**Author's Note** So there is a violence and death warning in this chapter. The scene will not go into too much graphic detail but there will be a murder before this chapter is over. Reader discretion is advised. If you read this chapter but want to skip that section then towards the end when ravens are mentioned, just skip the ending note and the recap will summarize what happens.

** ** Again, new events in season 8 or 9 of the show will not effect this story. There is nothing that I can't eventually write around. ** **

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The Heart of Pleasure
By Haunter Rayne
Chapter 27 - Sorrows and Torment

For those riding on the Ponyville Express the usual joyful feeling was now replaced with a somber tone. Two pegasi and an earth pony sat near a sobbing mare as other passengers looked on with concern. Piled into a seat corner, a purple alicorn wept as her friends crowded around. The cabin was mostly silent as none of them knew how to console her while they were all sharing a similar degree of the heartache themselves. “S-Sp-Spike!” Twilight cried out between her tearful sobs. All of her friends looked up as that had been the first time they heard the princess speak since they boarded the train. They all had been in a state of shock when they approached the station. But as soon as they boarded, Twilight had broken down and they had not been able to get a word from her. “I- I left him! I left him! How could I leave him?!”

The others gave a nervous glance to one another but they tried again to help, now that she was seeming responsive. Pinkie Pie bent down to look at the crestfallen alicorn. “It's going to be okay Twilight. We'll get Spike back.” Her words were soft, trying not to push too hard because she knew her friend was distraught.

Fluttershy went next, trying her best to sound confident but still being supportive. “Um, Twilight. I can't say I know how you feel right now… but we're all here for you. Every one of us cares about Spike and if he isn't back by the time we sort out the Crystal Empire, then I know we will all work together to get him back.”

“Yes, but how?! And when?!” Twilight cried out, still being no less upset than she was a moment ago. “I was there when Spike was born. I raised him. I helped take care of him. He's been with me every day for so long. I never imagined I could ever possibly see the day that I would lose him!”

Now Rainbow Dash leaned over placing a hoof on her shoulder. “Nothing is going to happen to Spike! You aren't going to lose him!” She said confidently.

Twilight looked up though and her eyes had become red from crying. “But Dash… they're going to eat him!” As soon as she said it she gasped as if she had scared herself. Her eyes went wide and she covered her mouth with her hooves. “They're going to eat my friend!” She whispered sounding terrified. To Twilight it was as if it hadn't been real until she had said it herself. But now that she had, she imaged a little silhouette of Spike disappearing into Torch’s mouth.

Suddenly Rainbow Dash grabbed Twilights shoulders and yelled, “That! Won't! Happen!” She gave Twilight a stern stare and the princess nodded showing that she had stopped imagining the worse. “Listen Twilight! Rarity and Starlight are right on their heels. Neither of them will let those dragons hurt a single scale on Spike's head. Rarity is all crazy for Spike now and even if she wasn't she still wouldn't allowed it to happen. Also Starlight knows how to respond under pressure. If it comes to a fight there are few ponies I would trust more than Starlight to be able to handle themselves! With the both of them together, Spike is as good as saved! Annnnd if it takes us a while to see him, just believe that it's just them traveling all the way back here. Okay?”

Twilight huffed with her bottom lip still quivering. But then she nodded and said, “Okay Rainbow. I'll try to keep that in mind. You are right, after all. The Dragon Lands are about as far from the Crystal Empire as you can get. I just... I feel so guilty. I feel like there was so much more that I could have done to save him. I feel like it's my fault he's gone!” She yelled, beginning to fall back into her sobbing again.

“Now Twilight!” Fluttershy yelled, actually speaking up in an assertive voice. “Do you really think that right now Spike would blame you for anything that happened?!”

Fluttershy stared Twilight down quite sternly until finally the princess faltered. “...No.”

“That's right!” Fluttershy continued. “And do you think that if Spike could see you right now that it would make him feel any better seeing you worry over him like this?!”

“No, it wouldn't.” Twilight answered, sounding like she was getting a little more control over herself now.

