For travelers through the kingdom there were many places made suitable to rest one's weary body after a long day upon the road. Trains were popular as they gave a place to relax while being able to keep moving. Though for more traditional methods of travel on the roads there were restaurants and lodgings at every major town or city and in between as well. A lucrative business for how popular and frequently individuals had to transport goods or simply desired to visit other locations. Even with the ability to teleport using magic, only the strongest magicians could do such things and those that could fly still required sleep. So it was a bit out of place to find someone sleeping in the wild at night. A man laid out beneath a tree with his thick leather bag being used as a pillow. There was a feeling of freedom staying out in nature, even if the insects could be annoying and there was no protection from the sounds of nearby roads or possible opportunists looking to steal your belongings. But the other advantage was the potential to allow unique visitors to appear.
When his eyes opened he sat up and looked to his right, the beautiful woman sitting near him with hair that flowed from her figure like a dark night sky. Filled with twinkling stars that shimmered in patterns within it underneath the black crown on her head. A body that was overflowing with powerful magic yet right now she was sitting with her legs pulled up to her chest. Picking himself up the man looked around to see he was still in the same place he'd fallen asleep in when night had come around. "So… Would I be awake for this visit or is this a dream?"
"You are still dreaming, Devour." Luna said from her place sitting on the apparently imaginary grass. "It is faster to reach you for a conversation than if I visit in person."
"So still out on the grass, am I?" He asked, sitting up and looking around himself. "If we are to stay in a dream, would it not be better to make the scenery more interesting?"
"Very well, I shall bring you to me." Luna said, the scenery changing dramatically as Devour found himself standing inside a very large bedroom. There was a balcony to step out onto that was currently closed off by two large glass doors and within the room was a table scattered with papers and scrolls, a large and comfortable looking bed covered in dark sheets and a fireplace not far from where he stood. It was so real he could feel the heat from the flames.
"Where is this?"
"My room." Luna stated, sitting at the table and looking over various documents. Quill and inkwell nearby to let her sign and correct things as desired. "This puts less stress upon myself to place you in an area I can see now in reality."
"So thy room is really here but at this moment, tis I who is the dream." Devour said, smiling as he seemed to find this amusing. "Does this mean if I were to walk through this door I could spy upon Celestia in thine own quarters?"
"If I permitted it. Which I shall not." Luna answered firmly. "Did not see you as the type to spy upon a maiden in her chambers."
"My apologies, your highness. Tis my curiosity is all." He explained, sticking his head through the glass doors and finding it went straight through as though they weren't even there. Beyond them though was nothing but black. Not a dark night sky or a darkened city but just darkness completely. As if the world beyond this room wasn't completed. Pulling his head back into the room he looked around more in curiosity. "So what shall tonight's entertainment be? Stories of our past lives? A practice duel against one another? Or are the duties of royalty so dull thy simply desire to speak with another?"
"I wish it were only for entertainment that I call you here." Luna replied, setting her papers aside on the table. Seeing she was ready to speak, Devour approached the other side and reached for the chair. Though found his hand passed through the back when he attempted to grab it. "My apologies. I will alter the dream for you." Raising a finger the chair slid outward for him to sit in, Devour taking it as it was offered.
"I trust this is not merely an issue with your sister again?"
"My sister is… fine." Luna stated, Devour giving her a studying gaze. "She is very distracted lately. In fact I am not always sure where her mind might be."
"Thy sister's eyes are always looking toward the future, from thine own explanation." Devour replied. "Though does that not leave only thyself to watch the present?"
"I am not in the present. Regularly I find myself in the past more and more every night." Luna admitted. "These conversations are proof enough of that."
"So we converse from time to time about our past deeds! What is the issue with such a thing? I am hardly royalty anymore, just another commoner on the streets."
"Aside from myself you are the only one who is still thinking like they are from a thousand years ago." Luna explained. "As you said, Celestia's eyes are to the future. Even if she is my sister there is so much time between us. Our relationship is hardly what it was." Despite how heavily it seemed to weigh on her, Devour's expression was attentive but bored.
"Siblings squabbling is a normal thing. Thy are as different as night and day, both figuratively and literally. Surely a disagreement here and there is bound to occur."
"The last major disagreement we had resulted in my banishment." Luna said, swallowing a lump in her throat at the memory of it. "Devour… when you were in stone, what was it like?"
"Well it was not like anything I have experienced before." He said, trying to recall it. "I can remember the day on that battlefield where Celestia and thyself performed the spell that sealed me away. However after that there was no memory other than when I awoke next."
"I see… and I did not even feel you dreaming. A state of suspension." Luna considered. "My banishment was… different. It was not me exactly that spent those years in solitude but I still have lingering memories of it. Certainly of the time passing, even if it is a haze."
"Your time as Nightmare Moon?" Devour asked and Luna looked away.
"It is a shameful memory."
"From what I have seen of your people they do not think of it the same way." Devour described and Luna's face seem conflicted.
"I would rather they remember Nightmare Moon as a fairy tale used for a holiday instead of the reality of the threat she posed to everyone. Thankfully Twilight Sparkle and her friends put a stop to her before she could remind the world."
"It seems we are alike in that regard as well." Devour stated. "It was Twilight Sparkle who stopped me before I could venture forth to reclaim my position and start the war anew. Not that my people would likely have any interest in such a thing in the current age."
"I have never understood how you united all your tribes together for war in the first place. Celestia and I have met the leaders of the dragon-blooded clans and their territories. Even while cooperating they seemed… easy to fly into confrontation." Luna said, trying to pick her words carefully.
