Your lungs burned as you ran. It had been a while since you had exercised, even before you had ended up here. Amber’s hooves on the floor echoes through the dimly-lit tunnel. She probably could have easily outran you, but instead she stayed close behind.
How long is this goddam tunnel!?
It felt like hours since the two of you had fled. Amber, unfortunately, had not been allowed much access to wherever you were, and as such didn’t know the layout very well. So the only choice had been to pick a tunnel blindly.
You had chosen poorly.
The tunnel you found yourself in was…well, shit. Loose stones were everywhere. Only the occasional torch was still burning on the walls, and they were dying to boot. Whatever magic batteries that kept them running for so long was probably wearing out, assuming that was a thing here. This tunnel was probably not used so much, and so had been allowed to rot.
After what felt like an eternity, you finally see an end to the tunnel. It was an old, wooden door that had an old-timey medieval feel. At first, it refused to budge. With a great heave, you manage to force the rusted door with a sickening screech. You hope no one heard that.
You blink against the contrasting light outside.
More running.
Eventually you could run no more, and collapsed. Trying to catch your breath, you sit up and try to get your bearings. You were in a lightly forested area, with a rocky hill behind you. That’s probably where the cult’s hideout was.
Amber trotted up next to you and sat down with a concerned look. Out of habit you began stroking her head, to which she didn’t object. As you managed to calm down and think, you couldn’t help but reflect on what had just happened. Or rather, what you could have done instead.
Should you have stayed, and tried to explain the situation? Just say “Yeah I don’t care what you do to this wacko, just leave me out,” and hope they don’t just blast you do ash? It could have worked. Then again, they seemed more the ‘blast first, blast again, then once more for good measure’ type. If there was a chance to negotiate, you’d probably missed it.
Maybe you could have taken one (if not all) their magic bling? You couldn't use pony magic. You’d tried, a little more than you’d like to admit. But that didn’t seem to be a problem with this. The non-unicorns used them just fine, so maybe you could to? They seemed to believe they had the power to send you home, so if you could figure out how to work them you could do it yourself? Although, without any clue how magic worked, you could easily just break them or yourself. Pawn them off for some cash? Local currency would be nice, and they looked valuable with all the gold and jewels and stuff. But wouldn’t any town or shop that saw you just freak out? Even without the whole ‘demon’ thing, you still looked weird to them.
Could have brought one of the friendlier cultists with you. Some of them were genuinely nice, if a little misguided. Like Anarchy. You didn’t think he deserved to rot in some jail cell somewhere. Although, given how winded you were carrying yourself here, carrying an unconscious horse probably would only slow you down. That and the cult was ultimately loyal to Father, so they’d likely stab you in the back. Maybe literally.
What if you brought one of those ‘Elements’ with you? Try on convince them you’re not a threat? Wimpy or Prissy would’ve been the best choices, they seemed like they wouldn’t put much of a…fight…
Okay, thinking it over, that just seemed creepy.
You let out a sigh, bemoaning your lack of action. You’d panicked, and just wanted to get out. So here you were, in the middle of nowhere, with no clue what to do next or where to go. Moving on was probably for the best, but you were tired. Besides the Elements would probably be out for a while, then they’d be busy with Father for a while, and then they’d have to figure out which way you’d gone. By then you could be miles away. There was time to rest for a moment.
So here you sat with your back to a tree, with your only friend in this world: A scared unicorn that was currently enjoying an ear-scratch induced trance.
Now that you thought about it, could you actually trust her? After all, she was apart of the cult that had forced you here. Granted the relationship was downright horrific to her, but still. A traitor is still a traitor. And this particular traitor had willingly freed a creature she thought to be some terrible being with devastating power. Would she sell you out? Try to get power of her own? Or would she just…leave you all alone in this strange world that had only ever tried to use or destroy you? Which was the worst she could do to you? What was going on behind that admittedly adorable face?
You stop scratching, eliciting a tiny whine of protest.
“Amber, we need to talk.” You state firmly. The mare stares at you, with fear and unease forming behind her gaze.
“W-what is it, Master?” she stammered.
“Why…why did you do that?” you ask, crossing your arms.
