And Your Enemies Closer
“So Tempest Shadow, I appreciate you taking your time to talk with me—” The purple mare before me asked before catching herself. “—or do you prefer Fizzlepop Berrytwist?”
At the mention of the name, I had a pulse of anger course through me. I mostly contained it and held myself from lashing out.
“Don’t push your luck princess…” I grumbled. “Tempest is fine.”
Twilight let out a nervous laughter with a slight sense of exhaustion from the tense situation. She cleared her throat and levitated a clipboard over from a small table nearby. She sat in a brown cushioned chair, upright, formally flipping through the attached pages. I glanced down at the red chaise longue I was lying in myself.
“So, how about we start with your mo—”
“You said you wanted to talk. Make me feel comfortable.” I interrupted.
Twilight looked up with a dumbfounded expression. Seconds passed as we gazed at one other. I kept the stern look I always wore, with my unimpressed gaze and my facial scar. We sat quietly in the library alone accompanied by a loud silence.
“Oh, um. You’re not comfortable?”
I squinted with aggravation and looked away.
“I was expecting a friendly chat over a cup of coffee, not a therapy session…” I tiredly stated, swiveling my head back around to meet her eyes.
This was foolish! These ponies were almost laughable. All they ever did was talk about comfort and friendship, while there were more serious matters to concern themselves with. Life wasn’t all lilies and rainbows and the constant talk of ‘love everypony’ was making me sick to my stomach. Did I expect anything less by coming to “chat” with the princess of friendship? At the very least she could treat me like something other than a project.
I had heard a lot about these “villain reforms” (as the other ponies liked to call them.) Had it really become systematic to them? Was it just a ploy to make everything safer? I had just met the pony Starlight—who was supposedly a big deal. Somehow, she was excluded from the entire Storm King feud. What about Discord? He was the essence of chaos and the very definition of power. He didn’t seem to raise a single finger.
“I can… get coffee if you would like.” Twilight responded.
“It’s not about the coffee Twilight!” I replied.
“Well then what is it about?” She inquired with a tone of hurt feelings.
“It’s about you treating me like a patient. Are you trying to diagnose me or something?! It’s bad enough I have to deal with you fluffy little confetti balls parading over me every waking hour and now this?”
Twilight set the clipboard back down, bringing her full attention to me.
“Tempest, it’s been almost a month since the friendship festival and I haven’t had a chance to talk with you. I’ve heard you’ve been quite seclusive and maybe opening up can help you with that. You are obviously not settling in well.”
“So what? I like being alone. What’s wrong with that?” I interrogated.
It wasn’t untruthful. I did like my personal time, even if it was mostly nonexistent before. Talking with these ponies was of little interest to me anyway. They were watching over me, making sure I didn’t slip away and escape. I had been locked in the Canterlot dungeons for nearly a week as I was evaluated constantly but Twilight had pulled some strings and agreed to keep me in her castle instead. Celestia seemed to be supportive of the idea, so I was given a room and was to not leave Ponyville.
Punishment seemed to be laxed with these ponies. It was a wonder how they stayed in power really but somehow, time-after-time, they managed to bring down the most powerful villains to walk the lands of Equestria.
“I understand you feel targeted. I’m not trying to judge you, Tempest, I’m only trying to help you feel better and—”
“You understand?!” I interrupted “You understand how I feel? You don’t know who I am! You have lived a privileged life and became a princess. Every little mare dreams of what you are living, while those like me have had to wage wars to gain their status. You. Don’t understand. Anything!” I finished, standing to my hooves and making my way out of the library.
I wasn’t going to talk about this anymore. Talking about my feelings was the last thing on my mind and I had skipped out on breakfast to make it over to this session with the princess anyway.
“Tempest, please!” Twilight Sparkle pleaded.
“No Twilight. I have better things to be doing…” I ended, shutting the door behind me.
“Come on sugar cube, She really is trying.” Applejack reassured, sliding me a cup of cider atop her stand.
“Um. Sugar cube?” I questioned quietly as a threw a few bits onto the wooden table. Applejack chuckled and slid them back. I hesitated to accept the free drink.
“It’s not a business stand, just brewed some up for the family,” The orange mare stated with a laugh. “and it’s a countryisam…”
I nodded slowly, still not understanding what she meant. I slid the bits back into my pouch and began trotting away with my wooden mug in hoof. Applejack followed close behind with her own drink.
“You see, Twilight’s just worried about ya. She’s a very social pony and she wants to make sure you’re starting to feel at home.”
“I have conquered lands beyond Equestria. I think I can handle myself in a small town.” I replied humorously.
“Everythin’ isn’t about survival or you know. Get comfy an’ appreciate the small things.” Applejack took a swig from her mug and continued. “If you’re all pent up, ya won’t settle in very well and you’ll just feel outa place. There’s a lot of ponies out here and I’m sure you’re bound to make a connection with one of em.”
“I don’t see how it’s any of her business. I can make it just fine without a therapist.”
“Hahaha. Twilight does take formality and such a little too far, but how’s what she was talkin’ bout’ any different than what we’re doin’ right now?”
I stopped in my tracks and glared at the country mare. She had an aggravatingly spot on point. Twilight was just trying to talk. Was it just friendly…? Either way, it got too personal.
She was micromanaging me. She was my parole officer and it’s not as if she really cared. I chased her across the kingdom through sky and ocean and suddenly, she simply wanted to let bygones be bygones?
Applejack realized I wasn’t following next to her and turned around to look for me. She saw my aggravated expression and chuckled.
“Come on Tempest, let’s just forget about it. I’ll tell you what, you didn’t show up for breakfast this mornin’ so how about we get you some lunch. I know this place that makes a darn-tootin' good wheat burger.”
