//------------------------------// // Foils, Herrings, And Motifs // Story: Synthesis of the Atheist // by BlackRoseRaven //------------------------------// Chapter Twenty One: Foils, Herrings, And Motifs ~BlackRoseRaven Ersatz Major was awed by Subterra, but what was most striking was her fearlessness: and it wasn't a facade, both ponies could see that clearly, as they walked slowly through the dark streets of city beneath the city. She had been a little scared at first, sure, and that had probably been what had started to wear away her plastic expressions... but now she was looking around like a happy foal, her eyes wide as she studied ponies touched by darkness, demons, supernatural creatures and everything else that wandered this place... and all with fascination, not fear. At first, neither Luna nor Scrivener could understand it: normally, ponies who came down here took a long time to adjust. But soon enough, they both started to get a sense of what exactly it was that had overridden Ersatz's anxieties, even made her come out of her fake shell a little, as she suddenly said in an amazed voice: “They're all different, every one of them, and some of them stand out so much... but they all treat each other like... like equals.” “Well, sort of. There's a natural pecking order, but... even then, it's not like our society. The culture is a lot different.” Scrivener responded gently, and Ersatz nodded a few times before the stallion impulsively stepped forwards and leaned up, snatching her bonnet off her head. The unicorn staggered and flushed deeply, glaring over her shoulder at him, but Scrivener only smiled and turned before putting the bonnet on Luna, who grinned proudly and rose her head high. “Give that back!” “No.” Scrivener said simply, and Ersatz glared at him angrily, even as a flush continued to rise higher in her cheeks before Scrivener stepped towards her, tilting his head so the scarred side of his face was in full view before he said softly: “Our house, our rules. Besides, this isn't unicorn land.” “Give it back.” Ersatz demanded, and when Scrivener only continued to look at him, she blushed deeper and turned her eyes away, her lip trembling and composure completely lost as she mumbled: “You... you don't understand... I thought you were... did you do this just so you c-could...” Luna only snorted and stepped forwards, looking irritably down at Ersatz as she asked dryly: “So 'tis fair and fine to pick on Scrivener using the agonies he has suffered, but 'tis not fair to ask thee to walk around in public wearing the damage thou did by thine own... self?” Scrivener glared at Luna, but he was glad she at least hadn't said 'horn;' that would have likely completely destroyed any chance of getting through to Ersatz. “Nay, walk onwards.” Ersatz only gave what was almost a whimper, trembling harder, but then Scrivener leaned in and met her eyes, saying quietly: “I know it's hard. But before you get too upset, I want you to look at me, and tell me I couldn't possibly understand. This is a safe place, and well... you pushed me a lot, so I am going to push back. Even though at least me being mean has a point.” The mare only laughed shortly, and then Scrivener reached up and absently adjusted her bow on her head, pushing her mane out of her way and keeping her broken horn in full view as Ersatz glanced away angrily. But after a few moments, she hesitantly rose her head a little higher, then turned her eyes back and forth in surprise. No one was staring at her, or pointing and laughing, or mocking her. A few demons gave her looks as they passed, but everyone was otherwise going on their way on their everyday business. She frowned uncertainly, then glared at Scrivener when he smiled at her and studied her thoughtfully, saying mildly: “You know what the funny thing is? I think this is the first time I've seen your real face. Your real emotions and everything.” “I...” Ersatz looked away awkwardly, almost blushing, and then she turned and hurried down a side street, and Scrivener and Luna traded a look and a smile before they both quickly caught up to her,  falling in step on either side of the unicorn as she mumbled: “I... well, it was extremely rude of you to do what you did. Battery and theft. You are a bully, Scrivener Blooms and I'm appalled by your reprehensible behavior.” “Oh yeah, you're one to talk. You write smear articles for a living and you're trying to punish me for something that might not entirely be my fault, as... as much as I feel in a way you're... kind of right. But only kind of.” Scrivener said softly, as they continued down the road that Ersatz had chosen. She glanced at him quietly, and he looked back as Luna only grunted and nodded a few times, the bonnet flapping a little around her mane. Scrivener paused to glance over at his wife, and then he sighed a little, saying dryly: “Luna, your mane's getting all bunched up and messy, you should-” “Shut up, Scrivy.” Luna interrupted, apparently not caring about the random swirls of blue mane twisting out of the bonnet around her face, and Scrivener sighed and dropped his head. “We do not hide ourselves in Subterra, actress. We are... who we are. And we are not ashamed. That emotion is forbidden here.” Ersatz only looked forwards with a faint smile as they headed into a short, curving tunnel, coming out the other side into a less-frequented area of the underground city: the cavern here wasn't nearly as large, and there was a constant, low hum in the air that came from several of the large, steel buildings. Ersatz looked around with interest before Luna brightened, beginning: “Scrivener, is this not-” She was cut off by a series of loud, furious curses that came from somewhere not far ahead, and Luna grinned widely as Ersatz tilted her head back in surprise, before Scrivener said mildly: “There's your answer.” “Oh, this is delightful! Come, Ersatz Major, we shall introduce thee to a friend of ours.” Luna said cheerily, and Ersatz nodded hesitantly as Scrivener gave Luna a pointed look even as she strode quickly ahead down the dusty road, the mare adding without looking around: “Oh, cease that, 'twill be fine, 'twill be fine. Thou art nothing but a buttocks, Scrivener Blooms.” Scrivener and Ersatz followed Luna to an open archway that looked in on a large garage, where several Nibelung workers in gray overalls were nervously standing near the wall. A Nightmare was sitting apprehensively