Chaos Incarnate
Disclaimer: I do not own anything in this story except Sanguine Shadowmane, Gareth Salisbury is PinkiePieFiesta's, Pink IS PinkiePieFiesta, Game IS me, all other OCs are shared.
Beta: PinkiePieFiesta
Love and Life
It felt wrong…leaving Istanbull already. Sure, they did what they came to do, but the impending threat of the Changelings had shaken the group, not to mention Pink's insistence that Red was safe where she was, and needed to stay in her place for now. This worried Sanguine and Twitch, but the stallions knew they could trust their guide, what with her being practically bound to be helpful to others, while Valide had no concerns about somepony she hadn't even met.
They had traveled through the desert without much fanfare or difficulty, and their final stop before leaving the shifting sands behind was the beautiful Oasis Cavern that Pink created. Valide was amazed by its beauty, and was so glad to finally leave the city she'd called home for so long to see some of the world. They were now on final approach to the Everfree Forest, and were now nude since they did not need their desert gear in such temperate climes.
"I just can't believe how nice and cool it is here!" Valide stated yet again, for perhaps the tenth time in her amazement. She'd been gawking over the weather and the green grass they'd started travelling on for the past several hours. It was these times that reminded Sanguine that Valide was a stranger to his new land, as well as the fact that he desperately needed to up the ante on his magic training so he could group teleport reliably. "Is that what you called a forest? I've never seen so many trees before, let alone grass."
They were coming into visual clarity of Everfree and its "mountain" as well as Canterlot's mountain. The ponies had already named it, but Sanguine had been too preoccupied in his thoughts and duties to ask for it. Sanguine sighed in relief at seeing his home, and the anticipation of a very luxurious bath in the bathhouse was very invigorating, so he readied his Royal Canterlot Voice. "GARETH~!" Everyone cringed and backed away from his booming emissive voice, only to cringe again when another, even louder and deeper voice responded.
"I HAVE ARRIVED!" They then turned to see Gareth, floating a foot off the grass as per usual, flexing his muscles and putting on a show for the new mare of the group who was just plain baffled by him to his enjoyment. "I see you have returned, but one mare short and another two mares on board. Greetings, Pink; it is good to see you again."
"I missed you too, fishlips!" Pink jumped and hugged Gareth's torso and Gareth gently returned the hug in fond friendship. "It's been so long! The last time I saw you was when you left Mother Faust's service to try and explore the world."
"Yes, well…I forgot that I wouldn't be able to travel all that much without being bound by a contract. So I've only seen the seas, oceans and rivers. As of late; my new duties require me to be bound to the castle. I can go wherever I please, but my sense of perfectionism, as well as my desire to never fail in my station; demands that I remain and complete the castle's furnishing and decoration. Along with any additions or alterations I go through." Gareth set Pink down, and looked to the stunned Valide. "Ah, a fine mare of the horses; it has been centuries since I last saw one of you, considering that the travel through underground river is generally unpleasant."
"A TALKING GOLDFISH WITH LIMBS!" Valide squealed as she tackle-pounced Gareth, who remained immobile in the air and hugged the amazed mare who was giggling as she nuzzled his face. "He's so adorable!"
"My; I haven't been called that in over 500 years. Well met, miss…?" Gareth led on as he gently set Valide down, having sensed the developing foals in their earliest stages in her womb.
"Valide; former concubine to the Sultan of Saddle Arabia. I'm here because I'm free to do as I wish now; and I wanted to see some of the world outside the desert. As well as follow the stud." Valide added lecherously as she wagged her eyebrows at Sanguine, who had been patiently sitting off to the side with Twitch.
"Ah, you've tasted the local delicacies of a neighboring nation already? Good show sir; I haven't known a stallion as skilled as you at getting into these situations in my life. And that is indeed saying something. Now then; you must have called me out here for more than socializing sir, beings you called me at the very edge of my perception." Gareth bowed lightly, and awaited orders.
"I called you to bring us the rest of the way to the castle. We're all tired and I wish to get there before sundown for a good long bath. As well as meeting up with Clover, beings it's been almost two weeks." Sanguine really wanted to talk to Clover about Valide, and also do whatever she wishes to make up for the absence.