I just wanted to go back to the castle and forget about eating altogether, though my hunger didn’t like the sound of that. If I went back to the castle, inevitably I would probably run into Twilight anyway so maybe lunch with Applejack wasn’t such a bad idea.
My gut gave a grumble of an agreement.
Applejack wasn’t joking, this wheat burger did hit the spot. My mouth didn’t stop to savor it—gulping down every bite. As I ate the burger, I began having trouble swallowing, needing to take a break. I wasn’t well trained in table manners and being around hungry soldiers made for very messy mannerisms. Most of the sauces and fries were spilled onto the table like a food tornado had blasted through our meals. I would have been a little more concerned but watching Applejack eat reassured me that she honestly wouldn’t notice anyway. The apple bucking mare knew how to put away a meal more than any other pony in the restaurant. I looked around at the other guests eating and noticed that most of them were staring at us with judgmental opinions. I released a rumbling belch and they turned away in disgust in attempts to ignore us.
Applejack let out an uncontrollable laughter, spitting most of her wheat burger back out onto her plate. She gulped the rest down quickly and continued laughing.
“Hoo boy! If Rarity were here I’d have to take her to the spa to get her to calm down after this! At least it’s an outdoor venue!”
I chuckled and reached for a drink. I poured the liquid down my dry throat until the entire cup was empty and slammed it down onto the table. It had a pretty bitter taste to it but with a hint of potatoes that hit the spot.
“What is that?” I inquired, pouring more into the mug from the large flask.
“Fermented eggcorn I’d reckon.” Applejack said, taking a sip. “Yep.”
I slammed another mug full, letting some drip off my muzzle and onto the wood of the table. It was hard to describe the tangy sensation that was left in my mouth afterward. For someone who didn’t like the taste of sour beers, it would probably have been unpleasant, but I found it to be one of the best drinks I had ever had.
“MMm!” I exasperated, chugging more of the drink.
“Just don’t get too ahead of yourself there.” She chuckled. “See? Making friends ain't any harder than what we’re doin’ right now.”
Why did all these ponies care so much about friends? It was starting to get stressful having to deal with all of them. What was wrong with me keeping to myself? I eyed the pony questioningly and began munching on my wheat burger once more.
“Ahhh come on.”
“Who cares?” I spurted out, spitting crumbs and wheat pieces. “I’m doing just fine!”
“That’s fine sugar cube. Jus sayin’. Sometimes having someone to talk to is nice that’s all.”
I was talking to her, wasn’t I? I grabbed the flask once more and poured another acorn drink.
“Uhhh… Temp?” Applejack questioned, sounding unsure. I held up a hoof in protest as I finished another mug. I set the mug down once more and let out a breath of pleasure smacking my lips together.
“You uh… might wanna slow down racehorse.” She stated.
“Come on AJ, can you blame me? This stuff is the shit!”
“Yeah well, stuff gets to your head pretty quickly. We’re not talking ‘bout my apple wine here, acorns ferment real hard and they hit ya like a pent-up bull missing matin’ season. Besides, that stuffs meant to be taken in moderation.”
There was that countryisaming she did. Countryisaming…? Was that even a word? Hell, if I knew—but what I did know is that acorn juice really loosened me up. After feeling completely out of my circle for days on end, it was a great relief. Back on the airship, I was the top drinking champion. The soldiers would take shots until the last pony stood. I’d never encountered a drink I couldn’t handle so even if AJ claimed this stuff was rough, I could bet my flank I had drank harder before. The taste was phenomenal though, it made sense that a properly cultured brew would have a much better flavor than the cheap moonshine the kitchen would make in the storage deck.
“Shoot, those couple a mugs you’ve already had were probably a mistake.”
“Well someponies got to finish it…” I slyly explained
Applejack had an adorable look of fear on her face that I couldn’t help but feed it. I chuckled and slowly grabbed the whole flask without breaking eye contact. I began tipping the jug up and sloppily slurping it straight from the rim.
“Temp, come on.”
Was it to prove a point? Maybe, either way, the tingling liquid swirled in my stomach with a comforting buzz and my lips went numb. I felt great. My stub-of-a-horn began fizzling with satisfaction and the bitter taste began to seem less awkward. Why hadn’t I ever heard of this stuff before? It was almost as if my problems just sheeted off and I had nothing to worry about. These peaceful ponies must have been keeping the secret for themselves. If The Storm King was here to experience this, he would surely take the chef in as his personal brewer.
“Well!” A neighboring pony expressed “I never!” she finished, standing up and trotting away. I attempted to set the flask back down but found it a lot heavy and hard to control than I remembered. Applejack reached over quickly, grabbing the flask of the odd acorn drink in attempts to stabilize it and keep the liquid from spilling over.
“Now let’s take it easy sugar cube!” The blonde mare said with a hint of assertiveness.
“What are you talking about!?” I loudly questioned. “I feel great!” I hollered, pulling the flask back.
“Celestia be damned… I’m taking that blouse if it’s the death of me…” Twilight paraphrased, reading from yet another clipboard with a monotoned voice. “Everyone needs to know this beetle is my best friend,” She continued tiredly. “He deserves the utmost fashion…” I groaned reaching up to my temples with each hoof. “He needs to be…” She hesitated “Beatle-ful.”
Spike let out an uncontrollable snort of amusement as he set the pot of coffee onto the tea table. I had to give him props for sticking it out until the end. He had been holding his laughter for longer than I expected him to. Twilight set the board down and glared at her scaled assistant.
