[Copied from https://pastebin.com/Dc9WvytQ] >Day Ponies Are Supposed To Be Small. >Usually you prefer waiting until the battle is over before entering. >Why would you sully your hooves with fighting? >These humans, as they are called, are calculating and deceitful. >Once one of them nearly shot you with a bolt. >How embarrassing would that have been? >To allow a simple crossbowman to hurt you. >Luckily, you had been paying attention and had noticed him moving. >Waiting for his moment. >His one moment of glory before death. >But, sadly for him, it wasn’t enough. >You stopped his bolt only inches from your flank. >Not a critical blow, but it would have made you look weak. >It took days for him to die. >You allowed one of his compatriots to watch. >To hear his friend screaming. >Then, you let him escape. >What would be the point unless the others learned of your cruelty? >After a few more battles, most humans gave up when you arrived at their cities. >Ponies are, of course, bigger than these creatures. >Not by height, but by size. >You look at one of them laying on the stone stairs. >Most ponies would be chest height to the nameless man. >He would obviously have to look up to you. >This makes you smile, as you continue climbing the steps. >Shadowbolts flank you on either side. >Usually you hardly notice them, but they are nervous and stay close. >”My Queen, it isn’t safe yet.” >You look at the cowering worm who dared speak to you. >Soaring or something. >You don’t quite remember. >All that you seem to remember is that he used to be a wonderbolt. >Since you are in a good mood, you decide not to kill him where he stands. >Instead, you offer him only a curt reply. “I shall decide what is safe, and what is not.” >He bows quickly. >”Yes, my Queen.” >Ignoring him, you continue. >Around you, you hear screams and the sound of battle. >The humans are putting up more of a fight than usual. >This was expected. >You understand their king lives here. >Anonymous. 1/6 >Whether that is his true name, or the humans dare not speak it, you aren’t sure. >All you know is that it took three days to breach his walls. >Their mares and fillies will make good slaves, but the stallions are too dangerous. >They must all be killed. >You finally climb all the stairs and see a garden. >Ponies and humans lay in a pile in the center. >You crinkle your nose. >The smell of death is fresh and raw here. >The fountain is a nice touch though. >It will have to include a statue of yourself, but that can be taken care of later. >At the far side of the garden is a large open door. >No. >It was a set of doors. >They were battered open and large chunks of splintered wood decorate the stone floor. >Behind it, you can hear shouting. >The sound of a weapon hitting armor. >A scream. >Then silence. >Your ponies must have killed the last defender. >Though you know your guards will disapprove, you enter. >A throne! >Again you smile. >It is, of course, just a simple symbol. >But sitting on it would essentially allow you to declare yourself Queen of All Humans. >The shadowbolts glide in silently beside you. >”You there! Stay where you are!” >The shadow bolts brandish their spears. >You furrow your brow. >Why are they ruining your moment of victory? >Then you see it. >A lone human. >He is on his knees. >The man wears plate armor, though blood is seeping through the joints. >A sword of some kind is beside him, on the floor. >His hand touches the hilt, though from his heavy breathing, you doubt he can lift it. >In front of him are four ponies. >All were hacked to death in one way or another. >Worthless. >The human notices you. >You watch as his eyes move from glassy, to recognition. >He coughs out blood, before speaking. >”You’re big for a pony.” >This makes you laugh. >Of all the stupid things to say, he chooses that. >Two shadowbolts approach slowly with their spears. 2/6 >No doubt they are cautious after seeing their fallen comrades. >”Be silent, human!” >He shakily moves his right leg so his foot is on the ground. >Then the other foot. >Finally he rises. >He wobbles as he stands, and it takes a moment for him to steady himself. >The human raises his sword, and rests the guard on his shoulder. >It’s nearly as long as he is tall. >A Greatsword. >Your shadowbolts hesitate. >Worthless. “Give up human. You’ve lost.” >”Never.” >You take a step forward. “And why would you continue to fight us? The battle is lost.” >He wobbles, and he has to change his stance to keep his balance. >”Not while I still stand.” >Normally you would kill him for daring to respond to you. >But, again, you are in a good mood. >You humor the dead man. “And why do you think you are so important?” >He takes several deep breaths as he looks at your soldiers. >Likely he is deciding if he has a chance. >With you here, he has none. >”I am King Anonymous. And as long as I stand, we will continue fighting.” >You raise your eyebrows. >This is their king? >A man who can barely kill four ponies? >You smirk. “And I am Nightmare Moon.” >You watch as he realizes his predicament. >A shadowbolt or two, he could kill, no doubt. >But a Queen? >The Queen? >He tries to stand taller. >”Good. Then we can end this here and now.” >You nod benevolently at him. “We can.” >You take another step forward, and he readies his sword. >The shadowbolts try to get between you, but you wave them off. >Annoying ponies. >You shall deal with them later. >It’s been a while since you’ve fought. >No doubt the exercise will do you well. >”Well? Get on with it?” “Eager, aren’t you?” >Anonymous bares his bloody teeth. >”I am.” >He still has fight in him. >Good. >Against your better judgement you decide to give him a chance. 