Kingdom of Ruin
I did not have a restful sleep as we traveled. My mind was restless, I kept on having nightmares. Every time I lay my head down to rest a new vision haunts me keeping me tossing and turning. Each dream I had was almost as horrible as the last, my experience with the Seraph clearly had me shaken.
My dream was of the Seraph succeeding in their plans for the Doctor, my sister and me. I had to watched as they executed my sister. Firing a ray of light at chest as light erupted from the inside out until nothing was left, extinguished from existence. Then I watched as they drained the Doctor of his knowledge and conquering time and space, taking whatever was left of him and purging it. As for me I was purged and made into a soulless aetherial being that lead the Seraph through time and space purging the ponies of the universe. My next dream was no better, instead of be turned into a Seraph I embraced my dark side. I reveled in my ability to destroy stars, snuffing them out one by one without thought or care. Though I wanted neither to happen, I still dreamed of it.
Finding sleep eluding me I left my room wandering the halls of the TARDIS. I remember when I was young filly trotting around these halls in wonder as I explored. I found my things in my searches, but try as I might somethings I never found again. It was if this place was constantly shifting adding rooms and taking them away. I have lived within this ship for eight years and I doubt I will ever learn how large it really is.
Lost in thought I find myself in the control room the center moving up and down as we fly through time. I look at the doors and wonder how long till those doors open to my home. I remember the promise made by the Goddess we met, telling us we will see home again. A monumental task awaits us when we do reach home, free our world from Discord. Can we do it? I hope we can. Will we be ready? Again I can only hope we are. I going to have to put my trust in the Doctor and hope he prepares us fully for what is to come.
My thoughts are broken by the sounds of the TARDIS landing, I can only hope it is home. The Doctor arrives first he spots me smiles then checks the instruments checking if the conditions outside are safe. My sister arrives next trotting next to me as we watch the viewer, I wonder if she hopes it is home too. The Doctor turns on the screen as the outside comes into focus. I am excited to see what looks to be a kingdom, large stone walls surrounding many homes with a castle in the center. I do not know how many kingdoms are in Equestria it may be one of them, the only castle I was familiar with was on the edge of a forest.
"Is it safe to leave Doctor?," excited hoping I am home.
"Yes I dare say it is," moving towards the doors ready to leave. "I know you are excited. Try not to wander off to far," he warns as the door opens and I leave. I am met with a nice breeze and the sun shining overhead. I take it all in finding it nice and relaxing taking a moment to myself to let my worries go. I can see the kingdom in the distance and a dirt road leading to it not very far away. I never thought I would be so happy to see dirt, but for right now I am. The kingdom looks large and majestic it reminds me of home, which it could very well be.
I notice as my sister and the Doctor exit the TARDIS, the Doctor locking the ship while my sister romps around in the tall grass.
"Do you think we are home Doctor?," holding onto the hope that we are.
"I am afraid not Celestia," bringing me down. "The sun and the clouds move on their own accord here no ponies guide them," I could see him looking up and observing as he came to his conclusion.
"It must be hard for the Pegasi to live here if the clouds move on there own Grandfather," my sister commented as she looked over to the kingdom.
"Worry not Pegasi are remarkable ponies they can handle themselves," he smiles glancing at the some clouds staying still despite the wind. "You see a large cloud formation above the kingdom, I am certain it is a Pegasus town," trotting toward our kingdom destination.
"Doctor," getting his attention as we trot to the kingdom. "There is something strange about this kingdom, it is about the location."
"You noticed it too. I am glad you are using your skills of observation," praising me. "Tell me what you noticed and we can compare," giving me encouragement to go on.
"From what we were taught about kingdoms, they almost always had some sort of natural protection," remembering that castle in which we stayed was on the edge of the Everfree. "This kingdom is in the middle of a field, the walls are not even that high. It could easily be attacked on all sides and be taken down easily. I also noticed no rivers or lakes near by. Something could be behind the walls or maybe the Pegasus provide the water, but I am not sure. It doesn't make sense from what I know a kingdom like this should of fallen, yet here it is flourishing."
"You are quite right," the Doctor agreeing with my observations. "It does not make much sense. The only thing we can do is go in and find out why," he grinned as we arrived at the gate. What greeted us was masses of ponies entering the kingdom banners flying around. "Looks like we are here in time for a celebration," exclaimed the Doctor. Watching as the parade of ponies marching by holding their symbols.
