>>LAST TIME
>YOU WOKE UP, DAWG
>Cadence is your slave?!
>The Whole is an AssWhole
>You got sucked off by Cadence, who literally empties your balls.
>She does so as a domme from the bottom.
>The Whole is Not Amused
>Cadence is now desperately horny, and is waiting for your balls to refill on the way to breakfast.
>You step out of the Royal apartment, and immediately bump into two armoured ponies.
>One is a grey male unicorn with a slightly shabby beard.
>His name comes to you with a clash of percussion and the smell of strawberries - Fiery Reign, Director of Espionage
>The other is the familiar visage you encountered a couple of days ago in the barracks, the purple mare Raven Corvette.
>You hear an electronic guitar riff with the an exhilirating feeling of speed, along with her position as High Commander of Empire.
>They both bow to you.
>You stand there like an idiot for a second.
>Oh yeah, you're a king now.
>Apparently.
"Um...sup," you offer in greetings.
>Raven snorts.
>"Salutations to you too, King Anonymous," says Fiery smoothly.
>Raven breaks the bow and rolls her eyes.
>"Don't listen to this dumbass colt," she says, "He has a knack for saying stupid things."
>Fiery breaks his bow, looking shocked.
>"Am I not to address royalty such as King Anonymous so?" says Fiery, in mock - and it is mock - offence, "Especially when we're his Royal Guard!"
>He turns to you.
>"I apologise for Raven's brash behaviour, your Grace," he says, apologetic.
>Raven glares at Fiery.
>"I can apologise for myself!" she snaps, "And besides, it's Anon. You know, the Shard? We both know that he isn't like a stuck up noble."
>"Still," sighs Fiery, "I can only assist in aclimatising King Anonymous to his lofty position of power, to be a beacon to all crystal ponies, a solid rock to all Crystal Kind,"
>"More like aclimatising to innane sarcasm," utters Raven, lowly.
>Fiery simply grins.
>You blink stunned, then turn to Cadence.
>Cadence is eyeing Fiery a little too hard.
>And by "a little too hard" you mean "Half a second from tearing off his armour and rutting his cock till kingdom come".
"Is this normal?" you ask her, attempting to distract her.
>Cadence looks back at you, blushing.
>"Not...not really," she says, trying to keep a calm and neutral face.
>Which is difficult when she's panting that hard.
>She then adopts a quizical expression.
>"Raven, when did you get promoted?"
>"When the Whole was reorganising the cabinet," replies Raven, proudly, "He recognised my superior tactical skills and ACK!"
>Fiery quickly clears his throat and removes his elbow from Raven's ribs.
>"Know your Place, Slave," says Fiery, dangerously.
>Cadence bows her head, sadly.
>"Hey!" says Raven, stunned, "I'm allowed to talk to Cadence...aren't I?" she asks you.
>You nod, staring at Fiery through narrow eyes.
>"See?" says Raven, smiling, "So buck you,"
>Fiery looks at her, then at you.
>"She has to learn her place," says Fiery, monotone, "I love her as much as the next pony, but she has to learn. I'm sure you understand that it's out of our hands."
>Raven looks between you two.
>"What do you mean 'out of our hands'?" she asks.
>"King Anonymous understands," replies Fiery, ambiguously.
"How do you know about that?" you ask.
>"Director of Espionage, your Grace," he answers.
"That's not an answer," you reply.
>"I humbly apologise, your Grace," says Fiery, bowing.
>You blink.
"That's not an answer either." you boggle.
>Fiery remains bowing.
>Raven fights to stop herself from rolling her eyes, then regains her composure.
>"He has a nasty knack for doing that, Anon. Shall we go to breakfast?" she asks.
>You nod, unsure.
>Fiery breaks the bow, and both he and Raven lead the way for you and Cadence, who still has a bowed head.
>You FEEL a part of her is humiliated and liking it.
>Another part is hating the fact that she's humiliated and liking it.
>And another part is actually happy that Raven still wants to be friends.
>You gently stroke her mane assuringly.
>She moves back against her hand in thanks.
>"I must say that I love what you did with the place, my King," says Fiery, looking around and breaking your FEELs session, "The Royal Palace is much better layed out now, and much better adorned."
"What I did?" you ask, slightly confused.
>Fiery sneaks a look at you, then quickly looks ahead.
>"Let's just say-"
>"You did some pretty cool things, Anon!" exclaims Raven.
>Fiery shoots Raven an angry look.
>Raven simply replies with a sly grin.
>You walk along a corridor, one wall made of transparent crystal.
>The visages of ancient rulers made out of coloured crystal glow, the light of the sun filtering through them, amazingly lifelike.
>It's pretty cool, actually, it looks like they're moving a little.
>Then the portrait of Diamond appears.
>Or rather, King Diamond the Harsh
>He has a cocky grin on his face, sitting in a cooshy armchair, two collared mares on either side.
>You raise an eyebrow.
>He winks at you.
>You flip him the bird.
>He grins.
>You turn your head forward, imagining painting over his portrait with "I am a Giagantic Faggot please rape my face" to see Raven giving you a raised eyebrow.
"He's a dick," you reply.
>She nods, not really getting it, before facing forwards and continuing her trotting.
