The Lord of Ragnarok
Chapter 20: Trust
Temple of Celestia Sol - Fifth Floor - Fluttershy's Cottage - About a month after the battle - Discord's P.O.V.
I was enjoying having tea time with a good friend. It was nice, and having her special someone with us is… Well, I would say awkward, but honestly it's a bit of Chaos that I'm rather enjoying. It was obvious that Lord Lightingsword wasn't sure of me, but because of our mutual friend he's being polite. I couldn't fault him. After all, Fluttershy was one of the only beings here that didn't right out fear me. She saw me as a friend, and as such I want to be one to her. I heard a drunken mare, singing, and I sighed. Another being that doesn't fear me is coming.
She stumbled in with the grace of a newborn fawn, her bacon colored mane looking tossed, and she smiled at me.
"Discord! How ya doin' laddy?!
I smiled at her, "Lady Clopmaniac, to what do I owe this honor? Would you like to join us for tea?"
She shook her head, lifted a bottle of whiskey, and pulled a long drink from it, "Nae, I just… Imma in a place full of friends, good fellas, all of 'em, and Imma lonely. Ya ever been lonely? Course ya 've. Dumb question, I just wish that I had somepony ta understand me, ya know? Like a soul mate. I donea even wanna shag, I just wanna have somepony close."
Having seen her like that, I felt odd. Lady Clopmaniac had always been fearless, and while I revel in chaos, I was not enjoying this change. I closed my eyes, focused, and I connected with the thousands of alternate mes stretching throughout the multiverse. I finally settled on the one that has who I believe will fit the bill. The mare in question had seen quite a lot, been through quite a lot, and like Lady Clopmaniac, I believe she was made better for it. I focused on her, at the last instance of her life, and I summoned her here. Of course, I gave her a small gift. She would no longer need that body she had. After all, it would be weighed down scrap here, and instead I gave her the body she had at the beginning of her adventure.
I felt tired, looked at Fluttershy and smiled.
"My friend, I'm afraid that I may have tired myself out just now. I will need to rest. Thank you for the Tea, and tell Pinkie Pie hello for me."
With that I felt Pinkie coming out, and I once again returned to the darkness. I could rest, but I felt proud. I had given my creator a special present.
Forest between The Barbarus Empire and the hidden City of Sanerek Nim - Unknown Mare's P.O.V.
I stood, looking around me. Moments ago I had been at the Tokomare, and I had defeated the ancient dead star. So, why wasn't I dead? I looked at my forehooves, and didn't see hooves, I saw hands! Not like the ones that Rover had given me, but actual hands! I shook it off, okay, okay, freaky star magic, that's what it has to be. I looked at my Pipbuck to see that it was replaced by an armband with a green emerald inside of it. I looked at it, and suddenly the interface of the Pipbuck filled my eyes.
The pony was changed, It stood like me, and it looked like it was dressed in old Equestria Royal Guard armor, like Cupcake had worn in that memory orb. It still had an interface with me, and according to it I was fine. I looked on my side to see a strange leather bag. I opened it to see it go deeper, and stretch out way further than the bag should have. I stopped, and tried to figure out what was going on. Did I drink some whisky that was laced with something? Could it have been moondust?
I tried to shake it off when I heard someone screaming, and I heard stallions laughing. Memories of what happened on the Seahorse came back to me, and I felt anger bubble up in the pit of my stomach. I had forgiven them, and that didn't mean that they got to try it again! I rushed out, finding that my automatic pistol, shotgun, and even Folly was gone. All I had was my sword, thankful for that, I thought it was gone forever! I also had a crossbow, and bunch of bolts for it. I loaded one, touched a red ruby on the side, and shot it. The bolt turned into fire, and ignited the first bandit. He screamed and fell. I took my sword, and then I felt something else. My Dragon Claw! I didn't know how I got it back, especially since it was gooified, but I used it on the next one, and I felt kinda a bad afterward. I had nicked his jewels. The third turned and ran.
I looked at the girl to see a weird bunny hybrid thing. It looked at me, pulling what little scraps of clothes it had close to itself.
"It's all right," I lied, "You'll be fine."
She wasn't going to be fine. I knew first hand she wasn't going to be fine. She was going to blame herself for this, she was going to relive it day in and day out until she did something unforgivable to some poor filly who didn't deserve it. I looked at her, gave her a small smile.
"T...Thank you," she stuttered, "I'm Claudia…"
I stretched my arm out to her, glad that I at least had my security barding, and she took my hand. I was going to have to get used to that at some point.
"Glad to meet you, my friends call me Blackjack."
