This is a back story of one of Platinum Sword. He is A unicorn with interesting abilities and interesting luck.
Platinum Sword is a unicorn that was orphaned after a small band of dragons destroy the town he was born in. his mother did everything she could do to save him, and when a Captain of Canterlots Royal army saves him and decides to raise him himself Platinum's life gets to start now.
I would like some feed back on the story to see if its worth keeping up and continuing on. If it is I will send it to a friend to fix my horrible grammar but before that happens I would like to see if it is worth it.
Please don't be too cruel on comments but be truthful.
“Sir!” a well armored unicorn trotted up to another unicorn, who despite having less than half the armor the first was wearing, gave off a presence he is in charge and that he earned it. He wore a breast plate of silver with gold trim. His trimmed green mane and tail swayed lightly in the wind. He brought up a hoof to rub the tears from his eyes as the smoke from the destruction was biting at them. A white cloak that covered a golden lance cutie mark on his flank flapped softly against his body. He looked up at the unicorn standing there saluting him waiting for permission to speak.
After a couple of seconds he saluted the soldier, “Report”
“Sir as far as we can tell, the dragons didn’t spare anypony.”
An earth pony walked up next to the soldier and also saluted, “Captain Lance, you may want to see this sir.”
'See this?' He wasn’t sure he wanted to see anymore. In a small town with a little over a hundred ponies in it, not one survivor has been found yet, with the body count is still rising his attitude continued to drop. Still he knew he had to go and see what it was.
“Lead on then Private,” Lance ordered in a toneless voice.
The unicorn giving his report looked at the Captain with a look of confusion, “uh sir my report?”
“Find the LT and give it to him,” he told the soldier as he walked away. The unicorn saluted him then looked around not sure were to begin his new search.
After what seemed like forever walking through destroyed and still burning remains of houses, and watching soldiers carry out victims of the attack wrapped in what used to be white sheets but now are stained either black, or red, and sometimes both, the earth pony lead Captain Lance to a small gorge.
The earth pony stopped next to the edge and waited for the Captain to approach, “Look Sir,” he pointed to the bottom of the gorge where the Captain is easily able to make out the large golden body of a dragon.
Just as the Captain is about to give an order to the earth pony, a red Pegasus landed next to the Captain, “Sir I just received the full report and…and…” the pegasus looked down the gorge at the dragon, “Well at least they were able to bring one down”
The captain rolled his eyes, “tell me why I promoted you to Lieutenant again?”
The Lieutenant smirked at the Captain, “My devilish good looks and charismatic personality.”
“It obviously wasn’t for your brains Lieutenant Nova,” The Lieutenant was about to argue before the Captain continued, “I want the medical team down there treating the dragons wounds,” He looked at the Lieutenant, “Now!”
Lieutenant Nova turned to the earth pony and gave him the order to assemble the medical team then turned to the Captain, “OK question one is…”
“yes,” the Lance said before the Lieutenant could finish his thought, “the dragon is wounded but even I can hear it breathing from here, and before you ask we both know that no pony survived and this dragon was not taken out by a small village of peaceful ponies,” Nova looked at the dragon and after a few minutes the Captain continued, “the wounds are too large and deep for even most of our best spell casters to pull off.”
Nova looked back up at the Captain, “What are you saying Lance? That he was killed by dragons?”
Lance slammed his hoof onto the ground, “we may be friends Lieutenant but we are in uniform and you will address me as your superior officer.”
Nova waved it off, “Whatever, Why would a dragon be taken out by his own kind?”
Lance looked down at the dragon, “That is something I hope the king and I will hope to get out of him.”
Nova smiled, “Do you really think the King will come…” Nova's face darkened from the realization, “You want to bring that thing back with us?”
Lance turned around and started to walk away, “I do believe that that this dragon was trying to defend this village.”
Nova looked at the dragon with suspicion, “And what if your wrong?”
“The king will be able to carry out the dragons sentence himself,” he walked into the middle of town.
Nova caught up with the Lance, “The Kings orders were to eliminate any hostiles”
“Does that dragon look hostile to you LT?” Lance asked with a sideways glance at him
“If I said not yet would…” a loud bang came from a building caught their attention.
Lance's horn lit up with a light green glow and a large lance took shape as he moved closer to the building. Nova fallowed with his wings out revealing blades on the both of them, “Cap?”
“Wait here,” Lance whispered as they reached the door, “If it’s something to hard for me to handle get the troops,” Nova nodded and crouched down ready to spring into the air and a moment’s notice. Lance walked into a small store. Off to one side of the store it looked as if the store was still up and running right now. The other side turned the seasoned warrior’s stomach as blood and mangled body parts were spread everywhere. A small noise caught his attention which he was glad for since he couldn’t pull his eyes away from the carnage on his own. He slowly walked over to shelf that was knocked over and lifted the shelf with his lance and almost dropped it in surprise as he noticed a pony underneath it. He flipped the shelf off her but his hopes are quickly dashed to pieces as the mare was only ripped almost in half, but somehow she was still alive. “LIEUTENANT! GET YOUR FLANK IN HERE NOW!” he picked up the mares head as softly as he could. She looked at up at him as tears where running down her face. She moved her mouth as if to say something but only a gurgling sound and some blood come out. Lance tried to quiet her but she grabbed his hoof and looked at him with eyes that told him to please understand. She then pointed a weak and trembling hoof to a small over turned counter. Lance was confused at first but as he looked into her eyes tears start to fall. As he continued to look at her he could almost hear in his head a plead for help.
“Captain I heard you yell and..” Nova gags at the sight as the Captain gently places her head down and walked over to the counter, “Captain?” Nova looked at him as he walked over to the mare and lifted her head. His first though was she would have been very beautiful but the more he looked at her all he could say was, “no, you still are beautiful,” the mare smiled softly at him and coughed up a bit of blood and turned her head to the Lance who was standing next to the counter now.
Lance looked at the counter and considered for a second that this might be a waste of time till a small sound came from under it. He froze and glanced back at the mare who moved her mouth as if trying to say something again. Lance could tell without her using up anymore strength that she was begging him to continue. He looked back at the counter and lifted the counter up using magic with little effort, and when it was clear his heart dropped as on the floor wrapped in a small thin blanket was a foal. Lance walked over and gently picked it up and held it close to him. It was shivering slightly and didn’t do anything except a small whine as he picked it up, it was in bad shape and he knew it. He looked back at the mare who still wore a look of pleading then he he looked at the foal then back to her and nodded. Her expression softened as she was finally able to enter her eternal sleep.
Nova wiped a tear away from her eye as he set her head gently on the floor pulled of his cloak and covered her body with it, “Captain what are you going to do now?”
Lance took off his own cloak tied the foal to himself making a sling for the foal to be supported in, “You’re in charge Lieutenant I want a detailed search now and I want the dead prepared for proper services.”
Nova saluted, “What about you are that foal?”
"I will be taking him back to the camp he needs medical attention now,” Lance wrapped the foal in a magical aura to keep the foal from bouncing around. Report back to me when the dragon is read for transportation. He then took off in a full sprint heading out of the town. The main camp was about an hour away but with his proper training and discipline he reached it in about twenty minutes ignoring soldiers saluting him as he headed to the medical tent.
Inside the medical tent two doctors and three nurses were all sitting and waiting for the scouting party to bring in wounded civilians. They all jumped as the captain entered the tent and saluted him he took a second to catch his breath. He took a second and peaked at the foal who didn't look like he was disturbed in the run, “I need you to look at him and make sure he is going to be OK.”
A pink colored nurse walked over to the captain and took the foal from him gently, “Oh my, he is a little mail nourished,” One of the doctor walked over to the foal and opened his eyes and using a small light illuminating from the tip of his horn looked into them, but as he looked into the eyes of the foal the doctor’s snapped his head back in surprise, “Wow now that in rare.”
Lance, thanked the nurse as she gave him a flask of water, looked up, “What is?”
The doctor looked at Lance smiling, “normally a foals or fillies eyes are many colors, a unicorns eye color determines the color of his or her magic aura,” He looked back down at the foal and smiled softly but has a small hint of sadness in his eyes, “This little unicorn has silver eyes, which mean he might have trouble with magic. We don't understand why yet but...”
