//------------------------------// // Sleepover With A Demon - Part 2 // Story: The great Laharl - The tale of a displaced Overlord // by Hoppa_21 //------------------------------// I was feeling great, as I was trudging towards the kitchen, with the bunny clenched in my hand. It probably was an eternity since I had my last proper meal with some fresh meat, and I was certain, that I can’t expect something like that from Rarity. Maybe I should come here more often? I mean, it would lighten Featherbrains work weight, if she has lesser animals, right? “Wait, we were building a table?” I heard chicken say. I had to cringe as I turned around to look at what they had done. Whatever it was what they had worked on, it was no table. But it would probably count as some kind of art. Heck, I have seen stains that were sold as art! You only need a name to sell your garbage. However, I definitely wouldn’t hire those free to build me a new castle. But to get back to the topic, I had a meal to prepare. “Hey, I’m going to use the kitchen.” I called out to Featherbrain. “Girls!” was all she said, as she was already trying to calm the girls again. She didn’t seem to hear me, or to care about it. I simply shrugged as I walked to the doorframe inside the kitchen. I then sighed. First came the preparation, before the cooking, and so that’s what I did. I took a chair to sit on and looked in one of the drawers for a knife that I could use for skinning. I was just about to start, when I noticed something. The little bugger was still alive, and I was certainly not cruel enough to skin this little feller alive. With the knife in my hand, I moved it slowly closer to its throat. “Sorry, you little jerk. But that’s just the natural order. Prey and predator, and you have the bad luck to be a prey animal. It might also have to do with your behavior. I mean seriously, which prey deliberately fucks with a predator? You have to be a big fool t-” I then stopped my ramblings for a moment before I face palmed. “God dammit. Now I’m talking with my food! That makes me feeling like the big fool!” “…Charming?” I turned to my left, which leads to the living room and spotted Featherbrain. “Oh, it’s you.” She was looking slightly nervous. “W-what are you doing?” she asked cautiously. “Dinner,” I answered with a neutral expression, before I began to frown. Right. I’m living in a herbivore society. Point number 9 on my hate list. It was actually one of the first points I added to my list. If you eat meat in Equestria you are pretty much a wild beast to the ponies. It’s no wonder gryphons normally don’t find their way here, not even for vacation. I mean, who would make vacation in a country, where you would have to deal with resentment every single day? The country can be as beautiful as possible, you still have to be pretty brave or stupid to pull through a vacation here. You have to be even crazier or braver for staying here even though that hostility. I’m of course the latter. Featherbrains gaze hardened, and she stepped closer to me. A new air of confidence suddenly embraced her. It was quite unexpected and left me dumbfounded. She just stood right before me, and was practically towering over me with a scolding look, just like a mother which caught a child with a hand in a cookie jar. Quite ridiculous. Even more ridiculous that I found myself the tiniest bit intimidated by it. “Now listen here, Mister! We are not killing any animals here!” I gathered my composure at her outburst and scoffed at that ridiculous statement. “Don’t tell me all your animals are herbivores,” was my rather short retort. And actually, I was probably even right with that. She was a pony after all. Heaven forbid that there are beings consuming the meat of innocent animals! I face palmed again. No, not heavens… I really need to stop doing that. She surprised me as she just shook her head. “I am taking care of other animals too. Harry the bear comes to me for his fair share of food too. So you see, if you need something, I can help you. I even meant to! So there is no need for this!” I raised an eyebrow at that, ushering her to explain herself. “Well, you see, Sweetie Belle explained me your situation after I asked her about your canines… She told me that she lied to Rarity about you being a pony…” That set off all alarm bells, as I visibly tensed. That idiot! Was I found out from the very beginning? If yes, then I had no time to lose. I need an escape route. Best thing would be the forest. Just run in there until I lost them and then fly in the shadow of the night as cover. Further thoughts however were cut off by the timid mare. “She elaborated that you were a rare breed between a gryphon and a minotaur.” …Seriously? I mean sure, it might be a bit of a relief that she didn’t blur out that she wants to date a demon, but still… Is this