Unchained Melody (Abridged Edition)

by CrossroadsPony

Together, a strange duo of a singer and a guitarist must make their way along a path they don't realize has already been drawn out before them. Mostly a story of relationships and character growth (and the pain of being caught in a demonic contract). Abridged version (ie. no explicit sex). Also, hey, how 'bout a playlist for the story? Check it: gooDOTgl/r1zKoc

21. Chapter 21

Chapter 21: I Will Always Love You

Amdusias slowly opened his eyes as the icy rush of liquid along his aching back stirred him into consciousness. He tried to sit up and immediately groaned in pain, reaching back blindly over a shoulder. But a gentle hoof grasped his wrist and pushed it quietly back, Graceful's familiar voice murmuring: "It's okay, Dusey. Just relax...just...just washin' out these cuts. They...they're pretty deep..."

"Graceful Melody...you are okay." The demon nodded silently before twisting his head around sharply. "Riffraff? Where is Riffraff?"

"He's okay," the small pegasus whispered, a tremor in his voice as he gingerly cupped more water from the stream into his hoof and then splashed it carefully onto the reptile's back. Many of Amdusias's spines had snapped off or simply withered away to nothing after the overexertion of his power; the small wounds they left, however, were nothing compared to the jagged holes dotting the demon's taut hide where the ice-based magical attack had struck him. "He's...he's really upset and...he...flew away..." The slender pony's head dropped, tears rolling down his muzzle as the distant sunrise illuminated his pale features. "He'll be back..."

But Graceful's words were hesitant, as if he wasn't sure, and Amdusias didn't need to see the pegasus to feel his agony, to reach deep into his thoughts, to see his very soul contorted with pain. The demon stared ahead numbly, allowing the slender mortal to continue slowly rinsing out his multiple injuries. "I...I am sorry..."

"Dun apologize," the pegasus replied meekly, choking back a sob. "It...it isn't your fault. You couldn't save us all. You did what you could..." He leaned forward and then whimpered in pain as his wings brushed against one another, the charred feathers dropping free and fluttering into the slow-moving stream as Graceful closed his eyes tightly and tried to ignore the agony. "He'll...he'll be okay. He just has to...he just has to..." His voice hitched and the pegasus dropped his head, his hooves falling to his sides as he started to cry again.

The demon watched a small trail of blackened feathers float past atop the water as the mortal slumped and attempted apologies through his sobs. Amdusias closed his eyes for a moment, then slowly pushed himself up with his hands, feeling his body protesting, nerves screaming in torture but forcing himself through the agony to slowly sit up.

Doing his best to not grimace in pain, the reptile silently pulled the singer into a tight hug without knowing what he could possibly say or do to help. Graceful Melody instinctively pressed close and shoved his head against the reptile's broad chest, crying harder as strong arms gently embraced him, careful not to brush against his damaged wings. Amdusias looked down at the devastating burns, his heart twisting in his chest; he wanted to curse the larger pony, lay a savage beating into him for abandoning his injured companion, for not simply running when he had the chance...and yet he couldn't bear to think of doing either. He himself felt guilty, felt downright horrible for not having the strength and conviction to at least try saving their friend. A slow, shuddering breath escaped his muzzle and he closed his eyes again. "You are hurt badly, little one. Please try your best to focus...do not fret, Riffraff will return. But I need you to focus so I can heal you before it is too late."

Graceful nodded mutely and closed his eyes as he tried to shut out all the warring emotions and confused thoughts. He twitched when Amdusias gripped into one of his wings, feeling more scorched feathers fluttering free to scatter across his slender frame. The demon winced, too weak to concentrate on both healing the pegasus as well as blocking his natural mental link, and his own body suddenly filled with the pegasus's searing pain. But he grit his teeth and put all his strength and focus toward pushing his amber essence into Graceful's wings. The feminine male whimpered but kept as still as he could, feeling the reptile's energy lapping at his shoulderblades, like weak ripples on the shore of a quiet pond.

The process was slow, and Amdusias could do little to ease the discomfort and outright pain from his fingers gently gripping the blackened appendages, unable to push his healing energy into the mortal except by contact alone due to his own damaged vitality. The gaping wounds in his back were bleeding again, and all but a few lonely spines remained jutting out from his pale hide. But his attention revolved solely around the injured mortal, knowing that his own traumatic lacerations would eventually begin to naturally heal. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he could sense Riffraff, knowing the crimson stallion hadn't fled far from the unplanned exit point of the frantic teleportation. He sighed quietly, and Graceful immediately whined loudly; Amdusias winced and muttered an apology, cursing himself for falling prey to the mortal habits of not maintaining an absolute meditation-like focus on his current goal. "I am sorry, little one. My own mind is...having difficulty concentrating."

"He'll...he'll be back? You're sure?" Graceful whispered, wet tears rolling down his muzzle to trickle down the demon's muscular stomach as his slender forelegs clutched silently to the reptile's waist.

His features softening, Amdusias gazed down at the pegasus for a moment, then nodded once and let his eyes drift back toward the mortal's singed wings. "He is not far. He will be back." A bit of static filled his mind as he made another, more careful mental probe into the unfamiliar forest around them. His unhindered link with Graceful's own ragged psyche gave the feminine stallion a glimpse of the demon's outstretched telepathic fingers. They both felt Riffraff's distinct signature for a moment: it was healthy in one way, yet tangibly pained in another. Amdusias grimaced and quickly withdrew his psychic grip with a soft hiss.

A brief jolt of pain ran through Graceful when he felt Amdusias snip the outbound mental tether, but he only gripped harder into the reptile's waist, tears filling his eyes again. "Thank you. At least I know he's alive." He whimpered a bit when the demon turned his attention back to healing his ruined wings, but his features were less contorted in pain now that he had something upon which he could focus.

"Yes, he is alive. I...may be unfamiliar with many mortal emotions and attachments, but I am not blind to the agony of losing a close friend," Amdusias murmured, his body relaxing somewhat as Graceful Melody's more-soothed state eased the transfer of his anima into his scorched form.

"More than that," the pegasus replied quietly, smiling faintly against the demon's muscular stomach. "I thought of her as a close friend. She...was more to Riff. That...that night. It was special for them." He closed his eyes and Amdusias instinctively curled his tail around the mortal in an innate act of compassion. "He...he lost a lover." Sighing quietly and shaking his head just enough to make his messy mane quiver, the periwinkle pony let his own words sink in. He was surprised that he felt no animosity, and only a sliver of jealousy – more than anything, he wanted to take back the cruel thoughts he'd harbored toward the two, the gnawing fear of being abandoned. In a word, he felt...

