Disclaimer: All MLP:FiM characters belong to Hasbro and DHX Media. I do not own any of them except my OC. Also, Haman's Song credit goes to the entire Veggietales organization. I don't own that song, so please don't sue me 'cause I don't have the money for it. Thanks.
I was in the Everfree Forest again in Zecora's hut because Twilight wanted to bring me there for some reason. After that… incident at the Summer Sun Celebration a few weeks ago, Twilight got really worried about me and wanted an expert to look at what was happening inside my body from a magical standpoint. So, she dragged me over to Zecora's just to see what was going on. I'm sure I was fine, but you never know these days. Zecora checked all my vitals to see if anything seemed suspicious, but I was fine. However, shadows kept popping up all over the place to start grabbing things and destroying them. I think Nightmare King is acting up today and does not want to be discovered. After Zecora saw this, she said "Hmm, he is starting to fear. Of this fact, I'm quite sure." I went outside and Twilight seemed confused. She said "Fear? So he's just... scared of some things? But that doesn't explain how he gets so angry." There's more to it than that Twilight.
Zecora went over to her cauldron and said "A lion's heart is prone to anger. When confronted, they are going to attack. The more darkness they are around, their fury will only rise. If this trait goes unchecked, his anger will continue to rise and lead to his demise. He will certainly turn into a monster!" Well then. I guess she knows what she's talking about. "You'll be fine. There's nothing to worry about." Are you sure about that? You aren't exactly the most trustworthy source. "I'm positive. Work with me and I'll leave you alone. Fight me and there will be consequences. I don't like being discovered. That's why you saw all those shadows poke out of your body. I was simply trying to keep Zecora away from finding out about my existence." Umm, you do realize that doing that stuff only makes it more obvious right? "Yes, I do realize that. But Twilight won't be able to do anything about it. As long as you exist, I will always be right here inside your mind." I guess that's true. Anyway, Twilight gasped in horror and said "You mean, the more dark influence he is around, the angrier and more corrupted he gets?" That's what it sounds like. "But how do we stop him before he's completely out of control?!"
That I cannot answer. "If you don't mention anything to Twilight, you will be fine. But if you do mention something, then I will have to step in and take her out." NO! You can't do that! "Technically, I can. I have enough power now to take over your body and eliminate anyone who stands in my way." You wouldn't dare. "Yeah, I would. I don't care about Twilight as much as you do. She's a bad influence on you and something must be done about that. I do have some plans for her, but if she resists, then I'll have no choice but to erase her from existence for good." I swear, if you do that… "Don't cause problems and that won't happen." Anyway, Zecora said "If his monstrous ways you wish to impede, you must prevent him from practicing impurity." I doubt that's the case. I saw an animal go by and I attacked it before killing it. Zecora obviously heard it and gave Twilight a glare which she only chuckled nervously. What? This is how I eat. I survive on meat. Always have, always will. Twilight came out and said "Zach, we need to talk." If you insist. I said "Let me finish up my meal first and then I'll talk to you." Twilight rolled her eyes and said "Fine. But make it quick." I nodded and said "I will." Time to finish eating.
Twilight walked away and I finished up my meal real quick before catching up to her and Spike. "So, what is it you need to talk about with me?" Twilight sighed and asked me "Do you have a dark presence that lingers inside your body?" My eyes went wide and I started to get nervous. "Don't tell her I exist. It won't do you any good." Yeah, but telling a lie is wrong. "I don't care! Do you want her to still be around you or not?" I thought for a moment and then sighed. I said "No, I do not. I'm perfectly fine." Twilight shook her head and said "No, you're not fine. What happened a few weeks ago scared me and I'm worried you might turn into something evil if it continues." I said "Twilight, I was simply mad that day. Everything that went wrong left me in a bad mood. So, I was prone to snap and act foolish. It happens to all of us." Twilight said "Not like that. I noticed your body go through some pretty bad changes and I knew something was wrong. Yes, we do experience anger, but never to that kind of level. Please, if something's wrong, tell me. I want to help you. Don't shut me out." "I can do that if I want. You start to impede on my privacy, then I will deal with you once I take over his body." Relax Nightmare. I got this. "Don't say that. You sound like Gloriosa from Camp Everfree in the other world which drives me nuts." Okay, whatever.