really any better? Ponies are not friendly towards those both races either. “And said that this is the cause of your…condition.” I groan. Sure. My ‘condition’. That’s just dumb. “I’m healthy,” I declare to stop her from talking me into any kind of hospital visits. I already expected that this may come up sometime. I just didn’t expect it to come from a timid pegasus. The pegasus recoils slightly at that. “Oh, um…” And starts stammering and fidgeting in place. Seems like I called her out and now she tries to form a response to prove me wrong. I just hold up a hand. “Stop right there. I’m not the least bit interested in any doctor talk now. Just say what you have to say.” I was getting slightly irritated now. That’s actually kinda funny, if you think that I was slightly intimidated just a minute ago. She seems to get more nervous at my commanding tone, but seems to get her composure back as she gazed at the rabbit I still have clenched in my hand by its ears. “I can help you with your nourishment. Sweetie Belle wants to keep it a secret from Rarity, as well as your parents race, since she probably wouldn’t react…nice to it.” Thanks for stating the obvious! I totally didn’t expect that from Miss Prim and Proper! I actually had to grin at that as I noticed something. Her statement had an obvious flaw. “You have to keep it a secret from every other pony then too, or do you think others are as open to consuming meat like you, who’s job it is?” It still is weird to consider that she is ok, with it. Of course it makes sense with her caring for all kinds of animals, but it still is something I didn’t expect. That doesn’t mean that I trust her, but maybe I could use her for my own profit. She said she can help my nourishment after all. A demon can’t live from pancakes alone. Well, he probably can, but it isn’t healthy. I want to have my stats at top, when I face guards or the princesses at one point. But back to the topic. Her face slightly fell at that, as she hung her head. “I know.” So she had her fair share of problems with it too? Interesting. Her gaze then hardened once again, as she lifted her head. “Now hand over Angel, now!” I recoiled slightly at her light outburst, and gazed at her questioningly, before my gaze drifted to the bunny. “Wait. You seriously call this devil, Angel?” Her gaze seemed to harden at that. “Let him go now!” I grunted in annoyance, before I handed him to her. No need in picking a fight…yet. She secured him safely in her arms before gazing at me again. “What do you have to say for yourself?” she then asserted in an authoritative tone. I just turned my head away from her and huffed. Annoying pony. “Now get up at your room and think about what you did!” She said in an angered voice as she pointed towards the staircase. Like I did anything. “Oh, and don’t worry. I will bring dinner to you then.” The second part was spoken in a much softer voice to my confusion. Heck, her mood just 180. Is she pregnant or something? But there was another question I had to ask. Something she obviously missed. “And there exactly is ‘my room’?” Her eyes widened in realization. “Oh. Just follow me,” she said meekly, as she led the way. I didn’t complain as I followed her up the stairs. She then opened the second door on the left to show me a rather littered room. Littered mainly with animal food and other animal related things, like bird houses. There was also a bed. It was the only thing that showed that this room was in fact a bedroom. Fluttershy saw me stare at all of her animal equipment and gave me an apologetic look, along with an apology and the information, that this was the only other guestroom she had, since her normal one was meant for the crusaders. It’s good that I was separated, even though the condition of the room was slightly annoying. But it will do. I will train most of the night anyway. And this also gives me the perfect escape chance. I just have to open one of the two windows on the wall. *Grumble* Featherbrain giggled. “Don’t worry, I will make some dinner for you now.” And with that she vanished through the door to ‘my room’. Unfortunately I had to agree with the pegasus about one thing. I needed food. There was no reason to train with an empty stomach. So I will wait for my dinner first. She would also notice me missing, if I left now. And I didn’t want her to arrange search groups to find me. And undoubtedly Rarity would hear about this. I want to avoid soap, if I can help it. But I better go back to cheerier thoughts. Dinner in bed. I smirked at that. Not that bad of a ‘punishment’. Probably be an eternity since I last had dinner in be- Another sting of pain shot through my skull, pictures of a cockatrice came to my mind, as well as pictures of me sitting on a campfire with a platter of eggs in my hands, along with a colt and a gryphon. The