This is the forty-eighth Book of Shadows. I sometimes find that hard to believe, yet I have seen the previous forty-seven books, each written by a Mane Archon as a chronicle of his time in power.

“In power.” That’s actually part of the obligatory first line of these books. It’s been a joke from the beginning, undoubtedly an intentional one. When Celestia reads this – if she reads this – I wonder how she’ll feel about me pointing it out? It won’t matter, because by that time I’ll be dead. Just like every Mane Archon before me, from Hoofknife to Mane Archon himself.

This book ends with my death. I never thought of that before.

There’s so much to do that I tend not to consider how much time I could have left. Maybe, with recent events, I should start doing exactly that. I ignored this book before in defiance of Celestia, but now I think I’ll make use of it. After all, if things work the way I pray it will then there is no need to keep these events secret. If they don’t… well, Celestia, allow me to offer you congratulations for another perfectly executed scheme. Truly you are a master.

Assuming you win, of course. Maybe you won’t. It’s possible that I, out of so many who came before me, will finally achieve that great goal and put an end to you. If that is what happens, then I have this to say to you, Celestia:

Do not grieve for me. I died doing exactly what I wanted, and it will make me happier than you can even conceive. Knowing that I got to be the best of your monsters will only make me proud.

For that is what I am.

Your little monster.

—Verity Fine Crime, The Book of Shadows XLVIII

May 10, C.Y. 1007

Streamers flew through the air, mixing with cheers that seemed endless. Fine Crime peered out of the alley at the busy streets of the Crystal City, where ponies of every make and size celebrated. Crystal ponies danced with pegasi, earth ponies laughed alongside unicorns and griffons strutted the grounds with pride. In the entire city, not a single dour face could be found.

Except for Fine’s. He scowled at the scene, knowing it for the pointlessness that it was.

Yet Fine didn’t blame any of them for their revelry. After all, surviving five days of siege from the main army of Celestia and ultimately driving back those forces after seventeen long months of warfare was certainly something for the history books. The great Equestrian war machine just found out that even it was not invincible, and the ponies and griffons responsible had every right to gloat over the hard-won triumph. The Governess Cadance and her consort, Shining Armor, had to be profoundly proud.

Just as they should be.

Just as Celestia wanted them to be.

Fine thought he might throw up, so he backed further into the alleyway and waited for his stomach to calm down. He tried not to think of his orders, but that only made him feel worse. Still, he managed to force his distaste back to a mild unpleasantness. That done, he left the safety of the alleyway and marched for the Crystal Castle.

Eyes on the ground, he devoted himself to not looking at the revelers all around him. His anxiety hit him with near-crippling strength, but he kept going; there was no easy way to hide from this crowd. Even if there was, Fine would do no such thing. He didn’t feel that he deserved the comfort.

He glanced towards the sun, which hung high over the city like an ominous eye. Perhaps it wasn’t that off of an analogy. Was Celestia watching him even now, taking delight in the mirth of all these foals and knowing that her tool of vengeance was on the way? A preposterous idea, but Fine still felt as though the warmth of the sun was her iron hoof waiting to break his back. How fortunate that this was his specialty.

“Vy so glum, chum?”

A claw slapped Fine on the shoulder, making him stumble. Hackles rising at this infringement of his personal space, Fine glaring at the orange-feathered griffon. The beast wore a battered breastplate of iron, but if his armor was dented his smile certainly wasn’t.

“Go away.” Fine resumed his walk, but as he cast his eyes forward he was met with a throng of faces. Ponies laughing, singing, joking. Merriment.

He saw blood.

Fine knew better than to fight the vision. He let it wash over him, focusing on keeping control of his mind.

The griffon’s thick Grypha accent echoed in his ears as if coming through a wall of cotton. “Hey, you okay?”

The first thing he did was slam a hoof in the griffon’s smiling face. The impact was so hard his beak broke. Those claws were sharp; Fine conjured up an aural sword and sliced one off, catching it in his magic and grinning as the blood spurted on him. An instant later, the talons pierced the griffon’s eyes.

As the griffon fell, Fine turned his eager gaze upon the crowd. They didn’t even notice the commotion. That was okay; he’d make them notice! He grabbed the nearest pony, a bright pink pegasus mare, and pulled her head low in a chokehold. She squirmed in his grasp, trying to shout but unable to get air through her throat. The way she kicked and gasped brought a pleasant tingling between Fine's hind legs.

