Chapter Eight

-Four Days Later-

Screams and moans echoed down the dungeons of Canterlot Castle, Caribou Royal Guard stationed at specific locations to keep watch over each cell. Though, when they heard sounds of hooves approaching from the dungeon's entrance, each guard straightened their posture, as their king passed. They knew this was no casual inspection or random impulse, King Dain had come to speak with two prisoners. One had betrayed their King's trust and attacked one of their slave camps, while the other had been a slave King Dainn grew tired of playing games with.

King Dainn stopped at a cell door, where a male screamed in sheer agony from unbearable torture. The screams caused King Dainn to snicker, before his guards opened the cell door, allowing him entry. "Enough!" He ordered, causing the torturers to halt their session. "Look at you… Once considered a God, now reduced to a mere captive."

The Caribou King approached his prisoner, a strangely designed dog-monkey crossed creature. The prisoner's left arm and hand tail had been brutally removed, only given enough treatment to prevent him from bleeding out. Their right eye forcefully ripped out by the most sadistic of tools, poorly healing to the point that only mangled scarring flesh would grow over his wound. Across the prisoner's body were signs of blade cuts, burns, puncture wounds, whip strikes, and places his flesh was peeled clear off by a knife of some kind. These were all signs of brutal and remorseless torture, designed to force submission through pain… Yet, the prisoner held a defiant look within his remaining eye.

"Tell me, 'Great Ahuizotl', are you ready to cooperate with us?" King Dainn asked, walking up to the ancient creature. "To tell me what you know?"

Ahuizotl suddenly spat blood at the Caribou King's hooves, before smirking. "Drop dead, brat."

His words caused King Dainn to sigh, in disappointment. "Too bad… You were once our ally, helping us rule over this Kingdom." He looked up at the prisoner. "What caused the change of heart? Did some slave bleed their heart out to you, and begged for help? Always seems to be the case of turncoats."

"You are dumb, as you are ignorant." Ahuizotl leaned forward, still grinning. "Have you never heard of deception?"

"So, you spent all that time, pretending to be our ally… Just to free a single mare?" King Dainn asked, raising a brow. "Sounds like a rather foolish, and pointless, plan."

Ahuizotl snickered, giving the Caribou King a look of arrogance. "If you believe that? Then it is you, who is the fool." He slowly leaned back, King Dainn's hidden hands gripping tightly from such an insult. "Have you not read the books of A.K Yearling? About the very mare I freed? If so, did you ever wonder as to why I never once killed her, despite being on the level of a god? Regrettably, it took me so long to find her, but I did thanks to your people's idiocy." Ahuizotl's grin slowly grew wider, as King Dainn's eyes narrowed. "I did not 'free just one mare', but I freed the right mare for what I had planned."
"The right mare for what, exactly?" King Dainn asked, starting to lose his patience. "What is this mare right for?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Ahuizotl snickered, tilting his large head, iron chains clanking with every movement. "You will not know, until it is too late."

King Dainn suddenly struck Ahuizotl's jaw, the Caribou's armored fist knocking out a few fangs. "Stop playing games with me, and-?"

"My king! My king, I have urgent news!" A Caribou Royal Guard yelled, rushing into the cell, panicked. "I-It is about Ponyville, my king."

"Oh? What of Lord Blueblood?" King Dainn asked, slightly glancing back at the guard. "Has he grown tired of those treats I gave him, or has he finally lost control of that beast and requires aid in putting it down."

"N-No, my king…" The Caribou Royal Guard hesitated, not sure how to say it. "… It has fallen. This makes the tenth major location lost to our forces, by that unknown army."

"W-What?" King Dainn's eyes widened, shocked by the reports. "T-This means w-we have been surrounded…"

The all fell silent, trying to figure out what they could do about this… That is, until an amused and mad laughter echoed all around them, their eyes going to Ahuizotl. The prisoner could not control himself, his bellowing laughter matching that of a villain who has defeated their nemesis. Such a thing rattled his torturers, the guards becoming confused, and King Dainn only becoming enraged at being laughed at.