"Simple, it was not I that united them." Devour said with a toothy smile. "Conflict was already rising at our borders, I merely appeared as a figurehead calling the loudest for revolution. Gleam was the one who saw the appeal in creating a Dragon King."
"The one with the silver hair and glasses?" Luna asked, trying to remember all the players of a past war from over a thousand years ago. "I have difficulty recalling him. So they were just using you?"
"Well, yes. However Gleam told me as much from the beginning." Devour admitted. "The humans had their princesses, it made sense for a war to rally behind a king. As I fit the role so easily for combat it was my only purpose."
"Hence why there was never another." Luna thought it over. "So why take the position if you knew it would hold no power after the war ended?"
"Luna, to thine eyes, am I fit to rule?" He asked and she didn't respond, feeling any answer might be incorrect to say if it were just a guess. "Perhaps there is a better way to describe it. Humans often speak of their Special Talent. A skill they possess that is unique from others. A place for them to fit."
"A cog in the clockwork of time to keep it running smoothly forward, without error or stray."
"Pardon?" Devour asked, not really understanding her metaphor or why she had used it in such an oddly detailed way.
"My apologies, it is a phrase I picked up from Celestia. Please continue."
"Yes… Well, the fact I was given the crown is simply due to my own special talent. I topple tyrants." Devour said, sounding proud of himself. Afterwards he could see Luna raise a hand to her face to hide the smile that was growing across it. "You believe I jest?"
"It is just… such a bold claim!" Luna said, unable to suppress the giggle that escaped. "The toppler of tyrants?"
"Indeed, all of my life I have had to battle authority that had overstepped the bounds of reason!"
"One may interpret that as being simply a trouble maker." Luna observed, the smirk still upon her face.
"Perhaps. Though it did make me quite popular." Devour bragged proudly. "Speaking of tyrants, perchance I may look upon the visage of Nightmare Moon herself?" The smile left her face when he asked this, Luna suddenly finding it difficult to make eye contact. "Unless this is a forbidden request?"
"No, it is not forbidden. I can make myself look like her. Even make her appear for you in a dream." Luna explained though still did not follow through.
"Thou would rather not?" Devour asked her curiously. "Do not allow my musing to allow thine comfort be sacrificed."
"I just… don't want you to see me differently." Luna confessed.
"Princess Luna, I already see you differently." Devour answered in response. "You were my enemy. Fierce, swift, unforgiving. Thine sword like light itself as it swung, attempting to take my head. I prefer this Luna who I have come to know more of." After his words she let out a deep sigh.
"I really give you too much leniency when we are together."
"Tis all but a dream." Devour said with a shrug. Luna standing from her seat and walking away from the table. Taking a moment she transformed her figure. Body consumed in a black cloud of magic that when it dissipated she was before him in a set of unique armor. Uniform and decoration replaced with metal and sharpened edges fit for battle. Crown gone in favor of a horned helmet and hair having become a deep purple from the previous blue. Her skin now an unnatural black color as if it were void of light and eyes that shined like green emeralds. "Fascinating."
"Impressed?" Luna asked, even her voice having changed. "This is Nightmare Moon, as close as she will ever be to existing again." Standing up from his chair as well Devour observed her figure, looking over the different parts of armor and changes to her form.
"This was the threat to thine kingdom from 1000 years ago?" Devour asked and Luna nodded.
"Yes. Well… I was that threat. Had I won that conflict I may have rampaged across the planet itself. An age of darkness in my wake where the sun would never have shined again."
"Hm. Well, I suppose until she found her way to me." Devour said with confidence in his voice. A Nightmare Moon disguised Luna looking at him with an expression of disbelief. "Thou does not believe me?"
"Like this I became a being that could harness all the ill intent and darkness hidden within the world. You are saying you could stop it?"
"I know I could have."
"How is that?"
"This Nightmare Moon is not Princess Luna. She had no allies, she had no family, she had no cause other than darkness. She was not a real person and therefore barely a real threat. Princess Luna had allies, a sister, a kingdom to defend, and a viciously strong blade she swung with purpose. I took Princess Luna seriously, this being Nightmare Moon does not frighten me. Nor should she frighten you."
"You think I am frightened of her?" Luna asked.
"Do thou still fear her?" Devour asked and Luna's form changed back to her original features.
"Sometimes… yes. I can feel what caused her clawing at the back of my mind when my emotions grow wild. As if she is waiting for another excuse to escape. To use my weakness as a door to the world again. I fear that more than anything."
"Well if that is the case and thou does not trust thyself, call upon me when she returns. I shall send her back to the darkness she loves so and help you back to your throne!" Devour declared, Luna laughing again at his words but she was more somber this time around.
"A dragon king helping a human princess? Seems a bit fantastical, like a story from a fairy tale."
"Fortunately for thou I am no longer royalty. So it is more plausible than not." Luna nodded, and suddenly gave Devour a hug. He was caught off guard by the sudden embrace but returned it to her, letting her have this moment together with a friend who offered to support her. "We have come some distance from trying to kill one another."
"From enemies to friends. Thank you for your help." Luna said, separating the hug to give him proper distance again. "Though if I may be so bold, I could use your help once more. You see, there's a dragon-blooded boy named Spike that I believe needs someone he can relate to as a friend more closely than myself."
"You're King Devour?" Spike asked in disbelief, sitting across from the blonde man at a small round table that was filled with plates of food that had once been full but were slowly depleting over time. Along with bottles of alcohol. "Well if nothing else you're living up to your name's sake." Spike had taken some of the food that had been offered to him, but even with eating more than he was normally used to he couldn't compete with how much the other man put down.