Her wings flapped wildly, but he used magic to grab on to them and force them down. She resisted, pulled and tugging at his hold, and he giggled at the sensation. Her moves began to slow. Soon he’d be able to let go and really go to work on her—

He blinked, the momentary high fading from his mind. The blood-red shade of the world lifted, and everything was normal again. The pink pony disappeared in the crowd, blissfully unaware that she had been so close to her potential murderer.

“Are you okay?”

The pain hit, a migraine that surged from a spot just above Fine’s eyes and soon encompassed his entire skull. He staggered, rubbing his head with both hooves and nearly collapsing.

“Hey, vhat is vrong?”

Fine shot the griffon – alive and unharmed – a look filled with enough venom to make the blasted creature step back. “I’m fine, now leave me alone!” He stomped off, cringing at the pain as the griffon muttered something about unappreciative refugees.

The pain faded slowly, but Fine would take no chances; he kept his eyes firmly on his own hooves, looking up only when he needed to be sure of his bearings. It had only been three weeks since his last kill, but he had no intention of testing his resistance to the visions again. Celestia would have his head if he went on a spree and ruined her perfect little scheme.

He plodded through the exuberant citizens, soldiers and refugees. He was almost desperate to find some inconspicuous side route where he could avoid these crowds, but on a day like today there were none to be found. Ponies shuffled into him apologetically, merrymakers tried to shove beer into his hooves, foals danced about his path. His ear flicked as he heard a griffon and a pony arguing over which had killed more Equestrian soldiers in the final fight. One young crystal mare bumped into Fine and, upon turning to apologize, promptly gave him a lick on the cheek. Her breath reeked of alcohol.

Too close. They were all too close. Fine’s knees wobbled as he pushed the mare away, ignoring her pout. His breath was catching; he needed air. He hurried, pushing his way through the throng and ignoring the laughter that taunted his ears. He found an opening in an alleyway and dashed in. There were still ponies here – including a couple of mares who were exploring a more sensual method of celebration – but it was quiet and empty enough that Fine was able to collapse against the wall and suck in some air.

Foals. That’s what kept going through Fine’s mind; they were all foals. Blissfully unaware of what was coming. He almost wished he could join them in that ignorance.

Another vision hit when he at last looked up. This one was shorter, but more brutal and bloody. He was busy smashing the blue one’s head against the crystal wall for the dozenth time when he came out of it and the migraine struck again. His entire body ran cold and his vision went white waiting for it to fade. Not until his legs stopped shaking did he retreat back into the crowds, eager to get away from those two mares and their lecherous behavior.

No more visions hit him, but the looming threat of them combined with the closeness of so many ponies made it impossible for Fine to relax. When he finally stumbled his way to the castle, he was distressed to find that the party extended to within its great walls. The tall crystal doors had been thrown wide amidst the celebrations and none bothered to block his access. Struggling to make his way through the laughter and the cheers, Fine at last squeezed into a stairwell and found, to his intense relief, that this was where the revelry ended.

He fled into the first doorway he saw and collapsed on the hard crystal floor, entire body trembling. His breath came in heaving gasps and he clutched at the knife that usually hung about his throat. When he touched nothing he began to panic, but reminded himself that he’d left it behind on purpose. Cursing and shivering, he pulled out the ring. He clutched it in his hooves, reminding himself of his mission and purpose for being here. He had a mission to do.

“Get it together, Verity,” he whispered through his shaky breathing. “You’re past the h-hard part.”

He studied the ring, as black as night and startlingly heavy for its size. There was nothing special about it in terms of appearance; just polished black stone. Tartarus Stone, it was called. Its reputation was the stuff of legends, and now it would serve his ill purpose.

Ill being the appropriate word; he had to pause to control his insides. Fine had done no small number of vile things in his time, but this job affected him more than any in recent memory. It wasn’t the crowds he’d just waded through that most unnerved him, though, even if being in them meant more of the horrid visions.

No time to think. Celestia waited only for him, and woe be unto him if he took too long. His anxiety finally fading to something manageable, Fine stepped out of the room and cast his eyes upon his surroundings. After a few seconds he’d gathered his position and began walking for the nearest staircase.