on the other side of the room, and several demons prowled nervously around... although they looked much more afraid of Cowlick than of the Clockwork Pony currently pinned down in the center of the area. Ersatz's eyes widened in shock as Scrivener frowned, and Cowlick glanced up with a grimace, rubbing the back of her hoof against her bandanna-covered forehead as she said dryly: “Did you guys ever do one hell of a number on this poor bastard here.” “What are you doing?” Ersatz asked uneasily before she could stop herself, staring in horror at the sight of Vallation: the Clockwork Pony had a blindfold over his eyes, his features expressionless despite the fact all four of his hooves were manacled and secured by taut chains to anchor-loops on the floor. He was forced to stand perfectly upright thanks to the support bars under his body, half-holding him in position and half-letting him rest his bulky, armored frame against him. “Making a goddamn sandwich, what the hell does it look like I'm doing?” Cowlick said grumpily, gazing back into the open side of Vallation: even though it probably looked terrifying to Ersatz, the fact this pony had what looked like a large, currently-open door revealing his insides, Scrivener and Luna were both surprised by the fact it looked like Cowlick had managed to do some extensive repairs to the Clockwork Pony. Without looking, the engineer reached out and felt along a blanket of tools, and all three ponies – as well as many of the other entities in the room – winced as she almost grabbed the sawed-off, double barrel shotgun sitting next to an overturned box of shells before her hoof instead settled on a wrench, sweeping it up. Then Ersatz paled slightly as Cowlick leaned  inside the opening in Vallation's body, her voice echoing as she said mildly: “See, I've been studying this guy here, and he strikes me as being about as dangerous as a toaster oven. Well, okay, a little worse than that, but honestly? I've been comparing him to the other Clockworks and I think I figured something fantastic out. You guys, you're gonna just love it.” “Love what?” Luna asked warily as Ersatz nervously stepped towards Scrivener, as the charcoal stallion only stared blankly. Cowlick looked up... then tapped the wrench absently against the stallion's repaired frame before grunting and nodding. “Y'know what? I got all his main systems repaired and enough power jacked in that he should be able to work properly. Let's go ahead and do this. Oh, and you, new girl... I don't know if this is some creepy date or you're the new chew-toy or something, but you might not want to be here for this.” Ersatz frowned nervously as Scrivener winced and Luna cleared her throat, as Cowlick tossed a wrench away before picking up a cutting knife, absently testing the blade with her hoof. “No, I... I'm here, as a matter of fact, to better understand Luna and Scrivener... I think I should watch this, however... it turns out... but... what happened to this poor pony? Or is he a demon?” “He's a toaster.” Cowlick answered mildly, then she glanced pointedly up at Luna and Scrivener, but as they were still staring blankly, the engineer shrugged absently. “Well, do you know what a Clockwork Pony is? I guess you must, you must be a reporter... what's your name? I'm Cowlick, sort of the brains around here.” Ersatz began to answer... then stared in shock as Cowlick reached up and easily peeled the Clockwork Pony's mane slowly back, revealing not more flesh, but steel skull held in place by several locks. Scrivener and Luna both gaped as well in surprise, and Cowlick grinned widely, winking over at them. “Oh, no, you guys ain't seen nothin' yet.” Cowlick put the knife absently aside on the Clockwork Pony's back, then she reached up and began to carefully open each clasp, and Vallation frowned slightly... but otherwise didn't react even when Cowlick grasped the loosened steel dome and slowly pulled it up. Ersatz whimpered and staggered backwards, eyes going wide as she covered her mouth with both hooves, and Scrivener and Luna only gazed in amazement and horror as Cowlick put the steel dome aside and then gestured with a grin at Vallation's exposed brain. “Is this not the coolest thing you have ever seen?” Ersatz only whimpered, and Scrivener winced a little as Luna leaned slowly forwards... then asked with something between horror and fascination: “What in Helheim's name is that?” “That's what I asked when I saw 'em, too. But I think I figured it out.” Cowlick replied in a far-too-happy voice, picking up the knife and using it to carefully tap one of the large, ominous black nodes sitting amongst the gray matter of the Clockwork Pony's brain. “I was thinking about it all last night, but it was Ross that helped me figure it out. I was thinking about how his wiring's a little funny and all, and that was when I realized precisely what the hell these things are. Things that are tampering with Vallation's wiring. Now I dunno who put 'em here. I dunno if this is thanks to Thesis or that bastard Valthrudnir. But I studied up on brains last night, and assuming these ponies have the same structural anatomy as we do...” Cowlick slowly moved the cutting knife to a black node sticking out near the front of the stallion's brain, and then she stabbed it downwards, making Luna, Scrivener, and Ersatz all twitch and stare in shock as the engineer continued in a cheerful voice: “This should be the right one... oh, screw you all, don't gimme that look. Guy's brain is already a mishmash of this and that, a few more missing cells ain't gonna cause him any harm.” Ersatz turned away with a moan as Cowlick twisted the knife and pried upwards, grinning in a way that made Scrivener wonder blankly how insane she was and Luna only mouth wordlessly... before there was a loud pop, a sizzle of electricity, and a weak gasp from the Clockwork Pony. A moment later, the black node hit the ground with a clink, sparking weakly, and Cowlick drew the knife quickly back before she yanked the blindfold off, and smacked Vallation's nose a few times with the flat of the blade. “Hey, hey, open your eyes!” Vallation only slumped, breathing slowly, the Clockwork Pony's eyes remaining closed as Ersatz stared up at Scrivener with disbelief, and the charcoal stallion winced as Luna tried to find something to say... and then all three ponies jumped as Vallation's eyes snapped open and stared at them, before he yelled and