colt eyeing the cockatrice warily, while the gryphon was drinking and laughing, as the cockatrice was cuddling up to me. “Is everything to your satisfaction, Master?” did it ask. She was important somehow. One of my generals, yet I remember so little about her and the others. But still, I think she was a good comrade. Right… I sighed. I really could use a good companion right about now. This whole situation just annoyed me on no end. I mean, where do I even start?! I had so much to do to reclaim my rightful reign over the ponies! I sighed again. I needed to calm down. First level up, then information, weapons and armor, and maybe I find a comrade along the way. Yes. That sounded like a plan I could follow. After I was prepared, I would then save my loyal comrade and co-ruler. And then it means, bye royal butts! I let out a sinister laugh at that. “Dinner is ready,” I heard a squeaky voice say, as the door suddenly swung open, as the marshmallow walked inside with a tray of food in her hand. I frowned at her entrance. Best thing would be to set some things right with her. She walked in with a spring in her step, before sitting down on the bed beside me. She took the fork, grabbed a piece, of what seemed to be some cooked fish, and tried to bring it to my mouth. “Say ahhhhhhhhhhhh!” My hand came out and hit the fork out of her hand. I wouldn’t stand for any more of this. The fork clattered ominously on the ground, and marshmallow looked at me with big surprised eyes. A silence followed shortly afterwards. I broke it before marshmallow could utter a response. “No more of this,” I said clearly. “What do you mean?” she asked confused. “Don’t treat me like a child. Do you have any idea who I am?” My voice dropped into a low menacing tone. Not that the marshmallow had the sense to feel threatened. “Of course I do! You are my Prince Charming! The one I have to protect with all my might!” I scoffed at her obliviousness. “I don’t need any protection. Even if I lost my levels, I can regain them on my own and I certainly don’t need you watching over me.” “But you are weak! A mare has to protect her stallion! Everypony knows that!” “I am not a stallion, and I don’t need protection! At least not from you! I would go even as far as to say that the only protection I might need is FROM you!” “Why are you saying things like that? I mean, I know that you like to put on a display of strength, but this is not the way. You can trust me.” She said, getting more confident during the end. “You killed me almost repeatedly, but that’s not important right know. I will follow along, because I have to, but don’t even think for a split second that I can stand you. My hatred for your kind shines bright, but even brighter does my hatred for you! You come here and try to act like you care about me, even though I know you don’t!” “I do care!” marshmallow protested. I snorted at that. “Prove it and answer me one simple question. If you can do that I will never question you again.” She nodded fervently. “I will.” “What is my name?” “…Wait, what? This one is a little too easy, don’t you think? Your name is Prince Charming!” I shook my head. “No. My real name, not the one you gave me.” She started to look insecure, while her eyes darted around the room. No doubt she was in deep thought. “I…” “You don’t even know the name of the being you supposedly care for?” “I do! It… It is…” “The being you say, you are in love with?” “You see…” “What does this say about you and your ‘feelings’?” I underlined the last word sarcastically. “Names are only smoke and mirrors!” she blurted out in a desperate attempt to defend her obliviousness. I only shook my head at this. “You never tried to learn it to begin with. It’s part of one’s identity, and you didn’t even try to get the name from me. So how can you expect me to believe you?” This time she didn’t say anything. She just looked at the ground ashamed. “That’s what I thought. And now get out,” I said with the low menacing tone again. Her ears flattened on her skull and she hurried out, giving me one last glance, before she closed the door. I sighed as I picked up the plate and started eating. She wasn’t going to be the companion I needed. Back with the marshmallow I sighed as I got down the stairs meeting my two friends. I didn’t feel so happy anymore. I thought it was a good idea to bring him his food myself, but it wasn’t. No. That’s not what the bad idea was. I totally neglected him. I never cared to ask his name. Maybe he said it on our first meeting even, and I didn’t listen to him. I didn’t care. It was something so basic, and I just neglected it. I don’t know what I can do now to make it up for him. Does he really hate me that much? What can I do to change it, or was everything lost? My glum mood seemed to be noticed by my friends, as they asked what was