“It definitely would not!” Fluttershy said pointedly. “We are all worried about Spike but right now you have a responsibility as a princess! I'm not saying that Spike isn't important. But what I AM saying is this; let's get this first task done and out of the way! The sooner it is, the sooner we can all go to the Dragon Lands together and see if our friends still need our help!” Fluttershy stomped a hoof looking very serious. Twilight actually managed to smile and wipe some of the tears from her face.

“You're right Fluttershy. Thank you everypony. We do have an important job to do and we are already several ponies down from being there for it. Spike is very dear to me but he isn't alone. Starlight and Rarity will be catching up to him soon. They will keep him safe.” She then blew into a tissue and gave a weak smile to her friends. “Thank you all for being here for me. I don't know if I could have handled this situation on my own.”

"Nope!" Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy all cheered together as they leaned forward to hug Twilight.

Once they all had returned to their seats the princess looked longingly out of the window again. “I just have to trust that Spike can hold out until then. I want you girls to know that I have reason to believe the heart of that giant dragon he once turned into is still inside of our little friend. I just hope that it is enough to see him through this.” The other girls looked to each other curiously, not yet being aware of the events back in Rarity's boutique. But when Twilight remained silent they simply sat and all awaited for the train to arrive at the Crystal Empire Station.

- Meanwhile at the Gates of Tartarus-

“So Rayne, do you have any ideas? Because it's about as clear as mud to me what we're supposed to be doing here.” Applejack said a bit apprehensively. As they opened the entrance to Tartarus the two ponies looked down over a tremendous gorge.

Rayne knew the underground prison was bigger than the show had let on but he was staggered by just how colossal the cavern actually was. There were individualized platforms just as the show had portrayed, however the sheer number of them were shocking. As the two walked further and further into the pit it seemed as if these platforms would go on forever. Rayne saw the most peculiar creatures down here, several of which had never been seen on the show and the likes of which he could not identify. Meanwhile other platforms had creatures ranging from manticores to bugbears to undead looking creatures and even a few ponies. Rayne even saw the backside of a large black dragon in the distance.

As his eyes scanned the different prisoners however, he eventually saw the one inhabitant that he was most looking forward to finding. “I'm not sure about the map’s intent Applejack, but I think I have an idea.”

As he stepped up to one platform in particular, a dry and raspy voice growled out. “Ponies? What are ponies doing down here in… Is that, Applejack?” The chain around the creatures hoof clinked as his golden eyes squinted in disbelief.

“Oh no! Just wait one darn tootin minute! We are NOT here for him!” Applejack snorted. She stomped a hoof and gave a stern glare to Rayne. “You best be careful now. This here is one of the worst villains that Equestria has ever seen. In my opinion, rotting away in Tartarus is too good for him after what he's done!”

“I am well aware of who is is Applejack and I'm certain that this is who we were meant to find.” Rayne said as he stared up at the centaur imprisoned above.

Stepping beside him the orange mare seemed unconvinced as she whispered, “But, how can you be so sure?”

Finally looking away from the beast Rayne said, “Because I think that I am the reason why your map table has been acting so strange. I have a deal for him, which you could say, is like a friendship problem. But without me here the deal doesn't exist so the map can only show the friendship problem if I am going to visit.”

Now Applejack was giving him a very suspicious look. “And you couldn't have mentioned this on the way over here? Or before?! What is it you want from him anyways?” She asked skeptically.

Rayne just sighed and said, “I'm not hiding anything from you Applejack. I want you here with me as I speak to him. Although I'd rather not have to repeat myself twice. He is going to reject my offer at first anyways, I already know. But I'm hoping that he will see that it is for the best.” Applejack wasn't satisfied with that answer at all but then Rayne gave her a tender look and said, “I really need your help here Applejack. I need you to trust me. I'm not ashamed to admit that this guy is a little scary, even if he is chained up and weakened. I'm not sure I'd be able to face him in this place if I were on my own.” Then he gave her a gentle pleading look.