"Do not burden yourself with guilt, little one," the reptile chided gently as his fingers slid slowly along the humeri of Graceful's wings. The smoldering had stopped, and the precious few feathers still clinging to the seared flesh and bone beneath no longer dropped like so many dead leaves. Amdusias was silently discouraged at the sluggishness of the healing process, but the reptile knew better than to expect miracles. Even of myself,he thought wryly, allowing himself a small smile before he gazed down with genuine concern once again.

"You did nothing that you should hold against yourself. Perhaps it may seem foolish to most, you, the less...inhibited half of this strange pair, concerned about your faithful paladin finding truer solace with another. However, my experiences with the two of you convince me that neither of you are to be taken at face value. Your fears, paranoia and envy were not unjust. Perhaps they were a bit childish...but you are not guilty of any horrific crime, moral, mental, emotional or otherwise." He looked into the pegasus's tear-filled silver eyes when they gazed up at him, seeking the consolation that still did not come quite naturally for the demon lord. "You may occasionally be an idiot...but you have no reason to feel guilty for the emotions through which you suffered. They are...acceptable for you, strange little mortal."

Graceful Melody gave a short, quiet laugh, closing his eyes again and resting his head against the reptile's stomach again. He lay there, silent, as Amdusias continued to gingerly heal his wings in a piecemeal fashion. Amdusias had spoken honestly, and the demon's words and opinions presently carried a far greater weight for the feminine pony. It had been a by-product of his invitation for the reptile to become closer, his acceptance of Amdusias as more than a friend, as family, as a companion worthy of sharing so much time with the two devoted pegasi.

The scaled creature's words were important, now – they were not simply the insane or self-righteous rantings of some demon goading Riffraff to expire faster all while insulting everything he and his companion did. Amdusias could now speak to Graceful, actually speak to him, and have his remarks reach the emotional mortal's heart and soul without any deflection or insulation from his multiple facades, layers and masks. An insult could now truly cripple Graceful's self-confidence, just as kind words uttered at the right moment could relieve his worst internal struggles.

The pegasus let the world fade around him, feeling only the light contact of the demon's fingers along his wings. The pain ebbed steadily away, though the slender male didn't need to see his wings to know they were far from healed. An accidental flex of his shoulderblade had caused one of the appendages to flutter weakly, and Graceful heard only the gentle swish of featherless bone through the air. He felt immediately sick to his stomach and was saved from retching only by Amdusias gently placing a hand on his skull and siphoning out the nauseating images. The stallion still shivered, but he no longer felt queasy, glancing up at the reptile with a faint smile. "Thanks, Dusey. You're alright."

Amdusias chuckled softly despite himself, shaking his head slowly and grasping into the pony's wings again. "I am only saying that which I have plucked from your mind as the words you desired to hear."

"You know, as self-inflated as you can be sometimes...you can also be a real self-...hater. Sometimes." Graceful mumbled, keeping his eyes closed and his features pressed to the reptile's torso. "Just take the compliment. You're helping me feel better. It means a lot."

The reptile grunted quietly and studied the small male for a moment. As always, Graceful Melody's behavior brought him the usual mixture of confusion and amusement. He'd regained enough stamina that he could sense the mortal's murmurs were genuine. He smiled a bit and then lifted his tail, hoping for the best as he placed the two sharp ends against Graceful's skull. The demon focused briefly, then released the small reserve of energy he'd managed to gather. The amber essence flowed along his lengthy tail and into the pegasus, allowing Graceful to slump into a much-needed sleep as Amdusias breathed a sigh of relief. Simply healing the burn damage wasn't an extremely complex or painful process, but the regeneration of the pegasus's wings to their former fullness and functionality would be an excruciating ordeal, and one that Amdusias would not have wanted to bring upon the feminine stallion while conscious.

Amdusias closed his eyes, the tines of his tail still lightly contacting the stallion's head. He took a few seconds to check his mental state, ensuring the pegasus was indeed completely under, then gently scooped the periwinkle pony into his muscular arms and carried him to the dry riverbank. They'd both become damp after Graceful apparently managed to drag the reptile's unconscious body to the stream, where he'd carefully washed out the deep icicle wounds. The slender pony began to shiver in his forced slumber, droplets of cold water falling from his scored hide. Amdusias frowned a bit, knowing he had hardly regained the strength to rely on his firebreathing ability for anything beyond a few seconds of flickering flame. So he did the next best thing he could think of at the time, hugging Graceful's small body tightly against his broad chest and curling his tail protectively around the wet mortal. "Sleep now, little one. I shall have the worst over soon enough. And perhaps your infernal paladin might return from his fruitless venture in time to comfort you when I shall be too preoccupied to offer you such mortal trifles." The demon smiled faintly, hesitantly brushing back the smaller male's mane.

But before he could try and rest his own nerves, a familiar voice sounded in the clearing. "You mean this infernal paladin?" He blinked, looking slowly over his shoulder before yelping in surprise and almost dropping the slender pegasus in his arms. Riffraff stood behind him, his eyes cast down and a shameful expression painting his features.

"Do not do that, annoying little insect," Amdusias hissed, looking embarrassed as he slowly relaxed again, the slender pony in his embrace thankfully still asleep. "It is impolite to skulk around behind your benefactor's back."

Riffraff glanced up and tilted his head slightly before giving a small smile. "Wait. You didn't sense me?"

Amdusias met the larger stallion's gaze and hesitated before speaking. He studied Riffraff's moment of uplifted spirit, the visible flash of pride at having been able to mask his signature from the demon, and Amdusias briefly debated with himself as he suddenly felt torn between reactions. The reptile pursed his lips and then looked down again at Graceful Melody, finally saying softly: "Do not make this about yourself, Riffraff. Your companion was badly injured. I...understand your pain. But you need to focus on the little one for now. He needs my help, and I need yours. Besides, you know him better than I – would he not want you here at his side? Your mind, as well, here with his and not madly rampaging through the forests of regret, pain and blind fury?"