bothering me. I just brushed it off and said that I was tired. Fluttershy then said that it was time for us to head to bed too. My friends protested, but I didn’t. We headed upstairs as they lost the argument against Fluttershy and I glanced at the door of the room my fiancé was occupying. I thought it would be easier to have a coltfriend. Nopony ever told me it would be so hard! Well, Rarity did, I think. But it was never mentioned in the bedtime stories she read to me! Nor in Rarity’s private collection that she hides behind the books of her bookshelf. But those were at least useful in gathering knowledge about pair activities at night. We made our way into the guest bedroom and lied down on the bed. It was big enough to hold all three of us. Fluttershy sung us a lullaby. I knew it, but didn’t feel like singing along. She soon left the room and I stared at the ceiling. “What is wrong, Sweetie Belle?” asked Apple Bloom, noticing my mood. “Did that demon say anything mean to ya?” I shook my head. “It’s not that. Quite the opposite in fact. I was mean to him in a way. Did you notice that we didn’t even know his name? I could have easily found it out during our fights, but I didn’t pay it any heed. I think I’m a horrible fiancé to him.” Scootaloo scoffed at that. “Please! As if he would care about you! We should just give him over to the town guard! Demons are dangerous after all!” My determination steeled. “He is not dangerous!” “Do I really have to remind you about the wild demon attacks on Ponyville? And did these demons look peaceful to you?” “He is different! I just know it!” “The first thing he did when he saw us was attack us!” “This might be, but he is not like the others! He is just misunderstood! And I thought we were already past that topic! You promised me to give him a chance!” Scootaloo hung her head slightly. “Yeah, we did… Sorry about that Sweetie, but I just can’t trust him like you do.” “Ah agree with Scoots here. Mah sister always told me that ah have to run inside when the demons come out. Even though he looks not like these tree stump things, or those small flying varmints.” I sighed. “We are going to spend some more time with him tomorrow. And then you can convince yourself that he is as weak and fragile and harmless as he looks. As for me… I will have to think of something to make it up for him.” I then stood up and looked out of the window. “I hope it is not too late to apologize.” Just as I said that I noticed a form walking into the Everfree forest. I could make it out with ease. My eyes somehow had little trouble seeing through the dark night. It didn’t concern me. What concerned me was my fiancé. He was heading straight into the Everfree! I gasped, as I dragged my two friends out of the bed. “Hey! What gives?!” I heard Scootaloo complain. “Charming just walked into the Everfree! We have to save him before he hurts himself!” “Ah don’t know. Mah sister told me ta stay away from that forest. Especially since a lot of demons attack Ponyville from that point.” “Maybe we get cutie marks as explorers, or heroes for entering the forest and saving him!” I bursted out. My friends seemed to consider it, before sporting grins. We all breathed in and were ready to shout, but Apple Bloom stopped us. “Maybe we should wait until we are in the forest. Fluttershy might hear that!” “And she didn’t hear our constant yelling?” asked Scootaloo raising an eyebrow. “We don’t have time for this! Let’s hurry, before it is too late for him!” Both nodded and I started to smile again. Don’t worry, my love. We will save you. Back with our Ex-Overlord “Achoo!” I rubbed my nose. “I really must be weak, if the temperatures here have an influence on me. Well, it is time to change that!” I walked into the forest. I was already dressed in my disguise. I did that right after I finished eating. Wouldn’t be so smart if someone would find out that I roamed this land again after all. The path I was currently on was a good a starting point as any, though I probably won’t find many enemies here, so I quickly strayed from it slightly, but also not too far. I didn’t know these woods, and I didn’t want to take a risk. I needed low level enemies or more preferably, critters. I found them. Not that the annoying noises of the owls weren’t that hard to spot, but you get my point. I took quite a few out, together with bats I also found. Featherbrain would probably have a heart attack…or more precisely get authoritative again. Meh, it’s not like she will find out about this anyway. It didn’t take long for my first level up and I could already feel my power returning. Level 2 was a start, and I was planning to make many more throughout the night. Demons are more durable than ponies and would without a problem survive a night without sleep. Not that ponies wouldn’t survive it, but a demon