Amber didn’t answer immediately, shifting her weight as she found the dirt very interesting.
“…You…You’re the only one who’s every been nice to me in a long time. I…I didn’t want you to g-go away…” she choked, her eyes getting wet, “I know it’s selfish, and I know you probably just want to go back to your home but…” She couldn’t go on as she broke down in ugly sobs.
…Okay, so she probably wasn’t planning to turn against you. Or maybe she was an amazing actress and you were an incredible sucker. Either way, you couldn’t just sit there like a jackass. (Was that a slur here? Question for later.)
Wrapping your arm around her neck, you draw her in for a hug.
“…Thanks.”
Amber looked up at you with a sad smile.
“I had to do something. You’re my Master after all.”
“Quit calling me that. I’m not anyone’s Master.”
She cocked her head.
“’Anyone?’ You mean ‘anypony,’ Master?” she asked.
You wave your hand.
“Whatever, same thing. And quit calling me that.”
Amber giggled.
“You’re a strange one, Master. Even for a demon.”
“Maybe it’s because I’m not a demon and Father’s dumb ass.” You groan.
Silence filled the area. You found yourself studying Amber. In your time here you hadn’t much else to do but study these ponies, yet there were still things that couldn’t quite figure out. While you had barely made it this far without passing out, Amber wasn’t even winded. This was still the same mare that looked like she was on death’s door less than a month ago, and she was still out pacing you. Must be a horse thing. Or you were just out of shape. Maybe both.
The strangest thing, however, was on her back legs. There was a picture of a stylized eye with an orange rock for a pupil. It was on each of her sides. You’d seen it before, but now was the first time you really thought about it. Amber didn’t strike you as a tattoo kind of girl. Maybe it was a cult thing? Maybe all the cultists had the same one? A show of loyalty or something? No harm in asking, right?
“Didn’t take you for the ‘tramp-stamp’ type.”
“What?” she replied, her cocking to the side in confusion.
“That picture on your leg. Was it a cult entry tattoo kinda thing?” you say as your point to her leg.
“You mean my cutie mark? Everypony has one, but each one is different. You probably didn’t notice the others before because none of them took of their robes around you. I guess demons don’t get marks, right?” she explained.
“I’m not-“you sigh. Not worth the effort. “No, these are kind of a new thing for me. Do they do anything?”
“It appears when a foal discovers their special talent. Mostly it happens just before puberty.”
“Huh. So, what’s yours?”
“Wuh..?” she blinked.
“Y’know, your ‘special talent.’ What’s yours?” you asked, giving her a playful nudge on her shoulder.
Amber didn’t’ reply as the ground became fascinating to her again.
“Um, Amber, if it’s something really personal for you ponies, you don’t have to-“ you start.
“No, no! It’s just…” she started, but trailed off. She pawed in dirt, deep in thought. Taking a deep breath, she started again.
“I found my talent rather late. I was beginning to think I’d never find out what is was. But then, during a visit to a rock farm, I found it.”
You sat in silence, deciding now wasn’t the time to ask what the hell a ‘rock farm’ was for.
“I found a piece of amber. You know, fossilized tree sap? This one wasn’t all that special, it didn’t have a bug or a leaf in it but…Something happened.” She stopped her voice catching in her throat.
“…And…?” you gently prompted.
“…I had a vision. I saw an explosion of color, like a prismatic fire spreading across the sky. When I told Father about it, he didn’t believe me. Not at first, at least. Not until it happened, just like I saw it. Clairvoyance. That’s what my cutie mark is for. Father couldn’t have been happier. Until…” Amber looked away, but you could see the tears beginning to form.
“What happened? Seeing the future like that is something he’d want on his side.”
“…Because I don’t see the future. Not exactly. My visions aren’t all that…precise.” She whispered.
“So…what you see doesn’t necessarily always happen?”
Amber shook her head.
“No. I see what might happen, but that’s not what will happen. When he found out Father was…” a hoof drifted to her scarred back. “…displeased…”
“Oh…” It was a stupid thing to say, but it was all you could think of. You reminded her of all the terrible things Father did to her even when she was a filly…Wait…
“Father was around even when you were a filly? How’d that work?”
