The Pony With The Forbidden Magic

by Hekkar

First published 29th of September, 2014

The Everfree holds more in it's woods then some monsters a rhyming Zebra.

The land of ponies is as everyone knows is a land of magic, happiness and kindness. It's all of the Ponyville ponies and Equestria, but what about those in Everfree? What if there is another Pony there, but using powers that nopony dare uses? Everyone knows of Manticores, a rhyming Zebra, Cockatrice, Hydras, and other such creatures, but what if there is something more then that? What if deeper in the Everfree is a stallion that no one dares cross or even try to harm unless they want to get cursed, hexed or even had a spell placed on them that won't come off until a lesson is learned.

One such pony lives in the woods as very few speak to him and vice versa. Though what happens when the said stallion comes to town every now and then for supplies? A few herbs, some food and of course what if they come to him for special needs? A hex on a bully or a potion for help in courage? Only if they can pay the price.

To the stallion, it's just another day for a voodoo Pony. Though what if one day, some ponies need to rely on such forbidden magic to save the day now and again? Well then, he maybe in business for something more then potions and voodoo spells. Or perhaps the Forest holds secrets, like deals that were made within their confines or some of the ponies are not what they seem?

Rated T for effects from curses and bad language mostly. Also all the ponies do have tech just so you know. Also there are going to be more characters encountered then just the five character's tagged, just so everyone knows. Also Tags maybe updated as time goes on, just be patient with me.

Prologue: The Forbidden Magic (Or Meet The Voodoo Stallion)

Author's Notes:

This is my first time making a story so please. Do not flame, do not insult, just do please offer advice since I got no clue what I am doing,

"Time flies over us, but leaves its shadow behind."

- Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Everfree Forest. The place where everything moves on its own, grows on its own, and of course does not rely on ponies to take care of it unlike the rest of Equestria. In this forest, there lives a assortment of creatures and all of which are creatures that many little fillies and foals fear for the stories of the creatures. From Manticores to Cockatrice to even Timber Wolves, all live in these woods, claiming it as their home and hunting anything that enters for a quick meal. Many of the members of Equestria, mainly the residents of a small town called Ponyville, know of one pony who lives in the Everfree named Zecora, a rhyming zebra who had been living in a hut in Everfree for quite sometime.

What many don't know is, deeper inside of Everfree, a new stallion has set up his home in a spot where the water is clearer then any pure diamond, but the land around it was scarier then any dream that Nightmare Moon could create. Near the river was a small hut that simply spoke of spooky as around it were warning signs to keep creatures away. Hanging from the trees were small skulls with weird markings on it of spells not in any book, but did give off a eerie feeling of dread and... fear.

The hut itself looked enough to have five ponies living in it as the huts were littered with masks and stones around it like a barrier of sorts. Inside the place was filled with objects that seem made more for a vault of dangerous artifacts then here in a home. In the middle of the hut was a large cauldron that was empty with a small fire under it. Around the ceiling were bottles that were filled with weird objects from Poison Joke leaves to Phoenix feathers to even a few Manticore teeth. In the far left corner of the room were books all with no title on them, as if they were journals or books that were purposely title less. The corner also held a laptop for chatting with other ponies or for just seeing videos, but mainly chatting with a few ponies the owner knew back in New Foaleans. Only three beds were in the hut, one of which is shown to have the most activity of disheveled covers, stallion shape dent in the pillow and of course some scattered clothing on the bed. On a small pedestal in the room was a purple cover bound book that had the words 'Recipes' written on it.

At a small table was a tall Unicorn stallion of five foot seven as he was making soup. This unicorn is the owner of this hut as he was excellent in magic... but a form of magic that is forbidden for good reason. The stallion had a rather weird color scheme about him. His coat was a toxic green color from his head to his hooves, but around his body he also had red stripes that came in after he matured into a stallion. His mane was a mix of dark purple and black to also match his tail as his eyes were a light violet color. His attire though was of another fact. He had on two boots that were of black base with red laces and two fingerless gloves of the same color, but a red strap. His clothing was of a dark purple shirt that had a shirt tail on it by design and some black pinstripes on it as well.

At his waist was a black belt with silver rings embedded into the belt to carry potions, ingredients, and dolls. At the center of the belt was a weird green gem that glowed when he used magic. His lower body had on black pants with no back pockets, but with copies of his cutie mark stitched on the outside of his pockets. as the final part of his ensemble was a black top hat with a green stripe around it. The rest of his ensemble was of simple accessories like two studs in one ear, a purple and a red color, but also he wore a necklace. It was a black chain necklace with a red skull on it that is designed like a regular Voodoo skull.

The stallion's name was Velvet Spectre, a stallion born to another voodoo stallion named Shadow Spectre in New Foaleans and a nurse earth stallion named Sarah 'Amberheart' Jewel. The small town of New Foaleans is a small town that is not on any map, but it is nestled somewhere near The Forsaken Forest for good reason. The place is full of dark magic, forbidden magic, and is still a nice little community that accepts any pony or creature. He was born to them with a skill for magic and of course making potions, all to help other ponies, but the problem was the way they helped. The father and son used voodoo magic to help others and that alone is a form of magic that has bad consequences if used incorrectly. He had casted his first hex on a stallion who was bullying kids in his elementary school and solely from that he got his cutie mark. The mark was quite simple, a skull and crossbones, all with intricate design of voodoo on them. Despite being born a Unicorn, the stallion was strong like a Earth pony as over the years of him growing he started to make a name for himself as 'The Hexer'. Word didn't take long to spread to Ponyville after he moved and a few stallions came for some help in the form of a potion.

As Spectre wandered around his home, he noticed one of his vials was empty. As he lifted it to examine it closely, the vial cased in a magic aura of green and purple he looks it over as he sighs when it hit him, he needed to get more spices. He was starting to run out of spices faster and faster as he got his stuff together. A large coat, a hood, a large bag, the bits he has from doing business and of course his music player full of songs he listens to on his journey to town. As he left his hut and made his way through the woods he sees the zebra as he simply nods to her, not looking at her enough to see her full form. He keeps walking as he stops at the edge of the forest and seeing the happy town of Ponyville. He felt like it was going to be one of those days as he simply sighs, plugs in his earbuds and starts his way to the town for supplies.

Chapter 1: A Visit To Town

As the stallion put in his other earbud, he simply choose the song he wanted to hear that day to help him drown out the sounds around him. As the song played he simply sighs as he looks ahead at the dirt path before him. It was kinda funny how to see the contrast of the Everfree and the land around Ponyville was so... obvious to any pony who saw it, like looking at a mirror of how many say that 'there are two sides to everypony'. Personally, Spectre wished that was true of him as he only saw in him the dark side of pony kind. All of the rumors, all the tales, Tartarus sake if it wasn't true. Ever since the first hex he felt something slip from him. Not something mental, not something physical, just... slip. He shakes his head as the song finally started to play after a slow prelude of silence as he started to walk down the path. The dirt under his boots crunch as he walked and simply ignored noise around him be it critters or passing ponies talking. He just wanted to get his supplies and leave. Didn't really care if any pony remember him or not with him coming for supplies, just come and leave before any trouble starts.

It took a while, but before long he came to a hill and stopped as he looks around a bit. The hills, village below, sky, everything about this place was colorful... cheerful... happy. All it did was send a shiver down his spine as he wasn't one for cheerful scenes or happy scenes. It did come to be fearful and scary or otherwise no one would take the whole 'Voodoo Stallion' seriously. That is until they are cursed with having burning sores for three days after a hateful insult on his family and then ponies remember the fear again. He looks near the large tree and saw a few tents and stands open as that brought a miniscule smile to him as a thought went through his head "The market is open" he thought as he made his way down.

His boots soon made contact with cobblestone as he walked past ponies who were together and walking around as he simply listened to his music and walked past them. He was sure if he wasn't listening to music he hear the murmurs of 'who is that pony?' as he is quite different from others. Where they wore shirts, pants and casual clothing, he was walking through wearing a simple brown cloak and hood that hid his body as he kept walking to the market. He could see many move out of his way, probably out of respect or suspicion of him, either way it did not matter. They were afraid of him hiding himself and he wanted it kept that way. Yet, something felt very.... off as he walked. He could swear he was being followed by somepony.

He stopped as the feeling stopped as well. Against better judgment, he reached down and stopped his music as he can hear the murmurs now, yet focused more on the feeling as he started to walk again, but this time slower. As he walked he swear he could hear a sproing sound, like something bouncing as he stops. He turns around fast and finds no one there as he raises a eyebrow and sighs. He brings a hand up to the bridge of his nose as he sighs and shakes his head "Just your imagination... just your imagination" he thinks. As he turned back around to walk, he stops as he felt something bump into him as it felt... soft. He looked down and raised a eyebrow as he sees a white stain on his coat. He looked over and saw not a mare, but a small filly with light green eyes, like a dull hue in a way. Her coat was a light pink color and with a small horn on her head to show she was a Unicorn. Her hair and tail were a two tone pink, one tone was like a dark pink color. The young filly had on a purple shirt and some overalls with a small skirt. In her hand was a cone and on his coat was the ice cream she accidentally dropped on his coat.

He hears a gasp as he looks over to see a mare who looked about twenty-four in age, a year older then Spectre. She had on some simple blue jeans, a light pink shirt that was fitting to her form. She was a purple Earth pony of about five foot five with dark pink mane and tail. She was about to come over as he raises a hand to stop her. Spectre looks at the filly as it looked like she was about to cry, mainly from the sheer height difference as all he did was kneel down. He kneeled down, extended a hand and simply patted her head. He pats her head a bit as he pulls open the pocket on her overalls and dropped three bits into it. He stands as he walks away and hears the filly walk to the mare calling her 'Mommy' as he simply walks.

Before long he stopped as he was in the market place and it was busier then he expected. Seems a lot of ponies had the same idea of the market as he shakes his head. If there was one thing he really hated was crowds. Not because he was a anti-social pony, but mainly because he felt like some little foal would think it funny to pick his pocket. Joke be on them though, he has a spell on his money to come back to him. As he walked through the market he heard that same sproing sound from earlier. This time he stopped and looked around to see a mare. about two inches shorter then him with hair he could only describe as cotton candy shaped. It was poofy, bouncy and the mare looked like she was hopped up on sugar or caffeine or both! A few things made her definitely stand out from the crowd around them.

For one, the mare was bouncing before him. Not standing, just bouncing like she was going from a world record or something. The second thing was she had this grin on her like not even going to Tartarus itself would make her break that smile as if it was plastered on her. The third thing, and most prominent as he can notice being a stallion, was her bouncing chest. She had on a short top that if she stop bouncing would read 'Party Mare' and blue shorts that went to mid way of her upper thighs. Her eyes were of big blue orbs that looked at him.

The only downside of it all was "Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie! Are you new here? I think your new here because I know everypony, literally EVERYpony here in Ponyville!" was all he heard as he tried to tune her out. The downside was all the questions about why he was there. Isn't it possible he is just a traveler and not a resident as he shakes his head, turns and walks. Unfortunately, it wasn't that easy to evade a mare like her as she followed and he simply tried to tune her out. After a good twenty minutes, he walked up to a dessert stand, bought a éclair and shoved it in her mouth. Finally silence.... for ten seconds. The mare giggles "Your funny mister! I bet your fun at parties." she says.

He inhales and exhales slowly to calm himself as he felt this was going to be a long day. She kept following him asking questions and sometimes, with luck, silence as she simply states "Your not a big talker" she says. At least she got one thing right. He walked to a spice table as the stallion spoke to him. He got the name of the stallion as Condiment Spice, a bit of a husky, yellow stallion of perhaps thirty-five. Spectre drops a few bits as he says in a deep voice "Three bags of red spice" as he looked at the red powder substance. It sounded Janeighcan in a manner, but also a bit rushed and no pony seemed to know why. The reason was the mare near him. He got his red spices as he lifts them with his magic into a bag.

He turns as he walks as he gets to the bridge for the mare to stop him just by bouncing onto his outfit's coat tail as that made him stop. He looks at her as she is still smiling "I should introduce you to Twilight! I'm sure she can help you be more talkative! She was like you in the same manner when she first arrived!" she says all happily as he looks at her. He could already tell she would not relent anytime soon as he decided to do the next best thing. His horn lit up as he lifts her with his magic in a mix of purple and green as she giggles and says it tickled. He carries her with his magic and drops her softly onto a stool near a café as he simply walked down the path.

As he reached the bridge, the mare showed up again as he does a double take. He had left her at the café, ten minutes ago and here she was, waiting. He sighs as he was now getting annoyed of her persistence, though did give her credit for her said persistence. He looks at her as he was here and well it was a new town and no one knew of his special 'talent' yet so it may do good to at least try and offer assistance, if it was to get some revenue for bits for supplies solely. He looked at her eyes and saw that determination as he tosses his hands up before they flopped to his side as his form of surrender as before Spectre knew it, the mare was pulling him by the hand as she was smiling "Then I will show you around Ponyville! The most special town in all of Equestria!" she calls out.

As if on cue as well, sound of music started to rise as he looked at his player and no music was coming from it. He looked around as she was now dragging him through a musical number, singing and dancing as if rehearsed for new arrivals as he started to feel something else slip now.... his sanity.

Author's Notes:

Again, no clue what I am doing, yet still trying. Mainly planning the first few chapters be a encounter of Mane 6 and one chapter of having a encounter with Blueblood who decided to grace the town... but also ends up with a nasty hex for it.

Also will ask for advice to give and review. No flames, no insults, none of that. Prefer advice to give to a novice story writer since that's all I am.

Also thanks to Fresnor for helping solve the small word problem I had

"I decided long ago never to walk in anyone's shadow; if I fail, or if I succeed at least I did as I believe."

- Whitney Houston

Chapter 2: Friends? Doubtful

In the midst of the musical, Spectre had frantically been able to get his earbuds in so that he could ignore this song that so randomly appeared as he slowly, yet surely regained his lost sanity. As he felt himself calm down from the songs he is used to, he looks around as he sees the whole town is somehow involved with singing and dancing as he simply walks with the 'Pink Menace' as he would refer to her in someway or form. As the song continued, or what he thinks is the song, the mare Pinkie Pie was giving him a tour of the town as he felt something... wrong, just like in New Foaleans with the gothic stalker mare. He looks around as before his knew it, his light violet eyes met a pair of dark pink/rose color eyes.

Before he could react, he felt the impact like getting hit by a train as everything kinda got blurry after that. Last things he could remember was the head on impact, something squishing and crunching under his back and of course a stallion yelling "My cabbages!" followed by something soft around his face. It took him a while as he woke up and looked up to see white fabric, like a shirt as his hands move around, feeling something... wet and crunchy. As his hands moved more, they felt the fabric and soon also felt... feathers? He moves his hands as the view expanded for somepony to be floating before him as the voice says "Hey! Hands off the wings pal!" as she sounded annoyed. It took him a few as his view got back to normal and saw who or what knocked the hell out of him. Before him stood a mare, a Pegasus really with rainbow colored mane and tail as she wore a white tanktop that had a embroidered symbol of a cloud with a three colored lightning bolt on it. She looked at him with her dark pink/rose color eyes.

Nearby, Spectre can see a man in a green and yellow merchant ensemble with light brown coat, brown eyes, and a gray goatee. His hair is hidden under a green cap as only his sideburns are exposed. His attention is turned back to the mare who growls a bit "If you had not of gotten in my way I wouldn't of crashed you -oof!" she says as Pinkie tackled her into a hug while yelling out "DASHIE!!!" like some kind of gleeful greeting. While the pink mare is hugging the pegasi, Spectre starts to walk away slowly as if to avoid another confrontation or at the least another weird musical number. As he keeps walking, he is soon spun around like a top causing his earbuds to pop out as he soon stops, wobbling as he sees the pegasi again. He groans as she looks at him "Hey! I'm not done talking to you!" she says. Before he could get a word in, the pink mare bounces up and giggles "Oh! Oh! This is umm... I never got his name, but he isn't much of a talker, then again he didn't really talk all that much when I met him." she says as this continued on for a few minutes of Pinkie catching the pegasi up on this new stallion.

She smiles as she soon drags Spectre over to meet Rainbow "This is Rainbow Dash! The most awesome pony in all of Equestria!" she calls out like some kind of fangirl as Dash has a small chuckle "Well yeah, I'm pretty awesome" she says. Spectre felt his blood rise a bit as he didn't have a like for smug people. It reminded him of nobles. Not the cool ones who actually gave a damn about ponies, which to him is only five ponies he knew about. Short list, but still reasonable as he looks at Rainbow and decides a bit of... fun since he is here. He smirks as he says "If she is so awesome, how come I never heard of her?" he asks. The brought a look from Dash as before she said anything, Pinkie smiles "Silly, that's because your new and haven't had time to know everypony!" she says as if it was the right answer. She bounces away as she is still holding onto Spectre's arm as if showing him around, yet giving him no choice but to follow. He sighs as when a few feet away he whispers "Hey Dash. Is your friend here always like this?" he asks.

Dash simply smirks "Yeah, that's Pinkie for ya. She's always planning parties and trying to get everypony to smile. She's a cool friend. Well not as cool as me" she says as that brought a eyeroll from Spectre. Friends. One word that doesn't mean much to a stallion of his work. The only 'friends' he has are those in his family and those who give him deals on ingredients for his potions. He just shakes his head as he keeps walking till he bumps into Pinkie who is standing still. She turns as she bounces to Rainbow "Hey Rainbow? Where are the others?" she asks. The rainbow mare simply shrugs "I think in the castle" she says as she motions over to the large crystal castle as that made Spectre's jaw drop a bit. He wasn't surprised of the castle, but that he didn't know about it till now. Guess when he gets lost in his music, he really gets lost in his music. Before he knew it, he was once again getting dragged against his will by Pinkie Pie as before they reached the bridge, he dug his hooves in and stopped her as he pulls his hand away. He rubs his wrist "There is no way, in any world, I will go into a castle" he says. He stands defiant just as Pinkie did at the bridge as she reaches into her mane as she keeps her smile. She pulls out a box of cupcakes as she bounces around "How about a cupcake?" she asks.

His mind went a bit... fuzzy. To say he had a sweet tooth for cupcakes was a understatement, but they are so addictive that it is hard to resist at all. He looks out the corner of his eye "Vanilla?" he asks. She smiles "Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, peach, banana cream, apple, blueberry, cherry, and four mysterious cupcakes" she says. Spectre bites his bottom lip as he groans "Fine I'll come!.... only if I get the vanilla cupcake" he says. He takes it as rainbow looks at him smugly. He growls a bit "Shut up... I have a sweet tooth" he says as he walks with them as the castle just got... bigger. He stands before the gate as he hears Pinkie yell out "TWILIGHT! WE HAVE A GUEST!" through a bullhorn she got somehow. Spectre looks at Rainbow about to ask as how she got it as all the pegasi does is shrug, as if having no clue herself. The gate opens as the three enter and before a flash of light appears and soon they were all in a large bedroom with a large table with some seats.

The only thing going through his mind is how did today turn out so.... weird? A simple walk to the market was all he needed and wanted to get some supplies. Now, he is dragged around by some pink haired and bodied mare who rambles, got slammed into a cabbage stand, made a pegasi kinda mad, and now he is being forced into a chair by the same pink mare at a table to meet her friends. Today already had enough surprises as his horn glows and he is gone in a flash. He reappears outside the town as he looks back, now seeing the castle in the distance. He shakes his head "Friends? I doubt anyone would want me as a friend.... crazy mare" he says. He simply walks back down the dirt path and to his home as he stops at the small hut of the zebra he has as a sort-of neighbor in Everfree. He leaves a bag of spice for her as he walks back to his hut deeper in the forest.

