“I’m sorry. I have no idea what you are talking about.” I remarked, kicking myself for letting this mutt get away in the first place. Despite the calm nature of my voice, the intense blaze emanating from my body was starting to give away my supressed rage.

“No! You killed Rover, Fido and… and Buster and Tyson…and…” Slowly, tears slithered down his cheek, refusing to mix the blood splatters. He began whimpering, but kept a menacing stare. I could sense the thirst for vengeance, building up, beneath this surface of sorrow. The strong build-up of fury was about to break out.

Admittedly I did pity him.

“You killed my friends!” He repeated. As he slowly emerged out of the frozen night, Twilight took the time to join into this conversation.

“Magma Vein? I though you said you scared them off?” she asked, not taking her eyes off the bloody paw prints.

“Demon Pony lied. He killed them!” He yelled, yet again announcing my previous sin.
I was speechless. I was dumbfounded. I was pissed.

I readied myself by getting into the charging position. Lowering my horns, snarling, I pointed them towards his chest. He seemed to be anticipating this, but he wouldn’t stand a chance of catching me with rapid dash. I’d probably plough right through him and have a new fur coat draped over my back.

I was about to finish what I started when I heard soft, brittle, voice.

“Magma? Is he telling the truth? Did you…did you…do it?” The purple mare looked just a mortified at me as she did at him. Fuming with rage I turned to face her, instantly letting the anger dissolve.

She was on the brink of crying. I had betrayed her trust. She believed me not to be a monster, I had even convinced myself I wasn't, guess we were both wrong. I discovered a new colour to my mood that night. I had never felt it before, nor did I want to ever again.

Betrayal; it burned like the purple flames my body currently gave off. The anger, directed at him and myself, and the melancholy of losing someone’s trust. Betrayal, thy name is Magma Vein this night.

“Yes.” I said morbidly. I looked away, not even glancing at the slowly approaching hound. I heard something unsheathe, quickly I focused on him and saw a sharpened gem stone heading towards me. The orange hue returned to my flames, I braced for impact, ready to buck back out the door. He was screaming whist I growled like a cornered animal. We both roared at the same time, when suddenly we were torn apart by a powerful force.

I saw the lavender aura constrain both our movements. I didn’t see the book case she slammed me into.

“You two calm down! I will not have you fighting in my library!” She slowly stepped between us, avoiding eye contact. I watched her sigh, before choosing to show a mask of intense anger.

Without looking at either of us, she said “Now we are going to settle this, peacefully, or else.” Her horn’s glow intensified, I felt a crushing force, and the aura began buzzing noisily.

“Hugh, ugh. Little pony should put us down, I will not hurt you. Just evil demon pony.” The little dog squirmed, no doubt experiencing the crushing weight I also felt.

“Liar! You all planned to attack Ponyville. You wanted to kidnap the ponies for your own greedy needs.” I responded.

“We would not kill little ponies!” He barked.

“You didn't learn your lesson last time. Why would you do it again? As I said to you leader ‘you are unredeemable.’” I stated in a matter of fact tone.

“ENOUGH!” The crushing weight had just been lifted, when it was once again compressing my abdomen.

“YOU!” She turned to face the pained canine, at a speed that made it seemed like she snapped her neck. “I thought we settled this when we rescued our friend. You have no reason to attack us. We even left you alone!” she shouted, forcing the sapphire blade out of his hand. She levitated the makeshift dagger towards a bin, and without taking her eyes off him, dropped it unceremoniously.

She immediately looked back, spun around, and crept up to me. I looked down, scowling.

“You attacked the Diamond dogs. Was it because you knew about the attack or was it because you were curious?” she interrogated. Her eyes narrowed and she lowered me back down, only so that she could slam my jaw on the floor. She stepped closer and looked down at me.

“I knew from the start.” I lied.

“It only spreads more lies. It questioned Rover, yes. Asked him if he wanted to attack you. He said no, but still killed him.” his voice croaked at the last sentence. More tears fell onto the library floor.

“He’s telling the truth isn’t he? You didn’t know about the raid. You went to kill them anyway!” She threw me back into the bookcase, my spike punctured through and I could feel the bark of the tree corking the tips.

