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The Great Slave King

by TalonMach5

Chapter 30: The Last God

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The steady heartbeat of the last god echoes throughout the Well of Eternity, like a metronome keeping time with the Earth’s pulse. High overhead Illuminating that immense and ancient vault of creation, are magical multihued orbs representing each of Equestria’s many deities. If anyplace could be considered Equestria’s womb, this would be it. Over countless eons, many deities have been born from within the divine waters of the Well of Eternity that lies in the center of that holy place. Each of them differing from the others and serving creation’s diverse purposes. Some were beloved, others respected, and a choice few feared. But throughout all creation, none were quite like the last. Unlike the others, his was an accidental birth. Originally a mortal destined to die. The last was a stranger to this world. Having escaped from Darkpaw, Lord of Earth’s children, the last was alone in his wanderings when he came upon this place by happenstance. After quenching his thirst in the wells blessed water, he was changed into something new. From that moment on, the last’s destiny became inexorably linked to that of Equestria’s.

Darkpaw, fearful of the last’s eternal hatred of his children, sought to destroy him. But in the end he was destroyed. Luna, beautiful mistress of the night, despised the last for his rage and demanded banishment as his penance for slaying Darkpaw. In the end the gods agreed and thus the last was banished and enchained, forever cursed to roam Equestria as a vagabond alone and unwelcome. But Jormungandr, the winding one, in his wisdom and compassion sought a place of refuge the last could call his own. Jormungandr aided by Discord, scion of chaos, used the laws of creation to grant the last Darkpaw’s domain. Celestia, radiant mistress of the day, worried that the hate that burned within the last would eventually overrun his domains borders sought to contain him. Rather than suffer in stone as Discord had, the last removed his own beating heart and placed it within the confines of the Well of Eternity. Now immune from threat of imprisonment, the last challenged Celestia. If she could make he who had no tears cry thrice, the last would willingly face the pantheon’s judgment for good or ill. At a stalemate with the last, Celestia agreed and the pantheon went their separate ways. Thus in the twilight of the second age of ponies did the Slave King come to be.

-Author Unknown

*****

The Slave King stood in the center of the great chamber flanked on all sides by the entirety of Equestria’s pantheon. Stoically he stood in front of the well, the site of his rebirth. Wearing both his heavy iron crown revealing only his burning eyes, and the cloak of Darkpaw, he cut an imposing figure. Here was the one that though was still yet a child had managed to outmaneuver a majority of the rest of the pantheon. Here was he who had brought all of Equestria to the brink of war and ruin, but still had managed to escape unscathed. Here was he who had tamed and humbled the great Lord of Fire Ouroboros himself, using nothing more than mortals as his means. And now here he was standing before the pantheon, baring the only weapon with a means to destroy them. To say that there had never been a moot like this since the dawn of the first age would be an understatement.

“This is totally unacceptable!” Lord Cerynitis shouted, shaking his gilded antlers at the Slave King. “Bringing weapons to a moot is a flagrant violation of the spirit of the law. Furthermore…”

“Oh, ho, ho, this is going to be great!” Discord chuckled. Leaning back he opened his mouth wide before snapping his fingers, creating a large pink cloud that rained chocolate milk directly into his waiting gullet. Pulling out a remote control he pointed it towards the Lord of Winter, pressing pause he caused the deity to freeze mid rant. After a moment he pressed rewind, causing Lord Cerynitis’s accusations to play backwards.

“…eromrehtuF .wal eht fo tirips eht fo noitaloiv tnargalf a si toom a ot snopaew gnignirB” Lord Cerynitis spoke backwards, while shaking his antlers awkwardly at the Slave King before shouting some more gibberish. “!elbatpeccanu yllatot si sihT”

Snickering, Discord pointed the remote at the Lord of Winter, “Oh,” he said, pressing play, “this is my favorite part! It looks like the vein in his forehead is going to explode.”

Just as before, Lord Cerynitis shook his antlers, scowled, and repeated what he had just said, “This is totally unacceptable! Bringing weapons to a moot is a flagrant violation of the spirit of the law. Furthermore…” he stopped when he saw several of the more mischievous deities pressing claws, hooves, feathers, and fins to their mouths trying unsuccessfully to stifle their laughter at his expense. Fixing one of his golden eyes squarely on the draconequus, he pointed a hoof accusingly at the trickster and snorted. “Damn it to the Pit! Discord, don’t you know this is a serious matter?”

“Never be too serious, to have a little fun I always say,” Discord whispered to an exact duplicate of himself. With a mischievous smile he pulled on a rope that disappeared into the aether sending a bucket of freezing water down on the Lord of Winter’s head soaking him completely.

Discord’s duplicate nodded appreciatively, before whispering conspiratorially back to himself, “Especially if it’s at somepony else’s expense.”

Princess Celestia found the sight of a soaking wet Lord Cerynitis quite absurd and under other circumstances would have joined the others in laughter. But as head of the pantheon she was responsible for keeping order in the moot. Using her magic to whisk the remote out of his hands, she cast a stern eye on the draconequus. “Discord…” she said, raising her voice warningly. “If you continue this nonsense, we shall be forced to disable the use of your magic here.”

“But Ceeeleeestiiiaaa…” he moaned, inappropriately stretching out the vowels longer then they needed to be.

“Discord, I don’t want to hear another peep out of you,” Princess Celestia said, brandishing her power to reign in the mischief maker’s antics, “until after these negations have concluded.”

“Oh pooh, you never let me have any fun,” Both Discord’s said in stereo, crossing their arms and giving her a raspberry before looking away.

“Discord, just for that say good bye to your friend,” Princess Celestia said, using her magic to make the duplicate Discord inaudibly screech in horror as it collapsed in on itself having been erased from reality.

“You murderess!” Discord accused, pointing a claw in Celestia’s direction, “That was the real Discord.”

When he saw her horrified expression, Discord burst into laughter, “Oh, bawahahaha,” he snortled, clutching his sides as he laughed himself silly. “Oh Celestia, you should have seen the look on your face.”

Princess Celestia shot the spirit of mischief a dirty look, before sighing in relief that all she had obliviated from reality was a duplicate and not the real Discord. “Well now that that’s over, perhaps we can get back to the matter on hoof…” she said, before being interrupted by Discord once more.

“Actually that was the real Discord,” he said nonchalantly, “but being erased from existence was totally worth seeing the priceless look on your face.”

Celestia rolled her eyes in exasperation at Discord’s antics as she stomped her hooves twice, calling for silence. “Lord Cerynitis,” she said, to a very wet and annoyed Lord of Winter. “Thank you for addressing your concerns with the rest of the pantheon…”

“I wasn’t finished yet,” Lord Cerynitis said, stamping his hooves in indignation.

“Yes, yes. Outrage and scandal!” Discord mocked, moving his claw like a hand puppet in mockery of Lord Cerynitis complaint. “We all know you’re boring and stuffy, and have no fashion sense.”

“Discord…” Princess Celestia said, giving him a steely glare.

“Fine,” Discord huffed, rolling his eyes at the unfair treatment he was getting. “Perhaps let the human explain himself before we throw him to the wolves or deer as the case may be.”

“Discord, that’s an excellent idea,” Princess Celestia said, turning towards the Slave King. “What do you have to say to this accusation?”

The Slave King gave the draconequus a questioning look before turning his attention towards the rest of the pantheon. “You say I’m some sort of menace bringing such a weapon as this to your hollowed moot,” he said pointing his finger at each of them in turn. “However, no one bats an eye at Lord Ouroboros’s flames, or Princess Celestia’s and Princess Luna’s magic.”

