> A Celestial Ploy > by Autum Breeze > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- This chapter was proofread by thetiger himself. A Celestial Ploy Chapter 1 ___________________________________________________________ Few beings could say what it felt like, having an out of body experience. Those who had, never really could explain it, mostly due to how quickly the experience came and went. Celestia, was not one such being. In fact, she was getting the out of body experience quite literally and no chance of it ending .... After she had attempted to rescue Applejack from Duneyrr, whom she, upon closer inspection and a feel for his magical aura, realized was a pony she was ashamed to call her brother, who she had lost so long ago she had put him from her mind, the geis had activated and striped her of her Alicorn magic. However, due to Duneyrr's scheme working far better than he had planned, not only had her magic not dispersed back into the void, it, and her... soul for want of a better word, had been contained and preserved even as they had been trapped in the unicorn horns taken from every female Duneyrr had been able to get his hands on and fused to the mountainside of Caridoon itself. The result was that she now existed in two forms. The mortal form left in Canterlot, to whom’s fate she was unaware or even if she was still alive, and the form that now resided within that room. An avatar, of sorts. She was sentient, remembered everything that happened up til she was taken away from the physical body she had been a part of, as well as what had happened after. Duneyrr, in his self-absorbed arrogance, had dared to try and take the magic that had been ripped from her physical body after the geis had activated. What the fool had not realized was that an Alicorn’s magic was not like any magic a mere unicorn, even an immortal one, possessed. While Duneyrr and his son, a pony she was ashamed to call her nephew more so than Blueblood had ever given her reason to, saw her... like them. Their prejudice blinded them to the truth, which was that for a pony to become an Alicorn she needed the blood of all three tribes flowing through her veins. Thus, despite their claims of purity and how she and her sister were an affront to their lineage, it was for that very reason she had Luna had ascended, and it was their supposed purity that had caused her magic to reject Duneyrr, who lacked any lineage other than unicorn. The raw magic that was hers alone to command had burned his horn, giving it an appearance that matched the inner rot of his soul. It was this failed attempt to absorb her magic that had caused Celestia’s magic’s consciousness to become aware of itself and realize what had happened. She had taken great joy at seeing the blackened and distorted horn that had remained on Duneyrr after his foolish attempt. It had been good to see him suffer like that, after what he had done and planned on doing. She had also taken great joy in tormenting her disgrace of a nephew when he’d come into the room to help drag his father out. True it hadn’t been more than a very cruel prank. One that would have had Luna laughing her ass off, but it had given her no less joy, knowing how long it would take the bastard unicorn to get his underwear out of his behind. She had been able to indulge further with the many idiots and horrid males that came into the room, causing all of them distress they would not soon forget. Still, it hadn’t taken long for the males to learn not to enter the room she was currently housing, and instead, two guards were posted in front of the doorway to it, though they learned quickly to keep out of the way of the doorway itself and remain on either side, lest she inflict more pain and, sadly, she found she was unable to leave the room, bound by the very things that had saved her magic from being dispersed in the first place. T his had led to the now. Celestia, she decided she may as well think of herself us such, since she was, for all intents and purposes, the Alicorn in magical form, with nothing left to do but think as she moved within the confines of her prison as well as observing what she could outside from within the room. She observed as the shifts changed, the Pegasus and gryphon guards who’d been watching over her room for the last four hours leaving, to be replaced by two more, both young, but fully grown, moose. She if she had a physical form, she would have frowned. With each pair of males, she felt her disgust rise. Though it had only been a period of twenty-four hours since she had saved Applejack at the cost of her current state, she had observed enough to know everything she’d been told by Rasmus about their people being kind was a complete lie. Not that she hadn’t already figured it out when he’d ponynapped Applejack and he and his father had forced themselves upon her, despite her demands she not be used, twisting her words as she had not specified what uses she was referring to, even though it had been quite clear. Her opinion was not to be swayed that any male within Caridoon was any different than the two ponies she was disgusted to be related to by blood; misogynistic, selfless bastards who viewed females as nothing but their sperm repositories. During the shifts of the last twenty-four hours, whenever a female slave, as sad as Celestia was to acknowledge that’s what they were, had brought food to the guards, after taking the food, the guards would set it aside, grab the females, press them up against the walls outside the room and have their way with them. If she had a physical body, Celestia’s blood would have boiled every time as she was forced to listen to what she took to be the pained moans and cries of the females as they’d been raped right outside her room, with her not being able to do anything about it. It was even harder for her whenever they’d been ponies, though only the pegasi were represented and she only saw two of them in total. Their pained cries and pleading with the males had wounded her deeply every time and she’d cursed herself for not being able to heed their calls. With each time it happened, whether they be ponies or another race, her loathing towards the males of Caridoon had only grown stronger. Now she had to endure these two new ones. She wondered how sick and twisted their minds were. They had faced the doorway prior to taking their position giving her a good look at them. “Man, this sucks, eh?” one said as they took their places. They were both tall, well-built, with strong looking muscles and large rakes for antlers. She noted that their faces seemed somewhat different from that of the other guards, though she could put her finger (if she’d had a finger to put in the first place) on why. “Yeah, Tuke. You got a point, eh?” the second said, taking his place, meaning now Celestia could not see, only hear. “From what the other guys have been sayin’ this is the least fun job. Also the most dangerous, eh?” “Yeah,” the one named Tuke sighed. “But, think, Rutt. It could be worse, eh? There’s still really bad jobs round here, eh?” Celestia had to admit, it wasn’t quite how all the other conversations about guarding her room had started. Maybe she could enjoy these two? “Wish we had our own mare, eh?” the one name Rutt said, sounding wistful. “A girl who could please us, like, really please us, eh?” “I hear ya, brother,” Tuke’s voice replied. “Wish we coulda gotten to try out that Earth Pony girl, eh? She might’ve been able t’ take us all the way. I really wish we didn’t have t’ accept only gettin’ licks and tip jobs. It’s just no fair.” Celestia opinion shifted back to before. These two were no different than the other males she had the misfortune of knowing since becoming this form. All they cared about was putting females over their cocks and... wait. Tip jobs? What the heck did they mean but that? “It’s a real shame no girl can take us, eh?” Rutt’s voice drew her attention. “I wish I could go all the way in one, but, you know...” Tuke sighed. “Yeah. We’re too big. Our only chance of ever getting a girl around our things was that Earth Pony. Too bad the king sent her away.” “Yeah, eh? Why’d he just toss her out? We’d have given her a good home.” Earth Pony? Were they talking about Applejack? Wait. Sent away? Oh, you have got to be kidding me, she thought in disgust. Duneyrr had failed in keeping Applejack and he’d gone and lied to his followers, saying he’d sent her away, just to save face? What a coward! It was clearer still that, though he indeed had royal blood like her own physical form, he had nothing of what that was meant to hold. Though, it didn’t please her that these two moose were talking about keeping Applejack for themselves, even if Duneyrr had sent her away...? Wait. What was that they’d been saying before? What did they mean they were too big and Applejack would’ve been their only chance? They were clearly talking about having sex with her. Why would she have been any different from the many other females? Sure, she knew Earth Ponies could fit stuff within them better than the other two races when it came to sex, it was due to so much of their magic being tied up in fertility. Though most ponies in this day and age had no understanding of that. She on the other hand has first hand experience with the capacity of an earth pony mare. After all, her physical form was one third Earth Pony, and she had participated in all those spring fertility rites back in the day. But why did that matter to the moose? Surely they could just force themselves within any female, regardless? After all, she’d heard several of the females raped outside her room shouting things along the lines of “It’s too big! Please! You’ll rip me in two!” so why did these two think it mattered? After several moments, she blinked. They... they cared about the females they would be raping? That didn’t even make sense. The more she listened, however, the more that theory seemed plausible, as shocked as she was to admit it. The two spoke of females plenty, true, as well as how they wished they could go all the way with them, but, unlike all the other guards she’d been forced to listen to as they stood outside her room, they never once spoke of them like property or things. They spoke of how they’d care for a female slave, how they’d treat her right and only have what they called “required release” with her unless she asked for more, otherwise leave her to her own devices. It was so bizarre to hear when she’d become so used to the other male’s talk of bending females over and having their way with them, some even stating they got hornier when they cried in pain or begged for them to stop. Her shock grew even further when the slaves sent to give Rutt and Tuke their lunches arrived. When the girls approached, the easy-talking moose seemed to become awkward teenage colts. At first the girls seemed apprehensive, no doubt having heard from others what they’d been forced to do for the other guards, but their moods eased as when they saw the two moose, confusing Celestia further. “Oh, uh, hey, Moonshine,” Rutt said as one of the females, a light-grey doe, with piercing rings in her nipples, came up to him, holding out the tray with his lunch rations. “H-how’s your day been?” Celestia had to hold in a laugh. It was so cute, hearing a tone so familiar from Equestria. It was one she’d honestly never expected to hear here. The doe, Moonshine, gave him a smirk as she put her hands on her hips. “Hmm, let me see. Oh, I only got a little bit raped by a few griffons today. They were very nice, didn’t even ram anything up my ass this time.” Celestia blinked, or would have if she’d had eyelids. The snarky, yet sarcastic tone was not one she’d heard from any female since her arrival and, considering what she’d been given the impression of by the males she encountered in this kingdom, it was very odd to hear. “Just think, though, Moony,” the other, a white Pegasus with a black mane said, putting a hand on her shoulder. “Another year and you can go back to your family and you won’t have to deal with our so-called king.” Celestia paused, confused by the second mare’s words, before she remembered what Rasmus had said about how females had to spend ten years as slaves, after which, they were free to live however they pleased. Moonshine sighed, giving a small, sad smile. “Wish I could bring you with me, Rune Stone. I hate having to leave you here on your own. Mark my words, I'll let your dad know about the king keeping you.” She gave a half-hearted smirk, clearing still thinking about what the mare would have to endure until then. "He's a griffon, right? Pretty sure he'll eat the king's balls when he finds out he took you after you got kidnapped and put on the black market." It took Celestia a moment to realize that, since Rune Stone was a Pegasus, if her father was a griffon, her parents must have gotten a donner Pegasus to sire her. “Hey,” the two females were clearly in view of the doorway, and Celestia watched as Rune put a hand on Moonshine’s cheek and gave her a warm smile. “Just remember, once we’re both free we’ll be able to live together.” She finished her statement with a gentle kiss to the doe's lips, which she returned in kind. Celestia could practically feel the bashfulness from the two moose as they watched. The kiss lasted only a few moments, before the females moved apart, glancing at the two males and giving sultry smirk. “Looks like you boys liked that,” Moonshine said, walking towards the side Celestia knew Rutt was standing on. “You have your required time today?” Rune asked, moving toward the other. “N-no, ma’am,” both stuttered, causing the two females to giggle. Celestia was then treated to the first gentle sexual experience she’d encountered since arriving. From what she could make out, the two moose’s cocks were so huge the girls only seemed able to fit the tips of them into their mouths. However, this didn’t seem to stop them from trying to please the two males, making up for how little they could fit in their mouths with prolonged licks along the massive hard member and suckling the tips and, while both put