She stood, her loose pieces of cloth now hanging off of her hands. I could see a dark crimson spot on the loose cloth between her thighs. This was a hell of a way to finally get introduced to sex. I hated it for her. Every mare deserved to be treated well. She needed to be introduced by somepony that knew what they were doing, that wasn't rough, that didn't just do this because they wanted to.
"Where were you going? Maybe I can help you get there?"
She looked around, "Ummm… The mountain city of Sanerek Nim. I n… I needed to speak to an adventurer there and let him know that the city was officially his…" she whimpered, "Oh Varfen, I'm… how can I ever…"
I knew where she was. She was facing that mattress. She was facing the point where she broke, and I couldn't let her do it alone. I wished that whatever had brought me here would have seen the sense of bringing P21 with me. He could explain things so much better! I was not a smart pony. I never claimed to be a smart pony. I just did things! I looked at her.
"I know what it's like," I said, "And I know how you feel. But, right now the best thing to do is bury it. Just shove it back into a closet in your mind, and bury it. Bury it under a whole lotta other stuff, close that closet, and don't think about it."
She nodded, sniffling, and then looked at me, "O..Okay, do you really want to go with me?"
I gave her a nod. I had no clue where I was, and besides, I didn't want her to face the same thing again, "Sure, I don't mind."
She walked with me, "So, Security, is that your hero name? It's on your armor, which is weird," she sniffed, "Cause I've never known anyone to wear armor with their names on it before."
I was reminded of something Mom had told me once, about how Marmalade's mom had said she almost felt like she needed to write her name on her security barding because Marmalade would confuse her own with her mom's. Even though the two of them were very much different sizes! Marmalade was at best slender. Her mom, Strawberry Delight, was plump. For an older mare she was pretty good looking, but she wasn't exactly blessed with the best mind for decision making either. Like her daughter, she was a follower.
"Yeah, that's me, Security," I laughed. That name was following me again, "So, where's this city at?"
She sniffed and pointed vaguely toward the south, "Over there."
I gave her a nod, "Okay, sounds like a plan to me. Let's go there."
We got started in the direction she indicated and as I walked I noticed that my barding didn't feel right. It was supposed to be an extra thick Stable-Tec barding, with ballistic weave in it, allowing it to be somewhat bullet proof, mostly manervable, and still breathable. This felt heavier, and it didn't breathe as much. It felt like Leather. Not that there was really anything wrong with leather. I'd worn it, from time to time, but I didn't like to think about it. Plus, Leather armor was shit against bullets. But, from what I could see there were no bullets here. Regardless, I needed to find some better armor in a hurry.
In the distance I could see a lone mountain, tall, with a cave at the top, and I was reminded of Spike's Cave. I wondered, if perhaps, this was another dragon's cave, and if it was I doubted that it was as kind as Spike. Spike, who, as far as I knew, was still pinning for a mare that had been dead for two centuries. Even a not smart pony like me could see how he looked when he talked about Rarity. Somehow, I didn't think that I would have the luck of running into another dragon like him.
But, she said that it belonged to an Adventurer, so maybe it was just a cave.
City of Tenagra - near the Chieftain's home A month after the battle - Mistress Marevelous' P.O.V.
The sight of the dead simply being gone was a nice first step. Looking at the area I was struck with just how peaceful it was. The Uncia had taken a barren plateau residing on a unforgiving mountain side and turned it into a veritable paradise. After policing the bodies into portals connected to Sakerek Nim (which was odd in and of itself,) the real work began. Building up new defences for Tenagra was a challenge, given that not many could assail the city given its location. Even so, we built up a wall around the city, roughly three meters thick and ten meters high, and arrayed it with crenelations like a medieval castle to allow for archers. Murder holes were also set up at key tactical points for crossbow weilders and pikers.
Steve and Clopmaniac had also done some work in the sewers, to keep vermin and the like from using those tunnels to access the city. From what Aesir told me, the trap that Steve set up is rather ingenious. He took a variety of mold that grows down there and enchanted it to generate elemental affects at any non-allied human that passes through that way. He had Mannulus send over a homunculus from the stock he was working with to test the defenses. The way Aesir told it to me, there has never been a body more electrocuted, burned, or corroded as that homunculus was. The ladies of Tenagra also showed us some of the more mobile denizens of those deeps, including a rather passive Beyonder.
It took roughly two weeks to get that Beyonder to help us out (Steve and Clop said it was akin to a business negotiation,) but in the end, the Beyonder now patrols the sewer system beneath Tenagra, looking for Theocracy grunts. There were also some indigenous carnivore species down there of the non-sophant variety. The Uncia typically used to leave them alone because a swarm of them could devour a Uncia adult in under a minute. The Uncia call them torvid, which translates to "blind ingestion." They didn't take to training very well, but the Beyonder down there got them in line and now we have several voracious, meat eating mole rat packs down there at strategic locations within the tunnel networks.