can go through one without having any signs of missing sleep. However, my training continued and I made some good progress. I didn’t encounter anything too troublesome, only critters. Good thing that I wasn’t on the path too. I could then I spotted a critter just activate the battle field. Every other critter I didn’t spot would get visible like that through their health bar. And most importantly, they were trapped and couldn’t run from me. It was no wonder that I made so much progress. Level after level was farmed and soon I stood at level 5. Also things were now getting slower. Guess I’m ready to go on a fox hunt now. That would make at least more XP, albeit this forest probably can’t provide me with levels forever. I didn’t see anything with a higher level in here, so this could be just another harmless critter forest. Equestria had a few of those. Oh, hold on a moment! We got something here! I spotted a small cockatrice. In my opinion a really young one. And an equestrian one, by the way. Not that I expected demons to roam here freely. I was probably the last one left. It would give me a few levels, so I prepared to jump, only to realize that it was chased by a Manticore, Level 15. “Well, I better leave him his prey,” I said, not interested in confronting anything I couldn’t take on. But I will admit that I was glad that there were enemies here that there stronger than normal critters. This will help me with my training. Back with the three fillies in the search of a demon “Who are you calling, chicken?! I think it is hard enough that the demon does that!” I could only sigh in exasperation. As if it wasn’t bad enough that we were in this dark forest, and that my fiancé was nowhere in sight, they had to argue. “Come on, we are not going to save my fiancé by arguing. “Well, maybe arguing is our special talent!” exclaimed Apple Bloom. “Is not!” “Is too!” “Is not! “Is too!” She then lifted her skirt to show her flank to Scootaloo. “Anything yet?” “No.” “Darn!” The two of them then broke out into laughter, and I had to giggle too at their silliness. It certainly relieved some of the tension. I mean, being in the dark and dangerous Everfree Forest at night? This just screamed bad idea all over the place. I only hoped we wouldn’t run into anything we couldn’t take on. Well, with my increased level, that was granted by the power of my love I’m sure everything will be fine. I failed to see the shadows moving in the dark of the night. But instead I saw was the shape of a pony ahead. It looked like Twilight! She could probably help us! I neared her with a spring in my step, even though I found it strange that she didn’t move. Back to Laharl’s training session I was just minding my own business when I heard it. Screams. Those screams. It didn’t take a genius to see that the brats followed me into the forest, and I could already bet, who’s stupid idea it was… Seriously, what was so hard to understand on ‘Fuck off’? I was immediately flying towards the screams, without even giving my body the command. It just moved on his own, as strange as this sounds. I squinted my eyes, as I zoomed past the trees. There was a small clearing up ahead and I could already see a few forms ahead. Short before the clearing I stopped and landed on a tree. I approached the clearing carefully and took in the situation. I saw three stone statues. One of a unicorn mare I have never seen before, while the two others, were the statues of the chicken and the bowgirl. Marshmallow was not far away from them, as she cowered at a tree, on the edge of the clearing, sobbing heavily. A cockatrice was fast approaching her, while three others were standing nearby. I blinked, after I checked their levels and then facepalmed. How stupid can she be?! You have to know at this point that cockatrices are a rather physically weak species. Most of them fully concentrate on their stone stare Special Skill. Other dangers like Timberwolves are avoided through their flying ability. So, to summarize this now short: cockatrices are nothing more than scared chickens, who will only take on prey they are confident to subdue. See, why I wanted to turn the orange chicken into a cockatrice now? I can be quite witty, if I say so myself. But to get back on topic, the marshmallow was pathetic. Like you can already guess by now, the level on a cockatrice normally stays very low, since they avoid most fights through her stare, and I didn’t even mention its naturally low DEF state yet. And one other things. Those were not even completely grown yet. One was maybe adolescent, while the others were kids. So now lookie here! The cockatrices sported only levels varying from 4 to 6, and that means mad marshmallow could knock them out with a simple punch! She is acting like she is completely…new…to…this…powers…God dammit. She is, isn’t