“Whaaat? It was funny.” The princess raised an un-swayed eyebrow. “Sorrysorry, let me uuhhh…” He quickly threw down some mugs and coasters he’d been balancing. “Let me know if you need anything else.” The stubby dragon made his way to the door and deftly slipped out—barely making a noise.
“Tempest. When I said you needed to relax and socialize I didn’t mean this!” Twilight scolded. “These papers aren’t a list I wrote up! OOoooh no. nonono. This—” she explained, levitating the
clipboard up for me to see “—is a police report! Celestia-knows-how-I’m-going-to-get-you-out-of-this!” She spurted out.
“I uh… That stuff was pretty hardcore. I wasn’t myself.” I said meagerly.
Twilight sighed. “Well… try telling that to the Wheat Burger Café chef. I’m sure it will make up for your bill at the end of the night.”
I cringed as I heard her. To be honest I didn’t remember pretty much anything after I took the last gulp out of the acorn flask.
“How bad?” I inquired.
“Half an incinerated restaurant bad.” She explained, tugging a receipt from the report. She laughed to herself quietly. “You’re lucky I’m a princess and can even begin to afford this.”
I eyed the coffee cup and began to cast a simple levitation spell. The sound of my horn fizzling immediately died out as I remembered and reached for the pot with my hoof instead. Even after all these years I still couldn’t get used to the fact it wasn’t there and only having about half of my brain with me now made it even harder. Even after all this time, it still felt like needles in my heart when I remembered what I lost. After all, what was a unicorn without its horn?
Twilight took notice and calmed her nerves. She pitied me. I hated it. I squinted my eyes and grabbed the mug, eyeing her angerly. She turned her sights away from me and back to the report.
“Here’s the deal Tempest: I have to dodge some major bullets right now, and it’s not gonna be easy. I’m going to do my best to make sure this doesn’t get back to Celestia and try to cover your flank.”
I sipped on the dark liquid, making no change in my attitude.
“But—”
I shot my eyes up at her and froze my slurps.
“You’re on official house arrest.” She stated plainly.
“What?!” I protested. “House arrest? You mean, I have to stay in here all day?”
“All month.” She corrected.
I threw my coffee into the air in aggravation and pounded my hooves down onto the table. The princess immediately caught the ceramic mug and liquid with a spell, avoiding the impending spill. With a blink of magic the floating mess was gone.
“A fucking month?!” I shouted. “I will NOT be held up for an entire month! This is ridiculous! I’m already been stuck in this god-awful town—but now I can’t even leave the castle?!”
“Ridiculous? You wreaked havoc through town and you expect it to go unpunished? Everypony saw what happened today and the last thing I need is for them to go blabbing off to the princesses in Canterlot. Showing your face around town is a sure-fire way for them to find a reason to complain!”
I sat in the red chaste chair staring at the authority before me, trying to come up with something more to say. I had nothing.
“Fine! I’ll play your stupid pony games…”
“Well good, cause I expect you to show up to a session with me every other day from now until your month is up. Your first session will be tomorrow night.”
Every other day?! I didn’t even want to come to the first one! There was no way she was expecting me to make an appearance every other day. I could only stand so much of the grape colored dolt. I wouldn’t have even come to this “session” if I had any choice in the matter but head was pounding so much after this afternoon I could barely even think straight and I wasn’t about to put up a fight.
I was already under house arrest and this seemed excessive.
“What’s your game Twilight? I already surrendered so I don’t get why I need you parading over my affairs.”
“This isn’t a game! I’m trying to actually help you as a pony, but I guess your idea of opening up is getting wasted while you’re out at lunch with Applejack!”
“It’s not like I got anywhere to be. What’s wrong with having a drink or two?!”
“Why don’t you try an entire acorn flask?” She rhetorically asked. “Look, this is less about the drink Fizzlepop! It’s about you making an enemy of me for no good reason—along with every other pony it seems. If you relaxed than these problems wouldn’t arise.”
“What do you want Tempest to say? How Tempest lost her horn? How Tempest missed out on fulfilling her cutie mark? How Tempest was alienated by every pony she loved because her scar was too intimidating?” Tears began welling up in my eyes as I yelled out in aggravation. “All I ever wanted was to live a normal life and fix what I lost, but even after I had to kill innocent ponies and take on a life as a monster I found out it was all just a game! I was a pawn! This broken horn has ruined me!”
“That doesn’t make you any less of a pony Tempest…”
“Oh really? Cause I find that hard to believe. Imagine you losing your horn!”
“I think I’d—” She began before I interrupted.
“You’d what?! Would you be a princess?! Would you have been sent to Ponyville to meet your friends?! What would have happened if you didn’t finish that special little time spell?”
“I… I don’t—”
“Nothing! You would have been a worthless mundane in the background while another pony took up your mantle. No more prized pupil! At best you would be out in the forest casting meek incantation spells with that zebra hermit. I. Lost. Everything!!”
I yelled and shot out a bolt of energy towards the table—shattering the coffee pot and scorching the wood. Hot shards of glass exploded in all directions and the booming sound of awesome magic shook the bookshelves of the library.
I looked back at the mare that accused me with a torrent of emotion and tears. My enormous stature deflated as I stared at her face. I had lost control. Cuts splayed her once perfect fuzzy cheeks and blood stained her fur. She was scared like a spooked deer.
I contained my anger and brought my voice to a shuddering assertive pitch—holding back my tears.
“I… am Tempest Shadow: a friend of no pony. Fizzlepop Berrytwist died a long. Time. Ago.”
I made my way towards the door quickly, reaching for the handle. The gate opened before I could open it with small dragon assistant on the other side making his way to the library, confused and curious as to what the racket in the other room had all been about. I stared at him for a briefly before galloping away with hast.
