9-Immortal Bonding, Part II

"How the bloody fucking hell was I able to say some of those things without getting arrested." Daedalus mumbled to himself as he walked down the hall.

Currently, he was being led to a large, empty training room by an unnamed guard. After lunch with royalty had ended, they needed to go separate ways. Luna needed to take a nice, long nap while Celestia had to deal with Day Court. The virus had simply asked a guard to lead him to a large empty room.

"I haven't been that carefree with someone in years, even before my infection. God, I can't believe it. Still, it must've really not bothered them since they didn't seem to mind."

He just wanted to test a few things with his viral abilities, maybe do a little practice with some creations. He planned to replicate a Shambler, Maniac, Warper, and, if time and room permitted, a Berserker and Reinforcer.

"Still don't know if that will make them trust me more or less. I'm practically offering to create an immortal unfeeling army in the middle of their country. Only time will tell."

Both Princesses had said they would meet him later that day. He wanted to show them some of the virus' abilities and offer to help defend Equestria if it was ever needed.

"After all, if I'm gonna live here for the foreseeable future, I might as well do as I can to make sure the country stays safe."

Daedalus wasn't sure if the guard escorting him was listening or not, but frankly, he didn't care. Its not like the pony would understand most of what he said.

"Here we are, sir." The guard said as they stopped in front of a rather large door. Daedalus stepped forward and opened it, seeing a room easily a hundred feet, or thirty meters, long and wide. It seemed to be about fifteen feet-- five meters, tall.

Completely empty, the room wasn't made of white marble as he expected. Instead, it was made of some sort of black steel, similar to Luna's regalia. "Its perfect, but what's with the black steel?"

"Black iron, actually. Its a metal formed in the Dragon Range. Rumor is that the powerful greed of dragons corrupt the iron and make it immune to magic. I know it really is immune to magic, but I doubt greed creates it. Anyway, the Princesses tend to use this room for sparring and practicing their abilities."

"Perfect. That's exactly what I am using it for." Daedalus said.

The guard nodded. "Don't overextend yourself. The doctors likely won't know how to help you."

Daedalus simply waved him off. "Thanks for the concern, but I'll be fine. I know my limits."

Close enough.

The guard nodded again. "I must return to my post. If you need to go somewhere, ask any guard or maid. They'll escort you."

Daedalus nodded his thanks. "I'll likely be here until the Princesses return, anyway."

The guard turned and left as Daedalus closed the door behind him. From the inside, it, too, was plated in black iron. He walked to the center of the room and sat down, crossing his legs.

Closing his eyes, he abandoned all mortal senses and focused purely on Blacklight. Viral stalks erupted from his back and spread across the room before they began multiplying. Thinner tendrils began to weave across the floor before five pillars sprouted up and extended to the roof. Three were a couple feet thick while the final two were several times thicker.

And now, I begin.

Princess Celestia sighed softly as the final petitioner exited the throne room. It had been a long session, not only in chronological length, but also the fact that it seemed to drag on forever, a concept she had become familiar with.

It seemed to her that she had enjoyed her time with the strange man named Daedalus so much that any other activity seemed boring and slow.

"Private Sentry?"

"Yes, your majesty?" One of the more recent additions to the guard questioned.

"Do you know where Daedalus is?" She asked.

"I believe he is still in the room you and your sister use to practice."

"Thank you, Private. You are both dismissed." With that, both of the guards stationed at the base of her throne left. She stood up and descended the small staircase before checking to ensure she was alone.

Seeing that she was, she stretched her legs by leaning forward, leaving her hind legs straight. Her wings extended to each side as her neck stretched and she yawned. Before she could return to normal standing, she heard a familiar voice from directly behind her.

"Great view, sister."

With a yelp, she stood and spun around, acutely aware of the fact that her stretching had caused her to subconsciously raise her tail. Sitting on the dark throne next to her own was Luna, who was giving her a teasing smile.

"What would the guards think if they saw you in that position toward your own sister?" The dark mare asked rhetorically as she descended the stairs.

"First, when I began stretching, I was alone in here until you teleported in. Second, don't act like you didn't enjoy the view." Celestia retorted.

Luna just laughed as the two walked toward the door to the throne room. "I never said I didn't. Even so, where are you going?"

"One of my guards informed me that Daedalus was in our training room. I intend to head there to see what he was doing." Celestia said truthfully as she continued to walk.

At that, Luna gained a smile. Celestia, seeing this, gave her a confused look. "What?"

"Oh, nothing. I'm just curious as to why you asked him if he could love a pony. Mayhaps you are interested in him?"

Her smile widened as her sister stumbled on a smooth floor before she replied. "Listen to my reasons before you begin to judge, sister."

She laughed again. "Oh, I'm not judging. After he healed you, he showed he wasn't bad. That with his immortality makes me slightly interested in him as well. But go ahead, explain your reasoning."