As he reached the hut he felt... a bit off about the place. It must of been the difference between the doom and gloom of the Everfree and the happy and cheerful Ponyville, but here... it also felt relaxing. He shrugs the feeling out of his head as he simply walks into the hut and levitates one of the bottles down. He fills it with the spice as he levitates it back up to it's holster. The rest of the day, he spent writing in his journal, a book with a blue cover, about what had transpired today as his mind went back to what had happened and one thing just felt... wrong. He sighs "Why did I leave like that?" he thinks as he closes the journal "Cause they will only see a cursed stallion for using forbidden magic that's why" he thinks. He changes into a simple tanktop and black shorts as he lays on his bed and looks up. He sees something and narrows his eyes at a bottle as he groans and starts to curse "Oh for the love of all that is unholy- I'm out of cherry seeds!" he yells as that means one thing.... he has to return tomorrow for more as he does possibly the world's longest facepalm. He is also quite sure tomorrow he is going to get a kick in the head from that Rainbow Dash for up and leaving without warning.

Author's Notes:

Again, no clue what I am doing, yet still trying.

Also will ask for advice to give and review. No flames, no insults, none of that. Prefer advice to give to a novice story writer since that's all I am.

Also I keep getting messages about height size so this is what I got.

Males:
Velvet Spectre (My OC): 5'7''
Prince Blueblood: 5'7''
Spike: 4'6''
Cheese Sandwich: 5'6''
Mr.Cake: 6'0''
Big Macintosh: 6'5''
Random Pony (A Hint...): 5'6
Nexus (Chapter 11): 6'6

Females:
Pinkie Pie: 5'6''
Rainbow Dash: 5'6''
Princess Celestia: 8'0''
Zecora: 5'8''
Applejack: 5'7''
Rarity: 5'6''
Twilight Sparkle: 5'7''
Fluttershy: 5'6''
Mrs. Cake: 5'8''
Spitfire: 5'7''
Sweetie Belle: 3'7''
Scootaloo: 3'7''
Applebloom: 3'7''
Princess Luna: 7'5''

Will be updated as chapters go on.

"I don't need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better."

- Plutarch

Chapter 3: Hexes and Consequences

Author's Notes:

Need I repeat a message that has already been said three times?

Also got some messages of people asking me to put up info of cup sizes? I'm not sure if I should or not, but that's your choice if you want.

Again, feel free to review, comment and no flames or insults.

Warning! There will be some language and some rather detail descriptions of the spell's effect and of the chant. You have been warned.

"A lot of life is dealing with your curse, dealing with the cards you were given that aren't so nice. Does it make you into a monster, or can you temper it in some way, or accept it and go in some other direction?"

- Wes Craven

The inevitable day came as he had prayed it would not. Oh to the celestial goddesses Celestia and Luna had he prayed for it not to arrive, but it did without stopping. He had gotten up as always before the sun even began to rise over the town. It was something he was good at and learned to help avoid some ponies back in New Foaleans. Call it a trick, but it helped in more ways then one. He tossed the covers as he got up and went to his bathroom to get ready for the day, and possible barrage of questions, for his actions yesterday and not to mention meeting that mare again. Spectre knew she meant well, but if only she wasn't so... giddy or hyper or whatever the buck her malfunction was.

It didn't take him long for the shower to end as he really only needed twelve minutes thanks to magic as he got out, dried off and got dressed in his usual ensemble, minus the vanilla stained cloak from yesterday. He really only faced one problem when it came to waking up this early and that was not much to do besides inspect his place. He had done this as a sort of routine of sorts now, all to ensure he didn't get robbed in the night by some creature or pony that was brave enough to come down here. The routine was quite simple for him to follow. First stop was the pantries for food and he had quite some supplies to last perhaps a month or two, granted he never had guests here to begin with. Most of the supplies were simple stuff from juice to cereal to even some sandwiches all of different creations. He had to check the pantries often since he found raccoons somehow getting past his magic forcefield and stealing his food. Nasty vermin.

The next stop were of his large dresser cabinets, each one for specific reasons. All of them were about seven feet tall and full of different items for reasons he would not give. The first one, a dresser closest to the shower, was a simple oak wood dresser and full of clothes for him to have. Shirts, pants, shoes, etcetera lined the place as if organized by color more then size or season. After checking it out, he went to a darker dresser near the cauldron. It had the same height as the other one, but it was full of voodoo dolls made of straw and hay. The thing was, one part of the dresser was filled with rolls of fabric, all arranged in a total of twelve colors. Each doll had a small different to it, like miniature wings or horn on it made of bird feathers or stone. Each little doll was color coated with some kind of little cloth or simply wrapped in fabric for color. In the back of the dresser were some premade dolls for later use.

The final wardrobe though was a light blue color and was glowing of weird lights from the cracks under and around the doors. As he opened it to inspect it, the whole thing was littered with potions of odd colors and assortments, some even had mix colors. These were potions that he made to sell to ponies who needed help. He held up a weird pink and white potion as he chuckles at his memory of it. He remembered a nerdy pegasi who wanted a Love Potion to get a popular mare to fall for him. It worked a little too well and he got any mare he wanted.... problem was it made him, what doctors call, impotent. Only after finding one mare who was unaffected and some lovey-dovey stuff that made the voodoo stallion sick to his stomach did the potion wear off. Every pony had to pay a price for his services, no matter what it was from potion to curse.

After his inspection, the sun started to rise as he got his cloak on and made his way to the market. He figured if he got there early enough he would be able to avoid most of the ponies before they got up to find him. Before he even walked out the door, he looked down and found a bag of bits and a note. He opened it up as he reads it 'Thank you for the spice, I believe this covers the price -Zecora' as he shakes his head. He explained to her before she didn't need to pay him since they are neighbors, but despite it all she still did. Either way it all helps him in the long way. Not to mention it was nice to help a neighbor.... even if they are just neighbors. He made his way through the forest as he walks out and sees the sunrise over the town as before the knew it, just about every pony was up and moving about. He stands at the hill overlooking Ponyville to Everfree as he seems a bit... surprised at the outcome. He had not seen so many busy ponies in the morning in other towns he visited like Manehattan or Stalliongrad. Either way, it made no difference of his own job to do.

As he walked through town, every pony seemed very busy with some kind of celebration going on. Balloons, banners, even a large sign was getting put together as he stops to look at it. It took him a bit for his view to adjust a bit from the light on the glitter words as it reads 'Welcome to Ponyville' and everyone was putting a lot of work into this, but it didn't matter to him. He was not a member of Ponyville, but a resident of Everfree. He started to make his way to the market as it seemed less busy then usual as he found the cherry stand with ease. He sees a pony rummaging around in the stand as he walks up and whistles to get their attention. The pony turns around as it was Pinkie Pie.... but with one of those fake novelty moustaches and in a deep voice, obviously fake, asks "Hello sir, how may I help you?" she asks. He keeps the hood down to keep his eyes from being seen as he speaks "I wish to purchase three bags of Cherry seeds" he says. The bags each held about ten seeds each, enough for about a dozen of Beauty potions. After the exchange is made, Spectre turns to find a pegasi blocking his path.

She floated before him and with a rather displeased look says "What the hay was that?! Just ditching us yesterday when we tried to be nice to you?" she asks. Spectre didn't feel like answering as he simply tried to walk around the mare, but each attempt was met with her blocking him and growling. Before he could even speak, a loud sound of a stampede is heard as ponies were shouting "They're coming!" as he tries to avoid getting trampled. He is instead getting spun around for the second time in his visit to this town. Last thing he saw was Pinkie's tail somehow wrapping around Dash and dragging her as he falls to the ground. He closes his eyes as he starts to think of nothing to help ease the spinning.

It did not last long though as before he knew it a obnoxious voice woke him "Out of my way peasant! You are in the way of royalty!" the voice says. The voice and that word just makes Spectre really... cringe. If their is one type of pony he hates, it's nobles. So spoiled, so obnoxious, so... annoying! Before his mind could even continue the voice came back "I said move!" as it was being directed at him. As his eyes opened, he saw a stallion, about five foot seven with combed back, slick blonde hair, blue eyes, coat so white it had to be magically made. His clothing spoke of him as definitely nobility. Three piece suit, coat pocket with a handkerchief in it, white pants and white shoes, all of that just made Spectre incredibly annoyed.

He stands as he looks at him as he was a unicorn as well. He seems smug and annoyed as he says "Make way for me to walk" he says. Spectre simply shrugs as this noble seem to draw a crowd "Hey... how about go around?" Spectre says. That alone made the unicorn recoil "Go around a low class pony? How dare you!" he says. This guy was certainly a piece of work, being stuck up and all as the noble got a weird smirk. He walked over and got a shake as he looks at Spectre. Spectre raises a eyebrow as the noble smirks "Tell me peasant, do you know who I am? Probably not from your awful attire" he says. All Spectre had on, in view, was a large cloak and hood hiding his form. Before he could retort, the noble just dumped the shake on Spectre's head as he says "I am Prince Blueblood, knave. Learn your place before royalty" he says.

That little act just broke the final straw as Spectre glared at Blueblood. For once, the noble thought he saw the pupils go slit-like like a dragon as Spectre looks at him. Spectre's horn glows and a bright flash is seen as he holds a picture of Blueblood as he speaks "You made a grave mistake" he says. He turns and walks away as he drips shake down his cloak as he seems to block out everything around him without music. One thing any reasonable pony would know is do not mess with a stallion who no pony knows anything about. As he crossed Pinkie and Dash, the two stepped out of his way as if something felt... off about him. The stallion walks down the road as his mind goes cloudy a bit. He was plotting to claim his name again and so every pony remembers his name. Hell he might make a few allies who also hated this stallion prick!

Just as the sun had come, night soon came as well as the young stallion got ready to invoke one of his hexes. He made his way to the bookshelf he had as he pulled out one book that just emitted a aura of... evil. As he cracked it open, the air had gotten colder as the pages flipped to one spell, written in what looked like red ink... or was it ink? Either way, this was the hex, the very hex that Spectre would cast upon that noble so that he may learn his actions have consequences. He didn't care who his father or mother or any parent was as he went over to a different cabinet closer to one of his unused beds. It was marked with a large image of a black skull as he opened it and pulled out a black candle.

He carried the candle, book and picture out near the river as it glowed brightly. As he set the supplies down, he took out a small case of white paint as he applied it to his face to look like a skull, followed by black paint to make it more apparent. He was in his normal attire as he left the cloak to hang dry from the incident in town. He looks over the book before closing it as the gem on his belt started to glow green, yet released a weird, eerie fog of red and black as it surrounded the area, casting a aura to keep ponies and creatures away. He lights the candle with his magic as he keeps the picture in front of him. His magic lifts the candle and tilts it for wax to drip onto the picture as he breathes and soon magic incorporated him, the candle and the pic as he speaks. His voice now as deeper then usual as he starts to speak his spell.

"As I do this candle spell
Bring thine enemy three nights of hell
Candle black, black as night
Bring him pains of flesh tonight!"

At the castle, as Blueblood slept in his bed, he started to whimper as he body started to burn and feel... warm, but in pain.

"Lesions on his skin will grow
Afflict him with a painful blow
Sores and pain afflict him now
For three nights he'll wonder how"

Blueblood started to wake as he saw on his body a red splotch on his hand. He rubbed it as it send nerves of pain through his body and it burned like Tartarus itself. As he tossed the covers off he saw more litter his body from his chest to his hooves as he is covered in these... these... lesions. They all burned like fire, but he is in shock of how more just keep appearing as he hyperventilates.

"Dukes of Darkness, Kings of Tartarus
Smite thine enemy, bring him hell
When three nights of pain have past
Make him well, well at last"

After those words are said, Spectre recites the phrase two more times as he thinks about the pain the noble would feel. He then tilts the candle back up and put the flame out as the night sky is filled with screams of pain from Canterlot of Prince Blueblood.

As morning came, medical ponies came in to find Blueblood covered in lesions, all around his body with a few on his face, all of varying sizes and locations. He was shivering on the bed as they were still burning, but not pain excruciating to where he had to bite on a pillow, which is shown on the many pillows with said marks. The doctor looks at Blueblood as they are doing all they can to help calm the lesions. In his years as a doctor, these lesions were not fading from medical means and every time they try to use magic it's like something is blocking the healing magic and for some reason, the lesions were pulsating as if alive. For the next three nights, the town could hear Blueblood screaming in pain as the lesions dug into him and forced him to feel pain. Pain. A word he had not even had in his dictionary. Within the small town, some mares were cringing at the thought of a stallion in pain and others were reveling in it of it being Blueblood in pain for what he did to them.

Before long, the third night came to an end as it was the forth day. The night was still out as Spectre walked out with the picture coated in wax as he holds it. He starts to tear it to shreds as he says

"When three nights of pain endured, I lift the curse rest assured
Darkness leave him, go away, the curse if lifted now, today!"

He tosses the shreds to the sky as they blow away into the sky and out of reach of any pony. At his room, the lesions left him as he got better, but the memory of said pain would not leave him, that stallion made sure. As Spectre went to return to bed, he did so as a few hours later a loud knocking is heard. The stallion groans as he rolls in bed, ignoring the sound. The knocking came again, louder then before as he groans. He lifts his head "We are close! Come back when the sun is actually out!" he yells. He was not one for rude ponies or mornings as the knocking kept coming. He lifts his head again "Are you deaf?! I said WHEN THE SUN IS OUT!" he yells now. Silence was there as he goes back to sleep and smiles.

The knocking returned more as he gets out of bed. He was in a red shirt and black boxers as he walks over "I am going to turn you into a damn to-" he stops as he opens his door and sees a tall figure there. His door was over six feet tall and this being was taller then that. All he could see are white heels, very long and rather plump white legs like they were made of clouds. He walks out a bit, to see a long, white and gold two strap dress that lead to a chest that could suffocate any stallion. He looks up to see a large white horn, a pair of purple eyes, a darker purple color then his own that seem kind, but also.... annoyed. On top of this mare's head was a golden crown and her back unfurled two white wings, all on a figure over eight feet tall.

It took him a few for his mind to register such a beauty.... but also the problem. White wings, horn, crown, goddess of a body that made him feel small as his pupils went to pinpricks. Before him was a alicorn.... that alicorn was Celestia.... she is here and he threaten to morph her into a toad. Snapping him out of his wandered mind was a voice of silk that said "May I enter? We have much to discuss of what happened in Ponyville" she says. His mind snapped back to the incident with Blueblood as literally, his blood ran cold.

He had just hexed and released the nephew of a alicorn as one thought entered his head "Oh horseapples."

Chapter 3.5: Side-Chapter: Consequences, First Meeting, and Probably More.

Author's Notes:

This is not a continuation of the story. This is just a side-chapter to show what happened to Spectre during those three days.

Also to better explain her jeans, think of bellbottom jeans.

Hope I did fine.

"One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives."

- Euripides

After the curse was done, and the spell etched into the body of Prince Blueblood for three days, the voodoo stallion Velvet Spectre, went back inside of his hut as he puts the picture into a small red box for safe keeping. As he got dressed he started to cough as he groans "Damn... thought I had more time" he says as he quickly gets to bed. He lays down to rest as he tries to go to sleep. Every pony pays a price for something when it comes to voodoo spells and hexes. For a spell of lesions, the cost was he would be weaker to disease as he came down with a fever and cold.

When the first day came of his sickness, to say the stallion looked like crap was a understatement. He had a red nose, coughing, sneezing, and really light headed. He was in his bed as he was eating cabbage soup he had somehow made without spilling it on him as he was covered in a blanket to rest and relax. He knew the price for doing it, but it was so worth it to make him suffer for his crimes. As the stallion was getting up to get more soup, he heard a knock at his door. He looks over as he calls out "We're closed" he says. Now normally, the deep voice of the stallion was replaced with a nasally voice as the knocking continues. He yells out "We're closed!" as he coughs and gets more soup.

As he goes back to his bed, he hears the door open as he looks and finds the only mare not afraid of the woods. She was a bit taller then him, of at a height of five foot eight and a half, but had rather unique form to her.... well unique from Ponyville. Her body was of a two-tone grey form, some parts of her a darker grey as he could see. Her right arm had about five golden rings on it that jingle as she moves. Her attire was a simple black and white tubetop, but with some jeans that hugged her curves, but spread out near her ankles and lead to a pair of sandles on her hooves. Looking back up, she had a pair of light blue eyes, five more golden rings around her neck and two large golden hoops around her ears. Her hair was styled in a grey and white Mohawk, that kinda leaned to the left from his position.

Spectre moves back to the bed "Ever heard of waiting for someone to answer the door?" he asks as he coughs. He feels a hand on his back and lead him to the bed as he sits down. She goes to the kitchen and nods "Of course I have heard, but then again your speech is slurred" she says in her Zebrafican accent. Spectre looks at her as his eyes weren't playing tricks on him, this mare was definitely his neighbor Zecora. He remembers the first day he came to Everfree about three weeks ago, it was raining hard enough to be like a storm that could flood Everfree, but he didn't care. The rain was to him, a friend that helped calm him from the problems he would face. As he walked through the woods, he hears a door opens as he turns to see a pony who opened her door to a small hut. She seemed a bit surprised as she asks "What you doing out here? Are you some kind of sightseer?" she asks as she pulls him inside.

The hut looked quite nice, almost like home in New Foaleans... except this hut had masks looking at him. The place looked to be leaking as well with all the pans and pots around as Spectre looks at the pony, a zebra specifically, as she runs around trying to keep her house from getting wet. Each time Spectre tried to talk to her, she just run by as he sighs a bit. His horn glows as he makes a barrier around the inside of the house to keep the rain out. He sees her look at him as he sighs "Well... I do appreciate the gesture of taking me out of the rain, but I must be continuing if I am to set up my home" he says. He goes for the door as she stops him "A traveler you are, you must of traveled quite far. Please rest here in my home, so that you are not wet and sick when you roam." she says speaking in rhyme. Spectre simply raises a eyebrow as he hears her rhyme, He just shakes his head as he looks at her.

He simply nods as he speaks "While I do appreciate the offer miss.... I am sorry, I never got your name" he says. She chuckles softly "Zecora is the name of this mare, and I think knowing your name would be fair" she says. He simply nods as he smiles "My name is Velvet Spectre, a simple stallion who wishes to lay himself away from the ponies who think of my... talent as dangerous" he says. She simply nods as she walks over to the cauldron "I like to hear more of this stallion tale, perhaps some tea before it goes stale?" she asks. The stallion smiles "It has been way too long for me to have tea. It helps soothe the mind and of course would be quite nice to be a introduction of a neighbor" he says.

With that, the mare had brew some tea and sat at a table as they drank the tea and he regale her with a tale of the voodoo stallion. Growing up in New Foaleans to the medic Earth pony mother and voodoo stallion of New Foaleans within the forest called The Forsaken Forest. He retold tales of him running for he was weaker then bullies, how he acquired his mark and of course his travels all that seem to interest her. The two had exchanged stories for what felt like hours as after a minute of silence, they had finally heard the rain stop as Luna's moon was out. Spectre puts his cup up as he smiles at her "I thank you Zecora for allowing this stallion to stay here from the rain" he says. As he was at the door, he simply bowed down a bit as he held her hand and kissed it. If his hat wasn't blocking his view, he would see the zebra's cheek flush with a shade of pink as he walked to the location of his home.

Back to modern time, he was laying in his bed as Zecora walked over and sat down next to him. She held the soup as she smiled "I wish to see you back to your best, for now you must rest" she says. She was just a neighbor to him, but now she was here to help him get better, despite already knowing of what a hex can do to him and not to mention what he did since it was hard to not hear the chanting. She helps feed him soup "I know using medicine would be in vain, but it would at least ease the pain" she says referring to his sickness from the hex. He simply smiles as he nods "Thank you. You didn't have to do this Zecora, but still... thank you" he says.

