The Shadow of Equestria
Chapter 27: The Sex District
Previous Chapter Next ChapterEric and Rarity strolled towards their objective before Eric detected a shop that was selling different odd shaped fruit.
Familiar fruits.
"They're selling Devil Fruits," Eric murmured to the unicorn next to him
"This could be awful for Celestia and her guard if any of them fall into the wrong hands" Rarity whispered.
"They already have," Eric growled, continuing on.
The second they entered the Sex District their ears were overflowed with blissful and lust filled moans. Rarity started to turn red at the sounds.
"Breathe," Eric warned her. "And keep your emotions in check."
Making an honest effort to overlook the hints of wild desire, Rarity followed Eric as she felt the eyes of every noble - male and female - devouring her beauty. The two passed a large number of shops, most selling different toys and drugs. Passing by one of the shops Eric's eyes widened as he inhaled in a familiar scent. He halted, feeling a woozy sensation.
"E..." Rarity caught herself. "Elton. Are you OK?"
"I know that smell," Eric said, approaching the shop.
Grabbing a canister with a pink powder, he found a single solidtary word painted in huge dark letters. Eric scowled at the compartment with outrage; he knew this specific drug generally very well.
"Lust." Eric growled.
"Right you are, my acceptable stallion" the retailer said, taking the canister from Eric's grasp. "An amazing aphrodisiac made and refined from a associate of mine."
"The Carapax hive was destroyed 1,000 years ago," Eric murmured to himself
"Oh, goodness, it was!" the proprietor said, before being engulfed in emerald blazes uncovering a changeling drone. "Luckily, our Queen survived and has perfected her blend."
"Perfected how?" Rarity asked. As she asked, she elbowed the disguised Shadow Man, and made him recapture control of his feelings.
"Well ordinarily it doesn't influence males and it never influenced any creature in its powdered structure," the Changeling said, smiling as he blended the powder in with a fluid and emptied the combination into an evaporator. The pink fume filtered into the tent close to him. "The vapor makes this ten thousand times more potent, on the off chance that both of you are intrigued it will make for quite an evening."
As the vapor poured into the tent, the screams and moans inside became louder. Rarity recognized a voice amid the clamor of combined lovemaking. Before Eric could stop her, the disguised unicorn burst into the tent and what she saw brought a look of horror to her face. Inside the tent were numerous ponies and other creatures going at it like feral rabbits! Her eyes, however, were on a naked grey earth pony mare who had three round rocks as a cutie mark.
"M...Marble?!" She gasped, shocked at the sight of her friend's sister in such a place and in such a state!
Marble lay on top of a grey stallion who Rarity recognized as Upper Crust. With him was a brown stallion she knew as Sealed Scroll. Both were going to town on both her holes while she had her hands on two other members, jacking them off rapidly. Her face and body were covered in spunk. In her shock, Rarity realized she had inhaled some of the vapor. She felt warmer; her nethers became much more sensitive against her clothes. And she noticed Marble's eyes had bright glowing pink hearts around her pupils. Similar to her own.
Without warning, Eric pulled Rarity from the tent. Eric turned her around and looked into her eyes. The Shadow Man exhaled in relief as he saw the pink heart already fading from her eyes.
"Lady Love, do me a favor," Eric said as the heart faded completely. "Avoid Lust...in any form."
"Sorry," Rarity apologized, glancing back at the tent. "But I heard Marble's voice."
"Focus on the mission," Eric said in a quieted voice. "I previously enlightened Celestia regarding this. Marble will be returned home."
"You're right... Elton," Rarity said. Steeling herself, she prepared to move along, before...
"Pardon me, sir," the Changeling said motioning Eric towards him.
Eric glared back at him, but the changeling's grin remained, even more malicious than before.
"Try not to think my Queen has overlooked what you've done... Reaper."
Eric's eyes widened. He turned fully to the changeling. "So, You're going to get us killed?" Eric asked.