The little Equine better watch herssself. Magma Vein I warn you; if her, or that miserable mutt, attempts to cause further harm you will havvve to defend yourssself.

She wouldn't dare, she would never...

How many souls have committed murder in blind fury? I was cut off. He was right, too many souls have killed for the wrong reasons, but these ponies are different.

It's not in their nature, do not interfere! I screamed mentally, all the while Twilight was prying information from the other prisoner. She returned, looking as fierce as ever.

"He says he didn't want to do it. He claims he was trying to convince them not to. Apparently he something called an 'old dog'. He believes in the old methods of digging with the dogs, not kidnapping ponies or other creatures. He was trying to stop them, but the others wouldn't listen." she stated, still wearing a look of disgust.

"How is that relevant to me preventing the attack? His words did nothing, I saw. They were planning to attack soon. How can you trust him? He walked in here looking for revenge." I responded.

"Well at the moment I don't exactly trust you either. You told me you had scared them off, not caused a massacre. Why should I believe you are the good guy here?" she plucked me from the wooden pin cushion, and put me down gently.

Still the magic restrained my movement. It felt like minor pins and needles, the effects were starting to become nauseous, but at the same time it was like pressing against a wall. It smothered me and dragged me closer to her.

"Well?" She stared intently.

"Lesser of the two evils, remember? That and my punishment to Celestia." That certainly got her attention. So much so she dropped the binding force. I could see she registered what I meant when I spoke to her why I kill other demons, but not when I mentioned her mentor.

"What do you mean? What does Princess Celestia have to do with this?" she asked in a confused tone.

I sighed. It was now obvious that she had been kept in the dark about my presence here.

"It is true I am here because I am lost, but did you not notice these shackles? Do you not recall my crimes? Did your Princess not tell you your role in my punishment?" I may have started off with a dark tone, but I quickly returned to a more calm voice.

"Role? She said I was to help turn you into a model citizen. Now that you have failed I can report back to her, and tell her about your heinousness crime." she stated, defending her teacher.

"Will you tell her my motive?" I asked curiously.

"Well. Yes, but..."

"What would it matter then? Celestia only told you half of the story, all you would be doing is telling her I was carrying out my sentence." I added.

"What do you mean?"

"I was sent here, much like Cerberus was all those years ago, to safe guard something." She looked at me with slight suspicion.

"What? What could you protect that me and my friends can't?"

"The Elements of Harmony, from lethal threats." I spoke slowly. She backed off and blinked multiple of times.

"Lethal? How could you?" She stopped and looked back at the struggling dog. He was squirming about, knocking books from the shelves.

"Yes. Only when necessary mind you." She looked back at me, then the blood stained hound, before sighing. Her magical grip released. Due to the sudden release, I felt the cool breeze flow over my plates, courtesy of the still open door.

"Twilight I'm sorry..." She instantly snapped back at me, glaring daggers.

"Don’t. Talk. To. Me. Monster." grinding her teeth, I got the message. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't slightly disheartened, shameful even, but I didn't let it get to me. She realised the by-product of both our worlds crossing over; me being able to kill being bound by my duty, and despised me for it. Still, I had one last thing to do.

"Can you restrain him for a bit longer, I wish to know if he is still a threat. If he is, I won’t have to dispose of him," she scowled and bared her teeth at the way I described my method, as if I was blatantly throwing away precious gemstones "my way, given that he is already in your custody." I finished. She backed up further, still glaring at me. When she reached the table, she allowed me to slowly make my way over to Spot. He growled as I got closer.

"Little pony working for Demon pony? Should have known." He frowned and looked away.

"No, she has nothing to do with this other than being a witness. Now I'm going to ask you a couple of questions, if you lie, you may end like your friends." I didn't need to look to know Twilight was further building up the hatred she now had for me.

"Go ahead. I don't care anymore," as his head dropped so did the anger in his voice, "my friends are gone, now I have nodog to return to." He sighed. I frowned, I was expecting him to further grill me or at least bite me like the violent mongrel he was. Perhaps that last thought could be seen as prejudice, or at the minimum racist, in some way.

He looked back up to me, sorrow filling up those old eyes, and whimpered. "What do you want to know?"

"How long has there been a plan to raid Ponyville?" I asked coldly.