“Their magic and flames are part of their beings respectively,” Lord Triton said, pointing out the flaw in the Slave King’s argument.

“Would you deny me a chance to defend myself from harm?” the Slave King said, challenging Lord Triton’s contention that weaponry had no place at the moot.

“No pony would dare…” Lord Triton declared, certain that the laws that guarded this place ensured no deity would ever attack another.

“No pony perhaps,” the Slave King said, giving Princess Celestia a thoughtful look, “But somehound has already done so, my own predecessor in fact.”

“That was an anomaly nothing more,” Lord Triton replied, waving the Slave King’s concerns away with his fin.

“And if that anomaly were to become a trend?” the Slave King countered. “What then of your laws, I would still be in harm’s way. Until you can guarantee me that no one will try repeating what Lord Darkpaw did, I demand the right to remain armed at all moots.”

“Lord Triton, he has a valid concern,” Princess Celestia said, agreeing with the Slave King’s assessment. “How are you prepared to ensure another incident like Darkpaw’s doesn’t occur?”

“Now just one moment,” Lord Triton objected, “although I can’t guarantee with absolute knowledge that nopony would ever attempt assassinating the Slave King in the future. I believe the chances are so low as to be not worth considering.”

“Yet it already happened once before,” Jormungandr said, joining the discussion from his corner. “I move that we vote on whether we will allow the Slave King to come to the moots armed, until such time that Lord Triton or Lord Cerynitis can ensure that no violence can possibly occur against him.”

“Is there a second?” Princess Celestia asked, before giving Discord a hard look. “Any beyond Discord that is.”

“I second,” Princess Luna said to everyone’s surprise. “Provided the weapon is preapproved by the pantheon first.”

“Et tu Luna?” Lord Cerynitis said, wearing a look of betrayal. “You were the one doe I thought we could count on to keep that menace contained.”

“Lord Cerynitis, our sincerest condolences,” Princess Luna said, lowering her head in apology. “Methinks Jormungandr has proffered a valid point. How mayst we claim swoopstake toward yonder Slave King er whilom we faileth to prevent the previous selfsame attempt upon his life?”

“So your marriage wasn’t a sham after all,” Lord Cerynitis accused, angry at Princess Luna’s apparent change of allegiance. “I should have known better than to trust a doe that would willingly lift her tail for a monster like him.”

“Lord Cerynitis, that’s quite enough,” Princess Celestia said, annoyed at his rude behavior. “Who my sister chooses to spend her nights with, isn’t a concern of the pantheons.”

“I agree,” Lord Cerynitis said feeling hot under the collar. “Instead Princess Celestia, let’s focus on who you’ve been spending your nights with! How can you claim to act impartially when you’ve rutted with that degenerate creature.”

“Lord Cerynitis!” Lord Triton shouted, alarmed that the moot had nearly degenerated into nothing more than the backroom of a tavern. “Have you no decency, no sense of decorum? Princess Luna is a respected member of the pantheon, and nopony is more impartial than Princess Celestia. I know Princess Luna was once your lover, but these accusations are beyond the limits of propriety!”

“You too my friend?” Lord Cerynitis bitterly said, scarcely believing his oldest friend would betray him in such a fashion. “I should have known you would falter at the critical moment, with all your talk of hoping to mentor the monster.”

“That’s enough!” Princess Celestia shouted, stamping her hoof in hopes of regaining order over the moot. “Your objections to my impartiality have been noted,” she icily said. “All in favor of allowing the Slave King to carry an approved weapon to all future moots say aye.”

The sound of ayes filled the chamber, as Princess Celestia made a tally of the votes before continuing, “All against say nay,” she said.

A few dissenting nays were heard, with the most notable one belonging to Lord Cerynitis. Princess Celestia compared the tallies and addressed the pantheon, “The ayes have it.” she said, turning towards the Slave King. “You have been granted an accommodation to bring a weapon to defend yourself. On the condition I’ve approved it.”

“Thank you Princess Celestia,” the Slave King said, with a polite nod.

“Now that the issue of your weapon is resolved,” Princess Celestia said, “it’s time we discuss the matter at hoof.”

“In deed,” Lord Triton said. “As the Lawgiver, the laws I’ve set in place that were agreed to by all with one notable exception, have provided us with relative peace and stability for all of our respective domains. However, one of us by obstinately refusing to heed the call of harmony has selfishly thrown all of Equestria into disarray and nearly into total war.”

“How else should I have acted?” the Slave King replied, pointing The Vendetta at each of the assembled deities in turn. “With the exception of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, I have only ever been met with open hostility. Why just today, you threatened me with open war unless I complied with your demands. Lord Triton, which of your cities have I sacked? And Lord Ouroboros, which of your subjects have I devoured?”

Lord Ouroboros still recovering from his numerous wounds raised his head and glowered at the Slave King with his remaining eye, before shying away from his accuser. “Would you have us all starve?” he asked, before lying his head back down.

“A fair question,” the Slave King said. “What will you give me for renewing the Earth?”

Cries of “What!” and “That’s an outrage!” were uttered by nearly everyone in the room.

Princess Celestia stomped her hoof twice to silence the moot. “Slave King that’s unacceptable,” she said, trying to figure out what he was trying to accomplish by blackmailing the entire pantheon.

“The way I see it,” the Slave King explained, “Lord Darkpaw was getting something from the rest of you in the way of services for renewing the Earth yearly. I only ask for the same.”

Lord Triton looked flabbergasted. He could scarcely believe that the Slave king had nearly starved all of creation over something as paltry as getting paid. “We shall all willingly agree to the same arrangement that your predecessor had with us,” he said, hoping the Slave King would accept.

“That’s not good enough,” the Slave King said. “Each of you, even Lord Ouroboros love your domains denizens. I hold no particular affection for mine. Therefore, I require some other form of payment.”

“Slave King, that’s completely unacceptable,” Lord Triton countered. “These agreements have stood since the middle of the first age. We simply won’t change our procedures to satisfy your whims.”

“Now let’s not be too hasty,” Jormungandr said, carefully evaluating the Slave King. “Perhaps a compromise can be reached.”

“A compromise would be fair,” Princess Celestia said, hopeful that the Slave King would do the right thing and finally restore peace to Equestria.

“I shall accept all your demands without exception,” the Slave King said. “But each of you must give me one thing in return.”

Lord Ouroboros’s stomach rumbled at the thought of unlimited gems, and inwardly laughed. He could finally have his revenge. Without a shortage of gems to brandy about, the Slave King would be at a disadvantage when next they met.

Lord Triton gave the Slave King a hard look, trying to guess what his game really was. The demands the pantheon had made were many, and here he was willing to accept all of them without reservation. The point the Lawgiver was most keen for, was preventing the Slave King from ever using The Vendetta against another member of the pantheon again. Eventually, unable to see a downside agreeing to terms he quite frankly considered almost obscene against the Slave King, he decided recommending accepting them.

Lady Zephyr couldn’t believe that the Slave King of all feathers would so readily roll over for Lord Triton. During his confrontation against Lord Ouroboros in his prime, he sat on his throne unblinking in the face of almost certain doom. “There must be something I’m missing here,” she thought to herself.

“Very well Slave King,” Lord Triton said, “as Lawgiver, I can see no reason not to accept your overgenerous offer. Additionally, because I can see that your penitence in this manner is sincere, I offer you a release from your banishment from my realm.”

As soon as the words left Lord Triton’s lips, the Slave King felt the chains barring him from the Domain of Water breaking.