"Grandfather what are symbols on their banners?," my sister commenting on the strange signs on the banners.
"Well this is curious," he mumbled as he looked at the symbols. "They are runes my dear, ancient signs of power and magic. I find it strange that they are on banners being waved around instead of in a book."
"They are signs of magic?," curious what he meant.
"Yes old and forgotten magic, Starswirl studied it for a time," referencing my old teacher with sadness. "These symbols would be carved in stone and enchanted giving the one who used them some benefit," recalling what he learned from Starswirl.
"Then why was it forgotten?," the reason lost on me. "It sounds quite useful to give ponies a magical boost," I comment as the Doctor gives me a glare.
"That is why it was forgotten," he lectured us. "Ponies became dependent on them and drove some to madness, however that is not the worst of it," I shuddered at his words. "A dark and twisted magic rose from the desperation turning ponies against one another. It was not long after that it was made forbidden to practice the magic and was forgotten through time."
"The ponies here are waving it around on banners," observing the festivities. "I do not think they understand the history behind them," hoping I was right.
"You may be right Celestia," as he looks over the banners. "However, somepony did find the symbols and decided to use them to mark the noble houses of the kingdom." Pointing out each symbol as he named them off, "the house of strength, the house of knowledge, and house of magic. They are considered the most important here and it is up to us to find out why," giving us our mission.
Outside the kingdom the festivities were in full swing. There were lines for food and games and another line which looked like they signed ponies in for events. We stood in line which looked to be the one for information, I noticed a few stares at my sister and I as I did my best to ignore them.
"Are you here to watch or join?," asked the board voice of information pony.
"I apologize Madam, I am rather new around here could you please explain?," the Doctor replied trying to get information.
"Another traveler," she sighed, most likely annoyed she has to explain things to us. "Every year the three houses recruit new ponies into their fold. Of course not anypony can get in you have to prove yourself worthy first where the give ponies tests depending on the house. Strength tests in speed, endurance, and dexterity a pony has to have qualities in one of those to join or the quality in which the house is named. Knowledge tests in intelligence," I could tell that got the Doctor's attention, "cleverness, and wisdom it is much like strength. Magic has it own type of test they have those who want to join put on a show and get judge from there."
"I assume by watching you mean ponies can watch most of these test take place," the information mare nods. "Very good, aside from joining the houses are there any other benefits to joining the games?," clearly seeing there is more to it.
"Actually yes," she responds. "The top three ponies of each house get to go to the castle and become part of the Council of Nine. It is what everypony here for to be part of the council and give advice to Lord Rune in ruling the kingdom," telling us most join for political gain.
"Did you say Lord Rune?," the mare nods. "Interesting," I could see the Doctor plotting something. "We are going to join. Thank you very much," he leaves the information desk and heads towards the area of the houses.
"Why did you tell her we were joining Doctor?," trying to get insight on his plan.
"To meet this Lord Rune of course," heading towards the flying banners. "I fear something darker behind these festivities and this Lord may be are best way of finding out what."
"So you plan to join one of the houses and get selected to be part of the council. Am I right Grandfather?," my sister picking up on the Doctor's plan. "What about us, should we join as well?," curious if we play a part as well.
"Yes I believe it would best suit our intentions if you both tried as well," giving us his approval. I would suggest the House of Magic for you both. Show each other how far you progressed, think of it as a competition between the two of you," giving us his trademark smirk.
We arrive quickly to the main desk where the ponies are signing up to join each house and made our way to the front. Again I noticed many ponies staring at my sister and I as we waited. I wondered why they would stare at us, my only thought is that maybe they have never seen an Alicorn before. "My fine sir," spoke the Doctor to the pony at the desk. "I have decided to lend my superior brain power to the House of Knowledge," the Doctor acting smug. "As for my two lovely Granddaughters, they would be delighted to show off their talents to the House of Magic," his boasting of us making us blush.
"Wait did you say two Granddaughters... as in mares?," looking up at us shocked that we were in line.
"Yes is that a problem," the Doctor sounding annoyed. "Are mares not allowed to join? I can assure you that my Granddaughters can blow most of the amateurs away," staring down the poor stallion.
