It was a warm moonlit night, as the moon luminated an otherwise dark bedroom, which was partly lit by candles surrounding the bed.
Lying on the bed itself was Osiris, the Serpent Deity of Death, a powerful draconic serpent who possessed powers beyond comprehension, his greatest being his control over death itself... however, tonight, he had taken on the form of a black and brown Griffon, a form he had chosen originally as a disguise in case he needed to hide amongst the mortals... but now, it was a form he willing chose, as it allowed him to be intimate with a mare.
That mare in question was none other than Midnight Blossom, a Royal Guard under Princess Luna's command, though now, she was stripped of her armor and was wearing a silky nightdress, one that completed her figure very well. Every curve and line was on display, making for a entrancing sight. Osiris could barely take his eyes off her, overcome by how gorgeous she looked.
The two lied there, gazing up at a great view of the moon, as Midnight cuddled up to Osiris's shoulder, nuzzling his warm neck weathers.
"It's a beautiful night, isn't it?" Midnight smiled, running her hoof through his chest feathers.
"That it is." Osiris grinned, very content, "But alas, it's beauty is but a distant second to your own."
"Nice one." Midnight rolled her eyes. "What's next? You comparing my eyes to the stars?"
"Well, I don't hear you complaining." Osiris chuckled, "If anything, I believe my expertise in romance and poetic is something you find rather... arousing, one would say."
"True." Midnight grinned. "But I'm more about actions."
"Well, in that case..." Osiris chuckled. He gently embraced Midnight and pulled her atop him, as he lean up against the headboard, their faces close to each other. "How's this for action?"
"Not bad." Midnight grinned, stroking his beak, feeling the Deity's breath against her muzzle, as her tail swished along his lower abdomen.
This prompted the otherwise calm and collected Deity to wince, feeling a pleasurable tingling course through him.
"Ah..." Osiris felt a little blush to his cheek. "Almost forgot that was there."
"I assume you don't do this often?" Midnight asked, giving a playful but sympathetic smile.
"Well, not in this form, no." Osiris admitted. "I only intended to use this form as a mean to hide myself... well..." He glanced down then back up to Midnight's golden eyes. "This is quite the opposite."
"I'd be disappointed if it wasn't." Midnight grinned, running her hooves down her nightgown. "Hate to think I bought this hot little number for nothing."
Midnight leaned across and nibbled sensually on one of Osiris' wings.
"Eh, eh..." Osiris panted nervously. "I have to be honest with you, Midnight... I'm not really what you would call an expert when it comes to your pony mating rituals..." The warmth of Midnight's body made his heart flutter and his mind run wild with imagination. "We Serpents do things quite differently..."
"No worries." Midnight wrapped her hooves around his neck. "I can teach you all that you need to know..."
Midnight pressed her lips against his beak. Osiris was surprised at first, but quickly returned the feeling. It was a wonderful moment, a moment that stood out among many in his rather expansive lifespan, a moment he wished he could cherish forever.
Suddenly, Midnight's eyes dilated. She broke apart from Osiris, coughing and wheezing.
"Midnight?" Osiris gasped, as he suddenly realized the wisps coming from Midnight's mouth into his beak. It suddenly dawned on the Deity that he had inadvertently used his power of death on Midnight when his mouth met hers. "No...no..."
"O... Osiris..." Midnight gurgled, her eyes fraught with tears as she fell from atop the Griffon and to his side, her skin pale and her eyes left open in terror, as she was now dead.
"No!" Osiris panicked, as he began shaking her, "No, Midnight, don't leave me! I'm sorry! This can't be happening... it just can't..." Tears struck his eyes, as he let out his serpent-like roar. "NOOOOOO!"
Immediately, Osiris, in his true Serpent form, darted up awake, panting heavily. He was stricken with terror until he recognized his surroundings, taking in the the luminous crystals that lined the cave he now lived in. Once he saw them, he let out a harrowing sigh of relief as well a small groan.
"Just a nightmare." He realized. "Curse my feelings..."
Osiris had been residing the Canterlot caves for some time now. It wasn't easy, adapting to his new home, after his and his sister's old home, a floating sanctuary, had collapsed due to circumstances beyond his control, but fortunately, one of his new friends, the prince Shine Paladin, had offered him a place in the caves below Canterlot, and with help, he was transitioning quite well. But there was on thing that helped with the process...namely, a pony: Midnight Blossom, the descendant of an old friend of his.
While at first, Osiris wasn't too keen to get close to her (since her namesake had betrayed him all those years ago), Osiris had soon learned that this Midnight was nothing like the original. In time, they became close friends, sharing many picnics and conversations. Midnight had not been cowed at all by Osiris being a living god, giving him her friendship without a second thought. And Osiris was okay with that... but there was a part of him that felt something more for Midnight.
He had quickly found himself adoring her sunny disposition, her quirky sense of humor, and even the way her... but he could never tell her that. He couldn't bring himself to tell the old Midnight that, and he sure as Tartarus couldn't tell her, his mind reeling with numerous ways that it could end badly for him, with that nightmare being a common occurrence.
It was the curse of being a Deity. He could not truly be close to a mortal, no matter how much he wanted to.
The following morning, Osiris was visited by his sister Isis. Despite having an egg to look after, Isis made regular trips to her older brother's abode.
"How are things, brother?" Isis asked.
"They are... well." Osiris declared, not wishing to share his thoughts regarding Midnight with her. "I cannot complain. How about you? How is the egg doing?"
"Wonderfully." Isis smiled. "It's growing bigger by the day. It should hatch soon enough."
"And you let Discord look after it?" Osiris frowned. "After what happened last time?"
"That wasn't Discord's fault, and you know it." Isis frowned. "Besides, it all worked out in the end, didn't it?"
"Only because of me." Osiris snorted.
As Isis prepared a retort, they heard some scrabbling noises coming from the cave entrance.
"This way, guys!"
"Whoa, look at this place!"
As Osiris and Isis peeked around a corner, they saw a trio of teenage Unicorns making their way into the cave.
"What the...why are there ponies coming into your cave, Osiris?" Isis asked.
"I'm not sure." Osiris frowned, "Shine assured me that these caves would be off limits to the public...and Midnight assured me that she would let no one get pass her..."
"Well, apparently, they did." Isis pointed out.
"Boring. I didn't come here to look at caves." One of the teenagers, an amber colt, yawned. "Where's this 'beast' I've heard so much about?"
"They say he lives in these caves, right under our noses." A jade mare declared, "I've heard from others at the school that the island that crashed into the plains not so long ago had released a savage beast that is being held here by the royal family, set to be released upon any pony they find threatening."
"Well I heard he's like... the angel of death, or something." A bronze colt remarked. "That he can kill you with only a thought."
"I heard he eats your brains." The amber colt smirked.
"Then you're probably safe." The jade mare joked.
"Funny." The amber colt snarled.
"I heard he pulls out the guts of anypony who crosses him." The bronze colt noted.
"It seems your reputation precedes you." Isis smirked.
"I'm surprised they made it this far." Osiris admitted. "But they will go no further."
"Take it easy on them." Isis urged. "They're just kids."
"You wound me, sister." Osiris declared. "I'm just going to give them a little scare..."