That night I locked my door and collapsed onto my bed crying. My mind was spent and all I wanted was to sleep but my emotions held me back. Tears streamed down my face and tension in my stomach tugged like a knot. I had thought that being free from my position as commander would have been a relief and I would have found life easier, but everything seemed to be harder. I didn’t know what I was feeling. I didn’t know what I wanted.
I dug my muzzle into my pillow and let the fluff soak up my anger. It was hours until I had finally passed out and let my nightmares drag me into slumber.
The next morning the sun beamed through my open curtains and reflected off the crystal walls sending an aurora of color in all directions. When I awoke the smell of pancakes flooded my nostrils and my stomach groaned. Something inside me refused to let me up and all I could do was stare back at the clock on the wall.
“8:48” it read. My hooves were planted, and my eyes held no expression. It was breakfast time and the others would be sitting at the map table eating together. Laughing. Why did I care?! Sure, I was invited, but was I really a guest? A tear tickled my cheek as it ran down my scar. I aggravatingly rubbed it away and stuffed my face into my bedding once more.
“9:30 am” the clock read. I could no longer smell pancakes and my stomach was angrier than ever. I turned my head back and curled up on my tummy like a sleeping dog. I thought about getting up and stretching but I just didn’t have it in me. What was wrong with me?
I awoke to a loud ding and turned my neck to face the source. The clock read “12:00 pm” and I felt the tension in my gut tighten. No. I wasn’t getting up. Butterflies in my chest didn’t seem to stop. Resting was only making it worse and I could do nothing to help it subside, holding me in a perpetual downward spiral. What kind of pony was I? I was supposed to be a heartless enemy. I liked being the one that no one wanted to approach because they were simply to scared. Didn’t I?
Somehow, this was different. My very soul ate at me. More tears built up but I held them back to upkeep my pride—as if someone was actually watching…
Lunch had now passed, and my tummy wasn’t doing any favors to help me forget.
“1:15 pm” it read. I looked back at the locked door behind me. Should I leave? Should I get out of bed? The other ponies hadn’t seen me all day and it was only a matter of time until they came up looking for me… right? After yesterday, did they even want me to make an appearance? The sun was high in the sky and beaming directly onto my body. It sent goosebumps down my fur and warmed me to the bone. I looked over the window sill and saw beautiful beaming clouds. For a moment it was reassuring and comforting. But only for a moment.
Suddenly a silhouette crawled across the outside of the window, blocking a minuscule amount of the light barely enough to catch my attention. It looked like a rat, but I couldn’t tell. It had a hunched back and a long tail that slithered behind. Suddenly it stood on its hind legs and peered through the window pane at me. It wasn’t a rat—it was far too large, and its snout was much bulkier. Was it a dog? There was no way. I was too far from the ground for a dog to make it onto the side of the castle. I caught a glimpse of its paws, as they pressed against the glass and saw small fingers. A possum? It must have been. The stout creature fell onto all fours and crawled away. I rested my head back down and shut my eyes.
“3:04” The clock read.
“4:50” it read
“6:10”
“7:20”
“9:24”
9:30 was my appointment and all I could feel was a pain in my chest. Nervousness was overtaking my emotions and I quivered like a caged bird. I thought back to yesterday’s session and my tears came back to haunt me. My horn fizzled with energy and kicked sparks. My thoughts spoke loudly, and I could almost hear the shattering glass.
Now the only light that shone through was that of the full moon. The room was glowing silver and the crickets from outside chirped loudly. Each second felt like hours and the knot in my gut felt like it was synched as tight as it could go. 9:30 finally came and I wasn’t in the library. Imagining the plush Princess Twilight sitting in her chair patiently sent streams down my muzzle. Her face was subsided by red scratches, drawing attention from the grape colored eyes. She had meetings today. What had other officials thought of their princess with unorthodox fissures?
No! You have no reason to care! I thought to myself. “Weak!” I out spoke in an attempt to scold my behavior.
I stared nervously at the clock. “9:39.” I buried my muzzle back into the soft bedding and tried to forget about the whole matter. Twilight wasn’t my friend… so why did I care? I couldn’t stand sitting in my room for much longer at this rate I would drive myself to insanity—but something held me back. I simply couldn’t do it!
All I could do was endlessly stare at the clock.
“10:00 pm”
The knot in my stomach snapped and a torrent of emotion raced over me. I let out a painful moan and began bawling like an ignorant foal.
Once again, I cried myself to sleep.
I opened my swollen puffy eyes, slowly with a raging headache. I attempted to swallow back severe case of cotton mouth, but it felt as if I was trying to ingest a dry piece of bread. Hunger ate at me like a starving wolf—chewing at the lining of my gut with a ferocious attitude.
“Fuck…” I muttered under my breath, standing to my hooves. I looked back up at the clock on the wall reading “9:31”
Shit I thought to myself. I had missed breakfast… again. If I trotted my way down to the kitchen I would at least find something to prepare for myself and settle my stomach. I made my way over to the door which was precariously open and inviting me into the dim hallways.
My knees were sore from resting for so long and I desperately needed to move around. It was almost unbelievable that I had spent an entire day sulking without even standing to do a thing. Not even to use a restroom. I must have been malnourished and dehydrated; come to think of it, I hadn’t touched anything since lunch the day before yesterday--aside from the coffee of course…
I felt a pain in my chest thinking about it.
I made my way through the dim castle and down to the kitchen—somehow not seeing a single soul. Something was off, and I couldn’t put my hoof on it. I rummaged through the cupboards and fridges, not finding a single speck of food. In fact, they were void of anything: plates, bowls, or even utensils. Dish-washing day?