"No ... I mean yes they are allowed to join," squirmed the pony fearing the Doctor's wraith. "It is just surprising no mare has ever joined a house before," giving his reason for his shock. I found it odd that no mares ever tried to join before us, perhaps they felt the tasks were to hard or beneath them. Whatever the reason I am sure after my sister and I perform the mares of the kingdom would take the chance and join in next time. "If you don't mind me asking what are they?," looking at my sister and I as he spoke to the Doctor.
"What do you mean? They are my Granddaughters," the Doctor replied.
"I know that," the pony mumbled. "They have horns and wings, I have never seen a pony like that before," I could see many of the other ponies have gathered curious about us too.
"Is that all, they are Alicorns," the Doctor stating a fact. However, it did little to quell the minds of the curiosity of the ponies around. "I see you need a much more in depth explanation," as I saw that smirk that meant only trouble followed. "You see when a Unicorn and a Pegasus love each other very much...," I wish I could wipe what I learned from the Doctor explanation from my mind. Learning about the Unicorns and Pegasi in such a way in such a public place was embarrassing and horrifying. I may never look at the two ponies the same way again, I now know where foals come from. The only fortunate thing to come from it was the ponies never stared at us again.
We soon split going to the houses we were pretending to join. The Doctor to knowledge and for us magic. My sister and I agreed to use fake names and to see separate ponies when we joined. That way it would be unknown who is who until we took the stage and we would watch the other perform. As the Doctor suggested we made it into a contest between us to see who would get the most cheers, in truth we cared little if we got into the house or not. I gave the name Sunfire to the pony that signed me in and they told me to wait at the arena in the area for the wanting to join until my name was called.
The arena was full packed with ponies each one watching as the magic hopefuls succeeded or failed. From what I caught in conversations this was one of the most popular watched events in the festival. There were rumor that even the Lord watched them from his perch, as I looked at the darkened royalty box wondering if he was there. Apparently he only shows up if something has caught his interest, with the lack of guards I guessed he was not here. Until I found out he does not have guards. I found it odd that he has no guards to protect him, even my own parents had guards and there were no stronger ponies in Equestria. I stared at the perch warily it did feel like somepony was there watching as I shuddered, if there was I hoped it was not the Lord we were suppose to impress.
The crowd cheered and booed as different ponies took the arena center. If they made it or not was decided by judges from the house of magic, however nopony knew who they were just one of the many ponies in the crowd. It was found out at the end if one made it or not by having their names called out and taking center at the end. From what I discovered they were also very stringent in their selection never going beyond ten ponies to join their house. However, for me this is a contest against my sister to see who is the better. I wonder if the Doctor was watching? He most likely trounced his tasks giving him a spot on the council, if anypony can get us into the castle I am sure he can.
I heard the name Ocean Moon get called out by the announcer, wondering if it was my sister I watched as the contestant took center arena. I smiled when I found out I was right and my sister took the center. I could hear the muttering of the stallions around me about they doubted she would make it, some even looked at me most likely thinking the same. I held back my anger not wanting to be kicked out, but I will show them and my sister will as well.
She started her routine with a simple spell. Summoning up clouds over her head making it rain over her body. The water glistened in the light over her coat as the entire crowd went silent, a young teen mare soaking wet was probably a fantasy of many of the stallions in the crowd. She had the crowd's attention now she began her show. Controlling the water it flowed off her coat into a stream at her hooves, I could feel her magic intensify as a chill went through the arena. She froze the water making it into ice that she started to skate on melting and freezing continuously as she moved about. She danced on the ice gracefully performing tricks and making shapes with the water, a smile on her face showing she was having fun. I noticed as the shadows started to move and bend around my sister following her whim. The shadows mixed with the water creating sculptures of ice of ponies and animals and other various things, she was clearly showing off her talent. I watched in awe as she immersed herself in her power as her darkness consumed the arena, one by one the sculptures shattering there pieces taking a spot in the dark. All at once the ice glowed with a giant ball of ice in the center, my sister has recreated the night sky the shards of ice as stars and the large ball the moon. She let out a burst of magic and it all exploded as light was again returned to the arena a light snow coming down over the crowd. With that she gave a bow and left the stage leaving a stunned audience in her wake. The crowd was silent as lone slow stomping came from the dark booth, it was quickly followed by more and more until the whole crowd was stomping thunderously and cheering for my sister. I was very proud of her, but now I had to ready myself she had set the bar and I had to overcome it.