"Ah, yes…she would indeed like to speak to you sir. Very well; IT SHALL BE DONE!" Gareth flexed and held out his hands in a brilliant glow, before they all started shimmering in his golden aura and he clapped.
(Everfree Courtyard)
Everyone appeared in a blinding golden flash, and blinked their eyes clear of the spots in them. "Ouch…my eyes…so bright." Twitch groaned as he regained his vision. "Well, we're back. That means we're here for how long sir?" Twitch turned to Sanguine, who seemed to have the hardest time getting his sight back and even growled over his headache the flash caused.
"Three days, not including the rest of today. I need to update the maps, plot routes through Saddle Arabia for travelers, give Gareth the armor I acquired, spend time with Clover, handle local affairs, and hopefully see how my cider brews are doing." Sanguine squinted as he couldn't even stand to see any light from the afternoon sun, so he had his ethereal shadow mane flow forward, and protect his eyes from the harsh sun. "Ah…better. But first; bath." Sanguine looked to Gareth in anticipation and the dutiful manservant sighed in false distress.
"Very well; I shall groom and massage you sir." Gareth floated towards the bathhouse and Sanguine followed, but paused when he felt Valide slide up beside him, and then nibble his ear.
"Valide, not now. I would actually like to get clean in the bath. Especially since this is a full grooming session with Gareth. No one gives as wonderful a tending as him. I'll have him get you cleaned up as well, since it seems Twitch has already flown off, and Pink has gone wherever it is she wishes." Sanguine stated as he resumed following Gareth, while she followed Sanguine with a pout. "None of that Valide. You know I am immune to that look when I'm dead-set against it."
Valide quit her pouting and sighed as she followed them. "Fine…I need to be careful anyway." Valide knew she was definitely pregnant by now, as she felt a few tugs in her abdomen earlier in the week. This meant her fertilized eggs took, so in reality she should be more careful about sex and her activities in general now. After they passed the entrance, and the storage lobby, Valide paused in confusion at Sanguine's own pause. "What is it?"
"Hello dear." Sanguine calmly called out with an even tone, and drew Valide's attention over to the purple unicorn leisurely floating in the hot water. "Enjoying the water I see."
"Hello, my stallion. It has been a long two weeks Sanguine. Oh, who is this? Is she a horse mare from Saddle Arabia?" Clover asked as she swam to the edge closest to them, since although the water was shallow enough around the rim for normal ponies, they could still swim in it if they drew their legs in.
"Yes; I am Valide. I remember your description from Sanguine, so you must be Clover. He never stops talking about you; even during sex." Valide openly stated, and Clover smirked devilishly as she wagged her eyebrows at Sanguine, who blushed at her hungry stare.
"Oh~ is that so? I'm glad to know he misses me so much he needs somepony…er…someone to sate him when I'm not around. Just as well; I was going to suggest he find somepony to help him keep from getting frustrated. I'm afraid my libido has abated since he left, sadly." Clover smiled wistfully, and with a knowing gaze, as she climbed out, trotted to him, and held one of his forehooves to her abdomen.
"…Clover…." Sanguine's face burst into elation over the news. It was rare; VERY rare for a mare to get pregnant outside the estrous cycle or when their hormones force themselves into estrus. So the fact he got her pregnant was a testament to how virile they both were.
"I'm with foal! Oh Sanguine, you have no idea how happy I am about this! Thanks for not spoiling the news Gareth." Clover stated as she looked to the content manservant who floated off to the side with a gentle smile.
"No problem Miss Clever. However, I fear that Sanguine is still going to have to live with celibacy for 11 months unless he finds another mare to sate him." Gareth revealed with a devilish smirk, and Clover gaped as she looked to Valide who beamed at her. Clover immediately squealed and ran over to the horse to hug.
"We're going to be baby buddies! Oh! And our foals can grow up together! We already have an extended family going! Oh, I must plan for these things!" Clover quickly kissed Sanguine with a peck on the lips and ran off in a fit of giggles.
"She took that quite well." Valide stated with a smile as she carefully stepped into the hot water.
"Immeasurably more than I'd thought too." Sanguine looked after his love with a happy and content expression, before he too climbed in. "Gareth…take your time."