I said "Twilight, I promise everything will be fine. If something does happen, I will come to you. I Pinkie promise." Twilight sighed and said "Alright, if you're sure. But please don't hesitate to come talk to me. I'm part of your life as well. So, don't leave me in the dark and have you solve your problems by yourself." I said "I won't. Now, I would like to move on. This is starting to become depressing and I have work that needs to get done. Can't be depressed while trying to do work." Twilight said "Yeah, if you say so." I know so. Twilight and Spike went into some conversation about tarts and I just looked straight ahead because I didn't want to hear about it. Spike was drooling like crazy about it though and said "I hope the gem tart stall is still there again. I could use a snack." You know, I could use one too. But, I just ate lunch, so I won't do that. Twilight simply smiled and said "You nearly bought every tart they had last time Spike." What can you say? Dragons can get hungry sometimes. "I can't imagine they wouldn't show up when there's a great customer like you." Yeah, I can agree.
Suddenly, Angel showed up and we all stopped in front of him. Wait a minute. I know this episode. Oh boy. That's going to be interesting. "Oh hi Angel. What's going on?" Angel made a bunch of hand motions but none of us knew what he was saying. She looked at Spike and asked for his opinion. "Do you know what he's trying to say?" I do. Spike shook his head and said "Nope." Twilight looked at me and asked "Do you have any idea?" I said, "Let me check." I cast a spell that would allow me to be able to understand animal language and try to figure out what they're saying. Uh huh. Yep. I understand. Oh dear. That sucks. No problem. "Apparently, after listening to what he said, apparently, he and Fluttershy are in a strained relationship right now and had their bodies swapped for some reason to be able to understand how the other feels. I would help out, but I'm afraid there's an important lesson that needs to be taught here, so I can't interfere with that. Sorry Angel or should I say Fluttershy. Hope everything goes well for ya." Twilight and Spike were beyond shocked and we continued moving along. The both of them went somewhere and I headed back to the forest so I could reach my fortress of solitude. I came to the entrance and began my spell. The scepter glowed crimson and blasted red magic at the kite shaped lock that was above the waterfall. The lock glowed red and then the waterfall retracted.
The steps came out from under the water and the secret door behind the waterfall opened. I walked over the water and went inside before the door closed again and resumed to normal. I sat on the throne and began doing paperwork as I waited for military court to begin. What? Celestia and Luna have their day and night courts, so why can't I have my military court? That's what I thought. As I was doing my paperwork, I noticed the doors unlock and open before it revealed somepony who I didn't recognize at all. I was about to attack him for sneaking into my secret fortress of solitude, but maybe he got lost, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. He bowed and said "Your Highness." I was confused and said "Yes? How may I help you? You really shouldn't be here, but it seems you've come for help." The pony nodded and said "There is an urgent matter I must speak to you about." Okay then. I raised a brow and asked "What do you mean?" Suddenly, music started playing and it left me more confused.
"Your Highness, I believe there is much to fear."
"Really? Those ponies are no longer here."
"A much greater danger may await you now."
I was a little confused on what he meant by that, but I decided to entertain the thought just to give me more context.
"How's that possible?"
"With permission, Your Highness, I'll tell you how."
"Go on."
"It's my duty to inform you and if I'm correct, to ignore this great emergency would be neglect.
It's the motto of my office
Serve and protect
There are those among us who show no respect!"
As soon as I heard that, I was immediately angry at those who could possibly show me no respect at all for all that I do for them all the time. Such foolish and arrogant creatures.
"Really?"
"The law must be adjusted!
There are those who can't be trusted."
"Oh my goodness, tell me about these people!"
"A sneaky little family who do sneaky little things
Who stick their sneaky noses into matters of the King
I fear if they're not dealt with, the prospect makes me weep!
A zucchini-shaped sarcophagus is where you'll sleep!"
At this point, I was beyond furious because not only was I not given respect, but they were going to put me inside a stone coffin of all places as if they were trying to get rid of me. I can't allow that to happen! They need to be punished!
"Really?! The nerve! I am disgusted!"
"There are those who can't be trusted!"
"That sure does not sound like a nice family."
"Nope.
Your Highness, I believe we must act with speed."
"Agreed!
Say the word,
I'll give you what you need!"
"A simple solution,
but you must act now."
"Well, how can I help?"
"With permission, Your Highness, I'll tell you how."
"Go on."
"After careful calculation, I've got just the thing!
"We'll send them to the dreaded Isle of Suffering
but before I can take action, we have to close the deal!
And it needs the Kingly imprint of your royal seal!"
Say no more. I'll make sure this family does not get away with these crimes. NO ONE commits crimes against ME and gets away with it! Not on my watch!
"I agree!
They must be busted!"
*says together* "There are those who can't be trusted!
That sneaky little family who do sneaky little things!