Other acts just blurred by as I planned my routine, I barely acknowledged my false name when called. It is my turn now to shine and I plan on doing so. I teleported myself center arena in a bright glow of light, much like mother. The light illuminated the crowd as I flew out of the center gracefully landing on the ground. I made sure I had their attention now I need to keep it. Summoning balls of fire surrounding me they circled. Floating in the air with magic as their source of fuel. The fire answers my calls forming into a circle around me. I mold the fire as I feel the heat as it brushes over my body giving it commands making it dance with me. Using my ability of illusion I make it appear I have separated into four. The four of us racing around each with fire at our command. We each did different things acting on our own to impress the crowd, showing my talents in illusion is well developed. We each took a corner of the arena and face the center then lit ourselves a blaze. I can only imagine the awe of the crowd as four ponies of fire charge each other to meet at the center. Immersing myself in the blaze a giant sphere of flame formed in the center, a miniature sun. The crowd most likely thought I was roasting myself alive, but the fire and heat never touched my coat. I shout myself up taking to the air molding the fire to my whim taking form of a firebird screeching over the crowd. I dispersed the fire and released a wave of heat and a burst of light over the arena distorting the air making it shine a myriad of colors over the crowd. Landing I bowed and left the arena hearing the cheers and stomps as it washed over the crowds.
Elation poured out of me, I felt that I proved myself today in front of the crowd. I proved to them what I could do and showed despite my age and gender I was not to be underestimated.
"You provided a marvelous show sister," came my sister voice as she came and greeted me.
"You did as well," returning her compliment. "You set the goal for me aspire too," giving her praise.
"Thank you sister, we wanted you to be challenged. We know you would of provided the same if you had been on first," I giggled in agreement pulling her in for a hug.
"I think we both did marvelous," judging us tied. "Truthfully I could care less if we made it into the House of Magic or not. I believe we both proved ourselves today," my sister nodding in agreement.
We stayed together watching the other hopefuls as the trials came to an end and the final judgement was now upon us. Three aged Unicorns took the center arena, the heads of the house and judges, one giving some long winded speech about their noble house. I managed to stay awake during the speech waiting to see if either of our names were called. Down the list of mages they went giving each congratulations for making into their house. Not once did I hear my name or my sister's be called, I was starting to wonder if they did not accept us because we are mares. The judges had reached the final name on their list it was still neither of us. I could hear the disgruntled crowd get angry at the judges, apparently they thought we should of made it as well.
"We have a special announcement to make," proclaimed one of the Unicorns quieting down the crowd. "We have purposely left two ponies out of our selection," the crowd booed as the Unicorn held up his hoof to quiet them down. "We have done this because we have been overridden in our selection," muttering came from the crowd. "The Lord himself has chosen these two ponies to come to the castle himself," gasps of surprise came from the crowd. "He has exercised his right as our Lord to select anypony he chooses to join him in his council and give them a house of their of own. Therefore, they are beyond our choice to become part of our house," giving their explanation to the shocked ponies of the crowd.
"It is with great pleasure that I welcome our newest noble house and it two founding mares," the crowd gave an uproar of cheers. "Would Ocean Moon and Sunfire please take center stage," rewarding us for our effort. I could not help, but feel wary this seem too convenient that the Lord happen to choose us both to start a new house. I remember the feeling I received when I looked at his booth, I fear this is not as it seems. However, in front of the crowd I fake my smiles and pretend to be gracious to the honor I have been given.
Everything afterwards was a rush as we and the selected other three selected from the house of magic were lead to a special tent. We were told that all house representatives would be meeting here and would be brought to the castle to meet the Lord. I almost cried out in cheer when the Doctor walked into the tent, he grinned at me giving me a wink.
"How did your test go Doctor?," wondering about his tasks.
"Tests," he scoffed. "They were simple I hardly had to think at all," boasting how simple it was for him. "I fear for this kingdom if that is what the brightest minds have to offer," acting in his smug fashion.
"Did you get to see us Grandfather?," my sister beating me to the question. "Did we do well?"
"I am proud of you both, you indeed did well," praising us away from the others. "I saw your little shows, though I was quite surprised by you Luna. I never thought you would do something so provocative," my sister blushed as she stuttered out apologizes. "That does not matter anymore," brushing it away. "What matters now is that we are all meeting the Lord and we can get to the bottom of our mystery.