"Hrr, this place is creepy." The bronze colt cringed.
"You scared?" The amber colt sneered.
"No, I'm just- did it get colder all of a sudden?" The bronze colt asked.
"Yeah, it did..." The jade mare noted.
Suddenly, a dark chuckle echoed through the caves, as glowing purple eyes cut through the dark.
"What's that?" The jade mare gasped.
"Please let that just be some freaky-looking fireflies." The amber colt gulped.
"You came here to see a beast?" Osiris smiled wickedly from the dark. "Well, here he is!"
He let out a huge roar that shook the caves.
"It's... it's the beast!" The bronze colt yelped.
"He is real!" The amber colt trembled.
"Yes, I am real... and very hungry!" Osiris snarled falsely.
"Run!" The jade filly screamed.
The trio ran out of the cave, screaming their heads off.
"There, you see?" Osiris smiled. "I didn't even harm them."
"Not physically, at least." Isis rolled her eyes.
"Well, they shouldn't come here looking for a 'beast' if they didn't want to be scared." Osiris shrugged. "Kids these days... no respect for their elders..."
"Well, I should get going." Isis declared. "The egg's so close to hatching now. I'd hate to miss that."
"See you soon." Osiris smiled, as Isis departed.
Later that afternoon, Midnight came by to visit. Osiris couldn't help noticing that she was... more subdued than usual.
"It's nice of you to come and visit me so often." Osiris declared. "Even with my... rocky living arrangements."
Osiris, at Midnight's prompting, had recently tried his claw at humor. While he was no professional comedian, his attempts at least were rewarded with a courtesy laugh. But this time, there was nothing.
"Is everything alright, Midnight?" Osiris asked. "You seem a little... distant today."
"...Nah, I'm good." Midnight claimed. "Just... got a lot on my mind today. So, what's new with you these days?"
"Not much." Osiris sighed. "I've mostly been visiting Isis and Discord. That egg of theirs should be hatching soon..."
"How sweet." Midnight grinned. "You ready to be an uncle?"
"Not especially." Osiris frowned. "It's not really something that crossed my mind, even when our species wasn't extinct... Isis is my little sister, after all. I never wanted to think about her doing anything like that."
"Yeah, I get what you're saying." Midnight shrugged. "I have a cousin who went through the same thing with his sister..."
"Yeah, love's a funny thing..." Midnight said oddly. "Real funny..."
Thrown by the way Midnight said that (and because it hit a little too close to home), Osiris changed the subject.
"So... these teenagers came into the caves earlier this morning when Isis was visiting..." He began.
"Wait, what?" Midnight lit up in shock. "They didn't see you, did they?"
"Oh no. I made sure they were sent running for the hill." Osiris smirked. "Lucky for you, I had millennia of practice in avoiding detection."
"Dammit, I'm sorry, Osiris." Midnight sighed, rubbing her head. "I'm supposed to keep punks like those out of the caves. I promised you you'd have your privacy, and I didn't live up to that promise. I failed you..."
"Now wait a moment." Osiris frowned, not liking the hurt expression on her face. "You have nothing to be sorry for. We all have our off-days. I mean, I'm practically the god of death, and I sometimes forget to carry the one when deciding for when an elderly is to have a stroke. One mistake does not equal failure."
"I guess you're right." Midnight sighed. "I've just... been preoccupied lately. Personal business. Made me a little sluggish. Not to mention I haven't gotten as much sleep as I'd like."
"Oh, I'm sure you will be fine once you get some well-earned rest..." Osiris smirked, as he lean in closer. "And treat yourself every now and then... after all, a beaut-" His trail of thought failed him as he noticed marks on Midnight's neck... bite marks.
"Um... are you okay, big guy?" Midnight asked.
"Am I okay? What about you?" Osiris frowned, as he gestured to the mark. "What manner of beast has done this to you?!"
"Oh, it's not what you think." Midnight declared, her cheeks flushed. "You see, Dyne was very affectiona-"
"Dyne?" Osiris raised a brow, his frown growing. "Who in the void is Dyne?!"
"Oh, right..." Midnight murmured. "Dyne is a new coltfriend of mine. We met at the local night tavern for Thestrals."
"Coltfriend?" Osiris' face fell even more, as he felt one of his eyes twitch.
"Yeah." Midnight nodded. "We kinda hit it off and started going out. Dyne's a great guy. He's... not exactly the sensitive type, but he's really... enthusiastic. And..." She found herself at a loss for words. "Attentive, I guess you could say. Things got... a little wild in bed last night, that's all."
The fact that some lowly Thestral had come along and defiled a gorgeous beauty such as her was enough to have this 'Dyne' suffer a tragic carriage accident... but Osiris knew that went against his own code and besides... he was a Deity, not some petty jealous imp who would get mad if ponies defied death by not dying in a airship crash, a huge carriage pile-up, a freak roller coaster accident, an even freakier racetrack accident, and a bridge collapse...
...Okay, maybe he did get mad those five times, but they started it by bucking up his lifespan calculations. But he wouldn't be as petty as to assure the death of this 'Dyne', although he found himself delving into thoughts of the faceless Thestral suffering in agony, or being locked away, never to be seen again...
Osiris suddenly noted that one of Midnight's wings was tucked under her armor.
"What's wrong with your wing?" He asked.
"Oh, it's... nothing." Midnight said awkwardly. "I just... slept on it last night."
"It doesn't look like that to me." Osiris looked more closely. "It looks like it's... damaged."
"Okay, you got me." Midnight unhooked her armor, revealing her wing in a cast. "Like I said, things got... rough last night."
"judging by the damage, it almost looks like this coltfriend of yours actually meant to hurt you." Osiris declared.
"Don't talk crazy." Midnight said defensively. "Dyne loves me. He'd never hurt me. Never!"
Osiris pulled back, a bit put off by her sudden aggressiveness, "I was just observing, Midnight... I didn't mean to-"
"Sorry..." Midnight sighed, rubbing the marks on her neck. "I guess the stress must be getting to me. I didn't mean to snap at you."
"Okay... but are you sure you're okay?" Osiris asked. "Because it looks like-"
"Can we just drop it, okay?" Midnight said firmly. "Nothing is wrong here. Everything is fine. Okay, Osiris?"
"But I'm just trying to look out for-" Osiris started.
"Okay?" Midnight growled.
"Very well." Osiris sighed in defeat.
"Good." Midnight smiled. "Now, I've got to go check in with Captain Ulysses. See you tomorrow."
"Goodbye." Osiris nodded.
As Midnight departed, Osiris experienced an odd feeling in his stomach. It was if he felt like things were about to go horribly wrong...
The next few days that followed became a rather uncomfortable experience for Osiris. It was bad enough that he did not like the thought of Midnight being with another pony. Whether it was because it was just a bad feeling he had about him or maybe him being that 'petty imp', he did not know. Anytime he had tried to pry about this "Dyne" character, Midnight would shoot him down or change the subject.
It most certainly didn't help that over the next couple of days, Midnight would show up at her post, sporting bruises and other injuries. Midnight would keep passing these injuries off as accidents and her being "clumsy". Osiris didn't want to believe that, knowing full well that she was a pretty good member of the Royal Guard. However, it made Osiris think of what could actually being happening, and despite himself and how much he didn't like this 'Dyne' character, he didn't want to consider the one possibility that would explain what was happening.