Applejack just sighed and took off her hat. “I do trust you Rayne. I already believe that you are of a good sort. Even though this don't feel right, I really don't want to believe that you are a villain yerself so I'm willing to sit back and hear what you've got to say to him. And don't worry, I'll be right here by your side.” They smiled to one another and then she put her hat back on with a confident stare. “Alright well, it's your show from here. Let's get it done and get outta this place. Twilight needs us over in the Crystal Empire.”

Rayne nodded and the two of them walked up a spiral stair to get to the platform above. It was Rayne who spoke up first but Applejack was shocked to hear how he now sounded more like some fancy Canterlot pony than the bashful stallion she had come to know. “Hello there. It's nice to finally meet you… Tirek.” Rayne said, but his courteous manner was being far from polite. In fact Applejack was shocked seeing just how drastically the sound of Rayne's attitude had just changed.

“That's Lord Tirek to you, pony!” The centaur growled bitterly as he lifted himself to his hooves.

Rayne rose his chin and looked away from Tirek disrespectfully. He imagined some fanciful 'Queen of the Damned' like scenario of two vampires both arguing, both with the opinion of being too important to respect one another. “Oh? And tell me, just what are you lord of? Are you king of your underground lilypad?” It brought a smirk to Rayne's face as Tirek lashed out at him but was just out of reach.

“Uh, Rayne? Maybe you shouldn't taunt him like that.” Applejack mumbled uncomfortably. She was astounded, not being able to believe her eyes that this confident and leering stallion was the same shy gentlepony that she knew.

Upon hearing the commotion Cerberus stepped over but for now seemed content in just watching what was happening. Tirek turned towards the stallion and grit his teeth. “You dare to mock me?!”

“I do. Because there is nothing that you can do about it. Well for now anyways.” All eyes were on Rayne and Tirek stared at him very curiously.

“Who ARE you? Why have you come here to bother me?!” He scowled, turning away and crossing his arms.

“I'm here for you Tirek. I'm here about your… incarceration.” Rayne was being smug and rubbing it in Tirek’s face that he held all the cards in this situation. “You must just HATE it in here. So… miserable.”

“Yes, yes, what of it?!” The centaur snapped. “It's not like they will ever let me be free from this prison.”

Rayne now had a sinisterly joyful tone as he tried to sound like he empathized with Tirek. “Well I can only imagine how badly you would want to get out of here. But this really isn't a prison you know. You aren't working off a sentence. This is an oubliette! You are here so that ponies can forget about you.” Applejack was shocked seeing Rayne suddenly walk closer, well within the villain's reach. “And think about it… how long were you in here before? A thousand years? More? It makes me wonder... you can't actually die in here, can you? Maybe it's the magic of Tartarus?You just sit… and wait… for nothing. Forever...”

The two stared at each other eye to eye now. Rayne was grinning but Tirek was grimacing. “What… is… it… that you WANT, pony?!” He growled out angrily, wanting to attack the stallion but not daring to with Cerberus watching.

“Oh come now, surely you know. What did Discord do when he opposed Equestria and lost? I want you to change! To reform! I want to offer you a second chance to have a real life! It might not be the ambitious life you wanted but it has to be better than this!” Rayne said coercingly.

Applejack seemed a little upset but didn't interrupt while Tirek just crossed his arms and gave a grumpy sigh. “Let me guess, you want me to embrace ‘F-R-I-E-N-D-S-H-I-P’ with you?” He grumbled mockingly.

Rayne looked to him surprised for moment and then leaned back as he started to laugh. “Wha- Oh, ahahaha no! I don't want to be friends with you! And neither does anypony else. There isn't a soul in Equestria that would trust you! But outside Equestria…?” Rayne asked as he stretched out a hoof dramatically. “Don't you have a family out there somewhere? A people of your own? You could return as the prodigal son! Enjoy a celebrated return! Maybe you might rule there instead of here, you never know. I'm sure you had your issues when you left but it can't be worse than enduring another thousand years or longer in here!^

Tirek started to scratch his chin as he pondered. “You do make a good point. I've very few fond memories of home but it's not as miserable as being locked away in this wretched hole! But, how could this happen? What would stop me from just stealing the magic from ponies again?” He asked, starting to come around but still having his doubts.