"Mother once stated I was named such as I consumed everything around her. Food, money, time. Anything she held precious I devoured."
"Uh huh." Spike agreed, having finished his plate off and was leaving the rest for Devour to eat his fill which never seemed to come. "Well she pegged you right. Sure she was proud when you ate your way up to being a king."
"Unfortunately I shall never know if that had been the case." Devour explained around chomping away at a loaf of bread that had been served to him. "Once I had secured work in the mines with enough funds to support myself, she left with one of the men she had been whoring to. Never did discover which one it was but if fate is forgiving they were kind to her."
"Oh." Spike replied, wishing he was still hungry so he could shove food into his mouth to avoid talking any further. Without such a distraction though changing the subject seemed to be the best option. "So you know Princess Luna?"
"In a sense." Devour answered, having consumed a plate of the remaining baked potatoes and finishing off another bottle of alcohol. "Thirteen hundred years ago we were on opposing sides of the war. She nearly took my head twice." He exclaimed, sounding almost pleased at the memory. "But since my release, well… are we really older people if we never aged? Regardless of it, our last meeting ended with a battle that was more a sparring match than a true fight. Since then I sold my armor for a hefty amount of gold to a collector back at the capital and have been traveling to see this new era."
"And she asked you to come find me?" Spike continued, watching the man cautiously. As much as he was unfamiliar with Luna he still knew her better than this stranger.
"Correct! Thou art the boy that lives with Twilight Sparkle?"
"Used to live with Twilight Sparkle." Spike explained, lowering his gaze. "I caused a lot of problems for everyone."
"What lad who lives does not raise some chaos from time to time?" Devour scoffed, though Spike still had a forlorn look about himself. "Surely this is not the end of the world?"
"Did Luna not tell you what I did?" Spike asked in astonishment and Devour shook his head. "Jeez… I don't know if she was trying to be respectful or wanted to make me endure going over it out loud."
"Try me then." Devour said, leaning back and holding the last beer bottle on the table. "Regale me with tales of the horrors you have wrought upon the land."
"Well… alright. I don't know about 'horrors' but I bet you won't like it." Spike warned but Devour wasn't deterred. Still insisting that Spike let him know all the gritty details. So he did.
Spike described the nights with Twilight giving him what was originally considered "innocent" relief to then his interest in the girls around town to then his time with Twilight becoming increasingly more intimate. Then his relationship with Rarity, which blossomed into a confusing mess between the three of them and the attraction between him and Sweetie Belle. When he'd finished with that Spike began to describe how he'd fallen into a relationship with a changeling and how all of that led to him keeping secrets from all four women until things culminated with Fluttershy becoming gravely injured in the changeling attack and him running away from home after seeking help for her. About half way through the story Devour had stopped eating and was just taking sips of his beverage as he listened. Absorbing the details as they hit him. Until it seemed Spike was finally finished with the tale. "Honestly it feels a lot longer than it really was but for some reason I feel like these events have added years to my life."
"Is this… normal for relationships in this age?" Devour asked curiously.
"I don't know what to tell you, it sure doesn't feel normal."
"Indeed… Hmm, thou be a more unique child than I had given credit for." Devour said, pondering everything he'd just heard.
"That doesn't feel like a compliment."
"It is not one. That would be the reason it feels that way." He said and Spike grimaced at him not sure if he was being sincere or making a joke at his expense. "It seems Twilight Sparkle is a more complicated maiden than she first appeared to be. Not to mention this Rarity? Which one did thou say she was?"
"Long purple hair, blue eyes like sapphires."
"Ah yes, remember her I do. Quite the treat for the eyes." Spike scowled at him, this expression Devour took notice to. "Thine flame still burns for that one?"
"I care about all of them…" Spike said, feeling defensive.
"Including the sisterly one that decided to use thou for her own enjoyment?" Devour asked and Spike felt that flame in the back of his throat. Hands balling into fists under the table. "Well there is thine problem. At least of thine own responsibility. Thou cannot control thine emotions for even an instant." Pulling his hand up from under the table Spike looked at it to see his fingers had grown claws again. He presumed his teeth were also extended like before.
"I don't know what I'm doing when this happens." Spike pleaded. "What's going on with me?"
"Bah, thou are just becoming a man. Too fast perhaps. Thine control below the belt is the true cause of thine problems, nothing above."
"What do you mean? This 'thing' keeps happening to me and I don't know how to stop it!" Spike protested and Devour sighed at him.
"And here I would have thought Celestia to have raised her ward better with her supposed vast knowledge. Merely calm thine heart. Exhale a little flame if it helps." With those words Devour gave his stomach three strong pats and belched a ball of small golden flame above his head. Startling the other guests nearby but not causing much reaction otherwise.
"So… I'm not becoming a monster?" Spike asked hesitantly.
"Not from thine growing pains, assuredly." Devour said. "Though if thou is cavorting willingly with a changeling well… that is something to be concerned of."
"Damselfly is fine." Spike grumbled, letting out an exhale of green flame that did make him feel a little better in his chest. "Everyone wants to blame her for what happened and she isn't at fault at all."
"Oh between thou and thine maidens? Truly I would doubt if she were responsible for that." Devour explained. "Thine concerns there seem to revolve around a lack of oversight by Celestia with her children. For how valiant thy friends seemed I would not have suspected they would use a clearly helpless whelp for thine own pleasures and satisfaction."