Who stick their sneaky noses into matters of the King!
For crimes against the kingdom, their punishment is steep!
The Isle of Endless Suffering is where they'll sleep!"
The pony had someone else bring the scroll over to me and I stamped my royal seal on the paper so this new law could be enforced. This is now law in the kingdom and whoever disobeys it shall be punished!
"The law is now adjusted!
There are those who can't be trusted!"
I saw the pony run out and I felt satisfied. That family will pay for their crimes against Equestria! I finished my military paperwork and left my fortress of solitude. I decided to walk through Ponyville and all seemed fine. Suddenly, I heard a voice that said "Zach! How could you do this to us?!" Twilight? I looked at her and she was clearly upset. I said "Twilight, what are you doing here?" Twilight went up near my face and said "I understand that you've been in a bad mood, but there's no excuse for this! Do you not care about us anymore?! Do we mean nothing to you?!" I was so confused and asked "What are you talking about Twilight? I haven't been in a bad mood all day!" Instead of speaking, she pointed to a poster and I took a look at it. Wait a second. WHAT?! That has my royal seal on it! That's the same one I signed earlier! OH THAT PONY WILL PAY FOR DOING SOMETHING SO SINFUL! Instead of punishing that family I was told about, it was a death warrant that would have all my friends executed on a guillotine. I picked up the paper and it burnt to ashes once my anger began to flare.
I turned around to face Twilight. My eyes turned to dragon slits and a storm was brewing in. I said "I will be right back. I have a certain somepony to take care of. HE WILL PAY FOR THIS CRIME!" I went into my shadow form and raced off to Canterlot. I went inside the castle and zipped past the hallways before I arrived at the place I meet with the guards when there is an emergency situation. All the guards arrived and I said "Listen up! I have just been tricked by some pony who just tried to get the Princess of Friendship and her friends executed by having me sign a death warrant and putting it on the bulletin board in Ponyville. This pony has a black mane, gray coat, and blue eyes. He is a unicorn. I'm conducting a search party and look everywhere in Equestria for this dude. If you see him, arrest him and bring him back to me so I can have him executed. Is that clear?!" The guards saluted and I nodded. "Good. Now go before it's too late!" They all scattered and I kept watch in Canterlot. I noticed Celestia and Luna go by, but I paid no attention to them. I have a culprit to find and he'll regret ever crossing me!
I walked around the castle gardens when a guard came running up to me. He said "Your Highness!" I turned around and said "Yes? What is it?" He said "We found the culprit!" I smiled and said "Good! Where is he at?" He scratched his neck and said "Well, he's on a train right now that's headed to Manehattan." Figures he would go there. My smile dropped and I said "Get my army together. We must move quickly! When he arrives at the Manehattan train station, make sure he is surrounded!" The guard nodded and ran to assemble my army. They were all ready to go and I told them the plan. We all quickly flew to Manehattan and arrived at the train station before the train did. We had to be ahead of the train so my plan could work. The ponies waiting to go home were all confused on why there were so many guards here and a royal presence. I understand the confusion, but there is a dangerous criminal on the loose and I even have snipers hanging out on buildings just in case he decides to run. Believe me. When it comes to handling a dangerous criminal, I know what to do. It's all part of being in the military. Anyway, the train came and that pony was the first one out.
He suddenly stopped and the guards yelled "HANDS! ON THE GROUND NOW!" He freaked out and started running. I took off in my shadow form and summoned an obsidian wall that he crashed into. I returned to my lion form and held him in my grasp with the scepter's magic. I said in a dark voice "You are in deep trouble. Not only did you lie to me, but YOU ALMOST HAD THE PRINCESS OF FRIENDSHIP AND HER FRIENDS EXECUTED BY A PAPER YOU TRICKED ME INTO PUTTING MY ROYAL SEAL ONTO!" Lightning and thunder went off and the pony was now terrified. I wrapped chains around his body and put an antimagic ring on his horn so he couldn't try to free himself. I handed him over to the guards and said "Put him in the criminal car on my royal Crystal train." The guards nodded and took him away. I flew back up to the train station and the civilians standing there were quite scared. I can understand that. I said "Relax everypony. The criminal has been dealt with, so just continue what you were doing." They seemed to acknowledge that and continued doing their tasks. I directed the traffic in and out of the train and once all the passengers were in, I pointed to the conductor to go the other direction and the train quickly sped off before anything else could happen.