>You watch the sunlight glittering through the wall, which prompts a question.
"So is the sun still stuck in the sky?" you ask.
>"Indeed it is, Your Grace," says Fiery.
>Raven says nothing, but you can FEEL her irritation at Fiery, which grows as Fiery remains silent.
>"Yes, and Celestia still hasn't resurfaced," she adds, "And it's causing quite a few problems-"
>"Now now, Raven," interrupts Fiery, "King Anonymous can recieve the full debriefing from us and Framework when we reach the Royal Balcony."
>You internally groan.
>Framework.
>How are you going to face this guy now?
>You're a King, the vessel for his God, and you sucked his dick and liked it.
>How do you even say hello to him without looking like a complete twat?
>"Oh, so it's 'Framework' and not 'Grand Master Framework'?" says Raven tartly
>"Why yes, Framework is a good friend of mine," replies Fiery, completely untouched by Raven's venom, "played many good games of chess against him. I always lost, but the conversation was stimulating."
>You travel down a flight of stairs, and enter a wider corridor.
>"Oh, so Framework is just a friend, but Anon is 'Oh your Lordly Highnessness'?" Raven exasperates.
>"I know such diplomatic subtleties are beyond you, Raven, but please try to remember who King Anonymous is?" says Fiery, airly.
>"I know perfectly well who Anon is!" snaps Raven.
>The two continue to bicker as you approach the Royal Balconey.
>The corridor is lined with guards who nod or wave as you pass.
>You do the same in return, experiencing their songs and sensations and occassionally humming back at them.
>Cadence however has her head bowed, eyes clenched shut, trailing close to your rear, her swollen needy marehood on show for every guard.
>You can FEEL her shame and arousal, and her desire to JUST WALK FASTER DAMN YOU.
>Tears begin to prickle at the edges of her eyes.
>You can FEEL the guards looking.
>But you can also FEEL their devotion, respect and love for Cadence.
>And how most of them discretely look away.
>You smile.
>These definitely are good ponies.
>Cadence is now beginning to sob in embarrasment.
>Cadence really isn't having a good time.
>You reach behind you and place your hand on her head.
>You get all the Guard's FEELs and dump them into Cadence.
>Cadence jumps slightly.
>She sneaks out a glance to the side, watching a guard's eyes travel to the ceiling.
>She glances in the other direction, as a guard surreptiously closes his eyes as she passes him.
>Her head rises a little against your touch.
>"Thanks," she FEELs at you, happier.
>You step out onto the Royal Balconey.
>A table has been set up full of juicy delicacies, fruits and breakfast foods.
>You espy four ponies sitting at the table, and one standing.
>Raven stops.
>"Wait, they called the Cabinet?" she asks Fiery.
>Fiery simply walks off towards the table, ignoring her with his nose high.
>You look over the ponies at the table.
>A green pegasus with a song of a high soprano and the feel of silk sits enjoying a plate of apples, wearing a pair of sunglasses and a casual suit.
>The name Precious Ore, Minister of Noble Affairs comes with it.
>Next to him is a yellow unicorn mare - Lawful Castle, University Representative -, with a contralto thrum and the smell of coffee.
>She is reading a file through a pair of thin-rimmed glasses, expression serious.
>The standing pony is a white mare - Elusive Breath, Assistant - who is fidgeting next to Lawful, looking over the foods indecisively.
>Her song is a gentle melody of piano and the sound of birds.
>Framework sits next to Lawful, casually reading a newspaper, his deep soprano familiar and thankfully not Barry White-erotic.
>You feel a stab of anxiety at the sight of him.
>Your eyes quickly travel to the other side of the table.
>And you promptly stride over there and envelope Slutbra in a hug.
>She squeeks in a most undignified fashion as you hug the stuffing out of her, her song mingling with yours.
"Hey Slutbra," you FEEL rubbing your face into her neck.
>You feel Slutbra struggle against you.
>"Too...tight..." she wheezes.
>You release her a bit.
"Sorry," you say, smiling so hard you swear your face is going to break, "It's just...are you okay?"
>Slutbra blinks, then smiles and snuggles into you.
>"I'm fine Master," she FEELs, softly.
"I'm just...I'm sorry I-"
>"It's okay," repeats Slutbra, aloud and more firm this time. She breaks the hug and adopts a serious expression.
>"We can discuss this after our little meeting," she says, all business.
>You stare, his position coming to you - Arbiter of Civil Services.
>You look around the table.
>Precious is placing some folders on the table, Lawful is regarding you inquisitively, Elusive's eyes are sparkling with D'AWWWW and Framework is sighing, before looking at you.
>You can't hide the grimace.
>His face is taught.
>"Can we finally get this going?" says Precious, reaching under the table and coming back up with yet more folders.
>You grab some pancakes, bananas and orgone juice, and sit down next to your loveable cockslut.
>You blink, then look at the juice, wondering what the hell 'orgone' is.
>Or how you knew it was 'orgone'.
>Fiery quickly nabs some glittering pears and some strawberries, before sitting next to Precious.
>Precious looks at him, pauses, then shifts his seat ever so slightly away from Fiery.
>Raven pours a glass of blue rum, and sits down next to you.
>You briefly wonder what the time is for Raven to be drinking.