The other doctor frowned, “does his mother know of his condition?” He shot a look at Lance who turned around not wanting to make any eye contact. The doctor swallowed hard, “Lance? Where is this foal’s mother? Where are the other survivors?”
Lance dropped his head, “I personally brought you all the survivors in that town,” The doctor examining the foal looked up at him in surprise. The other doctor, eyes wide, leaned up against a table for support. The nurse who gave Lance a drink fell to the ground, “no! please tell me it’s not true,” the other nurse walked over to her and wrapped her in a hug.
“She had family in the town sir,” she said sadly.
Lance bowed his head down, “I’m sorry to hear that, if you need to you may take the rest of the day off,” he looked up at the nurse hugging her, “You as well please keep an eye on her”
The nurse comforting the other looked up at the Lance with admiration “Thank you sir,” as she lifted the now crying nurse up and out of the tent.
The doctor checking on the foal looked at Lance sadly, “What of the foal?” He looked back at the foal as the nurse helping him ran a hoof through the foals mane as a tear fell from her eye to the bed, “He will be alright Lance but…”
“I will take care of him,” Lance said with sternness in his voice that told them there will be no arguments, “I’m not sure if it’s because I feel sorry for him or if it’s because I am a war orphan myself, but I let his mother know before she finally passed on that I would take care of him.”
The nurse looked at the Lance, “Sir. What is his name?”
Lance looked at the little foal who looked back at him with those silver eyes and smiled up at him weakly, “He is a strong one, those eyes seem more precious than simple silver… Platinum… Platinum Sword.”
Lance found himself walking through a dense forest not sure where he is or where he’s going at the moment. After a few moments of walking he entered a small clearing with something in the middle of the clearing sitting there with its back to him.
Lance stopped noticing who it is that is sitting there, “Platinum? What are you doing here buddy?”
Platinum turned his head and looked up at Lance who just raised an eyebrow at him. Platinum blinked a couple of times then turned back to what he was staring at. Lance glanced up at it as well and noticed a sign which said, 'What Will You Choose?'
Lance walked over to the sign reading it over in his head, “what will you choose? What is it talking about?” He tried to direct the question at Platinum who just looked at Lance with curiosity before standing up and walking past Lance turning around and sitting down in front of the sign and looked at Lance, “What’s going on Platinum?”
Platinum glanced to his left a path then lit up with a bright white light. Lance looked down the path and noticed a unicorn that looked very familiar. Lance quickly glanced at Platinum who just looked back at him, Lance turned back at the unicorn. The unicorn looked back at Lance sadly then turned down the path slowly and walked down it without a second glance.
Lance looked back at Platinum, “what was that?” Platinum turned to his right and another path lit up. Lance walked over to the path slowly as this path instead of a bright white light this glowed with a dark blue and purple glow. As Lance looked down the path it felt wrong, like something is telling him to stay away. He peered down the path he noticed again some pony standing down the path. The figure turned around and Lance took a step back as an Alicorn with silver eyes that glow with a dark violet aura glared at him, “Platinum?” Lance said in a weak voice as he continued to step backwards slowly. The Alicorn Platinum smiled at him wickedly and turned down the path and walked away from him.
Lance turned to the little Platinum who is sitting next to the sign still looking up at Lance, “I... I am going to be choosing what is going to be happening to you?”
A voice from behind Lance made him jump in surprise, “No these are just two possible outcomes that may be in store from him,” Lance spun around and is taken back as he watched himself slowly make his way around him stood in front the young Platinum who smiled innocently up at him.
Lance continued to watch the other when it hit him, “This is a dream isn’t it?”
The dream Lance smiled, “Took you long enough Captain,” he bent down so that Platinum could grab a hold of his muzzle with both of his front legs. He then lifted Platinum off the ground and Platinum climbed on top of his head and slid down his back. He stood up but only briefly as he curled up into a ball in the middle of Lance's back.
Lance watched this as a little bit of warmth rose up inside him. As Platinum finished making himself comfortable on the dream Lance the Lance that was watching looked at him curiously, “He means a lot to you huh Captain?”
The dream Lance shook his head, “I am no Captain,” He turned around slowly and showed the other Lance that half of his face was gone, “but yes, this little foal will turn out to be more that you could hope for,” despite the shock Lance received from seeing himself with only half a face, his expression lightened up as he looked back at Platinum. The dream Lance smiled at him, “you will have to make a choice but for now,” his voice changed, “Hey you going to wake up or not?”
Lance opened his eyes to see the face of Nova smiling at him, “Morning Sleeping Beauty”
Lance sat up rubbing his eyes trying to keep the memory of his dream fresh but it just continued to slip away. Lance grumbled at Nova slightly annoyed, “great there goes my great day”
“Ah come on Lance I even brought you a cup of coffee,” Nova smiled as he held a still steaming cup out to him. He leaned against a small table littered with random trinkets.
Lance stood up from his cot and walked over to a small bucket with water in it and a small mirror hanging above it. He used his magic to levitate a small orb of water out of the bucket. He tipped his head back and dropped the water over his head. The cold water sent a shiver down his spine but it dis the trick of giving him a quick wake up call. He then rubbed the water out of his face with a small towel before speaking to Nova again, “first how many times do I have to tell you Lieutenant Nova? While in uniform you must speak to me with proper respect.”
Nova smiled at him, “Well I do believe the day is still early so it will be many times before we go to sleep,” He took a sip of the coffee and Lance levitated the cup out of his grip and placed it on a small table next to him.
Lance sighed slightly, “What do you have for me then?” He said will little emotion as he started to tighten straps on his his breast plate.
Nova walked up next to the Lance, “Well the dragon you wanted brought back to health is well enough that he wishes to speak with you, and you received a letter from the king,” He held out the letter to Lance who finished clipping his cloak on and took the letter and read it.
Lance sighed again, “If it isn’t you It’s him,” He folded up the letter and set it on the table, “He wants to hold a party for the birth of his daughter.”
Nova smiled at the Lance, “and let me guess it’s a formal party dates required?”
“I swear you two will be the death of me or at least a massive embarrassment that I may never recover from,” Lance breathed and he exited the tent
Nova fallowed him out, “Ah come on Cap. is finding a date for you really that bad.”
Lance started walking away from him, “Did the dragon say anything else before requesting to see me?”
Nova frowned at him for changing the subject, “Except a couple of thank you’s and apologizes…. not really…um Cap the dragon is in the other direction,” as he noticed which way they are going.
Lance glanced at him, “I am aware of that Lieutenant. I want to see Platinum before I get too busy today."
Nova smiled at him, “Right sorry first thing first”
They reach the medical tent and walk in. The doctors saluted them as the walked in and two of the nurses fallowed the doctors lead by saluting the two officers. One of the doctors spoke up, “here to see Platinum Sir?”
Lance looked around hopefully, “Yes where is he?”
One of the nurses looked up at him with a large smile, “Oh nurse Crystal Care wanted to take him for a walk today”
Nova smiled behind the captain, “yeah the little guy has become somewhat of a ray of light for the camp.. I guess you could call him the camp mascot.”
Lance sighed lightly, “It’s a blessing that he bounced back like he did after what he has been through”
The others in the room all looked a little sad because of the past few days of dragging corpses out of the ruins and laying them out to try and identify them. The only ones who have been identified were Crystal Cares family.
Lance looked up after a moment of silence, “It’s nice to see Crystal Care has found something to bring a smile back to her face.”
The other nurse smiled softly, “yes the poor dear spends all day with Platinum Sword. I think she has taken a real shine to him.”
Nova mumbled to himself, “Platinum’s not the only one she has taken a shine too.”
Lance shot a glance back at him, “You say something?”
Nova cleared his throat, “I was thinking since he isn’t here right now let’s go speak with that dragon and come back.”
Lance nodded and turned to the doctors, “Tell Crystal Care I will be around later to see him”
The doctor’s nodded and start talking about the upcoming funeral the king wants to do for the town.
Lance and Nova leave and start walking in the direction of the dragon. Nova looked at Lance, “So about your date problems?”