Quickly, the Caribou King grabbed ahold of his prisoner's head, and yanked Ahruizotl towards him. "Why do you laugh, traitorous beast!? Has this madness finally taken you?" He demanded, as Ahuizotl grinned wickedly.

"No, this news has told me she found them! That my sacrifice was not for nothing, and hopes not misplaced in the one I choose!" The strange prisoner didn't seem phased by his captor's murderous gaze. "I will tell you something… You see, I wasn't born, nor did I appear in some majestic bright light. Heh, quite different, King Brat. I was engineered, ever so long ago, by guardians of this Kingdom, to act as a distant watcher, whose sole purpose is to keep watch for the time they are needed, and to do so by any means I see fit. I stayed faithful to them, in my own unique way… As for the ones whom created me? Well, they have returned and shall reclaim Equestria from you worthless maggots!"

"Who. Is. They!?" King Dainn demanded, his grip tightening.

"Eh, no point in hiding it now, you will find out very soon…" Ahuizotl suddenly gained a mad, but excited, look on his features. Grinning from ear to ear, a sense of victory flickering within his eyes. "My Phaeron has returned, and now comes to reap you all! Ahahahaha!"

The mad cackle caused their blood to run cold, King Dainn releasing Ahuizotl and strode towards the dungeon's halls. "Leave this beast to his madness and double the guard." He ordered, two guards rushing off to relay them, while King Dainn went further into the dungeon… He had another prisoner to deal with.

((Mature Alert! Mature Alert! Mature Alert!))

The next cell echoed with muffled screams and moans of a female, along with continuous wet slaps and suckles. A grin found its way on to King Dainn's muzzle, as the guards granted him entry… Being greeted with the sight of a naked Luna, with one Caribou Royal Guard shoving himself into her sex, while another stuffed himself into the mare's mouth, breasts swaying with each thrust. Both of her eyes rolled upwards, forced to take the guard's full length into her throat, with each thrust, and choke on it. The Lunar Princess' body had been forced on to all fours, by a chained collar around her neck, wings tied to her back with rope. Fresh whip marks were visible over her cutie mark, back, and rear; from the brutal rape she is being subjected to… The two guards often striking her with crops, making Luna release a muffled scream.

"That will be enough, for now. I wish to speak with our naughty little mare." King Dainn instructed, his guard quickly removing themselves and forced Luna on to her sore rear. Slowly, he knelt on to the ground and firmly grasped Luna's chin. "Now, my dear prisoner, tell me… Do you know a being called 'Phaeron'? One that leads an army of soldiers in crimson armor, portraying to be walking skeletons?"

Luna stared up at her captor, breathing heavily, eyes narrowed on to him. Without warning, she spat on to his face! "I d-do… And you should be terrified, monster."

One of the guards handed King Dainnn a rag, allowing him to wipe her saliva away. "Is that so?" His grip tightened, pulling Luna closer. "Tell me, why should I be terrified?"
"Because… He is our adoptive father, leader of an entire dynasty of Ancient Ones willing to obey his every command, and he has returned to retake Equestria." Luna's words made King Dainn freeze, able to combine this with every report and Ahuizotl's mad rambling, to realize something he did not want to believe. "And he will rip you limb from limb, for every terrible thing you have done to us."

King Dainn, without warning, slammed Luna on to the ground and walked towards the cell doors. "Do what you will, with her! In two days, we shall publicly execute this worthless rebel filth, until then? She is yours to play with." The two Caribou Royal Guards nodded, snickering as they went back to their helpless victim… Their king concentrating on how to deal with a certain liar.