"Who are you to judge!?" Spike growled back. "You're from like over a thousand years ago and did what? Lead a war against a bunch of people? Maybe I made some mistakes, sure. Maybe… maybe Twilight did too. Maybe Rarity too… maybe we did a lot of bad things to each other. But you murdered people and almost killed all of my friends!"
"That I did." Devour nodded.
"And you think you can judge us after what you did?"
"I do." Devour nodded again, Spike starting to wonder if he just didn't get along with other dragon blooded people or if it was just this guy. "Mine was a battle to be sure, injuries were shared but all were my enemy before I surrendered and my eyes were opened. Twilight Sparkle even collected the spoils of that battle."
"That crown of yours? She has it at the library." Spike recalled the golden metal with the ruby jewels set within it.
"Thou did not claim it? I had offered it as a reward for having taken care of one of my own kin."
"Ain't really interested in a crown that belongs to someone that punches my friends." Spike said, crossing his arms defiantly.
"Interesting. Thou are not so Midas Touched as to claim everything for one's own sake."
"Midas… Touched?" Spike asked, confused and Devour rolled his eyes.
"Truly they taught thou nothing of thine own culture." Shaking his head he emptied the last bottle on the table and set it back down. "Midas was a merchant in the… Northern or Western territories? Does not make a difference for the story. Regardless, he became famous for his shrewd business practices and keen mind. Though as time passed the more wealth he collected the greater his personal hoard became. Before long, old Merchant Midas was obsessed with gold to the point he traded his wife and daughter for further riches. When others attempted to rob him, he hired mercenaries for defense. When he refused to share his gold with said mercenaries after performing thine task of protecting him, they took their payment and his head themselves. It was said half the mercenaries took only their fair payment and the others more than what they were owed, and soon they too were stricken with the same greed that consumed old Merchant Midas. Selfish desire leading the lost souls that stole his gold down a path of destruction."
"Whoa." Spike said, transfixed by the story. One of the first he'd ever heard of his own people. "So… the curse of Midas is real?"
"Some believed it. Said his gold still circulates to this day and will afflict those weak of mind. All hogwash and fantasy if you ask me. Tis just a tale to warn of the risks of becoming too greedy." Devour explained, Spike taking a moment to look over the large stack of plates and collection of bottles he'd collected.
"And… you're not worried about being excessive yourself?" Spike asked.
"Thou hast thy own vices. I have my own." He answered. "I eat my fill, I fight till I tire, I take what I feel I am owed and I do not let tyrants stand oppose to me."
"Uh huh. You just don't seem like the face of self control is all to be giving me a lecture." Spike explained doubtfully.
"Tis not the self control I was chosen for. I was called in to talk with a confused boy about his many problems so he can face them." Devour explained. "And now I have done just that. Take care, Spike of the human kingdom." Devour announced, standing up from the table and calling the waitress over. Leaving a large pile of bits on her tray to cover all of the food and a sizable tip to follow. With that he was heading out the door.
"Wha-what? No, hey, wait!" Spike shouted, getting up from his chair and chasing after the man. Catching up with him as he walked onto the street. "That's it!? Just… you throw me around in the road, buy me lunch and leave?"
"We talked for some time as well. What, did thou need something more?"
"I… well… I mean… What should I do!?" Spike asked him blatantly. "I told you all of the stuff that's happening at home and I just… I don't know what I should feel about Rarity, or Sweetie Belle or Twilight and… what would you do?"
"Me? Why, I never would have lied to these women in the first place." Devour answered. "But I have not lived with humans. Nor have I had women around me that acted as my sister and then my friend and from there something more. I fear thine situation may be too unique to give a proper answer."
"So do I just go back?" Spike asked him. "After all of this? After all I've done?" Devour stopped walking and turned to face Spike now, looking him over curiously.
"Hast thou ever been east? Beyond the borders of the kingdom?"
"You mean into the dragon lands?" Spike asked.
"Indeed. I want to see my homeland again. To see how they have carried on after my 'passing' in battle. Perhaps a new perspective would help?" Devour offered him, Spike pondering it carefully.
"I think I do. That I really do want to see it, what it's like. But… if I go now, isn't that just running away?"
"Tis the dilemma of being a man and standing for one's beliefs. Only you may make that decision. Will you head east or west?" Devour presented to him and Spike felt an unusual cold chill run up his spine. As if this decision was too great, too heavy for him to take on by himself. Was that why he ran after this man after so openly speaking out as to how he didn't like him because of his violent past. Just Spike chasing after another parental figure in this confusing life.
"I'll… I'll go-"
"SPIKE!" A familiar female voice called out, both turning to see a lavender haired woman running up the road that Spike had traveled on when he came to this outpost. The two ceasing their conversation as they recognized her face as she approached.
"Twilight!?" Spike shouted in response. Watching as she closed in on him, gasping for air when she was finally before him. "Twilight, how did-" He didn't get to finish as she threw her arms around him in a big hug. At first he felt an instinct to pull away, as if this was dangerous. Possibly due to the confusion when laying out his feelings earlier in the tavern. But it didn't take long for his emotions to rise inside of him and he hugged her in return. Grateful for the comfort she was providing.
"I finally found you!" She said, sounding relieved as she held him tightly. "You're not hurt are you? Are you hungry!? Oh you're absolutely filthy, we need to get you home as soon as possible!"
"Twilight…" Spike began, tears in his eyes. "You… want me to come home?"