Amdusias wanted to compliment the pony whose soul belonged to him; he was admittedly impressed that now, of all times, Riffraff had stumbled into the finer art of keeping his mind almost completely sealed from the outside world. But having the injured singer in his arms, his shallow breaths a continuous reminder of what the trio had all suffered in the nearly botched rescue, Amdusias was reminded that Graceful considered him family, too. It went against every ounce of instinct in his body...But then again, what hasn't been against my instincts these last few moon cycles? He reached down and silently ran a finger along one of Graceful's charred appendages as if emphasizing his point, glancing up into Riffraff's ashamed eyes. "I know you mean him no ill will, and that you both have...unique ways of coping with emotional trauma." He smiled a bit and then nodded once. "Come, sit with me. I...I need to borrow your energy," the demon murmured, looking somewhat embarrassed himself. "I must heal him quickly before it becomes too late for the regeneration of his wings."

Riffraff blushed and nodded, settling down at Amdusias's side as the reptile wrapped an arm quietly around him, the limb long enough to pull him close while still gently grasping the smaller pegasus's injured wings. "He's...he's hurt pretty bad. Gods, Gracie...I'm sorry..." He looked down, swallowing thickly as he reached out with a hoof to caress his companion's damp mane back, his foreleg trembling. "I...it's all my fault...I shouldn't have...hesitated, I should have come straight to him..."

Amdusias grunted quietly, closing his eyes as he began to draw upon the conscious stallion's vitality. He was silent as he gently interlocked their minds, beginning a slow but steady flow not unlike an intravenous drip that trickled from Riffraff's form into his own. His hands immediately glowed a bit brighter and the reptile felt a surge of increased power, the advanced healing process suddenly easier to maintain. He exhaled slowly, looking relieved and then finally glancing down at the tearful guitarist. Their current link all but laid Riffraff's thoughts out upon an uncovered platter for the reptile...not that he needed to read them to understand the stallion's distraught state of mind. "I told this same advice to your little maiden of dishonor, soul-seller. Do not allow your guilt to derail you from the tracks leading to recovery. There are no solutions or comforts to find upon the back of that beast. Your heart belongs to this one; that is clear as day even to a confused lord of Helheim who hardly comprehends even the most basic of mortal emotions. However, you held – and still do hold – very intense feelings for this female." He paused, turning his attention back to Graceful for a moment as translucent wings made of energy began to etch themselves into reality before steadily becoming corporeal.

Riffraff looked down silently, the pause in conversation allowing his thoughts to drift. He felt Amdusias's presence in his mind, and he knew the demon didn't need any excess interference to deal with while trying to heal the small pegasus...but it was difficult to not think of Trixie. Of her horrified expression, that absolute look of terror, of fear and...what Riff felt with a sharp pang might have been pain, even rejection. The awful realization that Riffraff had hesitated long enough that he could neither save the female, nor prevent the damage to his companion. Her last thoughts of consciousness being of the crimson stallion reaching for her before simply disappearing in the clutches of the enormous rep-

"Riffraff!"

Amdusias's sharp voice sliced through the fog of Riff's miserable thoughts, snapping him back to reality where the demon was still half-hugging him to his side, although his expression had become unexpectedly severe. The larger pony flattened his ears shamefully before glancing with a wince at his partner: a majority of the semi-translucent feathers had shattered like so much fragile glass and it took Riffraff a moment to realize that the black splatters on Graceful's mane were from the multiple trickles of blood that now ran from the demon's nostrils and jaws. His teeth were clenched, ivory fangs gleaming dangerously as his massive, muscular frame shivered slightly. The crimson pegasus looked down with a quiet whimper, whispering meekly, "I'm...I'm sorry. I'll focus, Dusey, I promise. Please...please, do what you have to do to fix him...I...I..."

"I am not asking you to permanently bury your emotions," the reptile replied curtly before sighing and then softening somewhat. "Simply...stow them for now. You may unleash the full brunt of your curses and accusations when we have finished. That is my promise to you, mortal. But for now..." Amdusias met his gaze, his reptilian eyes showing a genuine plea, an honest request for the pegasus's cooperation. "Please help me."

Riffraff swallowed thickly but quickly and silently nodded. He closed his eyes, this time making a more conscious effort to clear his mind while reaching a hoof out blindly to squeeze slowly into Amdusias's muscular forearm. The reptile glanced down at this thoughtfully, then used his other hand to carefully guide Riff's other front hoof onto Graceful's shoulder. He felt Riffraff's worried thoughts rising almost immediately – the crimson pony was afraid of losing control over his thoughts again, and this time doing damage to the slender pony instead of only slowing the regeneration process. "Have a bit of faith in yourself," the demon murmured, placing his hands once more on Graceful's charred wings. "He has plenty of it for us both. Focus on him, not me. The rest will happen naturally, you need not force anything. He is strong, and he will feel your presence even in his unconscious state."

Riff nodded nervously, keeping his eyes closed and letting his hoof gently squeeze his companion's shoulder as the other remained locked onto Amdusias's bulging limb. A quiet moment of concentration passed before the muscular pony suddenly felt a surge of demonic energy rolling through the reptile's massive arms again. He flinched once as their mental link suffered a moment of static, but when his thoughts settled and Amdusias put all his concentration into his abilities, the sensation became more akin to a gentle flow of water that snaked through his mind and traveled along an invisible conduit to the demon. He felt a soft warmth radiating against his chest and even through closed lids, he was able to see the distinctive glow of Amdusias's energy.

At first he felt nothing beyond the light trickle outward of his thoughts and emotions. It was nearly soothing, like some of the darkness was being pulled out from his heart. Sensing Riffraff's relaxed state, Amdusias grunted and increased the potency of his preternatural abilities; the guitarist could now feel a more distinctive draining sensation in his mind, and soon throughout his body. He winced as Amdusias drew on his very life force, the demon augmenting his own weakened vitality with the stallion's. But Riffraff did all he could to keep his mind clear, not thinking about the fact that he felt more and more exhausted with every passing second, refusing to even put Amdusias in his thoughts as he concentrated only on Graceful Melody, on his smile, his warm laughter, the way he could brighten even the gloomiest of days, the months they'd spent together, through thick and thin, their strange but comfortable and secure relationship, the way every little thing seemed to be a thrill for the happy-go-lucky pegasus, the way they could giggle like children and chase each other through the skies without another care in the world... He gasped softly, a massive tremor racing along his spine as his eyes opened for only a moment before they rolled back into his skull, the masculine stallion giving a weak groan and collapsing against the massive demon, unconscious and drained far beyond his physical and mental limits.