As she helped him care for the shop and simply talk, the two had a few... problems arose. One such problem as when Zecora went to go and get more soup, Spectre felt his eyes.... wander. As if something was enticing the sick stallion towards where Zecora was as he gulps and saw one thing. Her flank was swaying with each step and it was somehow... mesmerizing to him as he blushed when he felt himself staring. He looks up as she was coming back as she seems curious "Why are your cheeks red, are you a bit cold in bed?" she asks. He shakes his head "J-Just the fever is all Zecora" he says as he looks away from her. That happened on the first day as he nods "I thank you Zecora for this, all this. The help, the assistance of a sick neighbor" he says. He smiles a bit "I would kiss your hand, but... rather not risk getting you sick if it is contagious" he says. She chuckles a bit as she stands "I will return tomorrow, so don't worry about soup on the morrow" she says.

Just as she said, she returned the next day, but with a peculiar green salve that she said would help ease the fever a bit. Problem was he had to lay down shirtless and after a bit of reluctance nods and does so. She starts to apply the salve as Velvet's eyes shot open as he groans in joy. She wasn't just rubbing the salve in, but massaging the salve into the body "It works at it's best, when it is applied to the chest" she says. His face was looking at the ceiling as he barely see Zecora blush a bit. She knows of how Unicorns are not as big or strong in body as Earth ponies, but he was big with broad chest and is a bit toned . It must of come from having a bit of Earth pony in his blood. The salve was already rubbed into his body, yet... her hands didn't stop. Spectre blushes "Um... Zecora" he says.

She snaps out of it as she turns away "S-Sorry" was all she said as she went to help make some food for them. Needless to say, the two didn't speak since they were a bit embarrassed of how the last two days went. Needless to say, the third day was a bit easier. The curse on Blueblood was nearly done as it only led to Spectre being more healthy then the last two days. A knock is heard as he was in his usual ensemble, but still looked a bit pale as he had a fever still. He opened the door, but to Zecora with some sandwhiches. He raises a eyebrow "Zecora? What are you doing here? You don't need to help me anymore, after tonight I'll be fine" he says. She simple nods "Yes, this I know. I just wish to help you take it slow" she says. He nods as he smiles a bit 'I thank you for the assistance and for that I owe you" he says.

She entered as she sets them down and sits not near, but on the edge of the bed, Spectre looks at her as she looks away a bit "Something wrong?" he asks as he sits down next to her. Zecora nods "I am fine mister Spectre, just had a bit of self-made nectar" she says as he chuckles a bit. He looks over as his stomach growls out for something more then damn soup as he takes a sandwhich and eats it. He smiles as the two simply ate in silence for what felt like a good few minutes as his hand feels something... soft. He looks over as he blushes and takes back his hand as he was touching her hand "S-Sorry" he says. She broke the sandwich as she hands half to him. Spectre eats as he looks over "I thank you for the company miss Zecora and wish to spend more days like this" he says. She nods as he escorts her to the door.

He smiles as he leans down to kiss her hand as she looks at him. She stops him "No" she just says. She helps him rise as she kisses his cheek that makes his cheeks flush red with a blush and eyes to pinpricks of the kiss. She smiles as she says "Perhaps next we meet, I will have a sweet treat" she says. She leaves as she closes the door, leaving him standing there as he blinks at what just happened. He falls back as he faints on the floor and simply passes out from what had happened. He sits up a few hours later as it was night time as he is better and goes to get the picture to end the curse, his mind still a bit cloudy of the kiss. He chuckles a bit as he now knows. Zecora has quite a soft pair of lips.

Chapter 4: Royal Punishment

Author's Notes:

Another chapter, another part of it done. How far will I take this.... I have no idea XD. Again, no damn clue what I am doing

Will make a note here of when stuff gets steamy, I will knock this up to Mature and tag it with Mature just so you know to be ready.

"I define a 'good person' as somebody who is fully conscious of their own limitations. They know their strengths, but they also know their 'shadow' - they know their weaknesses. In other words, they understand that there is no good without bad. Good and evil are really one, but we have broken them up in our consciousness. We polarize them."

- John Bradshaw

Silence was all that stood there. His heart was almost like that of a cadaver of the situation before him. Here he stood, in his boxers, in his doorway, after done hexing and releasing a noble Prince Blueblood, and now the Princess of the Sun, THE Princess Celestia, is right here to 'talk' about what happened in town. Well, he lived a good life. He nods and moves "P-Please come in" he says in a shaky voice. He knew he did what many wanted.... but now he saw why they never did anything. He sees her enter as he sees her wings fold up as she walks inside as he can't help, but stare at the goddess.

Inside, he can see her clothing hug her hips as if, like any model, she flaunts what she is born with. He shakes his head as he sees Celestia walk around, as if curious about the place. She stops at the books as he closes the door and walks to the cauldron. She still had a smile on her face as she speaks without facing him "Seems you have quite a collection here mister...?" she stops as she turns. Her eyes seem to of... eased up a bit as he bows "Velvet Spectre, your highness" he says. She waves a hand "None of that please. I get enough of that as it is" she says. He rises as he looks at her "Okay?" he says. Honestly, that part he was not expecting. He figure she like the whole title part, but I guess eventually it does wear on one's mind, even if that mind if of a immortal goddess.

He regains himself a bit "So... about the incident" he says to start, but is cut off by one phrase his mind was not ready for "I came to thank you. My nephew needed to learn his actions have consequences." Celestia says. That phrase, that one phrase.... made his mind go blank. She came to thank a voodoo stallion for giving her son lesions for three nights straight?! What the hell is going on. Celestia turns with the annoyed look again "However, I still must punish you for hurting one of my little ponies, but more so for the.... means of it" she says. Her horn lit up with the golden aura that it was known for as she levitated books from his library. He knew these books are full of black magic spells, voodoo, potions, and of course hexs. He gulps a bit as he looks at her as she sets them down "While I do look down at these uses of magic, and for good reason, I can understand why you use them. I know of your father, Shadow Spectre" she says. That wasn't a surprise as Velvet looks at her "Not to be rude, but you know of every pony in Equestria Princess. It's... not surprising you know of him" he says.

She sits down in one of his chairs "I also know of his skills in this forbidden magic, and yet he still uses it. I simply like to ask why" she says. Spectre's mind was still in a bit of a haze as for a princess to be in his home as he sits down across from her "Because... regular magic is well regular. Every pony knows it, every pony knows how to counter it, how to deal with it, how to use it.... voodoo magic though, is not in any book, any scroll, any knowledge except for well your library Princess. He uses it not as a means of payback, but to protect his family and friends of the small hometown." he says. He sighs "We know of the price to pay. For a spell to work, a price must be paid. For a potion of love, impotence is the payment. For a disease of health, a weaker body is the price. For revenge, a few years of life must be paid" he says. He sighs as he shakes his head "Those books are books I took from libraries, normal libraries or ponies, who held something they would not understand. I'm not a good pony, but I'm not a evil one either. Only my kind can understand how to use those spells properly without a large... backlash to the user" he says. It was true to say the least, a amateur using a high powerful spell may take their life.... or the life of others.

Celestia nods "I also have accounts of 'payback' happening in towns such as Stalliongrad and Manehattan?" she asks. He leans back, not showing any more weak knees to her "Think of it as my way of teaching a lesson. Sure it may not make me a lot of funds, but it helps" he says, of course referring to his powers. She nods as she stands and walks around as if thinking as she smirks a bit "Alright, I have it" she says. Spectre raises a eyebrow "Have what?" he simply asks. She turns and smiles, but something was... off about the smile. She takes out a parchment and quill as she writes something down and hands it over "Your punishment" she says as that alone felt like a stone falling down his throat.

He carefully takes it and reads it as he looks at her "Are you for real?" he asks. He looks it back over as it states:

By order of Princess Celestia of Canterlot, the stallion known as Velvet Spectre, as punishment of harming a noble, will serve time as a assistant in the two kingdoms for nine days. The first week will be helping the Kingdom of Friendship. The last two days will be of the Canterlot Kingdom of specifically Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.

Signed, Princess Celestia

No matter how many times he looked over the document it was stated clear as day. No fancy wording, no fancy seals, just simple, straight to the point, wording. He looks at Celestia "How can I help a kingdom if I don't know where the castle is?" he asks. She just giggles "You've been there before" she says. He freezes as he looks at her "Oh no... no way.... no no no no no" he says as that means he be at the mercy of those two as Celestia simply nods "Good luck" was all she said as she leaves and a bright light appears.

He got to sleep with the help of hitting himself with a pan to get to sleep, but he got some sleep. As the sun was clear in the sky, he now stands before the large castle he teleported out of, about five days ago before the Blueblood incident. He breathes as he goes to knock, but sees a shadow under him. He hears out a familiar voice yell "SPECTRE!!!" as he gets pinned under a pink mare who smiles "Yay! You returned! Now I have a name for a party!" she says. He silently screams in anguish of this being one of the mares he need to help..... Pinkie Pie, since she is part of the kingdom. Before long the doors open to show another woman walk out. She was as tall as Spectre as she sighs "Now Pinkie Pie, that ain't how we say hello to ponies remember?" she asks. She gets Pinkie off of him as she helps him up with one hand.

This mare was a Earth pony, and a real strong one at that. She had on what looked like a plaid shirt tied just under her chest, green eyes, blue jeans, a pair of roughed up boots, some leather gloves, a Stetson hat all adorned on a lightly tan body. Her other features were of freckles under the eyes and a long blonde ponytail that went down to her lower back all accompanied by a Southern accent. She smirks and nods "Howdy! Name's Applejack. I hear you be the new stallion to help out around here for the week" she says. He simply nods as he does a small bow "Velvet Spectre" he says. Before he could say anything else, he gets dragged by Pinkie as she is literally bouncing off the walls with joy "C'mon! C'mon! It's time for a party!" she says.

Before he could get his hooves planted, two large doors open to show a large party as he lands on his back on the ground. He groans as he hears a voice say "Pinkie! Don't try to hurt him! He's out guest" the voice says. All Spectre could see is the ceiling as his mind was still trying to get back together from the hyperactive mare as he blinks his eyes and sees the party is.... different. All around it looked like a Halloween party with words in glowing green pain 'WELCOME!' as the place had eerie fog in it as well. He slowly gets up as he falls back, just for someone to catch him. He hears her chuckle "Easy pal, we need you to stay up and keep yourself together" she says as it was RD. He looks around as he was in the party. He looks to find the mare who spoke earlier, the one speaking to Pinkie.

The mare was a alicorn, but not tall and mighty as Celestia. She was about the height of the one called Applejack as she had a attire that could only be described as a 'naughty librarian' like attire. It must of been her casual wear. She had on a pair of glasses that adorned her purple face, her three tone hair of two shades of purple and pink. She of course had the wings and horn, but not her crown. Again, casual attire. He looks her over as she walks over "I am so sorry for my friend Pinkie Pie's energetic behavior, she just loves parties" she says. She offers a hand "My name is Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship" she says. He nods and does a bow "A honor to meet a princess" he says as he smiles. He stands as Twilight spins him to meet the others "Well you already met Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Rainbow. Here are my other friends" she says.

She walks to a pegasi who was about average height of Pinkie and RD, but with creamy yellow fur, long silky pink hair and light blue eyes. She had on a sweater that she held to try and hide her rather big bust and went with a green skirt that went to her knees. She hides behind Twilight as she was timid and scared of this stallion as she says "H-Hi" she says. Twilight smiles "Fluttershy, you don't have to be afraid" she says. Spectre simply shakes his head "No no, it's fine. In fact, reminds me of when I was but a young colt and met new ponies. I always hid behind my parents when I met new ponies, but I soon grew up and found a way to introduce myself while being relax about it." he says. She seems to smile a bit as he smiles in return "It just takes time is all" he says.

The alicorn went to introduce the final pony, but this one decided to introduce herself "A pleasure to meet you darling" she says. Spectre already felt no like for her as she sounded almost like a noble, She had well kempt blue hair.... or maybe it was blue-purple? Either way that was her hair and matched her white skin body. She had on a attire of a white button up shirt and blue skinny jeans, that held her curves for all to view. She also had on a choker with a red heart shaped gem in it, a pair of red frame glasses. As she walked over to her, her shoes click with the floor as she looked around his attire "Hmm... could fix it to seem not so.. .drag" she says. He growls "I like my attire miss fancy pants. I like what I wear, it's me, it's who I am, it's what I wear and what I like" he says. She nods "Still, I can make it better" she says.

He shakes his head "You have your attire and I have mine miss" he says. Twilight gets between them as she looks at the mare "Rarity, be nice... we don't want him to feel unwelcome" she says. She nods "I am terribly sorry mister Spectre, but fashion is my life and well.... the color scheme just feels off" she says. Before Spectre could even get a word in, a loud bang is heard as he gets knocked off his hooves by confetti as he quickly gets up. He looks and sees he got hit by... confetti and sees Pinkie with a cannon. He raises a eyebrow "Where did she?" he stops as Twilight simply says "It's Pinkie, we... gave up on trying to figure her out" she says. Before long, music started to play as the party started. Every pony was enjoying the party, but Spectre was in a corner of the room as he wasn't a party kind of pony. He felt something tug at his pants as he looks down.

Next to him was a dragon, but not a full grown one. He was about a foot shorter then Spectre, but still quite young for a dragon. He was purple and green, much like Spectre's color scheme of clothing to body color. The dragon smiles "So your the new assistant huh?" he asks. The stallion nods "Just for the week as punishment for hurting a noble... he bloody had it coming though" he says.

The dragon chuckles "Maybe, but sometimes you got to turn away and let it be. Name's Spike by the way, I'm Twilight's assistant" he says as he extends his claw.

Spectre takes it and shakes it "Velvet Spectre. Good to know I'm not the only guy here" he says. The party continues as Spectre feels a tail go around him and pull him in as he gets spun into the arms of Pinkie as she takes the lead in a dance "C'mon Spectre! Live a little and dance" she says. Before he knew it he was dancing with Pinkie, before getting spun to dance with other partners. Probably the easiest one was Fluttershy who liked the slow dance. He spins into a chair to relax as the party dies down a bit. He rubs his head as he groans from the spinning, dancing and music as Twilight offers a hand. He takes it to help him stand up as she smiles "Everyone. I'm going to show Spectre around, we'll be back soon" she says.

The others simply nod and relax as Twilight escorts Spectre around the castle as it was not intricate or complex as he was shown the basic areas. The other ponies rooms, kitchen, facilities and so forth, but the one room that made him really go bug eye was the library. This large room was filled to brim with books as he had inadvertently tuned Twilight out as he looks through the books. His mind seems to go as his magic glows and brings out a shelf of books as he skims through them with ease, as if looking for something specific. As he got to the last book, he snaps out of it as he looks at Twilight "Oh! My apologies, it's just that I collect books on specific magic and every time their is a library I just feel like browsing for these specific books" he says. That seemed to make her eyes sparkle "What kind of books?" she asks as she is a inch from him. He looks around "Oh... books on.... black magic, voodoo... spells like that" he says.

She seems to giggle a bit "Sorry, but I've been through this entire library and no such book exists" she says as if from exact memory. He sighs "Oh well... it's for the better if none are here. This place is too peaceful for such books" he says. She smiles and puts a hand on his shoulder as he puts the book up and escorted back to the party. The others had been talking as they see the two return as RD smirks "So. You got to help us for a week huh? Well we came up with something. Tomorrow, you are going to help us for a whole day with whatever we need" she says. It was a unanimous vote as Twilight sighs "Fine. Tomorrow you can help me around the castle" she says. Spectre could only nod as this was his punishment... honestly he thought he got off easy, not to mention lucky for all that has happened.

As the day came to a end, Spectre returned to his hut to find a small gift there.... well two small gifts. The first one was a vial with a simple tag of it being called 'Youth'. The other gift was a box wraped in colorful paper as he brings both inside. He looks the card over as he knows the handwriting as that of Zecora's handwriting, but the box was a mystery. As he opened it up, he found some supplies inside of black candles, random ingredients he had. He looked at the card as it was from Pinkie Pie with three words written in glitter.

'Welcome to Ponyville!'

This... was going to be a long punishment.

Chapter 5: The Party, The Ego, and The Fashionista

As soon as the sun rose up on a new day, Spectre felt instant dread inside. He remembered what RD said yesterday at the party of each day he had to help a different pony, but the problem was he had no idea who he had to help. He figure it be explained when he got to the castle to find out what the deal was. After a quick meal, clothes and of course his music, the stallion made his way over to the castle via magic because teleporting is fun and saves him bits. After he had arrived, as if upon some unnatural cue, he moves to aside as Pinkie opens the door and comes running through them laughing like the maniac she is. Following in close pursuit was a rainbow that nearly knocked the stallion off his hooves from the fast speed she was flying at.

Didn't take him long to recognize the two as the first mares he had encountered in Ponyville of Pinkie Pie and RD, but he can see them fighting a bit "Give me back my book Pinkie!" RD yells as she chases down the bouncy mare. The chases lasted a good two minutes as a annoyed Spectre simply used his magic to separate the two. He walks over as he looks at them "Look, I don't know what the hay is going on here and I really do not care. All I care about is getting this over with, but also from experience if you two don't find out someway to work this out you will both say something you don't mean and boom! Friendship over" he says. After a quick glance, RD sighs "Sorry for not liking the custom made Rainbow Cupcake... just not a fan of banana filling" she says. Pinkie's tail moves the book back as it as a Daring Doo book "And sorry for wanting to turn your book into a pastry" she says.

"Wait what did you-"

"Forget it and move on" Spectre says intervening

The two nod and hug it out as Spectre simply did a eyeroll. Each day he came here, he was learning more and more about just how.... naïve these ponies were of how real problems are solved. Then again he was also learning a bit of alternate means to solve said problems. Either way, in the words of Coltcero 'To each his own' as the three went aside. At the large table, only three mares were there for the day. RD, Pinkie, and.... Rarity. Spectre still hadn't gotten over how much of a noble that mare, that white coated mare had sounded as it just annoyed him. The upside here is, she at least apologizes when she is being condescending instead of helpful and at least helps others when she can as well. That is probably the only upside. Spectre took a glance around as he asks "Hey, where's everyone else?" he asks. Rarity smiles "Well Applejack is helping around her family's farm, Fluttershy is helping the animals and Twilight is given a mission by Celestia. Spike is in the kitchen making snacks. After all, you are going to be helping some pony today" she says.

Spectre sighs as he sits down in a chair labeled 'Guest'. It was fancy like the others, but didn't have a symbol on it like them. RD smirks a bit as that alone set the stallion on edge a bit as she leans forward. She claps her hands "Alright! Here is how it will go! Since Pinkie and I found you first, we get the first two days with you. Rarity here insisted on taking the third day so that makes three days of your punishment. Fourth day, your heading over to Sweet Apple Acres where you'll be helping with the CMC in their cutie mark hunt.... AJ's idea not ours. Next you'll help Flutters with caring for the more rambunctious animals since you live in Everfree. Finally you'll come here to talk to Twilight" she says explaining it all. Spectre just nods, taking it all in as he looks at them both "So... who do I-"

"Me!" Pinkie yells as she bounces onto Spectre, knocking him out of the chair.

Spectre groans as he looks up as she is grinning "Pinkie.... while I do appreciate the enthusiasm, perhaps you may remove your leg joint from my mid section?" he asks. That seem to confuse her as she looks at him "Remove my what from your where?" she asks. Spectre groans and facepalms "Remove your knee from my stomach" he says. The mare quickly jumps up as he staggers to standing as he looks over at her "Sorry!" was all she said as he stops her talking. He chuckles weakly 'I've had worse" he says, brushing it off. He didn't brush it off to look tough, but mainly to make her not feel so bad. As soon as he found his legs again, he turned around to see the dragon walk out in a pink apron as he stands there seeing the dragon set the snacks down. It took all of his willpower not to laugh or even crack a smirk at the scene of a dragon in a apron. What came next though was a bit of a shock.

Spike went over to Rarity as the two had that... spark in their eyes as the two shared a loving kiss. That just made Spectre look at them as he asked "So uh.... you and the dragon are" he stops as Rarity simply nods. He nods as well "Alright well.... every pony has someone to love, no matter what species the two maybe. Heart gets what heart wants and etcetera" he says. He wasn't good with the whole 'relationship advice' department. The best he could help with is friendship and that's all. He felt himself move as Pinkie's tail starts to pull him along "C'mon! We need to get to my job to help the Cakes!" she says giddy like as she drags Spectre for a few feet before he starts to walk alongside her.