"Don't be ridiculous, Spike. It's all I've thought about for days. Everyone's waiting for us." Twilight assured him, Spike feeling a great relief inside as she said those words. Ever since she'd told him he couldn't be trusted anymore in their bedroom he'd taken those words to heart. That he was tainted and spoiled, no longer fit to be by her side. But now that she wanted him back so greatly made him decide what the right action was. He was going home.
"Ahem." Devour said, Twilight looking over at the tall man. "It has been some time, Twilight Sparkle."
"Oh. Uh… it sure has… you." Twilight said, smiling at him awkwardly. "I apologize but we really must be going. It's been days we've been searching for Spike so I'm sure you understand."
"Of course, of course. Thou has thine priorities to be sure. But just to assure myself, tell me, did Celestia enjoy keeping my crown for her collection?"
"Yes, she really enjoyed it. As I'm sure you already know. Well it was good catching up with you again."
"I wish I could agree with thine words." Devour said, his hand darting out suddenly to wrap around Twilight's neck and choke her.
"What are you doing!?" Spike shouted in a rage, leaping at Devour but was swatted to the ground easily by him. Scrambling to his feet Spike got ready for another attack but stopped when Devour held Twilight up off the ground and in front of himself like a shield between them. "Put her down you maniac!"
"I will… when she reveals herself." Devour explained, flames spilling from his mouth as he talked. "Well, go on. Show him who you really are. Or I'll burn the truth out of you." He warned as Twilight held his wrist to relieve the strain on her neck from being held aloft. A moment of silence passed between them and Spike watched helplessly as the light in Devour's mouth began to glow brighter. Then Twilight's body flashed with magic, and Twilight Sparkle changed into a different familiar face.
"Damselfly?" Spike asked in confusion, seeing the pure black skinned woman now hanging in Devour's grasp. Lavender hair had changed to a vibrant green and eyes glowing like emeralds. Insect like wings on her back and a tattered dress on her body. "I… don't understand."
"So, this is thine changeling lover? Come back for her next meal I presume?" Devour asked, the glow of golden flame not leaving his mouth. "A warm welcome for her then."
"Wait! Devour, please, let her go!"
"Let her go!? Are you mad, boy? Do you have any idea what she is? This is not just another changeling."
"Please! She saved Fluttershy's life!" Spike protested. "When the two changelings attacked her, Damselfly was the one that saved Fluttershy. I owe her." Devour took his time considering Spike's words, looking her over carefully as she held on for dear life in his grip. Wings buzzing behind her to support her body as the grip around her neck held tight. With a heavy sigh he released her from his grasp as she fell to the ground. Spike ran to her side to check on her while she coughed to get air into her lungs.
"Old age must have affected my senses. To think I would listen to such drivel." Devour complained. "Fine, the creature has only minutes to explain why she is here. Then we shall consider immolation once again."
"What is wrong with you? Are you completely insane or do you just enjoy hurting people that much!?" Spike protested but stopped his shouting when he felt Damselfly's hand touch his arm.
"Sp… Spike. It's… fine." Damselfly wheezed as she rubbed her neck, air slowly returning to let her speak. "I'm used to it." Slowly rising to her feet she waved a hand above her head, figure changing to that of a human with similar hair and eyes in cleaner looking black clothing. "There, before anyone else notices I'm here."
"Do not think I shall hesitate to burn you where you stand if you look human at the time." Devour warned and Damselfly shook her head, not doubting him for an instant that he was serious.
"So, who's your grabby friend?" She asked Spike. "Has a grip on him."
"This is… Devour. Former King of the Dragon Blooded Clans." Spike explained as he waved an arm at Devour. "He's the one that attacked my friends at the castle and why I was getting Zecora to make me that medicine."
"Dragon Blooded king? Never heard of him." Damselfly said doubtfully. "You sure he ain't just some con man?"
"Quite the jest coming from thy own kind. My actions are as honest as my words. Look upon me and know strength before you!" Devour claimed, arms spread out as if he were making a speech.
"Well he's as full of himself as royalty would be." Damselfly said, sounding annoyed. "Spike, let's get you home already."
"Damselfly, you came all this way to get me back?" Spike asked, sounding touched while Devour still looked on upon her with doubt.
"Well yeah, you being gone is causing all sorts of problems. The village is crawling with Luna's Night Guard and they're all on the lookout for me thinking I kidnapped you or something." Damselfly explained, Spike looking slightly dejected at realizing it was for her own gain and not because she missed him. "Don't pout about it, jeez. Your friends are worried sick and everyone is scared. This is a bigger deal than just you, you know. That's what happens when you humans keep fucking each other without thinking."
"I'm not human." Spike replied quietly.
"Who could tell the difference anymore with how you all act?" She glared at Devour. "So does that make you happy? Fire Pants over here fucked his way into fucking me over. Now I'm trying to get un-fucked by bringing this fucker back."
"I have heard the tales." Devour explained. "Well then, I suppose this is thine cross roads, boy. Will thou travel back with the changeling creature to the women thou wronged and have been wronged by? Or will thy journey leave that life behind and travel east to the dragon lands with myself?"
"I…" Spike considered the question carefully. Heavy as it was. The two beings looking upon him waiting for him not to just decide what to do in letting them continue their journeys but what he would do to make amends for the wrongs he had committed. Continue to leave them behind so they can rebuild their lives without him or return and try to repair the damaged relationships between himself and the people he loved. This was his crossroads.