The higher levels of the castle were empty to the point of eeriness. Fine’s hoofsteps echoed through the halls as he went from floor to empty floor. The crystal walls blocked out all the noise going on below. Fine didn’t mind; it made his job easier. Had there been time, he might have paused to enjoy the quiet and the crystalline structure. After all, he didn’t get to come to the Crystal Castle very often.

At last he reached the floor he sought. Hoofsteps filled the air, and they weren’t his. Fine considered hiding, but shrugged off the thought and marched into the halfway. Ahead of him were a pair of crystal guards, both red in the face and snickering at one another. They approached at a leisurely pace, one waving a wine bag and laughing raucously. It took Fine's analytical mind only a few seconds to know enough for a proper course of action.

“Excuse me, gentlecolts.”

They turned to him as one, the guard with the wine stumbling before coming to a stop. “Ehh? Who’re you?”

Fine grinned and eyed the wine bag as though it were a priceless treasure. “What’s that ya got there?”

The guard raised the bag high, lips spread in a grin. “Spoils of war!”

“Bull,” the other said with a chuckle, “ya snuck it from the kitchens.”

“Buck you.”

“No thanks.” The sober one turned to Fine with a smirk. “Don’t mind him, he’s an idiot. You lost?”

“You could say that.” Fine sat and rubbed his hooves together with a saucy smile. “I’m looking for a filly. She led me this way and now she’s playing hide and seek. Said something about the royal quarters.”

The red-faced guard burst into a laugh. “Chasing tail, just like Shining!”

He was rewarded with a slap on the back of the head from his partner. “Don’t talk about the Commander that way! He earned what he’s getting after he went all the way to Grypha for reinforcements.”

“What a stallion will do for a piece of tail, eh?” The drunk took a swig from the bag before pointing to Fine. “Just like you, my friend! Go on, chase that flank as far as it’ll lead ya! Royal quarters are thattaway.” He indicated behind him and nearly hit the floor with his face.

His partner grumbled and helped him up. “You don’t want to go there, buddy. The Lady Cadance – soon to be Princess Cadance, I wager – is busy rewarding her husband for a job well done.”

“I’ll just have to be discreet then, won’t I?” Fine walked past them with a wicked smile. “This one’s not getting away.”

“You go, boy!” The drunk guard stumbled sideways as he waved, wine sloshing onto the floor. “Go tap that flank for all it’s worth!”

“Come on, ya knucklehead, before you do something we’ll both regret.”

As soon as the two guards were out of sight, Fine’s smile faded to a scowl. He had direction and he had confirmation. Now he only wondered if the two of those guards would be alive within the next hour. Not that he couldn’t do anything about it.

He soon came upon a long outer hallway, from which large windows showed the Crystal City. Fine walked slowly, adjusting his steps to a rolling motion to deaden the sound. He looked outside as he passed a window; the celebration in the streets continued on. So many ponies and griffons, blissfully unaware of what was coming. He didn’t envy a single one of them. He glanced up at the sun and had the distinct feeling that Celestia was watching his every step. Another ridiculous sentiment, but it was there all the same.

His ears perked to a new sound, one largely unfamiliar to him; the Lady Cadance was shouting.

It certainly didn’t sound like she was in pain.

Steeling himself, Fine hastened to a large set of double doors from whence the sound came. He paused and lit up his horn, focusing the magic on the hinges as he listened to the ponies on the other side go quiet. He had an opportunity at hoof – one Celestia was sure to take pleasure in – and he had no intention of missing it. Certain the hinges had been quieted, he pushed the door open just a crack and peered inside.

The room could only be the Governess Cadance’s personal chambers. Fine ignored the lush décor and focused his sight on the canopy bed on the opposite side of the room. There they were: the Lady Cadance and her husband, Commander Shining Armor. It seemed they were celebrating their victory over Celestia’s armies in their own, ‘special’ way.

Fine felt no embarrassment at the sight of them. He watched for a moment, noting how the Lady’s moans were coming in rhythm with her husband’s thrusts. Their backs were to him, and so neither noticed as he slipped inside and closed the door. He paused to cast a simple spell on the floor at the doorway, just as a precaution.

Certain he would go unnoticed, Fine glanced around the room until he spotted something appropriate: a large crystal vase. He tested it with his magic and it rose easily. He took out the ring and studied it, mentally preparing himself for what he had to do.