Confused, I wandered over to the sink. I turned the handle and placed my muzzle under the faucet desperately yearning for water. Nothing. I slammed the faucet with my hoof, hoping for results but it was as dry as a bone. I smacked my lips together, trying to generate some saliva and quench my thirst but I had nothing to salivate.
I swiveled around to find the shadow of a pony standing in the doorway to the kitchen ominously, causing me to jump out of my skin.
“Holy shit!” I said stumbling back. “Goddamn, you scared me.”
The figure trotted into the dim lit room to where I could make her out.
“Jeez Twilight, don’t sneak up on me like that.”
“You didn’t show up for our session last night.” She innocently stated with hurt feelings.
I brought my hoof up to my face and rubbed my tired eyes. I was not in the mood for talking and my raging headache provided me with little patience. I wasn’t about to “open up” to her and I could barely look at her gashed face.
I looked back up and found the purple pony standing inches away from my muzzle.
“Fuck!” I shouted, ramming my rump into the kitchen counter. “What the hell Princess!?”
Something was off, and it didn’t help she was the only one in the room with me. I could now see her face in gruesome detail—with the damage I had done the other night. Her cuts were much worse than I had thought. The longer I stared the worse it seemed. Droplets of blood seeped from her wounds and tears built up in her eyes.
“All I wanted to do was talk…” Twilight began.
I quivered nervously as I spoke. “Look, Princess, I really… I really can’t do this right now…”
“I didn’t want to hurt you Fizzle. I just,” she paused. Blood began dribbling onto the floor at the base of my hooves. She held back a sob—sniffling like a little baby. “I just,” She tried to speak, opening her muzzle and revealing a mouth full of blood. “I just wanted to talk,” Blood poured from her chin and onto the kitchen tile.
“Twilight! What in Celst…” I stumbled to the side attempting to distance myself from the horrifying scene. What kind of edgy shit was going on? The princess must have been sick… she must have been severely hurt.
“What?” She pleaded, with bloody tears falling from her eyes. “Why do you push me away.”
The bleeding only worsened, not seeming to hold back. Streams turned to torrents and spurting. How could a pony gush so much fluid? It was simply impossible.
The now blood-soaked pony began limping over towards me leaving hoof prints of crimson fluid. Her life juice was pouring from every hole in her body and splattering messily onto the floor. Rivers streamed down her hind legs creating large pools of mirror red which reflected a disturbing view of her gushing nethers. She was no longer a recognizable pony, with her once beautifully up-kept mane; she had soaked hair seeping with death and disturbance. The pools of blood began converging into a flowing rapid towards me—covering my hooves. I nervously tried to escape the foul-smelling liquid but the more I struggled the bigger mess I made. I frantically looked for a way to escape the horror that approached me and found the only way out was where I came in.
I made a bolt forward, shoving my way past the bleeding mare and out into the hallways, slipping around like a dog on wooden tile. I needed to get out of the castle! I quickly found my way to the gate and darted towards it, but the more I ran the more it seemed as if the halls were stretching. Moans echoed off the dim crystal walls and my ears now burned with fear.
Finally, I made it over to the entrance of the castle and began fiddling at the handle with shaking hooves. They slipped and slid frantically along the metal bar, struggling to gain hold. I got it and threw the door open, only to find bars on the other side!
“What the fuck?!” I yelled, analyzing my barrier. I began slamming my body against the metal caging hoping it would give. The more I struggled, the closer the horrifying echoes became. It was hopeless. I wrapped my hooves around the bars and peered out into the sky. The moon and sun were held at a standstill, right next to each other. The sky was grey with an unpleasant feeling of superiority staring back down at me.
I heard wet hooves slopping towards me from behind, and turned to face the creature that now pursued me. It wasn’t Twilight. It was a carnage of gore, coagulated into an abstract proportioned shape of a pony.
“What?!” it screeched, gurgling liquid and sounding like a half-drowned cretin of nightmares. “Does the truth scare you, Fizzlepop?”
“Nononon… I can’t do this—I cant—”
“Thirsty?” The creature asked. “I got plenty of liquid to spare.”
I began crying out of fear and my heart pounded. I felt my very embodiment of regret staring back into my soul. I couldn’t look away from the nightmare—only able to wait until it consumed me.
“I-I-I'm Sorry! I didn’t want to hurt anyone!” I pleaded out. The blood-fiend let out a maniacal spurting laughter.
“Try telling that to the innocent you sent to the grave! I’m sure it will make up for your bill at the end of the night.”
“NO!! I didn’t—I had to—I—I—"
The monster stood only a few body lengths away from me and I cried out in pain. I dropped to the ground, ducking in cover from the impending fate that stood before me. The creature shot tendrils out from its mutilated body—soon to engulf me.
Suddenly an awful screech rang out through the room and a roaring voice sounded throughout the castle. Splattering blood sprayed over my crouched body with a disturbingly warm feeling. It smelt like rot and death.
“Enough! Your nightmare has gone on far too long.” Regal words rang out. I dared to look up above to see what now stood before me. The blood-fiend was gone and now only an alluring creature stood tall. Every drop of red fluid had disappeared, and the dim castle now shone with rays of sparkling silver that illuminated the diamond walls. I met the eyes of the moon herself and the guardian over the dream realm. Princess Luna stood at my foreground.
“P…Princess?” I questioned.
“Yes Tempest.”
“I don’t understand…” I wearily stated, standing to my hooves. Luna’s gorgeous hair swayed intoxicatingly with a void of shimmering stars sending chills down my spine. Her beauty was unmatched by any pony who ever walked Equestria—including Celestia herself. She could calm the nerves of even the most disturbed creatures. “Why are you here?”