"Goodness, no!" The changeling cried, returning to his pony form. "It would demolish my Queen's Plan. Kill her fun."
Despite his assurance, Eric took Rarity by the arm and led her away from the still grinning changeling. Out of the market they went, both shuddering at the things they had seen.
"Are you alright, Elton?" Rarity inquired.
"I'm fine," Eric said, before hearing the sound of a mallet.
"Sold!" a voice yelled out.
Picking up the pace, the two Devil Fruit users showed up at an auction. Rarity's eyes widened: a chained Earth pony with blue bruised fur and battered pink hair was being led off a large stage by what had to be an announcer towards a white unicorn with blue hair. Next to the announcer, another stallion hidden by a golden mask and crown watched, his mask twisted into a wretched smile.
"Mr. Wealth, I do hope you enjoy your new toy," an announcer said with a smile. "Furthermore, you can thank the Golden King for his generous gift."
"It was my pleasure," The man that had to be the Golden King said.
Rarity's eyes went wide. She had not heard that voice in years, but she would never forget it.
"Blueblood..." Rarity snarled, clenching her hands.
Eric noticed. He pulled her back away from the crowd.
"You know him?" Eric inquired.
"Sadly," Rarity said with toxin in her voice. "I met him at the Grand Galloping Gala. He only cares about his money, status, and his looks."
"That bad?" Eric mused, glancing back at the Golden King.
"Indeed," Rarity admitted. "I made a point to avoid him any time I came to Canterlot." She paused, recollecting the past. "Yet... I would often see him with unicorn mares. All of them had a similar fur color as mine and their hair were sloppily dyed and styled like mine."
"We can utilize that," Eric said, breaking his wrist with a grunt of pain. "He'll likely only accept the most noteworthy class as slaves himself."
Eric pulled the brace off his wrist. Venturing into his body, he pulled out a bottle that held numerous white tablets. With his harmed hand he pulled out a little holder of Lust from his pocket.
"How'd you get that?" Rarity asked the Shadow Man
"I picked that changelings' pocket," Eric said, giving the pills to Rarity. "Take one of those; they're a antidote for Lust."
"Be that as it may, isn't this a stronger blend?" the disguised unicorn inquired.
"Those tablets can withstand ten dosages of Lust," Eric clarified, opening the little holder. "And it’s powder form is when it’s at its weakest."
Rarity gulped the tablet before Eric put the container to her nose, Rarity breathed in the Drug and quickly felt woozy.
"Rarity, are you feeling yourself?" Eric said ensuring his friend was safe.
"I'm... I'm good," Rarity said, taking a gander at Eric with brilliant hearts in her eyes. "Somewhat woozy... but good."
"Good. I'm sorry ahead of time" Eric said, snatching her dress and ripping an enormous bit off. "Good enough."
Rarity covered herself, perceiving how the apparel holding her bosoms and lower body was just being held by a couple of strings.
"Are you insane!" Rarity yelled discreetly
Eric glanced around as though he was glancing as far as he could tell. "Little bit, yeah. But trust me" The Shadow Man said. Removing Rarity's Fire Ruby, he dispersed her disguise
"I couldn't say whether I do any longer," Rarity muttered as Eric placed his hand against the floor.
His shadow extended underneath the two making them sink into the floor. Both rose as the announcer left the stage.
"Pardon me," Eric said rapidly, pushing the brace back onto his arm. "Is the Auction over?"
"Afraid so pal, best return tomorrow" the announcer said, before spotting Rarity. "Wait...is that who I think it is"
"You know it," Eric said, faking a smile. "Shame I'll need to sell her tomorrow." The Shadow Man started to leave with Rarity, before being obstructed by the host.
"Hold up, the auction is soo not finished." the announcer said getting back to the stage with scramble. "Gentlecolts wait! Don’t leave; we have a last minute item!"
The group began to return. Already intrigued by Rarity's form.
"This arrangement of yours better work" Rarity murmured to the Shadow Man.