Lance rolled his eyes, “There is a time and place for everything, and now is not the time nor the place”
Nova grinned as he got ready for a fun fight with this topic till Lance stopped, “What’s wrong Captain?” He fallowed Lance's stare and he smiled wide up at Lance as he noticed a light pink unicorn with a blue and purple mane walking in their direction smiling at a small foal that is levitating in front of her giggling and smiling back, “Oh,” Nova continued to smile as he spun around to prevent himself from laughing out loud.
Crystal Care walked up in front of Lance, “Oh Captain,” she saluted, “I guess you wanted to see Platinum huh?” She levitated the little foal up to Lance who smiled as Platinum opened his front hooves out wanting to be picked up by Lance.
Lance using his own magic grabbed the foal out of the air and brought him up to his face and Platinum wrapped his front hooves around Lances muzzle smiling and giggling excitedly, “It’s fine Crystal I’m just glad you and him are becoming such good friends, especially since I can’t be around to see him right now all the time.”
Crystal Care frowned at him, “Don’t beat yourself up Lan.. um Captain, You will make a terrific father you just have a hectic job right now.”
Lance levitated Platinum back to her and she used her own magic to take him back. Lance looked at her with a soft smile, “Be that as I may, it’s still nice that you too have such a good bond”
She looked at Lance with as concern spread across her face, “What’s wrong Captain?”
Lance looked into her violet eyes and felt a little heat building up in his cheeks, “it's um... nothing I have a couple things to do today so if you want you can keep an eye on him a little longer I will come by and see him when I am done.”
She looked at Platinum with a smile as her cheeks became a bright red color, “Why don’t I just bring him by your tent I wanted to talk to you about something anyhow?”
Lance cheeks flushed a bright red, “Um sure if it won’t be a problem for you.”
She smiled at him still red, “no not at all. Just don’t take too long Captain,” she walked by Lance smiling and cooing at Platinum.
Lance watched her as she walked away for a few moments till the Nova cleared his throat. Lance looked at the Nova who is holding a watch, “Wow Cap I don’t think you blinked for 3 full minutes.” Lance rolls his eyes again and continued his walk, "aw come on Lance your head was bobbing from side to side with her..."
Lance spun on him anger in his eyes as he glared at Nova, "shut up now Nova or so help me..." He spun back around and continued to walk. Nova decided to let it go for now.
They walked in silence till they reached the dragon he is far too large for any tents so they have him taking shelter in a large barn. As they approached the dragon lifted his head off the ground letting the sun glisten off his golden scales, “I assume you are the one in charge of everyone here?”
Lance walked up close to the dragon hi expression held no emotion, “Yes I am Captain Lance What may I call you?”
The Dragon bowed slightly, “You may call me Edge Captain, and please let me thank you for sparing my life.”
Lance bowed his head respectfully, “Of course. What kind of Captain would I be if I didn’t help out someone who tried to help defend a defenseless town?”
The dragon looked at him in surprise, “How did you know that I tried to save this town?”
Lance smiled, “I think it would be a little hard for even every pony in this camp to do the same amount of damage to a dragon of your size and power. That tells me you were attacked by another dragon or to be exact several.”
Edge put his head down in shame, “And I have failed to save them”
Lance smiled up at Edge, “Well I managed to find a foal that is doing quite well now”
The dragon glanced at the Lance confused, “I meant my fellow dragons,” but he smiled, “But it is good to hear that a little one survived,” Edge then bent down close to Lance, “What is to become of me?”
Lance didn't flinch, “I would like you to come to Canterlot with me and speak with my king to tell him why a band of dragons decided to attack a defenseless town such as this.”
Edge pulled his head back and raised an eyebrow, “And if I refuse?”
Lance turned on the spot, “Then have a good life sir, I have things that need to be done including getting every dead pony ready for a mass funeral that my King is going do for the ponies of this town,” He stopped and spun on the dragon, “The town your fellow dragons butchered.”
Edge accepted defeat, “very well Captain I am well enough to travel let me know when we are going to head out and I will fallow”
Lance bowed his head respectfully and smiled up at him, “Thank you I will let you know when we are prepared to leave,” he turned and started walking back to the camp.
Nova walked up next to Lance a little worried, “I can’t believe you just talked down to a dragon!”
Lance looked at Nova in surprise, “where have you been?”
Nova looked away, “I had to…. talk to some of the….guards around him and….make sure he wasn’t dangerous.”
Lance smirked at Nova, “Please tell me how dangerous a Dragon the size of a three story barn with scales harder than magic infused steel with claws that can slice a pony into 4 even slices before he realizes he is dead and a fire breath that could melt a hole through a mountain? I am very interested to hear about this.”
Nova looked at Lance with a mixture of annoyance and hurt, “I do believe you are being sarcastic sir and if that is the case I think you should work on it more.”
Lance smiled in victory, “I have no idea what you are talking about LT. I think you should go lay down you don’t look so well.”
Nova frowned at him, “I’ll take that as an order,” he laughed, “see were your sarcasm got you?” As he called out to Lance who is still walking away from him.
Lance still smiling yelled back, “It got rid of you didn’t it?” Nova stood like he won the argument till he deflated and looked around lost for a moment. He turned and walked away trying to figure out how he lost. Lance feeling victorious walked to his tent, as he entered he almost walked into Crystal Care who shrieked a little, “Crystal I thought you were coming by later?”
Crystal Care had her hoof up to her chest and is breathing heavily, “I was but instead I didn’t have anything to do so I decided to come by and wait for you,” She looked at Platinum who is asleep on Lances cot, “After he fell asleep I got bored and started to straighten up a little in here.”
Lance looked around his tent and his jaw dropped as he never has seen his tent look this nice, “Wow Crystal this is a nice change.” He walked around her and looked down at Platinum he smiled down at him and ran a hoof through his mane making him move around a bit but not waking up, “You said you wanted to talk to me about something?” as he glanced back at her.
She crossed her front legs nervously, “um I wanted to ask you if you weren’t doing anything after we returned if …..you would like to get a bite to eat together?”
Lance glanced at the mirror hanging close by and noticed his face is very red, “um actually I do have plans when we get back and..”
Her face turned bright red, “I know I accidentally read the letter from the king about the party,” she turned her head away, “if I had known that you had a special some pony I wouldn’t have tried to…”
Lance looked at her confused, “What makes you think I have a special some pony?”
She turned her head to look at him, “I assumed so because of the way the king saying you had better bring your date this time.”
Lance face hoofed, “I am not the greatest at asking some pony out to a formal party. The last time I did ….. wait are you asking me out Crystal Care?” fully realizing what is going on.
Crystal turned around her face a very bright red and smiling softly, “I mean… I have come to love Platinum Sir, and to be honest I have started having feelings for you since you brought him into the medical tent,” She took a couple steps closer to Lance who took a step back, “The more I see what kind of stallion you are and what kind of stallion you will be around Platinum the more I am attracted to you,” Lance backed into the wall of the tent and Crystal moved up closer till she was inches from his face. Lance put a hoof up to stop her from getting closer. Her eyes snapped open wide “I uh…” she pulled her head back in surprise, “I don’t know what came over me Captain I...” She takes a few steps back then turned around and started to run, “I’m sorry.”
Lance teleported in front of her before she exited the tent and noticed tears rolling down her face, “Crystal I don’t’ know what just happened to you,” he looks at her with his face stern and his voice hard which made her cower down and slowly back away, “I am a Captain of the Royal guards,” he started to walk toward her and now she backed into the wall of the tent tears still falling from her eyes, “I put my life in danger constantly.,” When he got a few steps away she closed her eyes and then his voice softened, “Could you really deal with that in your life?”
her eyes snapped opened as she looked up into his face noticing his face is now sad, “What?”
He continued to look at her for a few moments then looked to Platinum, “I will be honest and say I have been having feelings for you as well, but…” He looked down at his hooves, “But I don’t want you to be hurt by me getting hurt or worse di…..”
She cut him sort by pressing her lips against his, and after a couple of seconds she pulled away and looked him in the eye, “I would be hurt if I ever lost you before our time Lance, but if I never get that chance how can i really say how I would feel.”
With that Lance couldn't help but smile, “I am a hoof full just so you know?”
Crystal smiled back, “Is that a challenge Sir?” she said with a smirking.
He then straightened up, “Well then I guess I have no choice,” he bends down slightly, “Would you like to accompany me to the Royal party?”