males their hands on each females’ head, they didn’t thrust hard enough to seem painful, as she had seen many of the other males do so to the other females. “C-cumING!!” both moose cried, almost at the same time, blowing their loads. Both girls had clamped their mouths around the tips and Celestia watched in shock as their cheeks bulged alarming fast and the girls tried desperately to swallow it all. They failed, more than half of what the two males released escaping their mouths and showering them in thick ropes of male juices. Celestia was shocked by the amount she saw. These two moose were clearly something. Any female moose they ever found would definitely get pregnant with the loads they could release if she were fertile. As the two moose slumped, gasping for breath, the females laughed sweetly, bid them farewell and left to do whatever they were meant to do next. As the two males recovered from the openly given blowjobs they’d been given by the mares, Celestia did something she hadn’t bothered with, though now scolded herself for, as she was able to do so in this form; check their auras. Whereas the first males she’d seen the auras off since gaining this form, the two foul unicorns themselves, had black, gunky auras, Rutt and Tuke’s auras were golden, shining with innocence. It was a good thing Celestia was a spiritual avatar and not a physical being, or she’d have lost the feeling in her legs as she stared at the auras in shock. Despite the horrid place she’d found herself in, she had found two beings with good hearts, something she’d thought would never be found in this place. Once the shock had faded, by which time the two moose had been relieved of their posts and replaced with two other guards, both possessing the same black and gunky auras as the unicorns, Celestia would have been smiling broadly, if she had still possessed a a mouth to do it with. If there were good-hearted beings here, she might be able to get them to help her. She could find a way to hinder Duneyrr’s plans. It was clear he intended to invade Equestria and take what he felt was his rightful throne. While she trusted Luna would be able to mount a fair and powerful assault, as her sister also had Cadance and Twilight to call on, as well as the other Element Bearers to back her up, she would try to convince Rutt and Tuke to aid her in making it all the harder for Duneyrr. First, though, she needed to contact the two. She could not speak to them in this form, so she would need to think of another approach. The only question was how? > Chapter 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2 ___________________________________________________________ Ciymon scowled as he walked past a pair of pegasus guards having their way with a griffoness who was clearly in pain from their actions, but cared little for her discomfort. Like the few of those males working in Duneyrr’s employ who actually had a sense of decency, Ciymon detested the way females were looked down upon by the unicorn and his son, who would enforce such horrible living among the poor females in their charge. Unlike the females of Caridoon outside the castle walls, the females in here were treated as nothing but objects. Sure, all females had to go through servicing for the allotted time, but they were still treated as living beings. Here, they were no more than sperm repositories for anyone without a kind thread in their heart, which were the majority of Duneyrr’s men. As a caribou, Ciymon was well respected among most of his kind, even a few those who were on the unicorns’ side. His tall stature and muscular build were intimating, and his antler rack was a sight to behold. Despite all this though, he was not a man who thought with his cock because of it. In fact, caribou were one of the most distinguished races in Caridoon, who had great care for any female under their charge. It would be logical then to ask, why would a self-respecting man such as Ciymon work for such a despicable being as the self-proclaimed king and prince? The answer was simple: he did it for the females. Not in that he did it to have any female he could without them being able to protest. No, he did it to protect them from what otherwise would have been a completely miserable life. With his help, it was at least somewhat bearable. Duneyrr it was no secret to any living in Caridoon that Duneyrr and his son cared nothing for the feelings of the females that held. In fact, the two would constantly disregard the part of the law that said, once a female had served her time, she was free to return home. There were plenty of the women within the castle walls who were held against their will, already having served their time, but being refused to leave. Ciymon and several others always fought hard to get these women their rightfully earned freedom, whilst not disrupting the so-called king. There were those, however, who could not easily be freed. Duneyrr seemed to always find ways of keeping females permanently, many having been acquired from the black market. These poor girls were harder to free, but you would be a liar to say Ciymon and those who shared his views didn’t do their best to give the females better lives if they could not free them. Recently, he had heard of the Earth Pony that Duneyrr's son had ponynapped from her homeland simply to use her for his own reasons. The news sickened Ciymon to his core upon learning of it. It was bad enough to enforce this life onto the females of their own land, but to take a mare from outside of their own, against her will and force this life onto her? It was lower than low, and Duneyrr’s son was already at the lowest of the low, so Ciymon was surprised that he’d found a way to go lower still. He knew of what had occurred thanks to hanging in the dining area and overhearing Rasmus belittling his father to several of the guards. The mare had been an Earth Pony, something not seen for a long time in Caridoon and always valued for their ability to take any male. He had, at first, just intended to ignore the self-proclaimed prince’s words about the mare and how good she felt when he had used her. However, his ears perked with the belittling had begun. “My father is an idiot,” he’d heard the unicorn say, his tone filled with drunken anger. The prince was known for getting completely hammered whenever he was really pissed about something. “Don’t listen to what you hear, he failed to keep the pony slut and that princess of theirs outsmarted him. He may claim it was his plan all along to trick her into losing her magic, but it happening when it did was just an accident to which he is claiming credit!” He’d snorted at that. It would make sense that Duneyrr would claim an accident that worked in his favour had been part of a plan. Such a stallion was always trying to make himself seem better than everyone else, even when he failed. “And if he thinks his plan to take Princess Luna with that stupid collar will work, he's got another thing coming. If he expects another happy accident where that mare will lower her guard enough for him to slip the collar on her is going to happen, I will be king very soon.” His ears twitched at that and his attention was more focused. “But... sire,” one of the pegasi guards said, hiccupping due to also being wasted. “If yer dis princess is so tough...” he paused, swaying and holding a finger up as if looking for his next words in the air. “... then how would putting a collar on her make her not fight,” he finished with another hiccup. The prince snorted, before giving off a large belch after draining another mug. “The collar’s s’pposed to make her a slave cos a the magic he put in it,” he slurred, ordering another drink. “Once on her, she’s s’pposed to be powerless. I think he thinks too much of himself.” He’d left shortly after, though catching the prince saying where the collar was and what was guarding it. He hadn’t wanted to around long after that, as all they’d talked about was the women they’d abused, comparing each in different ways from bust size, ass and other things like how deep they could take a cock, all while speaking merely about how distressed the females had been throughout the affair, things he hated having to hear, thus chose then to leave. As he’d thought, Duneyrr and Rasmus had used the mare as they pleased, despite, from what he’d heard, her having the option and right to choose her own master, yet not giving her the chance. Not only that, but they’d used it as a chance to take power from a female ruler, most likely just because they saw her as less, as they did with all females. What was more, this collar the prince spoke of was meant to stop this now supposed dead princess’s sister from getting what he saw as rightful revenge, which in turn would free them all from Duneyrr and perhaps Rasmus, too, but instead making her a slave like any other mare in this castle. The idea that they were even now stretching their twisted aims outside the kingdom, and could easily have taken the first step in a plan to rule the rest of the tribes of Caridoon, when the bastard had no damn right. It sickened him to no end. Sighing in frustration at it all, he continued down the halls, stopping at his personal chambers and entering. “Sigrid,” he called out as he closed the door. “I’m home. And thank the Gods, the last few days have been hectic.” When he was met with silence, he walked into the living room. The elk female for whom he had come to care for as a mate was sitting on the couch of the small living room, her eyes distant, her hands in her lap. Frowning in concern, Ciymon moved over and kneeled down in front of the woman, putting his hands on hers. “Dear, what is it? What’s happened?” She slowly turned to him, a faint look on her face. “There’s a spell to stop pregnancy.” He blinked, before cocking his head to the side. “Um... what, dear?” “There’s a spell that can use to stop females getting pregnant!” she said, her voice sounding stronger as she seemed to come out of whatever trance she’d been in. Ciymon blinked for a few moments, shaking his head as he stood. “Magic isn’t like that, Sigrid. If such a spell did exist, that would change everything in our culture. No one would think to make such a thing.” “But there is such a spell!” she said firmly, standing up. “Have you heard about the Earth Mare?” Ciymon scowled. “The one Rasmus ponynapped from outside our kingdom and forced into slavery? Yeah, I’ve heard of her. The guards won’t stop talking about how they wish they could’ve gotten a shot at her before Rasmus and his father did.” “She’s the one who told me about the spell,” she explained, taking his hand. “When I told her they were trying to get her pregnant, she agreed it was foolish to attempt as it wouldn’t work... but her reason was that she had the spell used on her ages ago that would stop it until she decided she wants to have a children and she trusted the unicorn that did it to her.” Ciymon’s eyes widened. “Why...? Why would she say that? What mare in her right mind would trust those bastards?” She shook her head. “She said the unicorns where she came from are different. She even said two of her best friends are unicorns.” Ciymon was locked in his mind as he went over the idea. Caridoon’s laws in regards to races being given to other races during their ten years of service were to prevent unwanted pregnancies. If a spell could stop pregnancy, it would mean races could be with their own kind during their ten years instead of having to be moved around to other races. The very idea was one no one in Caridoon’s history had ever figured out. Even his own race had never come close to such a thing. If this Earth Mare really did come from a place where such a spell was known... He paused, then sighed, remembering that, if what he’d heard the drunken prince talking about was true, the mare was gone. A chance of learning something thought impossible, something that could aid in helping so many females from having to be brought under the unciorns’ charge and it was gone, due to the only one who could’ve explained it being gone. Still, it was better she was gone, safe from the miserable life she’d have been forced to serve in the castle. The sound of the door opening caught their attention and they turned seeing Rutt and Tuke walking in, looking annoyed. “Something wrong, boys?” the elk asked her sons as she got up and gave them hugs. Rutt sighed. “Somethin’ weird, ma, eh?” he said, looking to her when they pulled away. She raised an eyebrow. “We were put in charge of, like, guarding that room the king and prince don’t want anyone going in, eh?” Tuke said, folding his arms. “What’s wrong with that?” their mother asked as the four moved over to the table to sit down whilst Sigrid moved over to the stove and began fixing dinner. “So, Mr. Ciymon,” Rutt said, looking to the caribou, “ya stayin’ for dinner again, eh?” Ciymon rolled his eyes at the bad joke. He’d been living with their mother for over a month and they still pretended like the two were dating. They were made for each, him and Sigrid, both someone who stayed because they wanted to make things better for the girls stuck in this retched place. After some time, they’d come to care for each other and decided to live together. They couldn’t officially get married, not whilst working for the unicorns, anyway, but they loved each other, and being able to be together was good enough for them. “So, anything happen whilst you guarded that room?” he tried to start up some conversation as they waited for dinner. Both moose looked to each other, an eyebrow raised. “Kinda, eh?” Tuke said, leaning back in his seat. “It was weird, eh?” Rutt nodded, looking from his brother to the caribou. “Felt like we was being watched, eh? From inside the room, but there was no one in there, eh?” Ciymon raised an eyebrow. That was odd. If a room was empty, one shouldn’t get the feeling of being watched. ___________________________________________________________ “Father, this is ridiculous!” Rasmus stated as he looked up at his father sitting on the throne. “What is it now, Rasmus?” Duneyrr asked in a bored, unamused tone. His