Breathing hard, Amdusias slowly wiped the sweat and blood from his features, tasting his own vital fluids but ignoring them as he instead stared down at the periwinkle pegasus, shocked despite himself at how well the regeneration had gone. Graceful's wings looked to be completely intact once more, even if they'd become a pale amber, the hue of the feathers altered in mimicry of the demon's essence. Blood was leaking from the base of the pegasus's wings, but it was only from the strain they'd undergone with the intense introduction of so much supernatural anima.

Graceful Melody was still asleep, and Riffraff had passed out an instant or two after the procedure ended. Amdusias smiled a bit at this – he'd sensed a particular memory that had apparently triggered the last powerful burst of regeneration, one of the two ponies flying aimlessly together, holding hooves and smiling like schoolchildren out on their first date. He glanced down between the two mortals, shaking his head slowly and then gently pulling them both into his lap with a sigh. "Weak little bags of barely edible flesh," he murmured, leaning back against the steep embankment, his clawed feet resting in the cool, soothing water of the small creek as his long tail curled once around the pegasi. "Though..." He studied them for a moment, amber eyes thoughtful and perhaps even glowing with just a hint of warmth and affection for the two. "I suppose you have both proven that no mortal can be understood by his strange, four-legged hide alone..."

Amdusias stayed conscious long enough to observe Riffraff regaining his senses, the massive demon having long since exhausted the vast majority of his stamina. He mumbled something unintelligible, gently slapping the back of the larger pegasus's head before adding mildly, "Do not run away while I am recovering. I will not forgive you if this one finds harm after all I have done to heal him." With that, he flicked Riff's nose and then yawned and simply slumped back against the embankment, asleep in a matter of seconds.

"Weirdo," Riffraff mumbled, rubbing slowly at his eyes and then sighing as he arched his back and stretched a foreleg out above his head. He shook his mane out briefly, trying to force the lingering sleepiness from his mind. He glanced up at the enormous reptile and gently poked the muscular arm still wrapped around his crimson frame. But all he got in response were a few quiet snores; he was somehow unsurprised, considering Amdusias's creed and alignment. Riff grumbled and carefully wiggled free of the demon's half-embrace, watching his hooves to prevent from stepping on his snoozing partner. They'd both ended up in Amdusias's lap, and while Riffraff would not have minded simply lying there and enjoying the quiet comfort of their strange companionship, he felt...restless, in a word. Now that his concentration was no longer required in the resurrection of Graceful's wings, the guitarist's thoughts had been given free reign to rampage wildly across every subject he'd been hoping to avoid thinking about for a least a few hours.

But there was no escaping the burden of his guilt, no matter how many times Amdusias would inevitably tell him not to allow that particular weight rest upon his shoulders. The image of Trixie's helpless expression, her fear, her hint of betrayal...it had been burned into Riffraff's memory. He'd wanted to ask the demon if there was a chance she was still alive, if Amdusias knew who or what that strange creature was who'd watched from the outskirts of the forest. His eyes...they were...like little red gems. And he was just so calm... Riff shuddered and closed his eyes, starting to slowly pace next to the other two slumbering males. At first he'd thought the figure had been some kind of Phooka, but the smoky aura surrounding its indistinguishable frame had been thicker, more ethereal. And I guess I can't be sure it was a 'he'...but...it was a he. And those faces...I...saw them, I know I wasn't seeing things...

He shivered again and shook his head rapidly, automatically reaching beneath his wing for the small leather pouch that had somehow survived both an attack by cruel, mysterious, somehow-coherent skeletons, as well as a hurried, weakened teleport he'd actively resisted. A small smile crossed the pegasus's tired features as he plucked a coffin nail free and leaned to the side to light it.

Taking a slow, calming drag, the pegasus closed his eyes and tried to sort through his thoughts. He hoped beyond hope that Trixie might still be alive – they'd been specifically targeting her, and he figured if they wanted her dead...she would have been dead and not captured. Before he'd realized the extent of Graceful's injuries, he had made an attempt to fly back to the scene of the attack, but Amdusias's jump had not only been massive, but apparently random as well. When he'd flown as high as his sore wings allowed him, the stallion couldn't even see the distinctive outline of Canterlot against the distant mountains; either they'd ended up on the other side of them, or they'd jumped to an entirely different area of Equestria. There had been absolutely no signs of Ponyville, either, and he'd soon been forced to glide back down to the ground when the bases of his wings began screaming in agonized denial, long before he'd been able to discern their current location.

He looked silently at the narrow creek before them, the babbling water helping to steady his nerves before he could start tearing himself apart once more for his failures. He felt like it had been all his fault – he had, after all, been the one to insist on their outing. He'd wanted Trixie and Graceful Melody to be on good terms, to ensure that their friendship hadn't been broken because of the unexpectedly deep intimacy between himself and the magician. "Fuck..." he muttered, slamming a hoof into the pebbles below as his teeth clenched tightly around the filter of the cigarette. "Fuck, fuck, fuck..."

Between the horrific damage to his companion and the loss of their friend, Riffraff wasn't sure what he regretted more. If he'd gone after Trixie first, Graceful very well might have been reduced to a pile of ashes by the frighteningly powerful skeletal unicorns. And yet if he'd completely turned his back on the magician to protect his companion...That look she had. She...she knew I couldn't make that choice. She knew I couldn't come after her first...and then once Amdusias showed up...

He frowned and shifted slightly before sitting back heavily and drawing his eyes back toward the other two. He settled his gaze on Amdusias, studying the multitude of dried blood trails and obvious signs of strain and injury. Something came to mind as he drew his eyes along the muscular reptile's frame: the demon had been in Helheim that evening. Maybe that's why it took him so long to arrive when normally he's there within a second or two of being summoned. He had to get here from down below. The pegasus sighed and inhaled slowly again, letting the smoke trickle back out through his nostrils while watching his companions slumber. I guess he didn't have a choice. He would have been worn out just from getting up here so fast. Maybe he really couldn't jump with Trixie, too.