"Regardless of whether you remember him from his voice, it will be basically impossible for us to can charge him of anything without proof." Eric replied.
"You can bring her out now," the host said, sticking his head into the room.
"Go on doll-face," Eric said, keeping his cover with a lecherous voice. "I'll be with the others while you stand up their making me some of that glorious money." He smacked Rarity's rear for emphasis.
Rarity seethed, butstrolled forward all the same, keeping up the look as if she was under the effects of the drug. However Eric knew she was arranging his death. Eric left with different purchasers, keeping a mental note on the ones he could remember. He recognized the person who purchased Lotus: an earth pony with a light earthy colored hide and light blue eyes. His dark and grayed hair was slicked back. He wore a blue suit with a white shirt and a red tie, however his most notable attire was the triple money bag cuff-links. Plunking down, Eric watched Rarity stroll in front of an audience procuring stunned gasps from everybody.
"That is correct, some fortunate bastard figured out how to catch the Element of Generosity herself!" the Host said with merriment nonetheless before he could talk a starting price the bidding began.
"5,000 Bits!"
"10,000!"
"One Hundred Million Bits." Eric grinned when he heard the "Golden King" call out his offering.
His grin was detestable and lust filled as he stood and saw nopony else offer up a bet to counter him. "So what bonehead do I pay for my prize"
"Me," Eric said, rising from his seat, and pproaching the unicorn. The Shadow Man extended his hand. "Elton John."
With an unrefined grin, Blueblood ventured into his pocket and pulled out a gold key. Setting it into the bracer, the prince removed the restraint, permitting golden bits to pour from his hands.
"Take it and leave me to claim my toy," Blueblood said, making Eric chuckle. "Something funny?"
"You truly are a fool," Eric replied, ripping off his brace and allowing shadow to pour from his body as his disguise faded. "Not a single one of you is leaving this auction! You will all face punishment!"
Fear replaced the greed and lust. The aristocrats bolted for the exits, but black tendrils maneuvered them all into shadows.
However, when Eric moved to claim Blueblood... his tendrils passed right through. Smiling, the unicorn thrusted forward and slammed his hand into the Shadow Man's face. Gold quickly spread from the unicorn's hand encasing the shadow man in solid gold.
"Eric!" Rarity shouted, stunning Prince Blueblood.
"What!" Blueblood stammered. He stepped away from the gold figure as the shadows under it began to move. "Eric Von Shadow. The Shade who served King Sombra?"
"The one and only," Eric said climbing from the shadows without his disguise. He glanced at the statue of himself and pulled the ring from its finger, storing it in his body. “Not a bad likeness; just not as handsome”
Blueblood tried to run. Eric wandered casually after him, pulling out a rapier and a cloak.
"Go get Lotus," Eric called, throwing the items to Rarity.
“Don’t think you’re off the hook because of this Eric,” Rarity snapped, tossing the shroud around herself and taking off to where the ponies took Lotus and the other slaves.
As Rarity vanished after her friends, Eric gave chase after Blueblood. The prince pulled and shoved others aside in hopes of tripping the Shadow Man. However, Eric jumped over each and every one of them in his pursuit of the prince. Tiring of his chase, Eric erected a wall of shadow, blocking the Prince's path path. Blueblood briefly struggled to break through before Eric's voice made him freeze.
“Enough running Blueblood” Eric said, slowing to a stop a full ten feet from the prince. “It’s time you face your aunt for your crimes.”
Reluctantly, Blueblood turned back to the Shadow Man. "What crimes?" he demanded. "They were nothing but commoner filth! Not a single one of them really mattered."
Shadows wrapped around Eric's hands, forming claws as he growled. "All of them mattered!"
Blueblood looked around frantically before his eyes landed on the stalls. Each one had bits either on or under it. His smile returne, and his arms coated themselves in gold.
"The only thing that matters is one's status," Blueblood lectured. "And one's money!"
Without warning, every piece of gold within the underground market began to swirl around Blueblood. Eric merely stood there as he watched the gold above move around the prince.