horn was still smarting and it was giving him a headache. His son’s constant complaining since Applejack’s departure wasn’t helping any. “You’re putting good men to guard that horrid room!” the younger unicorn thrust his thumb behind him, despite the room being nowhere near in the direction he’d indicated to. Duneyrr’s eyes narrowed. “What would you have me do, Rasmus? I am, for reasons I still do not understand, unable to absorb the abomination’s power. We must guard the room so no other tries and succeeds. With the power held within that room, any man could overthrow us, with barely any effort. Not only unicorns can use magic, son, and whilst the other magics are weaker compared to us, combine with the abomination’s power, any could easily overthrow us.” “Then that just gives another reason to stop putting our best men to guard the room,” Rasmus retorted, his hands clenched. “Is it truly wise to leave such power close to any who might be able to take it. For all we know, the abomination might have cast a last-minute spell that stops only unicorns from taking it. What if a zebra or caribou were to get a hold of it?” Duneyrr thought for a moment, before closing his eyes and giving a slight nod. “Then, son, who would you have in charge of guarding the room?” Rasmus snorted. “Put those stupid moose to it. It’s not like they do much else of good around the castle and it would keep them from being seen.” Duneyrr looked to the ceiling in thought for a moment. It was true the sons of that female healer, Sigrid, really didn’t do much. Putting them to guard the room wasn’t such a bad idea, and the two were so dense they’d never know what was held within. “Very well, son,” he relented, waving a hand. “We’ll put those two to work guarding the room, but only at night. I see no reason why to have them well rested during the day whilst my better men are exhausted from watching the room at night. And night is when one would expect another to sneak into the chamber.” Rasmus nodded and left the throne room to go and have the order sent to the moose. It would at least put them to good use to guard the abomination’s magic’s chamber. And if they were stupid enough to go in and suffer the effects of the magic within there, so be it. It wasn’t like he cared if the last of their race in Caridoon was wiped out. The moose were a stupid race anyway. > Chapter 3 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3 ___________________________________________________________ A loud knocking on wood aroused Sigrid from her sleep. She was lying curled up next to Ciymon. Groaning as she noticed the early hour, she carefully extracted herself from the bed, put on her collar and moved through the , for a better term, house, and opened the door to find a Pegasus guard standing there. The moment his eyes fell on her his expression soured. “I have a message for your sons, cunt,” he said flatly, giving every indication that he was annoyed he couldn’t just bend her over right now due to the golden collar around her neck. Sigird just folded her arms, staring sternly back at him. “My boys are asleep, and you’ve no chance of waking them up at this hour. The sun exploding wouldn’t be enough to wake them before they’re usual wake-up time. Give me the message and I’ll pass it on.” The guard’s eyes just narrowed. “Watch your mouth, bitch, or I’ll—” “You’ll what?”her own eyes narrowed, Sigrid stood firmly as the guard glared at her. “I’m the best Healer in this castle, and you fucking know it, you misogynistic ass. Keep talking like that to me, and I might just not be as gentle when giving you care as I do the other residents around here. Or have you forgotten that, despite my gender, I still outrank you?” The snarl she got in response was as satisfying an answer as she’d hoped to get. The Pegasus glared at her for several more moments, before standing at attention. “Your sons’ will, from this day onwards, be guarding the chamber they were assigned to today eighteen hours a day.” Sigrid cocked an eyebrow. “And just why are they being moved to that post?” The Pegasus just snorted in reply. “I don’t know, and I don’t care. Order comes from Duneyrr himself. They’re to report at 1000 hours til 2200 hours on the weekdays and 2100 hours til 0900 hours on weekends.” With that, the Pegasus left, leaving Sigird feeling very confused. She closed the door, going over what she’d just been told. Her sons had been given what sounded like a permanent post, something she’d been hoping they could find for several years now, instead of bouncing from one duty to another. This was technically good news, but... She leaned against the door, her arms folded. Something was off here. The boys had explained what they’d done today during dinner, saying that, aside from feeling like the room had been watching them, it hadn’t seemed that imported. Sure, she knew with disgust that it was the room Duneyrr kept all the horns of the unicorn mares he’d had in his control over the many years, and that said horns were affixed to the ceiling, most likely for his own sick pleasure, but Duneyrr had never given the impression the room was that important. In fact, since that Earth Pony had disappeared from the castle, no one had set hoof in that room, only guarded it. This caused her to wonder. Was there something more about that room that Duneyrr was hiding? What secret could be held within an empty room? Sighing as she resigned herself to knowing once again something was out of her reach due to having to live under that bastard unicorn, she went back to hers and Ciymon’s room to get a bit more rest. She’d tell Rutt and Tuke about their new positions later, during breakfast. ___________________________________________________________ Celestia couldn’t help but smile to herself as a chair, more accurately a stool, materialised in the air in the middle of the room. When she had heard the guards were asleep, she had put a plan she had been formulating all throughout the day into affect. After much trial and error, she had managed to create an object out of thin air. Normally, even Alicorns did not have the abilities to just make something out of nothing, magic had its limits. At least, it did to the mortal plain. In her current state, however, Celestia had access to powers she had not been in use of in her physical body, including the ability to reach into the energies of the universe at create something from nothing. However, even now she was limited in what she could create. She had made several attempts and managed only to create small objects. Anything bigger than something the size of her throne was too much and would snap back at her. She was disappointed neither of the guards who had taken over after the two moose left had been dumb enough to try peaking inside her chamber, so that she could test her abilities on them. This being the case though, they had not bothered to question any of the sounds they heard coming from within the room they guarded, probably thinking they’d be better off not knowing what their supposed king was keeping in what seemed an empty room. “You hear how the prince went off last night at the bar?” one of the guard’s, a ram, asked, clearly speaking to the other guard. Said guard was a griffon, who snorted, sounding bored. “Tell me about it. My brother was there and he said the prince got so drunk he almost mistook Hatchet for a female and tried to fuck him to relieve some anger.” The ram chuckled. “That’s what he gets for having such a feminine-like body.” “Hey, it’s not his fault,” the griffon snarled. “He was the third of triplets from the same egg. Our brother and sister have always felt bad about it. They blame themselves for taking too much nutrients from him during development, as if they could’ve prevented that.” Celestia was listening with interest. The griffon’s tone was different than she’d expected. Quickly using her new way of seeing the world, she saw a good aura for the griffon. It wasn’t as pure as the two moose, but it was still a good one. The ram laughed, a hearted sound filled with no malice. “Ah, ya know I’m just teasin’ ya, Fling Feather. Yer brother’s good in my book, yer sister too.” Celestia scowled at the last part, though looking at the ram’s aura, saw nothing to suggest the thoughts most of those posted to guard her chamber would have. She pondered this. Were these two good males as well? Could she put her faith in them as she was planning to with the moose, should they ever come to guard her again? The sound of footsteps coming toward the hall caused the conversation to end and Celestia to look to see who was coming. Two female griffons walked towards them, both tensing slightly when they looked to the side Celestia knew Fling Feather was standing on. Both girls walked up to the males and presented a tray with their breakfast, Celestia noting the meat of Fling’s tray. The trays were taken, then she heard at least one set aside. Celestia inwardly groaned. She knew what was coming next. The guards always put the tray aside to have their way with the females. “Care for some relief, Flash?” Fling asked, clearly speaking to one of the females. Celestia frowned, sensing an uneasiness, but not fear, before she heard the griffon named Flash sigh. “Okay,” she mumbled, her voice light for a griffon, making Celestia think of Cadance if her voice were a bit gruffer. “Just don’t come inside, alright. I’m in my time and the last thing I need it you knocking me up.” Celestia heard a confirmation grunt, before a moan came from Fling’s side. Celestia was expecting just to hear what would come, one of the few instances of concessional sex she had to experience whilst stuck in here, but was shocked when the griffon female was suddenly positioned so that she was in line of the open doorway, facing the other side of the hall. She heard the ram groan in annoyance. “Really? You’re gonna do that right here with me standing here? Dude, your fetish for needing to be seen as you fuck your own kind is creepy.” Whatever Fling’s reply was, Celestia didn’t hear it over the loud moan Flash released as she seemed to be lifted up for a moment, giving Celestia a good view of the male griffon’s throbbing shaft, before Flash’s body came down on it, right to the hilt in one go. Celestia would have blushed if she had a blood to go to cheeks. For several minutes to the two griffons went at it like that, Flash bouncing up and down at Fling thrust inside her. Then, to Celestia’s utter shock, the griffoness was turned to face the doorway, before being pushed inside, falling to the floor on her chest, Fling still buried deep within her. “Harder!” Flash cried as Fling pulled back for another thrust, her face flushed red. “Fuck me harder, you bastard!” Fling seemed only too happy to oblige the order, lifting one of Flash’s legs up and over his shoulder, before continuing to piston into the female as she screamed in ecstasy. Over the sounds of slapping flesh and sexual moans/screams, Celestia could hear the ram talking angrily, annoyed at not getting any action she guessed. Suddenly, she realized something. Both griffons were in the room, a room she had been making sure Duneyrr would think no male could enter without being harmed. Her first instinct was to cause slight pain to encourage the two to leave, but found herself being held back. Morally, she had been given no reason to harm this male. His aura was not the black, tainted filth most she’d seen here had and it was holding back her ability to harm him. However, if she could get them to finish quickly, maybe that would work. If they wrapped up their little sex time, they’d leave. Using her new powers, she pressured to the two, trying to speed up the process. “Oh, yes!” Flash cried, catching Celestia off-gaurd. That was not what she’d expected to hear. “Fuck me, Fling. Fuck me harder! Harder!” “Aww, shit!” Fling cried, his thrust so fast they were almost blurs now, his face contorted. “F-Flash... I’m close! I-I go-gotta pull out!” “NO!” the female shouted, catching all three of them off-guard, especially when she manoeuvred so that her legs were wrapped around the male griffon’s body. “I can’t let you! I know what I said, but I’m so close and I just want to feel you inside me! Cum inside, you hear me! I want to feel you hot steaming cum flooding my pussy!” Fling seemed very surprised by this, but suddenly seemed to let his instincts take control, pushing the young female back down and increasing the speeds of his thrusts even more. “Yes! Yes!” Flash cried, a drunken-like smile on her face as her breast bounced with each thrust. “Almost there! Almost there!” “I can’t—AH!” Fling was cut off as he thrust hard one final time and remained in place. “YES!” Flash screamed, her eyes rolling up as her tongue lolled out of her mouth, Celestia seeing her vaginal muscles tightening around the throbbing shaft within her as she came right after the male holding her. Celestia was not only trying to recover from what she had just seen, but her new sight allowed her to see something happening. Whilst she could not see inside the female griffon’s body, she was able to see something glowing within her. There were two, one inside her and one moving into her in thick bursts. When they collided there was another glow, before only it remained. Fling had just gotten this female pregnant, who didn’t seem to be bothered despite her disgruntlement about it beforehand. For several long minutes the two griffons lay on the floor, panting heavily, before finally getting up and walking out, Flash stumbling a bit as she went to join her fellow female, who’d been waiting at the other end of the hall this whole time. With that, the two guards returned to their posts, acting as if nothing had happened. Celestia couldn’t help noticing a change to Fling’s aura. It had gone a bit pink. What this meant, she was unsure, having no real knowledge of what colours of aura meant aside from she’d already gathered since becoming as she was now. ___________________________________________________________ Celestia was pulled from the stupor the previous scene had placed her in when she heard an angry