>Cadence looks around the table, longing to be in on it.
>She settles on staggering beside you, then slipping under the table, and putting her head in your lap.
>Your hand idly finds it's way to her ear.
>The physical contact doesn't help how out of place she now FEELs.
>'Do you reckon you could help me out?' you FEEL at her, 'The last time I went to something like this ended with Twilight playing with my dick in front of Celestia, Luna and half the Crystal Nobility.'
>Cadence looks up at you.
>The trace oif a smile pulls at the edges of her face.
>'Alright," she FEELs, nuzzling your groin.
>Elusive places some...recording machine...thing on the table, and hooves the 'start' button.
>"Alright, so begins the First Meeting of the Royal Cabinet," announces Lawful without preamble, "First order of business - what King Anonymous did yesterday."
>You regard Lawful curiously.
"I did something yesterday?" you ask.
>Lawful nods
>"Yes, and while we are rather thankful for your contributions-"
>"Ah, Law, perhaps if I may venture," smoothly cuts in Fiery, "I feel that I should clarify that we are talking about King Anonymous when he was in the Crystal, and not The Whole in King Anonymous' body."
>Lawful regards Fiery with a flat expression.
>Your eyebrows raise.
>I, as in me, DID something yesterday?
>"Yes, that is what I meant," she states, as if Fiery was simply pointing out the bleedingly obvious, "and while you did an excellent job in some respects, you made some poor decisions."
>"I don't think they poor decisions," says Precious, opening a folder. He holds it up, hoofing at various charts and photos of scultpures, "Some of them were absolutely amazing changes that he, and indeed all of Crystaldom, should be proud of. Especially considering how empire was a smoking wreck before he started,"
>"But some of them were poor decisions," replies Lawful, "Namely what happened with the Heart and the Equestrians,"
>Everyone shivers at the table.
>You blink.
"Um, can I ask exactly what I did yesterday?" you cut in.
>Lawful regards you as one might regard a grown man who was convinced he could fly by flapping his wings really, really hard stating that he was now contracted by the government to design new jet planes based on his new and innovative 'arm-flapping' technology.
>She points a hoof over the edge of the Balcony.
>You stand and walk over to the edge.
>Before lies the eastern part of the Empire.
>But instead of broken husks of burning buildings and shattered crystal, you see tall buildings made out of glittering perfection.
>Within them teems crystal ponies, their songs not sorrowful, or sad, or despairing, but full of the vigour of life.
>Underneath this life is an under current, a hint of fear at the sun, of what happened yesterday and of Equestria.
>The song increases in intensity and envelopes you, and you can't resist singing back to it, joining in, soothing the undercurrent.
>The buildings glitter, the ponies glow, and the crystal bubbles and warps, shadows dancing in the mid-day sun.
>You exhale, basking in the song.
>You look around, strange memories emerging, teasingly.
>Of things that were wrong put right.
>It's why you weren't really scared about your ponies, you instinctively knew that they were okay.
>That something was done.
>But...
>You clench your eyes shut against the weirdness that seems to be tugging at your sanity, dispelling the light-headedness you were feeling.
>You turn around and observe the ponies at the table are lightly glowing now, looking at their forms uneasily.
"So...I fixed...everything?" you venture into the quiet silence.
>"Yep," pipes up Raven, carefully taking a sip of the rum.
>"Except not," adds Lawful, standing up and trotting over to you.
>She leans on the ornately-grown crystal rampart and gestures to the city.
>"While you rebuilt the buildings, and brought the dead back, thus nullifying the destruction caused-"
"Wait, what?" you interrupt, "I brought the dead back?"
>"The freshly dead," states Lawful, "specifically those killed by the destruction and the Anchor."
>You blink in amazement and a little awe.
>You brought the dead back.
>You made friggin' crystal pony zombies.
>You're officially in Jesus territory now.
>Or Dracula.
>"But while you fixed the buildings," continues Lawful, dispelling the mental image of you in a dark cape and an indeterminate eastern accent, "you made strange changes. For instance, plates of unusual crystal have popped up on the ground around Empire. We, that is the University of Morphology, has no idea what these 'plates' do."
>You look over the edge of the balcony, spotting a glowing square of crystal in the plaza below.
"The glowing thing down there?" you ask.
>Lawful looks over the edge.
>"They...they weren't glowing before..." she replies, "Elusive, go down and investigate it."
>Elusive nods, turning and begins to trot inside.
>You blink, understanding sliding into your head.
"Do you want me to show you?" you say, casually.
>Elusive stops and looks at you, quizically.
>You gesture at the floor, feeling out for a familiar sensation from...yesterday.
>The crystal warps, and forms a bright glowing square.
>Lawful immediately trots up to it, revving the magic.
>"I can sense some magic from it..." she says.
>Elusive slides in beside Lawful, holding some strange implement and pointing it at the square.
>It goes 'bing!' and Lawful and Elusive look at each other, expression significant.
>All the sitting ponies get up and look at the square.
>"This must be a manifestation of the Shard's power," says Framework in a low, reverent voice, "To usher in a new Golden Age,"
>You fight to roll your eyes.
>You fail to see how he can be reverent when you literally sucked him off a couple of days ago.
>Cadence remains under the table, attempting to look through the other ponies legs.