I looked down below and there was a crime scene that was set up which seemed off but whatever. After we got that all settled, I hopped on my royal crystal train and headed off to Canterlot to set up his execution. Yes, I can do that. Since this pony lied to me and almost had my friends executed, I shall do it to him. The train arrived in Canterlot and we all got off with the criminal in our grasp. I turned around and said "Throw him in the dungeon. His execution will be in a few days." The guards nodded and took the pony down to the dungeon. As I watched him being taken away, I heard the flapping of wings and noticed it was Twilight. She said "Zach! There you are! I've been looking all over for you! Ever since you took off, I've been worried sick! Where have you been?!" I sighed and said "Well, I went off to Canterlot to gather my troop and went to Manehattan to catch the criminal and we just came back a few minutes ago." Twilight was a bit perplexed and said "What do you mean by criminal?" I said "You remember that poster that was sitting on the bulletin board in Ponyville?" Twilight nodded and I continued.
"Well apparently, somepony was able to sneak into my fortress of solitude and said there was a matter of emergency where this family was doing slanderous things against the kingdom and had no respect for me whatsoever. Little did I know that this "family" was my own friends that would be put to death and I would never see them again. I thought I was doing the right thing in punishing sinful ponies, but instead, I put my royal seal on something that would cause me heartbreak. Can you forgive me Twilight?" Twilight smiled and said "Of course I do Zach. I can't believe you were tricked into something that would be heavily frowned upon. Where exactly is this pony? I would like to say some choice words to him." I said "I had the guards throw him in the dungeon. His execution will be in a few days." Twilight seemed satisfied with that and said "Serves him right for what he tried to do to us." I agree. She walked away and I thought in my mind for a bit. I just realized that this was similar to the story of Esther and I fell for the bait. I know that story so well and I knew I shouldn't have fallen for that. I guess I have my off days. I just wish I realized it sooner. After a bit, Twilight came back and she was just wiping off the last few tears in her eyes.
I guess it got quite emotional. I said "I'm guessing it got emotional?" Twilight nodded and said "I told him how I felt and he simply sat there in silence. I hope the news doesn't get a hold of this. They would be talking about it for weeks!" Yeah, tell me about it. I said "Yeah, I hope that doesn't happen. But I can't entirely prevent it even if I wanted to. However, that's not important now. I'm tired. Wanna head back to Ponyville?" Twilight nodded and said "Yeah. I would like that." We spread out our wings and took off to the skies. This has been one crazy day. Once we returned to Ponyville, we headed inside the castle and went up to the library just to relax. We both sat together on the couch with hoof and paw together and our tails intertwined with one another as we were reading books because why not? It's the closest thing to entertainment these days, so I gotta make do here. A few days later, the execution came and that pony was sentenced to death by a guillotine. Don't worry. I gave him a fair trial. So for all you people out there that said I violated the eighth amendment, there's your proof on why you're wrong. Even though this is not the U.S. Constitution, Equestria's has a similar law put into place. There was one important detail that I seemed to notice though.
After the pony was executed, his body turned into shadow and headed north towards the Crystal Empire. That seems suspicious. I hope this wasn't Sombra trying to get me to turn evil or something. Thankfully, the media was nowhere to be found and they did not cover it whatsoever because ponies really don't need to know about this. It's fine. It was taken care of, so there's no longer any reason to dwell on it. However, I have a feeling that rumors will spread around Equestria and that might cause issues. I would probably have to dispel those rumors. I really don't want to do that, but if that's what it takes in order to keep ponies from getting the wrong idea, then that's what I'll do. But, we'll see. Anything is possible these days, so don't be too surprised if anything unexpected happens.
AN: Another chapter finished! I know this chapter is a little shorter than normal, but I've been on a hot streak lately with reaching over 10,000 words, so this is kind of taking a break from that. The next chapter will be longer though. I'll make sure of that. I did want to include the story of Esther in this chapter simply because of how interesting it is. It really is one of the most underappreciated stories in the Bible. I know I didn't include the whole story in here, but it does have some aspects of it if you've read the story before. Also, it is now a new month which means I'll try to grind out as many chapters as I can here. We're reaching towards the end and there isn't a lot left. However, things will reach an all time high here at the end. So stay tuned for that. Anyways, hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Next Chapter: Greed and Jealousy! When Spike starts hanging out with Gabby a lot more than Rarity, she gets jealous and makes sure Spike only hangs out with her instead of Gabby. Eventually, it causes a conflict and Rarity has to realize she's been greedy this entire time and basically kept Spike to herself the entire time. Will she be able to set things straight and fix the mess she made, or will the damage be too much and the relationship be forever strained?
Until then, my fellow readers