Her copper eyes met yours.
“Well, he did raise me.”
“Oh, okay then WAITWHAT!?” you shout. “He’s like, your actual father!?”
Amber flinched.
“Yes, he actually started calling himself that after I accidentally said it in front of a few members. It was after he found out my talent wasn’t as useful as he thought it would. He didn’t want to acknowledge we were related.”
You had no words. You felt numb. The one thing you could feel was hate. No, that wasn’t strong enough. Fury. Still not exact, but it was better. Your relationship with your own father wasn’t exactly stellar, but this was on a different level entirely.
“That bastard! What kind of father- I can’t- He doesn’t have the right to call himself that!” you managed to sputter out through your unbridled rage.
“W-well I des-“
“NO! Don’t you even go there!” you cut her off, and swept her up in a hug. You were pretty sure you heard her spine pop a few times, but you didn’t care. She needed a hug, and much more. There wasn’t a doubt left in your mind, you were going to protect this precious child. “You didn’t deserve that, any of it! And if you keep thinking you do, I will stop scratching your ears I swear to GOD!”
Ambers looked like a frightened rabbit in your arms, with her ears flattened on her head and her eye little more than a pinprick. Her light blue face suddenly turned very red with a blush.
“O-okay, Master…” she squeaked.
The two of you stared for an awkward moment. You were still pissed, but after your outburst you’d lost a lot of steam.
“W-we should keep moving…” you finally say.
“Y-yes, Master. Um, could you please…?” she trailed off, glancing from you to the ground.
“Oh, right, sorry…” you realize, and set her gently on the ground.
You decide not to go on at a full sprint, but still with some semblance of speed. Distance and speed were important, but exhausting yourself wasn’t going to help much. As the two of you continued through the trees, you noticed Amber was staying a bit further away than before with a far-off expression. Great, you fucked up. Again. You felt pressing the matter wouldn’t help, so you continued forward.
As you went on your way at a jog, you had your own thoughts.
Specifically, what was the most satisfying way to get revenge on a horse?
Revenge is best served cold.
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Cold, like mashed alfalfa.
And later, when everything had died down, he opened Demonic Adjustments, a private chiropractic center that was soon the talk of Canterlot.
One particular nasty revenge on evil horse, is Frog In Throat.
Or tell the Griffin Merceanary squad they betrayed them.
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"I've heard this "chiropracty" is a magic that can create unheard of levels of pleasure and pain. Show me."
*one back crack later*
pony.exe has stopped functioning. Adore, reboop, bellyrub?
I'm so happy the author decided to keep doing this story, rather than making it a oneshot.
I feel like this story has something truely special to it. It's not just another Anon in Equestria story, (Oh no, he has to make friends with the already beloved cast who will surely support him in everything he does.) No, this is a story with real stakes. There are no safety nets here. If he is caught by the bearers or any of the other main cast, from his perspective only bad things can happen. The fact that we know he would be 'reformed' is not the point. It's the emotional drive of the character that knows if he gets caught, he's dead meat. And so he won't. Meanwhile, the author gets to make brand new characters, and give them little hints to their backstories. I never would have guessed that Father is a real daddy, and that kind of character development, as well as the characters who are emotionally benefited or hindered by this information, can have a powerful influence on the story. If you tried to do that with one of the main cast, you end up struggling to write within the confines of said characters' personality tropes, and any deviation would likely cause an unwelcome debate within the comments.
I'm really happy with this story. Maybe it doesn't update all that often, but that's okay. Its rarity gives it value. I truely am looking forward to where this story will go next.
Wow, I only came here to stay I liked the story. I didn't mean to write this much. Oops
10/10
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So give him tide pods?
So Amber is just ignoring everything he says.
You got the wrong pentagram. It is supposed to be upside down if it is intended for Satanic/demonic purposes.
Dip him in a vat of hair remover.
Fuck... My hands are shacking from rage... Well written story. Great job!
Im currently expecting him to become her guardian
Poor Amber.