-Canterlot Castle Throne Room-

Celestia laid behind her former throne, keeping the Ay'therian doll close to her heart. Out of all the past treasures and jewels acquired over the years, she held this one above every shining gold or crustal the most. After all, it had been designed to resemble the one who mentored her, who took her in, who cared for her. The Phaeron helped Celestia become a true ruler and warriors, showing Celestia what it truly means to be a leader of her people. He became the truest of fathers, replacing the one she was not old enough to know. When he entered the long sleep, this doll was given to her, another for Luna, as a reminder of who waits for her call.

A metallic buzz echoed within the chamber, drawing Celestia's attention away from her doll… Looking up to see a crimson, metal, scarab land on to the throne's top. It clicked its metal mandibles and chirped towards her… Celestia going wide eyed, after seeing a childishly drawn sun on the scarab's back. "Nano!" She whispered, happily, holding a hand up to the nanoscarb, inviting it down. "Come here, old friend. It has been so long, since the last time I have seen you."

The nanoscarab, called "Nano", chirped happily before buzzing down into Celestia's hand. Once there, the robotic insectoid crawled up her arm, until it reached Celestia's neck and playfully nuzzled the mare.

"I have missed you, too, Nano… You have not changed at all!" Celestia smiled, retrieving her friend and held it in both hands. "How are the Tomb Stalkers? They haven't been fighting with each other again, have they?" Nano clicked and chirped a couple of times, bouncing on Celestia's hands. "Oh? Well, next time I see them, I must give those three a stern talking to." Celestia leaned forward, nuzzling her nose against the scarab's metal head. "No pony picks on my little Nano."

The mare's words earned happy chirps and clicks from Nano, until doors being slammed open had startled the two. "CELESTIA!"

"Quick, you need to hide so he doesn't see you, Nano." Celestia whispered, the nanoscarab doing a forward leg salute, and buzzed up behind a nearby curtain. Once her friend had disappeared from plain sight, the mare crawled out from behind the throne… Seeing a furious King Dainn, striding towards her. "Y-Yes, my Master?"

No words came, as the Caribou King strode up to her, and then back handed Celestia down the steps. "You lied to me, you ungrateful bitch!" He snarled, walking after the mare, slamming a hoof into her mid-section, causing Celestia to gasp in pain. "I took you as my personal slave, no other but I would touch you!" King Dainn grabbed her mane, before back handing the mare on to the ground again. "And this is how you repay me… By lying!?"

Celestia tried to crawl away, but received another hoof to the side of her head. The collar kept the mare from fleeing, forced to try and look at him with a bruised eye. "W-What did I-I lie about, M-Master?" She asked, before receiving another kick to her mid-section and back hand to the ground.

"This Phaeron and his dynasty of Ancient Ones!" King Dainn's words caused Celestia's blood to run cold, eyes painfully wide. "Yes, both your bitch sister and that beast told me." He reached down, picking the mare up by her hair. "So, 'Daddy' is coming to save his daughters, and slay the tyrant king, huh?" King Dainn suddenly grabbed Celestia by her throat, keeping his victim suspended off the ground that way. "Well… I will make sure he mourns the two of you, instead of saving." He threw Celestia against the nearby wall, turning around. "Starting with that bitch of a sister you have… Too bad, you won't see her for the last two days of her miserable existence."

Celestia's eyes were filled with terror, watching King Dainn leave the throne room. Quickly, she looked up to the hidden Nano. "You must go to father! He has to be here, before they kill Lulu!" Nano flew down, giving her a quick salute before flying out the way it got into Canterlot Castle.

-With King Dainn-

The Caribou King strode past his guards, rage burning with each step. One of the Caribou Royal Guards walked up, trying to keep pace with his king. "My king, what are we going to do?" He asked, King Dainn stopping at a window overlooking the castle's courtyard.

"Prepare an execution, by hanging." King Dain started, down at the courtyard's center. "We publicly execute Luna in two days, for her treasonous rebellion."

"And what of Celestia, my king?" The guard asked, respectfully bowing his head.