So all he could do was watch in pained silence as Midnight went about her duties, her attitude and deameanour slowly deteriorating from the abuse.
One morning, Osiris was greeted not by Midnight, but by Silicate, who had also been tasked with guarding his new abode when he first came here. However, Osiris never paid him any mind, what with meeting the descendant of his old friend and everything. He was an umber coated Earth Pony with a silvery mane, pale green eyes, and a Cutie Mark of a mound of sand.
"Good morning, Mr. Osiris." Silicate said respectfully.
"Good morning." Osiris nodded, a bit concerned. "If you don't mind my asking, where is Midnight Blossom? She's usually the one who comes in here..."
"Oh... you haven't heard?" Silicate frowned, "She's in the hospital."
"What?!" Osiris gasped, his voice rumbling the caves, much to Silicate's uneasiness, as he then leaned in close. "What happened?! Is she alright?!"
"Um..." Silicate gulped, still not used to talking to somepony that was way bigger than him. "Well, they say she's fine, but apparently she had some kind of 'freak accident', and needs stitches."
"No... oh, Faust..." Osiris said, distraught. "How could this have happened?"
"Your guess is good as mine." Silicate shook his head, before he muttered. "Maybe they oughta ask that coltfriend of hers..."
"What?" Osiris growled. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"...Oh, nothing." Silicate said, flustered.
"It doesn't sound like nothing." Osiris glared. "Tell me what you mean... now."
"Look, it's really nothing. Just some rumor that had been going around. Nothing to take serious." Silicate admitted, not wanting to draw the ire of the supposed "Deity of Death".
Unfortunately, Osiris's ire was already drawn.
"I will be the judge of that." Osiris growled. "Tell me what you know right now, and do not think of leaving out any details."
"Okay, okay..." Silicate gulped. "I've been hanging with some of the guys from the Night Royal Guard, and I've been hearing these things about this Dyne Midnight's been dating. And nothing good. From what I've heard, he's a very unpleasant stallion whose not afraid to get violent, and word is... he's been hurting Midnight."
Instantly, something in Osiris's mind snapped.
"He. What?!" Osiris snarled. "That loathsome piece of scum!"
"N-now, don't fly off the handle." Silicate cringed. "It's just a rumor. It might not even be true!"
"It's true." Osiris spat. "I know it is. And I'm going to put a stop to it... right now..."
Instantly, Osiris took off upwards towards the castle in Canterlot.
"Nice going, Silicate." The Guard scolded himself. "I don't even know why I was posted here."
Inside the castle, Osiris found Shine in the study, looking over the itinerary for an upcoming state visit.
"Shine, I'm afraid I must speak to you." Osiris announced.
Shine looked up, startled.
"Oh, hey." He smiled. "What's up, pal?"
"Forgive my intrusions, your majesty." Osiris nodded. "But I have a grave matter that I must discuss with you... right now."
"Okay." Shine frowned. "What's the problem?"
"You know of Midnight Blossom, do you not?" Osiris asked.
"The modern version, right?" Shine nodded.
"Yes." Osiris agreed.
"Is this about her?" Shine inquired. "Is there some kind of problem between you two? I thought you were getting along great."
"That's not the problem." Osiris shook his head.
"Then what?" Shine urged.
I have reasons to believe that Midnight's coltfriend, this 'Dyne', has been physically abusing her." Osiris declared.
"What?!" Shine frowned. "That is a very serious accusation, Osiris..."
"But it is true!" Osiris snarled. "Surely you saw how Midnight looked these past days. I didn't want to think the worst, but I now know for a fact that Dyne is hurting her."
"Osiris, I know you are worried for Midnight... but are you sure that something isn't clouding your judgment?" Shine asked, a bit concerned.
"What? What are you implying?" Osiris growled.
"I know that you have a bond with Midnight, and I know that you care deeply for her..." Shine nodded. "But a part of me feels that those feelings might be causing you to try and implicate this Dyne so you could have Midnight..."
"...How dare you..." Osiris felt his eye twitch again. "You really think that I am that shallow? I am the Serpent Deity of Death. Every second in my head, I am deciding who dies today, how they die, and who gets their lifespan. I assure you, my feelings are not even a factor in my thinking... understand?!"
"My apologies, Osiris." Shine cringed, knowing full well the stress of his 'work'. "It's just I know how you feel about Midnight..."
"Which is why I am here." Osiris declared, his anger cooling a bit. "I ask... no, demand, that you level the full force of your pony laws against this fiend. Lock him up and throw away the keys. I don't care. Just do it now!"
"...I'm sorry, Osiris, I can't do that." Shine shook his head sadly.
"What?! Why not?!" Osiris demanded, "You are actually telling me that you are going to allow this atrocity continue?"
"Ideally, I wouldn't." Shine glared. "But there are norms that I have to follow. Firstly, it is not in my place to interfere with another pony's personal life. It's a violation of their privacy and trust. Secondly, even if Dyne is abusive, there is no evidence suggesting that. We cannot simply arrest somepony because we 'think' they are abusing someone or because of rumors. That's just isn't how it works."
"So, basically, you can't do anything." Osiris grunted.
"I'm sorry." Shine apologized once more. "But unless something comes up or Midnight herself comes forward, our hooves are tied. Trust me, Osiris, I want to help, but there is the principle of due process that must be followed. It's just how things are in modern society..." He frowned. "I hope you could understand."
"...I do understand." Osiris growled, though defeated. "But I don't like it... I will just have to take care of this myself..."
Osiris departed, slithering out without detection, leaving Shine worried.
'...I hope he knows what he's doing...' Shine thought to himself.
Osiris returned to Silicate.
"Tell me where to find this Dyne." He growled. "And what he looks like."
"O-okay." Silicate gulped. "He lives in an apartment in Bridleway Street on the west side of town. He's a big guy, with a dark blue mane and a Cutie Mark of a knife with bat wings."
"Thank you." Osiris turned himself into a Griffon. "Don't wait up."
Osiris took off into the sky. Once he reached the west side of Canterlot, he landed outside a decent apartment complex.
'Okay...let's just see who this Dyne really is...' Osiris frowned, as he leaned against a nearby post, ready to begin his vigil...
Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long, as none other than Dyne emerged from the building.
"So that's him.' Osiris thought. 'He doesn't look so great to me...'
The Thestral began making his way into town, as Osiris followed him. Osiris didn't know what to expect of the one who he believed was abusing Midnight, but he did know that he ought to show his true colors shortly.
And lo and behold, he did. Dyne shoved aside a stallion as he walked by.
"Hey!" The stallion yelped.
"You got a problem, pal?" Dyne snarled. "You wanna go?"
The stallion shrank back, aware of how bulky Dyne was.
"That's what I thought." Dyne smirked. "Now beat it, ya loser, before I whup ya on general principal."
'A bully.' Osiris thought. 'Just as I thought...'
As Dyne continued onward, he crossed paths with an attractive mare.
"Hey, babe." He smirked. "You wanna have a good time?"