“You’re having a terrible nightmare.” The perfectly slim pony chuckled, closing her eyes and smiling. “I could almost taste your pain all the way from Canterlot.” Suddenly a furry creature hiding behind her aurora of a mane hopped off her back and skittered up next to her, standing upright, squeaking adorably. “Ah yes… I also have Tiberius to thank.” She rubbed the small opossums head approvingly, eliciting an odd chittering sound of pleasure from the animal. “He gave me word in advance about your impending nightmares. He’s my eyes and ears.”
I brought my hoof up to wipe my torn eyes before my instincts halted me. I bore my sights onto my clean fuzzy limb as if it were still covered in the putrid fluid of the creature that had attacked me. Luna brought her own up and finished the job I couldn’t, cleaning my glittering eyes like a mother.
“It’s fine Fizzle,” She soothingly exclaimed. “You're safe.”
My emotions undid her tighty work and tears now began pouring down my cheeks like a helpless baby once more. I reached out and embraced the alicorn tightly, letting go of all the pride which normally held me back.
She stroked my mane comfortingly.
She stroked my mane with experience.
“You know. Your instincts are not always what you should rely on.”
The voice in my head wanted to lash out and tell her she was a fool. I had gone plenty long relying on my own advice and the last thing I wanted was another therapy session… but another—stronger voice—called out. It told me I had gone on long enough with impulsive decisions and lash outs. It yearned to hear her words. Who was I to object?
“How about you walk with me Fizzlepop? I hear Twilight's gardens are quite exquisite this time of night.”
I looked up from her soft chest with confusion at the statement. “But. Princess Twilight doesn’t have gardens…”
“The place where we dream has everything.”
Somehow, her words dried my tears better than any hoof could have.
I yawned tiredly as I opened my puffy eyes. For the first and only time that morning I peered up at the clock which read “8:55.” The same familiar scent of pancakes tickled my nose as it crept through the crack underneath my door. A sudden feeling of urgency overtook me, and I leaped to my hooves with little hesitation.
I opened the door immediately, desperately needing to get out of the room I had resided in far too long. My joints felt as if they were going to give out and I quivered with malnourishment. As the gate swung open I heard a loud smack from the other side and a small little dragon let out a groan of pain.
“Uuuhg…” Spike exasperated. I slowly opened the door the rest of the way and found the small lizard buried under cleaning containers and scrubbers with a small pushcart tipped over. He rubbed his bruised head and stared up at me.
“Oh… uh. Sorry, Spike. I um… I should be more careful.”
“Man. What’s with my luck around doorways?” He asked himself gather up the spilled supplies back onto his cart. “I guess you're feeling better?” He inquired.
My gut felt horrid and my dry mouth craved for a drop of water. If I wasn’t dehydrated before, I was now.
“Yeah…” I said with a meager voice. “Much better.”
Spike snickered. “Yeah. Sure. You look like death visited you last night. Twilight said you weren’t feeling well. Sick or something...”
“I…? I—um yeah. Yeah. Hey is breakfast done?” I asked, confused.
“I got an early start to do some cleaning, but I would imagine she’s finished by now. I don’t think the others could make it.”
“Thanks,” I said nervously, before making my way down to the dining room.
“Tempest!” Twilight excitedly responded as I tried to slip into the room quietly. I looked over to find the cute lavender mare smiling widely, carrying a large plate full of pancakes. They were steaming hot and smelt wonderful. The table was scattered with all sorts of toppings, ranging from fruit glazes to amber colored syrups. My gut gave another dreadfully painful bite in my stomach lining.
“Oh,” I answered shamefully. “hi, Twilight. Hey um, you uh. You ok? I mean—”
“Of course, I’m feeling ok!” She laughed, setting the pancakes down on the table. As always, she had that oddly perky tone like nothing had ever happened. I wondered how she did it.
I watched her prance around and organize the condiments. My head was feeling light and dizzy, making it hard to concentrate on anything but the food. If I had a drop of drool to spare, It would be pouring out of my muzzle.
**REPTILLICUS**
I looked around to find the room void of any other pony beside ourselves. I noticed a large pitcher of water in the center that kept my attention. I did my best withholding my instincts to lung out and guzzle every drop, but it was futile. As much as I felt I needed them, manners would be absent from my eating habits this morning. I quickly trotted over and wrapped my hooves around the handle to lift it up to my sticky dry mouth. Desperately hoping to quench my thirst, I poured the icy water down my muzzle and filled my sore throat with an orgasmic relief. I kept chugging until the raging headache began to subside and my stomach engorged. Smacking my lips satisfyingly I set the near-empty vase of water back down and sighed.
“Wow! Somepony was thirsty.” Twilight chuckled throwing down a couple of plates and utensils. “And I have a feeling you might want some pancakes too.”
“Sweet Celestia, you have no idea!” I blurted out with little thought. My conscience was screaming in my head to resist my hunger and take things slow, but my body wouldn’t have it. I must have appeared greedy and rude to the mare before me…
As my heart pained with shame and guilt, I sat down hastily and piled up my plate. Not more than a few seconds later, the mountain of sponges was flowing with rivers of syrup and coated in sweet white powder like a storm of sugar had hit. I didn’t bother to wait before diving in and stuffing every nook of my mouth with pancake, so I might subside the beastly hunger in my empty gut. Gulp after gulp—biite after swallow, I eventually finished the whole plate and served myself more. Next, I glopped almost an entire jar of peanut butter atop my second hill of golden cooked batter.
It seemed that being a princess and cooking superb pancakes went hoof in hoof. I could hardly believe that I had chosen to miss out on this for the last few days due to my stuck-up attitude. I took my first scoop on my second plate and halted as soon as I chomped down on the gooey bite, closing my eyes in euphoria. At this point, my inner feeling of gluttony and shame had dissipated.