she? So she has no demon blood in her naturally, and this means, I somehow affected her after all. I sighed. That can be partially true. There is the slight possibility that she is part demon and her powers were awoken by my magic. I slowly rubbed my temple. There is Defender then you need him? He was always the one with the analytical mind. I would have an answer to this question already if he was here. I watched the scene in front of me, as the lizard chicken was now standing on top of her frightened form trying to stare her down, albeit without success. I smirked. They can’t harm her and they won’t do anymore now. It was time to get into action. However, I also want to put on a show. I opened my menu and searched through my items, spotting just what I was looking for. Heck, I always wanted to try out that movie scene! Back to a terrified marshmallow This was a horrible idea! I could do nothing more than tremble, as these monsters approached me. After we discovered Twilight’s statue, we were suddenly surrounded by them. Scootaloo was going in an offensive stance, but turned to stone suddenly! It started slow enough with her hooves, and she panicked instantly as she noticed. Apple Bloom, who tried to help her didn’t far any better, and she followed quickly after her. I on the other hand didn’t do anything. I just quivered, like the scared foal I was. I didn’t even TRY to help them, as they died before my eyes. I was too paralyzed by it. It was a wonder in itself that my body moved away from them. But that was probably only instinct, and even this just left me, as I broke down sobbing. Pleading for this nightmare to end. One of the monsters walked onto my hooves and stared into my eyes, and I decided to simply wait for my end. Nopony would save me. Suddenly I could hear something. It started quiet enough, but soon turned up in volume and was clearly recognized as…music? I was confused by this, and the monsters seemed to be confused too. Who would play music in the middle of the night in a forest? Especially such a happy one at that. It was completely contrary to the situation I was in. All of a sudden Charming stepped out of the underbush, walking along, slightly swinging his hips to the melody. My eyes lit up at first. ‘He was here to save me!’ was my initial thought, but it was brushed aside pretty fast. Charming was no fighter, even if he acted like one. He was so delicate and fragile. He could only fall to these creatures… Three of the monsters suddenly stormed towards him, and I just wanted to close my eyes, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t avoid my stare. I was frozen in place! Then happened the unexpected. He just kicked them, one after another, to the beats of the music! They flew slightly and tumbled to the ground, dazed by his performance. He then approached me and the last one of these monsters. I squealed in excitement. He was here. He was trying to save me! ME! Even though our little argument earlier! He cared for me! Charming stood before me and the monster and then took his neck in his grip, and lifted it from the ground, looking into its deadly red eyes. The monster seemed intent in staring him down, but Charming didn’t falter. He showed his predatory teeth in a smile, which seemed to frighten the monster. He then began to laugh. “Hmhmhm… Haaahahahaha!!!!!” I swooned. Only he could pull off such a hearty and beautiful laugh. “You fool! There is no thing like a ‘petrification’ status ailment in my game! This renders your little ability completely useless against me!” The monster squawked in fright, as it seemed to fully understand the meaning of his words. “How about we make a deal. You will stay alive with your siblings, as long as you free all your victims here out of their stone prison immediately and swear to never touch any sapient beings again, otherwise I have to take the only other route to free them, which ends with your death. And let me tell you, I have no problem with that.” He proceeded to lick his teeth. “I’m rather hungry and would have use for a good piece of meat right know.” The monster gulped and nodded fervently in understanding, and quickly got to work, after Charming loosened his grip so that it could slump back to the earth. I on the other hand paid it no heed. I had only eyes for my fiancé. I mean, the way he said that and acted. The authority he emitted. This unseen side of him… So strong and powerful. He was not only my fiancé anymore, he was my hero. I wanted him. I wanted him to love me back. To need me, like I needed him. For real, and not as some kind of ‘fantasy’ of mine, like he called it. But how? Back to Laharl I grinned as the lizard chicken ran off to do its job. Its siblings quickly followed suit, as they had watched this whole situation play out. Kind of a pity that I couldn’t just knock them