"Doctor, I fear something dark about the Lord," speaking my dreads to him.
"I sensed that too," agreeing with my feeling. "Your suspicious about his intentions as well," I nod my head. "Good I taught you well," giving me praise.
While we waited the Doctor got more answers about how the council system worked. Three ponies from each house were chosen and were part of the council for a year. After the year was over new members were chosen, hence the reason for the festivities and tasks. He also found out the each selected member, the best of the best, only served one year and never served again. When he asked what happened to those that had been on the council the response only worried me more. We were told the Lord has a place for them to relax and live out the rest of their days without worry. In my experience with the Seraph I learned, "If anything sounds to good to be true it usually is." I fear we are all walking into a trap.
We did not have to wait long after all those selected for the council had met. A lone mare had come to get us and take us to the castle. She looked jittery and scared she was covered in a long dull cloak hiding her body. I could tell from her face she was very pretty and she was all dolled up for some reason. We did not get much out of her only that she worked for the Lord and for us to follow her. As we trotted to the castle I tried to strike up conversation with her, she only looked at me trying to say, "I am sorry and you poor filly," with her eyes and kept walking.
The castle was huge it took up the center kingdom. It had high brick walls and large wooden gates, it was majestic like a castle in a fairy tale. I looked around and saw no guards on the castle walls or at the gate, how does the Lord protect himself? The mare knocked on the gate and it opened for us. We went in as I noticed the extravagant tapestries and soft rugs. The chandelier on the ceiling and lamps lighting the halls. The interior of the castle is beautiful.
Once the doors closed that is when our guide removed her cloak. I did my best to keep my mouth from dropping open when she revealed what she was hiding. Underneath she wore a maid outfit that was tight on her lovely frame. I looked away in disgust trying not to stare, the stallions of the group except the Doctor did not offer such kindness to her. Rudely they stared at that poor Pegasus mare who was only dressed like that because her Lord commanded it. My feelings for this unknown Lord are quickly turning to anger, if he treats his servants like object I can only guess how he would treat us. Despite the stares the mare did her job escorting us to the door of the throne room, I noticed other maids scurrying about realizing I had yet to see a single guard or stallion.
The doors to the throne rooms opened without aid as we all stepped inside. The room was huge decorations lining the walls banners across the ceiling, I can only guess they are the other places under this kingdom's control. At the end of room sat the large throne over it the three banners of the houses of the kingdom. Only the top of the throne could be seen with three gems sparkling at the top. The lower half is covered covering the ruler in a dark veil. The maid approached the covered throne and bowed from the cover a hoof appeared beckoning her closer. Timidly she approached the throne stopping a few feet in front. I noticed and felt as a red magical aurora surrounded the mare and pulled her forward her hoofs scrapping against the the floor. She showed no signs of fighting it as her head vanished into the veil. The Doctor stopped me before following my thoughts of rescuing the mare, holding out his hoof observing everything. Within a few moments the mare was released completely changed from the way she was before. Happy and joyful full of life which she lacked before flirting with some of the stallions ogling her from before giving her rump a little shake before leaving the room the doors shutting behind her.
"Welcome to my humble castle," came the most enchanting voice I have ever heard. "I hope my staff has treated you all well," his voice it was so entrancing, I wanted to see him. My wish came true, a wave of magic washing over us the dark veil uncovering the stallion it hid. My heart went into my throat as I gazed upon the Lord my heart picking up the pace as I shamelessly ogled him. He is gorgeous, the type of stallion a young filly always imagines when they hear about a handsome prince. His coat shine pristine well cared for a dark red color, blood red. His mane and tail black with streaks of blue, barely bright enough to see against the black contrast. His eyes a bewitching golden yellow reminding me of a dragons, but these could hold me forever. I marveled over him his strong proud form analysing every inch of him like a schoolfilly with a crush. My eyes caught his cutie mark an area of white on his red coat inside the area the three runes of the houses were encrested. Each mark had a different color that appeared to glow the sign magic a bright blue, strength was red, and knowledge was gold. Lesser runes were next to the main I counted six in all and at the center a master ruin binding them together, it was black.
