“See you all… I’m going out for a bit.” J said as he limped to the front door.

“You never did explain why you let Rarity hurt you. Didn’t think you were into that kind of stuff.” Star laughed.

“I’d do anything for my Queen.” J said with a smile.

“Okay… That’s nice.” Star said.

“Well good bye.” J said as he walked out.

-----------------------

J walked up to Fluttershy’s cottage he stopped once he was ten feet from the door. “Okay… just go in and ask… it won’t be embarrassing…” J said to himself.

J knocked on the door and waited for a minute. He got no response so he simply blinked past the door. He heard the shower running and he walked back to Fluttershy’s room. He peeked inside the bathroom and saw Fluttershy curled in the fetal position crying.

J rushed in and kneeled down beside her. He laid a hand on her shoulder. The second he touched her she stopped crying and locked up.

“Woah! It’s alright I’m not going to hurt you!” He said quickly.

She glanced up at him before relaxing and starting to cry again.

He gently wrapped his arms around her and pulled her up, “Shh… shh don’t cry…” He said comfortingly.

“I’m… I’m sorry…” She sniffled standing up quickly, a smile forcing its way onto her face, “Just wait for me in the living room... I’ll be out in a second.”

J bit his tongue and returned a forced smile, “Sure…” He said as he stood up. He turned around and walked out of the bathroom and into the living room.

A couple minutes later Fluttershy came out fully dressed, “Sorry about that… Did you need something?” She asked sitting down on her couch.

“What… I came here to ask you about can wait…” He said, “You're more important than… my little problem.”

“Nonsense!” She said jumping up, “Maybe you’d like some tea…” She picked up the tea-pot sitting on the table and tried to run to the kitchen but tripped, smashing the pot onto the floor.

He got up and helped her up, “Fluttershy… please you can talk to me.” He said.

Her breathing was shaky, “No it’s fine… I have another pot in the kitchen.” She said walking into the kitchen and opening several cabinets, “Where did I put it…”

J walked up behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder, “Fluttershy…” He said.

“I… It should be around here somewhere…” She said, her search quickening, “Why can’t I find it… W…” She fell to her knees and started crying again.

J quickly picked her up and held her close, “Shh… it’s alright…” He said comfortingly, “Let’s go sit down…” He carried her into the living room and set her down on the couch. He then sat down right beside her and pulled her into a soft hug. “I’m here for you no matter what it is. If you need someone to listen… then I’ll listen. If you need a friend then I’ll be that friend…” He stopped when he noticed a bruise right on the edge of her hairline. “Wha…”

She quickly covered it up with her hair, “It’s nothing…” She said quickly.

“Fluttershy… don’t lie to me.” He said.

“It’s just a bruise… Don’t worry about it.” She smiled.

“I have to worry though… if someone’s hurting you then I want to make sure it stops.” He said.

Fluttershy stared silently at the floor.

J sighed and let go of her, “Fine… I guess I’ll just go.” He said about to stand up.

There was a long pause.

“I deserved it.” She said.

J bit his lip hard, “No one deserves to be beaten Fluttershy.” He said, “No one.”

“It wasn’t that hard… I just need to do better next time… “ She said.

“It doesn’t matter if it wasn’t ‘that hard’.” He said, “I’m not going to stand idly by while any of you get beaten.”

“No really! He didn’t mean it… It’s just that Sta-” She immediately stopped herself before she said his name.

J blinked a few times, “Star… is beating you…” He said quietly. His eye twitched slightly.

“J please… Don’t do anything harsh… Please don’t tell him I told you… Or anyone.” She said quickly grabbing him.

J closed his eyes and Fluttershy could hear him mumbling quietly to himself.

“J… Please don’t hurt him…” She started crying again.

J opened his eyes and hugged her, “I won’t tell anyone…” He said comfortingly, “And I won’t hurt Star… I… I have a feeling that… something isn’t full right with him anymore… and I’m getting the same feeling from myself too…”

“He… He’s been acting… Off… Lately.” She said.

“Yeah… I noticed… like when he called me Joel… something just… doesn’t add up.” He agreed.

Fluttershy pulled away quickly and looked at J, “Where is Star right now…” She said.

“At… home… Oh god no!” J said as he shot up, “FUCK!” He rushed the door and vanished.

--------------------------

J blinked through the front door and saw Star in the kitchen cooking.

“Afternoon.” Star said stirring the soup he was making.

J scanned over Star before relaxing a little bit, “Afternoon…” He said back.

“How was your… Whatever it is you were doing.” Star questioned.

“Good.” J said. “Where are the girls?”

“Did you see Fluttershy? She’s been really nice lately.” Star said.

“Can’t say I have.” J said.