tried to yank himself wildly back and forth, shouting wordlessly and desperately. Ersatz screamed and fell over, staring in horror as Luna snarled and set herself and Scrivener hurriedly stepped in front of the unicorn mare even as he winced, but Cowlick cackled before she grinned across the room at the terrified-looking Nibelung workers, shouting: “You guys all owe me! And... and hey, jackass, calm the hell down!” Cowlick slapped Vallation's horn with the flat of her blade, and the Clockwork Pony winced before staring over at her in disbelief, looking up and down as he shivered in his restraints before his mouth moved, slurring out gibberish. Cowlick frowned at this, tapping the knife absently against the bridge of her own nose before she suddenly growled and made a stabbing motion, and Vallation yelled and tried to lean away, flinching in fear before the engineer grinned and stepped quickly back, holding up her front hooves in a peaceful gesture. “Sorry, sorry, had to test your emotional responses. I ain't gonna hurt you, pal.” Cowlick put down the knife, then stepped back towards him, and Vallation stared at her in disbelief before he tried to say something again. Again, it was only gibberish, and the engineer waved a front hoof quickly, saying mildly: “Look, pal, your brain here's been hotwired and I just woke you up from... I dunno what it must have seemed like to you. Insanity? Death? Prison? Either way, pal, you are looking up at your savior, so you better get to worshiping me ASAP.” With that, Cowlick turned to pick up the metal skull-dome, putting it back on Vallation's head as Ersatz shakily climbed to her hooves, and Luna and Scrivener both turned to face Cowlick before the sapphire mare almost exploded: “And what in Helheim's name hast thou done here?” Vallation flinched, then frowned uncertainly as he looked at Luna, studying her almost as if he recognized her... before blinking in surprise when Cowlick dropped the fake mane mostly over the Clockwork Pony's face as she replied sourly: “Oh calm the hell down. I took a chance, and saved a goddamn life. He might not be talkin' right as of yet, but give the dude a break, his brain was rewired into a computer.” Luna looked disbelieving, and Scrivener tried to think of something to say before Cowlick turned and shouted at the Nibelung: “You idjits can stop standing around holding your asses now and unhook him, then we got ourselves some diagnostics to run! Hurry up!” “Wait, what? No, I order thee to halt!” Luna snapped immediately, stepping forwards with a growl, and the Nibelung all froze in place before Cowlick glared at the sapphire mare, the two leaning towards one-another aggressively. “Thou cannot just... free this monster! It took myself, Celestia, an entire platoon to break its defenses!” “Yeah, and yet you still brought this walking toaster back here, right? You said yourself the bastard still didn't deserve to be smashed, and brought him here to see what I could do with him. You turned him over to me and now he's under my care, and I don't need your goddamn permission to do whatever the hell I please with my projects!” Cowlick retorted sharply, and Luna mouthed wordlessly, looking back and forth in disbelief before the engineer clenched her eyes shut, then added in a quieter voice: “I can save him, Luna. Rusty would want me to save him.” Luna softened, and Scrivener glanced away silently, dropping his head, as the tension faded from both mares. And after a moment, Luna sighed quietly before stepping forwards and giving the engineer a quick hug with one foreleg, muttering: “That is an unfair gambit, Cowlick. Thou knows I cannot... speak against such.” “Yeah, you better not,or I'll kick your goddamn ass up one side of Subterra and down the other.” Cowlick muttered moodily, but she nodded a little before reaching up and slapping Luna on the back. The two mares parted, and they studied each other for a moment before the engineer smiled wryly, glancing over at Vallation, who was staring weakly back and forth. “Anyway, I'm bein' careful either way. He's only got two power cells plugged in... the rest are being analyzed and disassembled so I can reverse-engineer 'em.” The engineer shook herself out, then cleared her throat and looked mildly at Luna. “Now listen to me. I know just what the hell I'm doing, even if none of you think I do. I goddamn do. That there that just happened, I see the reaction of a pony now, not a toaster. I cut out the toaster-brain. He might be a Clockwork Pony but... goddammit, we all deserve a chance, right?” Scrivener sighed a little, then he smiled faintly and nodded slowly as Luna grumpily turned towards Vallation, then leaned down towards him, studying him moodily. Vallation stared back uncertainly, then he tried to say something, but the winged unicorn only grumbled before asking finally: “Thou can handle him?” “I got a shotgun. I can handle anything.” Cowlick replied mildly, and then she reached up and knocked a pack of cigarettes out of her vest pocket, leaning down and nuzzling into it as she continued moodily: “Besides, this is my territory. Anyone stupid enough to try and screw with me around here is just going to end up getting thrown in the goddamn incinerator. And that includes you two if you keep this up.” Luna grumbled, and then Cowlick gestured with a grunt to the Nibelung, who awkwardly came forwards as the engineer eyed Luna for a moment, then grinned as she rose her head and managed to pull a cigarette free from her pack, saying mildly: “You know, I could make you a nice little carriage for Scrivener to push you around in, Luna. It'd go great with your new hat.” “Actually, that... that belongs to me.” Ersatz said awkwardly, and Cowlick looked over at her mildly before the unicorn hesitantly crept forwards. She stood beside Scrivener, then glanced up at him nervously, and the stallion nodded a little before he strode towards Vallation even as the Clockwork Pony was unchained by the Nibelung. The Clockwork Pony was only staring back and forth in confusion, before Ersatz halted in front of him, studying him silently. Then she smiled hesitantly, reaching up and carefully pushing his synthetic mane into a better position over his steel skull, before biting her lip nervously and looking worriedly from Scrivener to Cowlick. Then one of the shackles clanked loudly as it hit the ground, and Vallation twitched before his eyes widened as he realized