She put a hoof gently up to the side of his face, “Sir! Yes sir,” As she pulled him closer and gave him a proper kiss.
After a few minutes they separated and she walked to the entrance of the tent and opened the flap letting the sunlight in. Lance walked over to Platinum, who is now awake and judging by his flank sticking out from under the blankets has been awake for a little while now, “Well how long have you been awake Mr.?”
Platinum pulled his head out looked up at Lance then to Crystal then back to Lance smiling. He spread his front legs apart smiling, “Da da”
Lance froze and looked up at Crystal who just smiled at him and put a hoof up to her mouth. Lance looked back down at Platinum and with a shaky voice asks, “Wha…What did you call me?”
Platinum stood and up grabbed Lance around the neck, “Da da” Lance shook as he put a hoof around Platinum. Platinum looked at Crystal and put a hoof out to her. She looked at him her eyes wide. She slowly walked over to him and put her head close to him, which he does his best to hug her and Lance at the same time.
Lance looked over to her as she closed her eyes as tears slide down her cheeks, “I guess we have our approval,” Lance straightened out and looked at her, “come on then Crystal we need to let everyone know that we are heading out in three days, and they need to be ready to move out in two,” Crystal still not able speak right now picked up Platinum and nodded as she wiped away the tears from her eyes.
Outside the tent Nova sat against the wall of the tent smiling, “And she didn’t believe me that he liked her,” He stood up straight, “well I still have to get yelled at a couple more times for calling him by his first name and the day is running out,” He jumped into the air, “And I have to congratulate him as well,” He said with a smile as he took off.
It didn’t take long for every pony to get ready to go. Everypony had something they were in charge of and officers were in charge of making sure that everything was packed right and that some pony could carry it. Lieutenant Nova was good at making sure every pony was pulling their loads, so Captain Lance has to make sure Nova is pulling his. “Lieutenant Nova! I do believe that we need more bodies to pull medical carts or funeral carts.”
Nova smiled at him, “Good thing you managed to talk the dragon into helping us out then.”
Crystal Care walked up next to Nova, “that may be true Nova; he is helping with the medical tents,” Nova watched her walk by and stand next to Captain Lance, “There is still a few funeral carts that need to be attended too.”
Nova narrowed his eyes at her and smiled wickedly, “Well then I guess you need to find one and hook up to it then huh?”
Crystal smiled back, “sorry LT but Captain Lance is having me carry Platinum and everything to take care of him along the way.”
Lance walked over to a rather large cart, “Come on Lieutenant even I am getting my flank hooked up to a cart. That means you are too,” He glanced at Nova as two other ponies hooked him up to it.
Nova looked at the cart in surprise, “You are dragging that cart all the way to Canterlot Sir?”
Lance looked back at it, “No, I am dragging two carts, this cart and one of the funeral carts,” Just as Lance said that the ponies who helped him hook up to the first cart hooked up a black and gold trimmed carriage to the larger cart.
Lance took a step back, “Um Sir I don’t think this is a good idea?”
Lance glanced over to Nova, “we don’t have the pony power to spare,” Crystal walked up next to Lance carrying a couple of saddle bags with an energetic foal walking in front of her smiling up to Lance. Lance smiled back at him then looked back up to Nova, “we need every pony on this one Back Lash”
Nova sighed in defeat, “fine I’ll take up the rear with a couple funeral carts,” he turned and started to walk away but glanced back to see Crystal and Lance laughing at Platinum who just sneezed and fell to his plot, “how did you manage to get a father that tough kid?”
Lance looked back after a few minutes, “ALL RIGHT EVERY PONY, LETS ROLL!” Lance started to pull the two carts with minimal effort. The rest of the caravan fallowed suite.
Crystal Care took advantage of her light load with Platinum and brought water to every pony. As she is happily delivering to everyone she noticed the large gold dragon easily dragging four carts behind him. Her expression hardened as she walked over to the dragon she glanced up at him and asked him rather harshly, “Are you thirsty?”
Edge looked down at her in surprise, “no, but thank you,” he continued to watch her as she just glared at him, “is something wrong?”
She never dropped her glare, “I still can’t figure out why Lance didn’t have you finished off while he had the chance,” She jerked her away from him, “why did he save a DRAGON of all things.”
Edge raised an eyebrow at her curiously, “I take it you are Crystal Care then?” She whipped her head around in surprise, “Lance told me what you have lost in our many talks,” she tightened her jaw and looked away again. Edge's attitude became sad, “I asked Lance if it would be alright if I could apologize to you and the little one you are carrying.”
Crystals Expression softened a bit as she looked up at Edge's face. Edge is not looking at her anymore but just looking down at the ground in front of him, “why didn’t Lance ever tell me about it?”
Edge glanced at her, “he thought that right now with you losing your family so soon, he thought that you might hate me and not give me the chance to try.”
She thought to herself for a moment and figured that Lance was right, “and why should I even give you a chance?” Her voice slowly rising, “I lost my mother and father, my little brother,” tears started to fall to the ground from her eyes, “my brother was going to be turning ten this year,” she shut her eyes tightly and she yelled at the dragon now, “AND NOW BECAUSE OF YOU DAMN DRAGONS HE… He…” she couldn't even finish the thought as it was far too painful. Platinum leaned up against her, she pulled Platinum in a tight hug sobbing softly.
Edge bent down close to her, “know from the bottom of my heart that I am sorry that I couldn’t save them,” Crystal opened her eyes and looked at Edge with a teary sad look, “I did everything in my power to stop by brothers from doing that horrible act.” tears start to form in the dragons eyes “I couldn’t do anything but watch as they held me down.”
Crystal put a hoof on the Dragons arm and spoke to him softer now that she knew the dragon was in pain as well, “why did you try and save them?”
Edge looks down at her softly then turned his gaze up as it hardened, “they were promised power beyond anything they have ever seen by… by something that refused to show itself to us,” Crystal’s expression changed to shock but let Edge continue, “he told us that we needed to slaughter the ponies of your town to get it,” he dropped his gaze again, “I told them innocent lives were not worth any kind of power but they all disagreed and when I tried to stop them I was attacked and held in place to watch as they slaughtered them all.”
Crystal glanced at Platinum and spoke to Edge softly, “I think it is me who need to apologize to you,” Edge looked at her confused, “after what happened I found myself hating dragons. Not just you and the one who were responsible, but all dragons,” she smiled up Edge fresh tears sliding down her cheeks again, “Lance told me what you did but I refuse to believe it thinking all dragons are just murderous brutes,” she can’t hold her head up as tears flow steadily to the ground, “I… I’m sorry that..”
Edge reached down and picked up the little pony and using a large claw, with a delicacy that you might see a doctor during surgery, wipes a tear off her cheek, “how about we leave it at this then,” he smiled at her, “I am sorry for the pain you had to go through with losing your family.”
Crystal wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled at him, “I am sorry that I didn’t realize you have lost as much as me and for thinking that you and all other dragons are the same,” Edge set her down Platinum looked up at her, his head cocked to the side, as she looks down at him, “I’m alright sweetheart”
Edge smiled at her, “I think you might want to be off, there are a few ponies who might be very thirsty.” she nodded up at him levitated Platinum onto her back and walked off to the next pony, “thank you for making me wait Captain.”
Edge looked down to his left as Lance smiled up at him, “you are welcome my friend.”
After a couple of days the reach the small outpost outside of Canterlot. Lance gave the signal that all the ponies with gear can move out and get rid of it. A couple ponies walked over and took the carts off Lance, one pony brought the large cart off one way. The other pony brought the other cart to a staging area were other ponies are bringing the many funeral carts now.
Lance looked back at them, “I want them cleaned up and dressed up for a proper funeral,” Crystal walked up next to Lance and he looked back at her as she nudged her head up under his chin, “they deserve a proper funeral and I don’t care what the King says I will see them have one.”
Lance had a shiver run up his spine as a voice caught his ears, “but I approve Captain,” Lance spun around to see a large black Alicorn with flowing mane and tail that resembles a flowing cluster of stars. His eyes were calm and kind looking, his cutie mark looked like a swirling galaxy, “trust me Captain I have the best designers waiting to get these ponies looking there best for their final goodbyes.”