The business she spoke of looked like a gingerbread house that some wicked witch would live in. Only difference was instead of a witch were two earth ponies, two young babies who are somehow a pegasi and a unicorn and word of another earth pony. Before Spectre could reach, he felt something fall on his head as his magic lifts it off his head. He looks at it as it was a rubber chicken that had a big 2 on it. A laugh is head "Sorry about that. Boneless and I were trying a new dance and- Pinkie!" the voice says. His face turns to see a rather... weird Earth Pony. He was the same height as Pinkie, and oddly enough nearly the same hairdo, but brown with green eyes. His body was a light brown shade as his clothing was of a yellow shirt with collar folded back and a button undone. He also had a pair of jeans that lead to flipflops and a... accordion attached to a belt loop.

The two hug and do some kind of 'friendship handshake' which made no sense in anyway, especially with the part of juggling bowling pins, but it was two crazy for him to keep track of because only one thing went through Spectre's mind "Oh Celestia, their are two of them now". He groans as Pinkie giggles and bounces around Spectre "Spectre! Allow me to introduce to you the most spectacular, most stupendous and awesome coltfriend ever, Cheese Sandwich!" she says. Cheese laughs a bit "A nice meeting to you partner" he says. He extends a hand as Spectre was wary of grabbing it. The door beside them opened as out came a mare with what looked best to describe as twisty hair "Pinkie, good to see you back dear" she says giving her a hug.

This new mare was a plump one at best with a light blue body and a inch under Pinkie. Her hair was two tone pink and looked like something out of a ice cream machine from how it twisted. Her eyes were also a pink color and on her was a white and pink shirt somewhat covered by a yellow apron. Pinkie smiles "Mrs. Cake, this is my new friend Velvet Spectre" she says as Spectre doesn't try to correct her on using the term 'friend'. In all honesty, they were acquaintances at best as he does a bow "It is a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Cake" he says. From the doorway a taller stallion appears as he chuckles "Well, nice to meet a gentlecolt" he says. He was about a good four inches taller then Spectre and not to mention looked more like a barber. In contrast to Mrs.Cake, this stallion had orange hair, green eyes, some kind of candy cane style bowtie and hat and a white apron covering a white shirt and regular pants. He smiles "Name's Mr. Cake" he says as Spectre bows to him.

After a brief tour of the place, Pinkie puts Spectre on his job "Now Sugarcube corner is real busy around this time so I need you to do a very special, super important and extra careful job" she says with a serious look. It was a bit strange to see a carefree pony like Pinkie give such a look, but he just shrugs "Sure" he says. She opens a door to a nursery and shows two small fillies in bed. One had a bow in her orange hair and a stub of a horn and almost cream like skin. The other one is a more lighter fur color then the female as he had some kind of Foalzie style hair that was brown. Pinkie motions to take Spectre away as she says quietly "Make sure they stay asleep and in the crib okay?" she says. He nods as she slowly closes the door.

A bit of a surprise that the first job he has to do as punishment is foal sit a couple of babies as he sits in a chair and just waits. He can hear the clatter of hooves downstairs as ponies are starting to come and go as he uses his magic and laces the walls in his black and green magic, soundproofing the room. It was part of his job to ensure the two slept peacefully. It was weird to say for sure, but it felt... good to help some pony. He stands up as he walks over and watches them sleep softly as he remembers a time when he was this carefree. Young... adventurous... even reckless at times. All it did was add up to the stallion that sits in the room, who is still changing, even if it's bit by bit. He shakes his head and returns to sitting down as before long, he felt his eyes get heavy as he falls asleep.

He wakes up a few hours later, as he finds the twins asleep still in the crib as he stands to stretch and undo the magic. Things had quieted down a bit, just as the door slowly opens to show Cheese and Pinkie "Hey, how's it going?" Cheese asks softly. Spectre turns to see them as he looks them up and down "Shouldn't I be asking you that?" he asks. The two of them were covered head to toe in batter, flour, and icing as it must of been a hectic day as Pinkie giggles "Hope they didn't cause any trouble" she says. He shakes his head "Slept like angels" he says as they start to shift and wake. Spectre looks over as he sees them look at Pinkie and wave their arms as they say "Pinkie...."

"Pie...."

"Cheese...."

"Sandwich...."

and before long look to see Spectre. The two just look at him as when he tilts his head, they do as well, as if mirroring the stallion before them. He keeps this up as Mr. Cake appears and chuckles "Alright now, off to wash up you two" he says. Spectre sees them skip out as he looks at sun's position and walks over "It was quite a day to be here, but I must be heading back now Mr.Cake, got stuff to do tomorrow" he says. He is stopped as Mr.Cake hands him some bits, but Spectre hands them back "I was just helping a.... friend, not working for you" he says. There was that word again. Friend. It sounded so foreign and weird, yet.... natural around this town. Mr.Cake chuckles "I insist, at least to get a bit of food in your belly for the week. You look kinda skinny" he says. As if he was one to talk, he was skinnier then Spectre. He still pushed the bits back and walked out of the place and back home. One down, five to go.

The next day came just as fast as this time he had to go up to Cloudsdale to meet Rainbow for the job she had for him. Problem was, he can't fly and really hated heights. Luckily, part of that fear was remedied with a 'Cloud walking' spell by Twilight and the rest of it with a help of a bit of Dandelion Ale, for that liquid courage. He found her home quite easily thanks to the rainbow waterfall connected to her home and a chariot provided by Twilight as he knocks on her door. He sees the door open to a surprise he was not expecting.

In the doorway was a mare in nothing but a sports bra and sports thong. She had a two tone orange hair and tail with yellow body and quite a chest. She had a pair of wings on her showing she was a Pegasus with fiery orange eyes. She raises a eyebrow "Hey Dash! You got a coltfriend behind my back?" she yells out. Spectre blushes as he looks at her "N-No! Nothing like that miss. I'm just here to help Rainbow" he says. From behind the mare, Rainbow appears "Spectre? What is it my turn already?" she asks as Spectre simply nods.

She smirks "Well, at least you got here fast. Allow me to introduce Spitfire, the best Pegasus in Equestria... well besides yours truly" she says. Spitfire rolls her eyes "Always with the ego huh Dashie?" she asks. The brought a blush on her as Spectre clears his throat. Rainbow looks at him "Oh yeah, I need you to deal with paparazzi as we wander around the mall to relax" she says. Spectre sees them about to leave as he gets in the way "Any way I see fit to get rid of them? Also if you haven't noticed, I can't fly. How the hay am I to follow you?" he asks. Spitfire leans in and whispers "Try to keep up them" as she takes off with Rainbow. He does a double take as he groans.

Didn't take him long to find the mall since it was like Pegasus central out here. He caught sight of the two mares as he followed from afar and each time he found a paparazzi pony, he lifted them with his magic and teleported them away. It wasn't harmful or even painful and it got rid of them. The unfortunate part is, he did not know how popular Spitfire was as after a simple hour of wandering, he was already near his limit of magic from these picture taking leeches. He had to resort to other means, such as distractions of costumes or perhaps false reports of like 'Soarin and Fleetfoot on a date near the malt shop' as that got a stampede going.

The only place he would not follow them to is the bathroom... and the lingerie store. He was a stallion, but one with morals. The two seemed to be in a relationship and may of wanted privacy as before he could tell, they headed to a restaurant and he job continued. His magic helped to at least break cameras and save him magic throughout the 'trip' of these two and after all that, arrived back at RD's place. Rainbow smirks "You know, your alright Spectre. For a stallion anyway" she says. He shrugs lazily "At this point, I'll take what I can get" he says. Spitfire smirks "Hey Dash, why not let him crash here for the night? He looks about ready to fall" she says.

That was way beyond truthful. His legs were weak, his mind felt a wreck from overusing his magic and not to mention keeping up with the burning rainbow duo. He shakes his hand "Thanks, but no thanks... I'll get home somehow" he says. He turns as a chariot pulled by night guards arrive as he gets in and they fly him home. He doesn't even say hi to Zecora as he walks to his house and flops onto the bed like he just ran a marathon. The next day though would cause a bigger headache.

The sun rose to bask his face in light as his magic forces the curtains close as he growls. He felt like a colt, not wanting to get up for school, but still he needed to in order to finish his punishment... well his punishment with the six. He got up, drowned himself in ice cold water, and got dressed in his clothing as he walked over through the forest and to the town as he runs into Spike. The dragon smiles "Hey. Heading to Rarity's place?" he asks as Spectre nods. He leads him to a carousel like place as Spike knocks on the door.

Before either could react, the dragon is picked up and found himself face deep in busty mare as she was wearing her attire from first time she met Spectre. She hugs Spike "Oh Spikey-Wikey it is so good of you to come!" she says. Spectre stifles a laugh "Spikey... Wikey?" he asks. Spike glares at him "Hey. It's cute and at least I got a marefriend" he says as that made Spectre flinch. He looks at him "I could easily turn you into a chicken.... but I won't because your a dragon that is not trying to eat me" he says. Rarity puts Spike down as she smiles "Ah, Mister Spectre, such a nice day to see you here. Now all I need of you is quite simple" she says. She leads them inside to see the different fabrics as she shows a small table used for models. She smiles as she looks at him "I need to use you as a model for some male clothing lines" she says.

Spectre sighs "Alright... also sorry if I seem grumpy. RD had me run interference on fans who wanted her autograph" he says. It was a bit of a lie, but he figure RD and Spitfire's relationship was a secret. He looks at her "Also, if I still seem grumpy besides that. It's because I am not a fan of nobility.... except for five ponies" he says. Rarity nods "I understand clearly darling and I do apologize for our less then pleasant first meeting. I had never seen such well... form of fashion before" she says. She gets out her tape and asks him to go change. He goes behind a clothing stand and starts to get undressed as Rarity has Spike acquire the certain material and stuff to help create her line of fashion. She turned around as she blushes at the sight.

Before her was Spectre, but in his boxers. He had a toned body and a few scars on his arms that were hidden under the outfit he had and of course the red marks go to more over his body. He looks over "Um... Miss Rarity?" he asks. She shakes her head "Sorry dear just... never expected such a tone stallion. Still, nothing to my Spikey" she says as the two kiss. He chuckles "Love.... reminds me of my hometown" he says. He shakes his head "But enough of that... shall we get this over with? I rather like to leave before Spike gets jealous and roasts my tail" he jokes. That got a slight chuckle as they start to get measurements on him and model for different male clothing and not to mention some duo modeling with Spike. After all that, Rarity let Spectre go to get dressed as they sat down to drink some tea.

Rarity looks over as she sees Spectre not drinking his tea, but like his head is... elsewhere. She shakes him a bit as his head comes up "Sorry... my mind was elsewhere" he says. Rarity nods "I understand darling. Besides, I have been meaning to ask. How did you get those marks on your arms and coat?" she asks. Spectre simply looks at his arms as he smiles a bit "To put it simply. Went exploring in a cave, ended up chased by Timber Wolves and scared on the arms from their bites. As for the red marks, they came in when I matured into a stallion and they just came in" he says. Spectre looks up as Spike now asks "You said something about your hometown?" he asks. Spectre nods as he sets his tea down "My hometown is quite open on interspecies relationship" he says. That word brought a confused look as he shakes his head "Mix species relationship. In my town, we have more intelligent creatures then one would expect. For example, my gentlecolt manners were taught to me by a five headed hydra in town. Also of other relationships, like a mare I know in my town who is married to a minotaur" he explains.

That brought a bit of surprise to them both as he smiles as he leans back. He sees the sun move down as he stands up "I must be going before night comes. I rather like to see my path without worrying of creatures jumping me" he says. He looks at Spike "Oh and Spike... check your back pocket" he says. As he left, the dragon pulls out a sapphire gem that is heart shaped just like the one Rarity has as she puts it on him, as if some kind of connection between them. Spectre walked through the town as night feel and felt... peaceful. Every town he had gone to had some rough and coming ponies, none even going so far as to say a hello or acknowledge one another, just walking as if nothing is going on. He reaches his hut as he goes and sits down at his bed as he gets undressed as he smiles. Maybe... this town won't be so bad.... then again it could always go bad in a Manehattan Minute.

Author's Notes:

I am trying to add tidbits of references in now and again, but if don't get any feel free to ask in comments. Yes I made some relationship you probably have not expected, but the reason is simple.... it's my story. Simple enough.

Also I know my author mojo gets bland near the end, but I wanted to get this chapter done before working on the rest.

Again, review, but no flames or insults.

"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment."

- Buddha

Chapter 6: The Shyness, The Bibliophile, and The Country Pony

Author's Notes:

Expect a list of questions from Twilight and get ready for the next chapter. Once it is down I will knock this to mature.

Also further down, Lime Green is Spectre, Purple is Twilight.

"Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale."

- Hans Christian Anderson

The first four days of his punishment were quite calm and relatively simple to say the least. A bit of babysitting, a bit of modeling, and of course some shadowing to help keep a secret, but it all worked out so well. The next day came as he heard the schedule before and made his way to Fluttershy's cottage. Luckily he had seen it a few times from the hill as it was a small cottage with a lot of animals. As he got closer, the animals spread away from him as if afraid of his presence... well except for a bunny that thunked him with a carrot. Spectre glares at the rabbit as the cream fur mare comes out "Oh no Angel, this is a guest" she says. Spectre looks at the rabbit as he raises a eyebrow and thinks "Angel? More like Demon" he thinks. Fluttershy picks the bunny up as she looks at him "Um, it's nice to meet you again Spectre. I am glad you came here to help" she says.

Spectre simply nods as he looks over at Fluttershy "I do like to help my friends. Unless you have someone else here to help" he says. She looks around "Well..." she stops as the sound of 'oofing' is heard. The both of them turn to see a stallion carrying bird seed as he was a tall one at that. He was a mountain of a stallion with freckles adorning his apple red fur body, his green eyes that were almost the same shade as Applejack's and with a shaggy mess of hay blonde hair. The guy was buff and tall, towering over the two, but he didn't seem to abuse that fact. He attire was a pair of overalls, a red shirt and some leather gloves and boots. He walks over as he grabs and lifts Fluttershy as she gives a cute 'Eep!'. She then blushes a bit "B-Big mac! Don't scare me like that" she says.

The tall stallion chuckles "Sorry" he says in a thick, country accent. He lets her down as she blushes "Um, Big Mac... this is the stallion I told you about, Spectre" she says. He does a bow "I must say, out of all the stallions I have met... you are the tallest and strongest" he says. Mac simple nods with a "Eeyup" as he goes over and starts to feed the birds. Spectre looks over "Well a big softy for a soft spoken mare" he says. Fluttershy simply nods as she watches Big Mac with loving eyes. Ever since he came down to help feed the animals when she was sick, she felt a connection with the soft spoken stallion as her wings start to unfurl. Spectre clears his throat "Um miss Shy? Your wings are unfurling.... also what can I do to help?" he asks. Fluttershy blushes and folds them back as she looks at him "Well... I figure you travel a lot and know how to care for more... rambunctious animals. Perhaps you can help me with a few injured?" she asks.

Spectre seems a bit surprised as he rubs his head a bit "Well... I can try. Most of the time I pick up remains like shedded scales, dropped stingers, molted fur, so that I don't get killed by them. It's easier this way" he says. A loud roar is heard as the two run around back to find a Manticore with a broken paw. Seems he has been patched up for a few days, but scares the other animals away as Spectre looks at it. He looks over at Fluttershy "May I use your kitchen?" he asks. She simply nods as he goes inside and looks through the cabinets. He fills a pot with water and starts to boil it "Okay... a bit of radish.... a hint of dandelion... a couple tomatoes... and finally a ounce of Timber Wolf claw" he says as he mixes it together to make a green goo like substance. He walks back out, holding the substance as he walks to the Manticore. It roars at him as he roars back "Yeah yeah. Shut up and eat" he says as he puts it down. The manticore tries to sting him as he moves out of the way.

A few minutes pass as it starts to eat the substance as before long it falls on it's side. Fluttershy looked horrified as Spectre looks over "Don't worry.... it's a simple sleep soup. It'll be out for a good twenty minutes" he says. After that description, Mac and Shy go over and fix it up again as it should be gone by tomorrow. For the rest of the time, the three work to feed the animals as Spectre keeps glaring at Angel to not be a jerk. Then again, Big Mac keeps the bunny in line all the same with his size. The day ended sooner then expected as Spectre gives Flutters a copy of the recipe and explained a few other recipes to make other creatures fall asleep like Hydras or Cockatrices. As Spectre left, he could see Mac and Flutters simply snuggling on the couch and watching a movie as he heads back to his house in Everfree. So far the last four mares he had seen had somepony as a special somepony, yet... it left a pain in his chest.

He shakes his head to get rid of the thought as he walks back home for the rest of the day. As the night turned to day yet again, he went to the castle to get the rest of this punishment done with as he knocks on the door. It opens to show Spike wearing the gift he got from Spectre couple days before as Spectre smirks "Like the gift? Figure why not show the love of two amulets?" he asks. Spike chuckles a bit as he walks him to the library as infront of a fireplace was Twilight. She seemed to be scanning through books, but was not in a purple, gold, and pink princess outfit of regal design and adorned with gems. Spectre knocks on the shelf as Twilight looks up "Oh! Hello! I was just looking through my books to make sure that none had black magic spells" she says. Spectre shakes his head "Not a problem. So what to do for today?" he asks. Twilight gets a smirk as she levitates a quill and pen.

She rearranges the seats for him to sit across from her as he takes his seat. She motions for Spike to leave as he does so and the two look at eachother. Twilight smiles "I will ask 20 questions, just to know more about the Velvet Spectre stallion. Now, let's begin and answer truthfully" she says. Spectre simply nods as Twilight smiles "How old are you?"

"About twenty-five."

"Just a tad younger then many of us. Interesting. How would you describe yourself personally?"

"Loner, not exactly social, but that was all before Ponyville. Now I am a bit social, but still prefer my solitude for my magic work."

"Do you know any pony else who wanders Equestria?"

"Three: A Earth pony named Quick Bit, a stallion who lives to make deals, trades, sales.... hell he even sold a golden goblet to a dragon for some of his scales. Another is a pegasi named Storm Runner, a mare who lives to make storm clouds. Final one is Shade Maestro, a mare unicorn who uses magic and/or piano music to manipulate shadows."

"Where have you been to so far?"

"Manehattan, Stalliongrad, that Gryphon kingdom."

"What brought you to Ponyville?"

"Wanted a different life and Everfree felt like the right place."

That answer made Twilight stop "Wait? You live in the Everfree?" she asks. All Spectre did was nod as she looks at him "Did you happen to meet Zecora?" she asks. All he did was nod "She's like a neighbor to me. We help eachother when we can" he says. Twilight wrote this down as she looks at him "How many books have you obtained of such spells?"

"A small library of them. I keep them so they don't fall into the wrong hands and my hometown can use."

"Where do you come from?"

"New Foaleans, in The Forsaken Forest."

"Where exactly is your home?"

"It's in the Everfree near a rive where the place is scarier then anything Nightmare Moon may make and the river is clearer then any diamond."

"I heard from Rarity you had some scars. Mind telling me where they came from?"

"Timber Wolves. Went into a cave to get some cave stones for a potion and got bit from the Timber Wolves who lived there."

Twilight stops a bit as she writes it down. Spectre leans over and pats her shoulder "We can stop if you are getting tired or need a break" he says. That alone made Twilight sigh and smile "Sure" she says. She calls for Spike as he comes in with tea and some sandwiches for them as if he had them on standby just in case. As the two sat and ate in silence she looks at him as he nods. She picks the parchment and pen up as she resumes her questioning "Do you have any assistants?"