On the small roads of the village that had just a night before been caught up in a plot involving The Great and Powerful Trixie along with the Elements of Harmony, people were trying to get back to their everyday simple lives. Scootaloo being one of them as a request of hers had been bumped up in schedule faster than she had expected. Exiting the local fast food restaurant she took to the street with Rain Catcher who was keeping his promise of taking her out on that date she wanted. It had been relatively simple but that was fine by her, she didn't require things to be too fancy. Instead preferring the company as she held on to his arm while they strolled together down the road.
"This was nice." Scootaloo commented to him. "Thank you for doing this for me."
"You're welcome." Rain Catcher replied. "I was a little worried that you might think I was cheap taking you there of all places."
"No, it was alright. I don't expect you to spend a lot of money for a date." She said, trying to reassure him. It felt nice to be the one giving confidence to him instead of the other way around.
"Well you know there's girls out there that when you take them out they want to be taken out big time. Fancy dinner, entertainment, all of that."
"I think after last night I'm okay without entertainment for a while." Scootaloo admitted. Like everyone else in town, she had come out of her trance in that big tent they had all been rounded up into. Thankfully she was wearing her tank top and shorts when she went to bed but there were other people in far less clothing and some much more exposed. The night guards had blankets and towels to cover everyone as they got home but it was still frightening. "Things were stressful enough with Spike and now all of this is going on."
"Spike? What's the matter with him?" Rain Catcher asked and Scootaloo realized she let something secret slip she wasn't supposed to.
"Um… well, the problem is he… left! He and Twilight Sparkle went back to the castle suddenly. No one knows why so it's been a little stressful for Sweetie Belle."
"Oh, were those two a thing?" Rain Catcher asked and now Scootaloo wondered if she was giving away too much of her friend's secrets instead of the important one she was supposed to be hiding. Still she was in this deep and had to make a decision.
"Yeah… kinda… sorta… it was complicated." She explained, trying to find the right words to discuss this. "But I think it might be over now. So if you can not bring it up that would be nice. I don't want her to feel worse than she already does."
"Lips are sealed then." Rain Catcher replied, Scootaloo feeling relieved she'd managed to keep from giving away too much. She didn't like keeping secrets but she didn't want to betray her friend's trust either. Their steps slowed until Rain Catcher stopped completely and left Scootaloo looking around confused. "We're here."
"We're… where?" Scootaloo asked, not recognizing this street or anyone on it. There weren't any stores or businesses, just houses.
"My place, thought you might want to come in." Rain Catcher answered and Scootaloo felt her body tense up. Remembering the story that Diamond Tiara had told her before about a similar night she'd had with him. "Is everything okay?" Rain Catcher asked, looking down at her. She plastered a fake smile across her face and looked up at him.
"Yeah… everything's fine. Will your parents be okay with me visiting?"
"Oh they're not home right now. We have the place all to ourselves." He answered, leaving her side to unlock the door. Scootaloo felt that fear creeping up inside her further but against those instincts followed him in. As Rain Catcher attended to the lights she could see the house was very cozy looking, not unlike her own. Nothing seemed unusual or out of place about it. The living room had a couch with chairs around for guests to sit together and talk. Nearby was the kitchen and dining area as well and stairs leading up to the bedrooms. "Did you want something sweet to drink?"
"Sure… thank you." Scootaloo answered, walking around the living room area of the house. There was a fireplace all the chairs were facing towards but it felt unnerving without anyone around. So without anything else to do Scootaloo sat down on the couch, looking around the quiet room until Rain Catcher came back with a mug of hot chocolate. "Smells nice."
"Yeah, glad you like it." He said, sitting down as well so that his hip was touching against hers. There was more than enough room on the couch for them to spread apart but he was making it a point to stay close to her. She only took a few sips of her drink but wasn't really focused on it. Her mind preoccupied with his arm that was draped across the couch behind her. Rain Catcher took one sip of his drink and set it down on the coffee table in front of them. His arm drifted down her back and landed on her hip as he settled back in next to her. "So, feeling comfortable?"
"Mm hm." Scootaloo nodded, feeling very much the opposite of that right now. Her fingers were clasped around her mug and held it in her lap as she didn't know what else to do with herself.
"Kind of nice having a place to ourselves like this."
"Yeah… but aren't your parents going to be coming home?"
"Not until late. Unlike me, dad can afford a big fancy dinner and entertainment so they'll be out for a while."
"Oh, I see." Scootaloo said, still sitting stiff and at attention. Fingers tapping on the mug as she looked anywhere but at him.
"You know, normally I'd lean in to kiss you by now but since you're holding that cup and fidgeting I'm afraid to make a move." Rain Catcher said and Scootaloo without thinking set her cup on the table too, pulling her hands back and staying at attention. "You scared I'm gonna bite you, babe?"
"No. It's not that, I just-" She began but found he'd already leaned in and was kissing her on the lips. Pressure applying not just from his mouth but from the rest of him as he leaned over her. "Wait! Wait a sec!" Scootaloo said, pushing back on him with her hands and breathing rapidly.
"Something wrong?"
"No, I just… I'm feeling… tense. That's all. Like… like I'm not in control." Scootaloo admitted, even sharing that bit of truth with him made her feel like she was giving up even more control of this situation.
"You want to not kiss then?" Rain Catcher asked and the disappointment was heavy in his voice. Scootaloo's mind was like a scale that was weighing the fear of disappointing him and the fear of not heeding the warnings that Diamond Tiara had given her before. Unable to decide which action was the wisest to favor.
"It's not that I don't want to, but I'm… nervous." Scootaloo admitted, feeling childish. She'd done this before but now here in this house she felt so vulnerable. What was the right action to take, she wondered? How to solve this problem?