Lance and Crystal bowed deeply as Lance spoke up, “I apologize for assuming you wouldn’t already be ready your…”
The King reached the Captain and picked him up to a standing position, “I swear if you say your Majesty you will be joining them.”
Lance smiled back, “I was going to say your Excellency.”
The King laughed at him, “No fair cheating Captain.”
Lance laughed back at him, “Likewise Sir, besides I couldn’t let you get rid of me now anyhow.”
The king looked at him curiously, “Oh?” He looked around at Crystal Care who still has her eyes to the ground. The King gave Lance a very clear smirk, “About time my friend,” he walked over to Crystal placeed a hoof under her chin making her look into his face, “What is your name dear?”
Crystal blushed a deep red, “um it’s Cry…Crystal Care your Majesty”
The King smiled at her, “It’s nice to see my good friend with such a pretty mare,” she blushes a deeper red, “Now I have a rule to share with you,” he leaned close to her, “Don’t call me your Majesty,” he gave her a quick smile and goes to turn away till another pony caught his eye, “Who is this Lance?” as he levitates Platinum up in front of his face receiving a giggle from him.
Lance smiled up at him, “This is Platinum Sword. My son”
The King gave Lance a look of surprise then turned to Crystal and back to Lance, “Wha… I… Wait what?”
Lance laughed a little, “adopted son Sir.”
The King relaxed a bit, “Oh…don’t do that to me Lance. I was just about to jump down your throat for not telling me you had a son.”
Lance took Platinum from the King and gave him a sad look, “He is the only one who survived the attack on the town Sir.”
The King’s expression changed instantly, “You mean...” the King looked at the funeral carts that where still lining up, “I am putting a whole town to rest?” The King dropped his gaze for a few moments then looked back up to Lance, “Lance I know you traveled a long way my friend, but can I ask you to make sure every pony knows the funeral will be tomorrow evening at sunset. I will tell the Queen of the grave news,” Lance nodded as the King turned to Crystal, “You may not think so but I am well aware of what your name was and I am aware you have lost your family,” The King bowed deeply to her, “please except my apologies for not being able to do anything,” all Crystal can do is put a hoof up to her mouth to stop herself from crying. The King stood up straight nodded to Lance and took off into the air. Lance walked over to Crystal and wrapped her in a hug as she buried her face into his neck. Platinum squeezed between them and wrapped his front hooves around her front leg.
The next day every pony in Canterlot and the Pony outpost are standing dressed nicely in a large field lined with sliver coffins. The King just sat back down after giving a small speech feeling a little useless from not being able to do more. The Queen a beautiful white Alicorn with clear blue eyes and a tail and mane that as it flowed as if in a constantly in a breeze shined with a different color with every movement. Her cutie mark is a small ring with wings giving off a ray of light, put her head on the King’s shoulder which he leaned his head against her head. She wrapped a wing around him knowing that he could use any support he get.
Lance is standing close to the coffins in his best military uniform with Nova to his right and Crystal to his left. He glanced to his left and grabbed Crystals hoof squeezing it letting her know that he was there for her, and she sobbed softly. She walked up next to him and he pulled her in to a comforting hug. Platinum stood in front of Lance wearing a small version of Lance’s uniform looked up at them sadly till something caught his attention. He spun around and looked around eagerly. Lance looked down at him, “what’s wrong buddy?” Platinum looked up at him the back to the coffins and took off down the rows of coffins, “Platinum?!”
The King noticed Lance running through the coffins and watched him curiously, “What is he doing?” Then he noticed Nova and Crystal care fallowing behind him. The King wanting to know what is going on told the Queen that he will be right back with a small kiss on her cheek and took off into the air.
Lance fallows closely behind Platinum who is zigzagging through the coffins, “Platinum what are you doing?” When Lance turned a corner Platinum stood on his hind legs trying to get up into a coffin, “Platinum what?” When Lance looked up he noticed who is in the coffin, still waiting to be closed and lowered into the ground he stopped and his heart just about dropped out of his chest. Platinum is trying to get into the coffin with his mother.
Nova and Crystal reached them as Lance curious to what Platinum wanted levitated him to the edge of the coffin, “Lance that’s…” Nova said with obvious emotion in his shaky voice.
Platinum carefully made his way up to the side of his mother’s head and looked at her with wounder. Lance couldn't deny how beautiful she looked in a robin egg blue dress with the right amount of makeup to bring out her beauty more and her hair done up he never denied that she would have had no problem finding a special somepony. She had her front hooves crossed across her chest holding a small bouquet of pink flowers. Lance then looked up at Platinum again as Platinum slightly nudged her head and looked at her as is trying to wake her up. After a couple of seconds the little foal leaned closer to her head and curled up next to her head in a small ball. If Lance’s heart didn’t drop before it just did now. Lance could feel the tears stinging his eyes. He turned his head a little and notices Crystal had her hooves up to her mouth as she watched crying softly to herself, and Nova is completely turned around but Lance can tell he was crying as well as his shivers were a dead giveaway.
The King standing on a cloud over head has a hoof over his eyes as tears fall to the cloud. Lance pulling himself back together looked back at Platinum, “come on Platinum,” Platinum looked up at Lance stood up with a quick look at his mother and a small kiss on her cheek he jumped down out of the coffin and walked over to Crystal who scooped him up and cried into the foal. Lance stared at her for a second before he uses his magic to pull off a medal on his uniform, one that he received a long time ago for his bravery in battle, he then laid it over her heart and quietly told her, “I promise that I will look after and take care of him for you, so don’t worry,” He felt a small touch on his back and glanced around to see Platinum looking up at him. He picked him up and pulled him into a hug, “I promise I will be there for you,” a couple tears fell from his eyes, “I promise”
Nova walked happily down the corridor glancing at himself every once in a while in the reflection of the armor of different passing guards till he final reached the room he was walking to. He looked in and watched a little as Lance examined himself in a large mirror at the formal military uniform he was fitted in. Nova walked in and leans against the door frame and crosses his hooves, “you have to admit, they could be worse.”
Lance, without taking his eyes off the mirror, acknowledged Nova dripping with sarcasm, “I told the King that we needed formal wear so we could look good if we ever wanted to look good for enemies,” Nova snorted as he tried to hide the laugh that over came him.
“Aw come on Cap, is it really that bad?” Nova said after recovering from the surprise humor from Lance.
“Ummmm,” Lance continued to look at himself a little while, but after a few minutes his expression becomes bored, “yes, yes they are…. They are ridicules.”
Nova smiled at him till a voice caused him to look up, “I don’t think they are that bad Captain Lance,” Nova’s eyes snap open and his jaw dropped open as Crystal Care walked by him wearing a silver and light blue dress. Lance looked up at her and is hit with a similar expression as Nova. She looked playfully from Lance to Nova, “what’s wrong you two? Never seen a mare dressed up before?”
Lance face broke into a wide smile, “Not one as beautiful as you,” Crystal blushed a deep red. Lance walked over to the door, bowed his head and extends a hoof out, “Shale we?”
She walked over to him with a smile on her face and bowed low, “my Captain, I would be honored,” she walked up next to him they look at each other affectionately and walk off down the hall.
Nova is still leaning against the door frame, his expression still unchanged, watched them walk away, “I… it’s…..no fair. How does he always get… HEY WAIT FOR ME!” he almost falls as he jumped from the door and took off down the hall after them.
Crystal and Lance laugh as Nova caught up with them right before they get to the ball room doors. The doors are large and white and two unicorns standing guard in front of them. They glance at the Captain and smile at him, “Sir! Looking good,” the other one gives a dog whistle, and they both start snickering.
Lance just walked up next to them smiling, “what’s that you two? You don’t need replacements tonight? Well the King will be surprised but pleased because he hates having ponies, who are enjoying a fun party, to leave to pull guard duty,” the guards stop instantly and just stare at Lance in surprise.
As Lance started to light up his own horn to open the doors one of the guards walked up in front of him, “Allow me Sir” he smiled nervously as Lance, Crystal, and Nova walk by, “I…I hope you have a nice evening,” the other one walked up also smiling nervously, “and we hope are little joke put you in good spirits hehe.”