A smirk came across King Dainn's muzzle. "Their father wants to rescue the princesses. One will die, before he even gets here, while the other?" He looked back at the guard, a sadistic look about him. "Will die by this Phaeron's own hand."

-Ponyville-

Spike growled with anger, unable to move with all three Tomb Stalkers keeping him immobile and subdued. Both Twilight Sparkle and Rarity used their magic on the drake, trying to get past the greed overtaking his mind. Observing them, Ay'therian and Daring Do kept their distance, the Phaeron's unblinking gaze keeping a careful watch of the drake, and waited to order his Tomb Stalkers to kill, if need be. Though, the pegasus mare cradled her sleeping charge, Heavy and Pincer floating not too far away from Daring Do.

"Think they can help them, my Phaeron?" Daring Do asked, before cooing Flurry heart when she started to whimper.

Ay'therian eyed their situation, not even responding to the Lychguard walking up behind them. "There is no telling, even I know how delicate this can be." He glanced down at the mare, before reaching a hand over and gently caressed Flurry Heart's cheek. "But, if things take a turn for the worse, my Tomb Stalkers will end it quickly."

"I-I really h-hope you don't n-need to do that, L-Lord Ancient O-One." A voice spoke up, drawing the two's attention, seeing Twilight trembling before Ay'therian… Seemingly leaving Rarity with trying to bring Spike back. "A-Am I interrupting?"

"Of course not, Princess… That is, if the Phaeron does not deem so?" Daring Do looked up to Ay'therian, who simply shook his head, which caused the mare to smile at Twilight. "What can we do for you?"

"U-Um… I w-was wondering, if I may…" Twilight looked up at Ay'therian, trembling even more.

The Phaeron held his hand up, trying to calm her down. "There is no need to fear me, or my Necrontyr, child. Far as I am concerned, you are part of my Dynasty." Confusion appeared on Twilight's features, until Ay'therian motioned to her horn and wings. "You are a Princess of Equestria, those indicate this… Which places you at my royal table, Celestia and Luna being my heirs."

"O-Oh! Um, alright… Strange, but I can understand that." She looked back at Daring Do. "May I see my niece? I have not seen her in so very long." Twilight stepped closer, none of the Necrons reacting.

Daring Do smiled, also moving closer to Twilight. "Of course, Princess! She is your niece, and I am just her Caretaker." She stated, gently handing Flurry Heart over to the young princess.

Twilight, gingerly, took Flurry Heart into her arms, nuzzling the foal lovingly. Though, Ay'therian kept his gaze on the princess, as if pondering about something. "Child, tell me… What is your relation, to Flurry Heart's mother?" Daring Do froze, looking up at the Phaeron with shocked eyes, praying that he is not doing this.

"Cadence?" Twilight asked, looking up at Ay'therian, who only nodded. Quickly, she passed Flurry Heart back to Daring Do, smiling up at the Phaeron hopefully. "She is my sister-in-law, whom I swear married my brother to get me as a sister, and was my old foalsitter! I-Is she alright, has she come with you? If so, I would love to see her again!"

While Twilight was glancing around, she did not notice Ay'therian's hand gripping his war-scythe tightly, Daring Do turning away so the princess could not see her sorrow filled expression. Slowly, the Phaeron stepped closer to her, until Ay'therian towered over Twilight. Such a sight confused her, especially when he knelt in front of the mare. "I am… Truly sorry, my child." He suddenly brought Twilight into a single armed embrace, pressing her against his armored chest.

However, Twilight didn't even notice, the shock overwhelming every sense she had. Her hands, hesitantly, reached up and tried to wrap around Ay'therian's larger body… Before pressing her face into him, and tried to muffle the uncontrollable sobbing. Those of Ay'therian's Lychguard merely watched the scene, their heads lowered, such an emotion is not lost to them, despite their appearance. They understood what the princess needed, and to let this all out… Their Phaeron being her shoulder.