"Well, what if you take the lead?" Rain Catcher offered her. "Instead of me kissing you, why don't you kiss me?" She thought it over for a moment, wondering how exactly that was different but from the way he phrased it it made it sound like she was the one in control.
"Well... we could give it a shot?" Scootaloo asked, still somehow asking permission even though she was told to be the one in charge. Facing him on the couch she gathered up her courage and leaned in to kiss him on the lips. It was far more tame than anything they'd done in the past. Practically a soft peck between them. When she pulled her mouth away she felt disappointed in her performance.
"I'm not that delicate you know. You can be rougher with me." Rain Catcher offered. Scootaloo felt a desire to be bolder and climbed over him onto his lap. Proud when she saw the surprise in his expression and leaned in again to kiss once more. This time putting more passion into her efforts and letting the kiss deepen between them. Her arms rested on his shoulders for support and his hands went around her back. Their bodies pressed together more but she didn't pull away, still enjoying the feeling of control. In fact this was different than the previous times she'd kissed him. Before Scootaloo always felt as if she were at a disadvantage or submissive to his whims. Getting to call the shots made her feel strong.
Rain Catcher's hands slid down her back onto her ass and Scootaloo didn't protest. Instead letting his hands explore her behind while she kissed him deeper and let her hands fall on to his chest. Beneath her legs she could feel his own spreading apart and when his hands landed on her ass again he pulled her down to rub up against her crotch. Making her whimper slightly at the pressure against her pussy.
Ever since the night of the sleepover at Diamond Tiara's where Scootaloo found out she was the only one of her friends that didn't explore herself sexually she'd felt self conscious about the fact. As if she were falling behind everyone else. So when the bulge under his pants pressed against her Scootaloo responded similarly and pressed back down against him. Pleased with the feeling it gave her body. As they kissed she continued to grind her hips down against his, finding that the excitement building inside of her was new but welcome and she wanted more of it. When their lips parted she realized she was panting hard and her cheeks were flushed. "Having fun, babe?"
"Uh huh…" She mumbled, body hot and head cloudy with excitement. Somewhere she knew she was supposed to be careful. Diamond Tiara's warnings in the back of her mind. But it was getting harder to think about anything other than what they were doing together.
"I can make you feel even better if you like." He offered and Scootaloo tensed, not sure where this was going next. "You don't even have to take your clothes off. Just turn around on my lap."
"O-okay." She agreed, flipping around on the couch so she was sitting on his lap now and facing the fireplace. As she leaned into him he began to kiss her neck and ear, her body tensing up already from the gentle touches on her skin. "Ooh! That feels funny..."
"We only just got started." He said, hands reaching under her shirt and slipping upward. Her own arms raised over top of his but didn't pull to stop them from moving towards her breasts. Rubbing them through the cloth of her bra and pressing his thumbs against her nipples. Scootaloo squirmed on his lap from the attention that no one had ever given her before and she didn't know how to process. "Can I take it off?"
"Mmmm… nnn… mm-hm." She nodded, his hands moving under her shirt still and unclasping her bra. Scootaloo arching her back to give him access to do so and letting them come back to touch the bare skin of her breasts. Unable to deny the feeling of skin against skin was so much better than through her clothes. Nipples stiff against his hands as he massaged them gently and rubbed them between his thumbs and fingers. Her body was rubbing back against his with excitement as she was becoming intoxicated with the emotion of someone wanting her so strongly. So she didn't refuse when his hands went farther down her stomach to her jean shorts.
"Lift your hips up for me a little?" He asked and she did as he said, groaning nervously as he undid the button holding the shorts together and pulled down the zipper slowly. Her white panties were exposed to be seen. Though he never looked over her shoulder at them, instead letting his hand slip into her shorts and gently rub against her pussy through her panties.
"Haaaah!" Scootaloo exhaled, her left hand reaching down to hold on to the side of his shirt and her right gripping on to the forearm of the hand that was currently exploring her pussy lips through her underwear. Two fingers pressed up against her pussy and she found herself gasping for air, not realizing just how much she wanted this kind of attention. The more he rubbed her the more she squirmed on his lap, unable to think about anything more than the building pressure between her legs that was growing warm and moist.
"Babe?" Rain Catcher asked her, giving her ear a lick and making her shudder from the touch. "Can I slip it under?"
"Mmm hmm!" Scootaloo nodded frantically as she felt his hand lift up and then slip beneath the band of her panties, fingers slipping against the wet fold of her pussy. She wasn't able to hold the moaning back any further, letting it out as his hands rubbed in circles against her sex and fingers curled up against her pussy entrance. "Oooh... ooh... it's... it's...!"
"Gonna cum for me babe?" He asked her, hand moving faster against her pussy. Scootaloo lifted her left hand up against her lips and bit it to hold back the scream that was building. Hips shuddered and shook towards his fingers. When her whole body began to shudder she nearly fell off his lap and Rain Catcher had to stop focusing on what he was doing and make sure to catch her so she didn't fall to the ground. She hadn't ever felt anything like that before and while it was scary she was feeling wonderful too from the wave of pleasure he'd brought her too. "Guess so."
"Nnngh... I'm... I'm so... just a second." She said, reclaiming her balance with his help as she leaned against him. Her body's tender areas were still feeling sensitive and even a little eager for more of that touch. But she needed to catch her breath. "Wow... wow... oh wow."