"That depends." The mare smiled. "Those wings get any action in bed?"
"Boy, do they ever." Dyne grinned.
Osiris was disgusted beyond belief.
'He's... flirting with another mare?' Osiris scowled. 'While Midnight, his marefriend, is in the hospital. That vile, uncouth filth!'
Osiris continued tailing Dyne as he headed to the hospital, visiting Midnight. After Dyne signed in at the desk, Osiris followed.
"Excuse me." He told the receptionist. "In which room is Midnight Blossom?"
"Are you family, or a significant other?" The receptionist asked.
"Um, no... but I am a friend..." Osiris admitted.
"Then I'm sorry." The receptionist apologised. "But I can't let you-"
"Oh, I think you can." Osiris' eyes glowed, locking with the receptionist's. "Where is Midnight Blossom?"
"Second floor, ward three." The receptionist said flatly.
"You will let me pass." Osiris ordered.
"I will let you pass." The receptionist nodded.
"Thank you." Osiris grinned, "Now go back to your business, okay?"
"Okay..." The receptionist did as she went back to work.
Osiris made his way up to the second floor, making sure to not draw attention to himself. Hospitals were not really his favorite place, especially since most of the life threads he had to cut were of ponies who were in hospitals. Also... he felt that ponies could somehow sense him, the embodiment of death, walking in their corridors, ready to wisk them away to the afterlife.
It was a silly thought... but nonetheless a dark one.
As he reached the correct ward, he peered in through the door's window, seeing Dyne talking to Midnight, who was in bed, almost completely recovered, albeit with stitches across her cheek. It weighed heavy on Osiris' heart to see her like that, her beautiful face damaged in such an awful way. And it ignited a flame within him that the one responsible for those damages was in the room with her...
"You okay, babe?" Dyne asked. "They treating you okay?"
"Yeah." Midnight smiled. "The stitches sting a little, but I've had worse pain in my life."
"Good." Dyne grinned. "I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you."
"Aw, thanks, sweetie." Midnight cooed. "You're so good to me."
"A high-class mare like you deserves appreciation." Dyne grinned. "You're my gal, after all."
"Lucky me..." Midnight beamed.
"And me." Dyne chuckled.
Osiris was beyond all reason confused as he watched the two.
'Huh? Did I follow the wrong Thestral or something?' Osiris mused. 'He's treating her with tenderness and kindness... maybe I was wrong.' He frowned deeply. 'Maybe Shine was right... maybe I am letting my feelings for her clouding my judgment. I can't possibly bring harm to someone who cares about Midnight... even if it's someone that's not me... it's somehting I will just have to accept.'
Osiris was about to leave, having learned his lesson... when suddenly...
"You know, this whole mess has got me thinking." Dyne declared. "Maybe you should leave the Royal Guard."
Osiris stopped right in his tracks.
"What?" Midnight asked.
'What?!' Osiris thought as he quickly returned to watch the two.
"Dyne, why would you want me to leave the Guard?" Midnight asked, stupefied.
"Look, babe, we both know how dangerous this line of work is." Dyne pointed out. "I mean, look at yourself. I would just hate to see your beautiful face get any more scars. It doesn't suit you."
'No, Midnight wouldn't...' Osiris shook his head.
"Dyne, I like being a Royal Guard." Midnight defended. "It makes me happy. The pay is good. Why would you even suggest that?"
'You tell him, Midnight.' Osiris thought smugly.
"Maybe because I don't like the idea of you guarding this 'Oss-eye-wrist' feller I've been hearing about." Dyne frowned. "I don't want my girl guarding some big hotshot wanna-be god who thinks he can lord over us 'mere mortals' and control our lives. And let's not even mention the thought of him getting his grubby mitts all over you."
'What?!' Osiris glared. 'Such unfounded prejudice...'
"What?! Dyne, it's nothing like that at all." Midnight defended. "Osiris is a good... er... VIP. He and I are just friends. I enjoy his company and he appreciates my service, but that's it... he doesn't even see me in that kind of light..."
'If you only knew, Midnight...' Osiris sighed internally.
"Well, I don't want to take that chance, babe." Dyne huffed. "I think you 'should' get a less risky job, like I dunno, a waitress... a maid... oh, or maybe one of those sexy barmaids at Hoofers. I bet you'd look hot in their outfits."
'How outrageous can he be?' Osiris scowled. 'Though Midnight would look quite sultry... no, stop that! It's wrong!'
"I am not giving up my job to be one of those harlots!" Midnight grunted. "Look, I appreciate your concern, but I don't need you making decisions for me, like I'm some helpless mare! I'm a Royal Guard, remember? I didn't get to where I am by having others think for me, you know."
"Oh, so you think you're better than me, huh?" Dyne growled.
"No, I was just saying-" Midnight started.
"You're always 'just saying', aren't you?" Dyne snorted. "What kind of marefriend disrespects her stallion like that?"
"I'm not disrespecting you." Midnight said, her voice taking on a nervous edge.
"But you are saying I'm wrong, aren't you?" Dyne sneered.
"No, I-" Midnight cringed.
"There you go again." Dyne snarled, his hoof clenching. "Always talkin' back to me. That really makes me mad..."
Immediately, the 'lesson' Osiris learned flew out the window, as he watched the scene with shock and anger.
'So I was right...' Osiris clenched his own claws. 'I should have known... that little rat...'
"Dyne, please, calm down..." Midnight urged, "Not here..."
"No!" Dyne growled. "Don't you think that just because you're all laid out that I won't think twice about smackin' some sense into you!"
"Please, don't..." Midnight pleaded, as Dyne approached her, hoof raised.
'Not on my watch...' Osiris thought.
As Osiris was about to burst in, a senile old yellow coated stallion pointed at him.
"Death!" The stallion yelled.
"Oh crap!" Osiris ducked. "How did this man see through my disguise?"
Dyne turned to the window. The old stallion wandered down the corridor, but stopped at a vending machine.
"Death!" He pointed at the machine, much to Osiris's bemusement.
"Hmm, false alarm..." Osiris murmured.
"Crazy old bag..." Dyne snorted from inside the room.
As Dyne returned his focus to Midnight, Osiris poked his head back up.
"You just think about what I said." Dyne told Midnight. "And I'd better like the answer. Or else..."
Osiris leapt aside as Dyne left the room. He peeked through the window, and saw Midnight on the verge of tears.
"What have you gotten yourself into, Midnight?" She asked herself. "You've really made a mess of things. And if you try to back out, Dyne will... will..."
Upon hearing those words, Osiris knew what he had to do...
'That's it.' Osiris thought. 'Time to take matters into my own claws...'
After Osiris headed back down stairs, he noticed some beautiful white lilies, just sitting in a vase. With his magic, he levitated it over to the reception desk with a anonymous note saying to give it to Midnight.
Once outside, he spread his wings and took off, determined to make sure Dyne never hurt Midnight ever again...
Later that day, Dyne entered his apartment, whistling. As he made his way deeper into his home, a light turned on, revealing none other than Osiris, sitting in a chair with an unhappy expression.
"What the-?" He frowned. "How'd you get in here, bird-cat?"
"How I got here doesn't matter." Osiris declared. "What matters is why."