Rayne was overjoyed to see him starting to sway. “Oh why that's easy! It's because you won't be able to of course.” Now Tirek and Applejack both looked to him confused. But Rayne continued saying, “Well I said that this would be a deal, didn't I? I'm here for a trade. Your freedom in exchange for you no longer having the ability to threaten anypony. You would have to give up your magic. And I mean permanently. But really that's a small price to pay for-

“WHAT?!” Tirek yelled and Rayne quickly leapt away as the centaur lunged at him. “WHY YOU VILE, MANIPULATIVE,...” Tirek screamed a stream of rants and insults until Cerberus jumped forward to intimidate the prisoner back into a compliant attitude. Meanwhile Applejack walked with Rayne back down from the raised platform.

“What in the hay are you thinkin’?! Really? That's your plan?! Set Tirek free if he gives up his magic?!” The earth pony was clearly furious with him. “What makes you think that he would agree to such a cockamamie idea? Also why would you want to do this?! How did it even get into your head?!” She argued, each question sounding as if she were trying to lash at him with her words.

But Rayne wasn't phased having completely expected this. “Because, I want to help build friendships.” Applejack looked like she was about to explode again but this time Rayne stopped her. “There are a whole race of centaur out there. And have any of them ever hurt Equestria except for this one? No. Would they probably be glad to have their prodigal son back? I think so. Could this show of good faith to the centaurs possibly unite them in friendship with ponies? Maybe. Perhaps one day we'll even have little centaurs in Twilight's Friendship School. And we don't even have to be friendly with Tirek himself to do it.” He said pointedly.

Rayne almost laughed at how quiet Applejack suddenly got. She had clearly never thought of these things herself. But then she shook her head saying, “What about his magic though?! Don't think that I didn't catch what you mentioned there partner!”

"Well yes, it's true that his power wouldn't be able to just disappear into thin air. It would have to go some place. Now you, you're an earth pony Applejack so you wouldn't be able to carry it. I on the other-hoof, being a unicorn, could do it. And then I could bring it back to the princesses for them to deal with it appropriately." Applejack stomped her hoof and for a moment he thought she was going to buck him in the face. But now Rayne softened his expression as he looked to her with gentle eyes. “Heh, well. There's no way that Tirek could be trusted if he is allowed to keep it. But Applejack come here. Feel my pulse. Look me in the eye. Listen to my voice.” He said as he took a breath to steady himself. “I do not want to conquer Equestria.” He said steadily, allowing his words a pause to follow through after his statement.

Applejack scrutinized him a bit but then pulled back. “You don't have to get all serious on me like that sugar cube. I already said, I trust you. Just don't go breaking my trust now or I'll have to buck ya!” She said with wink and they both laughed.

“I AGREE!!!!!” Suddenly a loud raspy voice broke their attention from each other and both of the ponies ran back up to the platform. There Cerberus was growling over Tirek who was trying to wave the dog off. “I'm calm! I've calmed! Get away from me you mutt!” Eventually the guardian backed off and went to sit at the edge of the platform. As soon as Tirek saw the two ponies return he pointed right at Rayne. “You stop your teasing and your meddling! I will give you my magic if you promise to get me out of here! I don't want to live another second around that beast!” He growled as he looked back at Cerberus. But after the two ponies just stared at each other in surprise, Tirek spoke in a softer tone than before. “Please, I'm ready to go home.”

Applejack looked astonished that Tirek agreed but Rayne stepped up knowing he hadn't presented the centaur with much of a choice. “That's a smart move on your part Tirek.”

The centaur returned to his hooves to a crossed position again and grimaced. “You're a fool if you think things will turn out any different for you.” He whispered, as if speaking from one villain to another.

“We shall see. Likewise, things would have ended up very different for you had I been able to visit without Appelejack looking over my shoulder." He whispered back and the two just shared a cold stare into one another's eyes. "Now let's get started.” Rayne declared, standing ready.

