//------------------------------// // I Love Master, So Much // Story: Master's Little Pet // by Shadow Bolt //------------------------------// Chapter 2: I Love Master, So Much While every part of the castle looked wondrous to anypony that’s been inside, except there is one part of the castle that isn’t. Through a door there is a spiral staircase leading deep underground, the only light source were the torches hanging on the walls. While the hallways up above had plenty of furniture, expensive pieces of art, and the windows that reach up to the ceiling. The hallways underground did not. No pieces of art or furniture were around, nothing but bricks stacked on top of each other with the only thing on them were the torches and the cobwebs on the ceilings. This hallway leads to a room that not many ponies know about, mostly because this place hasn’t been used in years. That place is the Canterlot Dungeon. For Princess Cadance, this is the first time she has ever been down here. She was walking down the corridor that would lead her to her destination. Each hoof step brought out a puff of dust as she looked at the cobwebs that covered the hallways. Since being under Celestia and Luna’s reign, Equestria has been in an age of peace, love, and harmony for over a thousand years. Because of this, there was no reason to clean the dungeon. Cadance felt uncomfortable as she continued walking. Up above there was the feeling of happiness, light, and a feeling of welcome to all who visit. There was none of that feeling down here in this dark and gloomy place. Eventually Cadance finally made it to the dungeon. A lone guard stood beside a steel door. The door was rusted and had a slide to see whoever was on the other side, at the moment it was closed. Cadance walked up to the door, the guard upon seeing Cadance bowed. “You may rise, tell me what you have learned about our visitor?” she asked. The guard stood up, “Yes your highness. So far nothing, the prisoner hasn’t said anything since we brought him here. It seems our techniques aren’t working on him. If he wasn’t already in bad condition, we would have used… other means.” She nodded, “Open the door,” she said. The princess’s request made the guard uneasy, “With all due respect Princess, I think that would be unwise. We don’t know how dangerous he is or what he was doing hiding in your chambers. It would be dangerous for you to be alone with him. For all we know, he could be an assassin sent here to kill you.” “I appreciate your concern, but I think I can take care of myself.” “Are you sure Princess?” he said. He didn’t like talking back to the princess, but it’s all the guards duty to protect the princesses. “We don’t want anything to happen to you like last time.” Cadance knew what he was talking about. Again it’s a memory that she would choose to forget, “I understand your thoughts for my safety,” she didn’t think it wouldn’t have to do this, but it looks like she was going to have to use the ‘princess card’ on him. “Open the door and let me enter, that is an order.” The guard was about to object, but Cadance gave him ‘the look’. The way she had her eyebrows lowered would have anypony obey out of the feeling of disappointment. It wasn’t as good as Princess Celestia’s ‘look’, but it still got the job done. “Of course, your highness,” the guard opened the door and Cadance walked in. “I apologize your highness, but regulations order me to close the door for anyone that enters in order to keep prisoners from escaping.” “I understand,” was all she said. “If you wish I can have the slide open to keep an eye on you.” “Thanks, but that will not be necessary,” she said thinking that the prisoner wouldn’t talk to her if they were being watched. “Yes, your highness,” as he closed the door. It took time for Cadance’s eyes to adjust to the darkness for her to see her surroundings. She noticed that the cell was big, round, and empty of furniture. The only thing she was able to see was a stack of hay on the other side of the cell. On top of the stack of hay was the mysterious stallion that was in her room, sleeping in peace. Time to get some answers, she decided to go with a gentle route to interrogate, “Hello, sorry to disturb you, but I wanted to ask you a few questions.” The stallion opened his eyes and lifted his head towards Cadance. A few seconds for his eyes to adjust, he was able to see who was talking to him. Upon seeing Cadance, the stallion smiled, “Masters here to see me.” He slowly tried standing up, as Cadance saw his legs were shaking. Now that the stallion was standing he started running towards Cadance, “I’m coming, Master.” About halfway, he tripped and landed face first on the ground. Cadance could hear the stallion groaning and mumbling incoherently as he lay there motionless. After what seemed like a minutes, Cadance noticed that the stallion was not getting up nor was he moving at all. Poor thing, he probably doesn’t have the strength to move Cadance started walking towards the stallion. As she was getting closer, she could hear the stallion incoherent mumbling notifying her that he was still conscious. Cadance was now standing in front of the face down stallion, she then used her magic to lift the stallion off the ground. She could see that the stallion had a nullifying ring on his horn, preventing him from using magic. Once the stallion’s legs were in standing position, she released the levitation spell and he was now standing on his own. He immediately started hugging Cadance again, “Thank you, Master.” Why does he keep hugging me and calling me master? “Master, came to see me. I’m so happy,” he said as he kept hugging Cadance. “Don’t worry, Master. I didn’t tell them anything,” he finally let go and stood there in front of Cadance with a smile on his face. “Is Master proud of me?” Cadance feeling she needed to say something to the stallion that was waiting for her to answer. “Um….. Yes?” “Master is proud of me, I’m so happy,” his gripped tightened when he heard Cadance praise him. Let’s see if I can finally get some answers