"Or maybe he was just a goddamn selfish fucking coward who didn't give a shit about her, and who sure as hell wasn't going to risk his neck for somebody who didn't have a personal tie to him," Riffraff muttered acidly, reaching up and massaging one of his temples. He hadn't felt such opposing emotions for the demon in a long time, since even before the savage beating he'd received at Amdusias's hands in Canterlot. Part of him was absolutely grateful – without the reptile's appearance, they likely would have both fallen before the skeletal hooves of the creatures within moments. But part of him was seconds away from attacking the snoozing demon lord, wanting to exact revenge for his choice. There had been an opportunity to rescue the unicorn, and the bitter side of the crimson pegasus felt nothing but scathing disappointment, fury and distrust toward the scaled entity.

Riffraff sighed quietly again, closing his eyes and puffing on the glowing cylinder. His mind was frayed with the mental oscillations between anger and gratitude, and it was made only worse when a gentle whisper from within reminded him that he had to wonder about Graceful, too. Had the slender pegasus not been jealous of the magician, after all? Riff couldn't recall whether or not he'd heard his partner crying out in protest when Amdusias had been preparing to leave without Trixie. He couldn't even be sure if the feminine stallion had shown anything beyond cursory concern for Trixie once they'd been attacked. Perhaps Graceful Melody was gladdened inside, having found the object of his envy removed from the picture, neatly and completely. Maybe he had purposefully let himself be so grievously injured to ensure Riffraff did not pursue the unicorn instead of coming to his side.

The masculine pegasus cursed and turned away from the other two with more shame than anything else, despite how prominently his suspicions and paranoia made themselves heard in his mind. The thoughts made him feel nauseous, sickened by his own mental accusations and judgments; he still loved Graceful with all his heart and soul, after all, and his affection for Amdusias still held strong, whether or not he'd come to a conclusion about the demon's intentions, whether or not the reptile actually hadn't possessed enough energy for a fourth body to join their jump. He knew it was unfair to hold the grudges he did, even if it was only a portion of him that did. Yet losing Trixie had been one of the hardest things Riffraff had ever encountered in his emotional life. It made him think of losing his mother, and brought to question what he would do if Graceful Melody was ever thrust into such a situation.

The cancer stick in his muzzle had long since dwindled away to the mangled filter and Riffraff let it drop to the damp riverbank with a sigh. The last thing he wanted to do was imagine a life bereft of his periwinkle companion – his mind had been assaulted enough watching Trixie dragged off only a few seconds before their own rescue. He grudgingly turned back toward Amdusias and Graceful Melody, afraid to find them awake with accusatory glares as if his silent thoughts had somehow permeated their slumbering consciences and given them every legitimate reason to cast scornful looks his way.

But the two were still sleeping peacefully – if anything, Graceful seemed to have curled closer to the demon in some unconscious attempt to garner a bit more comfort and serenity from the large reptile. Riff smiled faintly despite everything, finding an odd sense of ease from their closeness. I always did want them to be friends. Guess we've kind of gotten way past 'friends' now, though.

Riffraff wasn't sure why he didn't feel the underpinnings of jealousy when he looked at his partner, lover and companion sharing such a deeply emotional bond with the demon who held his contract, but he wasn't going to spend very much time thinking about it. He was grateful that his emotions were willing to accept the relationship that had formed, individually and as a trio, as well. Besides, after what I shared with Trixie...guess it'd be kinda messed up to be mad at Graceful. He might screw around often, but that's all it is. Screwing around. What...I shared with her, what I still feel hurting so badly...it...wasn't just silly sex for the sake of having sex...

He ran a hoof through his mane, a pained expression on his muzzle as his eyes settled upon Graceful Melody's recently regenerated wings. Riff knew he was lucky that his companion hadn't suffered a worse fate – the skeletal creatures hadn't shown even the slightest bit of mercy, and Grace was lucky to still be alive, let alone fortunate enough that the demon had been able to rebuild his feathered appendages. Even if now they look...well. A little different. Riffraff reached out and tenderly stroked a hoof along one of the small stallion's wings, marveling at the softness of the feathers. They were like down on a gosling, as if the pegasus had only recently been born into the world, his wings not yet exposed to harsh reality. They were no longer simply light blue in color, either – each feather now had a fiery outline of amber along the edge, reflecting the amount of energy Amdusias had poured into the slender pegasus. He somehow figured Graceful wouldn't mind, though. Considering his multiple tattoos and piercings, the coronas of yellow now edging his feathers more than fit with his existing body art, giving him an even wilder and more spontaneous look...which pretty much described the energetic pegasus in a single word.

He gently rubbed his partner's back, eventually sitting down next to Amdusias and resting against his muscular arm as his eyes drifted up and toward the forest that surrounded them on all sides. He still wanted desperately to go back to the scene of the incident, maybe find some hint or clue of Trixie's location, if she was indeed still alive. But not only were they apparently some ridiculous distance from Ponyville, Riff's wings were also in a less than favorable condition...not to mention the fact that he refused to abandon Graceful for even a moment. Not again. I...I care about you, Trixie, and I love you dearly as a close, wonderful friend. But... His eyes silently dropped back down to his sleeping partner, reaching down to gently push Graceful's still-damp mane back from his childish features. I can't leave him alone again. If we don't go together, then...I can't...go alone...

The trio remained huddled together by the quiet brook well into the next morning, allowing the early rays of the rising sun to warm their injured and exhausted bodies. Riffraff had slept on and off until sunrise, and he'd felt Amdusias stirring at his side once the soothing sunlight washed across his masculine, reptilian frame. A pile of cigarette butts rested near the crimson pegasus, the crumpled, empty pack tossed nearby. Riff sighed quietly, letting his head rest against the demon's muscular forearm as his eyes dropped down to the still-snoozing vocalist between them. "Dusey...you awake?" he murmured softly.

"Yes, I am. Your mind has been overburdened since you returned to us. It has not been conducive to the rest necessary for me to recover." His tone was dry, but Riff sensed the quiet concern beneath Amdusias's scorn. The demon glanced down at the larger stallion for a moment, then reached up to hesitantly grasp a shoulder. "Riffraff...I..."

"Not now, Deuce," Riffraff interjected quietly, though allowing the lizard's hand to remain where it rested. "We'll fight later. I...I don't want to waste time doing that. I want to know where they took Trixie. Who was that...thing?" His grey eyes shifted up to meet Amdusias's own amber irises. "You recognized it."