"Ever since whining pony arrived, but we they were now after revenge." He replied, all hope lost. Despair; to a demon it was incredibly minty. The refreshing smell, froze the nostrils and gave the throat a feeling of numbness, it was overpowering. It burned as it left with every breath. Of course he couldn't smell it.

"Second question: who were you planning to kid-ponynap?" again I spoke as any interrogator would: harsh, bitter and emotionless.

"They wanted colts, earth ponies. They wanted little, little ponies, yes. Puppy ponies." He added. I was starting to get confused as to why he excluded himself from the rest. Why was it 'they' not 'we'? Regardless I faced Twilight, she only looked back in disgust. This time at him. Still, when she looked back at me I got the l look of 'Shut up, do your thing, and fuck off.'

"Did you want to hurt anypony?"

"They didn't care, although if they hurt ponies they would be useless."

"I didn’t ask about them, I asked about you." That caught his attention.

"No. No need to capture ponies. Don't like ponies if they like whining pony. Stay away I said, revenge they wanted. Was our fault I said. Claw is what Spot got." He nodded to his abdomen. I couldn't see why I had not noticed before, but now I could see it. He had three scarred lines across his stomach, probably belonging to the blue brute.

"And these dogs were your friends?" I thought about what the leader had promised, and then what he had thought. The one named Rover, thought he was going to keep all of the gems to himself. Not once did he mention the others. "Tell me, did they share any bounty? Collect any gems and give them away?"

"Yes...no. No sharing." He looked away, sniffled. His eyes darted back and forth, indicating a sudden epiphany. He didn't lose any friends; he had non to start off with. He began weeping, looked at me and burst out. I sighed and gave him a slight sympathetic look.

"I'm sorry. It is clear you mean miss Twilight here no harm. She will also mean you no harm either. I... apologies again for killing your friends."

"No not friends, users. Spot no better than captured pony." he interjected.

"Regardless, Miss Twilight is a very generous hostess, she is kind, friendly and will care for you until further notice." as I finished, she stepped beside Spot, still keeping her distance form me, and slowly released him. I moved away and waited for the results, ready in case he attacked her.

"Is demon pony right? Spot is sorry for before." he apologised, rubbing his paws together. I saw her horn glow, heard a tap start up in the kitchen, before both a towel and a bowl of water entered the room. The bowl rested on a cabinet next to the ruined bookshelf, meanwhile she had passed him the cloth.

"It's okay, wipe yourself over. I'll look after you for a while. No need to apologies, YOUR NOT IN THE WRONG." she once again faced me at break-neck speed. I was unfazed, she then moved towards me, whilst Spot cleaned his ex-friend's blood out of his fur coat.

"Neither am I. I did what I had to stop the attack."

"You killed them. I don't want to know how, but I know you would have tried to kill him." She stated, still glaring at me.

I sighed, she got me. I was planning on killing him, butchering him like the rest most likely. She was right, he was lucky he had this time to save himself. I had judged him as unredeemable, when he was clearly capable. I was wrong, most likely why I am a guard instead of a judge. I had only one person to blame. One person who convinced me to do otherwise.

Bloodrage.

Oh pleasssse tell me you don't blame me for your actsss. I told you to do your duty. Hehe, and now you doubt your decision. How many other innocents did you kill? I know. Hehehe, not many.

Listening to you caused me to go against everything I stood for. You threatened to kill almost everypony, I had to stop you.

You're a demon. Made to condemn and punish. Nothing more. I would kill only the punishable, never the innocents. You are right though, at least half would suffer under my wrath.

I wasn't always a demon.

Probably why you sometimes feel ssssympathetic. Disgusting abomination. You are bound to your dutiesss, and can't full fill them. You are not worthy of your abilitiesss.

"Leave." I was brought back from my mental struggle, when the angry mare pointed to the door.

"What?" I asked, slightly confused. Her horn started glowing.

"I said get out." she repeated, once again grinding her teeth. I turned and saw the more than ten books hovering. I regarded them as a threat, but before I could respond they all dived at me in arrow formation.

