there any loose ends?”

“Only two others know of the plan master, and both have limited knowledge of what it entails,” he said, sure that nohound could even suspect the gravity of what he was plotting.

“Excellent,” the image rumbled, happy that its plan was safe from being discovered by anyone for now. “Make sure it stays that way. And when it comes time to finish things, I’ll expect that you know what needs to be done.”

“Yes master,” Second said with fear and trembling in his voice. Refusing to look up at the beast that was before him, he hid his head behind his paws and trembled as he waited for his master to dismiss him. “Do you have another task for me?”

“Yes,” the image said. “When Celestia makes her move, ensure the Slave King is unable to decline her invitation.”

“I am close to achieving total victory over the pantheon. Second, do not fail me,” the image commanded, before collapsing back into the earth.

Once his master’s image had retreated back into the earth, Second destroyed the summoning circle and involuntarily shivered, relieved that such a terrifying moment had passed. He couldn’t remember when he first decided to betray the Slave King, but the terrifying memory of when he was first visited by his dark master would be indelibly imprinted in his mind, never to be forgotten. His master’s dark purpose was inside him now, gnawing away at his soul, driving him ever forward. The terror and fear he felt in ever failing his master compelled him to complete his tasks without fail. Now completely under his master’s thrall, there was no depth to which he would not sink, no depravity he would not commit, and no evil he would shun if his master willed it.

Feeling safe from his master’s fearsome presence, Second derisively sneered, and exited out of the tent. While walking to meet with the Slave King, he stopped to get a roasted chicken and a mug of ale. Sating his hunger and thirst, he laughed to himself as he thought about how he would soon be free to do as he wished. Once his master’s plan had come to fruition, he would no longer be under Scourge’s watchful eye. Looking towards the hill where the Slave King’s throne sat, he wondered what Celestia would say if she knew she would be responsible for his master’s release.

There will be time enough to philosophize, he thought to himself, as he climbed up the hill. But first, I need to reassure the Slave King that I have everything under control.

Aria was busy keeping the peace between the Slave King’s forces and Lord Triton’s knights when she saw her sister Melody walking alongside a seapony mare and an unfamiliar feathered folk. Deciding to see what sort of mischief her sister had been getting up to, she extended her wings and flew towards them.

“Ugh, I’ve never felt so cold in my entire life!” Melody said with a shiver. “I never knew they could change into so many different things.”

“Never knew who could change into so many different things?” Aria said to her sister, as she landed in front of them.

“What about them?” Aria said, narrowing her eyes at the mention of the Slave King’s enemies. “Melody, what exactly have you been up to?”

“Oh just a little bit of recreational espionage with my two friends,” she replied, wrapping her arms around Dawson’s and Squall’s shoulders.

“Awful strange company you keep these days sister,” Aria said, looking into Dawson’s brown eyes as she gave his shemagh covered face a curious glance. “I’m curious who this feathered folk really is.”

“Oh his name is Dustin, and beneath the mask he’s a rather handsome fella,” Melody cheerfully replied, while giving her sister a conspiratorial wink. “He’s just come back from scouting the eastern boarders.”

“Melody, it’s rather curious why I’ve never heard of him,” Aria said, playing with her red plumage.

“Well you know Aria… He’s spent most of his time you know, scouting the fire fields, looking for dragon gem raiders and stuff,” she weakly replied, giving her sister a cheeky grin.

“Dragon gem raiders?” Aria said, her tone indicating that she didn’t believe the lie for a moment.

Melody placed a finger gently against her dainty chin and smiled at her elder sister. “Alright Aria, I’ll come clean,” she said, dramatically grasping Dawson’s talon with her hand and clasping it to her breast. “Dustin here is my lover, but don’t go telling king daddy. He’ll be furious when he learns that we’ve decided to elope together to escape his wrath.”

Melody arched her brow haughtily at Squall in response. “Hey, you should’ve moved in on this dreamboat when you still had the chance,” she said, giving Dawson a sultry look and caressing her hand against his down covered cheek. “But don’t say a word my love. I know I promised I wouldn’t say anything, but my sister Aria has forced my hand.”

Aria just rolled her eyes at her sister’s antics. Ripping off Dawson’s shemagh, she was surprised to see that he was no feathered folk. “Melody, what game are you playing at?” she demanded, reaching for her knife.

Sensing he was in danger, Dawson’s eyes scanned his surroundings looking for a makeshift weapon he could use to defend himself. “I’m just a simple soldier,” he answered, preparing to leap towards a piece of firewood he spotted that would serve as a makeshift club.