he was free, and he hurriedly yanked himself backwards off the support bars. The Nibelung flinched away immediately, and Ersatz leapt backwards as Scrivener winced and stepped up protectively again, but Luna and Cowlick only watched curiously as the Clockwork Pony tumbled backwards and landed with a loud clank on his back, the open hatch on his side clanking against the ground loudly. He twitched weakly a few times, legs pawing slowly at the air as he tried to look back and forth with a groan, and then Luna said mildly: “It seems that thou hast thy work cut out for thee, Cowlick, so we shall take our leave now. I... I applaud thy efforts, though, and think... Rustproof would be proud of thee. But once Vallation regains whatever mind he once had, bring him to the Thorn Palace. And expect a visit shortly from my sister, Celestia, as well.” “Yeah, yeah, whatever.” Cowlick mumbled, looking away embarrassedly before she cleared her throat and added dryly: “And his name is... Shiny Armor or whatever in the other layers, right? I don't remember what the hell Apple Bloom told me after she got back, we got pretty drunk. Your daughter was mad as hell at us both.” Luna sighed and rolled her eyes as Scrivener shook his own head slowly, and then Cowlick turned her eyes to Ersatz, who was watching as one of the Nibelung carefully strode over to the fallen, stunned-looking Clockwork Pony and poked at it a little. Then she glanced up in surprise as Cowlick asked curiously: “And you didn't answer my question. Who the hell are you, anyway?” “Ersatz Major.” the unicorn said quietly, and Cowlick's eyes widened before she frowned thunderously, and Scrivener slapped his forehead as an almost eager grin spread over Luna's face. Then Cowlick scrambled for her shotgun, and Scrivener hurriedly leapt in front of Ersatz as the engineer snatched up the weapon by its specially-shaped grip and then pointed it at him. “Get out from behind Scrivener, it'll hurt a lot less if you take it like a goddamn mare instead of me kicking his ass so hard it kicks your ass! And Scrivener, why the hell are you standing there, you giant dumb bastard, she's the one who's been spouting off all that crap about you!” Cowlick glared, pointing the double barrel back and forth as Ersatz squeaked and tried to stay safely hidden behind the thankfully-large stallion, as Luna giggled despite her best efforts not to. “Look, these two are screwed up as all hell but they're my damn friends, and you ain't got no right to go putting all the questions about our integrity you did in there, too. You slur the name of Scrivy's family, you slur the name of my goddamn colt, and I don't let no pony insult the dignity of Rustproof after what that damn colt did!” Ersatz tried to fumble out a response, and Scrivener rose a hoof, saying awkwardly: “Cowlick, look, she's my cousin. She asked to come here so we could prove to her that my life isn't just... based on lies and something bad I did and-” “Oh you stupid son of a bitch, you are the dumbest hen in the whole goddamn chicken coop. Fine, you wanna see how much I care about you?” Cowlick took aim at Scrivener with the sawed-off, and the stallion had a moment to stare at her blankly before the engineer pulled both triggers. Scrivener felt a massive shock of force slam into his body, and he was knocked sprawling on top of Ersatz Major, crushing her beneath his body with a shriek. Luna staggered to the side with a yelp as bruises immediately began to spread over her body, but even as Scrivener lay in a dazed, drooling heap, she only shook her head before giving a dumb giggle, even as a bit of saliva dripped slowly out of her half-open jaws. Everyone else was only staring: even the Clockwork Pony, Vallation, was gaping at the sight from where he was weakly laying in the middle of the floor. But they all went ignored as Cowlick only brushed herself off with a grumble, breaking the shotgun open and ejecting both empty, blue-colored cartridges. Then the engineer absently dug in a pocket, pulling out two more blue shells as Ersatz whimpered helplessly beneath Scrivener's prone form, and as the engineer loaded them into the shotgun she remarked to Luna: “Normally you'd be all over my flank for something like that.” Luna giggled again, then cleared her throat hurriedly and shook herself out: as she recovered a little, Scrivener groaned and carefully straightened up, wincing and rubbing at himself as Ersatz only whimpered weakly again. “Oh, aye, but Scrivener deserves a little pain for babying little Ersatz, and thy... non-killing hurty bullets-” “Less Than Lethal, it's something I've been experimenting more and more with. Hey, Scrivener, can you stand up and let me take a look at where I shot you? I need to see there's any pieces of rubber lodged in that big body of yours.” Cowlick said blandly, and Scrivener glowered moodily before he winced and looked down as he heard another whimper from Ersatz, who he was still half on top of and squishing beneath his weight. The stallion hurried up to his hooves, then awkwardly offered a hoof to Ersatz as Cowlick rolled her eyes, before looking mildly over at Luna as she patted her shotgun, asking mildly: “Want me to give him another dose of negative reinforcement?” Scrivener glared over at Luna as they walked slowly through Subterra, the mare sulking and carrying a half-squished box that had only one whole pie, and the broken remains of another in it. Ersatz was walking along beside them, looking awkwardly at her torn bonnet now and then, which was loosely hanging around Luna's neck. After Cowlick had finished cussing out Scrivener for being a wimp, Ersatz for being a bitch, and Luna for accidentally setting the shotgun off in front of her own face – thankfully only the bonnet had been the victim – they had gotten a few reassurances that Cowlick was going to take care of Vallation. Not that it seemed like the Clockwork Pony would be any trouble... he didn't seem capable of doing more than dragging himself around on his hooves, and was looking at Cowlick with something like abject terror. Something Scrivener thought was a very sane and logical reaction to the engineer. Luna had sent the Nightmare that had just been sitting around and watching them curiously the whole time to fetch Celestia, and now they were wandering Subterra again. Ersatz was mostly quiet... perhaps even a little embarrassed, Scrivener thought, before the stallion looked