Unexplored Worlds

Chapter 1: New Beginnings.

Large hooves pressed against the walls of the dark basement as long, intersecting chains groaned at the stress of holding the strong pony. The chains shook and began to stretch under the strain of holding the unstoppable pony.

“I can play this game all day,” A female sighed as she flicked her fingers and another set of chains slammed the pony against the wall and began to form new links to hold him in place. The human snapped her fingers and an orb of light hovered between her and the pony.

The pony raised his bald head, his navy body covered in lines of dried blood, a pair of tired eyes looked at the human before a low growl slipped past his gritted teeth. “What do you think you are going to accomplish?”

“Why do you insist on asking questions? It isn’t like you can pass on any information to anyone but me,” The human leaned forward and petted the pony’s nose. “You ponies are almost too cute sometimes.”

“If I don’t kill you then he will,” The pony snarled. “Now what do you want with my nephew?”

The female stood up again, “You are talking about your best friend’s adopted son right?”

The pony froze before growling even louder, “What. Do. You. Want?”

“Well I am here for fun, and maybe a few slaves when I have a big house,” The human laughed sweetly as she tapped her finger against her chin. “Now I want you to tell me a little about your nephew.”

“I’ll tell you to shove that information up your flank,” The pony spat on the floor. “But someone like you would get turned on by that thought.”

The girl laughed as she rubbed her hands across each other and golden claws appeared on her fingers. “Aren’t you funny?”

“You are nothing but a child,” The pony clenched his teeth as the claws were dragged painfully across his bald head and down his cheeks. “I have had worse interrogations from a bug.”

The human stopped smiling as she sighed and her golden claws pulled out of the pony’s face and crimson drops of blood landed quietly on the floor. The door at the other end of the room opened and another human stepped in, a frustrated expression carved into his face.

“Found anything out?” He grumbled in an annoyed tone, his rough features appearing as he stepped into the light. His short blond hair was a vast contrast from the girl’s long ginger hair, her pale and sweet face looked childish compared to the gaunt face of the man beside her.

But something that the humans and the pony shared in common were eyes that had seen pain. The pony’s eyes looked tired of having to struggle. The man’s looked sturdy and unwavering. The girls looked almost happy at the sight before her.

The girl smiled as she looked at the older man beside her, “Nope, he is still being a stubborn idiot.”

“Listen pony,” The man snapped his attention at the chained captive. “Either you tell us about Prince Dave or we will be forced to take action against closer relatives, such as his son.”

The pony froze, “Alright I will tell you two things.”

“Go on,” The man narrowed his eyes as the pony sneered.

“Touch his son and you will be suffering more than anypony has ever had in a long time,” His sneer faded slightly. “And he doesn’t like being called a prince.”

The girl gave a loud whine, “Why is it that grown-ups always do silly things like not accept power?”

“Go and tell the others that we are done here,” The man ordered. “Oh and Sasha? Make sure they all know what they are doing this for, I’m sure Discord won’t like having his time wasted.”

“Discord?” The pony gasped as he noticed the girl smile.

“Well I hear that he had Mike disciplined for stepping out of line,” Sasha giggled as she glanced at the pony. “What about you Hank? You gonna make a mess?”

The man called Hank looked at the young girl. “I said leave!”

Sasha jumped at the sharp tone before pouting and storming out of the dark room, the orb of light following her. Hank sighed as the room was plunged into darkness and only the open door gave enough light for both pony and human to see each other.

“If you really think that you can hold out in hopes that you are rescued then you are going to be disappointed.” Hank stepped forward so he could stare into the pony’s eyes, “We are Discord’s disciples, and he has given us gifts when no-one else would.”

“And has Discord informed you that he is using you?” The chained pony snarled. “He will take everything from you when he is done with you.”

Hank shook his head, “He gave us the opportunity to gain power, starting by making this world fear and worship humans like it should.”

“So why do you need to get to Dave?” The pony asked as the human took a few steps back.

“Dave would be a sign that humans can be weak and they shall resist us,” Hank lowered his gaze. “Weak fall under the boots of the strong.”

The earth pony resisted against his chains again, “I take it that you will kill me soon.”

“When I leave this room,” Hank looked at the bloody and beaten pony. “Or would you like to be spared?”

“Either way I know you will lose,” The pony sighed. “Besides, I have lived a long enough life, seen many things and I have been waiting for death for a while now.”

“Well wait no longer,” Hank’s eyes turned white as the chains restraining the pony sprung to life and coiled around the pony’s head. “You have managed to delay nothing, Battering Ram.”

Hank left the room, waiting until he heard the inevitable crack before closing the door and walking away from the room. He entered a large circular room where a group of humans were waiting, all their heads turned to look at him before returning to their previous tasks.

Sasha ran over to Hank with a big grin, “So? How did you kill him? Disembowelment? Burning?”

“Just broke his neck, there is no need to waste time on a pony,” Hank pushed Sasha aside as he walked over to another male. “Mike, I hope you have found out some more information.”

“Yeah I found the school that his son goes to if having a trip to a museum in Manehatten,” The young man turned to look at Hank, his short brown hair leaving his annoyed face apparent for Hank to see.

The rougher looking man narrowed his eyes, “You need to understand that these ponies mean nothing to us, they can’t even understand how futile their own lives are.”

Mike looked away, “I just don’t like the way you all mess with them first.”

Sasha hopped over, “Come on Mike, don’t you like the way they struggle? You get the fun of using your bare hands too!”

“I am only helping you because I owe Discord my life,” Mike sneered at the girl. “I don’t get why he would want the help of an immature little girl like you.”