as Cadance was thinking of what question she should ask first. “Why were you in my closet?” The stallion looked at her with a confused look on her face, “Doesn't Master remember? Master put me in the closet to keep me safe.” “What is your name?” Again, the stallion was confused once again, “Master, are you alright? It’s me, Razor Sharp, Masters Little Pet.” Pet? Cadance was more confused from his answer. Razor’s stared at Cadance for a few seconds, then his face turn from confusion to sadness, “Did Master forget about me?” his eyes were starting to tear up. Cadance was now trying to think about what to do with Razor. I have to say something to him Cadance thought carefully of what to say, “Of… course I didn’t forget you,” her right hoof was rubbing Razor’s left cheek, “How could I forget a face like that.” Cadance’s answer seemed to have worked, since Razor’s was no longer sad, but happy again. He walked up to her and started nuzzling his head on her chest, “I knew Master wouldn’t forget about me.” Okay, it seems that I was able to fix that misunderstanding, but so far I still haven’t learned much from him except his name. I still don’t know why he keeps calling me master. I have to make sure the next question I ask won’t cause another upset. She used her hoof to push Razor back, he seemed to understand and didn’t object. “Razor, why do you keep calling me master?” “Because Master is my master,” he quickly answered. Well that didn’t go as I wanted it as she mentally facehoofed she tried a different approach, “Do you know my name?” “Of course I know Masters name, Master.” “What is Masters name?” Razor smile went away from her question, “I can’t say Master’s name.” “Why not?” she asked. “Because Master gets mad when I call Master by Masters name. Master ordered me to never to call Master by Masters name. If I’m his master then he will do what I tell him to “As your master, you’ll do whatever I tell you to correct? “Of course, Master.” “No matter, what I tell you to do?” “Yes, Master.” “Then tell me, what is Masters name?” Razor was feeling nervous from Cadance’s command, but since she ordered him, he had to obey, “Yes, M-M-Master……….. C-C-C-Chrysalis.” Chrysalis?! How hearing that name caused Cadance’s blood to boil. The name hit her brain like venom as memories of that fateful day came flooding back, when Equestria was almost conquered by an army of changelings, led by their queen, Chrysalis. How she had kidnapped Cadance and left her to rot in the mines, while she pretended to be her, and how she almost lost the love of her life to that monster. Now it all makes sense. He thinks I’m Chrysalis in disguise, who appears to be this stallion’s master the look on Cadance’s face was nothing but a face of pure anger. Razor seeing Cadance’s face, thinking that he made his master angry, started cowering in front of her. He lowered his body, his legs were shaking as he started walking backwards. Cadance looked down and saw the look on his face, the look of extreme fear. Seeing her looking at him, made Razor more terrified as he kept walking away from Cadance, “I’m sorry, Master. I didn’t mean to make Master angry. I only did what Master told me to do.” Cadance was feeling bad about herself, in her moment of anger toward Chrysalis, Razor thought that her anger was towards him instead. She started walking towards Razor. Seeing this, Razor tried walked faster, but his back hooves tripped and he fell to the floor. He tried getting up but couldn’t from exhaustion and fear as Cadance was getting closer. He then curled up into a ball and waited whatever punishment comes to him. Cadance couldn’t believe what she was seeing, a stallion afraid of her. She’s seen her share of ponies showing signs of fear whenever in the presence of Princess Celestia and Luna, but this was probably the first time someone was afraid of her. She got along well with her subjects and they never showed fear towards her and here was Razor, completely petrified of her. No, not afraid of me, but of Chrysalis. He mistook my anger of her and thought that my anger was towards him. He thinks that I, meaning Chrysalis, am angry at him. Now Cadance was thinking how she could fix Razor’s misunderstanding. She raised her hoof and brought it towards him. Instinctually Razor brought out his hooves, covering his face and closed his eyes. He waited for his punishment…..only for nothing to happen. After a few seconds of waiting for his master’s punch, instead he felt a hoof gently rubbing his cheek. He opened his eyes to see his masters face. Her face was not of anger, but of compassion. She said in a calm tone, “Don’t worry, I’m not going to hurt you. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” “M-Masters not angry at me?” he pleaded. “I’m not angry at you,” she replied. Razor once again got up and hugged Cadance, this time she returned the hug to make him feel better. He tightened his hug and said, “I love you, Master.” Cadance was couldn’t believe what Razor Edge just said. The thought that someone loving Chrysalis was a thought that couldn’t be possible Unless? It all makes sense now. She must have captured him and put him under a spell making him love her, and then she would be able to feed on his love for her. As Cadance was deep in thought, she almost didn’t see that Razor’s head was getting closer to hers as he was trying to kiss her. As his lips got closer, Cadance turned her head away from him. Seeing his master turn away from him, Razors face went from happy to sad instantly. Cadance saw the change of his expressions as he let go from his hug and was now staring at the floor with tears in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Master. I forgot that I can’t kiss Master without permission,” he turned around and started walking away from her. As he walked away, Cadance was able to hear him mumble something, “Master, hates me now.” Cadance was now feeling bad about herself, she accidentally hurt Razor’s feelings once again. I have to fix this she started walking towards him. Razor was lost in his