thoughtfully up as he realized he recognized the little road Ersatz was leading them down. The unicorn was studying a red building in the distance, frowning slightly at it before she asked curiously, as Scrivener strode up beside her: “What's that?” “That's the home of Burning Desire, a friend of ours.” Scrivener paused, then glared over his shoulder at Luna when she hurried forwards, a grin spreading back over her face: even if she was grouchy about having accidentally dropped the box of pies when she'd almost blown her own head off, the opportunity for mischief never failed to cheer her up. “Would... you like to meet him? He's a little... eccentric, but...” “He's a demon, yes? A Lust demon.” Ersatz glanced at the stallion for confirmation, and he smiled a little and nodded after a moment, surprised. “Yes, I remember his story from the end of I Am, You Are. About his relationship with Twilight Sparkle... and you stole her from him.” Scrivener shifted uncomfortably as he felt her eyes on him, before Luna cut in quietly: “Nay, we reclaimed her as ours... even though aye, I will not deny it is selfish. But do not treat Scrivener like he is some pimp, or some master of mares. Neither myself nor Twilight Sparkle would love if he were: and nor does Scrivener own us, or are we dedicated to him. We are all dedicated to one-another.” There was silence for a moment, and then Ersatz bowed her head silently to Luna and murmured: “I apologize. I'd be very interested in meeting Twilight Sparkle, if I could... I... don't think I can entirely take what's written in the stories as truth, or what you have to say as fact, until I see it for myself. I can't help but notice that she isn't here, after all...” “And 'tis not because she does not want to be, thou hast no idea of what she has been through and done for us!” Luna snapped suddenly, stepping forwards quickly, and Ersatz's eyes widened in surprise as she staggered backwards when the sapphire mare leaned down with a snarl. Then Luna gritted her teeth as Scrivener clenched his eyes shut, feeling a throb of pain in his skull as Luna's mane twisted so violently it tore the bonnet completely free from her head. But a moment later, she took a slow breath, then moodily looked down and stomped the cloth hat several times under a front hoof as she muttered: “Aye, thou... hast no idea of what has happened. Twilight Sparkle was gravely injured and is now... recovering.” Scrivener nodded slowly, looking down before he said quietly: “Ersatz, I get that you don't like me, but... can you try and stick to just slurring me and not... you know. Being...” “Scrivener Blooms...” Ersatz hesitated, then she sighed a little as they halted in front of the red-stone palace, her eyes looking slowly upwards. “I am here to... to give you a second look, to scrutinize the life you live. To try and consider that there may be another way for us both to... settle things. But you and your wife can't pick and choose for me what I should doubt and what I should believe in... not unless you show me evidence as well, darling.” “Well, my word may not be worth much, but I promise you: Twilight Sparkle is at her happiest when she is with them... however jealous it makes all the other stallions... and quite a few mares too, I am sure.” spoke an honest, firm voice, and the three ponies looked up to see Burning Desire striding down the steps towards them with a quiet smile on his features. “Miss Ersatz Major, am I correct?” “Yes, you are.” Ersatz turned towards Burning Desire with surprise, gazing up over the tall stallion as he stepped down in front of them with a benevolent smile, and then she blushed a bit as his eyes roved upwards to her broken horn. “I... you must be the friend they spoke of.” “I like to think so.” Burning Desire smiled as he looked up from Luna to Scrivener, then he winked at the charcoal stallion, saying easily: “Trying to win this pretty mare over from hated enemy to new playmate, Scrivener Blooms? No, you and Luna are already far too fortunate. Let me take this beautiful unicorn under my wing to show her all the wonders of Subterra, and I'm sure we'll... get her position on a few things changed.” Burning Desire leaned down with a wink, and Ersatz was completely disarmed, blushing slightly and half-turning away, and Scrivener couldn't help but grin even as he said mildly: “We're trying not to scare her too much, Burning.” “Besides, thou lectures me for being greedy but thou hast at least thirty gorgeous servants, wretched selfish demon.” Luna added in a surly voice, and the fiery stallion only shrugged amiably before the sapphire mare asked curiously: “But how did thou know the identity of this harpy that travels with us and Scrivener seems so insistent upon protecting?” Burning Desire only smiled slightly, winking across at the sapphire mare as he replied easily: “Because of course demons are any good at keeping secrets. Most of us are happily gossiping away like fillies about the mare wandering Subterra, and oh, you wouldn't believe how varied the reactions have been. I believe most of the Nightmares think she's going to convert into some drooling fanatic... entirely of her own free will, of course.” “Aye, well, the Nightmares have always been a little disturbed. May we step inside, Burning Desire? I believe Ersatz would just love to see thy wonderful estate.” Luna said kindly, and the demon smiled warmly and nodded a few times before he turned and gracefully bowed to Ersatz. The unicorn mare gazed at him with a soft smile, tilting her head back towards the demon as she hesitantly began to head up the stairs, and Scrivener gave Luna a pointed look. The sapphire mare only grinned back at the charcoal stallion, however, and the two fell in step side-by-side as she muttered aside to him: “Well, she desired to see our friends and how we live, did she not?” “Yes, but... I can't think of one other demon who lives quite the same way Burning Desire does.” Scrivener said mildly, and ahead, the fiery unicorn laughed as he gestured for Ersatz to continue ahead. “Well, I've been very fortunate in some ways, Scrivener Blooms... and not every demon is as handsome or debonair or intelligent as I am, let alone all three.” Burning Desire replied roguishly as he rested by the archway, and then he reached up a hoof and caught the charcoal stallion by the shoulder, Luna halting as well and the two ponies looking at him curiously as he asked