Tirek sighed and looked Rayne in the eye. “Focus your magic on me. Levitating your target makes it easier to do this. Then open your mouth and breath in. I will do the rest and the knowledge for the skill should along come with it.” Suddenly a dark light shone around Rayne's horn and then also around Tirek who started floating. Cerberus stood to his feet and barked curiously but otherwise did not interfere. After which, a fiery orange light seemed to pour out of the centaur until it was swallowed up by the unicorn. When it was over they both collapsed feeling a bit dizzy.

“Did it work?” Applejack asked apprehensively.

Rayne chuckled as he closed his eyes concentrating. “Oh it worked. I can feel it.”

Tirek however remained on the ground feeling drained. “Heh heh, why don't you test it to make sure?” He said pointing at Applejack who suddenly looked at Rayne feeling panicked.

But the stallion just smirked at Tirek. “That won't be necessary. I didn't take this power from you just to become you. You will never again be a threat Tirek.” Applejack looked to Rayne feeling as if something inside her grew even closer to him. If he really had been planning to turn against her she knew that now had been his perfect moment. If she had even the slightest doubt about his character before, it was now completely removed from her system. Rayne looked over and gave her a smile, seeing in her eyes that she trusted him implicitly.

“You have what you wanted. Now, release me.” Tirek sounded like a poor withered version of himself and he knew it would take no short amount of time for him to recover. He looked up to Rayne with hope but was not expecting to see such a cold expression on the face of the stallion.

“I am not your jailer Tirek.” Rayne stated simply. On the inside he laughed seeing the centaur’s face fall with despair. He was tempted to leave Tirek like this but Applejack was watching and he still had other plans for the centaur. “But still, a deal is a deal. Cerberus, for the good of Equestria I ask that you let Tirek go. You heard the deal I made and you saw what he did.” He looked to Applejack and gave a head nod in their direction.

She sighed and looked to the three headed canine. “I can't believe I'm saying this but, I think that letting Tirek go is the right thing to do.” She bit her lip feeling disgusted with herself for saying it. But sure enough, a moment later Cerberus barked and the chain around Tirek’s hoof released him. All of a sudden there was a flashing of light and Applejack’s cutie mark was starting to glow. “Well would you lookie there. That IS what we were here for after all.”

Looking back to Rayne the centaur frowned while saying, “Given the circumstances I am not quite sure if I should thank you or not.” Rayne just shrugged, not caring for his thanks one way or another. Tirek had been right when he said that Rayne had gotten what he wanted. “Regardless, I will not remain here a moment longer!” After that he shuffled down from the platform and made a hurried attempt to limp himself from the depths of Tartarus.

“He probably has the right idea.” Rayne said, looking at Cerberus staring at them now.

“No argument here!” Applejack replied as the two ponies quickly ran for safety of sunlight, passing Tirek up along the way. About an hour or two later the ponies were both free from the underdepths and had haggled passage onto a passing train. They sat together in a booth both staring out at the beauty of Equestria with a renewed appreciation for the world they live in. “Whoooeee, it sure is good to be outta there. But Rayne, did we do the right thing? I mean, letting Tirek go like that? We didn't even ask nopony else first. What if the others get mad at us for what we done?”

Rayne just relaxed back in his seat looking like the cat that ate the canary. “Oh I wouldn't be too concerned. For better or worse I bet it likely that you will never have to worry about Tirek again.” He said, lifting a cup to his lips and taking a sip. “How is your tea Applejack?”

She smiled and took a sip of her own cup. “It's good, thank you. Some nice sweet tea was just what I needed to help calm the nerves. But seriously though, even without his magic he could still return with a centaur army. What if other centaurs have magic of their own?” She said taking a sip again.

“Don't worry, that isn't going to happen.” Rayne stated with a sense of finality that Applejack failed to pick up on. However now Rayne was watching Applejack and not the window.

“That... it, isn't going to happen?” She asked but in a softer tone.