Gareth summoned his grooming equipment and cracked his knuckles. "My pleasure sir."
(Council Chamber)
"…And that's everything that's needed seen to since you left sire." Platinum stated from her seat, as Sanguine finished signing documents and either approving or scrapping projects.
"Geez, just two weeks and Equestria just about falls apart on me…." Sanguine grumbled melodramatically, as things had slowed down without him pushing for things to get done. Not that the councilors didn't do their job, they did; it was just that without a central authority figure to finalize things, that several projects ground to a halt as they needed his permission to start or continue. The crystal mines being one such project that demanded his attention, since accidents have already claimed 7 pony's lives.
"Alright, meeting adjourned. Go about your lives." Sanguine yawned as he dismissed his council, and they all left save Hurry. "Yes Hurry?"
"What happened to Twitchy?" Hurry quickly flew up to Sanguine's face, and with an expression of pure rage, she pressed her face against his. "He didn't have those huge bite scars on his neck when he left, and he's behaving even more love-struck around me than before."
"Commander Hurricane; I strongly suggest you calm down, before something unfortunate happens." Sanguine calmly and dangerously stated, making Hurry remember who she was talking to, and she quickly backed off to take a seat on the table in front of him. "I was hoping to break this subject to you gently, but you've forced my hoof. I'm afraid that while we were in Saddle Arabia, a previously unknown threat had abducted Twitch without my knowledge, brainwashed him, and raped him."
Hurry gaped, and stuttered in failing to come up with words to describe her outrage, but Sanguine held up a hoof to signal that he wasn't done.
"The blame is at my hooves, for I was uninformed of this danger, and felt that the city was safe enough for us to split up and enjoy the sights. From what the Janissary captain Emir has told me; he kept tabs on Twitch both before and after he was brainwashed by the perpetrator, and after letting them lead him to their den, he made his move, but wasn't fast enough to prevent his copulation with both queens." Sanguine reported to her, which he had left out of his detailed written report of his journey.
"…What are these things?" Hurry asked with venom dripping from her voice.
"Changelings; beings that take the form of a loved one, steal their love for sustenance, and their bodies for reproduction. Likely, Twitch, in his brainwashed state, thought he was making love to you, when really he was being toyed with by these sick creatures for their benefit, proven by the bite scars on his neck, as Changeling Queens have the habit of marking those they take genes from for their brood." Sanguine described to Hurry. "He has no clue of what happened, no memory that it did, and the scars were written off as being from being bitten by snakes, and that's why he has a gap in memory."
"So he has no idea he was both physically and mentally raped? That…that's good actually; I'd rather he not remember it. However…that doesn't mean those sick freaks are off the hook. If anything it means they're on my shit-list." Hurry stewed in fury, as Sanguine mentally cackled; she had played right into his hooves.
"Then you'll enjoy my first attack-on-sight order. I'm issuing a country-wide military order, that any Changeling is to be attacked, and captured upon identification. I've also been given a scroll with the mystic techniques used by horses to force Changelings to reveal themselves. I plan to have this scroll duplicated and spread through the country; so everypony may be able to reveal these creatures." Sanguine smiled at Hurry's pleased look at the news, as Sanguine knew how easy it would be to manipulate her to his needs. He needs his country secure; and Hurry can easily do that for him.
"I'm on it sir! I'll keep our country safe from these freaks." Hurry saluted as Sanguine summoned said scroll, and gave it to Hurry. She then flew out the nearest balcony to the printer's to get the scroll copied.
'And so it begins. You're not going to terrorize my subjects like you do Neighezid's, you monsters. We may not have an elite battalion of soldiers like the Janissaries, but that will be rectified soon enough as well.' Sanguine then picked up a silver crown on the table. The crown was a simple thing, but heavily engraved and inlaid with amber and jet. He put it on, and let it rest on his ears and horn comfortably, while he also adjusted the silver engraved cuirass that ornamentally adorned his chest and forward torso, the large spherical reflective jet being in prominence on the front.