"Okay... then why are you here?" Dyne demanded.
"I came here to talk about your marefriend, Midnight Blossom." Osiris stated.
"Oh, yeah?" Dyne growled. "And what does my marefriend have to do with this?"
"Everything." Osiris answered. "I know what you've done to her. The abuse, the tyranny... and I'm not pleased... not pleased at all."
"Is that a fact?" Dyne smirked. "And how do you know about that? You been spying on us?"
"Again, that is irrelevant." Osiris told him. "What is relevant is what happens next."
"Which is?" Dyne asked.
"Here's the deal, bub... if you don't stop hurting Midnight and making her suffer..." Osiris's Griffon eyes flickered a bit. "You're going to have a bad time."
"Oh, am I now?" Dyne sneered. "And who's going to make sure of that? You?"
"If I must." Osiris snarled.
"Where do you get off?" Dyne growled. "Comin' in here, telling me how to treat my mare, threatening me? If you don't get lost this second, you'll be the one who has a bad time, ya got me?"
"I doubt that very much." Osiris retorted.
"Ooh, tough guy." Dyne smirked. "We'll see how tough you are when I feed the cat end to the bird end."
"I had a feeling you wouldn't listen to reason." Osiris declared, as he got up, sizing up the stallion. "Physical violence seems to be the only thing you rely on. Midnight deserves so much better than you."
"Please." Dyne snorted. "That mare's trash. She's lucky a stallion like me would even look at her, let alone let her mount me."
"What did you just say?" Osiris scowled.
"I said Midnight Blossom is a cheap floozy." Dyne snickered. "Thinks she's so big, parading around in that metal overcoat, sittin' in a cave with this hermit, Ospey-rus... A mare like that deserves to be taken down a peg or two. She needs a stallion like me to remind her of her place."
Osiris' temper started flaring, his claws scratching against the floorboards.
"Otherwise, she'll start getting ideas above her station." Dyne sneered. "Forgetting that she's just a mare, and nothing without me..."
As Osiris continued to repressed his rage, a nearby potted plant withered and died.
"And if I have to give the stupid floozy a smack every now and then to keep her in line, so be it." Dyne shrugged. "She's got it coming, anyway."
Osiris let out a deep breath and closed his eyes.
"Hmph... it's a beautiful day outside..." Osiris began.
"Huh?" Dyne frowned.
"...Birds are singing, flowers are blooming... on days like this, ponies like you..." Osiris mused, as he then opened his eyes. "...Should be burning in Tartarus."
"Oh, nice trick." Dyne scoffed. "Are those special contact lenses, or something?"
"Or something." Osiris grinned.
"Nice, now if you don't get out of my home. I'm gonna kick you in the-" Dyne snarled as he was about to strike Osiris...
Only for him to suddenly be levitated into the air, as Osiris raised one claw.
"What the-?" Dyne gasped.
With a flick of his claw, he was flung across the room.
"Whoa!" Dyne yelped, as he slammed into a wall, groaning. "What was-? Did you just-?"
"Do this?" Osiris smirked.
Dyne was flung into his couch, which tipped over on impact.
"Ahh!" He yelped.
"Not so much fun when you're the victim, is it?" Osiris taunted Dyne, as he slammed him into the wall. "When you're the one being beaten?" He slammed him into the opposite wall. "Helpless to so much as defend yourself?" Another wall. "Now you know how Midnight feels."
Osiris continued sending Dyne flying around the room, slamming him into a table, a lamp, and even his trashcan. Finally, once he had tired himself out he let Dyne drop to the floor in a bruised heap.
"Whew... I hadn't done that much throwing around in a while..." Osiris wiped his brow, panting softly.
"Wh-what are you?" Dyne shuddered, as he was hurting too much to get away, as Osiris approached him.
"I told you already, that doesn't matter." Osiris told him. "Now, will you listen to me, or will I have to take you for another ride?"
"N-no." Dyne gulped. "I'll listen! Just don't hurt me again!"
"Good." Osiris declared. "Now, here's what's going to happen: once I leave, you are going to see Midnight and immediately break up with her. And you are to never speak or come near her ever again. Furthermore, you are not to say a word about what just happened to anypony for any reason. Got it?"
"Y-yeah." Dyne quivered.
"Good." Osiris smiled. "I'm glad we could work things out..."
Osiris left the apartment, the shell-shocked Dyne still trembling on the floor.
'Mission accomplished...' He smirked, proud of himself.
The next morning, Osiris awoke in high spirits...
"Ah, all is right with the world again." He grinned. "Now Midnight will be safe and single. ...Or perhaps not. Perhaps I should finally let my feelings be known. It's either that, or risk her falling into another abusive relationship... and we can't have that, can we? Something to think about..."
Seeing what a lovely day it was outside, he made his way outside, hoping to take a leisure flight... until his eyes caught the sight of Midnight, back from the hospital... and in tears.
'Oh no...' He thought. 'If that brute so much as touched her again...'
"Midnight, what's wrong?" He asked, as he joined her.
"It's... Dyne..." Midnight sniffed. "He... he broke up with me!"
"Oh, dear." Osiris acted concerned, though superbly elated on the inside. "Ah, well. These things happen."
"Well, not this thing." Midnight growled. "Dyne said he didn't want to, but he said some guy broke into his house and threatened his life if he didn't break up with me."
"Oh, he did, did he?" Osiris growled, angry that Dyne had gone back on his word... and go on to make him out to be a criminal.
"Yeah." Midnight spat.
"Well, that's... unusual." Osiris declared.
"No kidding." Midnight snorted. "Talk about domestic terrorism."
"Good one." Osiris laughed half-heartedly.
"Who does this guy think he is?" Midnight snarled.
"Maybe he was some form of good samaritan." Osiris suggested.
"Seriously?" Midnight spat. "The kind that gets your coltfriend to break up with you?"
"Well, he must have had a good reason for it." Osiris declared.
"Well, I didn't ask him to butt in to my love life." Midnight frowned. "He should have minded his business, instead of meddling in things he knows nothing about!"
"Well, maybe he felt that you were in danger, and did what any good pony would do for someone they care about, even if it means hurting them a little." Osiris retorted, feeling a little hurt at Midnight dissing his 'help'.
"Are you seriously taking this jerk's side?" Midnight growled. "I didn't need his 'help'. I never asked for it, and he didn't have to give it!"
"Well, perhaps this Griffon had only your best interests at heart." Osiris said testily. "Maybe he couldn't stand to see you, a beautiful mare, get hurt by this scum of the earth, and did what he had to do. Maybe all he wanted was the best for you!"
"Well, I-" Midnight stopped mid-rant. "Wait... I never said that this guy was a Griffon."
"...Um... uh..." Osiris gulped, knowing he was caught. "Uh-oh..."
"Osiris... did you have something with this?" Midnight asked. "Do you know that griffon?" She then grew angry. "Did you put him up to this?!"
"No..." Osiris shook his head. "I was him..."
"...Wait, what?" Midnight gaped.
Osiris let out a defeated sigh, as he then let out a weak demonic roar, transforming into his Griffon form...
"No way..." Midnight shook her head, as her glare hardened, "You...you did this?"