Princess Celestia could scarcely believe her ears, the Slave King of all ponies had just willingly given up any means of influence he might have had over the other domains! Such a gesture touched her greatly. Perhaps all he really needed was the gentling influence of somepony to love. “Very well Lord Triton,” Princess Celestia said, “all in favor of accepting the Slave King’s compromise say aye.”

Immediately everyone in the room said aye, much to Princess Celestia’s relief. After waiting a minute she announced the results, “The motion passes without dissent,” she said, turning towards the Slave King. “Do you agree by the moot to abide by this agreement until time ends?”

“I do,” the Slave King said, with a wry smile. “So name your terms, and I shall abide by them.”

Lord Triton spent the next fifteen minutes itemizing the demands of the pantheon. The Slave King inwardly smiled as he heard their petty concerns. As anticipated, none of what they wanted concerned him. In fact most of their desires would be profitable to him in the long run.

“So now that you have stated your terms in their entirety,” the Slave King said, looking at every member of the pantheon, “I do so swear by the moot to abide by them exactly as written and without exception. Lord Triton does the moot so witness?”

“Slave King it does,” Lord Triton replied, pleased that he had gotten everything he’d wanted.

“So be it,” the Slave King said, going down the list of demands. “I shall enact the renewal of the Earth ceremony tonight and at its appointed time every year in the future.”

“As far as The Vendetta is concerned,” he said, looking at Lord Triton. “The Slave King will never use it as a weapon against another deity’s person.”

Lord Triton narrowed his eyes in confusion when he heard the oddly phrased statement, but determined that the Slave King was probably trying to make his oath fit the hastily written list of demands.

Turning towards the crippled Lord Ouroboros the Slave King said, “Gems without number shall you have. Some here and some there, those who dig the Earth shall be rewarded.” Lord Ouroboros didn’t even consider the repercussion of the words the Slave King had spoken, as he imagined how great his hoard was destined to become. Down the list of demands the Slave King went, covering each demand in turn speaking in his odd way.

Turning towards Princess Celestia he pointed towards the brand on his severed limb. “When ponies stop selling their kin,” he said, “the Earth shall stop buying them.”

Princess Celestia took his meaning and sighed, sorrowful that some of her little ponies still sold each other into bondage.

Lady Zephyr decided something was definitely off about the whole thing, when she heard her minor demand of being granted uncontested clearance over the Domain of Earth being worded so oddly that it might have well as been useless. Smiling to herself, she realized that the Slave King had just given the pantheon nothing he hadn’t planned to do anyways. By pretending to capitulate to their demands, he had just gotten carte blanche anything he desired from each member of the pantheon. Realizing the full extent of his cleverness made the griffiness desire him all the more. Truly, he was a worthy successor to her Darkpaw in every respect.

Deciding that his cleverness deserved to be rewarded, Lady Zephyr decided that whatever concession he might demand from her was well deserved. She only hoped she could be there when that fool of a dragon realized he’d been had by a much worthier opponent. She felt bad for Lord Triton, who most assuredly would suffer the brunt of the displeasure from the pantheon for so quickly accepting the Slave King’s offer without first discussing it at length. Seeing the Slave King so skillfully ensnare the pantheon, made her think there might be a hidden player assisting him but couldn’t quite determine who it might be.

As Lady Zephyr struggled puzzling out the true identity of the Slave King’s silent partner, Jormungandr looked up at the griffin through his half-closed eyes and smiled.

*****

Princess Celestia was pleased, after only a little under an hour nearly everything on the agenda had been covered in detail. Never before in recent memory had a moot gone so swimmingly, with the exception of Discord’s little stunts earlier and Lord Cerynitis’s accusations of impropriety nothing had gone wrong. If only she knew...

“Is there any business anypony wishes to discuss before we’re finished here?” Princess Celestia asked the pantheon.

The Slave King raised his hand, “I have a few items I wish to cover before the moot is over,” he said.

“The moot recognizes the Slave King,” Princess Celestia said serenely, unaware of what was about to transpire.

“Thank you Celestia the radiant,” the Slave King said with a respectful bow. “First, I plan on redeeming some of my concessions.”

“That’s perfectly acceptable,” Lord Triton said, curious as to what the Slave King might have planned.

“First from you Lord Triton,” the Slave King said, “I desire to form an order of errant knights much like yours. Equestria of late has grown wild and is in need of a bit of taming.”

“An order of errant knights you say,” Lord Triton said, not too keen on the idea.

“Yes, I thought that perhaps a counterbalance to your order might help prevent any future misunderstandings regarding my territory,” the Slave King said, making references to the many raids his domain had suffered from Lord Triton’s seapony raiders.

“Well Slave King, I don’t know how well your order will do against my superior recruiting techniques,” Lord Triton boasted, trying his best to dissuade the creation of another order of knights in competition against his own.

“I’m sure the offer of arcanum armor will go a long way,” the Slave King said.

“Arcanum armor!” Lord Triton protested, “But none but knights can use that per the Law.”

“Of course in compliance only members of my new order and none of their auxiliaries will be allowed to wear it,” the Slave King replied, rubbing in the fact that the Knights of the Lawgiver were about to have some competition, and most likely face a shortage of arcanum in the future.

“Arcanum armor…” Lord Triton murmured to himself, finally realizing just how badly he had botched the negotiations.

Turning towards Lord Ouroboros the Slave King lifted his hand momentarily showing him The Vendetta, the dragon seeing the weapon recoiled in fear immediately. Knowing his point had been made he smiled. “Lord Ouroboros, of the last few occasions I’ve had the chance to play host to your children, they were rather poor guests,” he said, referring to the botched raids the Fire Tyrant had made against him. “I think the civilizing influence of Celestia the radiant’s ponies would do them some good. Therefore from each clutch they shall send one egg to her to be raised among her unicorns.”

“What! That’s completely unacceptable,” Lord Ouroboros protested. “Do you think she would allow the enslavement of my dragons?”

“Interesting,” the Slave King said with a laugh. "I keep hearing the words ‘that’s completely unacceptable’. Discord you think that might be a new trend in politics?”

Discord said nothing, but snickered at the rest of the pantheon for being such suckers.

“Now Lord Ouroboros,” the Slave King said, addressing the dragons concerns. “It won’t be enslavement. Think of it more as a free hatchling sitting service for a choice few of your children until they hit puberty and become too large for pony cites.”

“How dare you,” Lord Ouroboros wheezed, “my children clutch but once a century, and then not all are even guaranteed to reach adulthood. Besides, Celestia’s domain barely has enough gemstones for the unicorn’s needs let alone enough to feed hundreds of hungry dragons!”

“Well, with gems without number I’m sure she’ll manage somehow,” the Slave King replied with a slight chuckle.

“Those are my gems!” Lord Ouroboros roared, spewing smoke out from his gaping eye socket.

“They belong to whoever digs them up, whether pony or dragon,” the Slave King replied. “Lord Ouroboros, this just isn’t your day is it? That makes two great blunders in less than the space of a week. First fighting my champion thinking that the fruit would save you, and secondly thinking I would ever allow you to gain any significant advantage over me.”

“You, you, cheat,” Lord Ouroboros roared in frustration.

“Gems without number you shall have, if you can find them,” the Slave King smugly replied. “Truly a pity that you sold your children for a pittance.”

When Lord Ouroboros heard the Slave King’s final insult, the great dragon began foaming at the mouth and fell unconscious his weakened body unable to handle the stress.

Princess Celestia turned to the Slave King, “How do you expect my ponies to take care of all those dragons?” she asked, concerned not just for the safety of everypony but also how to feed all these hungry new mouths.

“Just wait,” the Slave King said, “I’ll ensure you’ll have the means to feed them all.