“HhhMMmmm!” I moaned. “Thi shi-is amazun!” I assured the chef with a mouth full. I heard the princess giggle while I continued gorging.
As I shoveled the sticky sweet bites into my mouth, the peanut butter began clumping in my throat making it difficult to swallow. I chased it down with a glass of orange juice and continued devouring. My attack on the plate began to slow as I struggled to fill my stomach to the brim. I savored the last few bites and finally pushed my plate away in victory.
I looked at Twilight’s plate to find she hadn’t served herself a single pancake. I had eaten it all and didn’t leave any for another pony. Suddenly, my painful emotions flooded back in and I felt my ears burning. Her expression made me feel welcomed and cared for, but I could see a hungry envy in her eyes. Things were not going as smoothly as I wanted them to. I was supposed to attempt to rebuild my bridges over breakfast, not gorge myself like a greedy narcissist.
“Look, I'm sorr—”
“No! No no, it’s totally fine. Don’t worry, there are plenty more things to eat. Besides, I had a lot to myself yesterday so I’m kinda pancaked-out.”
A tense moment of silence passed. The entire day I sulked in my own selfishness with little concern for any other pony. I looked away from her enticing gaze and released an uncontrollable frown. I imagined her sitting alone at breakfast with disappointment.
“I didn’t mean it like that, Tempest… It’s fine.”
“NO!” I interrupted. “No, it’s not fine. After what I did--I can’t believe I ignored you for an entire day.” I cupped my face in my hooves to cover my embarrassing expression. As much as I wished I could disappear, there was no escaping my depression this time. “I should have come down and apologized. I should have made it up! I-I--I just…!” I muffled. Tears began welling up and my emotions ate at my full stomach.
“Tempest…” The princess stood from her chair and trotted over. She pushed away my hooves from my sniffling face and lifted my muzzle—wiping my eyes. “You’ve been through so much and there would be no reason for me to blame you!”
I sniffled and gazed at her fuzzy face. The shards of glass had barely made a mark and only left pink lines where she had been cut. How she managed to keep a perfect stature astounded me and angered me all at the same time. How could she be so perfect? It wasn’t like the world could pretend I had done nothing to her. If she bore red slashes and bruising, the punishment of reminder would have been fitting to my outburst. I had killed and pillaged countless ponies with little thought, but somehow what I had done to Twilight seemed to eat away at me the most. It was as if she represented judgment to all my sins. Her gorgeous figure scared me more than the carnage of my dreams ever would have.
I wanted to be the angry mare I had always been. I wanted to act like I was tough as nails—but I couldn’t.
Twilight was wrong this time. I was complete to blame. I was done having excuses towards my actions and I had pushed off facing my mistakes long enough.
“Why can’t you tell me I’m wrong?” I shot out. “Why can’t you yell at me and tell me I’m the one at fault?! I don’t deserve what you give me! I’m a war criminal that should be rotting in a dungeon! I’m a killer! I’m angry! I can’t be happy or grateful for what everypony gives me!” I wept. “It’s—It’s—!!” Tormenting sobs overpowered me and I fell into Twilights shoulder.
She treated me like no one ever could. She held me like the mother that abandoned me. It was as if she was blind to my scaring and disfigured horn that so often scared off all who laid eyes on me. Furthermore, she knew my past and what I had done. She didn’t just see the monster I was, like everypony… she *knew* the monster.
It felt like eternity in her embrace. Somehow, she made me feel whole—even in my state of ruins. I wanted to deny how much I needed her closure but there was no ignoring it. Every second she held me, I felt more rejuvenated and at home. I needed this. Luna was right with every word she spoke. I truly—without another doubt—needed this.
I looked up into the princesses deep alluring eyes for what felt like hours. My tears had stopped in a moment of passion and I reached a hoof up to her muzzle. She stared at me like a frozen statue and all that I could hear was the sound of my beating heart. As our lips connected. It was as if a spark lit my spirits up and replenished my confidence. Never had I felt such feelings that I had felt in our brief connection. Throughout all my adventuring and conquering, I had never stopped to experience a kiss. I had thought myself above such simple indulgences, but at this moment I was glad I held out. Who better to share my first kiss with than the mare who embraced me now?
Her lips tasted like sugar roses and felt like silky wet fresh clouds. The quiet sigh of her breath washed over my muzzle and warmed my nerves. I bit her lower lip as we pulled apart from our connection—wanting to draw out this moment with every passing second.
“Tempest…” Twilight whispered with surprise.
My heart dropped into my stomach as her eyes judged all that I was. I shot my hoof up to cover my mouth in shock as I regretted my bold move. IDIOT! You ruined it! It’s gone! I blushed uncontrollably while every muscle in my body flexed until my legs cramped in pain.
“I have to go,” I stated sourly before beginning to turn and escape.
“No!” Twilight cried, grasping my hoof and ripping me back. I swiveled around violently and stumbled into her soft chest. She grasped each side of my jaw and brought my muzzle back up to her own. We kissed once more with a torrent of passion more violent and sudden than the first. Twilight slipped her tongue between my teeth cleverly and traced gum line. I gently brought my own up to dance around the edges of her lips. She broke away and pulled down on the back of my mane, exposing my neck.
Her teeth clamped gently next to my throat latch and nibbled dexterously eliciting a shuddering gasp from my maw. I ran my hooves through her crest and leaned back into my chair. Twilight crawled up onto my lap and wrapped her hooves around my withers, fully embracing my body. An odd sensation tingled in my chest—excitingly—nervously. I wanted to squeeze her, closer to my body. I wanted to hold her as if I was accepting her as part of me. There was something that felt so right about our union—as if she was meant to be mine. Was this friendship? Was this what she was trying to get me to do?