Rayne continued, “Tirek won't be a threat anymore. He gave up that part of himself. Remember?”

Then Applejack responded with, “He gave up that part of himself, yes I remember.” She sounded so calm and sure in her tone now.

Rayne's eyes narrowed and he grinned as he levitated the blue glass vial from behind his ear to the floor. He crushed the vial with his hoof quietly and kicked the debris behind the seat. “Tirek gave up his magic and it's gone now. Cerberus confirmed it.”

“Tirek gave up his magic and it's gone now. Cerberus confirmed it.” Applejack repeated.

“I, Rayne, convinced Tirek of the error of his ways and reminded him that his own family was more important. I convinced Tirek that it was better for his magic not to exist. It was very impressive.”

“It sure was. You silver tongued that old goat and he didn't know what hit him. You convinced him to return to his own kin and do away with that magic stealing for good so it can't be done again. I ain't never seen fast talking like it before.”

“That's right Applejack. Now the only thing left to focus on is getting to our friends at the Crystal Empire. Until we get to them there isn't a care in the world right now. Just stare out the window and don't you worry about a thing until we get there.”

“Yeah, we do worry too much. There is more bad a comin’ but for right now let's just be happy to be alive.” After that Applejack just continued to stare out the window. She didn't even notice when Rayne stepped up out of his seat and made his way to the end of the train car. Furthermore, not a single soul was around to notice the dark stallion jumping off the end of the train and disappearing into the nearby treeline.

- Not Much Time Later -

A lone figure struggled over the dry and arid land of southern Equestria. The creature trudged through exhaustion, leaving a trail of withered movement in his wake. “Huuh, huuuh, soon!” Tirek wheezed, looking upwards over the horizon. “I can see… the red mountains… ahead. Then… through the forest to the dark rock… of my homeland.” He groaned to himself, struggling to make the journey.

“CAW!” Suddenly a black raven flew right passed his head startling the centaur.

“Get out of here! Stupid bird.” He spat and continued to push himself through the tiring journey. He had no food or water but motivated himself by remembering how he had once been a prince and ate like royalty. “I only… only have to… make it. Then all… will be well.”

“Caw! CAWWW!” Looking around above him he saw a dried up tree branch with several ravens sitting upon it now.

“Leave me be! You ominous things you. Begone!” He shouted, waving at them but they did not stir. Attempting to ignore them he continued on his journey. “Silly things. Ravens don't even belong in this part of Equestria. What are they doing here?” But just then they all seemed to take flight as if something had startled them. Tirek looked up and squinted through the heavy sun, trying to find the cause. That was until something large and black came into view from right behind him.

“GGYYYIIIAAAAHHHH!!!!” Tirek screamed as pain was suddenly all that his senses could understand. The next thing he knew he was rolling across the ground with the wind knocked out of him. As soon as he could look around, more pain could be felt on his flank as his back legs seemed to fall limp. “EEEYYAAAAHH!!! STOP! STOOOPP!!!” He shouted to his attacker. Looking down at himself he saw a deep bleeding wound on his side and another now at his lower back.

Tirek's eyes darted around in a panic now but he saw nothing but empty wasteland around him. That was when his heart sank with dread hearing a creak from the branches in the tree above him. What Tirek saw as his eyes slowly curled upwards was a large black feline the likes of which he had never seen. It roared down to him in a deep menacing voice with his own blood dripping from its fangs. “You are Lord Tirek! You will give me your magic! Give it to me or you will die!” It yelled and then reached down to bite into his upper shoulder so hard that it lifted Tirek from the ground.

“I CAN'T! I DONT HAVE MAGIC ANYMORE I SWEAR! PONIES TOOK IT FROM ME!” He shrieked.

The beast snarled still with a mouth full of the goat and then growled at him. “Where did you get the ability? Tell me!!!”

“From a wizard in my homeland! Near the Arimaspi Territory! There, beyond the red mountains and forest where the stone color turns gray! B-but he is no more! I was his sole pupil... there was a cave in! Now please! Stoooop!” Tirek whimpered, not thinking clearly from the pain and fear as he told the creature whatever it wanted to know.