"I'm sorry, but I had to do it." Osiris returned to normal. "I saw what kind of stallion Dyne was. I was there at the hospital. I saw him threaten you. I couldn't let him hurt you anymore..."
"So you broke my heart instead?" Midnight spat.
"It was for your own good." Osiris declared.
"And what would you know of that?" Midnight snarled. "You've never been in love, have you?"
"Well, I..." Osiris' words caught in his throat, leaving him unable to respond.
"Of course not!" Midnight added, "You think that because you're some 'god' that you can just do what you want with other ponies' life?"
"I was just-" Osiris started.
"Dyne was right." Midnight scowled. "You do think you're better than us. That you have the right to control our lives!"
"I-" Osiris cringed.
"But what about my feelings?" Midnight asked. "Did you ever think about that?"
"But-" Osiris spluttered.
"No, you didn't. A 'higher being' like you has no time for something like that! You know nothing of love! You can never know my pain!" Midnight growled.
"Midnight..." Osiris gasped, painfully aware that her ancestor had said those same words to him centuries ago, as his voice was reduced to a meek whisper. "I was only trying to help you..."
Midnight could sense the hurt in Osiris's eyes. He wanted to comfort her, to make things better. But...
"Well, I've had enough." Midnight turned away. "This 'inferior mortal's' done hanging around a holier-then-thou deity like you. Dyne was right about you all along..."
Midnight stormed off. Osiris tried to call her back, but couldn't find the words.
Osiris simply lowered into his coils, his eyes growing misty...
'Well done, old Deity.' He scolded himself. 'You try to do the right thing... and now the one mare you love hates you... now what?'
With little strength, he slithered, not feeling the urge to fly, as he left the caves. There was only one place he knew where he once felt peace, a place that felt... like home...
Osiris traveled to the crashed remains of the Serpents' former Sanctuary. Using his knowledge of the island, he bypassed the Guards who were defending the Sanctuary from intrusion, taking a side path that few knew of. Once inside, he made his way into the Garden of Souls, passing through the hole in its center to reach the spirit realm. He then found a bar within the mists, and entered it
The bar, having been created by the denizens of the afterlife, was filled with many souls, happily talking and being merry, blissfully ignorant of the fact that they were now dead. Osiris slipped in, making his way up to the bar.
Behind the bar was a senior Earth Pony stallion. He had a beige coat, a short gray mane, and wore a white button shirt with a black tie.
"What'll it be, pal?" He asked, in a gravelly, yet caring voice.
"Give me your strongest liquor." Osiris slumped his head on the bar, his body being one of the rare few to be able to touch soul-like objects in the afterlife. "All of it."
"How about we start with one, on the house?" The bartender gave a sad smile, as he slipped him a mug. "You look like you could use a pick me up."
"Thank you..." Osiris sighed, as he levitated the cup with his mind, as he flipped the mug and hope to guzzle the beer... unfortunately, the liquid essence simply went though his body, and splattered onto the floor.
"Huh, guess drinks go right through you, don't they?" The bartender chuckled.
Osiris didn't have the heart to laugh at the joke, as he went back to slumping on the bar. Unable to drown his sorrows, all he could was sit and mope.
His presence did not go unnoticed, as many of the bar's other patrons acknowledged his appearance.
"Well, this is a surprise." Synchro Alchemy, Echo's brother, who was leaning against the bar next to him, noted, "It's not everyday that Death itself comes into a bar. What? Did you kick the bucket?"
"The way I feel right now, that could only be an improvement." Osiris sighed.
"Why the long face, pal?" Anarchy Napoleon, the eldest of the Napoleon brothers, asked, sitting on the other side, "You look sadder than Caboose did that time he found out the Tooth Breezie wasn't real."
"I don't want to talk about it." Osiris scowled.
"You might feel better if you do." White Knight Paladin urged, who was sitting at a table with his wife.
"Better than keeping it bottled up, that's for sure." Silver Wind agreed.
"Okay, fine..." Osiris groaned. "There was this mare..."
"Ah, I knew it." Clyde Napoleon, Anarchy's father, smirked, as he and Bonnie were sitting at another table. "Only a heartbreak could give a guy this kind of melancholy. Guess even big guys like you must have mare troubles."
"Well, what happened was, she was in trouble, and all I wanted to do was just help her... but now, she hates me..."
"Oh, you poor dear." Bonnie Napoleon sighed. "What's her name?"
"Midnight." Osiris answered. "Midnight Blossom..."
"Now that name sounds familiar."
Osiris froze. It had been thousands of years, but he would have recognized that voice anywhere. He turned to see the original Midnight Blossom just sitting at the end of the bar.
"You." Osiris gaped.
"Me." Midnight nodded.
"I'm a little surprised to see you here." Osiris admitted.
"You shouldn't be." Midnight smirked. "You were thinking about me so hard I could feel it."
"N-no, I wasn't." Osiris declared.
"Hey, could all of you give us some space?" Midnight asked the others. "I want to talk to the big guy personally."
"You got it." Anarchy nodded.
"Whatever." Synchro shrugged.
The other patrons acknowledged her request, and gave the pair some room.
"So... it's been a while, huh?" Midnight asked, sitting by Osiris.
"Over a thousand years." Osiris nodded. "But who's counting?"
"It's good to see you again." Midnight admitted.
"Really?" Osiris asked. "Because after what happened between us before, I imagine I'd be the last being you'd want to see. And I would have shared the feeling. In fact, I don't recall asking you to be here."
"Maybe not consciously, but I could feel your thoughts pulling at my spirit, bringing me here." Midnight declared. "And besides, in the last thousand years or so, I've made it a habit to watch over my family, so I know all about you and the new Midnight. Guess you just don't have much luck with the gals in my family, huh?"
"That's putting it mildly." Osiris scowled.
"Hey, I was kidding..." Midnight frowned, as she sighed. "I guess that you... you might have some resentment over what happened all those years ago."
"And why wouldn't I?" Osiris growled. "You used me. Tricked me. Used my power to murder so many innocent ponies. And those words you said to me..."
"Yeah... I know, I really screwed things up between us." Midnight admitted. "...You do know that you were the last pony-er-serpent that I wanted to hurt, right?"
"Well, that did little to soften the blow." Osiris grumbled.
"I don't know what you want me to say, Osiris..." Midnight frowned. "It was really dark times for everyone. I just wanted what was best for my tribe. For my family..."
"You know, that brings up a good question..." Osiris turned to her. "How is it that your descendant is even alive today? I thought when I killed you, I killed off your bloodline."
"Well, you remember how I told you I was raped by that one stallion?" Midnight asked. "...I had a foal because of him. She was only about three when..."
"You had a child?" Osiris frowned, "...Why didn't you tell me?" He then glared at her. "In fact, why didn't you come to me before you did what you did? I could have helped you..."
"...I was ashamed." Midnight sighed. "I didn't want you to see how messed up I'd become. Since that awful night, I couldn't even bring myself to look in the mirror most days. And I doubt that somepony like you would bother yourself with our mortal problems."
"You're wrong..." Osiris growled, though his voice seemed hurt. "You were my friend... I would have done everything within my power if it meant making you happy..."