"No. I do plan for a crow or Timber Wolf though as one."

"How have the other ponies taken to you so far?"

"I believe fairly well since they trust me with some tasks. Pinkie had me watch the twins, RD had me shadow her to get rid of paparazzi in a non-lethal fashion, Rarity had me model and Fluttershy had me help deal with a injured Manticore"

Twilight just smiles as she knows her friend and animals, even the first time they went against one "Do you have any interest in helping others with this magic if possible?"

"My magic helps teach ponies a lesson and helps them also learn their is no shortcut to what they want."

"Do you do anything besides black magic?"

"I make potions, charms, voodoo dolls, and of course magic wards."

"Are you single?"

That question made Spectre stop. It was a bit personal, but a question nonetheless as he sighs. He looks at her "Yes"

"Are you a virgin?"

The one was also a bit personal, but he did say he answer truthfully "No"

"How big would you say you are in size?"

He blushes at that one "T-That is a private matter between me and whatever mare wants to bed with me at the given time" he says. He was truthful though. She nods "Sorry, just like to get details made clear. Alright, How do you know magic, no pony else does?"

"My father taught it to me. He is a voodoo stallion with a lot of talent and skill, but nonetheless he was the one who taught me these spells. Every hex, curse, black spell, voodoo, whodoo, everything of black magic. It's quite a common practice in my town, in terms of used for defending the place" he explains.

"Why is it forbidden magic?"

"Because... of the price" he says. He sighs "Each spell, curse, hex, all that black magic requires a price from simple sickness to.... a few years of the person's life.... or all of them" he says as his tone sounded grim as he sits back. Twilight had a mix expression of sorrow and shock "What.... what happened?" she asks. He looks down "My father taught me a spell called the Ultimate Revenge. The darkest, most powerful spell ever made. Problem is.... it nearly kills it's user. My grandfather used it on nobles who tried to buy my grandmother in their hay day like some corner mare..... the spell costed him the remaining forty-eight years of his life. My father was taught the spell and taught me it, but to only be used for extreme emergencies only." he explains.

All that information brought a tear to her eye as she looks away "I... am sorry" she says. He nods "But, nothing is ever free right?" he asks with a joking nervous chuckle. He sighs as she rolls up the parchment "We're done here" she says. He stands "Thank you... for listening" was all he said as he walked outside of the castle to find the sun setting. Ever since he got here, time had been flying faster then he can even remember.

After the walk home, something felt off, like something important was happening soon. He shrugged it off as he went to bed for his final day of the mares. He woke up as the sun had not risen yet as he decided to head over early to the final location. It was a farm where apples are said to grow for miles around as he sees a familiar orange mare at a tree. He smirks "Seems I'm not the only early bird" he says as that made her jump a bit. She chuckles "Well now, ain't you a sight for sore eyes Spectre. Never took ya for a morning pony. Or hell a working pony anyway" she says honestly. He chuckles nervously "Either way, I'm here and ready to help." he says with a grin.

As soon as the sun rose over the hill, Applejack had run off and started to buck apples off of trees as Spectre used his magic to catch the apples into baskets. It made it easy with magic, but the problem was keeping up with the Earth pony. She was quite a fast pony as he tries to keep up with her running around the orchard doing her job, but after a good hour or two, the job was done. As the two stopped to catch their breathe, they look at eachother as Spectre smiles. Applejack chuckles "Mighty kind of ya for the help, but that ain't your punishment" she says. He just shrugs as he relaxs till he hears some footsteps coming down the pathway. The two got up and head to the country house to meet them as a yellow pony comes out and gets into a group hug with two other young ponies.

Spectre looks up and sees the two more mature ponies are Rarity and Rainbow as he looks at the three hugging. They were young fillies from what he could tell as each of them was a different kind of pony. The yellow one was a Earth pony with orange eyes and in a pair of overalls, a red plaid shirt, works boots and jeans on. She had a big pink bow in her hair and apple red hair down to her lower back in a ponytail. The second one was a pegasi, but with small wings that haven't matured yet, a orange body and oddly enough light violet eyes like Spectres. She was rocking a tanktop with some cut off jeans and purple hair and tail. The third one was a unicorn with a white body, light green eyes and a pink and purple hair and tail. She was in a purple vest, white shirt and yellow skirt. In unison the three call out "Cutie Mark Crusaders ho!" as they all adorn some red cape.

Spectre simply looks at the three as if to ask and they all know the question. Applejack speaks first "This youngin is Applebloom, my younger sister" she says hugging the yellow filly. Next to get picked up is the white filly by Rarity "This is Sweetie Belle, my sister" she says. Spectre looks over as he looks at Dash and the orange filly "So... sister?"

"Nah. Scoots is my apprentice. She wants to be like me!"

"A arrogant, ego induced pegasi who can break sound barriers?" Spectre asks with a snicker as that got a laugh from just everypony. Dash just rolls her eyes as Applejack looks at Spectre "I like ya to look after the youngins while they do their usual hunt for cutie marks" she says. Spectre just looked at her in disbelief of how they could cause such problems. Suffice to say it didn't take long to find out after seeing them nearly burn down a treehouse trying to be firefighters, want to go into Everfree to be gem ponies, and to try and take photos of Rainbow's 'day out' as paparazzi ponies, but more truthful then last time they tried it. The time rolls by as Spectre forgot how much spirit and energy fillies had as he sees them just thinking now. At least that can't go bad.... maybe. Before he could even rest, he sees them now trying to jump Town Hall as daredevil ponies as he steps in and with his magic picks them up. He sighs as he looks at them "Why not do something your told of that may merit your talent? I mean what have other ponies said about you three?" he asks.

They all think as Sweetie says "Well... I've been told I have a good voice with singing" she says. She looks at Applebloom as she thinks as well "Well I've been told I am good with schematics of building" she says. The three now start to talk as he leaves them floating as he went for ice cream. He returned and shared the other ice creams he bought as they all rest for the rest of the day. After he walked them back to Sweet Apple Acres, he could hear them talk about their day as he just went to walk home, to end the day with sleep. He enters the Everfree as he still has that nagging feeling that he is forgetting something as he scratches his head and enters his home as he flops onto his bed and snoozes the day away.

Tomorrow, he have to start his work with the princesses in Canterlot.

Chapter 7: Canterlot Visit and The Cycle (Mature)

Author's Notes:

First time doing a mature story so please go easy with review and comments on this.

"Heat cannot be separated from fire, or beauty from The Eternal."

- Dante Alighieri

The day had started out so well, so peaceful, so calm, but spiraled out of control way too fast for him to register it. In a alleyway, a hiding stallion watched as Spectre ran for his life screaming at the top of his lungs. A minute later a stampede of mares followed him all in rather revealing clothing as he ran for his life to the train station to the only place he would find sanctuary, Canterlot Castle. As he 'borrowed' a ticket from a angry ticket stallion, just for him to hide, Spectre hops on the train as it takes off leaving the other stallions to fend for themselves in Ponyville. As the train goes on it's path, he sits down on one of the seats as he wipes his brow. He closes his eyes as he thinks back to what had happened and how it transpired as such.

One hour ago

Spectre woke up in his bed as he normally did as he went for a shower. Problem was, the water system had been broken last night by a wandering Manticore that broke the simple pipeline so now he was stuck with his drowsiness and not to mention morning musk. As he got dressed and acquired some supplies from his house, he truly felt a pinge of nervousness fall through his body as it weighed on him now. Here he was, a stallion with magic forbidden to even the strongest unicorn, about to go and serve the princesses as punishment, yet also he will be amongst royalty. He heads back to the wardrobe and wears something more... high class. He had on a black and white stripe shirt with black pants and some dress shoes. His tophat now had a purple and green feather in it with a simple red stripe around the hat instead of green. It wasn't much of a change, but one nonetheless.

As he walked through the forest, he met with Zecora who seemed.... different. For one, her mane was all down that went to her shoulders and she had on a black dress that looked like the smallest turn and her chest would pop out. He blushes as he looks at her "Morning... Zecora" he says as he looks at her. Her eyes had a different shine to them like of a woman enticing a mate.... or a predator eying a prey. She smiles "Good morning to you too, I figure I catch you before you flew" she says. He nods "Got the rest of the punishment to finish up. Canterlot" he says. Zecora started to walk towards him, hips swaying as she is close to him "Going to see royalty? Well you have shown a lot of loyalty" she says as she moves around him, her tail caressing his jawline.

Spectre moves out of the way "So... yeah I'm gonna go" he says as he turns and walks away. It was weird for her to act like that, but its weird to find more then just that. After entering town he saw that their was not a single stallion in town, except for him as the mares eyed him like predators. As he keeps walking through town, he could feel mares he pass do stuff like 'accidentally' brush their breast against his arm or tail against his crotch as the thought finally crossed him when he turned and saw normally Rarity in a very revealing attire as her and Spike enter the Boutique and quickly flip the sign to closed.... that and the stench of pleasure filled the air as he teleported out of the group as that is when the chase started.

Back on the train he pants as he should of known today is the heat cycle for mares. The problem was the first day is always the hardest since it was them at the horniest, but the days to follow it would loss it's strength and make the mares more... normal-ish. As the train finally stopped, he saw Canterlot was a bit empty except for the guards. He figure a couple of celestial beings would be able to contain such feelings of want. Again a thought escaped him and that was of Luna.

As he showed the decree, the gguards let him in and suffice to say.... it was amazing. Marble, tile, stain glass, the place was like a holy temple compared to every place else in the world. The real downside was well.... the damn place was a maze! Seriously, he could not count how many times he took numerous turns and ended up in the kitchen, but also of ending up outside somehow. It was as if a minotaur made the palace as he walked around and decided to do teleporting instead. As he teleported around, he inadvertently bumped into someone as he rubs his head and feels someone on top of him.

As his eyes open up he saw a mare on top of him. She had a pair of blue eyes that shined like the ocean, a small black crown graced her head along with a spectral like man that was dark as night, but with small white spots to indicate stars. Her tail was the same way as he looks up more to notice her horn. As he looked back down, he also saw wings and noticed her rather.... robust chest. She was not big as Celestia, but a close second. Her dress was similar of a blue color with small gems on it to indicate stars and her dark blue body. He looks to see a black necklace with a moon on it as he goes wide eye. He crawls away as the realization struck him.

He stands as he offers a hand "Princess Luna! My deepest apologies, I was just trying to find some pony and well got annoyed of the wandering so-" he gets cut off as he helps her up. She simply nods "Speak not another word please. We would do the same thing thee hath done to wander. We are to assume you are Velvet Spectre? You are he yes?" she asks. He nods and goes to bow, but gets stopped by her "No need to bow, while it is proper manner" she says. He stands as she looks at him "We can tell you are also had a bit of.... problem" she says as her eyes wander down. It did not hit him until now that a breeze brushed past his exposed leg.

He blushes and covers his leg "Mares in heat cycle" he says. She simply nods as she helps show him around as a escort. The only problem was coming around Celestia's room, many of the guards seem afraid of going in as Spectre looks to Luna who simply hurried in her stride past it. The last room was Luna's room with the large blue doors and moon on it as she lets him in. As he does so he feels... peaceful as he looks around and sees it was just like being outside... except in the room was a couch, large tv, and game station along with stacks of games nearby as he looks at Luna "Never took you for a gamer" he says. Ever since this new tech came along, more skills became open for many ponies to acquire, but he gets knocked out of the thought by a locking sound.

When he turns around, he finally notices Luna is taller, but still shorter then Celestia by about seven inches, but she had that look in her eye like the others as he gulps. She smiles as he looks at her "Princess's feel heat as well?"

"Yep"

"And yours is extremely high due to a thousand years worth of exile, which was not your fault, but mainly because Celestia did it for her ponies and hated it?"

"Yep"

"No negotiating out of this?"

"Nope"

"How about a deal then.... beat me in three matches and I am yours" Spectre says as he levitates the controller towards him. Before long the two were competing against eachother and in three minute he lost all three matches in Halo. He wasn't a gamer to begin with, but still to of lost so bad. He just groans as he turns and gets lept on by the princess who started to kiss him. It was a lustful one, but the soft lips and motion made it better as she seemed to of taken it slow as she laid on Spectre. It was shocking at first to kiss a goddess, but soon his hands slowly moved to go around her waist, as if not wanting this to stop as he kisses back soon, enjoying the texture and feel of her lips.

Soon they stop as he looks at her as she smiles "As punishment you must do what we want is that right?" she asks. He simply nods as she leans down and whispers "Then I beseech thee Velvet Spectre.... to do what thy can and release this pent up mare's lust" as she kisses his ear. That was all it took as he starts to kiss her neck softly and moving down kissing more, as if to litter her body with kisses. As he moves down, his magic comes up and softly slides her dress off as he got a eyeful of her body. It was a body worthy of the word goddess with silk smooth skin, ample thighs and good size bust. He leans down as he softly kisses her breast getting soft moans out of Luna as he smiles "Allow this simple stallion to help please your goddess body Princess. I will be sure to show every part of you this love" he says. He started to move his mouth down as he softly captures his lips around one of her nipples as he licks it around softly. His hands seem to wander a bit as one hand rubs at her curves softly, feeling every inch of her as his other hand went to her other breast, softly massaging, kneading, and rolling her breast and nipple. That all got a slightly louder moan as he starts to suck her nipple for a few seconds. He stops and moves his head to show her other breast the same love. As his hand at her curves moves down, he feel something moist as that brought a red shade to Luna.

He looks at her as she says "P-Please... do not stop" she says. As if stopping would be optional at this point. He moves down as he kisses her soft stomach as he finds her goddess like folds. They were a blue shade like the rest of her body as his hands move to rub her flank and thighs as he moves his head closer. His tongue comes out as he starts to slowly drag it over her pussy lips as she moans loudly in pleasure long since sought after. She keeps moaning, but more softer now as she felt her lips getting licked slowly as her hands move down and push his head closer to her lips as he looks up. His eyes were half-lidded as his hands squeeze her thighs softly. He licks at the small nub above her pussy as that brought out a 'fwoosh' motion of her wings as he keeps licking at it. She holds his hair "S-Stop! That would make this end to soon!" she says. He simply nods as he brings his mouth back down and pushes his tongue into her sweet nether region now.

To say the moon princess was tight as a understatement. It took a lot of work for him to get the tongue in as he feels the soft, sweet nectar on his tongue as he blushes. Before long, he felt magic lift him and get repositioned on the couch. He was on the couch as Luna was above him, his clothes folded and place on a table from her magic as her wings are still unfurled. She looks down "Oh my... thee are quite a big stallion" she says. She moves herself down to let him continue to lick out her pussy as she carefully wraps her hands around his cock. She started to slowly stroke it as that brought out groans from the stallion. If he was ever told that he would get to have sex with a princess, he would of just rolled his eyes and walked past the crazy pony. Her hands were softer then any silk as he kept groaning from the rubbing as his hands dug into her flank to grab a hold of. In comparison, Luna's rear was not as big as Celestia's but was firmer and jiggled more. He keeps licking as the two please eachother.

The pleasure nearly skyrocketed when Spectre felt the soft tongue lick at his tip before starting to suck on it. Her mouth was warm, moist, and felt like velvet to him. He stops licking as he looks at her "P-Princess!" he says as it was quite a feeling to a stallion like him. She stops and looks at him "Luna... Call me Luna" she says with half lidded, bedroom like eyes as he nods and looks at her. She resumes sucking as he moves a finger up and into her folds. She moans, muffled around the cock as she starts to go faster, bobbing her head up and down. Spectre helps please Luna by licking her nub and fingering her slowly as the two of them pleased one another. It did not take long as Spectre stops "Luna! I-I'm getting close!" he says. The Princess whimpers in pleasure as she pushes her nether lips to his mouth as she cums her juices into his mouth. At that time, Spectre does the same, shooting string after string of his thick load into her mouth as she swallows it down after a bit of a hard time from the quantity.

She pulls him out with a pop as she licks her lips "Such a sweet taste... and still hard? Quite the stamina" she says. She moves over as she seems him jump a bit from the liquid of her nether region dripping on his cock. He looks up to see her sway her hips to the bed. She lays down on it as she motions for him to come over "Come Spectre... let us continue" she says. He stands up and walks over to her as he positions himself over her as he kisses her clean mouth as he stops kissing her as he starts to suck on her breast as he positions himself over her. He spreads her legs as he looks at her. Now he leans down and whispers "If it feels like too much, just say so." he says. Before she could say anything, she gasps as she jumps a bit feeling the tip against her folds. He softly pushes in as he groans from the tightness of her folds as he starts to push in slowly, inch by inch as his ears are filled with the beautiful moans of the moon princess. As he pushes in, he can see her red cheeks as his hands interlock with hers as he finally stops, feeling himself deep in her. He doesn't move for a few, just to let her adjust to the size of long abandoned pleasure as they speak through only eye contact as she nods.

He slowly pulls out as he leaves the tip in and slowly pushes back in, keeping a smooth, steady, slow rhythm of his cock comes in and out of her pussy as he looks at her. She had the glazed over look of a mare in pleasure as he leans down, capturing her moans in a passionate kiss as he licks her lips, asking for entrance. They part for him to come in as he licks around her tongue and her in turn, not one of dominance, but of a dance as he starts to thrust his hips faster into her. He keeps thrusting, the two parts making lewd sounding that echo through the room as they soon became lost in a dance of pleasure. As Luna's folds continued to squeeze and moisten around Spectre's cock to have him slide in and out faster and harder, it had started to throb. He groans and pulls back from the kiss as he felt himself about to release again. He went to pull out, but the princess's legs wrap around him "No!" she yells in pleasure "Stay! Fill me! Let it out inside!" she calls out.

It did not take long as the stallion slammed his hips into hers as he soon released his second load of the day, right into the deepest part of her, making her moan out in pleasure as she arches her back as she pants in pleasure. As he pulls out, Luna looks up as she smiles "Oh Faust.... it has been too long... but I still have more to catch up on" she says. He smiles "Well then. As it is my 'punishment' I am to release your pent up lust" he says. As the two go at it again, the bedroom became like a ballroom of different positions, moans, groans and loads released in and on the princess. As it all came to a close end, the princess was now stroking out the final drops from Spectre's cock with her breast after a titjob that had him release in under a minute. Wasn't his fault the mare had a soft pair on her. She uses her magic and cleans up the mess on her as she swallows it as if it was a tasty treat. At the end of it all, she quickly changed the position of the sun and moon as she laid down on the bed. Spectre got ready to leave, but not before a blue aura surrounds him and brings him to her bed. His head nestled between her breast as she holds him close to her. The bed felt like a cloud as he held her close by the waist. Normally he liked to be on bottom, but with height difference, this was pretty nice as well.

He smiles as he relaxes in her hold as she strokes his mane and he did hers. He looks up at her as she smiles "My word Spectre... you are quite the stallion to of lasted for so long.... perhaps after this we may have a more private talk and know of eachother more?" she asks. He simply nods "I... would enjoy that Luna" he says. The two had soon fallen asleep as he held onto Luna. This visit had turned out quite unexpected, but still it was enjoyable... not to mention private talks with someone who may know more of dark spells.

Chapter 8: Wait.... What?!

The morning that came, came with quite a pleasant surprise for Spectre. As his green eyes opened, he found his head nestled on the chest of a very lovely mare. He smiles as he looks up at her sleeping form as he sees the dark blue body of the mare he met yesterday, Princess Luna. As much of a gentleman as it be to stay till she awoke, he still had one day of his punishment left and that was with Celestia. The downside is that it is heat season and he can only pray Celestia is not in a extreme heat like many mares were yesterday. He managed to get out of Luna's grasp as he laid on the bed and instantly felt like going back to sleep from the softness of the bed. He manages to fight it off as he gets up and walks around looking for his clothes in the dark room that had barely any light in it except for some small star stickers.