“I should take her out to eat. Do something nice for her.” Star said, continuing to stir the pot.

“Where are the girls?” J asked again.

“With their mother.” Star said.

“Where’s Emile then?” J asked.

“‘Beats’ me.” Star said with emphasis, cracking a smile.

J’s lip curled up as his eyes started glowing, “Could… you kindly repeat that? I think I just heard you say beat… in a sentence about one of my daughters…” He said.

Star stayed silent, stirring the pot as he started humming something. Something very familiar.

“I… demand… to know… where Emile is…” J said slowly.

Emile peeked down from the top of the stairs, “Hey dad!” She said walking down and to the front door. “I gotta go out for a bit. If you don’t mind…”

“That’s fine. Can you go check on Ethan while you’re out?” J said without turning away from Star. Star’s smile only grew slightly.

“Sure. Was on my way there anyways.” Emile said kissing J on the cheek before running out.

“Good thing she wasn’t hurt… That’d have been bad for you…” J said.

“I’m sure it would have. I know how reckless you get when you’re angry. We wouldn’t want people to get hurt again would we?” Star asked.

“Again? What are you talking about?” J questioned.

Star silently stirred the pot.

“Answer me.” J demanded.

“Ethan’s a nice kid.” Star said.

“Don’t fucking change the subject.” J growled. “Answer me…”

Star stayed silent for a moment, ”You know… After what happened in that basement. I know that’s what started all this. Well… You know. I saw you break down back in the hospital and… Well…” He paused for a moment, “No wonder you don’t use your real name.” He said.

“What…” J said, “Shut the fuck up… you don’t know anything!”

“I know enough.” Star smiled, laughing silently to himself.

J stepped into the kitchen. “You…” He began.

Star started humming again, the same familiar tune drifting through the air.

“Shut the hell up.” J said angrily.

Star stopped humming and stirring, taking the spoon from the pot and handing it to J, “Would you like to try the soup?” He asked, the red liquid dripping to the floor.

“No.” J stated. “I’m not going to… I don’t drink blood.”

“Oh well… More for me.” Star said sipping from the spoon.

“What… the fuck?” J questioned.

“You know I miss times like this. Just you and me… Like before we came here.” Star said before starting to stir the soup again.

J immediately stepped back about to leave the kitchen.

“Before Fluttershy… Pinkie… You know. Just us two… Alone. I remember the first song I heard you play.” Star said smiling as he started humming again.

“You aren’t Star…” J said with a low growl.

Star stayed silent.

J stepped back out of the kitchen. “Fuck… you…” He growled. “I want my friend back…”

“Joel… I thought we were friends.” Star said.

J growled even more, “We… aren’t friends… you aren’t Star…” He snapped.

“Well I’m no saint but… I’d say that’s a bit incorrect.” Star said staring down at the pot.

“Star… wouldn’t ever joke about hurting any of our children…” J said.

“Who’s joking.” Star said.

J took a deep breath in through his nose. “Where are they?” He growled.

Star took his eyes off the pot and looked at J for a moment before raising the spoon again, “Would you like to try the soup?” He said, his smile widening as he started laughing, dropping the spoon to the floor.

“You… fucking sick… bastard… you’d hurt…” J began. His lip twitching. “You… fucking monster…” His breathing got heavier.

Star’s laugh turned to a cackle as he dipped his finger into the boiling liquid and licked it off.

“Fight me… Lord of Shadow…” J growled.

“There’s no need for that anymore.” Star said picking up a knife and putting it to his own throat, beginning to cackle more.

A black mist enshrouded the knife, “No.” J said simply, “You aren’t dying here…”

“Take me then. My point has been made.” Star said.

“And what point is that?” J questioned.

Star fell to his knees and clenched his head, tears starting to fall from his face, “J…” He mumbled.

J simply disintegrated into mist. Reforming near Star. “Star… where are they?” He questioned.

“Safe…” Star said as blood started to drip down his nose.

“Star… I know what’s going on…” J said, “But… it’s to dangerous to tell you.”

Star stood up and grabbed J, “Kill me… Please kill me… Don’t… Let me hurt them anymore…” He begged.

J placed his hand to Star’s head forcing him to collapse. J’s eyes glowed brightly, “Just sleep… it’ll be alright.” He said quietly. “Sleep… I’ll protect you inside… you’ll be safer there…”

---------------------------

“There… all done.” J said stepping back from the bed.

“Why… are you tying Star to the bed?” Dash questioned.

J remained silent.

Star’s eyes opened, “W...Why am I tied to the bed?” He asked.

“For safety reasons.” J said turning around to face Rarity. The two of them exchange a few looks and Rarity nodded. “That’s… not good.” He said quietly.