“Alright,” Princess Celestia agreed.

“Lady Zephyr,” the Slave King said, turning to the griffin.

“Yes,” Lady Zephyr replied with a demur smile, hoping to catch the Slave King’s eye.

“In order that no famine ever touches Equestria in the future, I want you to share the secret of the weather with the pegasi,” the Slave King said.

“Very well,” Lady Zephyr replied, slightly annoyed she forced to give up sole control of the weather over Equestria’s skies. Though it could have been worse, she might have had to give him control over her windigos instead.

“What of the earth ponies?” Princess Luna asked. “Shall they be bereft a boon because they have nary a use to thee?”

The Slave King considered Princess Luna’s objection and agreed. It would be unfair to not give the hard working earth ponies something as well. “Very well, Princess Luna,” the Slave King said. “In exchange for one day a year I shall give them my greatest gift.”

“And what day shall that be?” Princess Luna asked.

“On the last day of the tenth month,” the Slave King said. “Each pony, whether unicorn, pegasi, or earth, shall make me an offering from the Earth’s bounty. In exchange for their offering, so long as an earth pony is unafraid to work, they shall never know famine again.”

“That’s extremely generous,” Princess Celestia said, wondering why the Slave King was offering her so much.

“Well wife, the Earth is generous after all,” the Slave King said, placing special emphasis on their supposed marriage. “Besides, I feel a special kinship with them. Are we in agreement then?”

Princess Celestia realized that this was what he had meant by ensuring her the means to feed an influx of dragons, and nodded her head. “Very well Slave King,” she said, lowering her horn to seal the pact.

“I hereby swear by the moot,” the Slave King said, “as long as a single pony honors this pact, never again shall any starve.”

“Slave King, thou art an enigma,” Princess Luna said, baffled over the complete change in his character towards everypony.

“I just like to think of myself as someone who’s trying to find his own way in the world,” the Slave King replied.

Lord Ouroboros moaned in pain as he looked up angrily at the Slave King. Once again he had been humbled by the wretched manthing. “King…” he weakly gasped. “You’ve left my people impoverished and enslaved. What have the dragons ever done to you to incur such wrath?”

The Slave King turned towards the Lord of Fire. In truth he didn’t really have a grudge against Lord Ouroboros. The dragon just had the misfortune of being the biggest fish in the pond. “Lord Ouroboros, I shall extend my benevolence to your realm,” the Slave King said, “but not for your sake or even for the sake of your children. A dragon once did me a kindness, and to honor his memory I’ll ensure your people never starve.”

Lord Ouroboros’s remaining eye smoldered in rage, as he had no choice but to accept the Slave King’s charity. Swallowing his draconic pride, he weakly agreed. “Very well,” he said, feeling ashamed at having been reduced to nothing more than a beggar.

“I didn’t say there wouldn’t be a cost,” the Slave King replied.

“What more will you take from me?” Lord Ouroboros said.

“To ensure that you don’t seek vengeance against the ponies that hold your children,” the Slave King said, “You must show the ponies the secret of vanquishing winter.”

Lord Ouroboros groaned inwardly, the one thing he could use against the rest of the pantheon was being taken away from him. “It seems I have no choice,” he sighed, resigned to his future as a second tier deity. “I will share with Celestia’s children the secret to driving away the ice and snow.”

Princess Celestia pawed her hoof against the smooth stone tiles worriedly, never before had one domain been gifted with so many advantages over the others. Lowering her horn to seal the pact, she looked at her fellow deities, “The moot so witnesses this pact,” she said.

Among the many assembled gods and goddesses, Princess Celestia could see both envy and anger across many of their faces. Only Discord seemed unconcerned with all her many new acquisitions. Finally she realized what the Slave King had managed to do. Every member of the pantheon was sure to start plotting against her now. Before today, she had been considered impartial and benign by the others. But now thanks to his largess, everypony would be plotting her downfall. With her ‘marriage’ now common knowledge, everypony would surely think she had managed to manipulate the Slave King into giving her so much.

Princess Celestia sighed knowing like Lord Ouroboros, she too had fallen prey to the Slave King’s cunning trap. Knowing what had to be done, she bowed her horn to her ‘husband’. “Slave King,” she said, “I wish for an end to the marriage my sister and I have with you.”

“Wife, did you not wish to consummate our union?” the Slave King asked.

“Nay,” Princess Luna said, “thou knowest our union was one born of necessity.”

“As you wish,” the Slave King replied.

“Ah Celestia,” Discord said, with a suggestive leer. “Marry in haste, repent at leisure.”

“Then if there’s no other business…” Princess Celestia said, hoping to put this day behind her as quickly as possible.

“Hold,” the Slave King said raising his left hand.

“What is it?” Celestia asked.

“Should any others of my kind enter our realm,” the Slave King said, “send them to me.”

“Why should we?” Lord Triton asked, unwilling to do the Slave King any more favors. “If they’re anything like you they should be slain on sight.”

“Do it as a favor to me,” the Slave King replied.

“We can certainly take it under advisement,” Princess Celestia said, horrified at the thought of others like the Slave King roaming freely about Equestria.

“Ignore my request at your own peril,” the Slave King replied, before disappearing into the depths of the earth.

“So Celestia…” Discord said, popping a breath mint into his mouth and slicking back his mane. “I hear you’re single now.”

“Discord, shut up,” Princess Celestia said. She was in no mood for his shenanigans. Sighing at the absolute disaster that had just befallen her she stomped her right hoof three times signifying an end to the moot.

*****

Arch Duke Fifi le Yipyap, Scourge, and Nightmare all stood at the ready. Inside the inner sanctum of Darkpaw’s temple was where the renewal of Earth ceremony always occurred. The ancient structure hadn’t weathered the destruction of the Diamond Vale very well and was in a state of disrepair. Along the walls friezes made from numerous gemstones depicted the former Lord of Earth’s many victories. As the years progressed, the friezes become more elaborate and detailed. Freely boasting how that year’s feats had outshined the previous years.

The arch duke stood in the center of the room. Looking up at the many friezes depicting his former master’s prestige, he sighed. Although his new master had elevated him above his previous position, he still missed the old days. Looking up at the broken dome of the city, he realized that those days would never come again and let out another heavy sigh.

To his right, Scourge looked at the arch duke in curiosity. “Why are you so despondent?” he asked. “I mean I’ve died, and you don’t see me acting depressed.”

“I just miss the way things used to be,” the arch duke said, gazing longingly at the friezes depicting the city’s glorious past. “I miss the thrum of the busy streets, the hounds going about their business, and the cries of the hawkers in the market.”

Nightmare cast a scathing look at the arch duke when he mentioned his longing for the past. With a derisive sneer she knocked over one of the few unbroken statues baring Lord Darkpaw’s image, before turning her back on it and kicking up some dust on the statue’s broken remains.

“I take it Lady Nightmare doesn’t share your enthusiasm for the past,” Scourge said with a smirk. “But yes, I too sometimes wish the city could be great once again. Diamond dogs were never meant to be cast to the winds. We need to rebuild, and soon. Lord Triton’s seapony pirate raiders have for too long have taken liberties with our coastal ports.”

“Yes,” the arch duke agreed. “And dragons have incredibly long memories. Lord Ouroboros will not soon forget what happened today.”

At the mention of the Fire Tyrant’s name, Nightmare broke into silent laughter revealing her maw of razor sharp fangs.

“Nightmare, laugh now if you choose,” the arch duke said, looking at her cautiously, “I once laughed at the thought of ever serving a slave, and yet here I am. We should remember what is, will not always be so.”