Shining Armor’s thrusts grew more fierce and Cadance’s pitch increased a notch. Fine stepped up to the foot of the bed. He didn’t want to act too soon; better to wait until that perfect moment. He spent the time watching them with a scowl and planning his moves and dreaded a potential vision. Ever patient, ever focused. The bed began to rock with the force of the thrusts.

Cadance let out a scream; Shining’s thrusts abruptly stopped as he moaned.

Fine pounced.

The ring came forward and landed snugly atop Shining Armor’s horn. He was so caught up in his climax that he didn’t even notice. The vase smashing against the side of his head was much harder to ignore. He fell sideways off the bed and hit the floor with a loud thud.

“Sh-Shining?” Cadance started to lift herself up, confusion and the weariness of sex in her voice. “What’s—”

A red, aural katana appeared in the air and aimed itself at the back of the pegasus’ neck; she froze on the spot. “Careful, My Lady,” Fine hissed in her ear. “You don’t want me to slip.”

Cadance gasped, her ears lying flat and her wings taught. Between breathless gasps, she spoke. “What did you… do to my… my husband?”

Fine leaned over the side of the bed to see Shining slowly climbing to his hooves. “Not enough.” The vase smacked the back of Shining’s head, sending him chin-first to the hard floor. “Stay down, Commander, or your wife will find a blade through her throat.”

“Who are you?” Cadance leaned back as if to test the blade, but dropped to her barrel again when the tip drew blood. “One of Celestia’s goons?”

“How perceptive of you.” Fine stepped back from the bed. “Get up. Slowly.”

Cadance did, her movements carefully coinciding with the weapon at her neck. “Why are you doing this? Don’t you know what we’ve done here? We won.”

“Of course you did.” Fine nodded to the nearby glass doors. “Go on, to the balcony.”

“Let me check on my husband.”

Fine pressed his blade against her coat. “No. Move.”

At last the Lady Cadance glanced back at him. There was no fear in her eyes, only determination. Fine liked those eyes. Too bad they wouldn’t amount to much. She turned her attention to Shining as she stepped off the bed and folded her wings. “Shining? Are you okay?” Her husband responded only with a low moan. She leaned towards him, eyeing his head. “What is that you put on him?”

“Tartarus Stone.” The vase rose over Shining’s head. “Move or I drop it.”

“You’re making a mistake,” she said as she approached the balcony doors. “Celestia’s armies are beaten. We are free, regardless of what you do to me.”

“Enjoy it while it lasts,” Fine replied, walking sideways so he could keep an eye on both ponies.

“Typical of Celestia’s goons.” Cadance’s voice was dripping with scorn. “Does it make you feel noble, attacking a couple while they are in their most private moment? Make you feel proud of yourself?”

“You’re assuming the Archons care about that kind of thing.”

“Archons?” Cadance’s voice wavered as she glanced back at him once more. “You mean you’re not from her army?”

There was the kind of reaction Fine had anticipated. He nodded to the doors. “Open them.”

Cadance hesitated, but did as she was told. “What do you intend, to kill me in front of all my followers? That won’t end the rebellion.”

Fine cast a glance Shining’s way. The unicorn remained on his barrel but was struggling to get some magic through the ring’s dampening effects. Even though it was a fruitless endeavor, Fine felt the need to be cautious; he lowered the vase until it was pressed against the back of Shining’s neck. “Cut it out or I snap it.”

The light from Shining’s horn faded. His eyes tried to look Fine’s way but had difficulty getting there. A concussion, most likely.

Light streamed through the room as the balcony doors opened. Cadance paused before the threshold. “Surely you must know that Celestia is evil.”

“I’m an Archon. Of course I know. Outside.”

They stepped into the glaring sun… or at least, glaring from Fine’s perspective. How he hated it. Even so, he sent his message, horn flashing rosewood like his eyes for a few quick sparks.

Cadance shot him a withering look. “You’re going to have to do more than that if you want to catch their attention.”

“It was enough.”

She studied him from the corner of her eye, still not moving lest his aural blade drive into her neck. “Why are you doing this?”

He kept his gaze on Shining Armor, who was by now glaring at him with such venom as to almost impress Fine. “Because it’s my job.”