Nova smiled back at them, “see you in the morning boys,” their expressions dropped and Nova trotted up next to Lance, “I’ll send them replacements in a couple hours,” he smiled evilly, “I think a few hours of tortcher will suffice.”
Lance looked at him smiling, “don’t make it too obvious that we were kidding to them,” Nova nodded and then trotted off when his name is called by a group of mares. Lance watched him leave with a raised eyebrow, "and now I know what he does in his spare time."
Crystal suppressed a giggle, “more like 'who' he does.”
Lance gave a weak smile, “I really didn’t need that mental image,” Crystal laughed at Lance as they approached the King who is standing at the top of a set of stairs waiting for them. When they are close enough Lance and Crystal both bow low as Lance spoke in a formal tone, “Your…”
The King give Lance an, I dare you look, before leaning towards him, “Your?!”
Lance smiled up at him, “…Highness”
The King dropped his head and sighed, “Can I win just once?”
Lance raises an eye brow at him, “If you are referring to are chess games? I couldn’t lose to you if I fell asleep. If you are talking in general? Then... no.”
The king looked up at him pouting, “Your so mean,” then he turned to Crystal, “Do you see the stuff that this so called Captain puts me through?”
Crystal smiled at him, “I have know idea what you are talking about my Lord.”
Lance shoved his hoof into his mouth to stop himself from laughing as the King just looked at her in stunned, “So much for respecting the crown.”
After a few seconds Lance calmed down and looked up at the King, “where is the Queen?” then it hit him and he turned to Crystal, “where is Platinum for that matter?”
The King held up a hoof, “relax Lance, Platinum is asleep up stairs with Celestia. The Queen is just finishing tucking them in,” He turned around and looked up the stairs that were behind him, “if you want we can go say goodnight?”
Lance fallowed the King as he started to walk away, “yes I think I would”
They walked up another flight of stairs till they reached a hallway. As they are walking Crystal is looking around excitedly at everything, “wow it’s so beautiful in here.”
A voice caught her attention, “thank you for the compliment dear,” She looked down the hall and noticed the Queen has just stepped out of a room. She is dressed in a white gown that seemed to make her glow.
Crystal looked up at her, “you are so beautiful your highness,” she struggled to find the right words as she lowered her head, “I wish I could look as beautiful as you.”
The Queen walked over to her lifted Crystals head with a hoof making her look into her face as she smiled softly at her. “you are far more beautiful than I dear,” Crystal started to object before the Queen cut her off, “That stallion you came with is a very good friend of mine and he himself told me long ago that he would find a mare who was even prettier than me,” Lance blushes a deep red and looked up at a tapestry hanging overhead.
Crystal also blushed walked over next to Lance gave him a small kiss on the cheek and nuzzled up under his chin. “thank you your Majesty,” then quietly so only Lance could hear, “Thank you” Lance smiled and nuzzled her back in response.
The Queen smiled at them, “Lance I assume you want to say goodnight to Platinum?”
Lance looked at her, “Is he awake still?”
The Queen shook her head, “No he and Celestia fell righto sleep after my husband brought him up here,” she walked over to the King and kissed him on the cheek and glanced back at Lance, “you should say goodnight anyhow,” with a final glance at the King, “I’ll be down stairs waiting,” with another kiss she turned an walked down the hall.
Lance quietly walked in to the room. It was a large room with a large window looking out over the East Mountains allowing the rising sun to be the first think to be seen in the morning. Large velvet curtains are currently draped over it mostly covering the large window. Against the far wall a beautifully decorated crib sat like a pear amongst the red velvet . Lance made his way over to the crib and looked down inside, Platinum is curled up next to a little white filly with a pink mane and tail. Lance can see that like her parents she is an alicorn but he can’t help but smile at how cute she is being so small. He leaned over and gave Platinum a kiss on the top of his head and then kissed Celestia on her cheek she shifted around a bit but Platinum just took a deep breath and continued to sleep on. Crystal walked up next to Lance and looked down at them with a soft grin, she leaned over kissed them herself turned to Lance and they quietly walk out of the room.
Once out the Lance looked up the King, “Are you not going to say goodnight?”
The King gave him a small laugh, “I got that while they were awake,” he extends a hoof out, “Shale we?” When they reach the ball room the King turned to Crystal, “would you please allow me to steal your date for a few minutes Ma’am?” He bowed low, “I promise I will return him unharmed….for the most part.”
Crystal lifted her head up to Lance and kissed him on the cheek and made him look her in the eye, “Don’t take too long. It would be a shame to not get a dance in before heading home.”
Lance smiled at her, “You get first and last dance.”
“And all other in between,” they all look back as Nova came walking up next to them with a smirk on his face holding a wine glass in a wine.
Lance rolled his eyes at him, “Already Nova?”
Nova glared at him, “What we had to go through in the past couple of weeks and you want to judge me for drinking early? I’m surprised you don’t have one yet,” he drained the liquid in the glass.
The King rolled his eyes and turned to Lance, “I have had the opportunity to have a talk with are larger friend,” Nova is about to make a grab for another glass till he heard the King and stopped himself and walked over to stand next to Lance, “I told him that we would have a quick chat tonight fallow me,” Lance and Nova fallowed the King outside and down to a beautiful garden where Edge is curled up waiting for them to arrive. When he noticed them he stood up and politely bowed to the King as he approached, “Edge would you please tell the Captain the same thing you told me yesterday?”
The dragon looked at Lance, “this may sound a little farfetched Captain, but the one who was mostly responsible for the attack was not a dragon but a zebra,” Lance looked up at Edge in confusion but allowed him to continue, “the magic I witnessed him using was not that of a unicorn and right before I was left for dead he lowered his bewitched hood to reveal his face. I have not seen many of them because they are from a far distant land, but I know what a zebra is.”
Lance took a step forward, “you mentioned a different magic. Enlighten me.”
The dragon put a claw up to his chin thinking of how to describe it then looked back at him, “It looked like a fire made of shadows.”
Nova raised and eye brow to the King and Lance, “Isn’t that an oxymoron? I mean a fire made out of shadow?”
The King looked at the ground hard, “I’m not so sure Lieutenant. Zebras have very powerful magic of their own that we know nothing about.”
Lance turned to face them both, “and if we don’t know what we are up against it may cause trouble for us later.”
Edge sighed, “It seems to be causing trouble now.”
The King looked up at him, “true enough. Thank you Edge please stay as long as you need to. You will always be welcome in my kingdom.”
The powerful gold dragon stood up, “I thank you for your kindness your Highness, but I need to be underway the rest of the clan must need to know what is going on,” he jumped into the air and turned to face them, “you have shown me a kindness I have not come to expect from your species. If you require any help please seek me out and I will do what I can,” With that he turned and flew away.
Nova watched him go, “I can see so many possibilities from having a dragon owe us favors.”
Lance walked by him, “coming from the pony who questioned why I wanted to help him.”
Nova watched the King and Lance turn and walk away, “hey no fair I was so on board to helping him out,” The King and Lance laughed as Nova caught up with them.
Two dark figures walked out from behind a statue,“Yes it is up in the room with velvet curtains currently asleep.”
Back at the ball as soon as the King and Lance enter Crystal trotted up to Lance stood on her hind legs grabbed one of his front legs and pulled at him playfully, “come on Lance, Don’t’ make me beg,” Lance looked at the King who smiled at him and nodded. Lance let himself be dragged to the dance floor. Lance and Crystal get to a clear spot and turn to each other. They don’t see the King give the small group on the stage a small nod. They all nod back and the lights dim and a slow song started to play. Lance and Crystal look up at the light at the same time then slowly into each others eyes.
Crystal blushed when their eyes meet, and Lance spook softly to her, “I figured he have something like this pl…” Crystal places a hoof up to his lips and smiled softly at him. He smiled back and they move in close. She placed her head on the side of his neck and he wrapped his head around and rests it on the back of her neck. With each breath he took he can smell her mane which has a sweet smell of strawberries, 'Did she know that strawberries are my favorite?' he thought to himself. As the song played on every other pony in the room seemed to have diapered, it felt like they were the only ones on the floor. With each step they held each other tighter.
Nova was leaning next to a pillar with another drink watching them dance. He holds the glass up, “Cheers Cap.”