He uses his horn to make a mini light as he finds his clothing, thankfully not coated with any juices or torn at all as he puts them back on. It was a bit hard in the dark, but he managed to slip his attire on, just as he heard Luna shift on the bed as he quietly tries to sneak out of the room. He manages to get to the door as he takes a step forward and ends up face first in something white and golden. His eyes travel up to meet the smiling face of Celestia as he jumps and falls and on the ground as that work the moon princess. Celestia giggles softly as she closes the door "I am sorry dear sister. I was not aware you had company" she says as Velvet got up steadily.

Luna had already gotten dressed in her regal attire as she appears and puts her arms around Velvet's neck and pressed her chest into the back of his head "That we did dear sister. Quite a stallion he is. A gentleman, a good sport, and of course quite the kind hearted stallion. He knew of our suffering of heat and without haste he helped us take care of thine heat" she says. She holds him closer as that just made Velvet's cheek get red and Celestia giggle more. She looks at them as she smiles "So... does he know of what this means?" she asks. Velvet looks at Celestia confused as he shrugs "I helped a Princess through her heat?" he guesses. As true as that was, the real reason hit him more then he had expected as he goes pinprick in eye size "It means you are now eloped to Luna. When a mare and stallion, or another mare in certain circumstances, has intercourse and neither are wedded, the two are considered eloped. Unfortunately, this is a old law and only applies to Princesses and-" was all Spectre heard as he felt... woozy.

Before long the stallion fainted right there as his mind went to a more... peaceful realm. As his eyes opened, he saw he was back home in New Foaleans. He know it anywhere since it was situated near a swamp and a river that never meet. As he stood up, he looked around and saw that he was in his old room and everything was where he left it. The unfinished voodoo doll of his old school bully on the table, his notes on voodoo strewn across his bed like a foal with comics and finally the dream catcher that Shade Maestro made as a 'get well' gift after he broke his leg running from the town's mascot. As he looked around, everything was as it was before, but.... different. He couldn't put his finger on it, but something felt off.

Before he could make a connection, he heard a small explosion outside and a young colt's voice "Nice going Velvet, now my bits are bugs!" the voice says sounding annoyed. He looks out a window and finds four young ponies near a cauldron outside as he recognized them all right off the bat. The most recognizable was the young green colt at the cauldron, all looked about fourteen in age as this was one of his memories. The green colt groans "You distracted me Bit!"

"How did I distract you?"

"Using the same lame pick-up lines on Storm again!" he says pointing to a pegasi with a Mohawk. He remembered this was the day he got his cutie mark, but didn't need a refresher course on it at all. He turns away as when he goes to open the door, it just opened to a blank area. As he walks into the area, the door behind him closes and vanishes as he looks around "So... where the buck am I?" he asks no pony in particular. He makes his arms flop after throwing them up as he sighs "Awesome.... just awesome. I'm in Celestia knows where and don't know how to get out of here..... out-bucking-standing!" he yells.

A feminine sigh is heard "Must you yell Spectre? We can hear thy voice" the voice speaks as he turns. He stands in the blank space as he looks at Luna as he jumps a bit "P-Princess! What's going on?" he asks a bit wary. He didn't know if he somehow died or if he was just sleeping as Luna smiles a bit "You fainted after our little joke" she says. He raises a eyebrow as he feels like he is going to regret asking, but he did "What joke?". Luna simply laughs softly "About being eloped. We simply did that to try and have some fun" she says. He sighs deeply as a column appears just as he needs something to bang his head on for what had happened. He fainted.... just like that before royalty.... not exactly a good way to start things with Celestia.... then again cursing her nephew wasn't a good start anyway either. He stops as he feels the same arms and chest around his head as she smiles "We prefer to know our mate first before courting them" she says.

Those words stung a bit because his mind was.... elsewhere "I like to as well Luna, but.... I'm not sure where my heart lies" he says. Before them, a large heart appears a sit shows a line dividing it in two. On one side was a picture of Luna, yet on the other was Zecora. The problem he was facing was he found himself in love with two mares, yet.... he was unsure of which one his heart wants. Luna simply nods as she looks down "Your heart yearns for both, yet thou thinks ye can only have one. That choice I will not influence, but I will give a bit of a edge" she says. That just caused Spectre to raise a eyebrow as Luna smiles "I will make a deal with thee. No matter which mare you choose to court, I will humbly allow you access to spells that my more... darker side had used before. Spells that are in no book, forbidden, ancient, or common and with these spells you may do as you please.... though we know what thee will do with such spells" she explains. The deal just made him go wide eye. Personal knowledge of spells made by Nightmare Moon? The very Princess of dark magic? Oh.... with that knowledge, the new generation will learn more spells, but also learn how to protect itself even more! How could he pass up this offer? Luna sits beside him as her tail goes around his waist.

She pulls him closer "However.... should these spells be used to harm other ponies, ye will be banished.... to the moon" she warns with a light smile. Well.... banishing incentive aside, the deal was solid as he looks over "Deal" was all he said. The Princess smiles and leans down "A deal.... sealed with a kiss" she says as she kisses his lips as the room fades. He wakes up in the real world as the princesses help him up to his hooves. He stumbles a bit and falls into a chair as he groans. He looks over "I may be a bit late Princess Celestia. I must relax a bit before I can move again" he says. She simply nods "Very well... please come to the throne room as quickly as possible when better" she says. He nods as she leaves and before long, Luna snuggles into his chest. It was not going to be a easy choice with such beautiful mares, but one good thing to come was more knowledge of dark magic that can help the town defend itself. That is.... if he can make a decision.

Author's Notes:

I know, not my best chapter, but I'm starting to run out of fuel for ideas so give me a break. Been thinking of next chapter to be work then a dream that is actually a flashback.

"Immature love says: 'I love you because I need you.' Mature love says 'I need you because I love you.' "

- Erich Fromm

Chapter 9: Royal Duty and A Book

Author's Notes:

Hope you enjoy. Also if you guess the surprise character at the end you get a prize :)

"Ignorance is the curse of God; knowledge is the wing where with we fly to heaven."

- William Shakespeare

The deal still rang in his ears as if it was just recently said. Velvet sits nearby Princess Celestia in the royal throne room after finding it through the maze of corridors and of course the same damn rooms over and over. Eventually he found the large throne room and had to take his seat, a simple purple and gold chair, next to Celestia as she spoke with ponies about different problems that occur and brought to her attention. His job was simple, record it all for the record book and look back over for later use. This entire time, he could feel his rage boil over nobles since some of the problems were 'My honor was insulted and demand a duel' or 'I wish to court Luna' or some horse manure like that. He just holds it in and writes it all down for later reference.

This had gone on for a good five hours as he got a taste of what she had to deal with on a daily basis. Velvet was happy it was almost time for a break when he came in. As soon as the doors opened, he looked up and saw the stallion that made him really want to lose it.... Blueblood. As the stallion entered, Velvet looked over and saw a bored look on Celestia as if she has no love for him either. At this point, Velvet simply tuned the coversations out and written down keypoints.

Name: Blueblood
Problem: Bits
Reason: Go gambling in Las Pegasas

That was the only reason the Royal douche even came into the room and left. One thing that was certain, he recognized Velvet and left with his tail between his legs as that brought a smug grin to the stallion. Before he knew it, it was time for a break as he stands and stretches as Celestia smiles like always. He was a bit curious as he looked out one of the windows as he turns to Celestia "Princess.... what all parts of the castle am I allowed in during my punishment?" he asks. He was simply curious... honest.

Celestia stands and walks with him to the window as she smiles "You have a few places you can't go. Starswirl the Bearded and Clover the Clever libraries you can't go to. The rooms of Luna and mine you may not enter unless we allow you too. Two of my guards will escort you around, but other then those four places the rest are quite open, just need your guards" she explains. That just has him nod as two stallions stand guard and look at Velvet. Both wore the traditional gold armor, yet also the serious look all guards have. Velvet looks at Celestia and nods as he walks, the two guards following suit as the doors open and close. He stops in the hallway as he looks at them "Hey can I ask you something?"

"..."

"Right. Anyways where is the library in this place? I mean the regular library, not the two that Princess Celestia say I am well not permitted to enter."

"..." the two guards simply start to walk as Velvet follows them. After taking a few hundred turns around the maze of the corridors, the guards stop before two large golden doors. Velvet just looks at them as he carefully puts his hands on the door and pushes them open as he walks in. His eyes wander as he whistles "Well.... this is definitely a library" he says. The place was filled from top to bottom with books, more so then Twilight's library in her castle as he keeps walking into the room. The doors close as he smirks a bit "Well... guess it's time to start looking. I doubt the Princesses would keep black magic books out in the open, but still wouldn't hurt to check" he thinks as his magic gets to work pulling books off.

A good forty minutes pass, leaving him only twenty in his break as he had just finished with the books sectioned 'D' as he sighs. This was taking longer then he thought as he moved on to the next section. Each section he went two had more books then the last and it was as if each new term or event gets it's own personal book in this library as he goes and pulls off a book titled 'Equestrian Literature: Sonnets and Poems' as something dropped. It was another book, but it's title was a bit off from the regular books. Where each book had golden letters in the title, this one had black leatters with a white outline as he puts the Literature book back. He kneels down and picks up this book as it was..... weird. The cover was black and felt like a leather bound book instead of hardback or paperback. The other weird thing was that it had no author anywhere. Cover, front page, back cover, nowhere was a author present. The title of the book seem to be non-existent in the sun, but when Velvet moved it to the shade for a better view, the title came to life in a weird blue and black color.

He raises a eyebrow as he reads the title "The Midnight Grimoire" he reads as he raises a eyebrow "What the hay kind of title is that?" he thinks. He simply shrugs as he flips it around and sees the pages have some kind of silver finish to them. As he opens the book he finds something unexpected. Nothing. There was nothing on the pages. No index, page number, chapter, nothing just... blank pages. He rolls his eyes as he thinks it's a joke and simply stands and puts the book back. He was about to walk out as he stops and thinks. If it's a blank book, maybe Princess Celestia would let him keep it? I mean it's blank, it has nothing to do in a library as he shrugs. He walks back as he resumes the punishment and again another complaint about honor. He does his job as he notices these nobles toss the word honor around like it is just a plaything to them. What do they know of honor? Nothing. They are fed by silver spoons at birth and know nothing of it... well except the Alicorns, they know about honor.

As the day comes to a close, Velvet finishes the final word as Celestia shakes his hand "I thank you for this my little pony. It is a rather hard time to find a decent note keeper and if ever want to do another job, you are welcome here and be paid for it" she says. While the offer was tempting he shakes his head "Only If I am truly desperate for bits Princess" he says. He rolls up the parchment and lays it on a desk as he looks at her "By the way.... you know you have a empty book in your public library up here? I was wondering if I can take it to keep? You know since it can't really help any pony" he says. Celestia looks over at him with a raised eyebrow "And why, pray tell, do you want a empty book?"

"Well when I get a empty book as a gift or bought one, I use it as a journal of sorts. A journal, dream journal, note record of spells, potions and side effects, and other stuff" he says explaining it. The answer seemed legit enough for one of forbidden powers. It would be wise for a pony like him to make a record of such things to help inform other users of such problems that may occur as she nods. Velvet returned to the library and took the book off the shelf as he walks out and to the street to get on the train.

As he does so, he notices another stallion getting on. He had a light brown body, some streaks of two-tone grey and a grey goatee to match. The stallion was a unicorn, but also dressed with some blue pants, dark blue jacket, white shirt and a weird green bowtie. He looked just like a professor as he sits next to Velvet, the young voodoo stallion also recognized the older stallion had a pin on his shirt of what looked like a document, rolled up and with the official royal seal on it. He looks over "My my, what have we hear? A stallion with a book on a train this late at night, oh this is a real treat" he says. Something felt off about the stallion as Velvet simply scooted away, just for him to scoot closer.

In a second, the book is gone and in the older stallion's hands "The Midnight Grimoire? Oh now that is a book I have not read in a long time! Now it has a new reader oh this is too much fun for one heart to handle" he says. He falls backwards, except he is now floating on nothing. Velvet walked around him as he looks at him "How the? What the? Huh?" he says as he is confused. The stallion simply chuckles "Oh my dear boy, don't think to hard on it. First time I did this I gave Lulu a headache" he says. Velvet looks at him "Who, in the name of Celestia, Luna, and in the name of dark magic, are you?" he asks.

The stallion waves his hand and chocolate milkshakes come out as he smiles "Just call me... a friend" he says as his grey eyes meet with Velvet's light purple eyes.

Chapter 10: A Hint From A Friend and Another Night (Mature)

The stallion called him friend, but here he was floating and just made milkshakes appear out of thin air. Just who was this stallion? Either way, Velvet did not accept the gift of a milkshake as he did not want to risk it doing something weird. The stallion shrugs and sips both as oddly enough the glass was vanishing and not the drink. Velvet narrows his eyes more "Tell me who you are" he demands now. He hated being screwed around like this as the stallion chuckles "Oh my. Getting a bit warm in he pants of all this hoo ha?" he asks. He snaps his fingers as Velvet jumps around as if his pants were on fire.

His horn lights up and makes the heat dwindle as the stallion laughs a bit. He stops as he smiles "I wish I could say more, but if I don't return soon, Celly is going to have my head on a plate. I will suffice to say though, that the book you hold has more secrets then you think mister 'forbidden magic' and since it can cause a lot of panic in the right hands, I figure I may as well help. It's not a blank book, just magically charged and seem to of choosen you my dark friend" he says. He floats around as Velvet holds the book and looks at it's title shining again. The stallion simply chuckles "Allow me to tell you how, but in MY own way." he says.

He vanishes and appears before him as he chuckles. His eyes turn yellow and red pupils as he seems to move like air around him and speaks

"It fuels the power of every heart
Yet it can drive stallions to the dark
It can give life and meaning to others
Yet it can also push them into the abyss
The stronger the fire burns in the heart
The more darkness will be revealed in this book."

He laughs a bit as Velvet looks at him "Why tell me this?" he asks. The stallion simply laughs more "Because you are unlike the other mundane ponies and residents of this town and that makes you a wild card" he says pulling out a actual Wild card with Velvet's face on it. He makes it vanish "Your a unknown factor, no pony knows if you will bring destruction or salvation and thus.... chaos or harmony. To me that is enough to see how this all works out, since your magic does cause Chaos all on it's own" he says. He laughs as the train stops "This is my stop" he says as he turns to smoke and vanishes.

Velvet simply stepped off the train and made his way to the home of his as he thinks about what was said. He looks back at the book as he doesn't notice Zecora standing outside his home in the outfit she had on a couple days ago as it was still heat cycle, yet his mind was elsewhere. As he enters the hut, not hearing the footsteps behind him. He puts the book down as he mutters part of the riddle "Fuels the power of every heart.... give life and push into abyss.... ARGH!" he yells in frustration as he slams his head on the desk, carefully not to hit his horn. As his head lays there, he feels two strong hands work on his back as he groans, but looks up and nearly jumps out of his skin. He falls out of his chair as he quickly stands "Zecora? What are you doing here?!" he asks surprised.

The zebra simply chuckles a bit "I did not mean to give you fright, yet I did come to stay the night. I saw you stressed when you walked in, I thought a massage would make you grin." she says. He had to admit the massage was nice, and with it being a few days past the start, the heat was not as strong as before as he sighs "Sorry just... a lot on my mind. I guess this can be payback for all the help I gave to you" he says as she nods. He undoes his top to show his broad back as he lays down on the bed. Zecora walks over and carefully gets on trop, straddling his lower back as her hands went down and started to work out the knots as he had soft, satisfied groans. Her hands were strong and knew how to work out the knots in his back as he groans "Oh buck Zecora.... you know how to get out the knots" he says. She just chuckles "This much I do know, a question does stay in my mind though. Tell me Spectre, how does a stallion who prefers the land where quite is lot, yet ends up with so many knots?" she asks. Spectre just groans and chuckles "Well... handling magic of my caliber is not easy. Hay, you could say I wear my stress and knots like a suit" he says.

After the rather nice massage, Zecora flips him over as her ears are perked up and a red blush plasters her cheeks. She could smell his stallion scent as she leans down and kisses his chest as her tail sways back and forth as he looks at her. Her eyes are half-lidded as her hands seem to wander, to memorize each inch of his chest as she looks up. Spectre knew that look as it was the same one Luna gave him as he rubs her back "The heat is strong? Alright" he says. He flips her with magic as he was on top. He lowers himself down and locks lips with her as he holds her close. Her lips were still soft as ever, like the time she kissed his cheek, as he starts to move down.

His lips now meeting more of her fur as he kisses her neck softly getting small moans out of her as he softly pulls her dress down. He moves his head back up as he softly starts to kiss and lick her breast, which got more louder moans out of her. Luckily, the hut was more secluded from the town as she could be as loud as she wanted. He keeps licking and before long sucking on her breast as she keeps moaning loudly. Velvet's hands move down to caress her body and soon found their way to her lower region as his hands go around her. One moves to the front, to move aside her panties as a finger rubs her pussy lips, feeling her already drenched. His other hand moves around back and starts to rub her rear as he feels her firmness and jiggly rear. As he does so, Zecora speaks between moans "If you wish to rut me like a mare, then please do it with care" she says.

As he stops, he starts to undo his pants as his erect stallion cock comes out as Zecora blushes. He looks at her "Why don't you go first, since I am here to help you" he says. As he sits on the bed, Zecora lays down as she starts to rub the cock with her hand, feeling every inch of it's jet black length, every vein, and every inch of warmth it radiates. Her other hand was busy fondling the package of the stallion as he soon feels her tongue lick against his cock. He groans softly as she seems to be licking every inch of it from base to tip as she soon found herself in a daze of sorts. She moves forward and starts to take it in, inch for inch, as he starts to feel his cock get wrapped in a moist and warm place. He looks down as Zecora was slowly sucking on his cock as he held her head. Her tongue was licking around the cock as it came in and out with ease of it's slickness and just added to the pleasure as Velvet started to move his hips.

It had surprised the zebra of his motion, but soon held onto his hips as her eyes told him not to stop as he did just that. His hips keep coming in and out of her mouth as he holds her head softly, yet his lustful mind has his hips thrusting into her mouth, filling the hut with lewd sounds of her mouth as he thrusts. He soon stops as his cock throbs and he says "C-Cumming!" as she holds his hips and has him release into her mouth as he lets loose his built up load. He finishes and pulls out as Zecora swallows and pants. She looks up "Such a warm, thick load of lust, now to do next needs great trust" she says. He nods as she lays him down and moves over him.

From his position, he got a good view of her body as his hands rest on her hips as she lowers her as her plot teases his cock. She smiles a bit "My marehood I shall keep, until our feelings are deep" she says. She soon gets him in and gasps as she shakes from him in her rear. She lowers herself down as soon his inches all rest inside of her as she leans forward, her chest rubbing against his as she lifts her hips and moves them back down slowly. His hands rest on the small of her back as he shows her breast some more love from his mouth as she moans. He groans softly, feeling the tightness around his cock as he lets her ride him. Before long, the mare sits up as she starts to move her hips faster and harder on his cock as her hands rest on his chest as if some kind of leverage to lift herself. As she does so, the hut becomes a sound now of moans, groans, and slapping as her plot slaps into his crotch.

He looks at her as he says "I got an idea, do you trust me?" he asks as she nods. He stops her before lifting her up and turning her to be on all fours on his bed. He starts to thrust into her now as she moans, him leaned over her as his hands fondle her breast as he slams his stallionhood into Zecora's plot. As the pounding got harder and harder, the two shared a lustful kiss as before long, he slammed himself into her as he let loose another large load that made her moan loudly. At that point, the two collapsed onto the bed, sweat gracing the bodies as he kisses her softly, his eyes closed as he stops. He smiles as the creatures communicate in the night as his magic pulls a blanket over the two of them. Zecora doesn't say anything as her actions speak for themselves... arms around the neck, chest against chest, head nuzzled into the neck, tail around tail, yeah.... she wasn't going to leave.