"While I, naturally, have no feelings for him currently, I do believe that, in the event they develop, we could be quite happy with him. Not only does he respect us while treating us like living beings, he is also immortal and will never succumb to time." Celestia explained. Both alicorns were aware that she started by denying feelings for him. Even Celestia began doubting that she held no feelings for him.

"So you wish to possibly be with him one day. What about our relationship?" Luna asked, dropping her voice into a whisper for the last part

Celestia smiled to her. "Hence the question of a herd. Now, don't get me wrong. If you don't wish to be in a herd with him, or if he won't accept you, then it’s not happening."
She glanced around before continuing with a lower voice. "You are my first and most important love. While I do like the idea of expanding our herd, I will not risk losing you for somepony who may not even make me happy."

Luna smiled warmly before she nuzzled her sister. While they both knew what it meant, any guard or maid would assume it to be simple sisterly affection. "It makes me happy to hear that. When will we ask him?"

Celestia smiled with a slight blush. "Not any time soon. We only just met him. Give him time to adapt to this world and its traditions. Let him get comfortable with us."

Luna nodded before they came across a familiar door. This side was made of white marble, but they both knew the other side was layered with black iron. If Private Sentry had been right, the man of their interest was on the other side of the door.

With merely a moments hesitation, Celestia pushed open the door and they entered. Immediately, they stopped in shock at what they were seeing. The room had been entirely transformed from the solid black room it had previously been.

Pulsing red flesh obscured the walls and floor as five pillars of various sizes stretched from floor to ceiling, which was also covered. Orange spots seemed to be scattered sporadically to provide effective lighting to the room. Sitting in the center of the room was Daedalus with several lines of flesh extending from his back, each connecting with the floor.

"Daedalus, what is this?" Celestia asked as she stopped forward, struggling to keep her balance as she entered the room. The floor she thought was of solid, still flesh was actually moving slightly. Luna followed after, spreading her wings to help her equilibrium.

He turned to face them, revealing his glowing eye to be even brighter. He smiled at them as he spoke. "Ah, its good to see you Celestia, Luna. How was Court and sleep, respectively?"

Celestia smiled at his interest, returning a bump from her sister with her flank. "Nothing serious happened. It was mostly petty squabbles between nobles. Boring, really."

"And I had a rather enjoyable sleep. It was certainly more effective than a pot of coffee."

Daedalus nodded and that before his smiled faded. "I have to apologize to you both."

Two alicorn heads tilted in unison confusion before Celestia asked. "Why is that?"

"I was being way to blunt with you both. I mean, seriously, I discussed sex with you two. That's a little too much. I intend to tone it down."

"No!" They both yelled causing him to lean away slightly.

"No?" He asked in confusion.

"We enjoy the bluntness. Our subjects aren't so calm with us, a fact we long for. We are very happy you talk with us freely, even if its about something like sex. It shows that you respect us as more than leaders. You respect us as living beings." Celestia said, smiling warmly. At her smile, Daedalus couldn't help but smile back. Her smile filled him with a sense of familiarity that he had missed. He, however, simply couldn't remember when he last felt this way.

Luna coughed into her hoof lightly before speaking. "Are we going to ignore what Daedalus did to the room?"

At that, Celestia's eyes widened. "Ah, yes! What did you do?"

Daedalus smiled as he stood, the tendrils covering the walls, floor, and ceiling retreating into his body. However, the five pillars remained before the stalks on Daedalus' back moved to connect with them. "I wanted to make an offer. A favor for a favor, if you'll accept."

Celestia' eyebrow rose slightly, her mood slightly souring as she thought of some of the 'favors' she had been asked for over the years. "Oh?"

"One day, maybe soon, my existence will be revealed to Equestria, or at least Ponyville. When that happens, I may not be accepted. If I'm not, can I count on you to shelter me?" Daedalus asked with a seriousness she had not expected.

"That's it?" Celestia asked in pleasant surprise before she and her sister shared a glance.

"Yeah, that's it." Daedalus said, a small smile forming.

With that, Celestia gave a warm smile as she and Luna stepped forward. They approached on either side of him before leaning in and nuzzling his neck. His eyes widened before he stepped back in shock. Both mares giggled at his reaction before Celestia spoke happily. "You are our friend, Daedalus. Of course we will help you. You don't even need to offer anything in return."

He shrugged. "I wanted to. In return, I will provide extra defense toward Equestria."

Her head tilted as Luna asked. "How so?"

"I'm capable of creating an army. I have created five separate entities that were used to fill the ranks of the viral armies. I wanted to show them to you." Daedalus said.

At this, both Princesses seemed to grow nervous. "They are under your control, correct?"