“Well, aren’t we the prodigious employee?” Cadance fidgeted as he answered with silence. “Isn’t there any emotion in you?”

Fine finally looked at her. He considered the question for a time, thinking on how much he should say. Then he realized that what he said didn’t matter… so he told the truth.

“I have plenty of emotion,” he whispered, eyes going back and forth between his two captives. “Like how much I hate having to be here, or how I wish you had won by your own strength and not some convoluted scheme years in the making. I don’t like what I have to do, but it’s fallen on me to do it. That’s the way things are, and I don’t back down from a job once it’s been given to me.”

A small tingle of energy rose through his horn, signaling powerful magic at work. Fine glanced at Shining Armor, but if the stallion felt it he made no indication. “I’m afraid there’s no more time.”

“No more time?” Shining growled. “What do you intend to do, kill us?”

“That’s not for me to decide.” Fine glanced at the sun, which had grown brighter in the last few seconds. “Your fate will be decided by a higher power.”

From the look in Cadance’s eyes, he knew there was nothing more to be said. She gaped at the sun for a few seconds, blinking away tears as the light grew ever brighter.

“Oh G-Goddess… she’s coming here, isn’t she?”

Silence. This time it wasn’t just the silence of the bedroom; the crowds below had paused in their excitement to gaze upon the celestial body that now acted so strangely. Fine wondered what they all felt just then. Dread? Resentment? Understanding? Terror? All would be appropriate.

For his part, Fine could barely hide his fear.

From a clear blue sky, objects flashed into existence. They were like meteors, covered in flame and streaking towards the city. Dozens upon dozens of them, a veritable rain of fire. The first struck within seconds of forming, smashing into one of the great crystal structures and shattering it like glass. Cadance’s scream was matched by the shrieks of thousands. The masses below scrambled for cover that didn’t exist. Everywhere the fireballs landed, flaming ponies were sent flying through the sky, leaving only wide craters in their wake.

“Oh no, My Lady,” Fine hissed, pressing his blade to Cadance’s throat as she tried to open her wings. “You’re supposed to stay here, where it’s safe and you can watch.”

“You bastard!” Cadance’s entire body shook and tears streamed down her eyes. “H-how could you do this?”

A brilliant white flash caught their attention.

“When your orders come from her,” he said over her sobs, “you don’t say ‘no.’ ”

She appeared: Celestia herself, wings spread wide as she passed over some clouds with horn shining bright. Majestic, beautiful and terrifying; Fine had never met her, but he knew enough to know that the pounding of his heart and the catch in his breath had nothing to do with admiration.

A vast yellow beam flashed across the city below, and wherever it passed a deep gouge appeared in the earth. Buildings were rent in two, ponies disappeared in a flash of light and the screams only grew louder. A mass of pegasi launched all at once, aiming directly for the solar monarch. With a single beat of her wings, a transparent force blasted upon them; every single pegasus shrieked and fell, their wings shattered.

Abruptly, an explosion blew through the bedroom. Fine and Cadance turned as one to the sound, and as the smoke cleared they found the room a mess and a large black mark beneath the open doorway where Fine’s magical mine had gone off. Body parts littered the room and hallway.

“Shining!” Cadance tried to move forward, but Fine once again pressed his knife to her neck. “Shining, where are you?”

“I’m okay,” Shining called, his voice sounding weak. He began to drag himself out from under the bed, which now leaned upside down against a wall. “J-just winded.”

Fine saw an opportunity and sent a shot of magic at the bedframe. The frame promptly snapped and the whole thing collapsed atop Shining, pinning him in place. The commander gasped and squirmed, his horn flashing feebly against the ring still set on his head. He tried to push the ring off, but it refused to budge.

“Stop it!” Cadance shot Fine a pleading look. “Please, leave him alone. Just… just let us go and we’ll never bother Celestia again!”

“There’s nothing I would like more,” Fine admitted, turned back to the balcony. “Unfortunately, if I did I’d be taking your place for whatever punishment Celestia has in mind for you. For what it’s worth, I am sorry.”

“You bastard!” Cadance leaned towards him, her desperation replaced by a renewed fury. “This is not how it ends, do you hear me?”