grunt. “Are you serious?” the ram’s voice, whom Celestia now realized she still didn’t know the name of. “Yeah, eh?” Celestia recognized Rutt’s voice, sounding a little anxious. “King’s orders.” The ram growled. “He’s assigning us to just stand here, every day! I work my ass off for years to try rising in the ranks, and he goes and pulls this shit?!” Fling Feather sighed, moving in line of the doorway as he placed a hand on the ram’s shoulder. “Fleece, it ain’t that bad. At least we’re not expected to do much.” Fleece seemed to bat the hand away, growling again. “I am not going to spend the rest of my life guarding this room! Duneyrr thinks he can do whatever he likes with these two idiots, but I’m not standing for this!” Before either of the three could respond, Fleece hurried off down the hall, most likely to make huge complaints. From what she’d learned of the pony she detested sharing the same bloodline with, Duneyrr would not take kindly to a guard like Fleece acting up, which would, if the ram was lucky, land him permanently watching over her chamber. “Have fun, you two,” Fling Feather said, nodding to the moose before heading down the hall and beyond Celestia’s line of sight, save his aura, which she was able to track until it moved too far off. “Yeah,” Tuke sighed, moving into place on the left, while Rutt to the right. “Fun.” If she had hands, Celestia would have rubbed them together eagerly. Now was the time to put her plan into motion. She had very quickly learned she could not speak directly with anyone, having thrown several insults at the first set of guards she’d gotten and them not even glancing in the room to see who’d spoken. However, she had another idea with which to communicate with the two moose. There was a flash that caused the two moose to jump, before glancing down to the doorway floor. Sitting where there had been nothing a moment ago, there no sat a chess set, reminiscent of the ones she and Luna would play back when they’d been younger, before Nightmare Moon. She would have grinned eagerly if she’d had a physical mouth. But, that grin soon slipped when the two moose bent down, picking up a piece each, looking at them in confusion. “What’s this thing, eh?” Tuke asked, holding a bishop piece between his forefinger and thumb. “Dunno, eh?” Rutt replied, glancing into the room with an eyebrow raised. “Where’d it come from, anyway, eh?” Celestia inwardly groaned. From the utter confusion in their auras it was obvious they didn’t know it was a chessboard, which also meant they had no idea how to play chess. She pondered for several more moments, during which time the two moose continued to examine the chess pieces with confusion, questioning where they could have come from and what they were for. An idea came to Celestia, making her wish she could click her fingers as it popped into her thoughts. Summoning her magic again, the chessboard and pieces glowed with a white light, causing the two moose to cry out in alarm and back up. When the light faded, in place of the chessboard was a game of checkers. Surely they knew how to play checkers... Nope. The two moose looked on with more confusion and the identical chips on the board. This kept up for a while, Celestia circling between game after game, trying to find something that the moose would understand and know how to play; they didn’t even know how to play Snakes and Ladders. Finally, about half an hour after circling through every activity she could think of, Celestia finished with tic-tack-toe. At once recognition appeared in the males’ eyes as they looked down at the tic-tack-toe markings, their eyes widening when a circle appeared in the top middle space. “Tic-tack-toe, eh?” Rutt said, leaning down and taking a small penicil Celestia had manifested so that the moose could play. “Been a while, eh?” Tuke just frowned in confusion at the room. “But where it an’ all those other things come from, eh? They, like, just appeared and disappeared. What’s going on, eh?” Rutt shrugged, marking an X in the top-right corner which was followed by a circle appearing just below the X, cutting it off. “Dunno, eh? But if we can play this while working, that’s a pretty good deal, eh?” Tuke seemed to think about it for a moment, during which Rutt made another X, this one in the centre square, which was promptly followed by the bottom-right square gaining a circle. Rutt frowned, before drawing an X in the middle-right corner to cut off the circles, having seen a spot for three. A circle appeared in the bottom-middle square, making another line in need of just one more circle for three. However, there was only one square left and Rutt filled that in with an X, leaving the game at a tie. Celestia would smile if she had lips. This might just work. She made the Xs and Os vanish, leaving the squares empty for another round. “Cool,” Tuke said, joining his brother, taking the marker. “Me next.” > Chapter 4 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4 ___________________________________________________________ The throne doors banged open. Duneyrr turned from the councillor he’d been speaking to, observing the one who had dared to intrude. He saw a ram, shaved of his fleece, as all of their kind did due to the heated climate of Caridoon, with medium, curled horns stomping in, his face set in a scowl. “What is the meaning for this?” Duneyrr asked in a calm tone, though he inwardly felt distaste that someone would think they can just barge into his throne room like this. He only tolerated it from Rasmus because he was his son. Such a kindness would not be shown to some fleece-growing primitive. The ram thrust a pointed finger at the unicorn. “Why have I been put on permanent guard duty of that room?!” he demanded, his eyes narrowed. “Those moose, I can understand, but myself?! I work hard for you and this is the thanks I get?!” Duneyrr gave a bored scowl. “Your place in the castle is not to question my orders, but to obey, ram.” The ram clenched his fists. “You think that because you see yourself as a kind, you have authority over the lives of others, just because you say so—” His words were cut off in a choking noise as he lifted a few metres into the air, Duneyrr’s aura surrounding his throat. The unicorn glared coldly at the struggling guard. “You will never question my authority again, whelp. Do so, and you will learn magic can make death a very slow, but very painful process.” He released the ram, who tumbled to the floor, clutching his throat, gasping for air. Duneyrr gave a dismissive wave. “Get him out of my sight.” Several other guards all hurried forward and dragged the wheezing ram out of the throne room. Duneyrr leaned back in his throne, giving a smug smirk. “That will teach that neophyte his place. I am the most powerful, most worthy ruler. None can stop me, no matter what.” He sneered. “Not even you, my little sister, Luna.” ___________________________________________________________ “You wanna play first this time?” Tuke asked Rutt as they reached the corridor leading to their new post. It had been several days since they’d first found that odd tic-tac-toe game they could play with what seemed to be the room they’d been assigned to guard and it was fun trying to outwit the room, though it seemed to do so more often than not. They nodded to Fleece and Fling as they passed each other, Fleece looking in many ways as if holding back something very unpleasant. As they took their spots and after the other two guards moved out of sight around the corner, there was a flash and a magical sound. Looking down, both moose saw the tick-tack-toe board and marker there and ready. Rutt, after getting a nod from his brother, bent down to take the marker and start the game. However, his misplaced his footing and toppled forward, knocking the marker through the doorway of the chamber. It rolled along the floor, stopping near the middle of the room. Grumbling to himself, Rutt got up and walked in, bending down to pick up the marker again. You really should’ve at least been wary of coming in. If you weren’t so nice, I could’ve done something quite nasty to you. At once Rutt stood up, glancing over his shoulder at the hall beyond, expecting to see the one who’d spoken. It wasn’t Rutt’s voice, it was a females. It had echoed for some reason, as if coming from a distant place, like down the hall. However, no one was there. “Uh, Tuke?” he called. “Yeah, bro?” his brother replied, his voice holding a tone asking what was taking so long. “You didn’t say nothing to me, did ya, eh?” Tuke turned his head to look in through the doorway. “No, eh?” he cocked an eyebrow. “Why?” Rutt scratched his head. “I coulda sworn I heard someone tell me something about comin’ in this room, eh?” Wait. You actually heard that? Rutt looked around the empty room. “There it is again, eh? She sounded surprised. Asked if I’d actually heard her, eh?” Tuke glanced over his shoulder down the hall, before joining his brother and looking around the chamber in confusion. “But... I don’ see nobody in here, eh?” I can’t believe I didn’t think of this, the voice said again, causing Tuke to jump. You can hear me. But, how come you couldn’t before, when we’ve been playing? I talked a lot then, pretending to be having conversations with you, so... Oh, of course. This could definitely work. “Uh... just who are ya, eh?” Rutt asked, glancing at his brother. “Are... are ya a ghost?” Both moose paled, Tuke asking, “Y-yer not the spirit o’ one’a them unicorns the kings had back in the past, are ya?” The voice sighed. No. I am not a ghost. At least, not in the sense you are speaking. “Like... this is weird, eh?” Tuke said, backing up a little. “I can’t even see you, eh?” Hmm, the voice replied, as if deep in thought. Wait. I have an idea. At once both moose winced as they felt a pressure within their very minds. However, whilst Tuke held his eyes shut from discomfort and fear, Rutt stared open eyed at the centre of the room. A field of stars was slowly forming, shining with sparkling golden light, before taking the shape of a female. However, something Rutt found odd about this female is she seemed to have both wings and a horn? “Uh... who or... what are you, eh?” he asked, looking at the figure. If she had been real, he couldn’t help noticing, she’d have a really brilliant body. The curving of the form suggested a very alluring female indeed. The form sighed. I am Celestia, Princess of Equestria and regent of the sun. “Uh... regent?” the moose asked, looking confused. I control the movement of the sun, she replied, the tiniest hint of annoyance in her voice. Both moose blinked, before looking back to the starry figure, confusion clear on their faces. “The sun moves on its own, eh?” Tuke said, folding his arms. “... don’t it?” Rutt asked, a little less skeptically than his brother had. The pony-like form sighed. Why am I not surprised that he kept such information hidden, at least to those in his castle? She made a snorting sound. He probably never even considered that, by taking my horn from me, cutting off my magic had he actually brought my physical self here; he could have very well doomed all living creatures to a frozen death. Both moose glanced at each other at this. “Uh... just who are ya?” Tuke asked, an eyebrow cocked. The form put a hand to her chin, as if thinking, before clicking her fingers. Let me try and show you. At once both felt that pressure again, only this time, it was accompanied by images. Images of ponies, lots of ponies, including unicorns. They saw cities, towns, structures not like any in Caridoon. What shocked them most, though, was how the unicorns did not seem at all like Rasmus and his father. Far from it, instead these. These unicorns seemed to act like regular ponies, like the pegasi in Caridoon. It was such a stark contrast to the only two unicorns they’d ever known of, they both males were left speechless as more images passed through their minds. One image stood out most though, two creatures with a similar body-shape to the form before them. They were both female, one slightly shorter than the other. One was had a coat the purest of white, with a mane and tail of pink, light-blue, green, and light-blue again, which seemed to flow even without a breeze blowing. Her body was toned, but curved. A perfect depiction of beauty in physical form, with a warm smile that could put even the most scared child at ease. The slightly shorter one’s body was the same, though also different. Her body looked more muscular in ways compared to the taller one. Her coat was a dark-blue, and, whilst her mane and tail moved like the taller one, hers looked more like the night-sky somehow placed within her hair. Her expression was also warming, but there was a firmness behind it that the taller did not have, one that made the moose wary of her, while still trusting. The most startling thing about them both though, was they possessed both the wings of a Pegasus, though bigger than normal and unicorn horns, also larger than one would expect (though they’d only really seen Rasmus and his father’s horns, so it wasn’t much to compare them to), the white one’s far more so than the blue one’s. When the onslaught of images faded, both moose’s legs gave out and they dropped to the floor. I’m sorry, the form said, leaning down in what was clearly a caring manner. That was probably a lot to take in. It’s probably a good thing I opted for the shorter version. Both nodded numbly, still trying to digest the world they’d been shown, one they knew that Earth Pony had come from, having seen flashes of her a few times, only wearing clothing instead of being naked as they were used to seeing females. They knew the form was smiling at them, despite having no facial features. I am Celestia, the white pony you saw. I am an Alicorn, a being of comprised of all three pony races. Tuke recovered faster than his brother and shook his head. “What are you doing like this, eh?” he indicated to her ethereal form. “Why aren’t you like we saw in our heads, eh?” Celestia scoffed. You have Rasmus and his father to thank for that. Rutt had recovered enough now and