Scourge gave the arch duke an appreciative look, “I have never known you to be a philosopher before,” he said, having gained a newfound respect for the noble.

“I think being completely broken and remade can do that to a hound,” the arch duke said, rubbing his brand thoughtfully. “Scourge, what can you tell me about the Summerlands?”

“I can’t really remember much I’m afraid,” the doomhound said. “But what I do remember is a melody.”

“Care to sing a few bars of it?” the arch duke asked.

Nodding, Scourge hummed an enchanting tune that filled the room. The arch duke sighed, as his thoughts returned to his puppyhood and mother. Even nightmare seemed affected by the melody, her normally aggressive posture relaxed as her tail twitched in time to the music.

“That seemed almost familiar,” the raspy voice of the Slave King said, entering the large vault.

Scourge seeing his king, immediately stopped humming the music and bowed deeply to him. In turn, the arch duke also bowed briefly before looking back up expectantly at the Slave King. Only Nightmare refused to pay her master any deference, looking up at him she seemed to demand, “Where are your pony wenches?”

Looking down at Nightmare, the Slave King scratched her behind the ears affectionately and patted her sides. “Hmm, looks like someone’s feeling a bit jealous,” he said, with a small laugh.

“Will your esteemed bitches be joining you for the ceremony?” the arch duke asked. “If so, let me know and I will make the necessary preparations.”

“No,” the Slave King said, “They won’t be. Apparently Celestia felt a divorce would be more prudent.”

At hearing the news of his divorce, Nightmare’s ears immediately perked up and she gently nuzzled her master’s hand.

“It’s for the best,” Scourge said, “the last thing we need is bitches running their intrigue at this critical time. Our Domain is in disarray and needs a firm paw to guide it back to prosperity.”

“I agree,” the Slave King said. “But first let me see to the Earth’s needs.”

“All is at ready,” the arch duke said, pointing towards a massive crystal.

The multifaceted crystal floated aloft above a fountain that offered only a trickle of green tinted water. The crystal was a sickly black color, with just a hint of green at its core. Clinging to the crystal’s surface were dried and brittle vines, covered in dead blossoms. Approaching the lifeless crystal, the Slave King tentatively reached out and touched its cold smooth surface. The moment he did, he felt the Earth reaching out to embrace him like a long lost lover. Immediately he thought about Princess Luna and the moment they had shared together.

“Do you need to know how it works? If so…” the arch duke asked, before being silenced by the Slave King who raised his hand demanding silence.

Although the Slave King had never performed the renewal of the Earth ceremony, he instinctually knew what to do. Reaching out to the Earth with his divinity, he closed his eyes he returned its desire allowing his power to freely mingle with it. He could feel the Earth’s power coursing all throughout his being, while his magic flowed out from him, into the Earth, and back to him once again. He didn’t know how long he was connected to the Earth, but during that time he intimately knew every facet and crevice of the Earth. From the unnamed peaks of the roof of the world, to the unexplored endless desert of the south, to the gaping canyons and mud pits of the east, to the islands that sparkled like jewels in the Western Sea, and even into the unexplored heart of the Everfree forest. As he communed with the Earth he became intimately acquainted with every grain of sand and pebble. From within every part of his being the song of creation flowed. Together with the Earth, he sang until he knew it was enough.

Like a starving man eating a feast, the Earth had gorged itself deeply on his power, renewing his magical reserves in return. Opening his eyes, the Slave King looked up in wonder. The dead crystal was now a vibrant shade of green that gave off a warm light bathing the entire room with its power. The fountain below was freely flowing with the green tinted water once more, and the withered vines had fully renewed themselves causing the flowers to go into full bloom. Bending down, he dipped his hand into the fountain and drank freely from the iridescent waters. When the water passed his lips he felt his entire body revitalizing itself. All over his body the numerous open and weeping wounds closed, while his hair and beard took on a vibrant luster. Spying one of the flowers the Slave King bent down and deeply inhaled in its scent, unleashing a hunger quite unlike he’d ever know before.

“I should warn you,” the arch duke said with a knowing smile. “that Lord Darkpaw was always rather, shall we say, amorous, after the renewal of Earth ceremonies.”

“It appears that Celestia may have divorced you too soon,” Scourge said, noticing the Slave King’s flushed skin.

“Would you prefer a bitch, a griffiness, or a pony?” the arch duke asked, noticing the Slave King’s exacerbated condition.

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand,” the Slave King said, uncomfortable about facing this new part of him.

“My king,” the arch duke said, as the Slave King’s normally pale skin took on a deep shade of red, “to put it delicately, a female companion to assist you in your need…”

The Slave King’s mind was still reeling from what he’d just experienced, and wasn’t sure if using a mortal in the manner the arch duke was suggesting was proper. Though slightly tempted, he decided it would be best for now to push aside these thoughts and plan his next move.

“No I’ll be fine,” the Slave King said, “there are more pressing matters to attend to.”

“Then my king,” Scourge said, bowing deeply, “what is your first command?”

“Tell me my huntsdog,” the Slave King said, “what do you know of the ‘Most illustrious Order of Triton the Lawgiver'?’”

“Only that they are the most powerful and skilled warriors found throughout Equestria,” Scourge said. “Though small in number, each is easily worth a regiment of regular warriors.”

“Tell me Scourge,” the Slave King said, with a wry smile, “What would you say to a promotion?”

“What sort of promotion,” Scourge asked.

“As the founder and head shadow knight of the ‘Order of the Shadow’?” the Slave King said.

“Tell me more my king…” Scourge replied, following his master out of Darkpaw’s temple.

Once the Slave King had left the temple complex, the grey eyed watcher closed his eyes and smiled contently. Turning to his three companions he let out a small laugh. “And you said we might fail Lugh,” he said with a smirk, to a golden eyed raven.

“I for one am relieved that everything went as planned,” a silver owl said. “I can already sense that his access to my domain has been significantly lessened.”

“Once again my friend,” the watcher said, you have my gratitude. Without your domain Strix, I might not have been able to handle so many pawns at once.”

“My friend how many was it this time?” Strix asked.

“Nearly half the pantheon, and more mortals then I care to count,” the watcher replied.

“Hey Lugh,” a silver eyed Raven said to his brother, “Want to fly over the Pit and rub it in while we’re in the Domain of Earth?”

“Loki!” Lugh said, unable to believe his brother would act so recklessly. “I can’t believe you’d tempt fate so.”

“Hey lighten up,” Loki replied, rolling his eyes at his brother’s concerns. “It not like he can come out and throttle me.”

“You can go if you want,” Lugh said, worried about breaking such a powerful taboo, “but I refuse to have any part in unnecessarily vexing him.”

“Lugh, that’s wise,” Strix agreed. “He nearly succeeded this time. If not for the fortuitous arrival of the Slave King all would have been lost.”

“Speaking of which,” Lugh said, turning to look at the watcher, “rather lucky for us that the right feather came along when we needed him most.”

The grey eyed watcher closed his eyes and smiled. “Yes it was,” he said, dropping his smile. “A shame that such has to come at such a high price though.”

“I’ll never understand you scaly one,” Loki said, as both he and his brother flew into the air. “Where one mortal falls, a thousand more rise to take their place.”

“If you could see what I do…” the watcher softly replied, while a cold wind blew through the desolate city.

“So my friend, where are you off to next?” Strix asked.

“I have a few loose threads to look after in the Library,” the watcher replied.

“Well I’ll see you at the next moot then, or barring that in the next century or two,” Strix said, flying off into the darkness towards parts unknown.

“Keep well my friend,” the watcher said, before slipping silently into the darkness and disappearing from sight.