The King watched them slowly spin in place smiling while the Queen leaned on him watching them as well, “I never thought I would get to return the favor,” he said as he gave his wife a tender look. The Queen smiled up at him then slowly pressed her lips against his.
Lance and Crystal stop spinning and look into each others eyes again, their faces both red as they just continue to stare at each other. Slowly they start to move closer closing their eyes as they move inch by inch. Lance brushed her lips with his own when a small explosion rocked the ball room. Crystal fell to her knees and Lance leaned down next to her and just as he is about to ask her if she is ok a small piece of glass lands next to him. He quickly shot a glance up just in time to see a chandelier break free of its chain and fall towards them. Lance scooped up Crystal and dove out of the way.as it came crashing down next to them. Lance stood up and looked around.
A low laugh filled the air and as a clear hoof sounded against the black marble floor the smoke dissipated instantly revealing a figure with a cloak of black fire. The only thing that can be seen on him is his glowing green eyes. Similar figures walking up next to him and from outside the giant hole they made Lance could see large dragon like figures similar to their cloaks looking in from outside, but he can tell that the dragons have glowing red eyes. The first figure looked around till he spotted the King who is looking at him standing in front of the Queen his chest out and his expression hard.
The figure smiled at him and bowed low, “your Majesty I am deeply sorry for the intrusion but I come seeking something,” he said with a heavy accent.
Lance leaned down next to Crystal, “get to safety now!” she nodded her face filled with terror as she stood up and moved away. Lance walked up in the middle of the floor and glared at the guest, “what do you want?”
The figure turned his attention to him, “ah just the stallion I wanted to talk to.”
Even with the hard accent Lance can feel the sarcasm dripping off his words. Lance narrowed his eyes angrily, “what would a Zebra want with Canterlot? Isn’t the town you butchered enough?”
The figure’s eyes widened. He dropped his head and pulled the hood of the cloak back revealing a mostly black face with white stripes and green evil eyes. He grinned as he looked back at Lance, “so I take it Edge survived the encounter then? I guess we have to make another stop after this one my friends,” he looked back out the hole and the dragons growling and bare their fangs. He snap his head around, “but that’s not why I am here.”
This time the King spoke up, “why are you here?”
The Zebra glanced up at him, “this Stallion has something of mine and I would like it back.”
Lance looked at him confused, “what would I have of yours and why would I want it?”
The Zebra started to pace, “you see in order for the spell to work properly I need to finish the job of ending the lives of every pony in the town we were in,” Lance’s eyes went wide as terror raised in his chest, “you took something from the town that we need to bring back or do away with.”
Lance's eyes narrow dangerously, “I will not let you hurt a hair on his…..”
Another cloaked figure ran up next to the zebra and whispered something to him. The Zebra smiled at Lance, “never mind,” and another explosion shook the ceiling.
Lance looked up as fear started spreading up from the bottom of his heart and across his face, “PLATINUM?!”
Everything started swirling around Lance making him feel sick, “Captain!” Nova grabbed Lance by the shoulders and started shaking him, “Captain we need to hurry”
Lance blinked as his senses started to come back, “PLATINUM!” he yelled as he snapped back to reality he heard the QUEEN screaming frantically, “THE CHILDREN! HONEY PLEASE!” Lance looked up to see the King running up the stairs. Lance looked back to the hole and noticed the Zebra walking away, “STOP!” The zebra glanced back at him and smiled, then turned and walked away.
Nova started to check on ponies that where too close to the first explosion. He dropped down to a mare who is holding her hoof crying because it is badly burnt. He gave Lance a hard look, “Captain you need to go and check on Platinum and Celestia,” he smiled back down at the mare and started to try and make her comfortable.
Lance nodded to Nova, “thanks Nov..”
Nova looked up at him angry, “LANCE, GET THAT FLANK MOVING SOLDIER!”
Lance took a step back turned and took off up the stairs past the Queen, “Lance Please,” she cried as he continued to run past her and up to the hallway. Lance stopped at the top of the stairs were the King is sitting staring down the hallway his face holding a look of disbelief, “Lance…..I…..its not…”
Lance looked down the hall and his heart stopped as he noticed the door to Celestia’s room is sitting on the other side of the hall and there is blast marks coming out from inside the door and small fires still burned on the wooden door frame, “No…” he slowly walked to the door every step his heart felt like it’s about to drop out of his chest. He stood next to the door frame when the Queen climbed the stairs and when she seen the destruction she falls to the ground in tears. The King wrapped her in a hug trying to suppress tears himself. Lance looked down at the floor, his vision becoming blurry with tears. He sat down and closed his eyes tightly when a small sound made his eyes snap open. He looked into the room and noticed that the crib is perfectly intact. A small flame of hope light up inside his heart. He took a small step into the room when a movement inside the crib caused him to stop. Platinum placed his hooves on the edge of the crib and looked at Lance. Lance just about fell over till Celestia propped herself up next to Platinum smiling. Lance can’t hold himself up and he called back his voice cracking, “their ok, The children are ok!”
The Queen is the first to look into the room and when she sees the two children she ran over to them scooping them both up holding them close to her face and sinking down to the floor crying. The King and Nova hurry in behind her. The King hurried over to the Queen and wrapped her in a hug not stopping himself from crying as he nuzzled into Celestia’s mane. Lance walked over to them and grabbed Platinum from the Queen and held him close, “how… How did they miss?”
Nova started to look around the room, “I don’t think they missed,” he continued until he came to the window. He looked up at the broken curtain and fallowed it down to the floor, “Lance... LANCE!!!”
Lance handed Platinum back to the Queen as he stood back up. The fear in his heart building back up, “what’s wrong Nova?” He walked over next to Nova who looked at him sadly then looked down at the fallen curtain. Lance fallowed his gaze to a very familiar silver dress and the flank of a pony that made Lance’s heart shatter. He slowly walked over and pulled the curtain off Crystal's head, he bent down and lifted it up. He put a hoof up to her eyes and closed them putting her in the forever sleep.
Nova walked over next to the King, “she came up here to be with the children. She must have slipped by you two in hopes of trying to get them away safely.”
The King stood up and walked slowly over to Lance who softly laid Crystal's head down and stood up, “Lance? I’m sorry. I wish I…” Lance turned around his heart broken expression replaced with one full of murderous intent, “Lance?” The king took a step back.
Lance turned and ran to the window using his magic to blast it open. He jumped off the balcony and slammed a large magically summoned lance into the ground and grinned down it till he reached the ground. When he landed on the ground continued to run at full speed in the direction the zebra went.
The King looked back at Nova, “we need to go after him now!” Nova nodded. They both jump from the balcony and took off into the air.
The zebra and his group continued to head away from Canterlot. They are crossing a bridge when the Zebra looked to one of his followers, “so she begged you to spare the children in exchange for her life?”
The follower smiled at him, “yeah, I said I would try,” he grinned evilly at his leader, “I’m sure that the spell you gave me made light work of all three of them. The zebra glanced at him, “I told you to leave the filly Princess out of it,” He sounded serious but not concerned.
The follower is just about to respond when a bright light from in front of them caused them to stop. As the light cleared the zebra smiled, “ah, Captain Lance wasn’t it?” Lance has his head down and doesn’t respond at first so the zebra continued, “Did the King tell you to bring us in? Please tell him we can’t see…” Before he can finish his sentence a lance flew through the air and drove it's self through the mouth of one of the dragons piercing out the back of its head and pinning it to a rock face right behind it. The zebra looked back at the dragon watching the blood flow down the rock freely, the dragon didn’t even feel the lance hit him before he was dead. The zebra looked back at Lance his expression a mixture of anger and shock, “who do you think you are dealing with?”
Lance lifted his head up his eyes lusting for blood, his face cold and emotionless. Without even saying a word he summoned two more lances and shot them at his followers. They dodged out of the way but a dragon behind one of them wasn’t so lucky. The lance is buried into its rib cage, the dragon grabbed feebly at the lance to trying and pull it out but Lance smiled wickedly and slowly drove it in further till the fight left inside the dragon dies.