I nearly snickered at the thought of how new I was to this. It felt naive and childish about how little I knew about of partnership, even though it seemed as if I should have just understood it already.
The princess before me gazed back up into my eyes with lust. I felt like I should look away—like an awkward eye contact that lasted too long. Somehow, I simply couldn’t.
She slid back up and brushed her cheek past mine and biting at my cutaneous pouch. My breath caught in my chest and the muscles in my neck tensed. I felt her nostrils huffing against my ear. It tickled—but in a pleasurable way. I tried to resist, but eventually, I buckled and pinned her head to my withers with a moan. Twilight managed to spin with it and bite down on my shoulder sending pain through my body. It was almost too much…but not quite.
“Ahhhh-h-h-ha…” I groaned uncontrollably—releasing her. This foreplay was killing me! At this point, my slit was dripping wet and winking excitedly. I needed her! All I could think about was being pinned and used to every one of Twilights desires. I had always needed control—since longer than I could remember. I needed to be the superior one with no falter or weakness. To show weakness was to fail and to fail was to lose power. For reasons I couldn’t begin to understand—Twilight revoked that need away from me.
This wasn’t friendship—this was love. For the first time in my life, I held somepony else in priority of myself.
I threw the princess back and onto the table in a flash of heat and desire. She fell willingly onto the plates and utensils making a loud clattering sound. I brought my torso up against her open thighs and hunched over her body. My muzzle was level with her belly, giving me an awesome view of the perky teats that sat just under her belly button. I brought my tongue down onto her right nipple and gently caressed it’s every detail. Twilight gave an “eep” of satisfaction, assuring me she liked what I was doing. I fully enveloped the nipple into my mouth with excitement, sucking it like a young foal and causing Twilight to shiver. I switched to her left teat and slathered it messily in my saliva. Twilight Sparkle brought her hoof down to my mane and held my head in place as she moaned quietly.
I very gently nibbled on the tip and the princess let lose a loud groan.
“Uuuhh…Tempest!”
I slowly slipped my muzzle down below her nipples and close to the real prize. My mouth played with the sensitive hairs that sat just before the hood of her clitoris. I could taste her fluids that had been leaking out of her slit and rubbing her crotch where my torso had sat. It was slightly salty and not exactly pleasant, though on the other hand, it wasn’t bad. It did have a powerful aroma that sent chills down my neck and fueled my horny thoughts.
I began tracing my tongue around the lips of her nethers teasing her with every passing second. Twilight was very obviously enjoying every bit of it.
I brought my muzzle back briefly and slowly pressed my tongue against the bottom of her pussy.
“Ah-A-Ah,” She stuttered, waiting for me to make my move.
I drug the tip of my tongue up her slit slowly and twilight shivered with an impatient pleasure. The princess sensed me approaching her clit and as I neared the top she forced my head down as strong as she could muster. My muzzle mashed into her cunt and her clit plunged into my mouth. Her pussy winked open, wanting to pull my face in closer. Twilights fluids soaked and ran down the fur my muzzle.
The purple mare slammed her free hoof onto the table and spilled the syrup next to her. She shifted her body back and forth, knocking off the pitcher and shattering it.
“YES! Yesyesyes—” She pleaded in euphoria as I shot my tongue into her vagina. I chomped and sucked on as much of her as I could fit, using every muscle in my mouth. “Ho-Holyshit!”
She brought her syrup covered hand into my mane and pressed harder. I shook my head into her thighs driving my face deeper into her privates. Her legs closed around my ears and squished my neck.
“I’m ganna cum! I’m—I’m almost—Ahhhahuhuh!” Twilight stuttered as she clamped harder and harder. As I worked more and more to my loves satisfaction, I suddenly realized I needed to breathe. My chest began to throb as it begged for a gasp of air. There was no escaping the exited mares grip and I knew I was going to have to finish her off before she let me go. I quickened my pace of slathering and writhing to help her reach her climax before my functionality faltered. My jaw began to slack, and one might see tears running from my eyes if there weren’t so much juice soaking my face. Something inside me churned and my slit was pleading to be stimulated.
The overpowering aroma and adrenaline from lack of air was pleasuring every muscle in my body. Before I knew it, my hind legs began to cross and shiver with pleasure as the most amazing feeling I had ever experienced was flooding my cunt. My eyes rolled in the back of my head and I began to moan into Twilights clit as I quivered. Suddenly I hit a breaking point and fluids ran down my hindquarters. It was almost as if warm water was pouring into my vagina and waves of were washing through my thighs. Was this what an orgasm felt like? I could hardly believe that I had never felt such an amazing thing in my life!
Twilight began to instinctively thrust her hips as if she was fucking a hard cock to make up for the fact I was slowing down.
“Just! JUST……..! AAAhhhhh!!!” She shrieked. Her pussy spasmed excitedly and fluid began trickling out into my mouth and nostrils. She finally released her hooves and I immediately pulled my head out, huffing for oxygen.
Her juices streamed down my face and to my chest like a lustful river and my lugs heaved. I was lightheaded and coming off an intense case of afterglow. My senses where heightened and it felt like everything else was glowing brightly around me. Deep breaths of air seemed to pleasure my body more, slightly bringing back the remanence of my orgasm and dragging out the phenomenal experience.
“Oh, my fuck!” I muttered under my breath. I didn’t believe this is what Princess Luna meant in our talk through the gardens when she told me to develop a closer relationship with Twilight Sparkle…but honestly?
I didn’t care.