*****

Sir Stouthorn rested comfortably on the large bed. Princess Luna had insisted he use her bed until his end finally came. Although he felt it was totally inappropriate to steal a ladies bed, he was too weak to argue the point and finally agreed to her demand.

“Seafoam lad,” he weakly said, looking up at his page.

“What is it Sir Stouthorn?” Seafoam asked, the dying knight.

“I want you to have this,” Sir Stouthorn said, handing over his token of the Lawgiver to his protégé.

“But you’ll need it to enter the great citadel,” Seafoam said, trying to refuse the gift.

“No, I want us to go there together,” Sir Stouthorn said, clasping the seaponies fin around the token.

“How?” Seafoam asked.

“Once I reach the Summerlands,” he said with a satisfied smile on his lips, “I shall find a nice shade tree to rest under and wait for you to join me. Then we can enter the citadel together as you regale me with tales of your exploits.”

Seafoam smiled and gratefully accepted the token, pinning it to his sash. When he attached it, he saw his master beaming at him with pride. The token shone with the Lawgiver’s holy light.

“Sir Seafoam the Virtuous, I knew you could do it…” the tired minotaur said through ragged breathes. “Sir Seafoam, send in Clover.”

“Yes Sir Stouthorn,” Sir Seafoam said, bowing to his onetime master.

A few minutes passed and Clover entered the darkened room, “Sir Stouthorn are you still…” he said, afraid that his friend had died.

“Yes…” Sir Stouthorn said with a weak smile, seeing the unicorn’s furrowed brow the minotaur laid his hand on Clover’s shoulder. “Why so sad my friend? You succeeded in your quest you should be smiling.”

“Because Sir Stouthorn, you’re dying,” Clover said, holding back the tears that threatened to burst forth.

“It’s alright lad,” Sir Stouthorn said, gently squeezing his friends shoulder. “Though we had quite the adventure together didn’t we?”

“Yes we did Sir Stouthorn,” Clover sniffed, remembering how they had first met in the Everfree.

“Lad, do a dying knight a favor,” Sir Stouthorn said, “I never got to take Seafoam to the Lady of the Sea to celebrate his knighthood.”

“Umm…” Clover said, unsure what he should say to the request. Although he was more familiar with the opposite sex then Seafoam, he was still a virgin.

Sir Stouthorn let out a weak laugh, and coughed up some blood. “No lad,” he said, easing Clover’s fears, “there’s this lovely seapony named Choral we met back in Marelantis. I think she took a shine to our dear Sir Seafoam. As reagent, I’m sure you could find some excuse to get Lord Triton’s personal secretary to visit Londwhinium while Seafoam is here.”

“I’ll do it,” Clover promised, relieved that he wouldn’t have to visit a house of ill repute.

“Good,” Sir Stouthorn replied, with a longing in his eye. “Never having a family was one of my regrets. I don’t want Seafoam to end up an old unmarried bachelor like me. If Seafoam proves clueless, ask Showboat for some help; she knows how to manage stallions.”

“I’ll make sure they meet,” Clover said, bowing his head.

“So is your statue going up next to your master’s?” Sir Stouthorn asked.

“No,” Clover replied.

“Why not?” Sir Stouthorn asked, surprised Clover wouldn’t be receiving a statue.

“Not enough room,” Clover explained. “Princess Luna decreed that a monument honoring us all would be placed in the public square.”

“A shame that you can’t keep your master company for the next few centuries,” Sir Stouthorn said with a pleased smile. “But I think he’ll understand.”

Princess Luna poked her head inside the room. “We sense that thy time is nearly complete,” she said, her eyes watering with tears.

“Princess… Princess Luna,” the knight of the Lawgiver, rasped. “Don’t mar your beauty, by wasting your tears on me.”

“Oh thou fool…” Princess Luna said, kissing Sir Stouthorn on the muzzle. “Wert thou like us.”

“It’s… it’s alright…” Sir Stouthorn gasped, before closing his eyes for the final time. “I quested for the most beautiful princess in all Equestria…”

When she saw the knight of the Lawgiver pass, Princess Luna the beautiful buried her muzzle in the minotaur’s mane and bitterly wept.

Holding back his own tears of grief, Clover quietly exited the room and left for his own chambers so he could grieve in peace.

*****

Clover awoke once more in the familiar dry cave. Wondering what Jormungandr could possibly want, he walked forward until he came into the library where he spied the blue serpent sleeping peacefully besides the large fire roaring in the fire pit. The unicorn was still depressed over Sir Stouthorn’s passing earlier that day, and hoped that the winding one might sing for him once again.

“Hello Clover,” Jormungandr said, with a warm smile. “Or should I say Reagent Clover? Congratulations on your promotion by the way.”

Clover didn’t reply but looked up at the great serpent hoping that perhaps he might be able to offer him some modicum of comfort. Seeing his sorrow, Jormungandr wrapped his coils around the grieving unicorn and sang.

Listening to song, Clover felt all his sorrows fade away as he found inner peace. “Thank you Jormungandr,” he said, drying his eyes.

“Sometimes fate can be cruel,” Jormungandr said, releasing Clover from his coils.

“I guess that’s part of living,” Clover said, “The sun shines on both the good and the bad.”

“Clover,” Jormungandr said with a bittersweet smile, “I’ve brought you here to say our final goodbye. This will be the last time we meet in life.”

“But why?” Clover asked, unhappy he would never again meet the winding one.

“Because the game has finished,” Jormungandr said.

“Is that all our lives are to you?” Clover shouted, hurt that the serpent would treat Sir Stouthorn’s death as nothing more than a game.

“I’m sorry little pony,” Jormungandr said, genuinely sorry he had hurt the unicorn’s feelings. “Unlike Celestia, my children are so few. I get to spend so little time with them.”

“Then how can you treat us as pawns to toy with,” Clover accused, his eyes burning with the tears of betrayal.

“It’s in my nature,” Jormungandr sighed in regret over having to have hurt Clover so.

“So why have you brought me here!” Clover shouted angrily, “To rub it in my face?”

“No to give you a gift,” Jormungandr serenely replied.

“What sort of gift,” Clover asked, wiping the tears away from his muzzle with his hoof.

“The truth,” Jormungandr said.

“The truth of what?” Clover asked.

“The true nature of the game,” the winding one replied. “Clover what I’m about to reveal, you must swear to not tell anypony, scale, feather, hound, or any combination thereof.”

“What about Princess Celestia?” Clover asked.

“Not even her,” Jormungandr replied, “but she’ll discover it soon enough.”

“So tell me Jormungandr what is the truth?” Clover asked.

“Tiroc has been slowly poisoning the minds of the pantheon for over a millennium,” Jormungandr explained. “Ever since Discord sealed him away in the Pit, he’s been trying to escape. Discord managed to stop him the last time, but paid for it with his mind at the end of the first age.”

“How do me and my friends play any part in this,” Clover asked, scarcely believing what he was being told.

“Much like Discord before him, Lord Ouroboros was under his influence,” Jormungandr said. “Fortunately with your friends contributions and the Slave King’s aid…”

“You make it sound as if all I did was loan you some bits,” a gravelly voice said, interrupting the winding one.

“Ah Slave King,” Jormungandr said with a chuckle, “I was beginning to worry you wouldn’t make it. I take it you brought it with you?”

“Yes I did Jormungandr,” the Slave King said, not paying any attention to Clover. “Do you have my payment?”

“Of course,” Jormungandr said, levitating the largest and purest sapphire Clover had ever seen towards the Slave King.