Fine paid her no mind, his gaze dropping to the city below. He could actually see the waves of air rising from the streets; the ponies were shrieking from the heat that had gone from unbearable to outright painful. Yet no matter how bright the sun was, none of it affected the castle.

“Oh Goddess,” Cadance whispered, “what is she doing now?”

Fine looked up to see Celestia hovering high above the city, a bright yellow orb of energy growing from her horn. It grew bigger and bigger, a phenomenal thing the purpose of which Fine couldn’t imagine. Then it released and flew straight for the entrance of the castle far below. Though not sure what to expect, Fine braced for impact.

Flames erupted through the bottom of the castle. Fine and Cadance both bent over the railing and stared with wide eyes as fire blasted from floor after floor after floor of windows. With a curse, Fine jumped back and pressed against the outer wall of the balcony next to the door, and Cadance turned to hurry to her husband. A foalish endeavor; they’d never get out in time.

Yet the room never erupted in flames. Fine realized that it never would. Taking only a second to relax, he turned back to the room to find Cadance struggling to pull her husband from under the bed. When that proved fruitless, she reached for the ring on his head. Fine’s own magical aura pressed down on it, preventing her from the task.

She lay over her husband and looked upon Fine with pleading eyes once more. “Please, don’t do this! If Celestia catches us, she’ll—”

“She’ll what?”

The color fled Cadance’s face as her eyes bulged. She wrapped her hooves around Shining and trembled like a leaf, sobs bursting from her as she buried her head in her husband’s mane. Shining, still struggling for breath, could only gape past Fine.

Fine felt his heart skip a beat. Legs shaking, he slowly turned about to find Princess Celestia staring over him to Cadance. She was as big as he'd imagined, pearly with the tiniest hint of pink and the very definition of royal majesty. Before Fine appeared a goddess, beautiful and good.

Fine was not fooled. He dropped into a deep bow, horn touching the carpet, and fought to keep control of his breathing.

“Do tell me, Governess Cadenza,” Celestia went on in a polite, conversational tone, “just what will I do to you now that I finally have you?” When the governor of the Crystal Empire failed to respond, the princess tsked. “Come now, I’m curious. Just what horrible, twisted fate have you conjured up in your mind for yourself?”

“P-please, Princess,” Cadance at last managed to say, “sh-show mercy upon us.”

“Oh dear, you misunderstand the situation entirely.” Celestia sat and looked about the room, completely ignoring the ever prostrate Fine Crime. “This won’t do, not at all. When I gave orders for your capture, I had no intention of letting the place become such a mess in the process.”

Her horn shined and the room began cleaning and organizing itself; the massive vanity on the wall returned to its place, the dark stains from the explosion faded, the chandelier rose from the floor and re-attached to the ceiling. The bed rose into the air, flipped to its proper position and rested neatly against the wall.

Shining Armor sucked down a deep breath before standing on wobbling legs. Though he continued to gasp, he promptly pushed his wife behind him and stood glaring before Celestia. “You… you won’t get… to her without—”

“Yes, yes, I know.” Celestia waved a dismissive hoof. “Husband’s duty and all that. Fine, if that’s how you want it; hit me with your best shot, oh dashing hero.”

Shining hesitated, glancing back to Cadance as his legs buckled. She shook her head frantically, but when he turned back to Celestia his horn glowed… only to dim as soon as it started.

“Oh, right, inhibitor ring.” Celestia shrugged. “I wasn’t interested in your pitiful efforts anyway. I have far more important things to do with my time… like watch your darling little sister.”

Shining’s face gained an extra shade of white. “W-what did you say?”

Celestia nodded with a pleasant smile. “If my records are correct, little Twilight’s a mere four years old, yet she’s already proven herself to be a remarkable talent. Maybe in a couple of years I can test her and make her my protégé. Wouldn’t that be nice? The sister of a hated traitor, one of my most loyal pets?” The princess shivered with a delighted sound. “Goosebumps.”

“You will not touch her!” Shining charged, eyes brimming with hate and horn struggling to ignite against the Tartarus stone.

The response was quiet and simple; Celestia’s horn shimmered and Shining lifted into the air. He clutched at his throat and gagged as something squeezed so tightly it left an imprint in his coat. A moment later, he went flying across the room to slam against the wall. He hit the floor and didn’t get back up. Cadance screamed and ran for her husband, clutching and covering him with her wings.