“The Gold-Gold Fruit,” Eric muttered out. “Fire, Gas, Smoke, Sand, Ice and now Gold?" He sighed. "Everywhere I go, I’m surrounded by Logia users.”
“Gold Rush!” Blueblood roared, sending the golden bits at the Shadow Man.
Eric raised a shadow wall to intercept the bits, however the gold began to break through the hardened shadow. Eric jumped back as the wall gave way pelting the ground with gold. Blueblood didn’t stop there and turned the bits to molten gold.
“Now it’s time I show all you unless peons why I am a cut above the rest!!!” Prince Blueblood said, levitating the molten gold around him and forming it into a giant sphere.
A hail storm began; deadly riches fell upon the black market. While some were unlucky enough to be hit by the gold, Eric was safe as the gold phased through his body.
“And what, pray tell, was that supposed to accomplish?” Eric growled.
“To show you all that I can do as I please!" Blueblood declared. "You should be honored to be killed by royalty. At least your life would have some value!"
“Royalty?” Eric laughed. “Please, you are nothing more than a peasant pretending to be a king.”
Blueblood's face turned red. “A peasant? Me?!!! How dare you insult a superior. I am a prince; soon to be a king, and soon to be a GOD! And if you think I'm going to let a little wretch like you get away with such insults think again...” he surrounded Eric in a sphere of gold with a hole in the front. Through the hole, Blueblood shot a beam of light inside.
Blueblood stood for a moment, waiting for the Shadow Man to emerge from the surrounding shadows. However he never surfaced. Blueblood was about to celebrate his triumph over the Shadow of Sombra... but then he saw when several tendrils rise from the hole. They pushed their way through revealing what looked like a black octopus made from Eric’s shadows. The shadow creature plopped on the ground with a splat and a splash of red, before glaring at Blueblood with red eyes of rage.
“I’m going to start beating you now.” The octopus said as it grew and turned into an angry and bleeding Eric. “I don’t know when I’ll stop.”
From Eric’s hand, the Shadow Man formed a blade over his arm, but Blueblood struck first.
“Oh no you don't!” He hurled his own blades of gold.
Eric tried to slash them away, only for them to burst into molten gold, splashing and pinning him to the ground. Eric melted into the shadows to escape his golden bonds, but didn't resurface.
“What’s the matter?” Blueblood shouted looking around him. "You call me the coward? Me?!"
Despite his words, he felt fear in his heart at the lack of the Shadow Man. Blueblood surrounded himself inside a golden sphere with spikes for defense, however an idea came to mind for the Prince. Using his powers he recalled the gold that hit the ponies of the market with them still attached. The gold began to spread around them encasing them in gold with fear filled looks plastered on their gold faces.
Eric immediately pulled himself from the shadows. “You ARE a coward! Using others as a shield?”
“The people should be honored I turned them from worthless dirt to something of value," Blueblood retorted. "They should be happy that my feet are standing on their very being!"
Eric was confused until he noticed the gold statues. Their feet fused together, lifting the spiked sphere off the ground. The gold took the shape of a large beast which reared its head up and let out a mighty roar.
Blueblood laughed as the sphere receded and morphed into a throne which he happily sat upon. “Isn't it glorious Eric? These people are so lucky and honored to become the stepping stones of my God hood! Look at their satisfied faces” He waved his hand at the faces of the people he enslaved.
“You are beyond vile, Blueblood,” Eric growled as shadows began to surround the Shadow Man. “I think you have an overdue date with the Reaper!” The Shadow Man slammed his hand on ground.
Shadow Soul: Soul of the Reaper
Eric’s size increased by an additional five feet as his skin melted from his bones. Forming a puddle of darkness below his feet, the shadows below ran up Eric’s body forming robes of shadow. In his hand a large scythe of shadow emerged from the palm of his hand.
“You’ll regret your actions, Blueblood” Eric’s eerie voice sent a deathlike chine down the unicorn's spine.