"I look forward to getting to know each pony here," his melodious voice sounding through the room. "Especially you Sunfire," I held back a squeal of delight as he stopped in front of me, "and your sister Ocean Moon as well," his eyes looking past me at her as I held back my jealousy.
"How do you know they are sister's?," the Doctor's voice rang out breaking me from my spell. Trying to make sense of why I was acting like such a foal.
"It is quite obvious," staring at me becoming enamored again. "Two such lovely ponies enter my kingdom a mix of Pegasus and Unicorn," brushing my wings with his hoof sending shivers down my spine, "what else could they be, but sister's. Am I right?," looking right into my soul as I mindlessly nod in agreement.
"Be that as it may I do not enjoy you being so familiar with my Granddaughter," pulling me away from the Lord and standing between us. I look around free again the other ponies in the group entranced as well, my sister included. I pull her close and break her free as she looks at me confused.
"You are not like the rest. Are you?," as I try to block out the stallions harmonious voice. "I never had a pony as resistant as you in my castle. I don't even know your name," I believe I heard him hiss.
"I never gave it," the Doctor as defiant as ever. "If you must call me anything than the Doctor will suffice. What shall I call you?," I wish I could watch him stand up to the Lord, but I was afraid to fall under his spell once more.
"I have long since discarded my old name most call me Lord Rune," he casually replied. "What would you call me Doctor?," throwing out a challenge.
"I would call you what you are," the Doctor voice allowing me to fight the spell. "You are a parasite preying off of ponies taking what they are and making it your own. You bring nothing but suffering for the poor ponies of this kingdom. You are Ruin," giving the Lord his new title.
"Ruin it does have a nice ring to it," his agreement ringing in my ears. "Judging from your tone you are familiar with my abilities," his growls emanating from the walls.
"I am, you are using voice magic with an allure spell," smug in his observations. "It is meant to hypnotize anypony not prepared for it, especially the opposite gender. Only those with strong wills and minds can stand against it or if they know the counter spell to it," giving me the information I needed to break us all free.
"My you are clever and knowledgeable, perhaps there is more to you than intelligence," the Doctor providing the distraction I need. "I can see it you know more than you let on. I can almost feel you anger. Before you called me a parasite which means you understand my power."
"Power," the Doctor scoffs in anger. "You have no power, all you have is what you taken from other ponies without it you would be nothing. I am very familiar with your magic, the dark forbidden magic known as Branding," the name sending shivers over me. "You mark ponies with your brands stealing there very talents and slowly draining them of their life. I am guessing it takes a year for you to drain them dry until the next set of victims come along," the Doctor's anger radiating off of him.
"Very astute Doctor," giving him a mocking praise. "You think you have me figured out do you? You think I do not notice your darling charge casting her magic to free herself and the others?," I gasp in shock looking away from him not wanting to catch his eyes. "Is that your plan to set them all free and fight against me?," I could hear his mocking tone. "Very well I have not been challenged in a long time, care to play a little game Doctor?"
"What are your conditions?," accepting Ruin's challenge.
"You and all the other get to run away and try and leave my castle as I hunt you down one by one," a predatory growl coming from him. "If you escape you win and I leave you alone, I catch you and I take what I want and drain your life from you and your two little Granddaughters become part of my harem," I shake at this thought.
"Agreed," the Doctor replies I am to shocked to say anything.
"Let us begin," releasing a wave of power breaking the ponies of their trance. The walls seemed to breath with the Lord as the ground shifted beneath our hooves and the rocks moved on there own.
"Get out of here you foals," yelled the Doctor leaving the throne room with my sister and I following behind him. I could see the main wooden doors turn from wood to stone blocking our route of escape forcing us to turn a different way.
"Why did you agree Doctor?," wondering if he went insane. "How do we get out of here?," needing to know his plans.
"I wish I could tell you," bringing me little confidence. "As for leaving he won't let us even as we run he knows where we are," I almost trip over myself from this reveal. Stopping for a breather. "You remember when you found it odd that this kingdom was unprotected with no source of water," I nodded. "That is because this place was magically built by him, in essence he is the kingdom. Everypony in this kingdom lives under his will and he could easily crush anypony that disobeys," staring at the walls as I wonder if they are staring back.
"Then why hasn't he caught us yet?," frightened of the answer.