Then after Tirek was dropped to the ground, the most unexpected thing happened. The deep voice of the beast lightened to more of a gentle tone as it leapt down from the tree. The claws receded to hooves. The fangs shrank into a snout. Eventually there before Tirek now stood a dark stallion but he was still coated in the centaur’s blood. “Thank you Tirek.” Rayne said. “I had to make sure you didn't keep something for yourself. I had to make sure you weren't holding out on me. And now I know.”

“Yo-y,y,y,y, you?!” Tirek stammered in disbelief which quickly changed into rage. “YOU?!” But now he was too weak and injured to get angry, coughing up more blood from inside. “Why?! I gave you what you wanted!”

“Not everything I wanted yet.” Rayne grinned.

“What more could I give you?!” Tirek pleaded desperately as he waved at his helpless self. “What would Applejack or your pony friends say if they saw you doing this?!” He pleaded.

But Rayne only grinned wider. “Applejack doesn't know about this. Nopony does. And no pony is ever going to see you again Tirek. You're never going to make it home, you're never going to make it anywhere actually. You see, the truth is, I'm not really a pony. And while disguising as one, there is a pleasure that I am denied.” The centaur's golden eyes spread wide as he watched Rayne shift back into his were-panther form. Now his voice was deep and menacing once again as he announced, “You see the problem is, ponies… don't eat meat!”

“No-NOOOO!!!” Tirek screamed as he turned over trying to crawl away. But then a large paw crushed down on his back, pinning him in place with its sharp claws. Looking back over his shoulder Tirek watched as the panther's fangs spread open wide again.

Then in the middle of the wilderness there was a string of cries with no one around to hear them… until there weren't anymore. The sound of black wings fluttered about nearby, leaving feathers in their wake. But the birds themselves were no longer around to be seen. Down below a mighty beast fed uninterrupted, as happens in nature to wounded prey traveling alone through the wild. Little remained once the feeding frenzy had finished. Abandoning now the scene of grotesque slaughter, the hunter stepped back the way he had come. After a quick cleaning spell he had picked up from the mare in Sombra's hideaway, Rayne licked his lips before telling himself, “Now, time to catch back up to that train….”

Author's Notes:

So first of all I want to give a little credit to Fluttershy here. Twilight is of course deeply sorrowful on the train. Spike might not be blood related but Twilight still considers him to be family. She feels responsible and guilty which is to be expected. We all know that Fluttershy can be serious when the situation calls for it but she usually backs down afterwards. Here though she stands up for a friend and doesn't back down because she knows that giving tough love can be the right thing to do. Way to go Fluttershy!

Okay now onto the big event of this chapter. Rayne's master plan is now starting to come into view. Or at least part of it is. He traveled to Tartarus to convince Tirek to give him his magical stealing power. If you remember back to the first chapter, my wife was telling me that in the MLP world I would have his ability. My response was, “Or I'd know how to get it.” Well now Rayne has it. But he isn't done yet. There is more to his schemes that are not revealed yet.

Also yes, this was a legitimate friendship issue. Rayne wasn't lying to Applejack. He really was trying to convince Tirek to change his ways and return home. He just didn't say that he had no intention of letting Tirek make it that far.

For those who read this chapter but skipped the death scene, here is the recap… Rayne gave Applejack the memory potion he got from Zecora. He made her forget that he took Tirek's power and distracted her so that he could leave the train. Then he shifted into his panther form and chased Tirek down in the wilderness where no one else was around. He murdered and then ate Tirek so that he could never return. Now there is no one left who knows that Rayne has Tirek's power.

Also who caught on that the ravens were a death omen? They were called forth as a sign that murder was about to happen, then once the deed was done the ravens disappeared. Were they real? Or just a symbolic manifestation of ill intent? You'll have to keep going to find out. Thank you for reading!
**My newest reflections blog is now out as well. Given the big events in this chapter I felt it was appropriate for another one.** https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/857762/ch-27-reflections