Chapter 31
Meeting with Rarity
Onyx and Rainbow Dash had a friendly spar after he called the blue pegasus a stallion, which Onyx had easily won, even with restraint. Afterwards, Twilight and Onyx decided to take a walk around Ponyville and talk about good times.
“Do you remember when Philomena died for the first time in front of you? You were crying so much that Celestia had to take pain pills just to stop the headache, before she cast a mute spell on you,” laughed Twilight; she could not have wished for a better day. Her prince was with her away from all the royal business, and they were both sharing a great time … just like in her dreams.
“Hey, I loved that bird, and I didn’t know that phoenixes could regenerate like that! And what about you? When you saw me eating meat for the first time, you looked at me like I just ate Smarty Pants,” chuckled Onyx.
“Well, sorry if seeing somepony eating meat was something new to me when I was a filly. At least now I know that it’s not because you’re a cruel creature that likes to kill animals for fun, and that you only do it because of your metabolism.”
Onyx gave Twilight a friendly push. ”Have I ever acted like a cruel creature?”
“Well, you did throw Smarty Pants from the eastern tower, if I remember correctly.”
“HEY! We both said we’d never talk about that again; I was young and I just wanted to get your attention!”
Twilight smiled at her best friend. He got flustered every time she brought it up; it was so easy to make him act like that.
Her heart started to beat faster, and her leg trembled a little … she was going to tell him how she felt now, when the moment was right.
“Onyx … I wanted to tell you something. You know, since you came back from the North, I-I’ve started looking at you in a way that’s more than just a friend … I want you to know that I’m interested in you, and hope that you can see me as a mare. I want you to know that this evening we’ve shared is ... one that I’ll never forget and … Onyx?” asked Twilight as she realized that the object of her desires was no longer at her side, but was busy, buying a jar of strawberry preserves from a stallion. When he came back, Twilight was trying fight and cover up her desire to strangle him.
“Do you see that? They still have strawberry jam at this time of the year! Tomorrow, if you want, I’ll make you my special recipe pancakes that I usually only make for Mom on special occasions.”
“Hoooo great … I can’t wait.” Twilight’s mind smoldered, “Just bucking great, I finally tell you how I feel about you in my heart, and you aren’t even there to listen to me … now I’ll need to do it all over again...”
“Hey, look at this. It looks like the clothing stores in Canterlot,” said Onyx, pointing towards the Carousel Boutique.
“Well, my friend, Rarity, owns the place. Maybe I could introduce you to her.”
Twilight entered the shop; the little bell sounded throughout the boutique, informing Rarity of potential customers.
“Greetings, and welcome to the Carousel Boutique where we— Oh, Twilight. What are you doing here, did you like the dress?” asked Rarity.
“Yes, I love it, and again, thank you. I just came by to have you to meet an … er … old stallion friend of mine.”
“Oh, and where is he, darling? I can’t wait to see the stallion that put stars in your eyes.”
“He’s outside, but before I show him to you; there’s something I really need to tell you...”
Onyx was playing with a small rock outside of the boutique; apparently Twilight’s friend was usually very busy, so she decided to check if she was free to meet him.
“Are you lost, my Prince?”
Onyx return his focus to the mare who spoke to him: an old earth pony, with a cloak and saddle bag, was there holding a card game.
“Lost? No, not at all, but thank you milady; I’m just waiting for somepony.”
“I’m not talking about that. Let me take a look at you … hmm. Yes, a soul of another realm. You have greatly suffered … and you shall suffer greatly more. Please, my Prince, let me see these strange hooves of yours; I will read what the fates have planned for you.”
Onyx, intrigued by the old mare’s offer, held out his right arm, and she held it between her hooves.
“Interesting... Let me explain it to you. You see this line here? It is the line of love … you want to find somepony to love … but two others will want your heart, though not of the same type. This line here signifies family … congratulations my Prince; you will have four foals of your own … one filly and three colts. Oh … this … this one is the line of death...” She stopped talking, grabbed Onyx tight, and pulled his arm closer to take a better look at the appendage. “... but this doesn’t make sense...”
“Excuse me, what are you talking about?”
“Nothing, my Prince. You should return to wait for your friend. Remember to profit from life.”
Before he could convince her to tell him more, Twillight called him from inside the store, “Onyx, you can come in.”
When Onyx looked back towards the old mare, she had vanished; leaving a confused Onyx behind her.
Gryphon Empire
The gryphon Emperor was cleaning his talons of blood. He had just finished with one of the maids, her splayed body lying on the throne room floor and severed head put on a spear. Now that he was satisfied and in a good mood, he decided to take a look at his prisoner. He had this prisoner in a unique room that he had made since Onyx’s escape; it was there where he would keep his most precious prisoners. The door was forged of solid steel and the lock was unlockable without the key. He even hired some of the best thieves to try and unlock it, without success; their heads had since joined his collection.
The sound of the door being opened woke Raynor, who faced the Emperor and waited.
“Good morning, my dear friend. Did you sleep well? How does it feel to know that you have betrayed your country for the life of a single pony who—I might add—may still not survive his surgery? The rat had dug pretty deep by the time you decided to talk...”
Raynor did not respond. He had revealed everything he knew to the Emperor; he would never be able to forgive himself for that … even if it was for a friend...
“Please don’t make that face my poor pegasus friend, we both have what we want. Your comrade will live, and me … I will have total control of the Council. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have better things to attend to than you.”
Raynor watched the Emperor exited his cell, and it was at that moment that he made a promise to himself; if he and Vallis were ever to escape from this jail, he would spend every day of his freedom plotting the murder of the Gryphon Emperor.