"Because I challenged him," we could hear the muffled screams of one of the ponies begin caught. "He is saving me for last and he is going to make me come to him," the Doctor looking at me in sadness. Realizing that my sister and I were going to be caught first as bait for the Doctor.
"Doctor please tell me you have a way to beat him," he said nothing. The walls coming to life ensnaring my sister as she disappears into the ground. "If you won't fight him I will," defiant I teliport back to the throne room. On the walls the other ponies have been caught runes scared over their cutie marks.
"Came by yourself I see," whirling around as I see my sister in Ruin's magical hold.
"Let her go," lighting up my magic ready to fight him.
"Of course," releasing her as she scurried away to my side. "I don't want to damage my newest acquisitions," he let out a low purr.
"We will never let you take control of us, we will never serve you," backing away keeping us away from him.
"Such fire, such rudeness, I am sure I can tame that out of you," he growled as I could feel his magic start to overtake me.
"That won't work," lighting up my horn to counter his allure. "I know how to block you spell. You will not get my sister or me," defiantly fighting back against his power.
"You make it sound as you have a choice my dear," the floor turning to liquid and then solidifying trapping my hooves. "I control everything you can never escape. Your fighting back only means I have to use more forceful methods," the stare from his eyes sending shivers over my body.
"I will fight you everyday," teliporting out of my trap. "I will keep on fighting you until we are free," taking flight soaring around the room making sure the walls don't touch me.
"I don't think you have grasped the concept of everything," his horn glowing bright red as I was sent tumbling from the air. I hit the ground roughly the pressure on me was so heavy I could hardly lift my head. "Do you like my gravity spell my dear, I find it useful to keep ponies in their place," he sneered at me.
"It is not your spell, you stole that spell and all the others you have from the ponies that they did belong to," fighting back reciting what the Doctor said earlier. "I have my own magic in which I worked hard to master. I will show you how I use it," sending out a blast of light energy at Ruin knocking him off his hooves.
"I have had enough," he growled standing. "It seems you need to be shown your proper place," his power pulsed through the room his magic taking hold of my sister and me throwing us and holding us against the wall. "I do not like branding my mares, but every so often one gets the idea of freewill and leaves me little choice. Poor Ocean Moon looks like your going to be punished for your sister's transgression."
"What!?," I yell out. "I am the one fighting you she has done nothing," pleading with him.
"Precisely," he said in a dark tone. "I will make her into my little pet and control you through her. You may be willing to fight me, but let see how far you will go when she is punished for your actions," showing how truly corrupt he is.
"Stop right there," the Doctor voice rang out. "I believe you and I had an agreement, are you a pony of your word or not?," keeping Ruin from marking my sister.
"Doctor get away," I yell. "He won't hold true to his deal, he is a monster," I cry out as he increases the pressure of his hold on me.
"Vile he may be, but I doubt he would willing let me free," the Doctor's words confusing me.
"Let you free, you are my prisoner," Ruin declares.
"Am I?," the Doctor trotting about. "Then why is it that I am freely roaming around? I clearly have not been caught. If I recall our agreement you need to catch me first in order to have my Grandfoals."
"I caught you through them, you won't leave without them," Ruin claiming his winning the game.
"Are you sure?," I gasp in surprise would he really leave us. "If I want them free all I have to do is leave. Should I escape you will have no choice, but to set them free," finding a flaw in Ruin's logic.
"That situation is easily resolved," pinning the Doctor to the wall with his magic. "You are unable to escape I have caught you. Your Granddaughter is mine now," turning to Luna once more.
"I am afraid you are wrong yet again," the Doctor interrupting once more. "If I recall correctly you claimed you would brand me first. Since that has not been done I am still winning our little game. Should you make one mark on her I win by default," gambling on Ruin's pride.
"If you want to be branded so badly I will more than gladly do so," turning to the Doctor his magic burning ready to mark the Doctor. "Are you ready for me to drain you of every once of your intelligence."
"While my intelligence is impressive and by far vastly superior to anypony," the Doctor feeding his own ego. "My knowledge is far more desirable, I believe you should take it instead," I feel Ruin's magic ease from his confusion.
"Why would I want your knowledge? I already took that from another pony," I could hear Ruin's frustration.
"Did you? I am sorry you wasted your magic on him," mocking Ruin. "My knowledge is a far better prize," playing to Ruin's greed.
