Silver knew that he was being baited. He recognized that inappropriate and heretical comments were just a part of Asmodeus' nature. He also knew that his temper was about to get the best of him. In his centuries of existence, anger was the one emotion he'd never learned to completely suppress. ****************************************************************************************** "Asmo," Nightshade warned, "just stop. This is a happy occasion. Don't ruin it by picking a fight." ******************************************************************************************** "Fifty bits on the Commander," Blackout commented. "Ow," he added, as Cricket smacked him upside the head.
"Jeeze, Silver." Asmo rolled his eyes. "I'm just having fun." "He really is an ***hole constantly," Azrael said. "This is nothing new."
"It is not impossible for an ordinary pony to live for a thousand years or more. Equestrian magic is very powerful." He glanced at the stairs. "Maya, an otherwise ordinary Pegasus, is over one thousand years old. My own mother was a scout in the Pegasi army before Equestria was discovered. She and my father still live in the village where they met."
Nightshade spoke up. "Well, I intend to live as long as I possibly can, and I'd certainly prefer you all join me."
Blackheart pulled out a file that held several old photos. "Before we decide where to go from here, I need to give you a warning: Stay away from the Night Guard. They're dangerous, especially to someone from outside Equestria." He rifled through the photos, and slid a picture of an armored Bat Pony across the table. "Their leader, Silver Crescent, is a murderous sociopath who claims to work for the good of Equestria, but in reality abuses his power to kill with absolute impunity." ***************************************************************************************************** Nightshade shrugged. "Eh, no big deal now. We've all got a good few years before we have to worry about it."
Xion: That sounds interesting. Why is this Silver Crescent allowed to do this then? Where I come from, you even apply for a job in law enforcement or somewhere like a Guard, and they put you through intense psychological assessments, then every 4 months they run psych tests on you again, just to make sure. One, to make sure you aren't a psychopath, and two, if you have a mental issue caused by the job they can get you help.
"Simply put, he does more good than harm. He and the Night Guard have saved many lives, and have destroyed many threats to Equestria. He has also killed dozens, if not hundreds, of ponies for no crime other than dissidence." Blackheart sighed. "Silver Crescent is a zealot. He believes that the Alicorn princesses who rule this land are infallible. Combine that viewpoint with years of combat experience, a personal army, and the misguided blessing of the princesses, you get the most dangerous pony I have ever encountered." He perked up, and brought out a bottle of wine and two glasses. "But come now, let us talk of more pleasant things! A toast! To our partnership! May it bring us both that which we desire!"
"You know what?" Maya struggled down the stairs, having refused Dusty's help, carrying the sleeping colt in her foreleg. "My daughter... and my son.... are gonna outlive me."
Nightshade looked at her curiously. "What makes you say that? You're not planning on giving up your potion, are you? Also, he's adorable and congratulations and stuff.""
"What makes me say that?" She held her honest, serious eyes on Raven, who had nothing to say back. "I'm better than my parents ever were. So why wouldn't my kids be better than me?"