"It is a demon. And his name is Ignominious." Amdusias grimaced and shook his head silently, rubbing his free hand over his chest nervously. "I have not had the misfortune of crossing his path directly, though I have heard of him. His history is one of tragedy, though I daresay he brought it upon himself considering the life he led as a mortal. An extremely greedy and vain creature, though one who possesses immense power and cruel ambition. I believe he is driven by revenge or perhaps some long-lost love, though this is speculation at best. I do not make it a regular habit to pry into the lives and predilections of demons whose power far surpasses my own, and most certainly not with those who do not share my...less-than-typical views as a lord of Helheim.

"My domain is not quite an extremely populous division, either, and I rarely stray beyond its boundaries. Being a creature of Sloth, I find comfort in activities that do not often involve interaction with others. Solitude and self-indulgent creativity are my most common vices, soul-seller." He halted himself, smiling faintly and meeting the crimson pegasus's eyes, already knowing what went through the mortal's mind before he could even take the time to pluck the thoughts free. "I...I know you do not wish to hear this. You want to know what Ignominious plans to do with your magician friend. And I cannot honestly tell you. I do not know his habits, I do not even know his creed, what broad ambitions he has. I know you want to find her, to rescue her. I...I do not know of any way in which I can help you do this. And I say it not out of concern for your safety or my own. I say it simply as the truth. We have discussed how you and the little one view me as this all-powerful creature...and I have already broken myself apart for you two, proven my weaknesses, those areas in which I lack. You already know this is beyond my capabilities, beyond what I could even pretend to offer guidance or planning." He gave a short laugh, glancing down and sighing quietly. "Had those Velites not been the size of your average mortal, I...may not have even been able to rescue the two of you without even further injury. My abilities have little effect on them – I may toss a few of them around with my mind, and I can of course provide basic psychic shielding from physical attacks...but I am unable to manipulate the minds of such creatures. It would be akin to you and your foolhardy soprano giving a heartfelt concert to a stone wall. No matter how much effort you pour into it, the notes would fall not even upon deaf ears, for your audience would not even possess that which is necessary to experience the music. Do you understand?"

Riffraff grumbled and rubbed at his features. "Not really. But...yeah, I guess. I..." He sighed again and slumped against the larger male, glad for Amdusias's silent but reassuring squeeze around his side. "I'm not good at dealing with loss. To me, it's...it's cruel of us to be lying here, not even...trying to find her. Just giving up, assuming she's lost, I...I dunno what to do, Dusey."

The demon looked down at the pony as Riff's eyes closed, his features weary and saturated with pain. Amdusias was out of his element, yet again, and his own thoughts were wracked with frustration and self-loathing. He knew that the time and dedication he'd spent on these two mortals had long since altered his personality, made changes in those once-rock-solid convictions and demonic obligations; being unable to understand or offer support was no longer something he could simply shrug off – he could no longer simply not give a damn. It now hurt him somewhere inside to feel so helpless to provide at least some form of aid to the duo. He quietly pulled Riff closer to his side. "I...I am at a loss for words, myself, Riffraff. I...you know I am not familiar with these emotions. No, I am not attempting to make excuses, but I can feel your agony and yet I do not fully comprehend it. Nor do I understand your compulsive need to put yourself in harm's way without even knowing if you have the chance of rescuing this fellow mortal of yours."

"I know. And I know I can't...teach you or show you or try to get you to understand," Riffraff replied with a slow shake of his head, eyes opening as he glanced up at the demon. "But I can get close. Look. Imagine they came after me, and carted me away before you could swoop in and teleport me the hell out of there. What would you do?"

"I would find you and rip those undead cretins to pieces," the reptile shot back matter-of-factly. "Your soul is mine. No other may lay a finger upon it."

Riff smiled faintly despite himself, glancing down once more at his dozing companion. "And if it had been Graceful?"

"I..." Amdusias hesitated and then frowned as he silently tilted his head down in thought, his own gaze falling upon Graceful Melody's slender frame, gazing at the pegasus's light azure wings now tinged with the distinctive marks of his own essence. "I...I would...do the same," he murmured after a few minutes, feeling strangely vulnerable and exposed, as if his natural armor had been peeled away, leaving his weak, fleshy insides for the entire world to observe, mock and criticize. "I do not understand. I am cognizant of the fact that I have made a promise to you, to keep your fair maiden safe while your time upon this mortal plane dwindles. But...why...would I feel so willing to put myself into such potential harm for one whose soul I cannot even claim as my own?"

The crimson pegasus only smiled weakly again and nodded silently. "That question means that...you get it now, Dusey. It doesn't always make sense...that's something you gotta get used to for us ponies..."

Amdusias studied Riffraff, unsure at first whether or not he could trust the mortal's intentions...if the stallion wanted to gain a bit of leverage, or perhaps just confuse the demon into compliance. But when Riffraff settled silently against his side again, reaching a hoof out to slowly brush through the smaller male's mane, Amdusias knew the pegasus meant nothing remotely conniving. And what he said was true, regardless – more often than not, he witnessed one, if not both, of the ponies doing something that was irrevocably irresponsible and unnecessarily complicated or dangerous...for seemingly no reason other than earning a smile, a laugh, perhaps a burst of mortal adrenal fluids that would only linger for mere seconds. Ponies do not make sense, no. But I suppose I have become less stoic, myself...

"I do better understand," he murmured. His glowing yellow eyes gazed out toward the sun as it climbed steadily into the eastern skies. "Your soul may not belong to her, nor hers to you. But you would still...risk so much to save her. Regardless of any chance of success, of whether or not you knew she was even still..." His voice trailed off but Riff smiled a bit and nodded once, swallowing quietly.

"Yeah. You're catching on. I know you aren't fond of us pitiful insects and shit, but..."

"You have your merits," Amdusias interrupted gently. "Some of you, at least. Promise or not, nothing truly binds me here to this realm, nor to the two of you foolish musicians. Well...correction: beyond that minor obligation I have to ensuring that my property is not harmed, I am not bound by any means to remain here. And yet I do, do I not?"

"Regretfully," Riffraff answered mildly, but a small smile poked at the corners of his muzzle as he closed his eyes. "Do you think..."