both moose glanced at each other, before returning their gaze to Celestia. She nodded. I knew your king, long ago. She sighed. I regret to say he is my brother. Both moose gaped, their eyes going wide. Brother? Was she serious? Celestia nodded, as if knowing what they were thinking. It is true. Loathe as I am to admit it, I shared blood with that bastard of a unicorn; he gives all other unicorns a bad name. “So, unicorns ain’t really like, eh?” Rutt asked as he and his brother got up. Celestia gave a mourning sigh. I wish I could say no, but I know and have known a handful throughout my time ruling Equestria that some unicorns do think as he does, though they do not go out of their way to show it. Rutt looked to his brother, then to Celestia. “Why’d you start playing tic-tac-toe with us, eh? And why’d you never come out to play?” Celestia sighed, before pointing up to the multiple unicorn horns fastened on the ceiling. Duneyrr imprisoned my Alicorn Magic within those horns. It was a pure fluke on his part, but he managed to rip me from my mortal body and imprison my magic within those horns. However, I am not simply my magic. I am also my memories and will. Once I was aware of what had happened, I watched the guards put in front of this chamber that traps me. Most I’ve seen are like my brother, misogynistic bastards who only see females good for taking their loads. Tuke frowned. “Then, like, why try playing games with us, eh?” Celestia smiled. You were the first two males I found with pure auras, ones filled with not even the slightest disgusting energies of those who’d guarded my room before you. So, after some time of observing you, I chose to try and communicate. “But, why don’t ya just leave this room, eh?” Rutt asked, looking very confused as he pointed a thumb over his shoulder. “There door’s right there, eh?” Celestia shook her head. Even if I could, Rutt, unless my physical body is very close by, I would simply disappear, my magic returning from whence it originated before I became an Alicorn. Besides which, she pointed to the horns again, these horns bind me to this room. I cannot leave this room for they hold me here, but they also prevent my magic from being dispersed, keeping it safe until my body came be returned to me. Tuke looked like he wanted to say something, when the sound of faint hoofsteps echoed from down the hall. Celestia looked to the opening frantically. Quickly, both of you, return to you guarding posts. If anyone were to learn about our communicating, it would be very bad for the both of you. Tuke rushed towards the door, pulling Rutt by the arm with him. “But, can we still talk to you later?” he asked as Tuke moved out the doorway. Celestia nodded,. Yes. But we should wait til later tonight, thus lessening the chances of our being interrupted. Also, you will not be able to see or hear me once out of the room, but I can still hear you, so remember that, Ru— Rutt’s body passed backwards through the doorway as his brother pulled him out and Celestia form seemed to vanish, as well as her voice cutting off. The two moose quickly moved to their spots on either side of the doorway and did their best to look like they hadn’t been inside there, nor that they’d just spoken to what they could best describe as a god. > Chapter 5 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 5 ___________________________________________________________ A knock on the door caused Fling Feather pause from his current task, which had been getting ready for his day of guard duty. He honestly wasn’t sure why, but since their first shift after himhis and Fleece, those two moose brothers seemed to look forward to their shift. The how and why was beyond his understanding. So, anything to hold himself up from his shift was a welcome distraction. Walking out of his room he opened the door, then paused upon seeing whom was standing on the other side. “Flash?” he asked, blinking at the griffoness. “Um... what’s up?” That was when he noticed the terrified expression on her face. “Fling, we need to talk, now!” Not one to be rude, at least to those who didn’t deserve it, Fling stepped back, allowing Flash inside, and closed the door behind him. Flash moved through the small rarely barren living room and sat down on the couch, her hands on her lap, her eyes cast down. Fling Feather moved to sit down in the armchair opposite the couch and leaned forward, his hands together. There was silence as Flash just sat there, nervously wringing her hands together, whilst Fling waited patiently for her to speak. After several minutes of silence, Fling sighed. “Alright, Flash, I know something’s bothering you. You came can here clearly wanting to talk to me about it, so what’s going on?” Considering he had to go to his shift in half an hour, he wasn’t sure he could just wait for her to talk without prompting. “I’ve been through infundibulum,” she mumbled. “Pardon?” the griffon male asked, leaning his head to the side a little. “You’re going to need to speak up for me to hear you, Flashy.” At once she gave the griffon equivalent of a pout. “Don’t call me Flashy! I’ve hated that since I was a chick and you know that!” He smirked, leaning back, “Then tell me what’s going on, at a volume I can hear.” He was glad he gotten her out of her little funk at least. Flash blinked, before sighing and looking down again. “Have you... ever thought, you know, about... having chicks of your own, someday?” He blinked, not having expected that, then leaned back in his chair, looking up at the ceiling. “While I am as loyal as a guard can be to the king...” he sighed. “I highly doubt he’d ever let me settle down.” “You... may not have a choice in the matter, Fling.” The griffon returned his gaze to the female before him, cocking an eyebrow, “Huh?” Flash fiddled with her hands, a slight blush coming to her cheeks. “I... a few days ago, I went through infundibulum. I... I think...” her expression firmed, mixing with fear and she looked up to him. “No, I know I’ve going to lay! Fling, I’m pregnant!” For his part, Fling was frozen in his mind as he went over that information. Flash, a close friend of his since chickhood (though he’d technically been a teenager when she was a chick), was going to lay... and they’d been his chicks. At once he hurried forward and pulled the anxious griffoness into a comforting embrace, “Don’t worry, I’ll figure something out, I promise.” He would. Fling had been loyal as any guard could be to the king, even if he disagreed with the way the king and his son treated the females of the castle. He, like his family, had always been in good standings with the king since his great grandfather’s days and the family had instilled respect for him since those times. He was sure he could put a good word in for Flash. Her public service was almost up anyway, she had, what, a month left, maybe less? He was certain he could calmly explain the situation to the king, he was a reasonable stallion, after all. He wouldn’t force something beyond horrible on a female. True the way females were treated in the castle was bad, but he wouldn’t do something so beyond morals that one would be horrified. ___________________________________________________________ Ciymon greeted the boys as they were heading out for their guard duty. It had been a month since they’d been posted there and he’d noticed something about their attitudes towards it after their first official day of strictly guarding that room none were now allowed to enter. At first they’d been moody about the idea. However, after the first few days, it was as if they couldn’t wait to get to guard duty and he was determined to find out why. “Boys, have a seat,” he said, indicating to the seats at the table next to him. Both glanced at each other, before Tuke spoke up,. “Uh, you sure we got the time, eh?” Ciymon nodded, rolling his eyes,. “You do realize it’s still an hour before your shift, right?” The moose glanced at each other again, smiling sheepishly, before moving to the table and sitting down. “Where’s Ma, eh?” Rutt asked, looking around, though Ciymon had learned some of each twins’ quirks. Several tiny twitches above the eyes told him Rutt was simply trying to change the subject. Now why would he want to do that? Ciymon waved a hand. “Doing her job as a healer. Rasmus’ personal guard got into a scrap with one of the other guards, something about owing money, or some other petty thing, and is now in the infirmary.” The two nodded, knowing such a thing was rather common among the staff of the castle. Those that were friendly were all ones their mother or Ciymon were friends with. Ciymon put his hands together on the table, interweaving his fingers., “Now, I want you boys to explain something to me.” Tuke and Rutt glanced at each other, wondering where this was going. “Uh, sure, eh?” Tuke said, nodding. “Whatcha wanna know, eh?” Ciymon looked at the two with a serious expression, “Who are Celestia and Luna?” At once they stiffened, their faces paling slightly. “Uh... who’s who and who?” Rutt said in a bad attempt to sound calm. “Should we know those girls, eh?” Ciymon simply raised an eyebrow ever so slightly. “I’d thought you boys could tell me, since you’ve been talking about them when you think your mother and I are asleep. And how did you guess I was referring to a female at all, hmm?” Rutt glanced at Tuke, who gulped, so spoke up, “Uh, we... heard some o’ the maids say they used ta know girls with those names, eh?” Ciymon gave a knowing smile with a raised eyebrow. “Really, boys? Because the only time I’ve ever heard of a female within Caridoon going by the name of Luna was a little over a thousand years ago. She mysteriously disappeared one night and no one ever saw her again.” Both moose glanced at each other again, a few drops of sweat appearing on their brows. Ciymon smiled, closing his eyes. “Now, I could just assume you two might have seen her name at some point during your school years... except that any information about her is in the restricted section of the library, which only people of my own position could possibly enter and I’m certain I never brought any books mentioning Luna in the slightest home with me before or after I met your mother.” He leaned forward, opening his eyes again as he intertwined his fingers once more, lowering his hand onto his hands. “So, I have to wonder... how could you boys know about her in the first place, as anyone not with clearance would be detected by the runes my ancestors placed upon the archives? They’re set to ward off anyone below the required rank and removed them before even getting to the books containing knowledge of her?” They both shuddered under the caribou’s gaze as he waited for them to answer. Finally, Rutt exploded, going on a tirade about everything that had been happening since they started guard duty for that room. With Tuke staring at him like he was a mad man, Rutt told him everything about Celestia, how she’d told them about Duneyrr lucking outin, after forcing her to take action to take back one of her subjects that Rasmus had brought to Cariboon against her will. How he’d trapped, trapping her Alicorn magic within the room they’d been sent to guard, what she’d told them about Luna and how Duneyrr had used her as his personally slave, simply because he wanted to, not caring about her being legally able to not have to be a slave at the time as, her age far exceeded the limit. Once he’d finished, her was sweating profusely. Ciymon, for his part, was sitting there, his hands having fallen ages ago. His expression was a mixture between blank and completely stunned. After what seemed like forever to both the moose, his face paled,. “By the heavens. The collar. It was... ” Both moose glanced at each other, before looking back to him. “Collar? What collar, eh?” Tuke asked, cocking an eyebrow, though his voice betrayed his wariness. Ciymon at once told the boys what he’d learned from Rasmus’ drunken rant. Now that he’d heard the boy tell him what they knew, and seeing how it corresponded to what he’d learned in the achieves, coupled with what he’d overheard weeks ago, it all fit into a picture that chilled the strong caribou to the bone. “We can’t let that happen!” Rutt shouted in a panicked tone, though he slammed his fist on the table in anger. “He can’t do this! Celestia’s a wonderful pony and, from what she’s told us about her sister, she’s nice too.” “The fact that we now know the reason why the night was foretold to become day so suddenly all those centuries ago, the fact that Princess Luna became Nightmare Moon can clearly be blamed upon Duneyrr himself,” Ciymon said, frowning as he rubbed his chin. “Tht fact that the pony silhouette disappeared from the moon was the sign of her escape.” “We gotta tell Celestia!” Rutt cried, leaping from his chair. He was stopped by Ciymon grabbing his arm, “Wait, boys, we... We need to be careful about this.” When they both at him in confusion, some panic still mixed in with Rutt’s, he sighed. “Boys, it’s clear from what Celestia has told you that Duneyrr has no idea she has survived, in a manner of speaking,” he said, putting his hands together. “And while I agree, we should inform her of this, we also need to find a way to take that collar out of the equation. If we do that, when Princess Luna comes to retrieve her sister’s magic, we won’t have to worry about our self-appointed king enslaving her.” “How?!” Rutt demanded, his eyes wide with fear. Ciymon could see it was obvious Rutt had a crush on Celestia. He sighed, thinking. “You said Celestia has made it clear (aside from you two, even if I am the only one save you that have knowledge of this), that no male is able to enter that room without suffering. If this is true and the collar was in there... would it not mean the collar could not be used.” Both moose looked at each other with wide eyes, before nodding eagerly. “The problem,” Ciymon went on, his eyes closed, “is Duneyrr keeps the collar in a very secure area of the castle.” He opened his eyes and rolled them. “Well, sort of.” “Sort of?” Tuke raised an eyebrow in a frowning posture. “What’s that