"Now, all you need to do, is stand on it." you say
>You casually place your hand on Elusive's rump, and push her onto the square.
>Her piano thrum becomes briefly discordant as she squeeks loudly.
>The squeek is silenced as she dissipates into glowing specks, which then slam into the square.
>"I, huh," boggles Lawful, before turning to you, serious and angry, "What did you do!?"
>You walk over the the edge of the balcony and point down.
>Lawful looks over at Elusive, suddenly appearing on the plate below.
>Elusive looks around, disorientated.
>Lawful gapes at Elusive, then turns to you.
>"Was that necessary?" she sternly glares at you.
>You shrug.
>There's a tinkling noise, and Elusive reappears on the glowing plate on the balcony.
>"It's amazing!" she gushes, trotting over to Lawful, "When you get sucked into it, it's like you can feel where the other plates are! All I needed to do when I stepped on the plate this time was think about being on this plate, and it brought me here!"
>"And these plates are all over the city..." says Lawful, the implications dawning on her.
>"So that explains why the roads are so messed up!" exclaims Slutbra, examining the square, "If you take into account this teleportation grid..."
>"This is fucking amazing," gasps Precious, trotting over to the railing and looking over, "None of the Equestrian cities have a city-wide teleportation system that anyone can use!"
>"Think about emergency services, being able to transport critical supplies instantly, let alone commercial freight," says Slutbra, turning to Precious
>"The freight...oh that's a good one," says Precious, giddy, "The nobles will be eating out of our hands just for this!"
>You look at him, trying to figure out how on earth this guy is the Minister of Noble Affairs.
>And then you try and figure out what he doesl, exactly.
>"And think about being able to transport troops anywhere, instantly," awes Raven.
>"And think about the security risks, being able to transport anyone or anything by teleportation," groans Fiery.
>Slutbra looks at Fiery
>"Hadn't thought of that," says Slutbra, blinking, "Could make policing more difficult,"
>"Or easier," argues Raven.
>Lawful loudly clears her throat.
>"This is the exact sort of phenomena that I'd like you, or the Whole, to explain," says Lawful, serious, "The Library is now a solid block of crystal, and we've found some strange devices in Central Hospital. We'd like to know why. I'd like to have you accompany Elusive and I around the city at some point in the future, if you could make some time for us."
"I guess I can help out with that," you say, boggled.
>Lawful nods, then trots back to the table.
>It appears that being the Shard now enables you to pull some weird-ass crystal magic now.
>You remember blasting the Anchor, the power behind it.
>You regard the square, not sure what it all means.
>Through it you see the network beyond, the ponies quickly getting the hang of the squares.
>You haven't really grasped exactly how much of an impact you're having on the Crystal Empire right now.
>But it's a little overwhelming.
>Heck, there's an entire religion around you and The Whole for christ sakes.
>Every move you make, every decision you make, could have dire consequences now.
>Not to mention the fact that the Whole is going to make things difficult for you.
>Framework walks over to you.
>You FEEL him FEEL you.
>He puts his hoof on your hip.
>"I'm sure you're a little concerned, Shard, but understand - this is you now. You have more responsibilty and more power, but it is still YOU." he says, aiming for inspirational, "You were born for this, O Shard." he smiles slightly, "You'll do fine."
>You try to take his words to heart.
>But all you can think about is how awkward it was that you sucked him off.
>Framework frowns.
>"Dammit Anon," he says, quietly, "Couldn't you make this less awkward?"
"I know, it's just..." you blubber, "I'm feeling confused about it and..." you trail off.
>"So am I, Shard," says Framework, regaining composure, "But we can discuss this later."
>You sigh, having no idea how to begin talking to him about this new level of awkward you're in.
>"Later," he FEELs at you sternly, trotting back to the table.
>You're relieved that the conversation only went that far.
>But you're going to have to deal with that in the future.
>Yes, after all, you want to suck out all that hazelnut-
>Dick.
>Yes?
>Mr. Penis. Willie. Big Horn.
>I do so love the old names.
>Stop. I mean seriously, stop.
>Maybe later, can't really do shit at the moment.
>You sit down in your seat, Cadence nudging your groin again.
>"Are you okay?" she FEELs.
"I'm not too sure..." you FEEL back, stroking her mane.
>She gently rubs her face along your thigh.
>You feel faint stirrings down there, but they remain very, very faint.
>Cadence pouts at you.
>You pet her nose, smiling.
>"Now for the next order of business..." announces Precious, openning up yet another folder, "the messier order of business..." he adds, omniously.
>Before him lies many folders, covering the table.
>Each of them, you espy around the food, have a variety of seals and coats of arms on it.
>"King Anonymous," says Precious, looking over at you, "yesterday the Whole, through you, banned all Equestrians, Griffons, Zebras, Dragons...pretty much everything that wasn't crystal from Empire. Needless to say," he says, sighing, "this has had a bad backlash on our nation,"
>He tosses you one of the folders.
>"Basically kicking out not only the citizens but the diplomats of foreign nations is a rather dick move. Heck, most nations don't really understand what's happening here." continues Precious, "Considering how we're supposed to be holding the next international event here, an event about being 'the best friends ever' with each other I might add, well..."