"I will not answer that, paladin," the demon replied, almost scolding but his tone gentle. "Any speculation I make would either be tweaked for your sensitivity, or far more pessimistic than you honestly wish to hear. But let me offer this as some consolation: this Trixie was truly a pupil of the Princess of the Night? Then assuming that Luna has not changed – which I would very much doubt, having heard the tales – she will not take kindly to the capture of one she considers her own." Amdusias smiled grimly. "And though I bear no personal malcontent for Ignominious, the fact he dared lay hoof upon my two little ponies has earned him nothing less than a severe trouncing by the Princess herself. They say her abilities in combat are like my own in music."

"So she's a self-inflated, pompous jerk?" Riffraff replied with a half-hidden smile, some of his weighty emotions beginning to lift from his shoulders, his body straightening somewhat.

Amdusias huffed, however, flicking the pony's nose firmly. "Do not cast doubt upon either of our abilities. It is said that her movements on the battlefield are like those of a finely composed symphony, the sort you may think you are just beginning to understand, only to be thrown by the next, unexpected transition."

"I dunno if anybody but you says that," the crimson pegasus commented, gently rubbing a hoof over one of Graceful's pierced ears. When the demon shot him another glare, the stallion laughed softly and raised his free foreleg in a yielding gesture. "Alright, alright, don't wake the foal. I won't cast doubt on Luna's abilities." He met the reptile's eyes with a slight smile. "And you know I wouldn't cast doubt on yours, asshole. Otherwise I wouldn't have called your ugly flank up from Helheim to serve my interests."

Amdusias gave a short, barking laugh, cocking his head to one side. "I beg your pardon? Serve YOUR interests? I believe I am the one who owns YOUR soul, puerile mortal." He sniffed and looked to the side disdainfully. "And yes, I am aware you spouted forth what you did with the intention of stirring up such a reaction in me. But I hardly need to protest that which you have implied about my physical appearance. There is proof enough in the sheer amount of my essence that flows within both of you." Amdusias paused, turning back to flash a toothy grin at the now-embarrassed pegasus. "You reek of me in the supernatural sense. And I can promise it is not from healing you after your many idiotic stunts, nor is it from gifting you with my musical prowess." The scaled creature practically preened as he tilted his snout upward. "You and your delightful little harlot are taken with me. You would not allow me to fill so many voids, emotional and otherwise, if you found my appearance repulsive."

"You dun have to make everything awkward," Riffraff mumbled awkwardly, blushing and slowly rubbing a hoof over the bridge of his muzzle. "I should be allowed to tease you without getting a really really uncomfortable response about you. Filling our voids."

"You should. But your feeble mind cannot comprehend that which would be necessary for a worthy jab at my stupendous person," Amdusias replied curtly. His smug smile remained, but his eyes were soft, watching the mortal silently. He could feel Riffraff's distress thinning somewhat, the fog that had been clouding his thoughts and emotions beginning to dissipate. And though he could have easily continued to carefully and forcefully clear the pegasus's mind, much like a dissatisfied composer discarding a particularly tasteless page from a freshly penned concerto, Amdusias had no intention of doing so. Not only did he feel confident that Riffraff would eventually catch on – or at least realize what had happened in the near future – but the demon also felt a quiet obligation to allow the mortal to work through his issues without supernatural tampering or adjustments. If he was to truly join these mortals on their strange and apparently aimless wanderings, Amdusias recognized that he could not intervene at his leisure. For now, all he wanted to do was help soften Riffraff's tumultuous feelings of guilt and helplessness. After all, I have enough of both thundering through my own mind for the three of us...

Riff seemed content to let the insult hang in the air, the faint expression of amusement still present on his features. The demon relaxed somewhat himself, exhaling slowly and then reaching down to compulsively squeeze Graceful's other ear, smiling a bit as he rolled one of the silver rings between his fingertips. The muscular stallion's thoughts drifted almost naturally into Amdusias's perception and the reptile flicked through them idly more out of curiosity than anything else. As expected, Riffraff was concerned for Trixie and though his panic had been somewhat reduced, he still worried about her; he still didn't know if she was even still alive, and this seemed to bother the stallion more than anything else.

But Amdusias also detected a numb dread lurking throughout Riffraff's emotional concerns, beneath the obvious turmoil of loss and guilt. The demon was surprised that neither pegasi had bothered to ask him what the undead skeletons were, or even prodded all that much at Ignominious's presence other than Riff's frustrated question. Part of him hoped that neither mortal would ever bring up the subject – he wasn't fond of telling such grim stories to the ponies, especially considering his recent confessions which resulted in the demonic lizard's weaknesses becoming so obvious.

Yet he knew that, one day, he would inevitably explain things to them, whether or not they asked. The darkness upon the horizon loomed more menacingly than ever before, and Amdusias wanted both pegasi to be aware of the potential dangers they faced, and the best ways to deal with them. Although I suppose the vast majority of these 'ways' involve running at top speed in the opposite direction, the demon thought moodily. Neither one of these fools possesses anything beyond their musical talents, nothing that is useful in a fight, anyway. I am not complaining, but...I'm no warrior, myself...

As Amdusias sighed quietly, Riffraff steeled himself and concentrated on gathering up as much willpower as he could. He wanted an honest answer to the question on his tongue, but he was more than aware that the answer he received might not be the one he wanted to hear. He felt Amdusias already beginning to pluck the thread free from the jumbled mess in his mind and he smiled faintly, speaking before the demon could complete his probe. "Get outta there, Deuce. Look, be honest with me...how...where were you when I called? How...long did it take you to show up?"

The demon gave a small smile and shook his head. "I had been wondering when you would pose this inquiry. To be honest, the...experience was strange. Because at first, I felt a twinge. Almost as if listening to an orchestra and being almost certain a single viola was tuned half a step low. I could not be sure something was wrong. I have no doubt this was due to our natural bond, that which we share because of our contractual link. However, when you actually called out to me...as weak as was the connection between our minds, I heard your voice as if you were next to me. I was in the midst of a meeting with other nobles within the Sloth domains – no, no, do not apologize, these meetings are...extremely dull. What you imagine a meeting to be when it is held by those of Slothful descent is precisely as it happens in reality, yes. There are many pauses, breaks, recesses and useless motions passed solely to gain a few more moments of relaxation." Amdusias scowled. "For my own Slothfulness, I am often disgusted by the extent to which my fellow cohorts – lords, even! – express their own qualifying traits." He waved a hand dismissively, then glanced down at the curious pegasus. "However, back to my surprise...your voice came through with exceptional clarity, yes. I was confused at first, wondering if you infinitely bumbling mortals had somehow wandered into Helheim. Yes, your voice was literally that crystalline and pure, as if untainted by the distance and difference in planes of existence."