He nodded to her. "Entirely, Luna. They are incapable of disobeying me. They will do whatever I ask of them, no matter what it is."

Celestia hesitated, then nodded. "Show them to us, then."

He pointed to the second smallest pillar. "Contained within the viral incubator is the weakest of all infected. Known simply as a Shambler, they are the result of the infection of an entity incapable of undergoing massive genetic mutation."

The front of the pillar seemingly melted away as a strange creature walked out. Shaped as a human, it was corded by powerful muscle. It was taller than a pony but shorter than the three of them. Its only ability seemed to be sheer strength.

Daedalus continued speaking. "In Mercer's army, Shamblers are dead people who were too injured to become a true Redlight beast. My version, however, is built from scratch."

"You can create life?" Celestia asked in a breathless whisper, overtaken with awe.

Daedalus smiled slightly in pride. "With proper time and experimentation, yes. However, these aren't my own creations. I simply used a template I already knew. Mercer designed these beasts."

"Speaking of beasts, the next creature is a Warper." The pod dissolved and a small black canine stepped out. Bladed wings sprouted from its back and its hide was covered entirely in small, sharp spikes. Glowing orange eyes completed the fearsome look.

"Capable of flight at simply incredible speeds, these creatures overwhelm any of Blackwatch's air support. They are also capable of delivering punishing charges into enemy armies."

Daedalus gestured to the third pod and it, too, dissolved before the creature stepped out. "This is called a Maniac. These were meant to play upon a man's fear of the truly insane. With great speed and agility as well as beyond razor sharp claws, they would also twitch and laugh in the midst of battle, unnerving foes."

As tall as a Shambler, this creature was clearly more powerful. With two arms ending in large, black claws characterized by silver blades, it was rather terrifying. It seemed to give the disturbed Princesses a grin before stopping.

"Our answer to tanks and other armored units, the Berserker specialized in smashing apart steel with ease. They would also act as mobile shields for our Maniacs, allowing them to close with the enemy."

It was the second quadruped. Its feet were similar to hooves and the entire thing was covered with an armor-like layer of white bone. Black veins covered the Redlight as it stared at the sisters with glaring red eyes.

"Finally, we have the Reinforcer. When Mercer created these, he gave the Maniacs a second purpose. They would pile bodies together for the Reinforcer to regurgitate a virus onto. This virus would rapidly mutate the bodies into more Maniacs. These walking fortresses were capable of taking or dealing massive amounts of damage while replenishing our armies."

The final and largest pod dissolved and the alicorns finally reacted. They gasped in fear and stepped back as the monster took an earth-shuddering step forward. Its white horns gleamed with a vicious tip before their eyes drifted across its plated body. It seemed to be covered in a white bone even denser then the Berserker's. Six massive legs made the monster more like a beetle and its six red eyes gave it a wide range vision.

"That's the five." Daedalus said, placing a hand on Celestia's shoulder. "Are you interested in testing any of them."

She shook her head rapidly, an action mimicked closely by Luna. Chuckling, the five tendrils impaled each of the Redlight infected and consumed them, then consumed the remains of the pods. "Didn't think so. I only wanted to show them to you. So you understand just what kind of force you have fighting for you."

She craned her neck to look at him. "Promise me, Daedalus. Promise me you'll never use them unless you get my or my sister's permission."

He smiled at her, something he thought he did quite often around her. "I swear it. I swear it on my monstrous soul."

She hit him with her wing. "You aren't a monster."

He frowned at her as the mood took a sudden downturn and she realized that this was something he was entirely convinced of. "The people I've killed says otherwise."

Before Celestia replied, Luna spoke. "It says that Mercer was a horrible monster for forcing you to do those things just to survive. Do not blame yourself for the actions of others. I made that mistake by blaming Nightmare Moon's actions on myself."

He looked at her for a long moment before speaking. "How did you forgive yourself?"

She smiled at him as she approached. "I thought of everything I could do to help others with the powers that had almost destroyed the world. Use your virus to help others, Daedalus."

His face softened as he smiled slightly at her. "That is so cheesy it may work."

She also hit him with her wing before she reared up and embraced him. He hugged her back, feeling another pair of wings and hooves wrap about him from behind. He heard two separate whispers in his ears.

"If you ever need help, talk to us."

"We'll always be there for you."

They let him go and stepped back before Celestia spoke. "Come on. Its dinner time."

They led the way out and headed down the hall. As they walked, Daedalus' eyes couldn't help but be drawn to their rumps. It seemed they knew it, too, as they started swaying rather significantly. His eyes snapped forward as they began giggling. He looked into Celestia's magenta eyes and gave her a bright, sincere smile. A smile that she returned.

With a quick slice, Daedalus cut a slice of his steak before eating it. He looked up while lightly tapping his bladed fingers on the plate. "Celestia, Luna, are you two the only royals in Equestria?"