>You pick up a folder with a sigil of a claw on it.
>You open it up, and skim through the sheets within it, your frown deepening.
"Welp, the Griffons don't like us," you say, tossing the folder back to Precious.
>"They never liked us, the pricks," says Precious, rolling his eyes, "and I can spare you the rest of the bullcrap: all the nations - ALL of the them - are really pissed off at Empire for doing this. The only reason we haven't had our shit kicked in's because you blew up ... whatever THAT was like it was nothing, and the fact that the sun is still stuck in the sky."
>You hand Precious his folder back, quickly glancing at the sun still stuck.
>"What, not going to show him the rest?" says Fiery smoothly.
>"I would, but by the Shard Anon, you read so fucking slow it's fucking painful to watch," Precious grimaces, removing the folders discretely.
>You frown at him.
"It wasn't THAT slow," you grumble.
>"It WAS that slow," you FEEL from Cadence.
>You mumble, angry and indeterminate.
>Fucking fast-reading ponies.
>"Truly you are the master of tact," says Fiery, thick with sarcasm.
>"At least I can tell somepony the truth instead of dancing around the issue like a bucking smart-ass," snaps Precious.
>"Well, if you want to insult the Shard and our sovereign, while also saying his name in vain, then be my guest," replies Fiery, testily
>"Get bucked Fiery," growls Precious, "Knowing you, you've already insulted him five ways since Friday!"
>"Now colts," cuts in Raven, condescending, "You can argue later, right now, we have a situation on our hands,"
>Precious and Fiery glare at each other for a moment, their songs combative and vigourous.
>Precious closes his eyes, exhales deeply, then turns back to you.
>"Once everything has settled down," continues Precious, dangerously calm, "we'll recieve shitty economical sanctions, tarrifs will go up, things'll get dangerous, not to mention that our ponies in other nations might cop a lot of shit from this."
"So, what do we do about that?" you say, worried.
>Precious regards you over the top of his sunglasses.
>"We need you to let them back in,"
>You blink.
"I don't think I can do that," you say, flatly.
>"Look," says Precious, "If you can at least let in the diplomats, let me show them around, let me explain to them what's happening, we may be able to smooth things over a little. We won't be able to completely go back to 'normalsies' with them, but I can at least lessen the impact."
"But you don't understand," you reply, gravely, "The Whole ... it ... I don't know, it's hard to describe, but basically it sees Equestrians, and other things like...like..." you struggle, "maggots eating away at it's gutst. And it really, really hates being nibbled on and soiled by gribblies like that."
>"But Cadence..." Precious leaves that hanging in the air.
"Has crystal bound directly into her horn, into her brain and into her everything else," you say, flatly, "And apparently even with THAT the Whole still hates her existance."
>Precious freezes.
>He slowly lowers his sunglasses, peering over them at you.
>"You bucking kidding me?" he whispers in horror.
>"Anon," interrupts Slutbra, "Perhaps you could explain to the Whole, to make it reconsider it's actions. While Empire should be a Crystal State, letting other ponies in will still be needed, for business and travel and many things besides."
>The rub your forehead.
"I have no idea where to even begin, let alone convince it to do so..."
>You FEEL Cadence inside you, calming and soothing.
>"You can have confidence," she FEELs, "While it won't budge on Shining and I, if you can convince it that it's in its best interests, it'll listen."
>"The Whole respects you, Shard," says Framework, "It will listen to your opinions, if it's in the Whole's best interests to do so."
>"Yes, we need more supplies of food and luxuries - some ponies depend on those for survival," says Precious, gesturing to the table.
>"And the tourism industry adds a lot more to our economy," adds Slutbra, sighing
>"Not to mention leaving us out of the loop literature wise wouldn't assist our technological research," adds Lawful, grim.
>"As well as endangering our citizens far afield," adds Fiery, serious.
>"We need you to overrule the Whole on this one," asks Precious, "I know it may be difficult, but it will be worth it."
"I can make no promises, but..." you sigh, then add "although now that I think about it, are we still hosting the Equestrian games?"
>"I'm...honestly not sure."  Slutbra says, looking over at you, "With everything that's been happening, I'm not sure anyone's really thought about that."
>"I HOPE they do," says Precious, "The boost to our economy will help our image as well as smooth over things with the nobles,"
>He looks at you, deadpan,
>"They're a little pissed off over all that's happened," he adds
>"But I don't think we'll allow it," says Raven, darkly, "Not after they had 'Sombra Get's Bucked' on national television. Heck, everyone was relieved we were suceeding from a nation that not only wrongfully imprisons a fellow ruler, but humiliates them nation wide."
>Your eyes widen as Slutbra freezes.
"That...actually was on national television?" you gape.
>You feel your stomach drop out from under you.
>You thought that Trixie was just messing with you, but if that actually was on national television...
>You're not quite sure whether to feel embarrassed, ashamed or enraged right now.
>You turn and look at Slutbra.
>You can FEEL her unease, her shame, and her trying to fight down the tears as she fights to remain professional.
>You reach out with soothing, loving FEELs.
>She raggedly inhales, then smiles gently at you.
>"Yes, it was," says Raven, darkly, against Fiery desperately gesturing her to stay quiet.
>Let's try rage.