quietly: “Is it true, what violet said? That a single Replicant... it was that strong?” Scrivener and Luna traded looks, then they both nodded slowly, and Burning Desire closed his eyes and hesitated before he nodded back. He sighed quietly, then murmured: “Then I can't sit back and let you both fight something like that alone...” He held up a hoof when both ponies opened their mouths, smiling faintly as he met their eyes. “No, don't. Violet is connected to you both, this is because if you are hurt... she hurts. Seeing how badly she was injured by just one of those monsters...” Burning Desire sighed a little, looking down, before he glanced up and added quietly: “And I do like you both. I'm very envious but you were... were wonderful with the freedoms you gave me, and you've treated me gently and generously even after violet chose you. You're good to me when you don't need to be, even though I can still sometimes act like an upset little filly. I'm going to help you out. I must help you out... even though I myself can't be any help against such nasty creatures.” He halted... then cleared his throat and suddenly smiled, straightening and turning around to stride quickly down the hall as he called: “But we can talk about that later, of course, for now I have to be a good host and... well, darling, what do you think?” “They're... very detailed.” Ersatz said awkwardly, staring around at the statues of posed mares that decorated the entrance hall, before she gave a lame smile at Burning Desire as he strode over to gaze down at her benevolently. “I take it you must be... quite the artisan.” “Oh no, only an interested buyer. And I must say, with your splendid body you put some of these statues to shame, and they're modeled off the most beautiful mares I've ever seen!” Burning Desire paused, then turned towards Ersatz with a wink as Scrivener and Luna approached. “Well. Up until now, of course.” Ersatz shifted awkwardly, and then Burning Desire glanced up before a slight smile crested his face as he added softly: “Now, please don't think this is too forwards of me, but your poor horn... as you may have noticed, I have had a few experiences with horn modification myself.” Burning Desire tilted his head down as the black runes charred into his horn seemed almost to pulse, and Ersatz blushed deep red but looked up at him quietly. “I might be able to help you, for a price.” “Do not make deals with demons, Ersatz Major, 'tis a dangerous business.” Luna said mildly, and Burning Desire looked up, putting an offended look on his face before the sapphire mare scowled at him. “Especially not this one. For he is the most nefarious of all demons, and thy life, thy soul, they would mean nothing to him. He will take that which is even more valuable from thee!” Ersatz looked uncomfortably at Burning Desire at how ominous Luna's warning sounded, before Scrivener Blooms slowly looked over at the sapphire mare and said sourly: “When you made a deal with him, he took his payment in candy.” “And what, Scrivener Blooms, is more important in the entire world than candy?” Luna asked in an outraged voice, glaring across at the stallion, and Burning Desire giggled behind a hoof as Ersatz stared in surprise at Luna, who turned her glower around at them all. “Oh, all of thee are fools! I saw it, do not think that I did not! Damn thou, Burning Desire, for I know the game thou plays, wretched Passion. Thou steals that which is most important to a pony away from them, and the price is always greater than the purchase!” “Hey, I did precisely what you wanted me to do!” Burning Desire said in an injured tone, touching his chest and gazing almost pleadingly up at Luna. “How can you say I didn't? You asked for a candy making machine and I gave you a candy making machine.” “Accursed rock candy. It takes forever to make and 'tis all brittle and sticky and I never remember to buy enough sugar. Some Greed demon thou art.” Luna muttered sulkily, and Scrivener sighed tiredly before Luna added in a whine: “And thou gave Antares a free contract for his birthday! Why did thou not give me a contract for my birthday? My 'machine' was a damned kettle!” “You don't even have a birthday.” Scrivener said mildly, and Luna favored him with an ill look even as Burning Desire nodded rapidly in agreement with this excuse. Then the charcoal stallion sighed and shook his head before looking dryly over at Ersatz, who was staring at them, uncomprehending. “It's okay, they're just both idiots.” “Hey!” Both Burning and Luna glared at Scrivener, and then they traded grumpy looks between themselves before Luna rolled her eyes and gestured to him with a hoof. Burning Desire smiled, then turned his eyes to Ersatz, reaching up a hoof and touching gently under her chin to guide her gaze up, the mare blushing a little as he said gently: “You see, darling, any demon of Greed can make a binding contract, to perform a task within our power for another person, in exchange for fair payment, of course. Usually we ask for a person's soul, but... not always. Some of us even like to give open-ended contracts to others, as a 'just-in-case' measure: think of that as being able to call in a favor any time it's needed. But we still usually ask for some kind of payment, and we can only perform tasks reasonably within our power. “Now, I hate seeing such a pretty unicorn so sad, and the way you keep trying to hide your face to cover up this.” Burning Desire reached up, gently touching the stump of horn, and Ersatz winced a little before the demon smiled slightly and winked at her. “I can't promise you much... but for a price, I could repair your horn for you. It would still be sensitive, but I think you might even be able to do a little magic, with practice.” “Is... I...” Ersatz shifted back and forth, then she looked uncomfortably over at Scrivener and Luna, who both watched curiously before the unicorn mare flushed and looked away: she was disarmed, composure lost again, visibly confused as she murmured: “That's very kind of you to offer but... it wouldn't be right. They're your friends, are they not? And I have... a goal... I wish to pursue that involves seeing justice done to Scrivener Blooms.” “Justice is never sought in the interest of ourselves; only in that of others.” Burning Desire said quietly, and then he straightened and looked down into Ersatz's eyes, as the mare looked up, disarmed again by the fiery stallion as he reached