As sleep itself took the stallion to the land of dreams, his could feel their heart beat together as he shared the bed with Zecora. The book he had brought home emitted a very faint blue glow that soon dies down.

Author's Notes:

Another chapter done, a clue coming out and now a new mare for him.... if your wondering if I truly have anything planned well.... that's my secret ^_^.

Also big thanks to Moongaze14 for helping with the riddle.

"Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before."

- Edgar Allen Poe

Chapter 11: The New Spell

Author's Notes:

"Human beings, we have dark sides; we have dark issues in our lives. To progress anywhere in life, you have to face your demons."

- John Noble

Also first time making up my own voodoo spell so it might not be the best :/

Next chapter will be the hex, a confrontation, a turnaround, and the price that is paid when someone else wants a curse and not just his own revenge.

The morning after was met with a lingering heat in the bed. Aside the bed was a note, left by a mare who had shared Velvet's house last night from the heat cycle. The note simply explained of Zecora needing to head home in case of other ponies who needed her advice or help as that just brought a smile to his face. It quickly went as his mind plays back the events from before as he groans "Damn it all" he thinks. As he got up, dressed and what not, he saw a faint blue glow from the book he had brought back from last night.

As he opened the book, he saw a spell form before his very eyes. The scripture was a light blue and glowed as it was called the 'Twin Side' spell. The explanation though was in a language he could not read as he simply shrugs and decided to test out. Not the best course of action, but call it curiosity of dark magic as the ingredients were quite weird. All it required was a full body mirror, four candles, a phoenix feather and finally the hair of Diamond Dog. Luckily, he had it all and then some from when he had fought off Diamond Dogs before he came to Everfree. As he put the mirror against a wall and lit the candles, he followed the book, word for word. He put the feather in a small bowl and wrapped it in the hair before letting wax drip on it and burst to flames.

As his gem let out the eerie fog of before he keeps his eyes on the mirror, as if speaking to himself as he speaks

"As there is one, let there be two
Let it be somepony I once knew
Take this body and shape it so
That the being before me now, is somepony who shall help me grow"

As he chants, the mirror starts to contort and twist as it starts to glow black

"This nature of one, shall be torn
So that another maybe born
Let this body of it's mind and all
Be the host of another's thrall"

As it continues, the mirror's darkness starts to recede as he finishes soon

"As one is of light, make the other of darkness!
A being so pure, yet not heartless!
Grant this stallion another side!
So that he may no longer hide!"

As he finishes the spell, the mirror shoots out and covers him in darkness. As his eyes open, he looks around and sees nothing, as a dark voice chuckles "So.... it seems we are able to speak once more Velvet" the voice says. Velvet knew that voice all too well as he turns. He narrows his eyes as that alone spoke volumes "No need to speak young one. After all, we have met before" he says. As the shadows moved to show the stallion, the size difference was great between them.

This new stallion was a staggering six foot six with a larger, more curved and sharper looking horn. His coat body was the same as Velvet's, but a darker green to a new forest green and crimson red. His mane and tail were different as well. The hair was flat and went to his shoulders and had the same purple stripe, but the tail was more wild and unkempt as a mix of black and grey, but with light purple tips, near violet almost. His attire though, spoke differently. He wore no hat on his head, but did wear a black suit with white pin stripes going vertically on him and pants to match. He had on a dark purple cape that went around him like a robe. As his arms move, Velvet recognized the four braclets that grace this stallion's form. Each one was of a silver color, yet at the same time held a gem of different color.

All Velvet said was "Hello.... Nexus" he says. The stallion simply smirks "Seems the spell has brought you out. Now back to the pit you came from!" Velvet yells as if ordering.

Nexus simply laughs a bit as he walks around him "Oh little Velvet, don't you get it yet? We are separate beings, yet still share the same body.... though I can see why you don't want me around after last time" he says.

Velvet growls "Go back"

"Can't and won't. You separated us and now we are stuck together in your body..... I'll let you have control of it, but remember this Velvet" he says as he wraps his hand around the stallion and picks him up "You. Still. Owe. Me" he says as he drops him. Velvet coughs as Nexus whispers "Sweet dreams little Spectre..... It won't be long now" he says as he fades into the shadows, with a laugh that could scare a dragon as he vanishes.

Out in the real world, Spectre wakes up as he looks at himself in the mirror. What looks back is him and Nexus, side by side as he puts a hand to the mirror, so does Nexus "I owe him.... right" he says as he makes the hand slide off. The rest of the day went pretty smoothly, except for a unexpected visit. As he heard the knocking, he found Fluttershy waiting outside.... along with Angel the rabbit, Harry the bear and a few other creatures protecting her. She looks up as if she wishes to ask something, but is to shy as he looks to the rabbit. He does some rather offensive motions, yet a few Velvet recognized as he reads something about a gryphon and being a bully.

He lets Fluttershy in as he lets her sit at his table. He makes some tea as he sits across from her as he looks at her "What may this stallion do for you?" he asks.

She seemed on the verge of tears as she says "I.....I..... I want her to pay for harming one of my animals!" she shouts out as she breaks down crying. Now normally, Spectre wouldn't care for a story, yet after knowing the mares of ponyville he felt... sorry.

He reaches over and pats her back as she sniffles and levitates over a tissue box "What shall I do to help? I must warn though, it shall come at a price" he says. All she did was nod as he moves over a small parchment with a list of curses from small time to big time as she chooses one of the basic curses, a nightmare hex as she pulls out bits. He stops her "For a friend, the first one is free" he says. She carefully hugs him as she leaves and he gets ready to do the hex. Luckily, Fluttershy had a picture of the bully and her name as he puts them down.

As he got ready to head outside he heard a laughter in the back of his head "Oh? A nightmare hex? Been a while since I've had one of those.... time to get to work" he says as Spectre simply nods. Despite his distrust of Nexus, the two found a common ground of one thing. Doing hexes, curses, and making ponies learn the consequences.

Chapter 12: A Learning Experience

Author's Notes:

“Rivers spill mysteries into the ocean, and the ocean washes the answer to the shore.”

- Tanja Kobasic

The night had come quickly for the young stallion as he got everything ready for the spell. Earlier today, he had gotten a visit from Fluttershy of a griffin harming one of the sweet mare's animals and she wanted to get payback for it. The few differences between this hex and the one he placed on Blueblood were quite expansive. The first being that this was a hex that won't harm Velvet in anyway, but it will harm Fluttershy. The other difference was this was a low class spell while his was more advance. The final difference is with Blueblood it was payback, with Fluttershy it is simply business.

As he went outside he lit a candle and held in his hands a picture of the griffin. The picture she was in showed her in a tanktop that said 'PWR GRL' on it and of her flipping off the camera as he holds it in his hand. He flips it over as he sees the name of the griffin in the photo, Gilda, as he flips it back over to focus on her. His gem on his belt starts to release the dark fog that comes from the spell, yet with Nexus out, it now came a dark laugh. As he focuses on the picture, his eyes start to shift to the draconian eyes that Nexus had in the other world and when he starts to speak, it sounds like both are speaking

"Hypnos, God of Dreams,
Make Gilda dream of horrible things,"

As he speaks this, far off in Cloudsdale, the one called Gilda started to groan and shift in her bed. Unfortunately, the same is said for Fluttershy.

"For one week straight, she shall sleep with a nightmare,
"For one week straight, sleep shall be something she cannot bear"

As those lines are spoken, Gilda's dream changed to her being wingless and hunted down by a large group of timber wolves as they hunted her through the Everfree. For everyone one she shatters, ten more take it's place. As for Fluttershy, her dreams were of nightmares as well, but of guilt such as her friends turning on her for her decision of using black magic to deal with this.

"After one week's end,
"Make Gilda well again."

As he speaks this lines, the nightmares get more terrifying as Gilda is eaten in her nightmare by the wolves and Fluttershy is left in darkness.

"So Mote it Be."

As he finishes, he burns the picture as it starts to light. Before long, the last of it burns as Gilda and Fluttershy shoot up, screaming in terror as Nexus laughs about this. Velvet, secretly, felt a ping of guilt, but a price to be paid for each spell of course. For this one, a week of guilty nightmares for Fluttershy. As Velvet slept though, it dawned on him that now he is stuck with Nexus, who may be a problem for later. But right now he would wait and rest for later.

As the morning came, he felt a new presence, a surge of something bad to come as he left for the town. Recently, he had been coming to town more, not for supplies, but to simply chat with those unafraid. Yet as he reached the town, he found himself enveloped in a purple light as everything went bright and now he stands before all of the Mane 6 with glares on him. All except Fluttershy, who showed only fear. As he looked at them all, Twilight was the first to speak "Do you know why you are here Velvet?" she asks.

He simply kept his cool as he looks at her "If you mean of Fluttershy's nightmares. That is the cost she pays for the curse" he says. Before he knew it, Rainbow flew right into his face with a menacing growl. He just looks at her "There is no reason to get mad at me for this. I warned her of a price to be paid with this dark magic and yet she still wished for it to happen" he says.

Rainbow just nearly lost it since it meant it would hurt her friend, but Applejack held her back as Rarity looks over "Really darling, I am sure you can-"

"I cannot"

"Come again?"

"I cannot reverse this spell. Were it another spell or hex then I can, but spells that have a set time limit such as this one, I cannot reverse" Velvet says as it was true. He looks at Fluttershy "I am deeply sorry for what will happen over the course of the next six nights, but that is price one pays for dabbling in dark magic" he says.

Again, Rainbow flies up to him and pokes his muzzle "Then undo it!" she demands.

"I cannot simply undo something like this, it has a set time limit"

"Then find a way around it! For a stallion of dark magic, your pretty bad at it"

"Rainbow!" Twilight yells out now. That insult made him feel pain for it, but he didn't show it. As he watched the two bicker, he could hear every word the light blue one said of 'how pointless the power was' and 'how can he not undo something he did' as all that did was make him boil over.

He stomps his foot as he yells out "If I could reverse it or find a way around it, don't you think I would of by now you damn, egotistical pegasi?! You don't know what it's like where I come from! Where my family MUST do this, not for ourselves, but to protect our town, our village, from bigoted ponies who don't see the good it can do! You think I take some kind of joy out of seeing one of my friends suffer from this damn magic?!" he yells out as it echoes through the walls. As he calms down a bit, he can see a bit of shock on everypony's face as he looks at Fluttershy, hiding behind Pinkie. He wanted to take a step "Fluttershy I-" he stops when he sees her flinch. He steps back "I'll.... show myself out" he says. He turns as he walks out of the room. As he does so and down the hallway, he stops at a large mirror and sees his reflection, but with Nexus nearby.

He hears the voice in his head "Wow, had that pent up didn't you?" the voice says as Velvet keeps walking till he finds the door and exits it. As he does so, he sees the clouds come together and start to rain as his horn lights up and makes a barrier around him to keep him dry. He never really cared before what happened to any pony that are paying for his spells, but now... it didn't feel good. His first friends, or well ponies to call him friend besides those from New Foaleans, as he walked through the rain. He rubs his temple as he felt it all too often now and memories come rushing back of ponies who blame him for ruined lives as he shakes his mind of it. It's just a job and a teaching. That's what he always told himself as he walked through the deserted streets, leaving him the only soul to wander it.

As he walks down the road, he could feel somepony watching from afar, yet as he turns he sees nopony is there and as he is walking, he still feels them following him. After about the third time he turned and was now in the Everfree Forest, he decided enough was enough of this stalking feeling as his horn lit up. He fired out a blast at one of the trees in the Everfree as it was a black of black and green. As soon as the spell made contact, the tree started to erode away as if aging to nothing as he sees no pony. He sighs as he shakes his head and keeps walking till he reaches his hut and goes inside. He puts his hat up as he looks at himself in the mirror to see both him and Nexus looking back "What have you got yourself into Spectre" he says to his reflection.

As he is about to settle down to some lunch, he hears a knocking on his door as he walks over. As he does so and opens the door, he finds Twilight standing there as she looks up. She has that look in her eyes that many Unicorns do, but more... serious "I want you to do something for me" she says.

A bit hesitantly Velvet asks "What?"

"I want you to teach me"

"Come again?"

"I want you to teach me this magic, to show every pony the good it can do"

As she said that, Velvet just looks at her grimly "Twilight.... I am going to say this on the simple ground of the very fragile friendship we have due to the.... event that took place and of your innocence." he says. He puts his hands on her shoulders "Stop. This magic is forbidden for a reason and I don't want one of my friends to learn something that is never truly mastered or controlled. I'm sorry Twilight, but the answer is no" he says as he walks back in, just for her to follow in. He turns around as she looks up at him into his eyes. They were filled with determination as he looks back and sighs at how troublesome this would be.

He walks over to a parchment and quill as he writes something down "If your so eager, then let's settle it tomorrow the only way two adult unicorns can" he says as he hands her the message. With that message she left as, certain she is gone, he goes to the mirror "Nexus..." he says. The two reflections distort to show the full grown otherside as Velvet looks up at him "Get ready for tomorrow.... we're going to need every once of power for this" he says.

Curious the darker coated stallion raises an eyebrow "What for?"

"A magic duel" was all Spectre said.

Chapter 13: Princess vs Magic

Author's Notes:

"Black magic operates most effectively in preconscious, marginal areas. Casual curses are the most effective."

- William S. Burroughs

Alright just so you know most of the spells are ripoffs of Dark Soul spells for forbidden magic, but also of duel subject I just got idea from a Skyrim mod. Also know it won't be as action packed as anyone would expect. Sorry :/

I know many may not like it, but hey at least I'm honest about my location of ideas and inspiration.

The next day came too soon as Velvet rubs his eyes and knows of what is to happen today. He made the deal and will follow through on it as he got dressed. On him were only his clothing as he looks in the mirror "Nexus... I know your sleeping, but able to hear. If Twilight proves a bit too formidable then take over during a distraction, but remember one thing. We want to end this in a knockout, not a death. Remember that" he says. As he puts his hat on he walks outside and to Ponyville.

As he made it to the hill, he looks down to see a large group of every pony in Ponyville gathered for this. As he made his way through the crowd, he sees Twilight in her usual casual attire with her crown as it seems one of the announcers was Pinkie in a black and white strip shirt. She pops up "Welcome every pony to a magic duel to remember! I am Pinkie Pie and today we are going to see a fight between dark magic and regular magic! Between the new stallion and our very own Princess of Friendship and bearer of Magic! The two duelist have entered as we will get some words from them!" Pinkie says.

She bounces over to Velvet as she holds a mic to him as she smiles for a few words without asking. He looks over as he says "This is your only chance Sparkle. Call off the duel and neither of us will waste any magic in this silly battle. I stand by my ground of me not teaching you! You know not the cost it will take" he says with a warning.

Pinkie bounces over to Twilight who smiles "I am quite sure I can handle it Velvet, don't worry" she says.

All she saw was Velvet shake his head as he looks up "Then your arrogance of being able to handle it.... will be your undoing" he warns.

Before long, Pinkie is back at her post as the two look eachother down as Velvet let Twilight go first. As she does a simple blast spell as Velvet simply sways to avoid as he looks at her. The spell then turns around and knocks his hat off as she smirks at him. He puts his hat back on as he glares "You just shot my hat..... I am going to slightly enjoy hurting you now" he says. His horn glows a bit as from it came three bolts of green energy. They fly around before knocking the crown off, making her slip and drag her a bit by the tail as he lands in a fruit stand. The bolts dissipate as he smirks.

Twilight reorganizes herself as she smirks "Oh, so we're getting serious?" she asks. Her horn lights up more as she lets out a blast of magic as he doesn't move. The blast seems to separate and go around him as something shines as the blast dissipates. He smiles as a green shield gleams as it vanishes.

He looks at her "Shadow shield" he says as he chuckles. His horn lights up as above him a glowing green arrow comes out and fires as it hits her own shield, piercing it, but stuck halfway. She was surprised as he looks at her and makes more magic arrows that go flying and pierce the shield "These arrows are made to drain magic, but not hurt flesh" he says. As one passes through the shield is goes through her, but leaves no mark on her body, but did drain some of her magic, but for that magic to go to him.

She lets out a magic burst as the arrows stop and has a serious look. As her horn lights up, she lets out a powerful blast, that shatters the shield and makes him skid back a bit as he shakes his head to shake off the blast as he looks at her. She has charged up a levitation spell and tosses some plants at him as he blasts them and turns them into balloons. She looks at him "I know basic unicorn magic, but mostly dark magic" he says. His horn lights up and makes some orbs fly up as he smiles and tosses them at her. Twilight takes to the air as the orbs chase after her as he smirks smugly "They are seekers" he calls out.

On the ground, many of the ponies watch her fly around, out flying the orbs thanks to RD's training as she vanishes in a flash. He feels a presence as he looks back to see her behind him as he smirks "Clever girl" he says as the orbs make contact with him and send him into Quill and Sofa store as he groans. She appears back at her spot unharmed as he shakes his head and stands up "Alright... time to really knock it up" he says. The doorway lights up as fireballs come flying as she dodges them. He walks out the doorway with his horn smoking "Yeah that's right I know fire spells" he says. He knows it's taking a toll on his magic limit in his body and he would soon have to rely on Nexus, but he would fight on.

Twilight just lands "Please just give up and let's stop this duel" she says.

Velvet shakes his head "I cannot, under good conscious and friendship give up. If their is a small chance of beating you to keep you from the drawbacks on dark magic then so be it" he says. He searches his mental bank as he lets out a black leash as it lands around her neck. He pulls it hard as a magenta aura surrounds it and flows into him as he was looking better, but Twilight was not looking so good. She looks up as he smiles "Energy Drain. Think of it as taking your magic and giving it to me" he says.

He hears her giggle as she stands up and smiles "If I was a unicorn then I be in trouble, but as a alicorn I have more magic then ever and being a element of magic, that is also more" she says. Velvet looks at her as he gets blasted by five pink orbs that send him into the fruit stand she landed in earlier. He groans as he stands up as he was clearly getting irritated. His horn and hands glow as he slams them into the ground as a straight line of black crystals go charging towards her as she flies into the air avoiding the attack as he looks up. His hands glow as he starts tossing glowing spears at her as he misses and at this point is a battle of air magic against land magic.

The battle raged for a hour or two as Velvet was very tired by sheer look as Twilight hasn't even broken a sweat. As his horn glows and charges as he lets out a powerful dark magic orb as she uses her own magic to collide with it. As he pushes his magic to the brink he thinks "Nexus! I need more power!" he thinks as he waits for something, but no reply. He tries again "Nexus.... anytime" he thinks as still nothing. The two magic collides more as her magic breaks through and sends him flying high into the sky. His yelling is heard as he lands in a river as he gets out and pants as he was soaked, head to toe, in water as his look got a laugh from a flying RD as she saw his wet look.

As it brought forth more laughs, all Spectre could feel was a memory coming back. Him losing a magic duel to his friend and the audience laughing at him as he felt the power rise "Shut up...." he says softly as that didn't stop the laughing. As the laughing continued he started to get more out of control as Nexus had awoken for him to take over. The laughing started to die down as the fog from the belt started to come out as it overcame him and he seem to vanish. Before anypony could speak, a loud roar is heard as from the fog, a blast of pure dark power rises and everypony look to find not Velvet, but another pony.

As he walks out of the fog, he looks around as everypony backs away from him as he looks at Twilight "You are the opponent? Your not much" he says as his voice is deeper and all could see a big change. Instead of the stallion before, this one radiated power as he stands ready. He chuckles "I am still Velvet, just... a more all out form. If you wish to continue we shall. Just know this" he says as his horn glows a aura of black and grey "Unlike Velvet.... I don't hold back" he warns as Twilight smiles

"Bring it" was all she said.

A single blast came from his horn as he lets loose a black flame as she also blasts a magenta beam at full power. What she did not expect was the flame to shatter it as it came and blasted her into Sugarcube Corner as it was a miracle that Twilight was still conscious from such a powerful spell. He spreads his arms as out pops some black spectre like creatures. They look like ravenous windigos, but also of shadow spirits as he points at Twilight. They soon charge as they give chase, but they were slower then the orbs of before. They move around to try and flank her as she manages to avoid the attacks as she looks back to see them collide. As she turns back, she gets hit by a ball of black energy forcing her to fall to the ground hard.