When Twilight, slowly, came down from her sobbing, a raspy voice caught the Lychguards' attention. "Oh my gosh, Twilight! What's wrong!?" A cyan pegasus mare sprinting over to-!

WHAM!

One of the shield bearing Lychguard gave Rainbow Dash a dazing shield slam to the muzzle, sending her flying back into the ground. "None may approach the Phaeron, his Envoy, or either of the Princesses; without permission!" He ordered, three more quickly forming on both sides. "Stay back, until called into their presence, Equestrian!"

Rainbow Dash, painfully, sat back up and held her aching head. "We're friends of Twilight's, along with being Elements of Harmony, ya metal head!"

"Does not matter." The Lychguard lowered their stances, ready for combat. "Traitor Equestrian was discovered, and their protection is-?"

"Stand down, Lychguard!" Daring Do demanded, followed by upset cries from Flurry Heart, forcing the Lychguard to relax and open ranks. "Your misunderstanding has made Princess Flurry Heart upset, which means I have half a mind to sic Pincer, Heavy, and their scarabs on to you all!" She then looked over towards Rainbow Dash, along with the other approaching Elements. "That goes for you four, as well. We may be friends, but this does not excuse you for waking up a foal that is hard to get to sleep… But, it is about time for her feeding." Daring Do looked towards a nearby group of Lychguard. "Zalimor? Would you bring me a bottle, please?"

A war-scythe wielding Lychguard, sporting a pink baby bag, stepped out and walked over to Daring Do. Carefully, he reached into the bag, and pulled out a bottle of foal formula, handing it to the mare. "Here you go, Envoy, as you requested."

"Thank you very much, Zalimor." Daring Do took the bottle and began feeding Flurry Heart, coo'ing to the foal as she did so.

This whole scene dumbfounded the four Elements, even more so when Ay'therian walked by and affectionately cupped the mare's chin, taking a moment to examine her and Flurry Heart, before looking at those watching them. "I am Phaeron Ay'therian the Reaper, Ruler of the Ay'therian Dynasty… I already know of you four, and suggest treading lightly." He instructed, examining each mare in detail. "You are not of a Royal House, and simply wield keys to this Kingdom's defense." Ay'therian's words had been like a blade to the two more prideful mares of their group. "What is allowed with the princesses and Daring Do, are not the same for you four… Or five, if you include the one tending to your crazed friend."

"But-!"

"No 'buts', child. I do not care what argument, or self-crowning titles, you have, none of it matters before me." Ay'therian interrupted Rainbow Dash, his Lychguard forming up to assert the Phaeron's power. "So long as I am here, and my Necrontyr walk these lands, my word is law. The only ones that may question it, is Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, Daring Do's authority being so much until I say otherwise on these matters… Do I make myself clear, children?" The mares all gave defeated nods, feeling like they had just been scolded by their strict grandfather. "Now, what is it you need?"

"We are, uh, sorry… Lord Phaeron, sir…" Applejack started, pulling Rainbow Dash back some. "We came ta check on our friend, Twi-?" Seeing the Necrons flex their hands on the lethal weapons, caused her to rethink how to address her friend right now. "Princess Twilight on how she was feeling… After seeing her cryin', of course."

Ay'therian gave a nod, motioning towards the pinned Spike. "I have relayed unfortunate news, and she goes to pass it on to another family member… In hopes it would bring them back from what has made him mad." An emerald flash caught their attention. "And it would seem to have worked."

The group noticed that Spike had reverted to his younger form, he and Twilight hugging each other, tears visible within the baby dragon's eyes. Around them, and a crying Rarity, the three Tomb Stalkers observed what was going on below, reared up and resembled towering sentinels. Without hesitation, the last four Elements rushed over to comfort their two friends, neither Tomb Stalker stopping them. Ay'therian simply watched, his gaze locked on to the group, as if something had been bothering him.

"My Phaeron?" Daring Do spoke up, snapping Ay'therian from his thoughts. "Is everything alright?"