sadness, that he didn’t hear Cadance walking up to him. He didn’t even notice her until he felt something touch his cheek, he looked and smiled as he saw his master kiss his cheek. Cadance saw the look on his face and pulled back. Before she could raise her head, she felt Razor’s hooves wrapped around her neck and his head nuzzling hers. She then felt Razor kiss her cheek and then went back to nuzzling her head. She decided to let him continue while she used the opportunity to use her magic. I’ll just use my magic to undo whatever spell Chrysalis has him under and then everything will be back to normal. A little heart pop out of her horn and flew to Razor’s head, it then made contact and a bright light shined from where the heart landed. Cadance then lifted her head letting Razor know as he let go and stood there in front of the princess. She looked at him, “What are your feelings towards me?” she asked to see that her spell work. Razor tilted his head with a look of confusion on his face for a few seconds, then it was replaced with a smile and said, “As I said, I love Master.” What?! Cadance couldn’t believe her ears, she thought that her spell had worked. He must be under a more powerful spell than I thought. She then tried another spell to undo Chrysalis’s magic. Razor felt some tingling from Cadance’s attempts to free him from his master’s spell, “That tickles, Master.” Cadance tried another spell and another, but her spells were met with the same results. After many attempts Cadance came to a grim conclusion He’s not under any spell, he really does loves Chrysalis. Cadance took all that she learned since meeting Razor in her room and put the pieces together. The way he talked, the way he reacted by her expressions, his personality, and of course the condition of his body all led up to her to conclude that there was no way his love couldn’t be actual love towards the changeling queen, but some sort of twisted relationship from the result of trauma and manipulation. Who knows what kind of terrible things that MONSTER did to his mind for him to be like this? “Master?” he said, breaking Cadance’s thoughts. “Yes?” she replied. “What’s going to happen to me now?” he had the look of concern on his face. Cadance was also thinking about what to do with him now. She thought about telling him the truth about everything. How she wasn’t Chrysalis, the invasion had failed, and that Chrysalis was longer around. She then looked at him, seeing the face of worry all over his face. She quickly thought against it. There’s no telling what would happen to his psyche if I tell him the truth. I better just play along until I figure out on how to deal with this as delicately as I can. “I will get started on getting you out of here and put you in one of the guest rooms. I’ll make sure that your well taken care of.” “M-Master means, I don’t have to hide anymore?” “No, you won’t have to worry about hiding anymore.” “Can’t I stay with Master…in Master's room?” “I…. don’t think that would be a good idea. We wouldn’t want anypony to get suspicious of us now, do we?” “Master has a point,” he nodded, “Master is always right.” “We can’t let anyone know about us right,” she winked. “But won’t Master need me when it’s time to sleep?” “It would be strange to have someone in my room besides my husband, isn’t it?” “Oh,” He looked down with a frown on his face, “Master did marry him after all.” “Are you alright?” she asked. He looked up with a smile, “Yes Master, I understand. Master must keep up appearances so no one will expect the invasion.” “Exactly,” she lied, “can’t let anyone know about the invasion,” she brought her hoof to her mouth to make a shush expression. “That’s why I have to keep pretending that I don’t know you and you have to do the same.” “Yes Master, but I’ll get lonely if I’m not with Master after sometime and Master needs me too. Master needs to be fed to keep Master's strength up.” “I’ll see what I can do, but for now you keep pretending that you don’t know me. For now you’re my new servant like you said.” She started walking towards the door, “Now I’ll go talk to the princesses to see about your release and get you the proper care you need.” She was stopped as Razor started hugging her again, “Master always takes good care of me. Master is so kind to me.” Cadance knew that wasn’t true. From knowing how Chrysalis is towards others, the way Razor reacted when he thought he angered his master, and of course the black eye he has on the right side of his face. Feeling sympathy for him, she returned the hug.” “I love Master, so much,” he said as his head nuzzled against Cadance’s chest.” “And….um… Master loves you too,” she said to comfort him. It seemed to work as she felt his grip tightened and his tail was wagging back and forth. She stood there for a few seconds before she heard the sound of snoring. She looked down and saw that Razor Edge had fallen asleep, while he was still hugging Cadance. He must be exhausted after this whole ordeal and from his body’s condition. She used her magic and levitated Razor to the pile of hay that was used for a bed and gently brought him down. She then walked up to door and knocked three times. The slide opened up the guard looked in, “I’m ready to leave, open the door,” she said. The guard closed the slide and opened the door. Cadance walked out and the guard quickly closed the door behind her. “Did you learn anything, your highness?” “Yes I did,” she said, but wasn’t going tell the guard what she learned. “I need to speak with my aunts, do you happened to know where they are?” “Last I heard before coming here, they were in the throne room.” “Thank you,” she said, “you may return to your duties.” “Yes, your highness,” he saluted and walked back to his post and stood by the door. Cadance started the walk back upstairs. She walked in silence as her head was filled with what she learned moments ago. I need to speak with auntie Celestia and Luna and tell them about what I’ve learned. They’ll know what to do, Razor Sharp needs help and I’ll make sure he gets it.