As she tries to get up, Nexus has two spears to her neck "Yield..... you have lost. You may have power of magic, but my power is infinite. Every hex, curse, voodoo and such spells just increased the magic pool in me. You cannot hope to beat me in a duel Twilight. You are still inexperienced with how powerful my spells may go" he says. He sees her look away as her ears drope a bit as he makes the spears vanish "You should of realized your potential before trying to fight a losing battle" he says. As he walks away, the ponies get out of his way as Nexus turns back to Velvet as he walks.

Within him, Velvet didn't want to go all out, but.... it was the right thing to do. That's what he told himself. He closes his eyes "Thank you" he thinks.

A voice responds within as it is Nexus "For what?"

"For not killing her. She is a princess, but still has a lot to learn"

"She did not deserve death. A beatdown perhaps, but not death. She needed to learn the gap between our magic and hers"

Velvet just nods at this as he walks back home as he agreed with Nexus for once. It felt bad to beat Twilight with such powerful magic, but it was to keep her from darker forces. She is a good mare, but she knew nothing of just how deep the well of darkness goes. As he goes and enters his house, he closes the door and puts his hat down, remembering the blast as he shakes his head "I bet the others are going to be pissed with what happened.... especially RD. Dear Celestia I think she is going to buck me hard for that" he says to himself as he chuckles a bit. As he went for the shower, he stops and collapses on the floor as he pants and looks at the ceiling as he chuckles.

The price of using so much magic was something every unicorn faced. He was experiencing magic fatigue as he just collapsed and breathes softly "Damn.... thought I had enough for at LEAST a shower..... buck" was all he says as he lays there. He sighs as he shakes his head "How can this get worse?" he asks as that was a bad call. As if on some universal cue, the door slams open as the Mane 6 walk in as he groans "And the universe tosses me yet another problem" he says. As he looks up, he sees RD lining up to dive bomb him as one thought goes through his head "I had this coming" as he closes his eyes.

Yet.... the impact never came. He opens his eyes and sees her wrapped in a blue aura as Rarity stopped her as he is helped into bed by Applejack and Twilight as he felt he needed to ask "Why?"

"Because.... I want to apologize" Twilight says. She looks down "I was... careless and stubborn in wanting you to train me. I... don't know much about it except for the old dark magic of a tyrant named King Sombra. I didn't want to duel, but my want for knowledge I guess got a hold of me" she says.

As she looks away, Velvet tries to move a hand as he groans from how fatigued he is as he looks at AJ. She helps move the hand to her head "Hey... you were curious, that's all" he says. He looks at everypony "I guess... you all will want a explanation as for what happened. I must warn you though, the story is not pretty, yet neither is my magic" he says. He sees them nod as he sighs "Feel free to stay the night. My wards keep the creatures away" he says as he relaxes on his bed.

All except for Twilight leaves as she looks at him "I... want to make sure you are better" she says as he nods. She looks over and sees books as Velvet moves his hand to her lap as she looks over at him. He shakes his head as that is all is needed before he rests. He closes his eyes as he feels something.... warm next to him, but ignores it as he goes to rest and sleep off his fatigue, his head nuzzling into the softness as he breathes easily to sleep.

Chapter 14: Nightmare Night, Full Of Fright!

Author's Notes:

"But I love Halloween, and I love that feeling: the cold air, the spooky dangers lurking around the corner."

- Evan Peters

Doing this and tried to make it for Halloween. Unfortunately, real life interfered. Also not my best work, but hey everyone has their own set of story skills.

The day had started like any other for the voodoo stallion... well aside from what he woke up to a week ago. That's right, it had been a week since the duel and nopony had stopped talking about it, hell at this point the stallion had to use a morphing spell just to get to town and get his supplies. As he rises from his bed, he goes to his mirror and looks at himself as he recalls the events over the past week.

A whole week ago, the day after the fight specifically, the young stallion had awoken to a sight he found... embarrassing. Here he was, in the same bed, as Princess Twilight, in his home, and with her hooves around him, holding him close. He tried to move as he felt his body had quickly healed, probably something Nexus had a hand in doing. Damn dark magic being.... still, he is helpful in his own ways, despite a being of dark power.

As Velvet moved a bit, he sneaks out of Twilight's arms as he manage to get over her and out of the bed without waking her as he looks at her. To of said she looked like a sleeping angel would of been a bit of a understatement. He felt just like leaning down and nuzzling the mare as she slept, but he shakes his head of that notion. His heart and mind already had other mares occupying it and he rather deal with those first then add in a third choice.

Much of that day was a bit fuzzy, but what he does remember is going to town and ponies talking about how 'The Voodoo Stallion had defeated the Magic Princess' or 'How That Stallion used a cheap move'. Suffice to say that fight had mixed views and to his surprise neither Luna or Celestia had come down or called on him because of it. Probably figure it was a misunderstanding and didn't want to make it a big ordeal, or just busy. Either way, the town had something to talk about for quite sometime. Problem was some wanted to get his autograph, others wanted to run him out of town, but had too much fear of him.

Over the week, he had also had to resort to changing himself into a temporary disguise just to avoid some ponies. Luckily only the Princess and her friends were allowed to see past this illusion of his so they would not worry.... well also so RD knows her attempt at slammin her hooves on his chest didn't affect him too hard. Not to mention also over the week, Luna had come to visit him in his dreams, simply to talk and spy on his... vivid dreams, as he called them. One event though in town kind of surprised him though as it was a day after the curse on Fluttershy/Gilda passed.

Gilda met with Fluttershy in town and apologized with sincerity in her eyes and large bags under her eyes as she said 'the guilt kept her from sleeping and.... she was a jerk'. As expected, the kind pegasi forgave Gilda and they hugged it out as the other mares were still... skeptical. Velvet however, kept his distance since he wanted to stay far away from getting blamed for her 'problem'. Though with his sudden popularity, Velvet also had more customers for his potions and curses making him quite the pony to go to for problems. All that happened in the span of a week.

Today though, everything felt.... off. For some reason, it was still night time even though it was suppose to be morning by now. As he walked out of the door and to the town, he saw everything was decorated in ghastly decorations, ghoulish designs and of course everyday stuff you see during that one time of the month that indicates everypony's favorite time. Ghosts, pumpkins, and foals running around in costumes and with bags of candy, but also seem a bit... afraid.

As he walked through town, he looked and saw that a stage sits in the town square, but what was on the stage was what scared him a bit. On the stage was a large alicorn in fur black as night and in armor that was blue and other her whole body. It looked... ancient, a form of armor not made anymore since peace came to Equestria, but his mind was on something else. This alicorn had cyan colored eyes and were draconian looking. It hit him as he stands before the stage. Nightmare Moon herself had appeared as nearby was a pile of candy, of course offerings as the song went.

As the alicorn looks down and sees him, she seems to smile as she starts to stand. For a moment, Velvet looked into her eyes and saw that in her eyes, Princess Luna is still in control. That honestly brought him relief as he was a bit confused on why she was Nightmare Moon, but... a theory does grow. Nightmare Moon looks at him and smiles "And whom doth stands before us?" she asks in the royal tongue.

Velvet looks up at her and smiles, deciding to play along "I be the stallion of dark magic, Velvet Spectre, son of the master of dark magic, Shadow Stallion and his wife Amberheart Jewel. I have come here, hearing of how you have enslaved this town and came to end your reign" he says in a serious tone. Soon the ponies stop walking and watch as the mist goes from his body "You will pay for your crimes here" he says as he changes into Nexus and starts to charge his horn to fire.

As he does so, Nightmare starts to fire as the spells clash, making bright flashes, blinding most of the ponies from the collision as the two vanish and into the clouds they go to fight with magic explosions seen from the ground. On a rooftop nearby, Velvet and Luna sit and watch the show they had inadvertently created for them. Velvet smiles as he looks at Luna "Quite interesting what we have created simply from me going along with your plan" he says.

The princess nods and smiles "We appreciate thee for playing along. Initially, we had planned for this one night for us to be in control of the night. We had a talk with sister and she agreed to this, but.... well that was till thee came along and change of plans" she says.

Velvet simply nods "Still... I wonder how this will go" he says. As they look back, Nightmare Moon descends after a large explosion.

In the sky, a large green explosion was seen as Nexus's face appears and is laughing "I cannot be done away so easily Nightmare Moon! When next we meet, you shall fall!" it says as a proclamation and dissipates. As the night continued, Velvet walked around as himself as Luna had to return to her seat as Nightmare Moon. Velvet, from afar, saw his friends enjoying the holiday, but with a griffon friend with them as it seems Fluttershy seemed to of convinced them to give her a chance. All he did was mainly wander as he never really celebrated Nightmare Night. They did celebrate some kind of festival where just everypony got drunk and crazy, but that was for another time and another story.

Near the library, Velvet overheard three mares talking from nearby as he stops. He hears a few words that he can make out such as 'like him' and 'admit it' as his mind felt itself on a decision. Part of his mind wanted to listen, solely to get more customers since he needed to make a living. The other hand though, he didn't want to eavesdrop, but... his mind for customers got the better of him.

As he looks through one of the mirrors, he sees three mares talking about something. As he looks closely, he sees one is Zecora who looks like a swamp witch with her hair down and fake spiders as honestly... she looked pretty cute. Another mare was Twilight as, surprise surprise, she looked like Starswirl the Bearded. The final mare was Princess Luna, probably using another duplicate like for the show.

As Velvet tried to hear more of their words, he sees Twilight's horn light up as he seems confused. Suddenly, he felt warm.... very warm... like when a unicorn was coating him in... magic. As he looks around, he is coated in purple magic as before long, he is suddenly in the library as he falls on the floor. He groans as he looks up and sees the three mares looking at him, Twilight blushing a bit.

She looks at Luna "Are you sure this is the right way?" she asks.

Luna simply nods "Of course. The direct way is the best way Twilight" she says.

Velvet simply sits up as he looks at them confused. He is about to say something as Twilight looks down "Um... Velvet. I-I know I barely know you, but well it's like I um..." she can't seem to make a coherent sentence as she tries to say something.

Zecora simply chuckles a bit "What our shy princess is trying to ask, is if you could do a simple task. One you are familiar with, but something that does not have to be done forthwith" she says. Twilight seems unable to say it as she simply writes down a question and hands it over to Spectre. To say that it surprised him would be as close to the truth as possible. He reads it over again and again as he can't believe what it asked. In all honesty though, he should of seen this coming from two of the questions she asked him.

How do you feel about herds?
If alright with them, would you like to make one... with me?

Velvet's mind went into a shutdown like form as him and Nexus look at eachother.... well Velvet looked, Nexus just laughed hard at the question and what Velvet did. He needed time and the only place with enough time is his head... now for the talk with his other half.

Chapter 15: A Decision and A Problem

Author's Notes:

Sorry took so long. RL has started taking over so may get held up on this and updating other stories.

"My father used to say that it's never too late to do anything you wanted to do. And he said, 'You never know what you can accomplish until you try.' "

- Michael Jordan

The question had caused Velvet's mind to retreat to the 'inner sanctum of darkness' otherwise known as Nexus's domain. Now any other stallion in his position may of accepted and thought nothing more of it, but for Velvet, his reaction was.... rather special. Inside the mind he was running around screaming as he can't believe what had happened or even why it happened to him. All Nexus did was stand there watching his host run and scream about what had happened.

To do a recap, the Princess of Friendship and mare who wants to learn his magic, had just gave him a letter asking if he likes herds and wants to start one with her. To put it in 'regular terms', the princess has asked if the voodoo stallion wanted to have a group of ladies as his wives and thus he is screaming since he really has no clue what to do.

Getting bored of his screaming, Nexus did the only logical thing. He stuck out his arm, waited for Velvet and close-lined the stallion to fall flat on his back. He walks over and looks over at Spectre, red eyes meeting light purple "You done?" Nexus asks as Velvet nods. Nexus nods and helps him up as within this place he can make anything as he makes a large couch for Velvet to lay on as Nexus puts on fake glasses and sits on a comfy chair "Now... tell me why you are screaming" he says.

Velvet closes his eyes "It's just.... out of nowhere this mare, no, this princess asks me via a letter for a herd. A herd! I mean.... I don't even know if I will be a good coltfriend for her! Not to mention there is also Luna and Zecora and - and.... ARGH! I just can't bloody think!" he says as he puts his hands to his forehead. Nexus nods as he motions for him to continue "For a long time, I had always thought I be lucky to just get one mare, just one mare who loves me for well... me. Not because I have dark magic or because of my gentlecolt nature or even because I am a unicorn. All I want is one who just loves me for me, but now I got three in my heart and mind" Velvet says.

Before them a outline of his brain comes out and his heart. The first one to appear is Zecora as she is wearing a white tubetop and bellbottom jeans with her hair all down, just like tonight "Zecora is honest and is the first pony I met here in Equestria who understood when I want solitude and quiet instead of trying to be nice and friendly. Overtime I fell for that mare for her knowledge of potions and herbs has helped me a lot considering how volatile mine were." Velvet says. Nexus raises a eyebrow as Velvet rolls his eyes "What? Did you expect me to talk about how her body feels and all that? I look beyond that, I look at who a mare is. She's so friendly and nice.... not to mention the rhymes she does just sound so.... beautiful" he says.

The image soon turns and distorts till it shows Twilight in her librarian like outfit. Velvet just sighs "Twilight. Princess Twilight Sparkle. What can I say? She's intelligent, a bit over reactive, a bit a know it all, but when it comes down to it, she is there, backing her friends and standing by their sides. In my time here in Ponyville, her and her friends accepted me like I had known them for years and.... I hate to admit, but she and her friends have made me feel happy and better. I don't feel like everypony wants to stab me in the back for my recipes and knowledge, she actually cares. She.... she actually understands that I do what I do to ensure she is safe and protected from the backfire of my magic. Plus I feel like I can learn from her more about magic then any book" he explains. Nexus writes this down as the mind and heart shifts to the final one, Luna.

Velvet smiles a bit more "Luna. What to say about her? Honestly I don't know since I've only met her for a few days, but I can tell she has everypony's best interest's at heart, but also that she is willing to teach me spells that Nightmare Moon, that..... dark splotch of her past knows just to help expand the dark archive of magic so we can protect ourselves" he says. He smiles as he seems to get more comfortable, whatever worry seems to wash away "She looks after everypony as if they were her own child and knows how to play a cool prank" he says. Soon the image turns to a heart separated into three pieces, each with a mare's face on it as he sighs "Yet.... I don't know the first bucking thing about relationships and I am sure they have a bit. I.... feel for them deeply, I truly do, but.... I have no clue if I will be of any good to them, to make them happy" he says.

Nexus removes the glasses as he leans over "From what I can tell, your afraid. Afraid, not of yourself, but of hurting these mares who have found a way into your heart.... honestly the Twilight one was unexpected, but still quite pleasant. You want them to be happy, but you also want to be a good coltfriend, yet don't know how to and don't want to hurt any of them." he says. He drops the glasses to the floor "Honestly, this is your call Spectre. Either way you got some fine ass mares" he says with a laugh before a black blast knocks him away.

Back in reality, Spectre shakes his head as he regains consciousness. He looks at a small clock and sees he was out of it for a good twenty seconds. Seem time really does move slower in one's head. As he looked around, he saw the same three mares as Twilight looked a bit... sad. Guess it was a bad idea to simply go all empty minded infront of her. Before she could even speak, he stops her "Twilight. Luna. Zecora. As much as the idea of a herd intrigues me, I am unsure if I can accept since I don't really know any of you besides a few encounters here and there." he says. Twilight's head seems to go down a bit more as quickly Velvet wraps his arms around her and hugs her "But... I will accept, only if we keep this a secret from everypony and I mean Every. Pony. AJ, RD, Rarity, Spike, even Celestia, we can't tell anypony" he says.

Luna seems to narrow her eyes a bit "Why? Does thou wish to keep this a secret? We need to tell everypony!" she says as luckily Zecora stops her.

"I understand your need to tell the truth, but imagine the reaction from the youth. Many would not understand that this is of love and understanding. Instead they may see it as him trying to gain a social standing" Zecora explains.

Velvet simply nods "That and well we're not sure if this is actual love or... just some silly schoolfilly crush. I want it kept secret from them until we know for sure this is love" he says. He closes his eyes as a 'squee' is heard.

Twilight rushes over "I know who we can call and be able to tell us!" she says as the group looks at her "My sister-in-law, Princess Cadence!" she says as Velvet nods and smiles. He knows of the princesses from stories and papers and Cadence is the one of love. If anypony could tell it be her.

His head looks down as he thinks for a bit and looks wideeye as he groans. He facehoofs as the mares look at him "I have to tell them. If I don't then they will skin me alive" he says as he seems... afraid of who he must contact. He quickly takes out a piece of parchment and a quill as he quickly writes a letter and sends it with a black flash of magic.

Twilight raises a eyebrow "Um... who did you contact?" she asks.

Velvet looks over "The only two ponies I fear more then Celestia and Luna..... my folks" he says.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deep within the Forsaken Forest, a village sits in the middle of it. It was a small village, so small it was not on any map. Only way to find it, is to either get a guide who has been there or find a resident of the place. The place is best described as a 'swamp village' to many as the water was deeper then any lake on Equus and teemed with ravenous guardians that attack and eat anyone who dares to try and hurt the village or it's residents. Over these rivers are bridges that never age from the magic that is embedded into them to ensure nopony accidentally falls through and ends up in the water. The village's buildings were all made of wood, stone and some even of vines, flowers, and grass from Nature class magic.

The residents here were of different species ranging from the classic Pony all the way up to usually non-sapient species, like Hydras or even Manticores. Through the town, the residents could see the black wisp flow through town, a indication of who it was meant for. Near the edge of the vilage in the very back, a lone house sits. Three stories tall and on a small hill, surrounded mostly by water that is shallow enough to walk through, if you don't mind wet ankles. Though when the water rises during tide time, it's best to take a boat. Surrounding the sky of the house was a so called 'murder of crows', animals that always stayed near the two residents of the house.

Inside, a Earth mare and a Unicorn stallion sit and cuddle before a fire as the wisp comes in and shows the letter. The unicorn reads it as he stands up and grabs a black vest as he looks over "Sarah. Pack your bags. We're going on a trip" he says in a deep voice.

Sarah stands as she smiles "Where are we going my dear Shadow?" she asks in a gentle, calm manner.

Shadow looks over at her "We're going to a place called Ponyville dear. We're going to visit our son" he says.

As the two got ready, a large black flash envelops them as they teleport out of the home and to the nearby train station. Now this station didn't really hold trains, but it looked like a trainstation. The fact was, it was actually a portal station where ponies could take it to nearby towns to get near a official train station. The only portals open are near Pisa in the Griffin Kingdoms, Frankfurt in Germanneigh and finally a portal to Trottingham. Of course these portals are hidden and thus nopony can see them except for those skilled in portal magic or dark magic.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Velvet looks at the mares "I must retire for the night. I must get my hut ready for their arrival" he says. He walks over to each of the mares as he gives them a tight hug and a meaningful kiss. When it came to Twilight though, he gave her a hug as she smiles "I knew great minds think alike" Velvet says. He smiles as he knows she wants to save the kiss for when the two of them are a proper couple.... if they connect. As he gives a bow and leaves, the two mares smile at Twilight.

Luna smiles "Relax Twilight. We have the same thought process. Still... we wish to meet this stallions parents. Perhaps tomorrow we will meet them and talk more then" she says, but makes it sound more like a already made plan as she vanishes.

At his hut, Velvet was calm as he got everything straightened up and got everything organized. He gulps as he tries to steady his breathing as his mind spoke the truth. He was not ready or prepared for this meeting.... still it was inevidable. Only problem is, would they approve?