“Little girl?” Sasha snarled as her golden claws returned and they pressed against Mike’s stomach. “I could take you down in a second you pussy!”

“SILENCE,” Hank bellowed at the two rivals. “Sasha, if you pull your claws out on another one of us again I shall take your gift from you.”

The girl flinched as her claws faded and she bowed, “I’m sorry but Mike really gets on my nerves.”

“And his previous punishment has placed him back into our care, he knows what happens if he steps out of line so don’t make the same mistake.” Hank leaned down as he tapped the girl’s head. “You are pathetic, that is why you need to listen to us and learn how to rule properly.”

Mike looked down at the scolded child beside him, “So who is going to head to Manehatten?”

“You need to redeem yourself, so you can go with one of our fellow brothers and take the hybrid child,” Hank looked at Sasha. “You little one can start thinking of a new name to use in a few days.”

“Goody!” The girl bounced around happily as Hank turned back to Mike.

“Now if you let us down again then I will take away more than just your powers this time,” Hank tapped Mike’s chest. “You must live with your choices.”

Meanwhile…

“That sounds like a wonderful idea and I look forward to seeing you once the winter has passed,” Celestia hummed as she tapped her chin. The elegant alicorn’s horn glowed a gentle gold as she levitated a quill and scroll beside herself.

The princess of the sun sat in her bed as she pondered over her letter, the gentle tapping of rain made the crackling sound of the warm fire sound much more comforting. The marble fireplace had a few logs piled beside it and a couple feeding the fire as it kept the room heated.

“I am not sure if this letter sounds right just yet,” The princess of the sun sighed as she rested her head back, her flowing mane brushing her cheek as she allowed the pillows behind her to support and comfort her. “Are you listening to me Dave?”

“Yep,” Came a voice from the joining bathroom, the door open enough for the couple to hear each other. “Have you tried saying something complementary about Saddle Arabia yet? Like how it looks like a beach without water?”

Celestia rolled her eyes, “You know they don’t like that, and the last dinner we had with the delegates was very awkward when they tried to arrange a marriage between their daughter and our son.”

Dave chuckled, “Their daughter looked cute enough.”

“She is twice the age of Nox and she was dressed so… inappropriately,” Celestia shivered at the thought of her son marrying at such a young age.

“You mean she was dressed?” Dave stepped out of the bathroom in a long white dressing gown. His shaggy brown hair starting to disappear under the collar of his dressing gown. “You forget basically everypony is naked most of the time.”

Celestia lowered her letter to glare at her husband as the human removed his dressing gown and climbed into the bed beside her. His right arm showing a large black brand that was quickly hidden under the covers.

“You have been acting so agitated the past few nights,” Celestia sighed. “If you keep this up me and Luna will have to take shifts making sure nopony talks to you.”

“You know the rumours have me nervous,” Dave pulled the covers up to his chin. “Mysterious results everywhere, extraordinary sights and prodigies around every corner.”

Celestia rubbed her head, “Listen, we both know that Nox has done fine in his exams and we can pick up his results in a couple of days.”

Dave narrowed his eyes at Celestia, “Our son’s first year at school and you seem awfully calm. Have you fixed his results?”

“No,” The white alicorn rolled her eyes. “I just have faith in our son that he will pass, you should believe in him some more.”

“I do believe,” Dave sighed happily. “I just want him to be the best in the class.”

Celestia placed her letter down as she looked at the devious grin on Dave’s face, “You really need to get a new hobby.”

“I tried remember? Helping dad out with his guard ideas?” Dave shook his head as he looked up at Celestia. “Are you saying you don’t want me to stay beside you?”

The mare rose an eyebrow as she looked down at Dave, “Don’t play that trick, I know you will just ask Luna to stay with her in privacy together until I wonder where you are.”

“Admittedly your face the first time was priceless,” Dave chuckled as he looked at the letter Celestia was frowning at. “Have you tried saying that you have a busy schedule over the winter season and that meeting would not only be a short and rushed occasion but will also hinder your ability to perform your royal duties?”

“That is…” Celestia paused before her pen worked furiously and she sent the letter away in a flash of light. “How come you manage to come up with such good ideas so fast.”

“Simple, I wasn’t having your undivided attention,” Dave smiled as he hooked an arm around Celestia and shuffled closer against her soft fur. “You know I like our private moments.”

“So do I,” Celestia kissed Dave’s head as she wrapped a hoof around his neck. “But unfortunately I have to be up early to meet with Ambassador Adamas so we have to sleep now.”

The alicorn turned away and shuffled into Dave’s hug, sighing happily. The human gave a small groan as he dropped his head into the pillow. “I guess I am getting a bit overexcited about Nox’s results.”

“Yes you are,” Celestia sighed. “Now get some sleep.”

“Yeah what’s the worst that could happen?” Dave said happily.

Celestia gave a small disapproving hum, “Now you have said that something bad will happen.”

“Yeah sure,” Dave rolled his eyes. “It happens every time I tempt fate.”

“It does,” Celestia stated plainly.

Dave closed his eyes before attempting to sleep, “Well how much worse can it get than last time?”

“You are on a roll tonight,” Celestia sighed. “Stop tempting fate and go to sleep.”

“Why? It isn’t like anything bad is going to happen,” Dave nuzzled Celestia’s fur as he slowed his breathing and relaxed.

The princess gave a sigh of defeat, “If you go to sleep now then tomorrow night we can do whatever you want, deal?”

When no response came, Celestia lifted her head to glance at Dave and saw him sleeping quietly behind her. The white alicorn shook her head as she smiled and attempted to join him in a quiet slumber.

“At least you don’t have to worry about the public’s opinion about you,” Celestia gave another sigh. “Great, now I’m doing it.”