Amdusias grimaced and met Riff's eyes, sharing honesty in both gaze and speech. "Once realizing you were summoning me from the mortal plane, I made my way immediately out of Helheim, but...our link was weak. I traveled as quickly as I could, using a combination of reykrfara and instantaneous teleportation...but..."

"You were too far away," Riffraff murmured quietly, understanding without needing to hear more as he took a slow, ragged breath. "I...I still think you should have at least tried to grab Trixie, too. But...I don't...I know you have your priorities, Amdusias. And I know that you would have drained a lot trying to get to us that fast." He gave a broken smile up to the silent demon. "I'm not ungrateful. I know you put your own life on the line to get me and Grace outta there in one piece."

The scaled entity gave a small smile, looking guilty and rocking slowly in place as he slowly pulled the crimson pegasus closer to his side. "You would not have even hesitated were you in my place, paladin. I know this without question. You have a strong heart and a good will: both of which inevitably lead you to trouble, yes, but I have learned to respect these qualities in you. And I am sorry I do not possess them, myself."

"Yeah..." Riffraff murmured, smiling faintly all the same. He couldn't bring himself to tell the demon it was okay, but he already knew that it was nothing he could hold over Amdusias's head forever. He wanted to, yes...but Amdusias did what he had been sure he could do. And as much as it hurt the pegasus to admit, losing Trixie was unfortunately the better alternative to the entire trio potentially losing their lives in the attack.

"I appreciate that," the demon said softly, closing his eyes. "Again...you...you are a good soul." And though your soul belongs to me...I suppose...I could have had worse fall into my clutches.

Amdusias eventually drifted back into a light sleep as the day wore on, the demon lord still exhausted from his exertions as his feeble attempts at arguing otherwise proved useless. Riffraff wandered the area for an hour or so, never straying out of earshot but feeling fidgety enough from the lack of cigarettes that his body insisted he do something to stay preoccupied. He hoped that they would soon all be well enough to get back to their small motel room...and in all honesty, Riff wanted to find out if anybody in town had any news whatsoever regarding Trixie's disappearance. He wondered if it would have even been reported as a kidnapping, or if perhaps the scene of the event had been cleaned up and left in a manner that suggested nothing more than a half-witted magician who'd gotten drunk again and stumbled off into the forest to sleep off the alcohol.

The thought made the pegasus a little more than uncomfortable, since he knew how Trixie came across to most ponies. She was stubborn to a fault, and would rather have an entire town think of her as self-centered, half-insane and brashly unintelligent than admit to being anything less than Equestria's greatest magician. It hurt him to think that even a town like Ponyville, seemingly accepting of all ponies in general, could make this assumption...but he'd seen his share of ponies jumping to conclusions, especially in regards to a pony they didn't much care for. He at least felt, however, that Amdusias had a point about Princess Luna – he felt the demon knew more about the famed mare than he did, and if he was so scared of her...perhaps she was already out hunting down the captured unicorn.

Riffraff found Graceful finally stirring when he returned and the crimson pegasus quickly trotted up to the other two, eyes filled with concern. Amdusias continued to snore quietly, his muscular body slumped back against the riverbank as his scales steadily mended themselves, the spikes along his back beginning to regenerate. His arms had naturally wrapped around the feminine pony at some point, holding him gently to his stomach apparently without waking either one of them. But Graceful Melody was at last coming around, lifting his head as bleary eyes looked around slowly before settling upon the approaching guitarist. "Riffy?"

"Yeah, it's me, sweetie," the larger pony replied softly, sitting next to the curled-up pegasus, reaching out with a front hoof to gently brush back his partner's mane. "Don't push yourself, you been asleep since Dusey healed you up last night."

Graceful blinked, seeming taken aback at first by the other male's words. "Huh? Oh..." He slowly looked over a shoulder and then winced when he hesitantly unfurled a wing, a visible tremor of discomfort rolling through his slender frame. He whimpered a bit and let the appendage fold against his back once more. "My wings...they were...they were all burned up and...you came back, Riffy..."

"Yeah...'course I did," Riffraff murmured, ruffling Graceful's messy mane with a faint smile. "I'm sorry for running off. For...for not coming to you right away, too. I...shouldn't have hesitated..." He glanced away but felt the smaller pegasus's hoof silently clutch into his own foreleg. The masculine pony turned his gaze back to his companion, finding his soft silver eyes brimming with tears. "I...I'm so sorry, Gr-"

"No...no, it's not that," he whispered, shaking his head slowly. "Trixie...you lost Trixie...because you had to come rescue me..."

"Oh, Gracie...don't say that." Riffraff swallowed thickly and looked down. "I shouldn't have to even think about that choice. It wasn't your fault."

"I could have run...I could have flown up, out of danger...I panicked, I froze up and...and they took her away..." Graceful dropped his hoof and stared at Amdusias's stomach miserably, lowering his head and sighing raggedly. "At first...I couldn't believe you hesitated, honestly. But...now...now I wish you...had gone after her, and I would have just...taken care of myself for once. I could have run away, stayed away long enough for Dusey to show up an' then..."

"Graceful...it's alright," Riffraff interrupted gently. "Don't blame yourself. Amdusias and I will both get on you about that..." He smiled faintly again. "I already got an earful for doing the same thing. Look, it...it was a horrible situation. There was no good ending, not with how sudden it was. No matter what...something bad was gonna happen. Just...don't blame yourself, okay?" He reached out and squeezed his companion's shoulder gently. "Let's just worry about us now. The other stuff will fall into place. No point stressing ourselves out about things we can't do anythin' about."

Graceful Melody looked guilty all the same, but nodded mutely and crossed his forelegs beneath his pierced muzzle. "Okay..." Riffraff felt awful for his rushed treatment of the feminine pegasus' confused emotions, but the last thing he wanted was for his partner to put anything else before his own recovery. He glanced up at the demon for a moment, feeling a pang of concern for Amdusias nearly on par with his worry for his own partner. The pegasus grimaced but ignored it, only wanting to see the three of them back in town, back to their quiet life. Even if...it has to be without Trixie...