"NOW!" I was swept up by a few books, whilst badly beaten by the hard back copies. I caught a glimpse of 'Mare troubles?' before being launched out. Outside in the cold, dark, stone street, I landed on my chest. Sprawled out, I managed to pull my face out of a small mud puddle. Of course no rain, or any other source of water, and yet I still land in the worst of places. Only this time I felt I deserved it. I turned to face Twilight standing by the doorway, the mud on my face quickly drying, and she slammed the door shut.

Worst thank you ever. declared M.V.R, finally taking part after all was said and done.

FUCK OFF. I mentally yelled, pausing between both words.

Just try and make me. Look we can either argue, or we can of move on. You've done what you had to do, you don't need friends, just do your job and you'll be sent home.

He'sss right. Sssoon we shall return.

IDIOTS! If we continue killing, Celestia won't help us. We won't ever return.

As I walked down the street, contemplating places to go to, my mind was returned to me. Only my voice echoed in my skull, as I tried to think about where to sleep tonight.

Try the pub called 'The Broken Cart', find that colt. He might know of a place to stay tonight. That was the smartest thing he has ever said whilst I have been here, as a matter of fact it was his best idea ever.

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

The watering hole, traditional migrating point of every male, worth the intoxicating poisons in his veins. This establishment went by the name of 'The Broken Cart', aptly named for someone who feels like he's going nowhere fast. The run down pub seemed to be slowly renewing itself, given the amount of scaffolding leading to the tiled rooftop. I made my way up to the front, moving along darkened alley ways to help me brood, when I took note of the cottage appeal. A sudden memory planted itself in my mind’s eye; the pub looked exactly like my human house.

Putting this fact aside, and tallying it as mere coincidence, I entered and began my search. I didn't really expect to find Iron Hoof, but the remaining bits in my pocket promised me at least a few pints of... whatever ponies drank. I doubt they had anything as strong as concentrated orphan tears, or distilled vicar vodka; made from one hundred percent vicar blood. Well, the ones who sinned anyway.

The bar room reminded me of an old English pub. From the scrap book memory, I recognised the many worn couches, arching along the walls, the bar, an open fire and above that I recalled a picture. The one I remembered was of some knight slaying a dragon, whilst here was Celestia. Her picture gave a warming smile, but I could guarantee the real one would not be so friendly at our next meeting. Many tables were spread around, arching around said picture, but the chairs faced each other.

There were six ponies sitting around. Three in the far corner, a group of mares looking at me before chatting amongst themselves, two colts perched by the bar, wobbling on the stools. Finally a single stallion, leaning against the wall past out. Making my way to the bar, I watched as he slowly toppled over, snoring loudly before resting his head.

TIIMMMBEEERRR! M.V.R finished with a small explosion, no really, I heard an explosion. Oh come on. I was not the only one thinking it. he said slightly disgruntled.

I sat upon a stool, an awkward climb for someone who was yet to even master the trot. I manually moved my lizard tail to the side, slightly taping one of the two drunk gents to my left.

"Uh helplo? Dipshyou wanph sumpin?" he lazily dribbled. The brown colt spun around, twice, before turning to face me. What he actually saw was my shoulder, given I was taller than most stallions, and he looked up. The earth pony squinted, leant forward, before yelping. His friend looked over, his bloodshot eyes widened, and they both yelped. They screamed again, paused to burp, and continued, before taking flight. I arched an eyebrow, as the pair zigzagged across the room, bouncing off each other. Once they realised that they both couldn't fit through the door at the same time, they eventually left as quick as any drunk could.

The passed out drunk re-awoke, mumbled something along the lines of 'It's platonic because I got here first' then quickly started snoring. I wished to know about what he was dreaming, yet at the same time decided it was best not to ask.

I heard the mares giggling in the corner, looking back I noticed a ginger pegasus, a green earth pony, and finally a mare I should have recognised from the start.

Rarity.

"Oh Magma Vein, what brings you here at this hour? I thought you left with Twilight?" She chirped. she must have only seen me as the colts scuttled out, she did have her back to the entrance.

"I did, we...parted," technically I was not lying, "I figured I'd sample some of the alcohol whilst I visit this land." She beamed happily, before taking a sip of the golden liquid in her Martini glass.

"Well you’re in luck mate, I'm on tap tonight." A familiar voice, caught my attention. The cream colt named Iron Hoof stood behind the bar. "Still ain't got that costume off I see. Not to worry, I'll give ya discount for yer troubles, sorting them lads out, and your first time here. You're one lucky stallion if you’re buying tonight." He added.