“Y-you think a Reaper can take down a God!” He used his light magic to enhance the reflective surfaces of his golden lion.
Eric glared at the unicorn through the sockets of his empty eyes. “There are no gods in this or any world!” The Shadow Man shot forward going straight for Blueblood’s neck.
The Lion's jaws clamped down on the Reaper’s boney arm before throwing him back to the ground. Before the Shadow Man could recover the lion slammed it’s massive paw into his body.
Eric let out a hiss of pain as he felt his bones crack. A sound that brought a smile to the Prince’s face.
“How does it feel to be in the presence of a living God?" Blueblood demanded. "Not even Celestia can compare to my Radiance! l will become the new rising sun born from the old!!!” Blueblood took bit of gold from his throne and molded it into a crown, which he placed on his head.
Eric however began to laugh hysterically, which caused Blueblood to pause.
“Find something funny, Eric?”
“You are a fucking idiot, Blueblood” Eric laughed as he stabbed the blade of his scythe into the lions leg causing it to let out a roar and try to move off him. “Only Celestia has the power to move the sun.”
Eric struggled to stay on his feet before the shadow covered and repaired his bones before forming pair of wings over his back. Taking to the sky, Eric formed another scythe to replace the one in the golden beasts leg, with a flap of his wings Eric went after Blueblood. Only this time, when the lion tried to hit him, the scythe in its paw turned to chains, halting it's attack. Unfortunately, Blueblood pulled a statue from the lion and uncovered the gold around it, using the pony as a human shield. Eric hesitated, allowing the lion to spin and hit Eric with his golden tail. As Eric crashed into a series of stalls, he reverted to his human form which caused Blueblood to laugh.
“Oh well look at that! Looks like the grim Reaper is defenseless without his precious shadows,” he mocked
“Speed isn’t an option here,” Eric murmured, stepping out of the wrecked stalls. “I’m going to need something stronger and more durable.”
"Go ahead and try as you might but nothing can stop the radiance of my light!!!"
Eric reached into his body and pulled out a whistle, putting the object to his mouth he blew into it yet no sound came.
“Keep him busy, Pitch!” Eric shouted, before a black ball of flame attacked Blueblood.
The fire exploded revealing a black Phoenix which pecked and scratched at the prince.
“Ugh what is this?!" Blueblood shouted. He swiped at the phoenix and shot light beams at it. "Go away, you are damaging the perfection that is me!”
“Good Boy,” Eric said, slamming his hand to the ground as the Shadows swirled around him.
Shadow Soul: Soul of the Knight.
Eric was immediately swarmed by the surrounding shadows, covering him in a cloud of darkness. Without warning a large figure slammed into Blueblood’s lion knocking it back, Blueblood looked back at Eric in shock. Where the Shadow Man once was, now stood a hulking figure armed with a large sword and a large circular shield. Black plated armor covered his body as a black torn cape bellowed behind him, his red eyes aimed right at the Prince.
“What in the name of Equestria is that horrid abomination?!” Blueblood uttered as he trembled in fear
“Your Damnation” The Black Knight growled as it approached the prince, gripping its sword.
“Onward my faithful lion, destroy that desecrator!!!”
The Lion leaped at Eric with jaws ready to bite the man’s head off. At the same time, Eric lunged forward. But when the Lion landed, his mouth lacked any part of the Shadow Man. Eric appeared behind the golden creature with his blade against the ground.
“Ha, Nice try,” Blue blood shouted out. “Now kill him my Loyal pet”
However the beast didn’t move.
“Shadow Slasher” Eric whispered.
Without warning the Prince’s lion split down the middle, dropping the prince to the ground. However despite the destruction of his beast all the people he captured were left unharmed and undamaged.
“No. NOOO!!!" Blueblood shouted. "You peons are worthless. I gave you riches and you squandered it all just as you have always done!!!” The Prince used his power to reform his beast, but he didn't make it try to face the Shadow Man.