Then came the week long "victory celebration." I got to meet Clan Chieftain Nassua. Which is, wow. The Uncia ladies are hella tall, but Nassua is almost tall enough to bound over the wall we finished making with a few inches to spare! And she's built like a Miss Universe contestant, except she has more fat on her than that contest would allow. She claims to have had six broods so far. I have seen some young Uncia clambered around and atop of her, so I guess that tracks.
(And I did the misfortune of seeing Lady Nassua breastfeeding some of her youngest. The less said about that, the better.)
Still, a week of mead, cheese, meat, and bread was almost too much. Oh, sure, Clopmaniac had her fill and then some of the local brew and Steve ate his fill of the cheeses. I did find myself feasting quite well, and drinking a little too heavily. Thankfully, Aesir and some of her friends amongst the Clan Council kept me from making a fool of myself. I also learned what Aesir's mother's name is! She is called Avalon and she is what the Uncia refer to as a unzani, or spear maiden. (Given that the Uncia language has sixteen ways to say spear, you might be wondering why Avalon is called a spear maiden. "Maiden" in the Uncia tongue has numerous connotations and keeping one's virtue is not.)
It was a fun time and I had made some very happy memories there in Tenagra. And I got to know Aesir quite well. I even consider her, and Dicta, Dicta's sister Didact, and Avalon. Oh, one last thing that should be mentioned. I know Clop was asking every other day when the males were coming back. The look on her face when she saw them… Classic! If you could imagine what the result would be if you mated a snow leopard with a Homo Neandrathalis, you would get an Uncia male. Short, hairy, heavy set and leagues away from handsome, the Uncia men came back laden with fruits, grains, and fish. Not a single looker in the bunch!
Not that Uncia women are lacking in choice. It seems that tall, swole, and fiercely intelligent are fanciable traits for the men of Lutum! I've seen elves, drow, dwarves, the odd hobbit, even some naga amongst the residents of Tenagra. And from what Avalon told me, Uncia females are able to mate with damn near any species. They haven't met any Equis, so Clop, Steve, and myself are something of an exotic flavor.
So, that brings us to the present. Nassua is handing out rewards for combat duty. It seems to be a thing for the Uncia. Steve and Clop got some really big medals to take home and I'll be coming home with some fond memories, and the biggest wheel of goat cheese on Lutum. Not bad, I guess.
Hidden City of Sakerek Nim - One Week Later - New Council Room - Mannulus P.O.V.
The council room was what I had hoped for. It was quiet, for the most part, and I enjoyed the stillness of it. It was going to be our first meeting here, and Adagio had gone above and beyond the call of duty making it presentable. I looked up to see my siren bride. She was quietly waiting, although I could see how tired she was. Rainbow had taken the fact she was a quiet lover as a personal challenge. That challenge was of course to get her to make the most delightful noises while we were all being intimate.
So, the last night was spent at our second home, the very place Adagio had claimed for her own. It was quite beautiful, and in truth I felt that it matched her personality. She was one that liked the finer things. The manor had been something astounding at one time, and through the work of the soldiers, and several new tradesmen, which were allowed to move in under the realization that they would be protected, the manor was once again beautiful. The large clam shaped tub was carved from a solid piece of white onyx, the basins were made of gold, and then there was the bed. Like the one in my room in the temple it was a king sized, and it just barely held all of us.
I watched as Adagio yawned, her obviously tired state was something to consider. I watched as she neared me. She took a seat, relaxing, obviously enjoying the moment of peace, and I reached over to her. She leaned against me, and I felt her breathing begin to deepen. After a moment she was out like a light. I stood, used my magic to make her lighter, and began to carry her. I knew she wanted to sit in on this meeting, but to be honest I didn't want her to lose sleep over it. I saw Sombra, who was paying attention to who I was carrying, and I nodded to him. He followed me into the large manor, and we walked to the bedroom. I laid her down, letting her sink into the large bed, and then pulled the sheet over her.
"Your herd size has grown," he said
I nodded, "It has, but that's not a bad thing."
He nodded, and we left her in the bed. As we left she began to snore. If anyone was to ask one of my brides if they snored they would answer no. The truth was that all of them did. Twilight's sounded like a small whistle, with an occasional snort. Solar Flare sounded like a chainsaw pure and simple. Luna had a deep resounding snore that sounded like an engine misfiring, and Rainbow's was undeniably like a pony whinnying. It was both adorable and a stark reminder of what I had become. Adagio's was different. Her snore was a soft note, reverberated, and sounded almost musical.
I watched as she slept for a moment, and then I walked back to the council room with Sombra. The two of us took a seat, and soon we began to have more of our number joining us. Trixieisagoddess walked in with Clopmaniac. The two where laughing, regaling tales of what had been happening since they had last spent some time together, and then I watched as Mistress Marevelous walked into the council room.