"Good first time?" He asked her and she nodded, enjoying her current spot on his lap as she came down from the high of her orgasm. Eyes closed as she leaned against him. "Glad I could give it to you."
"I... I loved it. It was amazing." Scootaloo confessed.
"Great. So you won't mind doing the same for me, right?" Rain Catcher asked and Scootaloo's eyes opened wide, suddenly becoming very aware of the bulge in his pants that she'd been sitting on this entire time.
"Oh... right, yeah. We can't leave you like that, right? It's bad for guys?"
"It isn't good for us, no." He said and as far as she knew that must have been true. So then did guys just do this to themselves all the time? She wondered just how many people were pleasuring themselves when they were alone that she didn't realize. Getting off his lap she pulled her shorts back up around her hips. Noting the slightly uncomfortable wet feeling in her panties now that she'd have to endure thanks to her orgasm. Watching him she let Rain Catcher slide off his pants and then his boxers to his ankles, eyes wide at what appeared before her.
"That's... that's your thing?"
"That's my dick, yeah." He answered, Scootaloo gulping at the size of it. She'd never seen one up close and didn't know if this was big or small comparatively but seeing it standing up on its own right now made it seem really big.
"So, I should just...?" Reaching down she gently put her hand around it and gripped, noting that it both felt like skin but also like something completely unfamiliar to her. Looking up at him unsure she began to stroke him with her hand.
"That's pretty good..." Rain Catcher said, enjoying the feel of her fingers. "But you can't just do it dry like that or it's gonna hurt."
"Oh... so uh... do I go get something?" Scootaloo asked, cheeks flushed and feeling embarrassed. "I'm just really new to this."
"It's cool babe, I don't mind us going slowly." He said and she wondered how this was slow if his pants were off and his cock was already out in front of her. "You can get it wet really easy if you use your mouth."
"My... my mouth." Scootaloo said carefully, remembering Diamond Tiara's story. Was this how he got her in this position? Still... he did it for her first, right? So it's not the same at all as it was for Diamond. She was just giving back to him what he already gave to her. Moving down to the carpet Scootaloo got on her knees and approached him between his legs. Noting the scent coming off of his dick was a lot stronger than she had anticipated. Gathering her bravery she closed her eyes and took it in hand, starting to lick it.
"Oh yeah, that's already better." Rain Catcher said and while this was a lot more than she had planned on doing tonight she was happy that he enjoyed it. Taking careful licks she coated the sides of his dick slowly with her tongue to leave saliva along it and then stroked it with her hand, finding that it did indeed move smoother this way.
"Is this better?" She asked him, looking up.
"You're doing great, babe. You don't have to be afraid to use your mouth more if you want to either." He suggested and Scootaloo was getting the feeling that's what he actually wanted from her. So she leaned in to do just that, kissing and licking his cock while stroking it with her hand. As she explored it with her fingers she found he seemed to react more when she touched the head and put her lips around it to suck at it gently. "That's great... holy shit you're a natural."
"Mmmank Mmou." She said around his cock, licking in circles with her tongue while her fingers stroked the length of him. Picking up the speed slightly as her saliva coated the full length of him now. Pulling her lips off she looked up at him. "Want me to go faster?"
"Yeah! Can you do that thing with your mouth too while you do it?" He asked and she smiled, happy she found something that pleased him. Dipping her head down again she sucked at the head of his cock as her fingers moved up and down rapidly, trying to match the same speed and intensity he had used on her earlier when she'd enjoyed her own orgasm. "Babe... babe I'm gonna cum!"
"Mmm?" Scootaloo muttered but soon found something shooting into her mouth. "Mmmlf!" Pulling her head away from his cock as he began to climax Scootaloo caught some of his cum on her face as well, hitting her cheek and chin and spilling out around on to her hand that was still gripped around him. Opening her mouth she felt some of his cum on her tongue as well. "Blech... it... it got in my mouth."
"Is that so bad?" He asked her and she didn't know how to answer that, hand reaching out for her hot chocolate that had lost a lot of its heat but still managed to wash the taste out of her mouth. Rain Catcher took his shirt off and used it to wipe her face clean, Scootaloo feeling a little foolish letting him do this while still kneeling in front of him like this. "So, did you have fun with it?"
"It was... good. Until the part where my mouth got full."
"Heh, guess I should have warned you ahead of time, huh?"
"Guess so." Scootaloo said, feeling exhausted. Her first sexual experience had a lot of high points but some odd ones as well. She wasn't sure how to process it but was happy that it hadn't been like she was warned about. This wasn't so bad.
"So, ready to continue?" Rain Catcher asked and stood up, letting his pants and boxers fall all the way off.
"Con... continue?" Scootaloo asked nervously, looking up at him from her position on the floor.
"Yeah, of course. You don't think we'll just stop there, right? You feel it, don't you?" He asked her, offering a hand that she took without thinking to help her on to her feet. As she stood up his hands were under her shirt and lifting it over her head, loose bra just barely hanging from her shoulders underneath. "C'mon babe, this is the chance we've been waiting for. We're all alone and can do whatever we want." His hands fell on her shorts, pulling them down and Scootaloo managed to grab hold of the hem of her panties to keep them from going down with them. "So let's go all the way. You're excited right? You wanna keep doing it don't you?"
"I..." Scootaloo considered the question carefully. Heavy as it was. She had the option to accept his offer and after that point she'd no longer be a virgin. No longer be the innocent one that didn't know about sex or relationships. But once she did this that was it, there was no going back and she wasn't sure what the consequences afterwards would be. Or what her friends would think of her. This was her crossroads.