“Hmm, now then, about your…” Celestia paused, her eyes going to Fine Crime as if she just noticed he was there. “You are the one who captured them.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Fine still hadn’t risen from his bow.

“By yourself?”

Fine cocked his head at the uncertainty in her voice, but nodded against the carpet. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Not bad.” Celestia turned to face him properly. “What is your name, Archon?”

He shifted, not having expected such a question. “I was born Verity Fine. As an Archon I go by Fine Crime.”

“Do you now?” Celestia considered him with a hoof to her chin and a pleasant smile. “I rather like that name. Your success will be remembered, Fine Crime. Now tell me—” she turned back to the ponies lying against the wall, “—what was the Governor and her colt toy doing when you captured them?”

Fine at last looked at her, his brow furrowed in uncertainty. “They were… having sex, Your Majesty.”

“How delightfully naughty!” Celestia grinned at the two trembling ponies. “I don’t blame them in the least; Cadance is a fine pegasus and Shining is a model of stallionhood. A-ha!” She clapped her hooves, a single hard snap, and turned back to Fine as if seeking his approval. “I know exactly what punishment I should offer them. I think they’ll even enjoy it. But first…”

Her horn glowed and something materialized in the air before her. It was a scroll, which hovered just over Fine’s muzzle. The sight of it left him chilled to the bones. “Do you know what this is?”

Fine finally sat up, albeit only because it was hard to talk back in such a position. He sucked in a deep breath, staring at the scroll as if it were a viper prepared to strike. “I think so.”

“Good. Take it, and don’t open it.”

Fine hesitated only a moment before taking the scroll in his magic. He kept it at a safe distance from himself.

“Now then, oh Cadenza…”

Cadance was engulfed in yellow as she was pulled forcibly from her husband. Shining tried to follow, but the same glow captured him, lifted him up and pinned his back to the wall. Cadance sobbed as she floated in the air, legs and wings spread wide as Celestia approached. “Please, have mercy. C-Celestia, I swear, we’ll disappear and never—”

“Be silent, you little whore.” Celestia pressed a hoof to Cadance’s chin, forcing her face to the left and right while inspecting her. “You dared to think you could stand up to me? Thought you’d look good with a crown on your head, did you? Fancy yourself a princess?” Celestia smirked. “So much planning went into this war. You played it out perfectly, as I knew you would. Making you Governess was one of my better ideas of the recent decade. Now everypony in Equestria has a boogeymare to scare their foals with for the next few decades.”

Cadance tried to escape Celestia’s hold on her chin, but couldn’t manage it. “Y-you’re lying. Nopony’s that good.”

“Your beliefs don’t matter. The point is: the public is distracted. I can continue about my business. And you? You’re going to rot in Tartarus with your husband for the rest of eternity. Oh,” she raised her hoof as if just remembering something important, “by the way, I’ve got Blueblood as well. He thought himself so clever, funneling funds directly from the monarchy to your cause. Turns out he’s not very good at covering his tracks. He’ll be joining you both very soon. Isn’t it amazing what stallions will do for a hot flank, you dirty little slut?”

“That is a lie!” Cadance renewed her struggles. “You wretched, evil witch! I did nothing like that!”

“No, you didn’t.” Celestia’s smirk returned. “But history will say otherwise.”

She turned her attention to Shining, who merely glared as she approached. “The strong, silent type, are we? Good, I never cared for pillow talk.” Celestia’s hoof rose to rub his crotch, prompting Shining’s cheeks to burn even as his glare intensified. “I think it’s time I got to see what all the fuss is about.”

“W-what are you doing? Leave him alone!”

“Get your dirty hooves off me,” Shining hissed.

Celestia didn’t relent. When she spoke, it was in a tone of absolute certainty and dominance. “I’m going to toy with you in front of your wife. I’m going to throw you onto that bed and have my way with you, and when I’m done I’ll repeat the process with her.” Her horn flashed, a small spark of pink energy striking Shining’s head and making him flinch.

His eyes abruptly bulged. “W-what did you do?”

“Feels nice, doesn’t it?” Celestia’s grin turned wicked. “It’s a gradual thing, this spell. I’ll have to hit you with it a few dozen times before the effects become lasting. I’m going to break your minds, Shining Armor, until you can think of nothing…” she leaned forward to nuzzle his chest, “…but pleasure.”