She didn't look relaxed, but she didn't seem as upset or worried either. The moment she took a seat I saw her attention go to Clop and Trixie. The two of them smiled at her, and invited her to join in on the discussion they were having. A few moments later Lightingsword and L0rd0f7hund3r walked into the council room. Unlike the Temple the Hidden city of Sanerek Nim was certainly built with Dwarfs in mind, but Adagio and her sisters had done well in making the city reflect Equis and humans.
"What's the meeting for Mannulus?" Sombra asked.
I looked at them, "Trixieisagoddess, what can you tell me about the current state of Coronam?"
She smiled, "The city is mostly crime free. We control Hydra, although Onager Cavum has escaped. We've begun searching for him."
I nodded, "And officially we are allies with the Kingdom of Coronam. At this moment we can officially say that our power is more than adequate to destroy the Sanctus Theocracy. I vote that we finish what we started. We lay waste to the Theocracy."
Any thoughts, or objections, that there might have been were halted as Twilight came into the room in her Moondancer disguise. She looked at me, "Lord Mannulus, there are two individuals requesting entrance into the city. They are wishing to speak to Veneficus the Dark Mage."
I nodded, pulled on the goggles, trench coat, scarf, and wizard's hat. With that I went to greet the visitors as Veneficus. Walking toward them I saw Claudia, Cynthia's sister, and she looked as if she had been attacked. Standing next to her was someone odd. I had never known anyone to actually RP as Blackjack, but here she was, and her leather armor was perfectly modded to resemble her security barding from Stable 99.
"Welcome to the hidden city of Sanerek Nim," I said as I observed them, "I am Veneficus the dark mage."
Claudia nodded, "Ummm, the guild has requested that you officially update your home as the City of Sanerek Nim, and we have an adventure matching your skill set."
I studied her, "Very well, I shall look into the adventure," I said before looking at the mare, "And whom may you be?" I asked.
Hidden City of Sanerek Nim - Entrance - Blackjack's P.O.V.
Okay, cute mare in old timey wizard robes, and powerful dark mage in really weird old timey wizard robes. Not suspicious at all, nope, no siree, Celestia, I wish that P21 was here. He was always better at this whole reading other ponies thing. It's okay Blackjack, just give him your best Nightmare Moon may care smile, talk with him, and then see about going with this nice Bunny girl thing and get a feel for the area. Oh Luna! Scotch Tape! Wait, she's back at Chapel. She should be fine. Please Scotch don't do anything too stupid. Be a smart pony like your Dad, not a not smart pony that runs and shoots things like me.
He's looking at me, like I'm a crazy mare, Time to be charming!
"Uh, hi! I'm Blackjack, and I was just helping my new friend here to get here, yep, that's what I was doing, because that's the right thing to do."
He studied me for a moment, "Uh huh, Why don't you both come in. I believe you can take a rest in my home, and we can further discuss things."
We followed him into this obviously hollowed out mountain and toward a huge house carved out of rock that the mountain was made of. For Earth Ponies to do this would have taken years, maybe decades. In truth, it reminded me of black Pony mountain. Only, there weren't any bat ponies flying around. Well Stygius had said that wasn't what they liked to be called. I think he said Lunar Pegasi, I hope that he made it out.
Stepping into the mountain home I was rewarded with the sight of a fantastic home. The furniture was ornate, better than Goldenblood's, and there was a weird reverberating note playing in the background. It was sweet, very soft and easy to listen to, but oddly it seemed to close in on itself for a moment before starting again. He brought us a couple of cups, poured some of that boiled weeds water into them, and then offered us some cakes. I sniffed one, smelled the sweet carrot flavor, and bit into it.
"Now, I have to attend to something for a moment, but please, wait here. I'll be back in about twenty minutes."
He got up, and I watched as he left. The sound of that note was calling to me, and I got up. I saw Claudia watching me, but I just shook my head. I walked toward it, and opened the door to see a beautiful nude Earth Pony mare. Her hair was poofy, really poofy, but It was fitting for her. I looked at her goldenrod colored coat, moved toward her, and heard the sound of her melodic snoring as she slept.
Even with her teats being up on her chest, which this was odd. I had teats on my chest, and they were big! Not huge, but bigger than I would have thought! I sighed, it was okay, it's just teats, on my chest. It's better than a penis eye. She had a nice set of hips, something that a mare could really grab onto and just really go to town on what was under her tail.
"Oh, I didn't realize that Veneficus had more than one," Claudia said from behind me.
I did not scream, nor did I jump and startle that pretty Earth Pony mare awake. That is not what happened, at all.