out to get the needed EXP, but to free the ponies was a priority. A stone prison was all other than comfortable. The only ponies I would wish it on, were the royal butts. And there was another thing that occupied my mind. This line I said, about the status ailment. It kind of gave me a déjà vu. I knew, I had said the same line before, even though I had no idea, why I said game, but that was something I could figure out at a later date. The most important thing was that I just let these fillies get indebted to me. This could build some trust and bring them to keep their mouths shut during my stay here. Maybe they could even help me find a map and get information about the location of my comrade. This would better my situation immensely. “You saved me.” After hearing the marshmallows voice, I turned around to her. Her eyes were sparkling, and I had quite a bad feeling about this. Best thing was to set the score right. “I only did it, because I can’t just let a chicken wear the title of the Overlord. That would have been a pain in the ass to track down! And besides, you and your friends are now indebted to me!” “If you say so!” she said cheerfully as she hugged me, simply ignoring or not caring for my statement. I gave an annoyed grunt. “Things will have to change for this to work.” She blinked owlishly as she released me of her hug. “What do you mean?” At that exact same moment trudged three ponies in our midst. It were her two friends, closely followed by a purple unicorn. “You are alright!” exclaimed the marshmallow as she ran towards the girl to glomp them in a group hug. The unicorn was slightly rubbing her head. “What happened?” Huh. What to say? I had the need to brag, but this could draw suspicion and unwanted attention to me… And just in that moment marshmallow turned around with a huge smile on her face. “My fiancé saved us!” I sighed. The decision made itself it seems. Purplebutt blinked confused. “Fiancé?” Just in that moment Featherbrain was closing in on us, a small cockatrice following behind her. I didn’t mind. It was even smaller than the others and wouldn’t cause me any trouble. “Oh goodness! I’m so glad you are all alright!” Seems like our party is complete now. I grunted. “It needs more than a few immature cockatrices to take me down.” Marshmallow cheered. “That’s right! He beat the four cockatrices with his bare hands!” Purplebutt blinked confused at me. Probably having a hard time believing it. “But that is impossible! He is just a foal! How could he avoid getting turned to stone?!” “He is strong and was living in the forest for quite some time. His vast knowledge about the woods and his inhabitants led to his victory over the four cockatrices.” I hummed appreciatively. Marshmallows point was completely improvised, but also held some truth in it. I have lived out on my own fighting monsters, as long as I can think. “But how could he overpower them physically, and how is he not a lawn ornament right now?” And purplebutt tries it again. I could only snort at such ridiculous questions. She didn’t seem to appreciate this notion however, as she raised an eyebrow. “Is something funny?” I only smirked. “You don’t know anything about them do you? Well, let me enlighten you about them then! I will make it short, so that even a pony like you can grasp it!” She seemed downright indignant at this and I could already tell that her rage was building, but I didn’t give her a chance to interrupt me. “Cockatrices defense state is relatively small. They may have a lizard hide, but it is designed to withstand weather and temperatures, not brutal force. Additionally, they almost never fight and completely trust their stare in fight or their in fleeing from stronger opponents. They are physically weak. Those ones especially, since they were not even fully grown. All I had to do was avoid looking them directly in the eyes. Get it?” I finished abruptly. Purplebutt made an annoyed huff, before readying herself to retaliate my mental onslaught. But was halted by Featherbrain who loomed over me. “That’s not very nice!” I took a step back at this. “Excuse me?!” “You shouldn’t hurt small innocent creatures like that!” “They were the ones attacking!” Stupid animal lover. “They were only aggressive because they lost their youngest.” She then gestured to the smallest cockatrice who was following her and who was currently having something stupid like a sappy family reunion with the others. “Even though I can’t really approve of their behavior, it doesn’t mean you can just do the same!” “Listen here, Missy. I was living in the wilderness far longer than you can imagine. I know how it is if everything around you is trying to kill you! It’s either fight or get killed, and I sure as hell had no intention to die or let them die for that matter. That’s the life I had been living! And