up and touched under her muzzle, before winking over at Scrivener and Luna. “They are my friends, but... I think Scrivener can suffer a little, don't you worry your pretty mane over that. And if you want me to be entirely honest? If they were trying to bribe you, they have far better things than little old me to do the bribing with. “No, this is because, as a Greed demon, I smell it on you: your... desires. Just like as a Lust demon...” Burning Desire winked, leaning down into her face, and Ersatz shifted... but her eyes remained locked with his, and she didn't seem entirely uncomfortable. “Well, I won't repeat myself.” He grinned, then began to lean further down... but just as Ersatz closed her eyes and began to lean up, Luna poked the demon firmly in the side with her horn, and he yelped and skittered away, Ersatz blinking rapidly before blushing bright red and half-hiding behind her hooves as the sapphire mare grumbled: “Damned demon, stop exerting such influence. I would much prefer to see the harpy suffering, not getting such enjoyment from such a great handsome lout as thyself.” Burning Desire only smiled brightly at this, perking up immediately, and then he grinned and strode quickly over as Luna turned away, reaching up a hoof and slapping her rear firmly. Luna jumped forwards a bit as Scrivener sighed, but then she only grinned over her shoulder as the demon replied easily: “Very well, then I'll stick to business, shall I? I have a very fair cost in mind, Ersatz Major, and it just kills me, just kills me to see you suffer so much, when you're oh so very pretty. I'll repair your horn, and you will... you... will...” The stallion bit his tongue thoughtfully, then he smiled warmly down at her as he flicked his horn to the side firmly, and a rolled up scroll appeared in a burst of flames before floating quietly over to the mare. Ersatz looked at this anxiously, but she reached out to take it in her front hooves and unroll it, before frowning in surprise and reading it over... but just as she began to open her mouth, Burning Desire firmly planted a hoof against her lips and shushed her, winking as Luna and Scrivener both leaned in curiously. “Now don't ruin the surprise, dear. Luna will get jealous.” “You can't be serious.”Ersatz said finally, but Burning Desire only smiled kindly at her as the unicorn mare shifted uneasily, looking away and mumbling as she kneaded the contract uneasily: “No. No, I... I couldn't, no...” “You want to, though. Don't be afraid, Ersatz Major... besides, I can tell you want to. Even more than that, I clearly feel your other desires...” Burning Desire cocked his head, looking down at her with a slight smile before he murmured: “You're a mixed-up little puppy, aren't you?” Ersatz opened her mouth... then closed it slowly before she looked down at the contract, shifting uneasily as Scrivener and Luna both looked curiously at Burning Desire. Normally by now, Luna would be pummeling any demon trying to make a contract with a mortal... but Burning Desire was rarely nefarious, and his contracts usually amounted to favors, not actual demonic work. The fiery unicorn just liked to flaunt his demonic side at times, and it was currently clearly working wonders on Ersatz as she stared up at him like he was some mysterious, benevolent demigod. She shifted back and forth, and then Burning Desire leaned forwards and smiled, saying gently: “All you have to do is sign your name. Or spill blood on the contract, that works too, but we're not barbarians, are we? A signature is fine.” Burning Desire glanced to the side as his horn glowed brightly, calling a name, and Ersatz looked up at him anxiously before she trembled and reached up to touch her broken horn, asking quietly: “Why would you do this for me? You don't even know who I am. You're... you're a unicorn.” “No, I'm a demon.” Burning Desire said gently in return, smiling down at Ersatz before he shrugged slowly and said easily: “Well, it's not like I don't get anything out of the deal, and darling... you're Scrivener's cousin, correct?” The fiery stallion paused, then grinned over his shoulder at the charcoal earth pony and Luna, adding cheerfully: “Besides, imagine what I'm going to get out of this! Helping the terrible Ersatz Major understand that we're not all so bad... you two might have to share a pleasant little reward with me, and I have just the thing in mind.” Ersatz looked up awkwardly, nervously shifting as if uncertain whether she was being tricked or not, and then Luna sighed tiredly and said dryly: “Burning Desire, thou art a grand idiot. If thou art doing this just to help us, know that we do not need this kind of assistance. Furthermore, if thou desires to sleep with me thou must buy the access to my bed with the most glorious bouquet of candies that has ever existed.” Burning Desire looked thoughtful at this, while Scrivener simply turned a flat look on the sapphire mare, asking dryly: “Bouquet of candies?” “Candies can come in bouquets.” Luna argued grumpily, and Scrivener simply gave her a mild look. Ersatz was looking around in confusion, clearly not knowing who or what to believe anymore, before Burning Desire looked up with a bright, pleased smile as a sea-green Kelpie strode towards them from the other end of the hall, smiling calmly around the inkwell and quill she was carrying as Luna grinned slightly in surprise. “Hevatica! And what art thou doing with this wretch?” Hevatica smiled in response, then allowed Burning Desire's telekinesis to pull the inkwell away, gazing over at him kindly as she replied: “Just enjoying my time here, with a dear, good friend who thinks far too much of others and far too little of himself.” She paused, her eyes roving curiously to Ersatz Major, before she licked her teeth with interest. “And my, what do we have here? Ersatz Major... I've read a few of your articles.” Ersatz looked up with surprise, and the Kelpie gave a soft smile, but her eyes were calculating, measuring the mare before she murmured: “For someone who plays such a dedicated Nemesis, you seem so much more helpless Amechania. 