Dame Squall thinking things might get a bit sketchy, prepared to defend her allies. Even if they were just a bunch of mudslingers, she still owed them for aiding her in her pursuit of the changeling assassin. Deciding she was in too deep to side against Dawson and Melody, she reaching out with her magic and found the perfect elemental weapon to use, a nearby pot full of bubbling stew.

Seeing that Squall and Dawson were preparing to defend themselves, Aria released her innate fire magic as she drew her knife, leaving a trail of flames behind as she made the first strike against those she thought might be her enemy.

Without missing a beat, Dawson leapt out of the way when he saw Aria’s tendons tighten. When the piece of firewood was within reach, he grabbed it as he rolled out of the way to recover into a low fighting stance. With the sturdy piece of wood in his talons, he raised it defensively as he waited for her next move.

When Squall noticed that Dawson leapt to the side, she immediately pulled the stew out of the pot and used it to block what she surmised would be Aria’s first angle of attack. Just as she expected, the knife met struck against the stew shield. However, she was unprepared for the flames that accompanied the attack.

“You’re strong for a mudslinger,” she stammered, struggling desperately to hold back the flaming knife with her meager stew shield.

Seeing how skillfully they had avoided her attack, Aria lowered her weapon. Wiping the remnants of the stew still on her blade, she sheathed her knife. “Melody, tell me true,” she said, resting her hand against her hip. “Just who are they really, and why are you lying to me about them?”

“It seems I can’t hide anything from you sister,” Melody said with an impish smile. “This is Dawson the griffin-half, son of Lady Zephyr, and our brother.”

When she heard that he was her brother, she felt the jealous sting of envy pierce her heart. She had often surmised the reason for her father’s dismissal of her, was that she was born female. It was the reason why she’d pursued the warrior’s path under the tutelage of Master Scourge, and why she fought so hard for the Slave King. She had seen how her father had applauded his performance today, and it hurt her deeply. Not once in nearly a decade had he ever bothered to applaud her skill with the bow. Now this griffin-half shows and had managed to win her father’s favor in less than a day! She felt the resentment she had for him, burn in her bosom as she thought how easily it would be to snuff him out.

Anger had always been something she had struggled with. Some days, it seemed like her constant companion. She would feel anger at never being good enough for the Slave King, for not being as beautiful as her sister Melody, for not being the favored daughter like Harmony. She could still remember Master Scourge’s gentle reproach to her all those years ago…

“My pupil, what ails you so?” Scourge asked her, as he watched Aria place several strikes against a practice dummy.

“It’s not fair master!” she shouted, striking the wooden target as hard as could, shattering its wooden into pieces.

“What’s not fair?” he replied, seemingly oblivious to her fury. “Remember to strike the target with smooth flowing motions, like water over rocks.”

“The Slave King gave Harmony a gift for her birthday last night!” she said, furiously hacking away at another practice dummy.

“If I recall it was a new cloak and broach bearing the seal of the Earth,” he said, circling her as he appraised her form. “Aria, make sure to use your hips when you strike, you lose striking power otherwise.”

“Of course Master Scourge, forgive me,” she said, calming down slightly as she used her hips on the next strike.

“Good my pupil, see how much deeper you were able to cut on the downward stroke?” he said, pointing towards the deep gash on the dummy.

“I’ll make sure to remember to keep using my hips for the rest of today’s training,” she said, assuming a ready stance as she prepared to execute more strikes against the practice dummy.

“I think you’ve practiced enough for one day. Would you care to join me for a walk my pupil,” he invited, patiently waiting by the door for her to join him.

She was about to say something before seeing the look on her master’s face. “As you wish master,” she said, acquiescing to his request. Carefully, she returned her training blade to its place on the weapons rack hanging from the wall. Looking back at the practice dummies in the training room, she could see what her anger had left behind. One was in pieces, while the other was threatening to fall apart. Wiping away the accumulated sweat on her forehead with a nearby rag, she joined her waiting master.

Walking together in silence they passed through the broken buildings of the Diamond Vale, she could hear the wind’s lonely howls echoing through the ruined city. Looking up, she saw the sun streaming down through the broken lava dome overhead, casting the only cheerful light this dismal place ever saw. Most found the old city a frightening place, but she thought of it as a kindred spirit. Even though it was all alone in the world, like her it was somefeather that still stood strong.

“My pupil,” Scourge said, breaking the silence. “I sense something troubles your heart. Your form while practicing today was quite poor.”