mean, eh?” Ciymon snorted, both in humour and anger. “Well, if we simply had a guard who was close enough to the unicorn to know the details of that area, we could easily get the collar and place it in Celestia’s room. However, I know none of the guards I am friends with that have any knowledge as to what one could expect from where the collar is being held.” Rutt glanced at his brother, then back to the caribou, “Uh, why’re ya so angry, eh?” Ciymon glared, clenching his fists. “Because that bastard used caribou magic in creating that collar,” he all but snarled. “He involved my people’s magics and twisted them to make that—that—” He said nothing more, glaring down at the table. While neither moose would claim to being very smart, even they could tell this was a very touchy subject for the caribou and that a fast exit would be wise. Hastily bidding Ciymon goodbye, they decided to amsrcay out of there as fast as they could. > Chapter 6 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 6 ___________________________________________________________ Fling Feather stood outside the throne room, waiting patiently for the king to finish with his current appointment. It hadn’t been easy, but he’d been able to scrounge a booking at the last minute and was now standing in the hall, awaiting his turn. Standing in front of the door was a bull and a zebra, both in armour, neither paying him the slightest mind. Suddenly, the doors opened and a strangely-looking maul walk out, a look of rejection on his face. Fling watched him go, wondering what the maul had requested of the king. Whatever it was, it had clearly been disapproved. But, that was to be expected. The king had a whole castle to run and not all petitions were passed. “Sir Fling Feather,” the page called from within the throne room. Fling walked inside, glancing around as he did so. The throne room was a master piece of construction. The walls were tall; reaching so high he would need to fly for several moments just to reach the top. The room was dotted with spaced out columns of marble, with carvings showing great battles that Fling had always assumed the king had fought in before his race were driven to Caridoon. Sitting atop his obsidian throne was King Duneyrr, whom regarded the griffon with an amused smirk. The griffon couldn't help noticing the many kegs of ale near the king's feet, nor the slight red blush. The king had drinking, a lot. He only ever did this when he was stressed, or Rasmus had done something to annoy his father. Considering everything, he would lean towards the latter those two reasons. Fling kneeled down in front of the throne, and waited for the king to speak. “Whhhhhhhhhhat do you wish to ask... Fling Feather?” the unicorn asked, to which Fling raised his head. He bowed his head in respect. “Your Highness, I wished to talk about whether I may choose a mate, one whom I could sow me seeds?” There was silence for a moment, which confused and worried the griffon a little. “Why do you ask?” the unicorn’s tone was calm, but for reasons he could not explain it sent a chill down Fling Feather’s back. Maybe since the king was clearly a bit drunk, the calmness felt unnatural? At least, that's what he told himself. “I was... just wondering, sire,” he replied, gulping a little. “As you know there are... well, a fair few griffon females in the castle. Let’s say if I wanted to be with one... or she was already expecting due to my finishing in her when her time was in place?” Silence rained again, this time more potent and compressing for the griffon as he waited for his king’s response. “Her progeny would be eradicated.” Fling’s head shot up, his eyes wide. “What?!” The unicorn nodded, a frown on his brow. “I have no use for a female that would get herself sired by one of my guards during her service, nor her retched offspring. If such a thing did happen, her eggs would not make it out of her body. Females born from such a happening are not even worth anything as slaves.” Fling just stared up at the king, his eyes wide, his mind unable to process what he’d just heard. “Sire, you... you’d murder innocent chicks before they’re even born, simply for how they were conceived?!” The unicorn snorted. “Your family have served me well over the years, Fling Feather.” He smirked. “As long as you choose a mate not currently in my employ, I would have no qualms, even if she finished right before you chose her. And we both know you wouldn’t be so foolish as to give a female that situation before her time.” Fling slowly nodded, his mind screaming in fear for Flash and his unborn chicks. He would have to keep this secret, or she’d never forgive him... nor would he be able to forgive himself. On top of that, his whole world had stopped. King Duneyrr, the noble stallion whom his family had served for generations... would willingly and carelessly kill innocence? It just didn’t make sense. “Oh, and, Fling?” the king smiled down at the griffon. “I’m sure this will amuse you. I will soon be gaining a new slave.” ___________________________________________________________ HE PLANS TO DO WHAT TO MY SISTER?! Both moose shuddered as they felt the anger in the alicorn’s voice at hearing about the collar. The two had tried to keep it quiet as Ciymon had told them to, to not worry Celestia until they had an idea of what they could do to rectify the situation and it had worked for a few days. However, now, so close to the end of their most recent shift and with them so tired, not to mention that Celestia had been questioning them for the all that time as to what could be bothering them, Rutt had let it slip, which led to Celestia demanding every bit of info they had, which then led to the screaming only they were hearing. Celestia growled, glaring up at the horns on the ceiling, before screaming anew. Her rage was so powerful, before moose were sure, had she been in her physical body, the entire palace would no longer be standing. They would have waited for her to calm down and talk with her, but their shift was very close to ending. They both quickly bid her goodbye and ran out, moving to their stations just as Fleece and Fling came around the corner, Fling looking as if he had lost hope in the world, whilst Fleece just looked as angry as he always did when he took his shift guarding the room. “Okay, guys, have fun. Bye!” both moose cried, before rushing off, despite their weariness from being up guarding Celestia’s room all night. ___________________________________________________________ Fling barely noticed the moose as they hurried off, seeming anxious about something. “What’s up with them?” Fleece asked as the two disappeared behind the corner. Fling gave a less than half-hearted shrug. “Dunno.” Fleece frowned at him as Fling took his post. However, as the two neared their spots, they froze, the hairs on the backs on their necks standing on end. While the room looked no different than the last time they’d guarded it, it was like a wave of fury was flowing through it, as if just daring them to come in and test their luck. Both gulping, they took their sides of the doorway and stood to begin their shift. However, several minutes after standing around, and after being able to pretend they couldn’t feel the freaky anger waves coming from the empty room, Fling slouched down, putting his head on his knees. Fleece noticed this and gave a worried frown. “Uh... Fling?” he asked, lowering himself to a crouch to be at eyelevel. “Duneyrr is evil.” “What?” the ram asked, rubbing his ear. “You’re going to have to speak up, ya know?” “The king is evil,” Fling said, loud enough to be heard this time. Fleece just snorted. “Oh, so you’ve only just noticed? About time Mister My Family is Raised to Respect the King. What finally made you see the light? Did he rape your sister in front of you and say it was right? Did he kill someone you knew was not guilty of any crimes without a second thought?” “Somewhat of the former,” the griffon whispered, shuddering. “Again, gonna have to speak up,” Fleece said, shaking his head. “I got Flash pregnant with my chicks, okay?!” the griffon cried, turning to the ram, who did a double take. Tears were streaming down the griffon’s face. “Uh... what?” he asked, honestly confused. “Flash is having my chicks!” Fling whimpered, curling in on himself. The ram cocked an eyebrow. “Okay. But... how did that make you finally see Duneyrr’s a dick?” “He said he’d kill them.” Fleece groaned. “Seriously, dude. You can’t keep talking quietly and expect me to hear you clearly. What—?” “I asked him what would have happened if a female here in the castle were going to have my chicks and he told me he’d kill them!” the griffon snapped, though the anger in his voice was heavily mixed with sorrow and fear. Neither noticed, but the waves of anger they’d been feeling suddenly halted. They were still present, but had lessened greatly. Fleece looked around, before rubbing his neck. “So... does he actually know—?” “No!” Fling gasped, looking to him with frantic eyes. “I couldn’t possibly tell him! Far as he knows, I was just asking!” Fleece nodded, though looked worried. “Think she’ll be able to hide it until she finishes her time here?” A whimper and slow nod were his answer. It could be hidden, but it would be hard. From what little the ram knew of griffon laying cycles, not that he’d bothered to study them much during his life and the timing of Fling and Flash’s rut that finished in the very room they were guarding, Fleece knew they had maybe a little under a month, which was thankfully how long Flash had til she’d be a free mare, before she’d lay. It would be cutting it way too close for his own liking, but it was somewhat doable, especially with how high ranked Fling was thanks to his family’s generations of service to the king. “More than that, though.” “Huh?” Fleece asked, pulled from his train of thought. Fling’s expression became one of someone who was ill and enraged. “He told me about a new slave he plans on getting.” Fleece raised an eyebrow. “So? How could that be so shocking?” Fling explained. After Duneyrr had explained to him about the mare, Luna, whom he planned on taking, he told Fling everything about the collar he would use to entrap her. He must have really liked talking about how he’d make the mare suffer as his slave, because he never noticed the horrified expression Fling wore throughout the conversation, nor as Duneyrr showed him where the collar was being kept. The room itself was... surprisingly open for a room suppose to contain something so important to the king. There were only two guards ever posted in front of the open doorway leading into a room that was empty save the pedestal on which a blue collar rested on a purple cushion. The enchantments on the room could only affect someone who wasn’t skilled when it came to magic. If you knew magic, or had magic of any kind, you had to know that magic of yours well and how to use it, or the room would toss you own, whilst binding you in chains. Anyone who came by would know what you had done the moment they saw you and you’d been either in jail or sentenced to death so fast your head would spin before it was removed from its perch on your shoulders. Fleece’s face had gone pale by the end of it all. “So... what about non-magic users?” Fling growled. “Not only do I now know how evil that bastard of a unicorn is, I can also see his level of stupidity, due to his thinking males are all-knowing.” Fleece moved his hand to indicate for the griffon to go on. Fling snorted. “For example, all it would take for me to take that collar, would be to fly in and take it, without letting my feet touch the ground or my wings touch the walls or ceiling. Be aware of those little details, and I could just take the collar and no one would have been the wiser until they bothered to actually look inside the room. How stupid can a guy be?” Before Fleece could answer, they both paused, realising something. The waves of anger from before... were gone. There was a serene feeling coming from the room now. Both stood, eyeing the room. “You know, if I didn’t know better from the stories I’ve been hearing,” Fleece said, eyeing the room, “I’d think that was an aura that was inviting us inside the room.” Fling glanced at him, an eyebrow raised. “Word is no male can enter the room without suffering something horrible,” Fleece shuddered. Suddenly, all the hopelessness from before took over Fling’s face again and he turned towards the entrance. “Couldn’t be worse than what I’ll feel after Duneyrr finds out about my chicks.” Before Fleece could realize what was about to happen, Fling walked through the doorway and into the room. “Fling, are you out of your mind?!” the ram cried, hurrying in to grab his friend. “You could be killed—” — and you’re lucky I can read your aura or you could have been seriously harmed, you foolish Tercel! Fleece stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide at the sound of the female voice berating the griffon. True, the idea of a female in the castle berating a male was unusual in itself, Fleece had only ever really heard the moose’s mother, Sigrid, do so, but there was no female in the room, yet it sounded like she was all around them. “Um, what’s going on?” the ram asked cautiously, eyeing around the room. At once there was a flash of light, causing both males to jump and a feminine figure appeared before them. She was taller than them, despite her gender suggesting shape and seemed to be made of a cluster of glowing yellow lights. Something that shocked the both of them was what appeared to be a horn of her head like that of the unicorns’, only much, much longer. However, the thing that was an even bigger shock were what were clearing the shape of wings on her back and big wings at that. They were bigger than Fling’s and he was a griffon. “Wh-what... what are you?” Fleece stuttered, backing up at bit. The being shook her head, before turning it in Fling’s direction and, though she had no face, Fleece could somehow tell she was giving the griffon a sympathetic look. I am so sorry to hear about what will happen to your chicks if they