They both smiled before Luna answered. "Nay. We have our adopted niece, as we've said."

"Cadence, the Lady of Love. Although, you never mentioned she was a Princess." Daedalus said.

"Oops. She is an Equestrian Princess though. She also recently married Captain Shining Armor, who became Prince Shining Armor. Finally, we have our adopted nephew, Prince Blueblood."

"What is he like?" Daedalus asked.

"Snobbish." Luna said.

"Luna!" Celestia exclaimed.

"What? Its true."

"That may be so, but he is still our nephew."

"Only because we adopted his ancestors into the family."

"If he's your nephew, why isn't he here?" Daedalus asked.

Celestia sighed as Luna gave her a smug smile. "Because he is rather self centered and specist. We don't want him ruining your time here."

Daedalus shrugged. "Fair enough."

They continued eating for a few minutes before a servant entered and whispered into Daedalus' ear before departing. Daedalus smiled as he stood, drawing the attention of both mares. When they looked at him curiously, he answered their unasked question. "I'll be back in a moment."

Daedalus followed the servant through the door to the kitchen, letting it close behind him. Celestia turned to her sister. "Luna, what do you think he is doing?"

The dark alicorn shrugged. "I don't have an idea."

After a moment of silence, Luna asked her sister a question. "What did you think of Daedalus' creations?"

Celestia thought for a moment before answering. "While I am rather terrified of the creatures themselves, I am happy that he will go to such lengths to protect us."

Luna laughed. "You just want a strong male to protect you."

Celestia blushed a deep red. "You know very well that I like being dominated and he attracts that side of me."

"Just that side?"

"Well, no. All of me, in a way." She said, done trying to delude herself. She was afraid Luna would disapprove, a fear that seemed unfounded.

Luna smiled but didn't reply. Moments later, Daedalus entered the room with a sliver dome covering a tray. He placed the tray on the table and sat in his seat, thinking to himself. So she's attracted to me? I... don't know what to think of that.

He reached forward and pulled the dome off the tray, revealing a plate piled high with fudge brownies. He smiled to them as the smell of rich chocolate filled the room and both mares felt their mouths begin to water. "I told you I can bake. Go ahead, eat some."

They needed no more encouragement as they each took several brownies and began eating them. From the look on their faces, and Celestia's sounds, they quite enjoyed the food. He chuckled at the soft moans she made as the fudge melted in her mouth. After swallowing, she opened her eyes to see Daedalus and Luna looking at her.

She blushed again, a blush that deepened when Daedalus spoke. "That was incredibly sexy."

She was shocked when Luna nodded. "It was."

"Good brownie, by the way." Luna said as she ate another one.

"Thank you."

Before long, the plate was empty with Daedalus only getting two, one of which he hadn't even eaten yet. Both alicorns looked at him in amazement. "Those were amazing!"

He chuckled. "I could tell. Your sounds were quite clear."

She looked away for a moment before she looked back and laughed. "I certainly couldn't hide it. You certainly have baking ability."

Daedalus just waved it off. "All I did was follow a recipe I memorized."

At that, Celestia yawned loudly, her muzzle opening wide. Grabbing the last one, he aimed for a moment and tossed it, grinning as it sailed right into her open mouth. She snapped her muzzle shut when she felt it and blushed as she realized what happened. She hesitated before swallowing it in one go. She licked her lips and winked at him.

Daedalus opened his mouth to speak but closed it. He didn't have any idea what to say to that. He stood up. "I'm going to bed before she makes me lose my self control."

Luna almost choked laughing as her sister covered her face with her wing. The door closed behind him, silencing the sound of laughter.

Luna smiled smugly at her sister. "'Let him get comfortable,' you said, 'Not any time soon,' you said. Then you try to seduce him."

She looked down a little. "I can't help it, Luna. I feel so free around him. The only other time I feel like this is with you."

She heard her sister get up before she was nuzzled in the crook of her neck. "I'm not judging you, Tia. I feel the same with him."

Celestia looked out the window, eyes drifting across the lit up city below the castle. "I wonder what he would say if we ask him to join our herd."

She felt Luna's wing wrap around her. "With the way today went, I don't think he would say no. We need to make sure we don't rush things, though."

Daedalus remained awake in bed, thinking on the day he had.

Today started off normal. We met the Princesses, told my story, and Pinkie went home. Then we had lunch. Since then, its been flirt after flirt between us, constantly teasing. Then I heard they are somewhat interested in me. Why?

Is it just my immortality? Or the way I've treated them? Both? For God's sake, we met each other today! They can't be developing feelings for me already, can they? Love at first sight is complete bullshit.

I'll think more on it tomorrow.

Author's Notes:

Thanks to my Beta Reader BurningDusk who caught errors that I missed entirely.