“What’s wrong with him?” Fluttershy asked.

“Something you… nor anyone else here could understand.” J said. “No... I’m wrong. Maybe you can Twilight. But… it’s too much of a risk.”

“No.” Fluttershy said sternly, “You tell me… What the FUCK is wrong with him right now.”

J silently stared at her.

“Fluttershy please… It’s fine. I’m fine…” Star said.

“No I’m tired of staying in the dark. Tell me ri-” Fluttershy was cut off when a strand of dark mist wrapped around her snout closing it.

“Enough then.” J stated his eyes glowing more brightly. “You don’t understand what territory you’re stepping into. I don’t expect you to. And for your safety the DARK is better than the light.”

“What the hell is that… And what are you…” Twilight questioned angrily.

“What brought you six together?” J questioned. The mist around Fluttershy’s snout snaked off and disappeared into J.

“But… How?” Twilight asked taking a step back.

“Don’t worry. I’m not here to shroud the world in darkness.” J said, “I’m only allowed to do what J has set up for me. Hurting and killing is not part of what I’m allowed, or what I want to do. And as for how… Let’s just say… that I’m split up…”

“Very interesting.” Star said, “But… How did that happen?”

“Through a willing transfer… the darkness left in J called me through.” J said. He looked over at Star who had escaped his bonds and was laying there smiling. “Oh… goodie. Try escaping and I’ll put you under again.”

“Nah… That’s no fun.” Star said fluffing the pillow before lying back down. “I’m comfortable right here.”

“You’re lucky I’m not allowed to do anything to you. I’d enjoy watching you squirm in fear.” J said.

“I’m quivering as much as your pussy when he fucked you dry.” Star cackled.

Both J and Rarity growled a little bit.

J raised his hand and more mist shrouded it. “I’m going to enjoy this…” He said.

Rarity grabbed J, “No.” She stated.

J lowered his hand, “Fine…” He said.

“Obeying her command? And I thought you were making HIM the pet… I guess all dogs are the same.” Star said.

J growled, “You don’t get it do you?” He questioned.

“I get you were strong and powerful… And your reign lasted all of one night.” Star cackled.

J’s lip curled even more but he remained silent.

“And being forced to use your mighty powers to… Protect? And help others? You’ve hit an all time low.” Star laughed.

“You can thank the triple dose of the elements for that… ‘low’.” J said, “And you… have yet to see what I can truly do now…”

“Oh I’m fully aware of what you’re capable of. I’m no fool. But I do know that you wouldn’t want to hurt your precious Stardust…” He said as his body tensed up, blood running from his eyes as he gritted his teeth in pain.

“Fuck!” J said approaching the bed.

The blood stopped as he started cackling again, “Unlike you… I can kill him at any time. But… I won’t.” He smiled, relaxing back onto the bed.

J stepped back, “Much the same reason why I listen to J instead of going on rampage… our life forces are intertwined. If he dies then I die.” He said, “If Star dies you die. You don’t seem to understand what happens when you possess a soul do you? You bound yourself to his life force. There isn’t any going back… The only reason I didn’t die when I was forced out of Luna is because I was created inside of her… I was never BOUND to her.”

“Which is an even better failsafe than anything that I could have done. Because I know you won’t kill me now. Because of Star.” Star said.

“But you forgot one thing…” J said with a smirk, “Just as you influence him… he’s influencing you… I know what you did in the past… a mass murderer but you couldn’t bring yourself to kill kids anymore...”

Star’s smile faded slightly, staying absolutely silent.

“Did I hit home?” J questioned with a chuckle, “Of course I did! You also could have killed me! But you didn’t! Do you know why? Because you’re being changed… Star’s soul is too… what’s the word…”

“Clean?” Twilight said.

J shook his head, “Neither of them are saints Twilight.” He said.

“B… Big?” Fluttershy asked.

“No… size has nothing to do with it…” J said shaking his head, “Thank you both though…”

“Strong?” Sarah said appearing in the doorway.

“Powerful?” Serena asked, appearing next to her.

“Hm… yes… both of those work. It’s nice to see that you are both okay.” J said.

Pinkamena ran over and hugged the both of them. “I’m so happy you’re not hurt.” She said kissing both of them.

“We can take care of ourselves mom…” Sarah said.

“Yeah we’re not kids anymore.” Serena said.

“Ah finally… Rarity it’s time.” J said with a smile.

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked.

J smiled softly, “There are two reasons why I refuse to hurt any of you… no three.” He said. “One… you can’t hurt me back. Two you’re both his friends.”

“Three you are all also my friends.” Rarity said.

Star laughed, “Well… Isn’t friendship just magic…” He said.