are found out, she said and a soothing and clearly sympathetic tone. “Wait,” Fleece frowned. “How do you know about that?” The being turned its head to him and he somehow could tell, if it had a face, it would have been giving him a deadpan expression. You were talking about it right in front of the room I am bound inside. Just because you couldn’t hear me whilst outside the room doesn’t mean I couldn’t hear you. Fleece cocked an eyebrow. “Wait. We can only hear you if we’re in here?” The being nodded. If you were to step outside that doorway you— Fleece stared with wide eyes, standing in place as he processed what he was experiencing. As the being been speaking, he’d been backing away to test her words and, sure enough, the moment his head had passed through the doorway, her voice cut off. Something he had not expected was for her to disappear. However, from the way Fling was still staring at the place she’d been and was nodding his head every so often, he could clearly still see and hear her. Walking back inside, the being reappeared to Fleece’s eyes and her voice could be heard again. — why I will need your aid if we are to save both my sister and your chicks, the being finished. Fleece blinked. Just how much of a conversation had he missed when he was outside? “You can count on me, Princess Celestia,” the griffon said, kneeling before the being. His voice was hard and strong. “I will willingly help you if it means I can save my mate and chicks from that heartless monster I used to respect!” The barely restrained anger in the griffon’s voice caused Fleece’s eyes to widen. He’d heard the griffon angry before, but this was on a whole other level. It sounded like he would willingly try to assassinate Duneyrr had the being, who was apparently a princess, had told him to. “Wait,” he said, causing the two to turn to him. “You’re a princess? Then what in Caridoon are you doing around here? You know how females are viewed in this castle, right?” The being called Celestia nodded, exuding a grim aura. Believe me, I know all too well. It is because of that damned unicorn that I am stuck in this state in the first place. Fleece was about to ask what she meant by that, but she held up a hand. Fling, will you fill your friend in later? She then looked to the ram. That is, if you have no problems with causing the so-called-king more trouble that he could get out of? Fleece blinked, before he remembered how all his years of service under the bastard had been revealed to be nothing, as the unicorn cared not for the ram’s life in the slightest and was willing to just leave him to rot guarding a room for the rest of his days. He scowled, but sneered as well. “I’m in. Anything to make that bastard suffer.” Celestia nodded. It will be a while before the full effects of what we will do take hold, but when they do, Duneyrr will suffer for what he has done and more. Fleece just grinned, punching his fist into his hand. “I’ll wait a hundred years if I know the asshole will suffer. What do we do?” Celestia chuckled. Well, you won’t have to wait that long a time. Now, you will meet with a caribou by the name of Ciymon. He is the one who will aid you in furthering the plan and... she paused, turning to Fling. Is something the matter, Fling Feather? Your aura has changed to foreboding. Fleece glanced at his griffon partner and sighed. “Princess Celestia, Fling has been a loyal servant of Duneyrr all his life, as has his family since his great grandfather’s days.” The starry mass nodded her head. Yes, I know of that, Fleece. But, now that he knows the dark heart of the unicorn, he is willing to go against him. Why bring this up? Fleece sighed, scratching his neck. “Well, that caribou, Ciymon? Yeah, he and Fling have always been at odds because everyone knows the caribou only hangs around to keep the girls around here from too much suffering and, with how Duneyrr’s the one making them suffer, and Fling’s up until now undying loyalty to the unicorn...” Ah, Celestia nodded, sounding concerned, but not in a way Fleece could understand or had expected, before she turned to the griffon. Speak with Ciymon, Fling Feather. Inform him of what you told me and how I have entrusted you to aid in my sister’s safety from the bastard king. This must happen or my subjects and sister are doomed to fall at Duneyrr feet. The griffon shuffled in his place for a few moments, before giving a sigh and nodding, standing from his kneeling position and putting a fist to his chest. “You have my word as a griffon, princess. On my kind’s honour, I will not fail you.” Celestia gave the impression she was smiling and nodded. Good. Now, both of you get back outside and return to your posts before someone comes. We cannot let any know that you have been in here and were allowed to leave unharmed. Fleece smirked. “So what I’ve heard is true? You blacked Duneyrr’s horn and gave his son that wedgie?” He could tell Celestia was smirking. Indeed I did. I would love to regal you will the details, but we may not have time. Both nodded and bowed, before heading out and returning to their posts, wondering what Celestia’s plans were, knowing they’d have to speak with Ciymon to find out. > Chapter 7 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 7 ___________________________________________________________ “So, are we at an understanding of the plan?” Ciymon asked those assembled at the table. Around the table were Tuke and Rutt, Sigrid and Fling Feather and Fleece. They nodded. It had been a week since Celestia had been revealed to Fling Feather and Fleece. During that time, the two had met with Ciymon during their off time and spoken with him in his home. As was to be expected, he do not trust either of them to begin with, due to his and Fling Feather’s shared past and, having never met of spoken with the ram before, his suspiciousness toward him was understandable. However, after some time, and Fling showing his utter disgust towards the unicorn after learning what would happen to his own unhatched children if they were ever found out, the caribou had lowered his guard around the griffon. After they had come to understand each other as someone wishing to cause the unicorn’s all-mighty plans for Equestria to become his own to fail, they had begun to plan how to do so. Being stuck in Caridoon, and being unable to communicate with Celestia’s sister, there wasn’t much they could do in preparing the still free princess for when she came to get her sister’s power back and take down Duneyrr. But, they could aid her in ensuring the unicorn did not have the one thing he could use to gain a proper advantage and very likely succeed in his plans to make Equestria his own. They would take that precious collar of his he had made especially for Princess Luna out of the equation, permanently. They were not only ones in on the plan, however. Using their knowledge of whom in the castle did not agree with the Duneyrr’s plans in anyway, be it his plans for Equestria or how he was treating the females in his charge, they had formed a small group to ensure the collar would not be a problem when Luna and her ponies came to Caridoon. Thanks to Celestia informing them of it, they even now had a few people on the outside aiding them. Ciymon had gone out, as it was within his job description to see to affairs outside the castle, as Duneyrr had no interest in them beyond finding another female to make his personal sperm receptacle, the caribou had gone to visit Grim Wing the father of the Pegasus whom Celestia had learned Duneyrr had bought on the black market and had no intention of letting go once she’d reach to age of freedom. After some negotiating, and informing the griffon that they could free his daughter and cause the king and good deal or strife if they worked together, the time had been set to ensure Duneyrr and Rasmsus would not be able to interfere with the plan to get the collar. He also had spoken with some of his own kind and relatives, getting their aid in a crucial part of the plan. With everything in place, it was time to enact the plan. “Til tomorrow, then,” the caribou said, nodding to the griffon and ram, who nodded in turn and got up to leave for their shift (not, it turned out, that enough people actually bothered to check to see if someone was guarding the room since Duneyrr had placed them and the moose as the rotating guards). “Duneyrr’s plans for Equestria fall.” ___________________________________________________________ Duneyrr was enjoying a good blowjob from the cow slut he was using, when a knock on the throne room doors pulled his attention. In scurried another slut, a doe with reasonable tits and, from what he’d heard from his guards, a nice slit. He waited until she’d reached the throne and bent down on her knees, her head bowed before he addressed her. “What is it, slut?” he asked, putting his hand on the cow’s head and forcing himself deeper just because he felt like it, ignoring the gagging from the female as he enjoyed the feeling of her throat contracting around his member. The doe shuddered, keeping her head down as she spoke. “There is a griffon from the nearby village whom wishing to speak with you, master.” Duneyrr raised an eyebrow. Not often did the peasants of the village bother him with anything, none brave enough to speak up against him as long as he remained in his castle, not that he ever had a reason to leave it until Equestria was his again. “Why?” he asked, letting the cow pull off, ignoring as she gasped desperately for air. The doe whimpered. “He says he w-wants you to r-r-r-release his daughter, th-the pegasus, M-M-M-Moonshine.” “WHAT?!” Duneyrr stood, knocking the cow to the side as he glared down at the doe, who quivered under his gaze. “What makes him dare think he has a right to take the slut from me?! Me, the King of the Unicorns?!” “H-he stated that, under Caridoon law, he is allowed to choose whom she goes to and that, since y-you bought her on the b-b-b-black market, he has a right to take her back and select a new host for her tenure.” Duneyrr glowered down at the doe for several moments, before snorting and moving down from his throne and towards the doors. “We shall see about that.” He had enough problems, with Fling Feather saying that he wished to settle down not two days ago and that he would be settling down with one of the sluts who was leaving free in just a few days. Loosing such a loyal worker was already causing him strife and now this? With it being so late in the afternoon, he was in no mood to deal with this kind of shit. “What more could possibly go wrong for me this week?” he muttered angrily as he stomped to meet this peasant that would dare to take his property from him. ___________________________________________________________ The goat watched from atop the castle, looking down at the front of the castle, where pair of villagers stood, awaiting entry. One was a caribou, holding a suitcase and wearing a purple velvet patch of cloth embroided with gold over his privates. The caribou looked strong and his horns were rather long, indicating he held a high statue among his tribe. The other was a griffon, whom just from looking at him the goat knew he wouldn’t want to ever get into a fight or be on the bad side of. He was tall, with strong muscles and big arms. His feathers with a coal black and the scar he could just make out from his position gave the griffon a very intimidating look. As he watched, the gates were opened and the two were allowed entry. The goat watched until they were out of sight, before walking off the room, poking his head downstairs and nodded to the buffalo waiting. The buffalo nodded in response and moved further into the castle. This went on until Fleece was informed and he nodded to what seemed to be thin air. With the signal received, it was time to act. Fling Feather flapped his wings, rising into the air and coasted down the corridor, barely making a sound. Fling was currently wearing an anklet with caribou magical runes carved into it. They made it so none would notice him as long as he didn’t draw attention to himself. With this in mind, he flew up close to the ceiling, above any whom he passed in the castle as he made his way to the floor with the room containing the collar Duneyrr planned to use on Princess Luna. After several minutes, he came to the hall, which was deserted, saved for the two guards standing in front of the room. They were the only problem with the plan. Ciymon, Fleece, Fling and several others had called in favours all around the castle to ensure that Fling would have an easy route to where the collar was being kept without distraction, but these two were those loyal to Duneyrr, or rather, willing to work for him as long as they got paid. It would have made things a lot easier had they been able to get two guards working for the plan to guard the room, but it hadn’t been possible to do without drawing attention to their activities, even with the little distraction the griffon Grim Wing was causing as he rightfully demanded his daughter back. However, it was not as bad as they had all firs thought. Upon reflection, Fling had noticed another way to ensure their plan went undetected. Smirking to himself, Fling moved silently down the hall until he was at the doorway. Neither guard paid him the slightest attention, to which he had to withhold a chuckle. Carefully, he slipped through the doorway, but intentionally brushed against the griffon, one with dark-red feathers, on the left, before zipping inside and out of sight. As he watched, grinning, the griffon turned his head, looking into the room with a raised eyebrow, before returning his attention back to the hall. The bait set, Fling fluttered over to the pedestal on which the collar rested. Reaching into the tuft of his right wing, he pulled out a collar that looked exactly the same as the one on the pedestal. It had been crafted thanks to the work of Ciymon, some of his fellow caribou and a zebra from within the village. Whilst it looked identical to the collar Duneyrr planned to use on Luna, it would do nothing to the mare at all. The runes