'Tis a pity.” The unicorn mare looked uncomfortable, before Burning Desire cleared his throat loudly, saying pointedly: “Now, Hevatica, there's no need to be so rude. Everyone deserves a second chance, do they not? And you can't blame her for how the heart feels, you of all ponies know that well.” “I suppose. And I suppose that I understand, to some extent or another... but still, she punishes the innocent. Her own family.” Hevatica argued, and Burning Desire pointedly gestured a few times at Ersatz, who flushed and shifted uncomfortably. “It's okay.” Scrivener said softly, and both Burning Desire and Hevatica looked surprised as Luna sighed quietly, the charcoal stallion smiling faintly as he murmured: “Look. I know that no matter what, she might be stringing me along, we might not be able to convince her of anything. That maybe... I dunno, this is just us being stupid and shoveling so much more ammo up for her to use against us. But I don't care, because... she is my cousin, yet she doesn't look down on me as a slave hoof. She and I... could have been friends if not for... and maybe I do deserve to hurt a little.” There was silence for a few moments, and then Burning Desire cleared his throat before thrusting the inkwell and quill towards the unicorn mare, who blushed a bit as she looked silently at the contract in front of her. “Then let's get this over with, shall we? I'm sure you have places to go and ponies to see. Sign here, and I'll repair your horn, for... well, what I personally think is a reward, not a price to pay at all.” “You would.” Hevatica said wryly, and Burning Desire winked over at the Kelpie, who gave a sonorous, soft laugh. “Such a strange demon. Generosity is not mastery of your desires, you know.” “Exactly.” Burning Desire smiled widely and winked at the Kelpie, who gazed fondly up at him... before both demons looked surprised when Ersatz hurriedly pushed the contract away, knocking the inkwell out of the air to shatter on the ground. “Ersatz?” “I... I won't be bribed.” Ersatz Major muttered, dropping her head to try and hide her face and her broken horn, and then she shoved both demons out of the way and bolted towards the exit of the palace, Scrivener and Luna both wincing as she ran past. Burning Desire sighed softly and looked over his shoulder as Hevatica shook her head slowly, and Scrivener smiled lamely at them both before turning to hurry after Ersatz. Luna only grumbled under her breath, however, striding towards the demons before asking moodily: “And what, precisely, wert thou playing at?” “Nothing.” Burning Desire said honestly, and then he reached up and touched his own chest with a quiet sigh, trading a look with Hevatica. “Luna, look at her. A unicorn without a horn... no matter what evil she's done, if the world she comes from is based in traditions that I grew up with a thousand years ago, then I can only begin to imagine the pain she's been through. I'd like to help her with that pain if I could... and of course, if it helps her understand we're not all monsters, the better for it. But really, I look at her, and I think... what if someone had just... helped me when I was mortal?” Luna sighed softly, then she nodded hesitantly... and outside, Scrivener quietly approached where Ersatz was now sitting in the middle of the road. She was trembling a little, but when he came up to her, she cleared her throat and gave her fake smile over her shoulder, asking in a pleasant voice that, to her credit, only shook slightly: “Shall we continue our tour? Or do you have some other tricks you'd like to try and play on me, perhaps attempt to seduce me like one of your whores?” “So you really do just transform yourself every time things get too hard.” Scrivener said quietly, and Ersatz twitched slightly before the stallion hesitated, then said finally: “I'm going to do something I really don't want to and give you a hug. Please don't hit me.” Ersatz stared at him, and then Scrivener stepped forwards and hugged her tightly, closing his eyes, and the mare trembled silently before dropping her head against the side of his neck, whispering: “This changes nothing. Nothing I've seen you try to prove changes anything. You're responsible for your mother's death, and all the pain and suffering that followed. You're responsible for... for the way... everything's gotten so... screwed up...” She closed her eyes and shivered once, then shoved him hard, and Scrivener staggered away from her with a wince before Ersatz looked up at him silently. “What if I told you that I was lying about everything? That I just want to see you suffer and I just want Underbrush to suffer because you're... both... cocky slave hoofs?” Scrivener only smiled faintly at how awkward the words sounded coming from Ersatz's mouth, before she clenched her teeth, shivered... then slumped and looked away, murmuring: “This isn't what I expected at all. I don't know what to think anymore, what to say or expect. I... I don't even know who you really are, Scrivener Blooms.” “I'm just me. I'm... I'm sorry.” Scrivener said quietly, and then he grimaced and reached up, touching his forehead as he felt a throb of dull pain. It was the stress, beginning to get to him... and he smiled faintly as Luna emerged from the palace and hurried towards them, as Ersatz looked up at him uncomfortably. They were both spared trying to answer any questions, however, when a Nightmare appeared beside Scrivener and Ersatz. The mare staggered in surprise, but the dark entity only smiled calmly before turning its eyes to Scrivener, saying gently: “The Dawn Bringer requests your presence at Thorn Palace. She also requests that you bring your... friend.” The Nightmare looked distrustfully towards Ersatz, who shifted awkwardly before Luna nodded with a grunt as she reached them. “Very well. Inform my sister we shall arrive shortly.  Also that she is not to baste Ersatz alive, at least not yet.” “Of course, Mistress.” The Nightmare bowed its head politely, then it vanished from sight as Luna sighed tiredly and Scrivener looked awkwardly at Ersatz. The unicorn mare had recovered herself, however, sitting up and forcing her little smile, even as her eyes kept shifting back and forth, like she was fighting not to look over her shoulder. Then she bowed her head and said politely: “Please, lead on. I... I am sure that this will prove to be an informative discussion.” Scrivener and Luna traded looks, then they both shrugged and nodded at the same time before turning away, and Ersatz did her best to smile as she followed them... but finally gave in and looked back at the red manse of Burning Desire behind her, fidgeting a little as she thought silently of the demon that had offered her so much kindness in exchange for so little in return.