"You have to be fucking kidding me," you say, "They really did that. No-one called in, or said anything against it. They just let it happen."
>"King Anonymous," exasperates Fiery, "we were under attack from the-"
"No, not you guys," you hastily clarify, "I mean the rest of them: Zebrica, Stalliongrad, Manehattan, Atlantis. Why didn't they do anything about that?"
>"Atlantis?" mouthes Precious, confused.
>"Not all of Equestria can call on god-like beings that can control celestial objects," explains Lawful, flatly, "Most of the vassals joined Equestria for that protection."
>"The most they could really do is offer a statement expressing outrage." says Precious.
>He quickly grabs Framework's newspaper and flings it over to you.
>"But now, with Canterlot invaded, and the Sun stuck in the sky, they are being a LOT more vocal about what happened."
>The Canterlot Herald Times blares "Celestia Missing?" from the front page.
>Underneath that are a few lesser headlines about Equestria attempting to reclaim Canterlot, but a lot of them are about comments of other vassl rulers.
"But they're still pissed off at us for kicking them out of Empire," you state.
>"Exactly!" exclaims Precious, "If we can bring them in, say that this doesn't have anything to do with hatred of nations, but more to do with the fact that a God has woken up, then they'll be a lot more forgiving. Right now the question is 'Where is Celestia?', but if we don't clear this shit up, the next question will be 'What should we do about the Crystal Empire?', and the answers won't be nice."
>You pinch the bridge of your nose.
>This is all very confusing.
>And yet completely sensical.
"Can't you talk to them at the edges of the Empire or-"
>"I need to bring them in and SHOW them," stresses Precious, "Otherwise they won't believe me,"
>You take a deep breath.
>You need to do this for your ponies.
'Alright, I'll try and convince the Whole to let in-"
>'We shall allow the diplomats," says the Whole suddenly, reverberating through the floor, "That is all."
>Lawful leaps off the chair and onto the table, Elusive joining her.
>They stare at the ground in fear.
>Precious perches atop his chair, scared shitless.
>Fiery flinches, while Raven draws out a halberd from nowhere and points it at the floor.
>Framework, Slutbra and you continue sitting as if nothing had happened.
>Cadence sighs, burying her face in your groin again.
>"Told you you could do it," she FEELs at you.
>You gently pet her, placing your legs either side of her body and 'hugging' her with them.
"How much of that was me or them, though?" you FEEL back, uncertain.
>Cadence ponders, staring at your groin.
>"Maybe...in convincing you, they convinced the Whole?" she FEELs.
>That...is a worrying implication.
>Quick, dispell this feeling with FOOD.
>You quickly gobble up a pancake, filling your stomach to settle yourself.
"Alright, I guess that settles that then," you say, reaching for and taking a sip of your 'orgone' juice.
>Tastes good, like a smoothy thickshake of sweets and fruit.
>"What settles what?" Precious quickly jitters, looking to you, then the floor.
>"That was the Whole?" says Lawful, leaning down and examining at the floor.
"Yeah," you say, "Why, doesn't it talk to you guys?"
>"Shard," explains Framework, "The only ponies that have heard the Whole coherently and directly from the crystal are Slutbra, you, and myself. And maybe Cadence and Shining. Yesterday, the Whole was more occupied with Cadence and Shining, so not many ponies have actually heard it, let alone understand it. Our fellow Cabinet members probably only heard incoherent noise."
>Lucky bastards.
>They don't have to deal with this bullshit on a regular basis.
>Oh god you have to deal with this bullshit on a regular basis.
>You internally groan as Lawful, Precious and Raven return to their seats.
"The Whole is okay with diplomats only," you clarify to Precious as he removes himself from his perch
>He looks up, stunned.
>"Alrighty then!" he quickly says, pulling a phone out from under the desk and quickly fiddling with the dial below the desk.
>You wonder if he has some sort of extra dimensional office under the table, from which he extracts all his equipment.
>"Now that that's settled," says Slutbra, "The next thing on the list is...that."
>The other ponies nod, solemnly.
"What is 'that'?" you question.
>Everyone looks awkwardly around the table.
>Except Precious, too busy with his phone.
>And Fiery, who clears his throat.
>"Yesterday, for some reason," he begins, "A lot of beloved ponies, and one or two griffons, dissappeared while the city was reconfiguring itself."
>He leans back, watching you carefully.
>"They apparently were taken away by shadows to the palace, specifically the Crystal Heart."
>Something edges into your mind, a distant memory.
>An unpleasant one.
>You feel light headed and sluggish all of a sudden, as you are dragged back to another time.
>You loved these disgusting things, and they were good to you and your Blood, but their forms repulsed you.
>Sickened you.
>You try to shake your head.
>"Now I'm hearing this second hand from my agents, but apparently, something happened," Fiery's voice grows distant
>You remember you wanted them to join you.
>But their souls were encased in vile bodies.
>"Something unpleasant," the voice is far away now.
>You bury your head in your hands.
>So, you did something about it.
>You took their fleshy, horrible bodies, and stripped their souls out of them.
>You remember their sick warm fluids splashing over your Self as you tore away at them, removing those base husks.
>You remember their vile flesh bouncing off your surface as you reached out and lovingly seized their souls.