The Slave King examined the sapphire for a long time before sighing in relief. Putting down the gem, the Slave King opened a bag he had been carrying and held up the left eye of Lord Ouroboros. “The eye as promised,” the Slave King said.

The Slave King turned to leave, before looking down at his severed arm and looking over his shoulder at Jormungandr. “Winding one,” he calmly said, “your plan didn’t mention anything about me losing an arm.”

“Well I did warn you there might be consequences for going beyond the scope of my plan,” Jormungandr replied.

"The minotaur refused to relinquish The Vendetta,” the Slave King said.

“If only you had been able to let them go,” the winding one said in sorrow.

“Yes, if only I had,” the Slave King replied, with a sliver of regret in his voice.

“But I’m so happy you’ve found yourself again,” Jormungandr said, “I’m sure she would be pleased to know.”

“She will know,” the Slave King said lifting the sapphire up. “With this I can return a soul to the land of the living!”

“My friend, some friendly advice,” Jormungandr said with concern. “Let her rest, there’s no guarantee you’ll succeed. At best all you capture is a silver of her soul. At worse you’ll create a soulless doll, a puppet with no will.”

“Jormungandr,” the Slave King said, gazing down at the gem with a deep longing in his eyes, “you got what you wanted. With all the blessings I’ve bestowed upon ponykind, Equestria is guaranteed another two thousand years of peace at least.”

“Hopefully more,” the winding one said, worried for the Slave King’s obsession with the unicorn, “but with Tiroc, there’s no telling what he might try next. Though I wonder where your sudden concern with more humans entering Equestria is coming from.”

The Slave King gave Jormungandr a hard look. “Serpent I’m no fool,” he said, “when I renewed the Earth I became aware of where all the other domains intersect with my own. Imagine to my surprise when I felt yours right where I entered Equestria.”

“Perhaps I did,” Jormungandr plainly said. “What do you plan on doing about it?”

“Nothing,” the Slave King replied. “But I plan on creating a place of refuge for those who find themselves lost in Equestria.”

“My friend,” Jormungandr said a gentle smile, “I’ve found over the eons that when the Well of Eternity means to create a new deity, no force or power can stop its creation.”

“So are you saying that you are blameless?” the Slave King asked, turning his full attention back to Jormungandr.

“No,” Jormungandr replied, “but I’ve found that it usually gets what it wants in the end.”

“Sounds awfully convenient to me,” the Slave King replied.

Hearing the Slave King’s objections filled Clover with even more questions than before. Before he could open his mouth to speak, he felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. The last thing he heard was the voice of Jormungandr saying, “Farewell Clover, when next we meet it will be a much happier reunion. Also little pony, tell Celestia I send my love.”

*****

After Clover had faded away, the Slave King gave the winding one a hard look. “And here you’re calling me sentimental,” he said.

“But I truly do love them,” Jormungandr protested. “Alas like Discord, I can only harm them with my plots.”

“Discord loves the ponies?” the Slave King asked in surprise.

“Yes, dearly so, maybe even more than Celestia does,” Jormungandr explained, putting away his board and playing pieces. “But as my nature compels me to plot, his nature compels him to spread chaos to those he loves. It’s why he so willingly allows them to imprison him in stone when he manages to escape.”

“So did you bring me your arm as well?” Jormungandr asked.

“Yes I did,” the Slave King replied. “I figured that if I had to lose something to Tiroc eventually, it might as well be something I already lost.”

Jormungandr placed the eye and arm next to a curved tooth, and sighed. “I fear for what next must be lost,” he said. “Poor Darkpaw, if only he’d been stronger.”

The Slave King nodded in agreement. “It’s why I kept his skull and skin when I learned the truth,” he said, “and why I spared Lord Ouroboros.”

“You know you might have made yourself a permanent enemy today,” Jormungandr said, setting up a new board.

“He knows where I live if he wants another beating,” the Slave King replied.

“Best be careful friend,” the winding one warned, “I may not always be on your side. Coincidentally, where did you end up ferreting away The Vendetta to?”

“Someplace safe,” the Slave King replied, careful to not tell the winding one the location of the weapon. Looking at the game in front of the winding one he pointed, “Interesting looking game, how do you play it?”

“Oh, but you already are,” Jormungandr said with a chuckle, inviting the Slave King to join him on the other side of the board.

*****

He opened his eyes and gazed at the azure sky overhead. High above him the radiant sun and beautiful moon bathed him with their gentle light. Getting up, he dusted himself off as he examined his surroundings. Spying a well worn path, he decided to follow it to see where it would take him. Following the deserted path for what seemed like an eternity, he came to a great tree that seemed to pierce the very heavens.

“What a magnificent tree,” he said to himself, when he heard the gentle humming of a sweet lullaby echoing throughout the meadow.

Drawing closer towards the tree, he found the source of the music a beautiful unicorn mare sitting in the tree’s shade singing to herself. Her blue coat and mane shone like silver in the warm light. Unable to bring himself to interrupt the song, he closed his eyes and let the beauty of the music wash over him.

After what might have been minutes, hours, days, or even years, the music stopped. And he heard the unicorn’s melodious voice ask, “Oh hello there, did you enjoy my song?”

Opening his eyes, he tipped his hat and bowed deeply to her. “I did,” he said with a wide smile.

Looking up at him, the unicorn giggled and motioned towards the fruit hanging from the branches above his head. “Good sir, help yourself to the fruit hanging overhead,” she said, with a wide smile.

Picking several of the fruits for the both of them, he knelt down by her side offering her one. “My lady may have your name?” he asked. “It’s not every day I get share a meal with such loveliness.”

“Oh my,” the unicorn said, blushing furiously. “My name is Little Bleu, but you may call me Bleu.”

“A pleasure to make your acquaintance Lady Bleu,” he said, gently kissing her hoof. “My name is Sir le Boeuf Stouthorn the chivalrous, of the ‘Most Illustrious Order of Triton the Lawgiver’. But feel free to call me le Boeuf.”

As Sir Stouthorn and Little Bleu shared their meal together, he regaled her with the tales of his numerous adventures. After a spell, Little Bleu looked down and folded her ears back. Noticing her discomfort, Sir Stouthorn asked, "Lady Bleu what bothers you so?”

“Oh it’s just that I’m saving this spot for somepony very important to me,” she apologized, saddened that their conversation couldn’t continue.

“By Triton’s mustache, so am I!” Sir Stouthorn exclaimed, with a wide smile. “Perhaps we can wait for them together.

Little Bleu gave Sir Stouthorn a pleased smile, and nodded her agreement. “Le Boeuf, I would be delighted to,” she replied.

“A capital plan if I don’t say so myself,” he said. “So would you care to hear the story about how I joined the knights of the Lawgiver?”

“I would be delighted to,” Little Bleu said, clapping her hooves in excitement.

“So here I was a young bull of just fourteen summers,” Sir Stouthorn said, using his hands to gesture the excitement of the tale, “when all of the sudden my ship was boarded by seapony raiders of all things!”

“Oh my!” Little Bleu said worriedly. “What happened then?”

Sir Stouthorn let out a boisterous laugh and continued, “You’d never believe who I ran into, it was none other than…”

*****

The Slave King sat alone on his throne reading some documents the arch duke had brought him regarding the current level of technology in Equestria. Though it had been over ten years ago, he still remembered the world of his birth. Looking at the maps of Equestria at his feet, he smiled as he thought about the trade network of roads he was planning on building to connect all the domains together. Once completed, the influx of goods generated by the network would allow for phase two to proceed. Although he thought the completion of the fully integrated trade network might take upwards of perhaps four hundred years to fully complete, he didn’t really have anything better to do with his time.