"Hey Iron Hoof. I thought you said you're only here when you're not working or at the gym." I added. He responded by laughing before announcing he works part time here, his other job is a coach. He brought a wooden flask to a tap, filled it with a frothy beverage, and slid to across to me.

"Down the hatch, that's the house's own brand. Tell me what you think." he asked curiously.

The drink was immensely refreshing, the bitter taste was a pleasing treat. Not only did it wash away the remaining bloody after taste, but it also brightened my spirits. However the dark mood soon returned, I looked at the empty flask and sighed.

"Brilliant, that's a good brew you go there. Nice blend of oats and rice, plus the red delicious and pears in the mix. Good job." I complemented.

Both Rarity and Iron Hoof looked stunned. I grinned and waited for the next question.

"That's quite a tongue you got there. How did you know that?" he asked smirking, grabbing the cup and putting it on his side of the counter.

"Yes Magma Vein. That is quite a talent; do you drink, for flavour of course, often?" the alabaster mare asked. The other two looked intrigued as well.

"It's a hobby, perhaps not the healthiest, but I find most alcohols do offer a better variety of flavour." It was true. I did sometimes drink with the lads, but I was sometimes required to go to official meetings. Thanks to my deep interests in Hell's wine and spirit collection, which followed a similar recipe to the human version (Albeit involving more limbs for flavour), I was able to make a decent first impression at my promotion celebration.

"Oh yes; me, Mr Hoof, and the girls here, Gin," She pointed to the ginger pegasus, "and Alizé," she, moved her arm towards the earth pony next to her, "have our little private tasting sessions once a week. Past closing time so we can enjoy our own company, without some uncoordinated stallion attempting to court us. I was thinking about inviting Twilight to this little get together, but she is often busy with her studies. How about you ? Care to join us?"

The mares all simultaneously had puppy dog eyes. I swear it’s more of a reflex, kicking in at the most appropriate time. I chuckled, asked for a lager for my troubles, a cocktail for a taster session, and the six of the strongest spirits. I figured if I want this night to pass as quickly as possible, I might as well blackout and not have to worry about finding a place to sleep.

"Trying a variety of the strongest? The stallions where you're from must all be as adventurous." Gin complemented. I doubt she found me attractive, I looked like a glowing lump of charcoal, but the gesture was a warm welcome. Much like the first shot of Equestrian whiskey, to my dismay I was right: low alcohol level.

"Why not? I have a lot to catch up on, and I'm eager to learn. I'm sure you ladies can guide me in the right direction." I responded. They all nodded with a merry grin, as Iron Hoof joined us with our next round of alcohol.

He raised a mug and looked at me, I raised mine, as we both said "Cheers." we downed the beer. We caught eyes, resulting in an unannounced drinking competition.

I brought the mug down before he did and smirked triumphantly. He grinned and we both faced the mares, which rolled their eyes and tittered to themselves. The alcohol was helping suppress the thought of my betrayal, alas it would always breakthrough.

It wasn't that I was ashamed of killing the dogs, I had just saved Ponyville, and it was the way Twilight looked at me. Those eyes...didn't bother me till now. On top of that I might have killed an innocent. All I did was stand there cold and emotionless. Oh god, what have I done...

I think there's more alcohol in these drinks then I thought. Ah. It’s not 6.2%, its 62%.

Bugger.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Told you it would taste better with gin. I should know, being my favourite flavour, it often does have the... more lush taste."

"Magma Vein. Where did you learn this? It is simply divine!"

"Yeah, it's strong too. I don't think I've ever seen Gin's cheeks go red, it must be good."

"Yeah...the drink...that's it."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So that's why I am banned from being near turtles, centaurs younger than 1600 years old, minotaurs and old demons with heart problems, anything worth more than 2,000,000 pou-bits and lollipops, at any funeral."

"Mr Magma Vein! That was truly a naughty 'accident'. Bad boy!"

"HAHAHAHA...did...did...he really?...HAHAHAHA. Oh Celestia the amount of kumquats Hahaha!"

"Mags, how did you convince the guards to all strip off like that?"