Sanguine had returned to Canterlot this morning to find his day-to-day regalia and crown were made while he was away, and were merely down-armored versions of his combat armor. The reason for this, instead of being regal robes that the unicorns usually wore, was because Platinum had informed just about everypony just how GOOD he looked in armor, and when the smith who made his armor; a stallion by the name of Fierce Strike, heard this, he felt that a simplified cuirass and crown would suit him better than some lavish and complicated robe.
Sanguine adored the idea, and agreed to it. He had to admit; he looked very regal, and very dashing in his regalia. Sanguine then walked out onto the balcony facing most of the city, and looked out at the rapidly growing stone metropolis.
The city walls were massive things; meant to keep fierce beasts and ground-based armies at bay for long sieges. They were simple in design in comparison to the rest of the white-stone city, being unadorned and purely functional, with three guard posts stationed in the three turrets facing North, South and West. The wall didn't bother to run along the mountainside, as it cut off access from the north and south quite well, but plans for an East guard station were in circulation.
From there; the city started proper only a single road away from the walls, save for the walled-off west cliff where the foundations of Castle Canterlot were being laid. At first the buildings were simple; only a single story and mostly residential. Then they got bigger, and bigger as they got towards the center of the city. As of now; the city was mostly finished, a testament to the industrious nature of ponies, and the fantastic possibilities borne of unity and cooperation. For with the unicorn's magic and penchant for design, the earth pony's strength and endurance, and the pegasi's speed and determination; Canterlot was practically built within two months.
The council building, of which the name of shall never be uttered again by royal decree, was on the west edge of the city, so this worked well with the castle being built on the cliff of the plateau. Initially there was concern for such a hazardous locale for the castle, but everypony found it to be structurally sound, even for what was to be built there. This was also the cause for so many deaths in the crystal mines; the rock of the mountain was so hard, and strong that tools broke, ponies exhausted themselves trying to break through it, and accidents happened as a result.
So Sanguine has ordered any available geologist to fully examine the stone of the mountain, and help come up with tool designs to be able to break it. Honestly; if Star Swirl hadn't finished connecting the warp pads to their old homes, and reused the old structures to build Canterlot; the city would have taken forever to become a reality.
"Hm…speaking of the old nag, I haven't visited him in a while." Sanguine trotted down to the cellar, to where Star Swirl had taken up residence as he didn't want to bother going everywhere for everything. "Hey old nag! How…Star Swirl?" Sanguine entered to find the chamber emptied, and the old unicorn nowhere to be found. "But I thought he said…." Sanguine saw a scroll on the floor, and walked up to it. He opened it, and read it long, and slow…and reread it…. "…No…."
My Little Troublemaker,
If you are reading this, then I fear that my time has come, and I was unable to say goodbye properly. Nopony bothers with this old coot anymore anyway, what with Clover being the new go-to pony for magic. I have never been more proud of her, tell her that. And as for you; I've never been more proud of you either my son. A Prince, a ruler of ponies, and the guide of our fate as both a nation, and a culture, not to mention skilled in magic as well; more skilled than I was at your age, anyway."
I leave everything I own to you; as little as that means now in comparison to what you now possess. My books, my equipment, and my journals are all yours to do with as you will. I even have several spell books that I haven't finished writing, which I had not the energy, nor the time to complete; it is my selfish wish that either you or Clover take on the task of completing my life's work. That aside, I have also included maps with the locations of my secret private labs, resources, and my accumulated wealth. Know you however; that wealth is meaningless, so I would suggest distributing it as you see fit.
If you are wondering where I've gone; you can find my body resting in my old bed back in my tower in Tall Tale. I'm sorry for being so insensitive about my own end son, but you have more important things to worry about now than seeing to the burial of an old magister. Knowing you however, I just know that you are going to make a grand spectacle of this anyway, so you have a choice; handle the matter privately, or be as grandiose as royalty often is. I just want you to know that I love you, son, and as a stallion who never married or had foals; you were my son to me. I will miss you dearly my boy, for I know that you cannot join me where I am going.
Your Loving Father, Star Swirl the Bearded.
Sanguine was a wreck, he stood there starting at the scroll with tears and snot running down his face and onto the floor. 'He's gone…not even a year since my ascension, and I've lost somepony dear to me…it hurts…how can I bear this in the future? When everypony I knew is dead and gone?' Sanguine stifled his morose whinnies and whines, as he curled up on the floor.