Trust me Amber, seeing a possible future is in many ways better than seeing the future. A possible future you can change. When you have a true vision of the future, there is naught you can do about it. It will happen. You can't change it. Not to say the latter style is utterly useless. It does let you prepare. If you know 4 ponies are going to fall to the ground when a balcony comes loose, while you can't reinforce the structure hoping it won't fall, you can be there with a first aid kit. The only way around this restriction is what Pinkie Pie has managed. If you can reduce the information you get from a true vision, then you are able to act on it. Pinkie pie doesn't get that the flower pot is going to fall on her friend, she gets that the flower pot is going to fall. It probably took her ages to create that layer to her talent so she doesn't get too much information.
Mmmm yeah. Amp up that epoxy to include his entire body now. Varying bits and blobs all over so you reeeeeeally gotta yank that hair out. Little shit deserves more but I wanna see it be painful for a looong time.
Poor Amber though. Sweet girl like that doesn't deserve anything she had to go through.
Best way to seek revenge on a horse? See that it's turned into GLUE.
Piss in 'Father's' breakfast. Every day.
Dear Princess Celestia,
Um... See, there were these cultists, and they had summoned this demon, and.... yeah, we let it get away. Um, oops?
Your student,
Twilight Sparkle
P.S. I'M SORRY!
Should be chosen
Wet sand paper with salt water and RUB
Whip
Tie him to a wooden board, cover vitals, play blind darts
Have a healing spell put on him and break bones
Isolate him with a blind fold while in a sound proof room, when he starts hallucinating play scary sounds around him
I have a lot of free time
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either you really do have a lot of free time or you worked at Guantanamo Bay either or I'm glad you're using your experiences for good
Revenge is pointless and unproductive. Her father is probably headed for jail. He's already being punished, and tracking him down to punish him more is just asking for trouble. Amber is the important thing right now, not her father. And if anything, chasing him down will just put her in jeopardy.
Of course, doing the smart thing doesn't always result in the best story. But...just saying.
I do not claim to be an English professor, but I am completely unsure of what this means....
Otherwise, I'm loving this story. I do hope you continue and look forward to what you bring next.
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Let's not forget lots of ghost peppers (with the seeds) up his posterior. Feaguing might be popular amongst ponies (albeit illegal), but those peppers should elevate the punishment to a whole new degree (pun intended).
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Even I can't think of something so sinister
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Dear Twilight,
I have just recently met this so called... "demon" named Anon and his charge , Amber, during one of my strolls through the Royal Rose Garden and was surprised when he wanted to talk over a cup of chamomile tea (*long slurp noises* Mmmmm... that's good tea.) He had explained his situation, and after Cadance had observed how he and his charge were interacting (Cadance was so giddy, she was squeeing all the way to her Canterlot bedchamber (probably to plan another wedding), it was SO cute) I had pardoned Anon in his part in the Cult and decreed him a protected species. Under NO circumstances are you allowed hit him with the Elements again, ARE WE CLEAR?
Your Loving Mentor,
Princess Celestia
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Can't intestinal blockage or disruption be fatal to horses? There was an episode of "M.A.S.H." where the General Potter's horse almost died from constipation and needed a garden hose enema to survive.
Father: "Oh Celestial the pain!"
Nurse Redheart: (preps garden hose enema)
Father: "On second thought, LET ME DIE!!!"
10355406 Glue... nuff said...
Revenge... hmmm...
How about, put him in an anechoic chamber, with as little light as physically and magically possible, with a small opening in the ceiling to drop food and drink which opens noisily and has light coming through it when it opens, allowing him to never be truly adjusted to the lack of light for very long.
Also have a hidden speaker that you can use to play Minecraft cave noises for when he starts slipping enough for it to be noticeable.
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Alright, that Minecraft cave noise bit is just a Geneva Convention breaker.
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Shave his head, then let the chinese water torture commence! (old, but if it ain't broke...)
Other options include but are not limited to:
1) Break horn off and use as suppository.
2) string him up by his hooves, then spin him like a demented swings ride. only stop when continuation when continuation would cause death. repeat ad nauseam.
3) clip his hooves to short, remove horn, shave bare, throw him into the frozen north. Include tracking/monitoring spell. after he passes out from shock/exposure, retrieve and revive. don't treat onset of gangreen/frostbite/etc. unless it would be otherwise lethal. Use whatever's left as dragon bait.