carved into it would mask it’s true nature, leaving the appearance identical to those on the original collar, making the king think it the same collar and being none the wiser til the moment his slipped it around Princess Luna’s neck and learned she was still as free to do as she wished. He only wished he could be there the moment Duneyrr sees the collar fail; the confusion and horror that would play across his face and mind as the lunar princess took her revenge for what he did to her older sister, the Earth Pony, Applejack and to Luna herself over a thousand years ago. Slowly, he moved the collar held in his right hand til it was almost touching the other one. Then, with quick movement, he pulled the collar off the pedestal with his left, while putting the identical one in its place. Smirking, he put the collar he’d taken into the same tuft he’d taken the duplicate out from, before moving back to the doorway, gently gliding out, before heading down the corridor. He did not like putting one of his own kind in the position that griffon would now face, but, that griffon was willing to follow Duneyrr’s twisted ideals as long as he got paid, not caring for those who suffered because of his actions. He had no honour. Fling felt it was a just reward. ___________________________________________________________ Tuke and Rutt stood at their posts outside the room Celestia was in, both waiting for what they wanted to see. In truth, they weren't sure what to expect, as the part of the plan where the collar would be placed in the room had not been told to them. Sure enough, thought, as they stood at attention, a griffon with dark-red feathers, one they didn't recognize, marched around the corner, acting as if he was apprising them. “You boys keeping a good watch?” he asked, looking from one to the other. “Yes, sir, eh?” they both said, nodding. The griffon nodded. “Good. Do wish this wasn’t part of the plan, boys.” After giving a quick, but accurate description of the griffon guard he’d seen standing in front of the room the collar had been in, Fling shot forward, delivery a swift side-kick to Rutt’s head. The moose hit the wall and slumped, unconscious. The griffon quickly followed up with an uppercut to Tuke before slamming him into the opposite walls, causing the other moose to become unconscious like his brother. Nodding to himself, the griffon walked through the door way and towards the centre of the room. As he passed through the doorway, Celestia’s spiritual image appeared before him, her arms folded, radiating a displeasured aura. Was it really necessary to knock them out like that? Upon entering the room, the enchantment fell, revealing the griffon to be Fling, who nodded firmly. “We needed them to have a good reason for not knowing how something got in here without them seeing. Them being knocked out by an attacker is the perfect alibi.” He reached into the tuft of his wing and pulled out the collar. Celestia took a step back and seemed to stare anxiously at it. This is really it? Fling nodded. “This is the collar Duneyrr plans... or rather planned to use to make your sister his unwilling, yet completely obedient slave. Without it, his plans for her fall by the way side.” Celestia radiated disgust as she stared at the foul thing in Fling’s hand. Fling kneeled, holding the collar out to the astral being. “. Would you care to do the honour, Your Highness?” Celestia seemed to recompose herself despite still being in the presence of the disgusting object and nodded. She held her hands out against either side of the collar. At once, a sphere of light surrounded the collar, lifting it a few inches above Fling’s hands, which had pulled back. As he watched, the sphere began to turn darker and darker until it had come from being a sphere of light to a sphere of metal. One the metal was solid and showed not hit of what was within, the sphere dropped from the air, smashing into the floor bellow. Celestia and Fling looked down at the sphere for several moments, before the spiritual princess looked to him and he could tell she was smiling. Thank you. Fling merely bowed, smiling, before getting und leaving. Now he could go into his early retirement from the castle with a light heart, knowing Princess Luna would not be harmed, with Duneyrr none the wiser. And, with the sphere containing the collar right in the centre of Celestia’s room, no male would be able to remove it. > Epilogue > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Epilogue ___________________________________________________________ Flash moved into Duneyrr's personal chambers for what she knew and was glad, would be the very last time. At once she went about cleaning his chambers as she had for the past ten years. It was a bit diffiercult to focus, due to her eggs being very, very close to being laid, but she had to hold on. Once she and Fling were out of the castle and away from the bastard unicorn, she could lay her eggs in the safe knowledge that the king wouldn't be able to do a thing to them. As she moved to dust a pedistal on the wall opposite the unicorn's bed, she paused as she looked at what was on it. The pedestal looked grand, with ornate carvings from the bottom to the top. Sitting atop the pedestal was a blue, velvet cushion. On the cushion lay a simple-looking black collar. Curious, she looked to an inscription on the base beneath the cushion. Evening Glimmer. The most enjoyable slave ever Glancing at the date beneath, this female had clearly been generations before her time. Moved to dust it, she paused, a sneer forming on her beak. Quickly moving to her bag of cleaning supplies, she pulled out another worn collar, one she'd found that was taken from a female who'd finished her public service the other day. Hurrying back over, she switched the two, putting the collar from the pedestal in her bag. She'd have Fling put it around her before they left. She loved the idea of finally being able to stick it to the unciorn who'd made her suffer so much under his charge. And how better than to take the collar of his favorite past slave, yet leaving him none the wiser? That done, she returned to her cleaning, knowing she'd be free to leave once she'd finished. ___________________________________________________________ Duneyrr growled as he watched the griffon leave with the Pegasus clutching onto his arm, the caribou following behind them. He couldn’t believe he’d lost a slut due to the law. It was ridiculous. He was the King of the Unicorns, and rightful ruler of Equestria, and he’d just been forced to bow to lowly peasants. “I wish I could say farewell at a better time, my king.” Duneyrr managed to put his anger on hold for a moment as he turned to see Fling standing nearby, a rucksack over his shoulder. Standing next to him was another griffon, one of the sluts. Duneyrr grit his teeth when he noticed it was the one whose public service was over and thus she was free to go. Even he still had to obey that rule, despite his desire to tell it to go fuck itself. Glowering at the female, Duneyrr nodded to Rasmus, who nodded and walked over, grabbing the collar around the female’s neck. At once it unclipped and came off of her, marking her time as officially over. “So, Fling Feather,” Duneyrr said, turning to his loyalist of guards who was not doing it simply for the money, “you really won’t change your mind?” Fling Feather shook his head. “Please forgive me, my king, but I feel it is time I settled down and started a family.” The unicorn nodded, glancing to the female and noticing a slightly strained expression on her face. “What her problem?” he couldn’t really care, but he preferred not having something looking like they were constipated hanging around. “Need relief!” she grimaced, moving her hands to her ass. The unicorn just snorted. “Well, you’re not using my castle’s chambers. Go out in the village for all I care. You’re not my problem anymore.” “I was aware this female was leaving today, sire, so I brought her new collar,” Fling Feather said, pulling a black collar from within the tuft of his right wing. "I can't have her just being claimed by the first male who sees her uncollared, can I?" Before anyone could say anything, he slipped it around the female griffon’s neck and it clipped into place. “Farewell, my king,” Fling said, bowing to the unicorn. “May you get all you deserve in life.” With that, the two griffons left, Duneyrr and Rasmus watching until they had were out of sight. Once they were gone, Duneyrr turned and headed back towards his throne room to declare he was going to bed early today. However, another guard suddenly approached him. “Sire, we caught a traitor!” Duneyrr scowled. “What did he do?” The guard, a goat with small horns, shuffled. “He was stationed to guard a room on that floor you only allow a select few guards access to.” Duneyrr's eyes narrowed. “What did he do, guard?” The goat clenched his spear in anger. “His follow guard on duty reported that he’d peered into the room at one point for an unknown reason. Then, just a couple minutes ago, maids bringing food to the moose you have guarding the room with all of your unicorn horns found they’d been knocked unconscious.” “What do those two idiots and that room have to do with this?” Rasmus snarled. “While there was nothing but the horns in the room before, there is now some kind of metal sphere in the centre of it and the moose claim a griffon matching the description of the one who’d peered into the room you forbid any enter to.” Duneyrr snarled, his eyes wide with anger. “And you say the two are related situations?!” The goat nodded, his expression firm. “We believe so, sire. The traitor denies it, but the moose pointed him out and, while he never went into the forbidden room on that floor, the room where the moose were guarding now has something inside it didn’t have before. As to what the sphere is meant for, we cannot say, as you have forbidden any to enter that room either.” Duneyrr growled, clenching his fists. That griffon would pay, though now he was worried what the sphere was meant for. For the griffon to have gotten it into the room, the abomination’s magic must have let him in. He would need to find out why the griffon was allowed in, when the magic would harm any other male who entered. He followed the goat, who led him towards the room the supposed traitor had been guarding before whatever happened with the abominations room. The two guards currently stationed there nodded as he walked in and looked to the collar sitting on the pedestal. At once he could tell something was off. This was not the collar he'd put in here. There was a hair missing that had been on the original. Whomever took the collar from the room hadn't noticed that tiny detail, but the unicorn, having lived as long as he had, ntoiced such a tiny detail others would not. He felt like snarling and sneering. Snarl because someone had dared to steal something of his own, and sneer because of how his plan had worked. Yes, he said this room was to hold the collar he intended to put around little Luna's neck and had even told Rasmus as such and shown him. However, what he did not tell Rasmus was that, yet again, in his own stroke of brilliance, he had lied there too. The collar in this room had been a decoy, meant to trick any who somehow managed to learn about it and either wanted to take Luna for themselves, or had a reason to go against the unicorn's beliefs. He knew such people existed in his castle, it was a given. He even spoke with several on occasions. However, they were took scared of his magic to go against him. But, he also knew his son had been badmouthing him at the castle drinkery and had spoken of the collar several times. In a way, it had been the perfect bait. He had proven that there were at least a few with the balls to go against him, who would dare to take what was his. Telling Rasmus had been a good idea. None knew that the true collar was in his personal chambers, set on a pedestal honouring a past slave. None would think or even having the guts to look in his personal chambers for the collar that would make Luna his once more. Nor would they think it was such an ordinary-looking collar and would just ignore it. Smiling inwardly to himself, he put a scowl on his face and walked out fo the room, before following the goat towards where they were keeping the griffon who'd attacked the two moose. He could care less about the moose being injured. What he wanted to know, was how the griffon had gotten into the room with the abomination's magic and what that metal sphere he'd put in there was for. Not to mention, the timing with the attack and the fact that the decoy collar had been taken and replaced with a fake could not be ignored. ___________________________________________________________ “You’re sure about all this?” Flash said with a gasp as she struggled to hold her eggs in for a bit longer, her new black collar marking her as Fling's glittering in the sunlight. Fling Feather nodded as he hurriedly led her to the hospital so she could lay. “The plan has worked. Duneyrr has no idea the collar he now has guarded is just a fake. When he uses it on Princess Luna, he will be in for a very nasty surprise.” He'd found it hard, pretending to still have respect for the stallion who'd said he would kill Fling's progeny, but he had just made it. Now, though, if he ever encountered the unicorn again, he would not pretend to be respectful. He didn't have to live a lie he hadn't kno-wn he was living until he'd learned the unicorn's intentions for his chicks. Personally, he could not wait for Princess Luna to arrive and deal some long overdue justice on that's unicorn's head, along with his horrid son's. However, he put those thoughts aside for now and smiled, nuzzling his mate's neck. “But we shouldn’t think about that right now. We have chicks on the way.” Flash smiled up at him and they increased their pace so as to reach the hospital in time, neither aware that Flash now wore the very collar they thought they had replaced. Life was going to be a lot better for the two griffons and soon, all of Caridoon too.