“I beg your forgiveness master,” she said, lowering her head and feeling ashamed that she had displeased him.

“Be at ease little pup,” he warmly replied, giving her a kind smile. “What bothers you so?”

She wanted to answer, but didn’t know quite where to begin. She could feel her emotional turmoil bubbling beneath the surface, threatening to escape her eyes. Inwardly, she chanted, Be strong Aria, be strong, as her eyes began watering.

“Master Scourge, why has he never given me anything?” she asked, turning away from the doomhound and clenching her fists. “Am I not worthy like my sisters?”

“I don’t know little pup,” he answered as truthfully as he could. “It’s not my place to know my king’s mind.”

“Does he hate me?” she asked, desperate for an answer, while shaking slightly as she tried hiding her face from him beneath her hands. Looking at both of them, she counted her fingers. Ten, just like the Slave King had, the man who never once acknowledged her as his.

“Why doesn’t he love me?” she wept, tightly embracing him as her tears fell on his arcanum armor.

“All parents love their children,” he replied, comforting his weeping pupil as best he could.

“I’m just an obligation to him aren’t I,” she seethed, outraged with the injustice of it all. “I bet he wishes he could send me off to the enclave so he could be rid of me once and for all.”

“My pupil, we have little say about the life we are born into,” he said, looking into her reddened eyes. “But we do have the choice of how we choose to live that life. Look at Lady Nightmare for example.”

When Aria heard him say that name, she froze. That shadow beast was definitely one of her least favorite beings. Nightmare always glared hatefully at her from besides the Slave King’s throne when she came to visit him. Looking up, she wiped the tears from her eyes and saw her stalking through the shadows of a nearby ruined building. She watched as Nightmare’s black form melted effortlessly into the shadows, leaving only her red eyes to be seen. Looking into those red pools of rage, she involuntarily shuddered before turning away.

“Little pup, Lady Nightmare has been for these past five centuries a most miserable creature,” he instructed her. “She only knows rage and cruelty. Don’t let her fate be yours.”

“Whenever you feel upset, come to me little pup,” he said. “Together, we’ll learn patience. In time, you will know the truth of my words.”

“Whatever else happens my pupil, remember this, I love you little pup,” he affectionately said, motioning for her to return with him to the palace.

Remembering what Master Scourge had told her all those years ago, made her stay her hand. It wasn’t Dawson’s fault that she had failed to reach the Slave King yet. Patience, I must be patient, she said to herself. “Melody,” she said “that he’s our brother doesn’t tell me why he was wearing a disguise, and why you’re gallivanting about with one of Lord Triton’s stooges.”

“Hey!” Dame Squall objected, unhappy about the insult. “I’m no stooge. I’m a chevaleresse of the Lawgiver, and I won’t stand idly by when somepony insults my liege, the order, or my honor.”

“Alright, I’ll tell you the truth,” Melody said. “Somefeather is plotting against the Slave King. We discovered a changeling interfering in the final match, allowing Shadow Knight Sombra to win.”

When she heard his name, she knew Second must be involved somehow. That doomhound had a coterie of followers, and Sombra was the biggest suck up of them all. Deciding Master Scourge would know what to do, she decided to take charge. “We must tell Master Scourge immediately,” she said.

“No, the Slave King needs to be told first,” Melody said, correcting her sister. “This plot concerns another domain.”

“Very well,” Aria agreed, "I’ll advise Master Scourge to speak with you once you’ve told the Slave King everything.”

As they walked up the hill to speak with him, she wondered what Second was plotting. Perhaps it was simply a matter of not wanting the Lawgiver to win. Even if the doomhound was a shady mongrel, he had no love for the seaponies. And then there was the troubling news that a changeling had been involved somehow, whenever they showed up trouble invariably followed. Deciding to wait until she had more information, she held her tongue as they approached the Slave King’s throne. Though it was dark, she could see his burning green eyes.

“What’s going on Melody?” an angry sounding Harmony asked her sister. “I heard you nearly got killed by a changeling.”

“Yes little bird, tell them what’s going on,” Second said, approaching them from behind. “Best stop dawdling, the Slave King waits.”

Refusing to pay any attention to him, Melody, Dawson, and Dame Squall approached the throne. Snickering at them once before walking away, Second melted into the shadows. Knowing that he was up to no good, Aria took to the sky looking for Master Scourge. He would know what they should do.

Looking down at the three unlikely companions standing before him, the Slave King gave them a cursory glance before addressing them “So can anyone tell me what happened?”