As he sat at his throne trying to figure out the quickest means of connecting Darkpaw’s Spine to the Equestrian Badlands, his musing was interrupted by Arch Duke Fifi le Yipyap. “You have two guests that wish to speak with you,” he said, giving the Slave King a curt bow.

“Guests?” the Slave King said, amused that any would bother to see him after what had occurred at the moot. “Very well, you may admit them.”

Placing the map and documents to the side, he leaned back against his throne wearing an amused smile which quickly changed to confusion when he saw who had come to visit his domain.

“Lady Zephyr and Lady Suzaku was it,” the Slave King said, unsure of the phoenix’s name.

Lady Suzaku squealed in excitement when she heard the Slave King say her name. “See Zephy, what did I tell you he does know who we are,” she beamed, clapping her wings together.

The Slave King had no idea, what either of them could possibly want with him. Neither of their realms currently had any access to his beyond flight, making anything other than a social call superfluous.

Lady Zephyr noticed the maps and documents by the Slave King’s side, and looked at him in curiosity. “An interdomain trade network, how ambitious,” she said, looking him in the eye and licking her beak suggestively.

“Yes,” the Slave King explained, “I feel a trade network connecting all the domains together, is the first step I need to take to improve the available comforts of my own domain to a manner of which I’m accustomed to.”

“Interesting,” Lady Zephyr said, leaning down to look at the maps in front of the Salve King feet.

“Oh at first glance it might appear rather slow going and boring,” the Slave King said, trying his best not to look at her swaying flanks. “But I think after the first couple of centuries, work will start speeding up.”

“You mentioned comfort,” Lady Suzaku said, flying over towards the stack of documents before landing on the Slave King’s lap to read them. “Is this a time table you’ve set for making luxuries and commodities more commonly available?”

“Uh, yes it is,” the Slave King stammered, feeling the full effects of the phoenix’s flames of passionate desire washing over him. “I’ve set a staggered date for achieving my goals, so that my previous objectives aid in the development of the next set of goals.”

“These are some ambitious plans you’ve set for yourself,” Lady Suzaku said, batting her beautiful ruby eyes at the Slave King as she moved her hips trying to find a more comfortable position on his lap. “I see you even think clear glass and readily available ice in the summer is a possibility.”

The Slave King felt the hunger from earlier starting to gnaw away at his restraint as he did his best to focus on the conversation. “Yes I believe the trick to manufacturing clear glass is applying the proper amount of heat to the correct types of sand,” he said, feeling like his clothing was smothering him. “Ice in summer is more, uh complicated. I was thinking perhaps a system of magical batteries combined with insulation.

Lady Zephyr ran a claw along his arm and chest before looking the Slave King in the eyes. “You know Slave King,” she said giving him a sultry smile, “perhaps we could assist you with your long term goals if you were to aid us with some of our short term ones.”

An offer to help him with phase one from another member of the pantheon was completely unexpected. Wanting to hear more the Slave King sat at attention. “I’m listening,” he said, completely disregarding his physical discomfort. “If you’re serious about aiding me in my plans I would be happy to entertain any offers you might have for me.”

When she heard his agreement, Lady Suzaku chirped excitedly. “Zephy, I told you he would agree to it!” she said.

“Agree to what?” the Slave King asked, unsure if he liked the direction the conversation seemed to be headed.

“To be blunt,” Lady Zephyr said, looking hungrily at the Slave King. “You just completed the renewal of Earth ceremony. You may have discovered certain immediate needs the two of us are willing to assist you with. However we also have similar needs that must be fulfilled for our own reasons.”

“Hmm, I don’t know," the Slave King said, not sure if he wanted to open this Pandora’s Box and deal with the problems that would surely follow after.

“We’ll be very grateful if you’ll say yes,” Lady Suzaku said, running a feather down the side of his face.

“How grateful?” the Slave King asked.

“Let us show you,” Lady Zephyr whispered, removing his crown while the Slave King felt the chains barring him from the Domains of Air and Summer breaking away. Looking at Darkpaw’s pelt, she felt a twinge of guilt before pushing it aside.

As both goddesses mingled their magic with his, the Slave King felt their divinity calling out to him to join with them. Try as he might, the temptation was too great and he released his divinity in an unbridled torrent of power.

From outside the throne room the arch duke smirked when he heard the two goddesses giggling. Looking down at Nightmare he smiled in victory. “Looks like your master has found new mistresses to entertain him,” he said, rubbing the salt in her wounded heart.

Nightmare bared her fangs in anger at the arch duke, before walking away from the throne room. The sounds of her master being with anyhound else was too much for her to bear, as she escaped into the shadows.

From deep in the Pit, the peals of cruel laughter echoed throughout the underworld, causing Cerberus to whine in terror. As it faded into oblivion, Jormungandr shook his head sadly and said, “And so it begins again.”

*****

Far in the South beyond the lands known to ponykind, griffins, and even the dragons stands a small hill surrounded by a beautiful garden. Atop the hill a triangular monument stands alone, surrounded by a ring of stones. In front of the modest monument, a man with his cheeks wet with tears kneels with closed eyes uttering a silent prayer. Leaning forward and gently kissed the monument, he stands tall and pours a small amount of cheap booze atop it.

The man having finished his purpose there silently whispered his goodbyes. Placing his iron crown atop his head and the cloak of Darkpaw upon his shoulders, he hung a small talisman atop the monument and walked away leaving the place behind him.

Carved into each of the three sides of the modest stone, the memorial’s words read, “Little Bleu, A loving daughter. Snowe, A wise brother. Andrew, A lucky man.”

The End of The Book of Earth: The Great Slave King
To Be Continued in The Book of Water: The Marriage of the Slave King

Authors Notes:

Thank you gentlereader for reading and all your overflowing support, in your comments and favoriting of my story.
I promise there will still be an epilogue, but consider it to be like the extra scene you sometimes get at the end of a movies credits. Usually there as a sort of teaser for the next movie in the lineup. This epilogue will be something to tie all four books together in one over reaching arc.

Normally I spend a lot of time in the notes talking about the chapter, but since this is the end I think I will just leave this chapter on a short note. Well maybe I'll leave a few thoughts behind.

And that's how Equestria was made, nah just kidding,

The moot as promised was the Slave King's crowning moment of awesome in the story. Hurting the pantheon where it counts. I always used it as a way of showing how the Equestria we know from the show came to be. Here we see the Slave King tricked the other deities into making them give the ponies many of their special gifts. though I never came up with something to explain cutie marks, oh well there always book two for that.

Originally the chapter was going to be much smaller, I hadn't planned on writing the passing of Sir Stouthorn. I think though it makes a lovely capstone to the book, when read in tandem with his meeting with Little Bleu.

I know I went a bit heavy with the exposition in the section with Clover, the Slave King, and Jormungandr, but if J.K. Rowling can do it with Dumbledore and Harry Potter in the Deathly Hallows, I can do it with Jormungandr, Clover, and the Slave King in my story. I really like the banter Jormungandr and the Slave King have with each other towards the end, perhaps hinting they may not always be allies.

And what of the Slave King's concern for more humans entering Equestria? Perhaps he won't be alone in the future.

I personally look forward to seeing what kind of order of knights the 'Order of the Shadow' become.

And well as for what becomes of Lady Suzaku and Lady Zephyr relationship with the Slave King we'll just have to wait for book two.

As always gentlereader, thank you for reading and sticking with me through thick and thin. I wouldn't have continued the story without your support and comments. Until next story!

Next Chapter: Epilogue. Then in the Fourth Age of Ponies... Estimated time remaining: 22 Minutes
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