"What do you mean?" his interest captured by the Doctor.
"With my knowledge you could become a God," making a strong proclamation. "I know more about magic than you ever could, I know how to get sun and the moon to answer to your every whim," remembering he did train my sister and I, "most of all I know the configurations on how to manipulate time and space," giving Ruin a list of things he knows.
"How do I know your not lying?," though I could not see him clearly I am sure Ruin was drooling at the idea of becoming a God.
"What could I possibly gain by lying?, the Doctor retorts. "You would drain me of my knowledge and find out I was and take it out on my Granddaughters, either way you win," proclaiming he lost the game.
"Yes your right I do win and know I will take my prize," I could feel his magic light up as the Doctor screamed in pain as the rune was branded into his skin.
"However their is one flaw in your plan," the Doctor spoke through the pain. "By branding me you and I are now magically connected, a magic that cannot be reversed until your finished. I know all about branding including it's weakness. You see I can fight back using the very ability you seek to steal from me," revealing his victory to the trapped Ruin. "You want my knowledge you can have it, lets see what 400 years of knowledge does to your mind," spoke the Doctor in the darkest tone I ever heard.
Ruin's screams echoed through the room. His magic releasing my sister and me as we watched the Lord cringe in pain. His hooves on his head as the Doctor forcefully fed him knowledge. I could hear his begging for it to stop, but the Doctor continued. I could see as Ruin's cutie mark seemed to glow brightly each mark burning out one by one. The ponies that had been captured from before regaining conscience and the runes on them fading. The Doctor was overloading Ruin making him lose control stripping him of everything he stole.
Only the Master Rune existed as it lit up and burned bright for a second before fading into nothing. His cutie mark is now scared and burned beyond recognition. His coat and mane have dulled and grayed losing their luster. His mind is a wreck mumbling incoherently, he probably doesn't even know his own name anymore or the terrible things he did. In a way I felt sorry for the fallen tyrant Unicorn. In a single moment everything he was was stripped away from him and the Doctor was the one who made him fall. He did it without magic or much effort it gave me an insight how truly dangerous he can be.
"We must leave this place," the Doctor informed us. "This castle and this kingdom will all soon fall. Without the magic to support it everything will soon crumble," the walls of the castle trembled to prove the Doctor point. We and the other ponies left the cursed castle the maids following close behind. The dethroned Lord on the back of one of the stallions from the House of Strength, the Doctor wanted him to be brought to stand trial for his crimes. I believe the Doctor felt responsible for Ruin. Giving him mercy he did not deserve saving him from being crushed by his own castle, any other pony might of left him behind.
The word spread quickly of the castle collapse and that soon the rest of the kingdom would follow. A mass exodus of ponies left to escape the shattering kingdom. We all watched as the kingdom fall to shambles leaving disheveled abandoned town, even Ruin's kingdom was parasite feasting off of what was there before.
"What is that Doctor?" noticing a glow in the center where the castle once stood.
"That is the remains of Ruin's enchantment," looking at the glow as well. "The spell that allowed the kingdom to stand and from where he controlled it. Unfortunately it may never fade hopefully it will serve as a reminder to the ponies here," the ponies looking solemnly at the rotting town. "Here lies the Kingdom of Ruin, may it never rise again," spoke the Doctor the other ponies agreeing with him.
We left swiftly as discussion were being made at what to do next, there was some talk of the Doctor leading them. The Doctor thought it best to leave them to solve their own issue, including what to do with the fallen Lord. Inside the TARDIS we went digesting the day's events.
"Grandfather what did you do to Ruin?" my sister looking a bit fearful that the Doctor could do that to a pony.
"It was not my proudest moment Luna," he sadly replied. "I fought back and forcefully gave him the knowledge he planned to take. His mind, body, and magic collapsed under the strain. I did not enjoy doing it, but he left me little choice," looking at us. "He was going to bring you both to harm and treat you no better than slaves. If there is one thing I do not tolerate it is others hurting those I care about," revealing what he felt about us.
"We care about you too Doctor," I admitted as I gave him a hug, my sister bawling joining in too. I believe the events of today brought us closer than we been before. It showed how much the Doctor cared about us and what he was willing to do to protect us. Before I thought us of three ponies on a quest to stop evil, but from my lesson today I learned what we truly were. A family.