Ay'therian looked down at Daring Do, before two mental images appeared this time, the newest one vastly disturbing the Phaeron… One was wearing the slave outfit, whip in both hands with its length in her teeth, seductive eyes half lidded and in a begging manner. The other was of a bloody Daring Do, her clothing torn and revealed her bare body, as if some rape victim, with her throat slight, eyes glazed…. Blood covered the image, and he obviously became bothered by such a sight, shaking both away. Quickly, to help keep his mind off them, the Phaeron cupped Daring Do's chin, leaning over until his faceplate was a few inches away from her muzzle. "I am… Troubled, my dearest Daring Do." The action and words caused her to blush deeply. "Your safety continues to bother me, and I rather not lose something already so precious."

"P-P-Precious?" Daring Do repeated, her legs shaking and tail switching side to side, not knowing how she continue to hold on to Flurry Heart and the formula bottle.

"Yes, you seem to be precious to me, and I am admittedly a greedy Phaeron… I don't like what is mine, being taken away." Ay'therian looked towards the three Tomb Stalkers. "Which is why one of them will imprint on to you." His eyes flashed, the center Tomb Stalker turning towards them, before swiftly crawling up to the two and lowered its large head down to Daring Do. "Place your hand upon its largest eye, and it will imprint… Once this is done, the Tomb Stalker will not fail in its duties."

"O-Okay…" Daring Do shifted Flurry Heart some, handing Zalimor the bottle of foal formula. Carefully, she reached forward and placed her hand on to the Tomb Stalker's large eye. "Ok, big guy… Imprint on me."

A bright flash came from the Tomb Stalker's eye, before it reared back, making metallic groans, clicks, and deep tones. "There, the Tomb Stalker has imprinted on you… It is yours to command at will."

The Tomb Stalker leaned back in, and shifted underneath Daring Do's free arm, like a large pet would when wishing for its owner to stroke its head affectionately. "Whoa, aren't we the friendly one?" She giggled, giving said machine what it wanted. "Think I will call you…" The mare eyed its form, looking for any features that stood out, but couldn't find anything. "How about Blade? You know, for all those blade-like arms you have?" The Tomb Stalker made approving tones, nodding. "Blade it is, then."

"With that settled, we can-?" Ay'therian noticed a pair of Immortals walking up. "What is it?"

"Phaeron, the other Legions are approaching. What orders should we relay to their Lords?" One of the Immortals stated, their robotic voice causing Daring Do to twitch a bit. "So they may start on where you require them."

"Tell them to shift the Monolith towards Canterlot, every Legion is to prepare for an all-out assault. We will attack our foe in five days." Ay'therian instructed, the Immortals nodding and began to leave. However, sight of a certain nanoscarab rushing to the Phaeron's position had drawn his attention. "Wait a moment, you two…" They stopped, as Ay'therian held his hand out, allowing the nanoscarab to land there, and held it towards his faceplate. "Nano, what news have you brought me?" Nano started to click, chirp, and tap on his hand; trying to relay its message to the Phaeron. "Are you certain?" The nanoscarab nodded, Ay'therian looking to the Immortals. "All Legions are to deploy, now, accelerate the arrival of our Monoliths! Dar'kan is to head first into their courtyard, full speed, he will know why once arriving to that location! Both Deathmarks and Wraiths are to begin infiltration and their attacks. I want my fighters in the air, and taking care of any air support they may have left. Make sure Prae'tor knows he, and his Triarchs, along with a contingent of my Lychguard, will be holding in the rear with any Equestrians we liberate, they are our top priority with that city!"

"As you command, my Phaeron." The Immortals saluted, heading to relay his orders. Daring Do, on the other hand, gave a worried look towards her Phaeron. "W-What is going on, my Phaeron? What is happening?" She asked, Lychgaurd already placing her and Flurry Heart on to Blade's armored back.

Ay'therian looked back at her, voice deathly serious. "Stopping an execution."