4) Break horn (magic is OP, assume to be step one of all processes unless otherwise noted) and sent via indestructible Derpy-mail to Chrysalis, with note requesting he be kept aware so long as they have him.
5) Feed to Tirek. (Leave horn in this case, let him have his futile resistance)
6) Tie to a tree/large post and hold a bonfire within four feet of him.
7) Determine limits of magical healing and Life support. remove all 'unnecessary' parts and force-feed them to him.
8) If one can be transmuted into another object while maintaining awareness, transmute into a footstool permanently, then deliver to Celestia/Luna for use.
9) Deliver to Sheogorath or similar entity. (determine if the dispositions involved would cause this to be torturous or not before attempting, Daedra involved in worlds they weren't aware of could otherwise be bad.)
10) Cut off Mane and tail, tie to chair. Use 'collected' horse-hair to string self-playing instruments which will only play obnoxious children's music (I heard Barney and Spongebob themesongs are good for this)
11) Play keep-away with cragodiles. win-win for all involved, Cragodiles get food and exercise, you get an invigorating game of close calls, near misses, and missing limbs.
12) Have Discord and Schadenfreude get together to build a labyrinth. place inside and bar the exits. Add appropriate ambient music and sounds as needful.
Well if one wants to properly torment a person then one must quickly grow to be very fond of the phrase "May you live forever". I think that I'd personally go for a varient of the classic petrification.
Keep him alive, cut off his hooves, make glue, them glue all of his orifices closed with it.
I look forward to some more wholesome chapters like this. Very well done.
wait he did get blasted by magic repetedly so will we see wizerd human
Wow, people here are so evil. The most important thing is Ambers well being.
That being said, why not just tell him what he really summoned and that his daughters talent is better than true precognition so he can spend the rest of his life knowing what a failure he is?
btw
do
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"Happy ending, 5 bits. You want." Heh, those magic hands of his should bring in the loot once he figures out how much ponies would be pay for ear-scritches and more.
Your only a Demon to certain people.
Father just brought his own.
This is so fucking awesome! Can't wait for the next one!
Very funny, wonder if enchanting is possible for him.
A question we all find ourselves contemplating occasionally, i'm sure.
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Once you've read it, I would request you're contributions to the list.
After you know what and why, of course. Despite appearances, I'm not a barbarian
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........
You know, that would actually explain quite a bit. And magic is just advanced technological remnants from our previous civilization before something or someone destroyed it, and wizards/warlocks were people that knew how to use them, but not how to make or fix them.
Yikes. Then the beings that were 'forced underground' after the Gods vs Demons/titans/monsters war with humans caught in the mix in ancient times that some of the older cultures have were the remnants of an army retreating into underground bunkers for a last hold-out. If this is really how things went, one must wonder if they're still down there, or if their descendants eventually came back to the surface and are where our legends of dwarves come from.
That depends on the horse. In his case, get one of those "unbreakable" boxes that MrBeast makes, and put a "contract" in it with your signature on it that has a lot of words but basically promises nothing outside of something mundane and harmless like being his fishing buddy for a day but you have to understand what's being said among the mess of jargon to realize that. (Ponies are dumb, so he'll totally fall for it.) Tell him that the price of your alliance is but a simple test: break the case without destroying the contract, and sign his name on it. He'll drive himself mad(der) trying to get in, and even if he does and sign it, he gains basically nothing for his efforts, and has no one to blame for it but himself.
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But his revenge will be frozen...
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A very helpful guide.
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Ah, but it can easily be reheated in the microwave of... Is it still evil if the 'demon' in question isn't actually bad?
Answers must be had! For Science!
Wikipedia has a list of torture methods, for your information.
One that it doesn't have, and applicable in this situation, is the fact that humans are omnivores. More importantly, carnivores.
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Well, given that daddy-O is a blithering idiot and didn't even get a demon, he probably didn't know the difference.
For proper punishment, just call Discord. Considering how... feeble ponies are up there, I give Father a day before his mental breakdown.
Yesssss rrrrevenge! Unleash the demon within!