"Oh my. That was a rather Risqué move. You're lucky this Sapphire Hue was there the stowaway the bottles of cider."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You can do it Mr Iron Hoof! Bring his hoof to the table!"

"You're rather excited by the match Alizé, something you prefer to spectate rather than the races?"

"Well hoof wrestling does seem more competitive, look at the concentration, can you truly blame me Rarity?"

Slam

"Ouch, well done lad, that's quite a hoof you go there."

"I guess that means I get another round?"

"Hehe, give your little glass kingdom little houses. You have too many bottle towers."

"Actually Magma Vein, I believe you may wish to...perhaps restrict your intake?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So I'm aalll like... I gotta do whhaaat I gotta do...excuse me a second....she's like "'but that's not a nice thing.'"

"Mate, you know what you gotta do right? Wait where you are?"

"Thaps the fire place Iron Hoof."

"Oh yeah. Sorry all you weird things look alike, no offence."

"Mehpsh."

"Oh that's on the third shelf. Sorry I ain't sellin' that stuff tonight."

"Uh-huh, really that's how?"

"Anyway, what you gotta do is...Alizé, that's the red wine, the white stuff is on the shelf below."

"I'm glad we had this guy talk Iron Hoof. I don't think the girls would have understooped."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Wowph. You're rightsh. He is comfy."

"Magma Vein dear, I don't think the poor colt enjoys being a cushion."

"He's fine Rarity. Ain't ya?"

"Charge the quiche with treason!..."

"Okay Mags, get off the drunk. He's having a bad dream."

"Fine. Rarity? Do yup only drinks one glass every half hour? It's only 2 in the morting."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Seepsya Iron Hoof. Thanks for the discount, sorry about burning your buckshits."

"No problem. Girls, plepsh make slure he sleep somewhere awet from Spilight Twinkle."

"Of course, come on my gentle colt, let’s go."

"Mr Magma Vein...hehehe...the bottles are still stuck on your horns.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Wow. It’s so...big. I don't think you can handle us both thought."

"Ohs yeah? I can make...bigger watch."

"Oh my! Mr Magma Vein, you are gifted."

"I didn't ask for it. It's a gift I must share. Now let’s put it to use. Rarity, would yousp like to join us?"

"Thank you for the offer, but I came prepared, should such a need arrive. I will be fine on my own."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Gkojfsio efjsojfsejfso! I diah dawkd real!"

"kadnaond...tawd jw mannequin iawdoij."

"Mw. adiodao alive w iwud!"

"auhdah hwadoahd jiw."

"fllije Spike."

"dmwadjp Sweetie bell."

"Rarity?"

"Spike."

"Sweetie belle?"

"Corn ddoai wjijra. ahiah afhainfa."

"Why didanhjs kdapkd dajod?"

"Dog. Twilight ififno jfseifni nin."

"jefis Bedroom."

"ijei oeofj mannequin!"

"aejfapefpa why dawda?"

" jpjfpef Murdered fplplf pfkpwskf."

Thud.

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That gut wrenching feeling would not disappear, neither would that blasted sunlight. Sure enough my plan worked to 'drunkenly teleport' into another location, and seemed to have a lovely silk feeling to it. It did nothing for the pulsating pain in my mind. The cursed aftermath: hangovers. An unbeatable foe, for those who don't know how to combat the symptoms.
I was one of them.

I opened my eye lights, grimacing at the amount of light burning my retinas. Well, whatever I had that counted as retinas. Scanning the room I took notice of the silk sheets, the ornate pillow cases, and also the how deep my spikes were buried into the mattress.

Groaning, and hoping to be able to repay the damage, I rolled over. Another unfortunate sight. There was what appeared to be a funnel of ash, starting from my mouth and heading towards the wall. Everything in the general vicinity was singed, including another pillow, a cupboard revealing a surprising amount of lacy socks, half a lamp, and the wall. Judging by the; splatters of goo, the bad taste in my mouth, and lit candle which had melted to the base, I had performed an involuntary action.

Last night I had threw up.