it’s not like I killed them or something,” I defended, thoroughly annoyed with her. The look on her face seemed to soften at this. As did on everybody else. What did I say? “You poor little thing,” came from Featherbrain, as she closed in to hug me. Just what is it with her mood swings?! I luckily halted her with a hand, before she could come too close to me. Heaven knows I don’t want her to hug me to her generous assets. I wouldn’t survive such an onslaught, even if they are rather well hidden under her casual clothes. Not that the clothes could fool me. I had more than enough experience to evaluate such a threat. “No touching. I had quite enough of that, and I think I will hit the hay now. So let’s get back.” I made a step back towards the cottage, but was halted by Featherbrain. “Wait. What were you all even doing outside? I was worried about you!” I sighed. “I can’t just get soft. I need the exercise, and I doubt Rarity would let me get it. She seemed to be obsessed in keeping everything clean.” I then turned to the three plagues. “As for the other ones, they probably followed me against their better judgement.” “Can somepony tell me what’s going on here?!” yelled a frustrated purplebutt. “It’s like they say, the ones with the smaller packages are the most venomous.” It took her a moment to catch on. She didn’t seem to be the brightest. “WHAT?!” Fluttershy tried to calm her as we walked back and explained the situation as good as she could. I personally didn’t care. Marshmallow walked up to me, but I stopped her before she could get started. “I will elaborate the ground rules soon enough, so don’t get any funny ideas!” She looked to the other two mares walking ahead of us, making sure they wouldn’t hear her. I was wondering at that point what she had planned. “I just wanted to ask you your real name. I blinked at her incredulously. “Seriously? And why would I want to tell you that? So that you feel better and corroborated in your pursuit of your fake love?” “Hey, ya give her a break. She was going inta the forest for ya.” “It was a bust, though. We didn’t get any cutie marks in being heroes,” added chicken to the conversation. I only smirked. “Maybe your cutie mark is for being damsels in distress!” I exclaimed with as much sarcasm as I could muster. They didn’t hear it. Almost immediately, they all lifted their skirts to take a look at their flank. “Goddammit! Stop that!” This was so disturbing. Featherbrain seemed to have the same thought too. “Girls, I think you shouldn’t lift your skirts in public.” Thank you! Although a little too late for that. God, I don’t want to think about the nightmares this will bring to me. Well, I saw worse things in the bathtub… Goddammit! Know this image will haunt me in my sleep! The girls just nodded with a blush on their faces. Well, all except the marshmallow. She only grinned at me, like a wolf would at its prey. I better set the ground rules fast. We resumed walking and soon reached the cottage. Featherbrain said her goodbyes to purplebutt who looked at me with pity. What is up with that? Before we slit up into our rooms, I wanted to make one thing clear to the three brats. “There is one thing I have to say, mainly because marshmallow here probably forgot about it.” “We are already on a nickname base?” gushed said marshmallow. I ignored her. It would be better for the rest of my sanity. “I only did save you for one simple reason.” “And what reason would that be?” asked the chicken with suspicion in her voice. “So you owe me. And do you know what it means to owe their life to a demon?” I started to smirk at that point. It seemed to unnerve bowgirl. “No,” told me chicken flatly. Or at least she tried to be as emotionless as possible, but I could see that it unnerved her too. I now had a toothy grin on my face. This is going to be good. “This makes you my vassals.” Next Episode Preview Scootaloo and Applebloom are appalled. Being vassals is not what they dreamed of! What are you doing? They concoct a devious scheme to end their life as vassals, before it even begins! Should we be worried ‘bout her? That’s right! They try to overthrow him with the help of a whole pallet of soap! A merciless battle begins! Soap?! I hate that stuff! Charming gets cornered, but don’t you fear, your darling wife Sweetie Belle is here! Wait. Since when are we married? With the power of love we defeat them together, and he finally realizes what he missed his entire life! Yeah, a bullshit detector to stay away from you as far as possible! Getting dragged by the two delinquents in a romantic carriage they start their honeymoon! Ugh. As if we would drag you in a carriage with him! Next time on: Love Angel Sweetie Episode 11: Crusading With A Demon Let the love guide us in finding our cutie marks! Maybe my magic affected her more than I thought?