“I believe it’s time I take my leave” Blueblood said, lifting his arm forming a massive sphere of molten gold to form. “Just be honored that your deaths will be worth more than your pathetic lives. CITY OF GOLD!!”
He threw his gold sphere to the ground, and the sphere exploded like a grenade, sending the gold everywhere. It covered everything from the stones to the people including Eric who was now frozen with his sword stabbed into the ground. Blueblood laughed as his lion broke out of the underground market and into the sky above Canterlot.
“So long Eric Von Shadow. Looks like my God hood stays intact!”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that, 'nephew.'”
Blueblood’s eyes shrink as he whipped his head around and came face to face with Celestia and Luna both having disappointed looks on their face. Behind them was the Entire Pegasus Guard as well as Luna’s Lunar Guard blocking his path to freedom.
“Oh!" Blueblood stammered. "A-Auntie Celestia! And Auntie Luna! W-Why are you in a place like this?"
“Don’t think you’re getting out of this Blueblood,” Luna spoke, glaring at the unicorn. “Lower your beast and accept your punishment"
“What?! But I brought these miserable wretches my presence. They should be grateful for being a part of my glorious beast!”
“Blueblood," Celestia boomed. "As Princess of Equestria, I hereby place you under arrest for taking part in the illegal dealings of this Black Market!” Her Pegasus Guard approached the Prince
“What?! Why?!”
Celestia pulled out the handkerchief that Aloe found with her sister's hair inside. “You Ponynapped an innocent pony from Ponyville and sold her,” Celestia growled. “Stand down now Blueblood, before your punishment becomes more than you already losing everything.”
“Everything?” Blueblood stammered
“With these actions, you’ve forfeited your title, your home, your money, and will be forced to live within the poor district and under constant watch.” Luna responded as her eyes narrowed at her Nephew
“This is ridiculous. I was doing the world a favor turning the less desirable into something that gives a sliver of value!!!!”
“ENOUGH BLUEBLOOD!” Celestia yelled using the Royal Canterlot Voice. She turned to her guards. “Arrest him."
The Pegasus Guards moved to Blueblood with weapons and cuffs on them. Blueblood disbelief turned to rage.
“I think it’s time you finally retired Auntie,” Blueblood said moving to attack.
Without warning the Wings of his beast were removed. Blueblood got one moment to blink in confusion before he and his golden Lion fell to the streets of Canterlot. Groaning Blueblood Opened his eyes to see Eric standing over him with a Sea Prism brace on his wrist.
“Good to see your awake, Your majesty” Eric said with sarcasm in his voice.
“Where am I? Why are you looking down at me in such a manner, you peon!” Blueblood moaned in disgust
“I’ve been called worse,” Eric said, putting his knuckle gloves on and punching Blueblood so hard he knocked a tooth out. “Now you may arrest him.”
“What of the others?” Celestia asked before noticing multiple shadows coming from the hole to the black market. Hundreds of various creatures were pulled from the hole.
“I managed to pull everyone into the shadows before Blueblood destroyed the market,” Eric said, bringing two Rarity and Lotus to the ground and removing the shadow from their body.
Rarity removed her shroud and placed it on Lotus before walking up to Eric. For a moment, Eric just sighed as Rarity glared at her. Then the white mare slapped Eric across his face.
“I deserve that."
But Rarity was not done. Putting all her force into her leg, she slammed it into Eric’s crotch. Several of the male guards groaned in sympathy. Eric fell to his knees cupping his boys and trying very hard not to cry from the pain.
Rarity grabbed the Shadow Man by the color of his clothes before bringing him to her face. “I am going to make you suffer for this.” Rarity dropped Eric and helped Lotus move towards the castle.
Celestia and Luna watched her go with wide eyes, before Luna turned to Eric in concern.
“Are you going to be okay, Eric?” Luna asked.
“No...” Eric said, slowly standing. “Just have your men arrest the others while I carry the victims to the medical ward.”