(Canterlot Cemetery)
It was only one day later, and a massive gathering of ponies had been in attendance to the funeral. They were mostly unicorns, but several pegasi and earth ponies could easily be seen in the crowd. It was a quiet occasion, with only a few speakers, the priest of Faust, Clover and Platinum being the only ones to give eulogies, as Sanguine was too broken to be able to speak without breaking down again. Clover was sure to address this in her eulogy, so that everypony knew that his hesitation to speak of Star Swirl was from grief, and not spite or indifference.
He had such a good mare.
Everypony had gone, save him and Clover, who stood over the beautiful marble tombstone that was engraved with Star Swirl's likeness over his name; Star Swirl the Bearded. Under that was his title of "Master Magister and Caring Father". Sanguine wasn't crying anymore, his eyes were dry and bloodshot from running out. Clover still let her eyes drain however; having managed to remain composed enough to not become a complete wreck.
"He missed you, you know? He wouldn't go a day without looking off into the distance or at a wall, and just seem to become so sad." Clover despairingly informed her stallion, as she leaned into him with a foreleg looped round his own foreleg. "His passion for magic waned, and only seemed to regain it when teaching me. I think he knew he was sabotaging himself by sending you away, but he still did it…."
"Because he knew what was best for me; like a true father." Sanguine's hoarse voice cracked at the statement, because even though he knew this fact nearly a month ago; it still hurt so much to realize he missed so many years he could have had with his father. In his eyes, Star Swirl was not his foster parent at this point; he might as well have been his sire. "I don't know how I'm going to manage this Clover…if I feel this terrible now; how can I stand to live when…when you're gone? When our children are gone?"
Clover stood on her hind legs and hugged her stallion's neck, nuzzling him as she sobbed quietly. "I know…I'm sorry but I can't answer that. Just know that…that when we move on…we'll still love you, that we won't forget you. All that we can do is hope that you never forget us."
Sanguine looked down at his love, his current reason to bother getting out of bed. "I will never forget you…I promise on my soul, my core essence; that I will engrave everypony I hold dear to my heart in my mind. Even if it is painful, it would be unforgivable to forget any of you." Sanguine kissed Clover's brow, and hugged her back. "I need to leave now…I have a war to instigate after all."
"I wish you didn't need to…but that's your talent, isn't it? To throw things off balance, to bring chaos?" Clover looked past his wing to look at the mark on his flank, remembering just what it signifies, like the starburst she often ignored under her cloak. "I can't, and won't hold it against you. Just try and keep everything quick, and as painless as possible."
"I've already ended enough lives to coat my fur sanguine my dear…what is another hundred? A thousand? My life is not one of peace, or Kindness. But please…know that you and Equestria are the only things I can imagine keeping safe with these harsh and blood-coated hooves of mine." Sanguine kissed Clover, and they held it as long as possible before letting each other go. "I have business to attend my dear. Try to keep things from falling apart while I'm gone."
Clover sadly smiled as she nodded, and teleported away. Sanguine looked to the tombstone one more time, and grew determined. 'A university…one that teaches prospective unicorns from as young as foals to as old as nags the art of magic…I can think of no better way to honor you father.' Sanguine teleported away and everypony would think it an illusion, but the engraving of Star Swirl seemed to move, as the serious and stern expression on his face grew into a gentle smile, and a wink.
(Author Notes)
*Pink is all alone at the moment, panting and sweating like no tomorrow* "Ok, this is not the moment to be funny or silly in any way. So I escaped while Blushie was having her way with Game. As you can see, this is a very serious and sad chappy, which is why the author had a hard time getting it out. GameJunkie is comfortable and used to writing sexy or silly things, but serious and sad things are a lot harder for him. Especially since the sensitive guy cries while writing sad scenes to get into the mood for them."
*Pink sighs as she looks back on the chapter* "I remember where I was during this. I was in the Allspace back then keeping Blushie company. If I hadn't done that, I could've helped my brother's grief…I feel so irresponsible right now…I think this is a good point to leave off. See you again soon."