Fine Crime stared at the scene, a sick feeling in his gut. He glanced for the door, but didn’t dare leave, not until he’d been given permission.

“Celestia, stop!” Cadance squirmed against her invisible bonds. “P-please, don’t do this! I’ll do anything!”

Celestia’s ears perked and she turned back to Cadance. “Anything?” She approached the tear-streaked pegasus, regaining that smirk. “Beg. I want to hear your pleas for mercy. I want you to kiss my hooves and grovel.”

The aura faded and Cadance did exactly as she was told. Fine turned his face away, unwilling to watch the pegasus crawl on her belly and clutch at Celestia’s hooves. He tried to drown out her begging voice and the sobs that accompanied them. All he wanted was for this to be over.

“Enough.”

Cadance merely wept.

“Are you not enjoying the show?”

Fine blinked upon realizing the question was aimed at him. He turned to find Celestia watching him from over Cadance’s shivering form, one of her hooves pressed firmly on the governess’s back. He cursed himself for his weakness and hurried to think of a response that wouldn’t get him thrown into Tartarus. What came out was not what he intended:

“I’m disgusted.”

He winced and readied himself for the pain.

Instead, he was rewarded with a grin. “Really? How delightful. So you don’t approve of what I’m planning to do?”

Fine hesitated, but knew he’d already dug himself a hole. Perhaps it would be better to be honest. “No.”

Celestia considered him for several long seconds, her smile unnerving. At last she nodded, and Fine had the distinct impression she’d made a decision. The idea filled him with dread. “I can see why Hoofknife likes you so much.” Her attention turned to the shaky mass of pegasus under her hoof. “Are you a whore, Cadance?”

“W-what? No…” Cadance let out a whimper as Celestia’s hoof pressed down on her back. “Yes, P-Princess.”

“Good.” Celestia stepped back and fired another of her pink beams, this one hitting Cadance’s head and making the pony flinch. “You will raise your tail for the good stallion.”

Cadance shook her head frantically, her tail curling around her body. Shining shouted something, but his muzzle promptly clamped closed as a yellow aura wrapped around it.

“Raise your tail, Cadance.”

“Please, C-Celestia… don’t make me…”

“Raise your bucking tail!”

Whimpering, Cadance at last did as she was told, lifting her hindquarters and exposing her marehood to Fine. He swallowed as his stomach twisted at what was happening before him. Celestia was watching; he didn’t dare look away.

“Good. Stay just like that, you little whore. I am going to play with your husband for a while.” Celestia looked to Fine. “Rut her.”

Fine’s legs locked as he gaped at Celestia. It took everything he had not to vomit. “You… you want me to…”

“Enjoy it.” Celestia grinned and reached around to rub her hoof along Cadance’s opening. “Think of it as a reward for doing such a good job. Come now, don’t keep the governess waiting.”

“Y-your Majesty, I…” Fine clamped his jaw closed when Celestia’s gaze hardened. “A-as you c-command.”

Yet he didn’t move. He didn’t want to move. He could only stare at the wretchedness offered before him as a prize. The indignation left Fine with a horrid blend of disgust, anger and hatred. He tried to make his legs work, but all he could do was stare at the exposed marehood before him and listen to Cadance’s sobs.

“I know, you’re sickened.” Celestia smirked before turning for the struggling Shining Armor. “That’s the thing about fetishes: they always start off as something you hate. Hop to it, Archon; I expect you to have filled her up by the time I’m ready to play with her.”

Fine gritted his teeth. He sucked in slow breaths and tried to think of anything but the complete wrongness before him. If he didn’t do this, what would Celestia do to him in return? Given the horrors she had in store for her current victims…

Swearing that he would hate himself for all eternity, Fine finally forced himself to step forward.

He wondered if the sobs in his ears were actually the sound of his soul dying.

Author's Notes:

If you've never read Twilight's Inferno or Trixie vs. Equestria, I imagine you're very confused and maybe even a little offended. I assure you, in a few chapters all will be made clear. It's got the Alternate Universe tag for a reason, folks.

This story will be written in a minimum of eight "books," one for each main character and at least one for the conclusion (although that may be two).

Character Ages:
Fine Crime: 18
Cadance: 22
Shining Armor: 17