Zale sat upon his thrown, one he had proudly constructed himself to let any pony who saw it know that he was not a man to trifled with. He was the King of Equestria now and anyone who saw him in his thrown room would think more then twice about questioning his claim to the land.
The thrown itself was actually not all that intimidating, a simple wooden chair with red velvet cushions tailored in a classical style. No, the fear that the thrown evoked in the hearts of his subjects came from the four alicorn horns secured into the head of the chair. Though it wasn't obvious from looking at it, the popular rumor (which was correct) stated the cushions were filled with alicorn feathers.
"It's simply not fair!" Twilight Sparkle pouted, stamping her hoof upon the palace floor.
"What are you complaining about now Princess Sparkle?" Zale asked, not overly concerned with her answer.
"I became your loyal student, I've helped you maintain your rule in Equestria, I've convinced most of my friends to become your minions, and I've even studied every book I could find on human customs and beliefs…" Twilight began to rant.
"Let's stop right there you uppity little filly! You only became my student because I defeated your former teacher so completely. So you did that for your own little reasons. As for helping me maintain my rule over this crummy little world, you have been helpful but your skills could easily have been replaced, even if it would take several ponies to replace you. As for your friends, you convinced them because it was the smart thing to do. They wouldn't be around now to be your friends had they not been willing to serve me. And besides all that, I've already rewarded you by officially appointing you as a princess, something your older ruler had no intention of doing. If anything, you still owe me a great deal."
"Why won't you sleep with me?" Twilight pleaded, "I know if you let me try I can please you. I've read over a dozen books on the topic of human sexuality!"
"Are we back on this again?" Zale asked rhetorically, "Look, I already gave you a chance to prove yourself weeks ago, remember? You couldn't even meet my first request; all you had to do was flirt a little and you failed completely."
"But I've been practicing with my mirror since then and I think I've got the hang of it now. I just need a second chance."
"Why do you even want this so much?"
"You're our king now and I want to be the best subject and apprentice I can be and as a human I know you have stronger urges then us ponies and…"
"Quit lying you little fool, do you think I'm stupid?" Zale asked, catching Twilight off guard.
"What do you mean my liege?" Twilight asked meekly, cowering a little due to Zale's angry tone.
"I just want to be the best subject and apprentice I can be? Perhaps that's true but that's not why you keep trying to plead your way into bed."
"It's not?" Twilight asked softly.
"No, not in the least. I read Celestia's notes on you, Twilight Sparkle. I know all about you. You didn't even have any friends until Celestia forced you to get some and even then you seemed to get them despite your unfathomably underdeveloped social skills. No, there are two reasons why you want this so much. First, you know you'd be a complete failure at trying to find a special somepony of your own and that's something Miss Perfect just can't handle but if you try to seduce me all of your mistakes and fumbles and failures can be written off as nothing more then the necessary difficulties of learning the ways of a new culture."
"What's the other reason?" Twilight asked, her cheeks turning a soft red as she first silently rejected and then began to wonder if Zale's theory had any truth to it.
"You're attracted to power."
"I am not, not really at least." Twilight exclaimed, knowing that Zale's second point did hold some truth to it.
"Don't lie! You love power, it drives you wild but it also terrifies you so you don't want it for yourself. You want to be with someone powerful, to be near them and serve them and please them."
"That's ridiculous!"
"No its not. Celestia knew about the feelings you had for her. She knew you had a little crush on her. She foolishly assumed you'd grow out of it and that it was just a little youthful idol worship but I know better. That need has only grown stronger as you've matured and now that I am here that need is even more powerful, isn't it? The power I wield eclipses the power Celestia had by a thousand fold."
"Please stop." Twilight whimpered.
"Am I hitting a little too close to home my little princess? If I was wrong you'd be angry but instead you're feeling exposed because deep down you know that I'm right. Why don't you just admit it!?"
"Alright, I admit it! You're probably right, just please stop." Twilight said as tears began to streak down her face.
Zale laughed loudly and for several moments as Twilight fell flat onto the palace floor, her weeping more audible then before. Once Zale finally finished laughing, he let a loud sigh of relief before speaking again.
"Be in my chambers tonight, one hour after sunset. I'll give you what you so desire."
"You will?" Twilight asked, her words choked out between tears of ridicule.
"Yes, but there will be a cost." Zale announced coldly.
"Whatever it is, I'll do it." Twilight replied, wiping away her tears.