"I wish I'd known that before." Midnight sighed. "Maybe things would have gone a little differently."
"We can only hope." Osiris frowned.
"I never imagined you felt like that." Midnight declared. "You really were a true friend, Osiris..."
"It was... more than that." Osiris sighed.
"What do you mean?" Midnight asked.
"That day... it was easily the worst day of my life... and coming from a old serpent like me... that was saying alot. Killing you was the most painful thing I had to do... not because you betrayed me... not because I had a hand in your murders... not because I had to put down a friend..." Osiris felt his head lower, as a singular tear streamed down his cheek. "Because... I had to put down the mare I loved..."
"What..." Midnight whispered. "You...loved me?"
"I was surprised as you are right now." Osiris gave a sad chuckle. "But it's true. You were a sweet, bold, energetic young mare... in spite of being a Diety... you helped made me feel... equinity."
"...Why didn't you say anything?" Midnight asked.
"What could I say?" Osiris shrugged. "I had never loved anyone besides my fellow Deities and my sister. I wanted to say something... but before I could even have the chance..." He didn't bother to finish that thought.
"Oh, Osiris..." Midnight whispered.
"...The first time I ever put my heart on the line, and it all ended so badly..." Osiris lowered his head again.
"...I'm sorry, Osiris." Midnight sighed. "For everything. I hated myself for what I had done all those years ago, and I had to live with those sins. I know now what I did was wrong. I should never have used you like that. I really am sorry."
"Well, better late than never, I guess." Osiris muttered. "It's just... ever since you died, I gave up on equinity... I spent the next thousands of years living in isolation with my sister, never loving another thing again... until my sister went and fall in love with the Spirit of Chaos."
"But look at what happened." Midnight pointed out. "Because of that, you ended up connecting with mortals again. Guess that wasn't so bad after all."
"Yeah, right." Osiris scoffed. "You know... when I saw Midnight... your descendant, Midnight, for the first time... I actually thought it was fate finally giving me a second chance to be with you... or someone that was just like you... but now... I don't know anymore."
"Of course you do." Midnight smiled. "You always make the right choice in the end. You let Isis follow her heart, even though you didn't want her to leave. And you helped save Equestria from a great evil."
"I suppose so..." Osiris mused.
"And you know something?" Midnight smiled. "You didn't let what happened between rule you. It took a while, sure, but you opened up to others again. You let yourself love again."
"For all the good it did." Osiris scowled.
"Don't give up so easily." Midnight urged. "Tell Midnight...my descendant, Midnight, how you feel about her. Let her know that she is the most important thing to you..."
"Why should I?" Osiris declared. "It won't change a thing. She loathes me... and honestly, I don't blame her..."
"You won't know that until you try." Midnight urged. "Maybe... maybe things might have been different between us if I did know about how you felt about me... At the very least, you wouldn't have spent so long torturing yourself with what might have been. Don't make the same mistake twice..."
Osiris reflected on her words, and acknowledged on how they made sense.
"...You're right, Midnight." Osiris smiled, lifting his head. "I must make this right, no matter what..." He then gazed, for once in a long time, happily at Midnight, "Thank you."
"It's the least I can do after everything that's happened..." Midnight smiled.
"I must find her..." Osiris left the bar, and made his way to the door.
"Hey, Osiris..."
Osiris turned to face Midnight Blossom... the past one.
"Just saying... back then... I loved you too." Midnight admitted. "I know it's too late... but I really did care about you..."
"Thank you for telling me this, Midnight." Osiris smiled.
"I just wish I'd told you sooner." Midnight declared. "Like I said, things might have turned out differently."
"I suppose we both made mistakes." Osiris nodded. "Keeping our true feelings for each other hidden, for one... But in the end, I'm glad we knew each other."
"So am I." Midnight smiled.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have a mare to see." Osiris declared.
The patrons applauded Osiris as he left the bar.
"Good luck... big guy." Midnight gave a warm smile.
Osiris returned to Canterlot, intercepting the present Midnight on her night patrol in an isolated part of the city, making sure to take on his Griffon form.
"Midnight! Midnight, I need to talk to you!" Osiris declared, as he rushed to catch up with her.
"Well, I don't want to talk to you." Midnight scowled.
"Please, I just have to say-" Osiris urged.
"No." Midnight said firmly. "Whatever you have to say, I have no interest in hearing it."
As Midnight turned to leave, she felt her body lock up.
"Hey, let me go!" Midnight growled, knowing Osiris's powers.
"Not until you hear what I have to say." Osiris declared hotly, before frowning. "Midnight... I know you're mad at me for breaking you and Dyne up. And I don't blame you for that. Maybe I should have handled it better. But I only did it because I couldn't stand the thought of him hurting you any more that he already had."
"You don't know what you're talking about!" Midnight yelled. "Dyne loves me!"
"Midnight, please, tell me you're not dense." Osiris shook his head. "Dyne is a brute who would buck anything with four legs."
"You... you're wrong." Midnight insisted, though she lacked conviction.
"Riddle me this, Midnight." Osiris pointed out, "If Dyne really loved you, would he have hurt you? Would he be flirting with other mares? Would he ask you to give up your job because he didn't like who you worked with?"
"Maybe... not..." Midnight bowed her head.
"Dyne doesn't really love you. That's all there is to it." Osiris declared.
"Like you know anything about love!" Midnight scoffed.
"But I do." Osiris retorted.
"And how would you know, exactly?" Midnight growled.
"Well, I know that love is kind, patient, selfless..." Osiris listed off, "And despite what you may believe... I know what it's like to love somepony, especially if they don't know it or even return the feeling."
"Why are you telling me all this?" Midnight asked.
"Because..." Osiris looked her deeply in the eyes. "I love you, Midnight..."
"...What?" Midnight gaped, her anger all but gone.
"It's true." Osiris nodded. "I do love you, Midnight. I love you like I have never loved anything else in this lifetime... the thought of you makes me smile. You beautiful face lights up my day. Your companionship fills my heart with joy."
Midnight was utterly stunned. She had never imagined Osiris feeling that way towards her.
"Osiris, I-" Midnight started.
"Well, well, well."
From out of the shadows emerged Dyne, flanked by a group of dark-coated thugs.
"How touching." Dyne sneered at Osiris. "You tryin' to take my girl, half-and-half? I should have known you only wanted this little harlot for yourself."
"Harlot?!" Midnight gasped, appalled.
"What I want is irrelevant. I still stand by what I did. You don't deserve her." Osiris said coldly. "Now go away."
"Oh, no." Dyne shook his head. "You can't scare me off this time. You bein' one of those dark magic-powered freaks threw me off last time..."
"What?" Osiris frowned. "You think I'm a Nightcrawler?"
"You could a creepy crawlie, and I wouldn't care. You ain't goin' be lucky this time. I brought friends, and I got a feeling you can't give all of us a 'bad time' with that freaky stuff!" Dyne taunted.
"I don't have to." Osiris sneered. "I can take you all with my bare claws..."
"As for you, Midnight, I'm afraid me and the boys have to punish you for consorting with this filth." Dyne declared.
"Dyne, don't do this..." Midnight urged.
"You're not giving me a choice." Dyne lied.