>You remember their souls, lost and confused joining the choir.
>You remember their light, their voices, their songs, soft at first, then growing strong in the face of the choir.
>You remember their happiness at being joined with the Whole.
>"Anon, come back to us..." you FEEL.
>You blink a few times, struggling through the cobwebs in your mind.
>You're on all fours, a pool of vomit and half-eaten pancakes beneath your face.
>Your throat, mouth and nostrils are burning.
>You're tearing up like a bitch.
>"Anon...are you okay?" you FEEL Cadence, her concern deep.
>You struggle into a sitting position, your head spinning.
"Drink," you gasp.
>A glass is placed in your hand, and you roughly pour the liquid somewhere near your mouth.
>Some of it goes in.
>It tastes like orgone.
>You blink.
"What WAS that?" you croak
>"You were probably remembering your magnificence, O Shard," you hear Framework say.
>You focus on a yellow unicorn face in front of you.
>Lawful examines your face.
>"Was this what I think it was." says Lawful, flatly.
>You feel someone lick your face.
>Your eyes turn to focus on Slutbra's face beside yours.
>"Yep, that's stallion cum," she says, matter-of-factly.
>...what.
>Are you kidding me!?
>"Why on earth was Anon drinking form a glass of stallion sperm?" says Lawful confused.
>"Because it's tasty," replies Slutbra, before cleaning your face with her tongue.
>You feel acutely violated.
>You cringe and mourn your stomach's innocence.
>But you can't deny it tasted soooo good.
>GOD DAMMIT DICK.
>You break out of your disorientated reverie.
>Raven is standing next to you, staring at the glass, a look of bewilderment on her face.
>Framework, Lawful and Slutbra are sitting in front of you, watching you.
>Judging you.
>Precious leans around the table, the earpiece of a phone to his ear.
>Cadence places her head under your arm, and you feel a little better from the contact.
>Fiery looks down at you concerned.
>"Do you remember what happened?" he asks, tentatively.
"I...guess," you utter, "I...the Whole...we wanted to reward them..."
>'Reward?" says Fiery, hiding his bewilderment poorly.
>You feel you can do the 'standing' thing now, and attempt it.
"Yes," you say, uncertain, "It...we wanted to have them join the Whole,"
>"The Whole?" Framework starts, "They joined the Whole?"
"Their souls did," you say, finally standing up, "We despised their bodies," you feel disgust from the memories seeping into you.
>The feeling is yours, and yet not.
>And this disturbs you.
>"So, these ponies," says Fiery, "they aren't dead in vain, your Grace?"
>You look at him, then something emerges from the memories.
>You look down into the crystal, and reach out somehow, grabbing a song from the Whole.
>You raise your hand outstretched, and the crystal beneath it bubbles.
>Shadows dance around the bubbles, as a crystaline form takes shape.
>A rough facsimilie of a gryphon cracks out of the crystal.
>It's eyes open, glowing a fey blue.
>The mouth cracks open as it speaks.
>"Urgh," it grunts, it's form crunching as it stretches, little shards of solid crystal showering the floor.
>He looks around.
>"Where...where am I?" it says, it's voice masculine.
>"Red Tooth?" says Cadence from beside you
>The gryphon turns it's head to Cadence
>"Princess?" he says, startled, "Why are..whats..." he shakes his head, "Why am I here?"
"We wanted to know if you and the other new voices are alright," you ask.
>He nods, not really fully there.
>"Yeah, we're going okay," he grumbles, "And I was having a rather nice little experience with several crystal mares and a hottub, thank you very much,"
>You raise an eyebrow.
"Hottub?" you say.
>"What, I'm not allowed to enjoy myself? To add my voice to the Choir?" he says, offended.
>You continue to stare at him.
'Hottub?" you reiterate, "In the crystal?"
>"Oh," says Red Tooth, understanding, "it's like a dream world sort of deal," he explains, 'Where life's like a muscial,"
>You nod, understanding.
"I know the feeling," you say.
>You are in Equestria after all, and you're the avatar of a god that sings to it's ponies.
>Can't get closer to Red Tooth's sentiments than that.
>"So, you and the others are safe?" restates Fiery, eyes narrow.
>"Yep," says Red Tooth, "So, can I go back now?"
>You airly gesture with your hand, and Red Tooth disappears into the ground, bubbling away.
>You feel a little better, knowing they're happy.
>But you're still sick.
>Sick from the memories.
>Sick from the act of remembering.
>And sick and tired that this is your life now.
>Fiery regards the spot where Red Tooth was.
>'Can you do that with the others?" he asks, "One of my friends was amongst the ... 'new voices',"
>You shrug
"I think I can, I mean I can feel them, in there," you gesture to the crystal.
>Great, now you're aware of all the little voices in the choir.
>It's like when you start to manually breath; you're suddenly in control of something that usually is automatic.
>Now you have no idea how to make this queer sensation to go back to automatic.
>You collapse in your chair, already wanting this meeting to be over.
"Anything else?" you ask, wearily.
>Cadence's head quickly resumes it's place in your lap.
>"Yes, can you do that when the diplomats arrive?' asks Precious, writing something on a parchment, the earpiece cradled in one of his wings "It'll ease their worries if they discover that their citizens have ... "Ascended to Paradise" and not ... torn apart and murdered."