One of the last three dragons decided to take matters into his own claws and dashed forward. He shot a line of black fire at Lance who jumped into the air. The dragon grinned as he jumped to intercept, as he got close to Lance he swung at him with large razor sharp claws. Lance summoned a large lance in front of himself landed on it and jumped off it dodging the dragons attack. Lance’s face gave the dragon a feeling of seeing his final moments flash before his eyes as Lance screamed, “DIE!!” and launched the newly summoned lance at the dragon.
The dragon dodged it smiling wickedly “You need to do better than …” another lance shot up from below the dragon piercing underneath the dragons chin driving itself into its brain killing him instantly. As Lance landed on the bridge a large tail slammed him from his right side sending him flying into the mountains rocky face.
The zebra walked up next to the dragon that hit him, “good work,” he turned around, "finish the job," As the dragon approaches the downed stallion Lance looked into the dragons eyes, and the dragon stopped dead. His every fiber screaming for him to run, but as he turned to run ten more lances fly into the dragon from every angle dropping the dragon to the ground, with a final gurgle of blood coming from its mouth it joins its fellow dragons that have meet an end to the highly seasoned soldier.
The zebra stopped and turned around as Lance stood up, “what are you?” Lance looked at the zebra his eyes pupil less and glowing with a white aura. The zebra looked at him in confusion, “what are you doing?” The zebra turned to the last dragon, “stop him,” a follower tapped him on the shoulder so the zebra glanced at him, “What?!” The follower doesn’t say a word he is looking to the sky and lifted a shaky hoof to the sky causing the zebra to look skyward. The zebra’s expression is instantly filled with a fear he never knew possible for as he continued to look into dark storm clouds a lance the size of the largest tower in Canterlot castle is looming down at them, “stop him... STOP HIM NOW!”
The dragon made one last ditch effort to run at Lance but Lance just smiled at them, “too late,” the dragon stopped and looked up as Lance shot the giant lance at them all.
The dragon smiled up at it, “It may be large but dodging it will be easy,” and he looked back at Lance with a cocky smile.
Lance's eyes said die, but his smile said he already is, “you sure?”
The zebra watched in horror as the large lance shattered apart into lances of every type and size. They fell to the ground like rain hitting the followers and pinning them to the ground easily, one died as one lance is driven through his spine and into the ground. The dragon was a little luckier as he was hit a couple times but not enough to kill him outright. The zebra was not hit at all as he put a spell on his cloak to turn it into a material similar to steel and held it out in front of himself to block them.
When the lances stopped falling the zebra looked up at him smiling, “that all?”
Lance smiled wickedly, “sort of,” he slammed a hoof onto the ground and all of the lances start to glow brightly.
The dragon looked at the 3 of them stuck in him, “what is going on?”
Lance looked at the zebra again with murder in his eyes, “like I said… die,” and with that last word all of the lances glow brighter and exploded all around them.
The King and Nova arrived just in time to see the large explosion. The King looked at it in surprise, “He said he would never use it!”
Nova looked at him in confusion, “what?” The King ignores him and flew down to where the explosion is still burning some of the chard rock around them landing on a larger rock close by. His horn lit up and a light wind blew the smoke away causing Nova to almost miss his landing in surprise, “wha… What The Hell Happened?!” The carnage was incredible as body parts scorch marks and blood littered the ground around them. Nova looked over and pointed to where Lance is slowly walking over to the zebra who is trying to crawl away, “over there!”
The zebra rolled over to look at Lance, “I surrender… I wish to live and because I surrendered by the Kings law you must... GHAAAAAA!” He let out a terrible scream of pain as Lance produced a long slender lance and slowly drove it up under his front left leg, “WHAT… WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! I SURENDERED!” He let out another scream as another lance is drove under his right front leg.
The King jumped down and walked up behind Lance, “Lance Please, this has gone on long enough… He has surrendered now stop this.”
Lance never took his eyes off the zebra, “No, I will kill him but… he will learn the then pain of all who he has killed,” He lifted him up with the lances causing him to scream in pain. Lance’s eyes narrowed and his voice became so icy that Nova cowered down in fear, “Starting with my pain,” He started to twist the lances inside the zebra causing him to let out a scream that made Nova cringe.
The King lowered his head and his eyes narrowed, “Lance I am warning up drop him and back away now.”
Lances looked up into the zebras eyes wickedly, “Don’t worry I will defiantly drop him.”
Lance produces another lance; this one looked similar to a drill bit and slowly brings it up to the zebras face so he could see it. The zebra looked at it the color in his face is long gone and his eyes dart from Lance to the drill looking lance in complete terror. Lance smiled and lowered the drill and right before he started to drive it into its intended target something blasted him in the chest throwing him back. Before he can gather his bearings he is levitated into the air, and a dark orb covered his horn dissipating his conjured lances instantly dropping the zebra to the ground. A voice that shook the mountain made Lance snap out of his frenzy, “LANCE!! I TOLD YOU TO STOP THIS AND NOW I WILL STOP YOU MYSELF!!”
Lance looked up and his heart jumped into his throat as the King looked down at Lance, disappointment across his face. The King has became something more his tail and mane flow like a star filled fire. His wings look like the surface of the sun making him look far more fierce than normal. His eyes glowed with the same magical aura that Lance had in his eyes, “LANCE I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN YOU!” Lance can’t look at the King now, he couldn't even look at himself at this point. The Captain of the Royal guard trained to suppress his feelings went and lost control of everything he was what he trained for. The King continued, “WHAT WOULD CRYSTAL CARE HAVE SAID TO THIS?” Lance already knew she would be deeply ashamed of him right now, “THIS IS A FINE EXAMPLE TO SET FOR PLATINUM,”
The King stopped quickly as he felt that last comment is a little harsh however true it is. He set Lance down and landed down in front of him. Lance put his head down in shame as tears started to fall from his eyes. The King placed a hoof on his shoulder, “Lance. This is the first time in… well ever that you have refused an order of mine,” he sat down, “Crystal will receive more than a simple funeral for what she did, and Platinum needs you more than ever now,” Lance looked up at the King. The King looked at him his face not holding any emotion, “make no mistake however. You will be punished accordingly.”
Lance stood up, “your right Sir… That’s why I’m resigning.”
The King looked at him in surprise, “No, I didn’t mean...”
Lance stopped him with a sad smile, “I have plenty of savings to take care of Platinum and with me being in the military I won’t be there for him as much as I need to be.”
The King sighed, “fine, you have a good point,” he places a hoof on Lances shoulder again, “so I punish you to being promoted to be my adviser.”
Lance raised and eye brow at the King, “come again? You said punishment not a better position.”
The King stood up and turned around, “you will be stuck giving me advise and not allowed into combat unless you are absolutely needed.”
Lance cocked his head at him, “so I get the same job but a different title?”
The King started to laugh and just as he is about to respond Nova poked his head out from behind the rock he was taking shelter from everything, “um where is the zebra?” Lance and the King looked back to where he was last and notice some drag marks with blood going over the cliff side.
Lance looked at it in disappointment, “I could hope all I want but I know that didn’t kill him.”
The King frowned at it, “you’re probably right," He turned to Lance, “But let’s go for now we need to get you to Platinum my friend.”
When they arrived at the castle the Queen is sitting in her room with both of the children curled up in her wings. Lance walked in his head held low, but as he is heard by Platinum he poked his head over the Queen’s wing and fumbled out of her embrace and ran over to Lance. Lance dropped down and scooped Platinum up and nuzzled into him, “I’m home buddy,” The Queen looked up at the King as he entered and walked over to him holding Celestia. The King nuzzled her softly and she giggled up at him.
Platinum looked happily at Lance, “Tia!”
Lance looked up at the King and Queen, “Tia?”
The Queen smiled at him sadly, “Crystal called her that only once and he hasn’t stopped calling her that,” She nuzzled Celestia, “not that we mind I think its sweet.”
The King looked at Lance, “I have an idea for Crystal Cares funeral that I wish to discuss with you Lance”
Lance nodded at him and looked down at Platinum, “stay and protect the Queen and Tia ok buddy.”
Platinum smiled up at him and trotted over to the queen who picked him up and smiled at Lance, “take your time you two. Don’t worry Lance I will keep an eye on him for as long as you need.”
Lance bowed to her, “thank you your Majesty,” with a small nod to the King they left the Queen and walked off to the throne room to discuss the upcoming funeral.