"Dyne, stop this!" Midnight yelled, actually becoming. "If you try to pick a fight, I'm going to have to arrest you!"
"Oh, yeah?" Dyne snorted. "Didn't know you were after another trip to the hospital..."
"You won't touch her!" Osiris yelled.
"Try and stop me." Dyne sneered. "Get 'em boys!"
Dyne's thugs charged in. Osiris released Midnight, who clocked one of them in the face. Osiris rammed one into a wall, then picked him up and threw at the others (Dyne flying upwards to avoid it). Midnight was jumped by another but flipped him on his back.
Even in Griffon form, Osiris' strength and speed was far beyond those of the mortals. He sped over to one thug in the blink of an eye, and punched him across the street. He backkicked another into a wall, then headbutted a third, all without breaking a sweat.
Three of the thugs tried to jump Osiris at once, but he beat them back with one blow in the chest each. Midnight kicked another down. But then, Dyne descended and grabbed her from behind, holding a knife to her neck.
"Gotcha." He sneered.
"Midnight! Gah!" Osiris yelled, before the thugs piled on him, pinning him down.
"You should have stayed out of this, cat-butt." Dyne declared. "All the upcoming pain could have been avoided."
"Dyne, please..." Midnight pleaded, "Don't do this..."
"Relax, babe." Dyne smirked. "I won't hurt you much. But I will make you watch as we torture your would-be suitor here. And then... well, you and me are gonna have some fun. Whether you like it or not..."
"Ugh..." Midnight grimaced, disgusted. "I never realised what a scumbag you are!" She struggled to break free. "I won't let you do this!"
"Well, it's a good thing I didn't date you for your stubborness..." Dyne sneered, as he slowly licked Midnight's neck, as Midnight let out a grunt of disgust.
Once again, something snapped in Osiris's mind.
"Rahhhh!" He threw all the thugs off him at once.
"What the-?!" Dyne gasped. "Stop him!"
The thugs charged again, but Osiris, driven into a vicious rage, incapacitated all them one by one...
He sent one flying with his mind, whipped another with his tail, slashed a third with his talons, and punched the final one in the groin.
In a matter of moments, there was nothing between him and his target. Except for one...
"B-back off, pal." Dyne held the knife against Midnight's neck. "Or I'll-"
In his fear, Dyne's grip loosened. Taking advantage of this, Midnight pulled free, and kicked him in the face.
"Ugh!" Dyne groaned, as Midnight rushed over to Osiris. "Why you-"
"Consider that our break-up!" Midnight snarled.
"Nice shot." Osiris smiled.
Dyne, in a desperate rage, swung his knife right at Osiris... only for Osiris to catch his hoof.
"It is ponies like you that makes me sick..." Osiris began crushing Dyne's hoof with his talon, causing the now screaming stallion to drop the knife, "I don't like being defied, especially by sociopathic, cowardly bullies like you... you don't deserve to live..."
"No, don't!" Dyne pleaded, now blubbering, trying to pry his crushed hoof away. "I'm sorry! I won't touch her again! Just please, don't kill me! I'm begging ya!"
"Would begging have saved Midnight?" Osiris spat, his grip tightening. "No, I'm going to end this right here and now..."
Instantly, he let go of his hoof, and wrapped his claws around his neck, gripping his throat tightly as black cracks began to appear around Dyne, as he began to grow pale with each rasping breath.
"Stop, Osiris." Midnight stepped in...
"What?" Osiris frowned. "But he-"
"I know what he's done." Midnight declared. "But killing him wont' change anything. Please let him go...for me..."
Osiris gazed at Midnight... and for once, he felt all his anger dissipate...
"...Very well." Osiris sighed, as he lowered him to the ground, the Thestral now taking in mouthful of air, "I shan't sully myself with this mortal slime's blood..."
"Wait... did she say 'Osiris'?" Dyne gaped, as he gazed at the griffon, "You're the one she has been..." He then growled. "Just what are you?"
"What am I?" Osiris repeated, as he let out a chuckle, as suddenly, he began to glow with a demonic roar.
"What the buck..." Dyne gaped.
As soon as Dyne's eyes opened, he found himself faced with coils... and he looked up, and saw the true face of Osiris...
"I am the Serpent Deity of Death..." Osiris declared.
"Oh, buck..." The color drained from Dyne's face. "No way... There's no way..."
"I won't kill you." Osiris admitted. "But if you ever come near Midnight again, or even look at her, I swear I will make your existence an unending bout of pain and torment. Let me give you a quick description of what that entails..."
"Ahhhh!" Dyne screamed, as Osiris loomed over him.
A short while later, Midnight's colleagues were taking the thugs away. Midnight and Osiris (back in his Griffon form) provided a statement.
"So, basically, these thugs needed to be put in their place." Midnight declared.
"And what about this guy?" The Guard pointed to Osiris. "What's his story?"
"Just a good samaritan, passing by." Osiris lied.
Meanwhile Dyne was being carted away, as he would be spending the rest of his days in an insane asylum. Osiris' emergence had broken him.
"Death." He quivered. "Death is among us. And he is vengeful..."
He was certainly in no state to harm anypony anymore.
"What a night." Midnight sighed.
"That's one way of putting it." Osiris declared. "Can I... walk you home?"
"...Okay." Midnight nodded.
As they walked, the harrowing events of the night gave way to more tender ones.
"Did you... really mean what you said before?" Midnight asked. "You... love me?"
"Yes." Osiris nodded. "I couldn't admit it at first, but after getting a little encouragement from... an old friend, I finally found the courage to admit it, both to you, and myself. Now, I understand if you don't feel the same way."
"Osiris, you saved my life tonight." Midnight pointed out. "You care about me in a way nopony else ever has. Now I know why you tried to keep Dyne away from me. I was so stupid, thinking that filth loved me."
"You weren't being stupid." Osiris told her. "Believe me, I know what it's like to let your feelings for somepony blind you to their true nature. And my experience was far worse than yours."
"I guess I just thought that if Dyne didn't love me, maybe other ponies wouldn't either." Midnight sighed.
"Of course they would." Osiris smiled.
They reached Midnight's home.
"Well, It's a good thing I had you to look out for me." Midnight smiled.
"Like I said, I'll understand if you don't share my feelings." Osiris repeated.
"Who said I don't?" Midnight grinned.
Midnight grabbed his beak, and leveled it to her mouth.
"Wait..." Osiris tried to stop her, remembering his nightmare.
Midnight kissed Osiris solidly. For one horrible moment, Osiris feared the worst. But nothing terrible happened. No pain, no death... just a wondrous, overjoying experience.
As they parted, both smiled widely.
"Well..." Osiris declared, numb with shock. "I guess that answers that."
"Yep." Midnight grinned. "See you tomorrow."
"Bye..." Osiris breathlessly.
As Midnight entered her home, the full enormity of what had just happened set in. Osiris had honestly never felt happier.
'What a feeling.' He thought. 'Better than anything I've felt in all my thousands of years...'
Osiris returned home with a spring in his step, already eagerly awaiting the next morning. Thanks to a little help from the old Midnight, he had avoided making the same mistakes with the new Midnight. For a Deity of Death, he had never felt so alive...