>Fiery grimaces at Precious as he sits down, but doesn't say anything.
"Sure," you reply, "Whatever,"
>Precious quickly returns to gabbing on his phone and writing.
>Slutbra clears his throat
>"There is one last thing we'd like to cover  for today, and that's the exiled Equestrians," she says, "They've made a sort of shanty town near the Canterlot Line train station. They desperately need supplies and shelter, especially considering they can't return to Canterlot proper."
"Why can't they go to the other states?" you ask
>"They aren't accepting them at the moment." replies Slutbra, "Something about nobles not wanting to have the burden of taking care of them, considering they're trying to retake Canterlot."
>"Honestly it's bullshit," cuts in Precious, "They're probably using that as an excuse."
>"They haven't really moved on Canterlot," adds Fiery, "So most of it is just politics, I'm afraid you Grace."
>"While I don't like the idea of doing so," says Lawful harshly, "We may have to deny them aid."
>'Wait, teacher, do you-" begins Elusive
>"I know it may look bad, but these are Equestrians, members of a hostile nation that humiliated our King, ourselves, and one of the Cabinet." She leans forward, "We can't let that go unpunished,"
>"We won't," spits Raven, "But this isn't the way to do it. Denying innocent ponies help-"
>"-is exactly what Canterlot did." finishes Lawful, "We have to do this. Or..." she looks at Slutbra
>"You want to get something out of it," says Slutbra, smiling cockily.
>"Perhaps," says Lawful, looking back at a folder.
>Slutbra nods, "There are a few things we can get out of this deal...that is, if you want to," she adds, looking at you.
>You tune out the bickering as you look down at Cadence.
>She looks up at you, fearfully.
>You reflect on your trial.
>On how they jeered at you.
>How they hated at you.
>How none of them helped you out in Canterlot.
>You feel sorely tempted to let them rot.
>Maybe even reach out and crush their pathetic forms.
>But...
>You sigh, shaking your head.
>You're not that harsh.
>You aren't Celestia, who'll screw the rules for her own satisfaction.
>You aren't Luna, who'll use the rules to justify her actions.
>You're Anonymous.
>And these ponies need your help.
"I guess you're right," you FEEL at the pink pony head between your legs, "I am a naive fool."
>Cadence gently slides up you and hugs you.
>"But you're my naive fool," she FEELs.
"Can we send them some assistance?" you ask aloud to the table at large, "WITHOUT strings attached?"
>Precious freezes, and looks at you like you're the second coming.
>"Ser-seriously!?" he stutters, "We can lend them aid officially!?"
>"After what they did to you in Canterlot?" says Fiery, eyebrow raised, "You're well within your rights-"
"Maybe I'm within my rights," you justify, "But it's not right to do it. Besides, these ponies didn't do me harm, they were up here, suffering along with the rest of you."
>Precious grins
>"You have NO IDEA how much this'll mean to Empire," he gleefully says, writing up yet more parchments.
>"Indeed," says Lawful, ominously.
>Raven however leans back, sighing in relief.
>"Now that's over with, can we finish this?" she fidgets, "I need to get back to the mountain of paperwork on my desk."
>Fiery turns his eyes from you, forming a smooth smile at Raven.
>"Well, now that Our Highness has granted aid to the exiles, that paperwork is going to get a little bit bigger,"
>Raven looks at him, then her eyes widen.
>"Damn," she groans, "I'm going to be responsible for policing them now aren't I?"
>"Until the situation in Canterlot has resolved itself, and Precious gets around to doing his job," replies Fiery.
>You hear Precious grumble a 'buck you, you lazy git' as he pulls his work off the table.
>"And so ends the First Cabinet Meeting," announces Lawful.
>Elusive quickly hoofs the 'off' button on the recording thingy, and picks it up.
>"I'm fucking off," says Precious, "I have so much work to do,"
>Precious casually trots off, no trace of his papers under the table or on his person.
"How the hell does he do that?" you say aloud.
>"No idea," smiles Fiery. He trots over to Raven, and offers a hoof
>"Shall we go, Milady?" he charms.
>Raven glares at Fiery, then promptly trots off, irritated.
>He smiles, watching her go.
>"Farewell, your Grace," says Fiery, bowing low to you, before dissappearing in a cloud of smoke.
>Lawful and Elusive pack up their things, and head for the glowing square.
>"We shall see you after the Minister of Noble Affairs has done his little tour with the diplomats," she says, bowing and disappearing into specks of light.
>Framework trots up to you.
>"I'm afraid I cannot talk now," he says, awkwardly, "I have to work on my sermon for later this evening,"
>He gives a quick stiff bow, then trots onto the glowing plate and dissappears.
>You lean back in your chair, tension leaving your body somewhat.
"Thank fuck that's over with," you say.
>That entire meeting was a trial.
>And you're going to have to do this, many times into the future.
>And you're going to have to talk to Framework about both his dick and...everything else.
>And you haven't met Shining yet.
>And you've got a bunch of crap in your head that makes you sick to remember.
>And a god-like entity is jerking you around because it thinks it knows better than you.
>You outwardly groan in irritation.
"Fuck my life," you utter, quietly.