3/6 “I shall make you a proposition. Lay down your sword, and swear allegiance to me, and I will allow you to live.” >”As a slave?” >You press your lips together. “As an exile.” >”And my people?” >You offer a noncommittal shrug. >He shakes his head. >”I can’t do that.” “Then we have nothing else to discuss.” >”Good.” >He lunges at you and swings his Greatsword. >You dodge his clumsy attack, and throw- >No, your magic has no effect. >Again he swings and you launch yourself into the air. >He allows the momentum to carry him, and nearly gets to grab a hoof. >But you were too fast and buck him to the ground. >His armor clatters loudly as he falls. >Again you leap to crush his skull, but he rolls away. >You can see cracks in the marble floor. >He climbs to his feet as quickly as he can, and lifts the sword above his head. >You circle each other, waiting for an opportunity. >You magic a spear from one of your shadowbolts. >He instantly lets go and allows you to take it. “How is your armor magic resistant?” >This makes him smile, but he doesn’t answer. >It doesn’t matter. >He will be dead soon enough. >You lunge at him, point first. >He dodges the thrust and swings his sword. >This time you aren’t quite fast enough, and stumble. >The point makes a deep scratch in your armor. >He follows with another blow, but you manage to block it with your spear. >The wood cracks loudly, but doesn’t break. >Still, you don't want to use a potentially compromised weapon. >He doesn’t have time to continue before you dash backward. “Another!” You command, and a shadow bolts hoofs his spear. >Again you begin your circling dance. >You weigh his movements. >He favors his left side. >Obviously trying to protect it. >That’s his weakness. >You feint to his right, and his moves his sword to block. >The spear easily finds the gap in his armor, and he shouts in pain. >Somehow he manages to stay standing. >He swings his sword, but he’s slow now. 4/6 >You easily avoid the blow and attack his legs. >He tries to move away, but your spear finds purchase. >Anonymous falls to his knees. >He desperately clings to his sword. >But you know he won’t last long now. “Submit, and I will spare you.” >”As a slave?” he repeats. >You lunge at him and he falls on his back. >You put the spear point at his throat. >He watches you closely. >Anonymous has one hand on his sword. >It won’t be enough to move that hunk of metal. “No. Being a slave would be too good for you. You will be tortured. You will beg for death. And, when I am sufficiently pleased, I may allow you to die.” >”Then I can’t accept.” >This makes you laugh. >It’s a deep laugh. >It’s absurd that a human would continue to fight when he has clearly lost. >He offers you two weak laughs. >Perhaps he thinks his defiance might win him some dignity. >You hear the sound of a blade leaving its sheath. >He grasps your spear with one hand, and the other has a knife at your throat. >”It would appear, the tables have turned.” >You bare your teeth at the insolent human. “It appears so.” >”Let my people go, and I will spare your life.” >An eternity passes. >You can’t accept his offer. >If anypony knew you bargained with a human, then they would say you are weak. >Still, this is the first thing to ever question you openly. >It would be a shame to kill him now. >He presses the blade closer, and you swallow. >”Well?!” >Beside you a shadowbolt shuffles. >Before he can react, the pony grabs the knife. >Anonymous tries to struggle, but he is too weak. >The knife clanks loudly on the floor. >Perhaps these ponies aren’t as useless as you thought. “Anonymous. The time for humans has come to an end.” >He lifts his chin, exposing his neck. >”Get it over with.” >You move your head to the side. >Even facing death, this human is defiant. >You watch him closely. >No one has ever disrespected you this often. >Perhaps he truly is worthy of being a king. 5/6 >You bite your lip. >”If you swear allegiance, I will spare you.” >He closes his eyes. >”And my people?” >You take a deep breath. >It would be a shame to kill him. >To kill somepony who would dare stand up to you. “All humans?” >He doesn’t answer. “All humans!?” You shout. >He coughs up blood. >”Just mine.” >You let out a loud huff. >It is better to make him wait. >To make him know that everything depends on your whim. >That you are the only chance they have. >The power you command is impressive. >Many have sworn allegiance without ever getting a concession. >But, you can be kind as well. >Silently you curse yourself. >Why is this man different? >You should kill him now, and be done with it. >Still, it would be good if you let him go. >Then other humans might think they have a chance. >Others will bow willingly, if you concede just this one point. >Against your better judgement, you again decide to take a chance. “They will be spared.” >”All of them?” “Only your people. Not all humans.” >He opens an eye cautiously. >The other soon follows. >”I suppose, that’s the best I can hope for.” >You press the spear closer, and he tries to move away. “That’s right. And my patience is nearly over.” >He looks away in shame. >”Fine. If that’s what it takes.” >You smile. “Swear allegiance.” >He coughs again. >”I swear loyalty, my Queen.” > > “And that’s how I met your father.” fin 6/6 There was an argument on the size of ponies in the slave pony thread. Personally I think that if ponies were big, they would easily enslave humans.