Oh for... If I was still in Hell, I could at least clean up, but noooo. Nothing here is flame retardant! I scolded myself. I looked around the rest of my room. Lit up by a single circular window, I spotted a few wardrobes and clothing lines. Some labelled 'due next week' whilst others where labelled 'for the girls.' I overlooked the vibrant dresses, squinting to recover from the bombardment of colour, and spotted a terrifying sight.

That elegantly dressed mannequin. The same one that appeared to have watched me enter and leave yesterday.

"Stupid overgrown coat hanger. Hey buddy. Got wood?" I mocked. I wasn't expecting a response, but that smiling mask made it look like it had the last laugh. It was taunting me, mocking me, and that smile was not helping. So sincere, friendly even, but I registered as the devil's grin.

I crawled out of bed, causing an eruption of feathers to follow, and dragged my hooves towards the door. I could feel bricks in my gut, grinding and chaffing, as I slowly stepped closer to the doorknob. Gracefully twisting the golden bulge, I pulled the door open and was greeted by the smell of breakfast. Scrambled eggs.

"I best be going." I mumbled, trying to ignore the pain and start thinking.

We're not doing too well up here either, all that scotch...ouch.

Yesss, I feel most unpleasant.

Like you've been used as a hammer unpleasant, or someone poked you unpleasant?

The first.

"Well you guys do deserve it. You haven't help me at all." I groaned making my way slowly down the long hallway

The pub was my idea.

And look where that got us.

My pain is caused by the insolent fool beyond the barrier? What use are you? You're only a reflection. He hissed menacingly.

I heard a rattle of chains, I believe they were the ones from that dream. Still didn't stop the pain. Everyone, or every-personality I guess, winced and moaned. It was as if mosquito was using a loudspeaker in my ears. Then something caught my attention. It was another scent in the air, and another. Two more visitors.

One tickled my nose, numbing it. After regaining my sense of smell back, I smelt a familiar scent. Purity.

She was here, meaning the sense of pins and needles was caused her student.

I crept towards the staircase as quietly as I could, given the pain in my abdomen, and started hearing voices below.

"So it was true. He did...kill something last night. He seemed so inconspicuous, a perfect gentle colt, I would have never suspected such a thing." I recognised Rarity's ladylike voice; smooth, pristine, like glass.

"Yes, he also didn't show much remorse about the deed. He only apologised for trying to kill Spot." I see Twilight still thinks I am the beast, the vile nightmare, a monster even.

"Yes, although he promised Sparkle pony would be kind, he spared Spot, and obeyed Sparkle pony." I was bamboozled to hear that canine was here, given his past with the fashionista.

"You can't be serious? He's a killer! He butchered your friends." she replied. I had stopped creeping and was sitting by the top of the stairs

"No. Not friends. Ponynappers, they were going to attack today." Well I guess I had to have some support.

"If what you say is true then, unfortunately Twilight, he did act according to my command. If Ponyville was in danger, then you were in danger, meaning that he would have to obey his sentence." There was her majesty; she was easily recognisable by the motherly voice she used when I was first introduced to the Elements.

"Princess he may have saved us, but he showed no signs of regret. He is a cold blooded killer! He ate the dogs! he psychotic."

The mare should try meat sometime, she may like it.

"I wouldn't say that was entirely true. He did hint at a deep burden a for a few moments, mentioning some deal from time to time. He also spoke to Iron Hoof about your reaction. He thought I couldn't hear, but I don't drink too much leaving my hearing finely tuned, his volume did slowly grow louder as the time passed, and he started saying how he wanted your forgiveness. The poor dear turned his flames blue, I must say although it complimented his form, it was distressing."

Oh no.

Aaawww, somebodies going soft.

You better Shut your mouth before I start singing. I threatened; the combined effects of my nails-on-a-chalk-board singing voice, and the hangover, was something to be feared.

Err...that won't be necessary. He quickly piped down.

"Really? He did that once. Last time we were talking about his pet, Cerberus, and he kind of looked down there too." If I didn't know any better, then I swear she had some sympathy for me at last. "Regardless he still murdered a lot of diamond dogs."

"Yes, but why would he do such a thing? If he did not know about the attack then what drove him to an extent such as finding and hunting the Diamond dogs?" Celestia asked curiously.

I guess it was time for me to come clean. Unfortunately I would need help.

Blood Rage, I'm going to need you to make a speech.

Excccellent.